by Linda Wells
“No, I realize that it was to curry favour with me. The Darcy name has been restored to its prominence, and I imagine, once Georgiana is married, her past indiscretion will be a memory.”
“Well then, let us go downstairs and greet our guests. The sooner the ball is over, the sooner Georgiana can begin her Season …”
“And the sooner we can take our baby home.” He whispered and gently stroked her belly. “I want a girl next time.”
“Will you tolerate a boy?” Elizabeth smiled at his misty expression.
“Of course, but I want a girl just like her Mama.” His eyes bore into hers.
“Only she will learn how to ride at a younger age.” She teased.
He chuckled and kissed her lips. “A much younger age; and properly.”
“You will never let me drive, will you?”
He hugged her tightly. “NO.” Elizabeth shook her head and smiled, thinking she would test that objection when they returned to Pemberley, he could not use pregnancy or winter as an excuse now. “I think that we should begin to work on this new family member.” He whispered in her ear.
She smiled up to his passionate eyes. “I believe that we have been addressing that desire quite frequently, my love.”
“You know how I feel about constant practice, Lizzy.” He growled. Shaking her head she pulled away and led him to the door, but was instantly drawn back into his arms. “Not so fast, Mrs. Darcy.” She giggled and gladly accepted his fervent kisses.
Finally sated, Darcy resigned himself to hosting the ball. They wandered slowly down the stairs, watching the servants still rushing about, putting the last touches in place. Richard met them at the bottom. “Have you seen my wife? She disappeared after I supposedly destroyed her careful coiffure.” He laughed. “For a woman who never worried about her appearance before, she is fretting inordinately over this evening.”
“Mary wants to look her best for you, Richard. You should feel the compliment.” Elizabeth saw Mary hurrying down the steps. “See, there she is!”
“Does it look right, Lizzy?” Mary patted the curls, and blushed at Richard’s appreciative smile.
She laughed. “Perfect, now stop touching it before it all comes down.” Mary stopped her fussing, and startled when a knock was heard. “I am certain that will be Marshall.” He entered, accompanied by his hosts in town, the Bingleys, and the Hursts. Greetings were made all around and Marshall’s eyes travelled the entrance. Elizabeth smiled. “Are you looking for anyone in particular?”
“Oh, um, yes, I …” He sighed. “I was hoping that I could speak to Miss Darcy before everything began, I wanted to secure my dances with her.” He bit his lip and glanced at Darcy, who was not smiling.
“How many dances?” He glowered.
“Stand down, Darcy. The man has waited long enough for this.” Richard laughed and turned to Marshall. “I am sure that you wished for no more than two, am I correct, sir?”
“Yes, of course, only two.” He looked a little disappointed.
“I seem to recall that we had three dances when we attended the Meryton Assembly, William.” Elizabeth raised her brow.
“That is correct, Darcy, I remember my sisters speaking of it incessantly afterwards!” Bingley jumped in.
Hurst laughed. “Caroline did not have anything charitable to say after that dance, and neither did you, my dear.” He smiled at Louisa.
She shook her head. “You promised not to remind me of that, Gilbert!”
“Forgive me, dear. You may extract retribution by the method of your choosing.”
“Do not tempt me, Mr. Hurst.” His laughter wiped the scowl from her face.
Jane turned to Elizabeth. “Do you remember the ladies of the neighbourhood all came by to remark upon your dances to Mama?” She grinned and smiled at Darcy’s closing eyes.
“It seems that you all are usurping my role as my sister’s guardian. Perhaps I should simply go upstairs and spend the night with my son. He will not object to my protection.” He opened his eyes only to see the amused smiles of his family.
Elizabeth took his arm. “No dear, but I think that you should go upstairs and collect Georgiana. I believe that she is nervous to make her appearance, and needs your courage.” They walked to the foot of the stairs and she reached up to touch his cheek. “This is something that only you can do for her.”
“Thank you, Lizzy.” He kissed her palm and set off up the stairs. Elizabeth stood watching him for a moment then returned to her guests.
