by Webb, Brenda
Overwhelmed, Elizabeth closed her eyes for a moment only to find upon opening them that Alfreda stood before her with a quizzical look. Wilkens’ sister had rushed back to her side after standing in the receiving line with her brother and cousins.
“Elizabeth, are you unwell? And why are you alone? Where are the Gardiners?”
The Gardiners had been with her until minutes before, but Aunt Madeline was feeling faint, since she was with child again, so they were forced to move to the terrace for some fresh air. Secretly Elizabeth had been glad for the reprieve, as Alfreda had not let her out of her sight all day, and her aunt was apparently going to monitor her every move during the ball.
“I am well. And as for my aunt and uncle, Aunt Madeline was not feeling well so they went onto the terrace for some fresh air.”
“Oh dear! I do hope Mrs. Gardiner is not very ill! Do you think I should notify Penelope?”
“I would give her a chance to recover before you alert anyone.”
“I suppose that would be prudent. However, I simply must revisit the subject of your own health. You looked so pale a moment ago when I happened upon you and your eyes were closed. Perhaps you and your aunt have the same malady.”
Elizabeth almost laughed aloud, but she could not betray a confidence and tell anyone of her aunt’s condition. No, that would be for the Gardiners to announce. “I can assure you that I am not ill. I was merely overcome with the magnificence of everything—the decorations, the food, the people, the number of musicians—everything is on such a grand scale.”
The pronouncement pleased Alfreda. She was aware that Elizabeth came from a family of humble origins, and she wanted her to be impressed with wealth—with her brother’s wealth in particular.
Elizabeth continued. “And I have already been introduced to so many people. I fear I shall never remember all their names.”
“You should not concern yourself with that, as no one expects you to remember everyone you have met. Besides, Brother and I shall be by your side all night, ready to assist. Oh, look! John is coming this way to claim the first dance.”
Elizabeth tried to keep her smile pasted in place as the Earl of Hampton approached, a disturbing look of ownership on his face. Soon she found herself opposite him across a line of dancers. And as the music began, she wondered if she would be able to escape his watch any time that evening. If she did not, she knew the night would be endless.
~~~*~~~
Richard and William entered the ballroom after the first dance had begun, closely followed by Lord Landingham and their aunt. Landingham immediately steered Lady Ashcroft towards some of his associates from the House of Lords, who had acknowledged his arrival. William was grateful that they chose not to stand with him—both well aware of his penchant for anonymity. Landingham was a very popular speaker, and a group always gathered wherever he appeared, hoping to gain some wisdom from his pronouncements on the latest issue before parliament. Breathing a sigh of relief as they walked on, William turned to say something to Richard, only to find him intently examining the assembly.
“Richard?” There was no answer. “Richard!” he called louder.
His cousin stared across the ballroom, seemingly oblivious to his entreaty. Finally William stepped directly in front of him, causing Richard to startle and step back awkwardly.
“Darcy, what the devil!” He glanced around to see if anyone was watching. Seeing a few people eyeing them curiously, he lowered his voice. “Why would you, of all people, make a spectacle of yourself?”
“I was only trying to gain your attention.”
With a hint of exasperation, Richard chided, “Well, now you have it, what do you want?”
“I wish you to help me keep watch for Gisela. I fear she may attempt to confront me or flaunt her latest conquest this evening.”
The sadness in William’s eyes and resignation in his voice touched Richard, and he was instantly remorseful. Darcy was trapped in a truly ghastly situation, never certain when Gisela might materialize to confront or humiliate him.
“Relax, Darcy. Walter assured me that she was not invited.”
“Yes, but she was not invited to the last event she attended, either. It appears she may be hoping to catch me in public. I believe her hatred for me has begun to exceed her good judgement. Each time we talk, she makes new threats.”
“But she only harms her own character. Hanging all over Attenborough whilst parading about drunk as a sailor on leave does not serve her interests.”
“Once she is in her cups, she does not care who she exposes—not even herself! And the ton is afraid to reproach her because your mother and father acknowledge her as my wife.”
“And as you are aware, I have told them I do not agree with their stance.”
“Forgive me. I should not have brought that up.”
“No apology necessary. I am only sorry that she and father are so dedicated to pleasing society instead of their own flesh and blood. In any event, I shall keep an eye out for her.”
“Thank you. I do appreciate your help.” With that said, William resumed his stance beside Richard, who instantly picked up where he left off in his search for Miss Bennet amongst the long line of dancers that stretched the entire length of the ballroom.
Surely she is dancing with that pompous ass, Wilkens, as he had the first set. And though she may be petite, I should be able to spy that ox!
Suddenly, the ladies made a loop around the line, and she came into view! She looked even lovelier than he remembered in a gown of pale blue, with an empire waist that was circled by a dark-blue ribbon embroidered with various colours. The low neckline displayed her womanly curves to great advantage, making jewellery unnecessary, though she wore small pearl earrings. Her ebony hair was pulled into curls atop her head that were interspersed with more of the same ribbons before they cascaded down her back in long tendrils that bounced with every step. For a second, he was awestruck. Then, remembering that she was Darcy’s love, Richard chanced to glance at him, eager to see if he had discovered her yet. He had not.