“So, your husband is feeling powerless to stop the inevitable?” Richard noted, watching his retreating form.
“He feels his obligation to care for those he loves, no matter how seemingly inconsequential the situation.” She smiled and laughed. “When I was with child, he was far worse.” Elizabeth looked at Mary who widened her eyes and glanced at Richard, then shook her head. Apparently she had not shared her suspicions with her husband yet.
Darcy reached Georgiana’s door and knocked lightly. It was opened by her abigail who bobbed a curtsey and departed with his nod. “Georgiana, our guests have begun to arrive, shall I escort you down? Douglass is waiting to speak with you.” She turned from where she stood at the window and he smiled. “You look lovely tonight, dear.”
“Thank you.” She said softly. “I … I want to thank you for giving me Mother’s jewels.”
“I see that you have chosen not to wear any of them.” He walked in further and closed the door.
“No, I wished to wear the necklace that you gave me for my presentation, I did not know Mother, this means so much more to me, and I thought on this night …” Her voice trailed away.
Darcy took her hands in his and looked down into her worried eyes. “Two years ago, well nearly two years ago, when I was riding through the countryside, thinking the worst, and wondering what your future could possibly be if I did find you in time, I barely allowed myself to imagine that this night would ever occur. I feared so many possibilities … but here we are. You were presented at court, you have gained so much confidence, and downstairs there is a fine young man who is very anxious to finally be allowed to call on you. I could not have dreamed of such an outcome after that desperate ride, but it has happened. I can not begin to tell you how proud I am of you.”
“Oh William, thank you!”
He drew a breath, and continued his speech. “You are out now. This is your opportunity to meet other young men. I do not want you to feel obligated to accept Douglass’ attentions despite his unwavering friendship. I do not want you to regret not taking this time …”
Georgiana interrupted him. “Brother, stop. Mr. Douglass has never looked at me as anyone but a friend. He has liked me for myself, and not for the dowry that every other young man would value, at least those who would be willing to look at me at all. I know that the rumours of my ruin still exist. He understands everything of me. Why should I look elsewhere?”
“It would be a different life than what you have known, dear.” He said gently. “And before I will allow you to consider it, you must meet other young men. You must be sure. I want you to have no regrets, Georgiana.”
“I have enough of those already. But I look forward to my future now, and I understand your wish for me to meet others, as much as I fear doing so.” They embraced, both teary eyed. He kissed her forehead and stepped back, dabbing his eyes with his handkerchief. Georgiana noticed. “Is that the same one that Elizabeth gave you?”
Smiling he placed it back in his coat. “I am never without one of them, but yes, this is that particular one.” He took her hand and placed it on his arm. “Now, my dear sister, my wife sent me up here to fulfil my brotherly duty and to bring you downstairs. Douglass indicates that he wishes to ask for many dances with you.”
“How many?” She asked, suddenly excited.
He sighed, and shook his head, his day was done. “Well, I suggested two and the assembled crowd laughed at me, but I will not relent. However, the first is mine.”
“But wh
at of Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked worriedly.
“I am sure that she will make do with Douglass, do you not agree?” He laughed at her thinking it over. “Surely you do not fear Elizabeth stealing him away? I assure you, that until I have my own daughter, this will be the last time that I do not open a ball with my wife.”
She laughed and blushed. “I am just being silly.”
Opening the door, they stepped out into the hallway. The increased volume of noise indicated that the remaining guests had begun arriving. Elizabeth stood near the entrance greeting them as they entered. She caught sight of the couple at the top of the stairs and paused, smiling up at them. People turned and Darcy sedately descended with Georgiana. Murmurs of appreciation for the striking girl were heard, and she took her place at Elizabeth’s side.
“You are glowing, Georgiana.” Elizabeth whispered.
“I am so worried of making an error.” She whispered back.
“If you do, I promise to do something worse, so all of the gossip will be about me instead.” She grinned and squeezed her hand and felt her relax. Darcy’s hand rested on the small of her back and she looked up. “Are you well?” He could not so easily hide the evidence of his conversation with Georgiana from his observant wife.