Nevertheless, as he surveyed the young bucks standing about them, it was obvious that a good many of them had noticed Elizabeth. Numerous heads turned to follow her every move, and for a moment, he wondered if his cousin stood a chance with all the obstacles in his path.
Suddenly, the first set was over, and as Wilkens led Elizabeth from the floor, Lord Holmes moved forward to claim his set. Ever mindful of the direction of William’s gaze, Richard knew the exact moment his cousin’s eyes found the woman he loved. Had he not known what was transpiring, he would have thought that William had slipped into a trance—his body went so rigid that he could have been taken for one of the statues in his own gardens. At length Richard felt compelled to ask, “Darcy? Are you well?”
Only a tightening of the muscles in his jaw belied William’s awareness of the question, and when he fixed his gaze on Richard, emotions flashed in his eyes in rapid succession—not the least of which was misery. Without bothering to give an answer, he stalked towards the open French doors that led onto the terrace. Meaning to take to the gardens, his vaulted control collapsed once he was outside, and he halted where the steps began, holding on to a column for support.
Catching up, Richard clasped his shoulder. “Forgive me, Darcy. Evidently I was wrong.”
William seemed to struggle to understand his meaning. “Wrong?”
“I met Elizabeth Bennet in this very house when I called on Walter the other day. She was a guest.”
“And you recognised her?”
“How could I forget that name? She seemed to signify so much to you. So, I questioned her. Learning that she was from Meryton, I asked if she had met Bingley, and when she said she had, I was certain it was she—the woman you had come to love.”
“You knew all along, yet you did not tell me.”
“I was trying to save you.”
William answered with no little sarcasm. “Save me? From what were you trying
to save me?”
“From yourself! If anything, you are too good, too decent. I have only to mention your marriage to Gisela as my case in point!”
William’s irritation waned as Richard continued. “You analyse everything and put everyone’s welfare above your own. You love her! Of that I am sure, and I am just as certain that you would not have come tonight had you known she would be here. All in the name of what is best for Miss Bennet… what is best for everyone. I think you feel she would be better off forgetting you. Am I right?”
William did not answer. Instead he looked up into the velvety star-filled expanse, wondering how the same stars he studied from his balcony every night, could appear so much more beautiful now that she was in London. He took a deep breath of the cool night air. Even the air tasted sweeter! Did he dare consider what he desired now that she was close enough to touch?
Richard persisted, interrupting his thoughts. “You deserve her, Darcy! You truly do! And she deserves someone like you, not that pompous arse Wilkens.”
“Wilkens? Earl of Hampton?”
“The very one! Mark my words; he has set his cap for your Miss Bennet. He showed his jealousy the evening I met her, practically daring me to ask her for a set.”
“But, he is well known for his temper! Most of White’s shun him when it comes to games of chance because he is such a poor loser, and there is talk that he cannot keep servants because of his rages.”
“I am not privy to all the rumours at White’s, but what I do know is that he is an arrogant fool and not someone the fair Miss Bennet should marry.”
“Surely, you jest! Eliz—Miss Bennet could never esteem such a man!”
“Come down from your ivory tower, Cousin. Miss Bennet lives in another sphere, and what she desires will matter not a whit! In her world, a lowly squire’s daughter with nothing to recommend her but beauty and intelligence is left to the mercy of whoever deigns to offer for her.”
At William’s glare, Richard held up both hands. “I am only repeating what you related to me—she has little dowry and no connections.” As William acknowledged those facts with a nod, Richard pressed his point. “And to her family, John Wilkens would appear an excellent match. I imagine that Wilkens thinks he will incur none of the problems he did in the pursuit of more socially appropriate candidates. I heard Alicia tell Mother that Miss Christensen, Miss Hartwell and Miss Norwood—all the daughters of earls—rejected his request for a courtship. And you are well aware that my sister is never wrong when it comes to tittle-tattle.”
William bristled. “Elizabeth was not meant for such a man as that!”
“She was meant for you! And if you cannot see it, I can! Divorce that wench you are shackled to, and marry the woman you want! Marry Miss Bennet!”
William took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Do you not think that is what I want? That I do not think of it every waking hour? It is very difficult to divorce, as you are well aware, but I believe I have sufficient proof to win a civil trial, and your father’s cousin, the Bishop of London, would agree to preside over the ecclesiastical court or appoint someone favourable to me. Of that I am certain. But the worst of it would be getting Parliament to pass the bill allowing me to marry again. It could be a long, drawn-out battle, and if your father opposes me—”
Richard interjected, “I believe, if it comes to that, Father would support you. But if not, you can do this without him! You have Landingham’s support and soon Holmes will be in the House of Lords, and there is Lord Houghton, Lord Pearson, Lord Dearing, Greenlow’s uncle, Powell’s father. Deuce, half your classmates from Cambridge have fathers in the House of Lords. I could name two dozen of my fellow officers that have family members in their ranks. Besides, it will not be the first time you have faced a battle. Is she not worth the fight?”