“Stay with me tonight, Lizzy.” He said softly.
“Of course, my love.” She leaned against him and he closed his eyes. “Oh, what will you do at her wedding?” He heard her gentle laugh and looked back down at her dancing eyes.
“I will be deeply in need of your love.” His little smile appeared.
“Hmm. That does not sound at all bad!” They laughed and were startled back to awareness with Lord Matlock’s booming voice.
“Well, it seems that everyone is here, shall we get this night underway?” He clapped Darcy’s back and then kissed Georgiana. “We are delighted for you, my dear!”
“Thank you, Uncle Henry.” Georgiana laughed. “Where is Aunt Ellen?”
“Oh she is about here somewhere, always politicking that woman is.” He grinned and offered his arm to Elizabeth. “Come Mrs. Darcy. Your husband has a duty to perform!”
Elizabeth glanced back at him and smiled. “Yes he does, and where do you take me?”
“I have decided that we need to dance together.” He lifted his chin. “Now I know that young Douglass had tried for your hand, but I told him no, your husband will have to give you up some other time to him.”
“But what of your wife?”
“She does not like to dance with me for some reason.” Elizabeth’s eyes grew wide and she looked at Lady Matlock who had spotted her husband’s determined advance to the floor.
“No Henry, I will not have you tread on Elizabeth’s toes.” She pulled him away and spotting Marshall lifted her finger. “Sir, I understand that this dance is yours? Well then, please take your place.” Lord Matlock protested but Marshall quickly stepped up.
“I am sorry, Elizabeth, I could not very well say no to an Earl.” He whispered softly.
“Fortunately for my feet his wife could!” She smiled and they lined up, the men opposite the ladies. Darcy looked at her sadly. She looked pointedly at Georgiana and he laughed, focussing again on his sister. The dance began and Elizabeth caught Marshall staring at Georgiana, and sighed at the two besotted men. “You will dance with her soon enough. Now, how are your parents? I am sorry that they could not come today.”
“They are well, but with me in London, father felt that he could not leave the brewery unsupervised. Your parents could not come either, I see.”
“No, they were here for Easter, but Papa hates town, and Kitty is being courted back home … and of course a suitor in hand is more important to Mama than searching for a new one for Lydia, so they returned just last week.” She smiled. “Papa seems to be receiving regular inquires from Mr. Collins on the status of his health. I gather that our cousin is most anxious for Papa’s demise and his inheritance. I wonder Marshall, should you not be the rightful heir of Longbourn? You are father’s nephew.”
“I believe it follows only the male line, and besides even if it would go to her son, Mother was disowned; I suppose that I could speak to your father now that the family has been reunited. I do not know if any legal proceedings took place or if she was simply disavowed but … I do not know that I would want it, not after she was sent away from there. I would rather carry on my father’s work.” He looked at Georgiana. “I will be forever grateful that Darcy brought Miss Darcy home.”
They continued through the first dance and when it ended, they waited for the music for the second in the set to begin. Darcy leaned over and whispered to Marshall who looked at him with surprise. The two men switched positions, and now Darcy was standing opposite of Elizabeth, and Marshall was smiling warmly into Georgiana’s wide eyes. The dance began and Darcy held out his hand for his wife.
“That was very kind of you, Will, but what happened to allowing only two dances?” Elizabeth said as they turned together.
He raised her hand to his lips, then smiled. “Ah, but everyone saw that it was me who made the request to change partners, so they will give him a pass and be amused at my besotted behaviour.” He laughed at her sceptical expression. “I put myself in his place, and remembered how much I wanted to dance the first with you.” Elizabeth’s eyes softened and she shook her head.
“This is entirely different; you are no threat to him.”
“No, but I hate seeing anyone else touching you.” His eyes darkened and they moved apart, their fingertips barely touching. “Since I have been told that my days of protecting my sister are numbered, I will instead protect my wife.”