“She would be worth any trial! But you forget what I am pitted against.”
“Pray enlighten me.”
“There is still the matter of Georgiana’s paternity. How she will react knowing she is not Father’s child?”
“Thanks to Aunt Audrey, Georgiana is not the child she was two years ago but a young woman. She is maturing and it is time you gave her credit for being worldly enough to know that these things happen. She is still her mother’s child and your sister, and she will survive the revelation. And, frankly, I think she should be informed, especially when Gisela is the one holding the truth over your head as a bargaining tool. Tell her before someone else does.”
William began to pace and run his hands through his hair. “And what would my love for Elizabeth accomplish? Am I selfish to want her for my own? I anguish over dragging her into this misery and fear it would be kinder to steer her towards another—some man more worthy than Wilkens.”
“And who would that be? Do you have a farmer in mind? A tradesman? An officer? Most gentlemen of consequence—those of the ton—will not give her any consideration beyond that of a mistress.”
Richard might have been exaggerating a bit, but he wanted to make his point, and the scowl that was William’s reply would have cowed most men. However, he stifled a smile as he stated, “Face the truth! No man will ever love her as you do.”
“If I take this chance and Gisela learns of my love for Elizabeth, she will do everything to destroy her—drag her name through the mud, embarrass her, perhaps even confront her. And most of the ton would be glad to help, as they love a good mud-raking! Elizabeth would be ruined and her sisters with her. And in the end, it could very well be years before we could marry… if we could marry.”
“Mother and Aunt Audrey can handle the ton. And Mother would take your side if you took as drastic a step as divorce, I assure you. Furthermore, despite what you may think, your wealth, family connections and status are enough to protect you in the long term. The ton’s censure moves quickly on to the next victim, the next scandal.”
William considered his words, and Richard continued his argument a little less stridently.
“As for Miss Bennet’s sisters, you could prove their saviour—providing them with larger dowries and connections. But in any event, why do you not give Miss Bennet the opportunity to decide her future? She may be happier waiting for you than married to another man, or God forbid, married to Wilkens. Speak to her! Find out what she wants.”
Hope filled William’s heart. “I… I suppose it could not hurt to speak with her.”
“Exactly! And YOU should inform her that you are married. It will not go well if she learns it from someone else.”
William’s face softened as his heart began to hope.
Richard patted his back. “Come, let us return to the ball before the affair has ended, and you have missed the opportunity to speak to your amour.”
With an arm around William’s shoulder, Richard led his friend back into the crowded ballroom. They had gotten no more than fifty feet when they encountered the throng leaving the dance floor as the second set ended.
“Richard, I am so glad you were able to come, even if you were late!” Lord Holmes reached to shake Richard’s hand, chuckling at the surprise on the colonel’s face.
“It was Darcy’s fault! You know how averse he is to receiving lines!” Laughter ensued among those observing the exchange, as Holmes turned to study William.
“Ah, Darcy!” he began, reaching out to shake William’s hand. “It has been far too long since we were in each other’s company. I am pleased that you decided to join us.”
William, a little put-out to be the object of so much attention, smiled wanly. “Thank you. I am pleased to have been invited.”
At that moment, Penelope Holmes moved to take her husband’s arm, declaring, “Mr. Darcy, it is good to see you. Richard said he would try to entice you to join us.”
“On the contrary, I am delighted to be here, Lady Holmes.”
Lord and Lady Holmes had hindered the crowd departing the dance floor when they stopped to speak to Richard and William. Now as the throng began to move around the four
of them, Penelope reached into the crowd to pull someone to her side.
“Oh, Miss Bennet, you simply must meet this gentleman while the opportunity presents. He is so seldom in London or in company when he is here. Let me introduce—”
Elizabeth now stood directly in front of him, looking even more beautiful than when he first spied her in the bookshop. For a moment, William was dumbstruck, his heart pounding in his throat.
For her part, as Lady Holmes pulled her aside, curiosity quickly changed to dread when Elizabeth saw William. Her beautiful smile faded, and in the depths of the ebony eyes he adored, he saw traces of heartbreak and resignation instead of happiness. And both emotions were replaced by a look of defiance by the time Lady Holmes finished, “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
Shaken by the changes he had just witnessed, William mumbled, “It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet.” Then he bowed curtly.
“Likewise, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied woodenly, barely curtsying.
He was about to speak again when her escort, Lord Shackelford, said haughtily, “Come, Miss Bennet! You wished for some punch, did you not?” With a glare at Darcy, the pompous aristocrat directed Elizabeth away, and still in shock, she did not object.
“Well, I suppose Lord Shackelford considers everyone competition for Miss Bennet’s attentions. How amusing!” Penelope Holmes observed. “I suppose it should come as no surprise, though, as she is quite lovely and refreshing with her charming country manners.”
Jealousy shone from Darcy’s eyes as he followed Elizabeth’s departure with Shackelford. Meanwhile, Penelope kept rambling. “I do think that Lord Wilkens has the advantage though. I have it on good authority that her family likes him tremendously. I believe that will be the match for her!”