“From a young man enamoured with your sister!” She laughed and he grinned. “Such worries you have!” Moving around him and she whispered, “Perhaps I need to protect you from your cousin James’s sisters?”
“Why did you invite them?” Darcy whispered back, and looked across the ballroom to see James dancing with his wife.
“Your aunt asked me to. She hoped that someone would catch their eyes and they might be married off and gone from visiting Matlock.” She laughed at his rolling eyes. “I promise Will, they will not bother you.”
“And how do you plan to keep this promise?” He watched as she passed by his shoulder.
“I will spirit you away so nobody can find you.” Elizabeth said mischievously. Darcy’s eyes lit up and he began looking around the room. “What are you seeking?”
“The Farnesworth girls, perhaps they can annoy you now and you can initiate the rescue!” His eyes twinkled and the dance ended. Soon the music began again for the second set, and Elizabeth took his arm. Slowly they made their way through the crowd, speaking to their guests. Elizabeth checked to see how Georgiana fared, noting that Lady Matlock was beside her, and eventually their meandering path brought them to the doorway and they exited the ballroom. “You are kidnapping me!” Darcy suddenly realized, unable to hide the delight in his voice. Elizabeth glanced up at him with a wicked grin and kept leading him forward to slip into his study for a few moments of pleasure.
Bingley watched them disappear down the hallway and Richard leaned over to him while they waited their turn to begin dancing. “Are they incapable of keeping their hands off of each other for even a few hours?”
“Apparently so.” Bingley laughed. “It seems that we mere mortals will never keep up with them.”
“I admire his stamina.” Richard said with awe.
Bingley grinned and stepped forward to take Jane’s hand. “What are you two boys whispering about?”
“Oh, we just were remarking on our hosts.” She looked around the room for her missing sister and brother. Bingley watched, knowing how she tried to emulate her sister’s marriage. “Jane dear.” She returned her attention to him. “They amuse us, but what we have is everything that I ever wanted. I love you.”
“Oh, Charles Bingley, now you will make me cry!” She wiped the happy tears with her glove. He laughed and took her
arm for a spin, and noticed Elizabeth and Darcy had already returned.
Across the room, Georgiana was surrounded by a group of young men when Marshall approached. “Miss Darcy, may I have a moment?”
She turned and gave him a bright smile. “Oh, I wish that you would!”
Surprised he smiled back, and taking her arm, led her to a relatively unoccupied corner of the ballroom. “Why would you make such a wish?”
“You are the friendly face in this crowd.” She said honestly.
“Has anyone treated you badly?” Concern crossed his brow and he looked back at the abandoned suitors.
“No, but I feel as if everyone is staring at me.” She whispered and looked down.
He relaxed and laughed. “You are the guest of honour; of course you are the one who they came to see.”
“Oh I wish that this was over!” Georgiana cried in frustration.
Marshall’s expression changed, and his voice lowered. “And then you would like what to happen?” She blushed as he moved closer.
“William wishes me to experience my Season. He wishes me to … be sure that I am … aware of … he wishes for me not to regret any impulsive decisions I might make, I think. I believe that he is not quite convinced that I am mature.” She said the last softly and looked down.
“Miss Darcy.” Georgiana looked up at her friend and found comfort in his smile. “Your brother loves you dearly, and I believe that you should not take his request for you to meet gentlemen as a sign that he thinks you are immature or might make the wrong choice, but rather that he wishes you to be sure that the choice you make is correct. He said much the same thing to me last year. He told me to participate in society, to experience meeting different people and to learn from each encounter, and not to sequester myself away in the hopes that … well, not to limit my choices by fixating on what may never be. As difficult as that advice was to hear, I listened, and I have indeed benefited from it. He is a wise man, even if he is your brother.” Marshall smiled. “He knows that you have not really known many young men, and he wants you to learn. I have no doubt that he and Elizabeth, and all of your family, will be by your side to help you through this time. Perhaps you will meet someone who is … the one you need.”
