by Wells, Linda
“I took your advice.” Jane whispered.
Delighted, Elizabeth clapped, “You kissed him before you came down? No wonder he is so happy!”
Jane’s eyes darted around, “Lizzy, hush!”
“Will you steal into the garden with him?” Elizabeth laughed. “Oh, please do. Or the conservatory! The door is unlocked, it is a wonderful private place for a rendezvous, and you can listen to the music from there and dance together.” She sighed and squeezed Jane’s arm. “Am I being silly again?”
“No, it sounds like a great deal of wishful thinking for you and Fitzwilliam to me.” She looked out at the night and spotted the glass for the conservatory reflecting the moonlight. “Can people see in there?”
“From outside?” Elizabeth considered it. “Shall we go and investigate?”
“You have guests to attend.” Jane reminded her.
“I know. I am rather frightened of them. I need Will.” She looked around the glittering room and then smiled with Jane’s sympathetic expression. “Papa would be disappointed in me. I must find some curious foible about each of them so I am no longer intimidated.” Smoothing her skirt, she noticed that Darcy had turned and was watching her. The small smile was playing across his lips and his one brow was raised enquiringly. Elizabeth immediately stopped her movement and lifted her chin in response. She could see his shoulders shake with a chuckle and then watched him resume his conversation. “Dear man.”
“What did he do?”
“He told me I had nothing to fear.”
“Sophie said that you talk with your eyes. She said that she tries to with Richard but he is somewhat less vigilant in his attention.”
“Oh, Richard is a big bull. But I daresay he pays every bit as much attention to Sophie as my Will does to me. He just does not give it away. That is the officer in him.” She saw Bingley glancing at his wife and then nudged Jane to look. “Just as Charles does for you.”
“Pardon?”
“Look.” Elizabeth gave her a little push. “Go kiss him.”
“Lizzy!” Jane gasped.
“Go on, I do not care to be the only woman with legs of jelly here tonight. You have no responsibilities, go steal away with that lovely man and do not come back until you are as dizzy as I am.” She put her hand on her sister’s back. “Go on now; drown in that meadow of green Charles has for eyes.”
Jane looked back at her grinning sister and batted her hand. “Elizabeth Darcy, have you been sipping the punch?”
“Well, maybe a little cider …” She laughed with her sister’s gasp. “I am joking!”
“BEAUTIFUL.” Richard took Sophie’s hands and beamed at her. “I am entirely without words.”
“I think that you chose a very nice one to retain.” She blushed under his admiring gaze. “Richard!” She whispered with a laugh. “We cannot just stand here like statues all night! The next dance will start soon!”
“Let them trip around us.” His gaze travelled over her from head to toe and then his brow creased. “Sophie, dear.”
“Yes?”
“Forgive me for asking, but I … Is that necklace your mother’s? Did you borrow it by chance? I am so sorry that I have not purchased …”
“Shhh.” She smiled. “It is your mother’s.”
“Mine?” He started and looked around the ballroom to where he spotted Lady Matlock talking earnestly to Cathy.
“She came to my room while I was dressing and said that Anne might be the countess-in-waiting, but I am her daughter, too. Cathy has her own jewels, and Anne has Lady Catherine’s.” Richard’s eyes expressed his dumbfounded surprise. “She just said that she knows you have not had the opportunity to … She wanted you to be proud of me tonight.”
“I am proud of you, Sophie.” Richard lifted her hand to his lips. “I am utterly overwhelmed that you wanted me.” He saw her eyes welling up and looked anxiously around to see if anyone noticed, “Dear Sophie, please …”
“I love you, too, Richard.” They both looked shyly at the floor.
“Damn it.” He looked around unhappily. “I want to kiss you.”
“Well that is something to curse about.” Sophie squeezed his hand. “Later.”
“Why later?” He demanded.
“Anne looks unhappy, I should go to her.” She could read his thoughts and shook her head. “She is my sister.”
“I have one and you do not see me running after her!” Receiving a stare he sighed, “Very well, carry on. Leave me to my lonely misery.” Sophie’s eyes rolled. “I will just go find someone to dance with …” Still talking to himself, Richard walked away. Sophie watched him for a moment, then feeling the warmth of his declaration filling her heart, turned to join her sister.
“I was afraid that he would have a difficult time tonight.” Anne said to Susan and looked after Harding and Gladney as they stepped outside to the relative peace of the garden.
“So did Harding, so he thought that he would stay near, just in case the viscount needed help.”
“We appreciate the judge’s kindness. Neither of us have ever felt comfortable showing our vulnerabilities, particularly to our parents. Judge Darcy has become like a second father to Albert.”
“He would be gratified to know that, but he would probably demur that title and accept second uncle or perhaps friend instead.”
“Whatever he is called, he has been a godsend to us. I am glad that he is feeling healthy again.” Anne looked to Susan and then back out at the men. “I was worried about the ball because I did not know how many dances we could have, I feel quite tired from just our first set. Albert assured me that he was no great dancer and if we needed to sit out a few sets that was fine with him. I did not expect anyone else to ask me, after all, I am married.” Shrugging self-consciously, she saw Sophie join them. “But then as we came downstairs and saw the crowd of people coming in, I could just feel his tension increasing. This is just the sort of atmosphere that makes him think of his old habits. I feel terrible for it. He has been so happy since we arrived here; it is as if he relishes being free of Matlock.”
“Did he express concern about the ball?” Susan asked.
“No, of course not, he would never admit to feeling weak, and he knew how I was looking forward to it.” She watched the couples lining up again and the three women moved to stand near the doors leading outside. “I am so fearful for him. I realize that I am not the most perceptive or sympathetic woman in the world, and I was raised to be quite selfish. But if something happens to Albert, I know that I would just die.”
“Your talk of your concern for him is the farthest thing from selfishness.” Sophie protested, “And he is looking quite well. Richard assures me of it.”
“Richard has not seen him unclothed.” Anne murmured. Sophie blushed and looked away. “I fear for him if his father dies. If he is tempted by a ball at Pemberley, how soon will he be lost to the addiction again if he is Earl?”
“I think that he is probably stronger than you give him credit for, and so are you. I am speaking from experience.” Susan touched her arm. “You must lean on each other.”
Anne watched the men standing out on the lawn and talking, “I do not know if that will be enough.”
“Pardon.” They startled when Darcy approached and bowed. “Have you a partner for the next set, Cousin Anne?”
Anne’s gaze moved up his fine coat to his serious eyes, taking in every detail of his handsome features. “No, Cousin. I do not, but I think that I would rather rest and wait to dance with my husband again. Or perhaps we will retire to the card room to enjoy each other’s company for the rest of the night. In fact … I think that I will go join him now. Mrs. Darcy should not be deprived of the judge’s company tonight.” For the first time, she saw pleasure registering in Darcy’s eyes when he looked upon her. His lips lifted and he smiled a genuine, happy smile. And as breathtaking as it was, she could not help but feel defensive. “What have I said that makes you so pleased?”
“Well, naturally, I am delighted that your preference is for your husband, Anne. I am delighted to be rejected by you.” He nodded to her and turned to Sophie. “Will you refuse me in favour of Richard?”
“Oh, no.” Sophie laughed and took his offered arm. “I have learned a few things about him and one is that if I am foolish enough to spend my time waiting for him; he will take me for granted.”
Darcy smiled and nodded to Anne and Susan as they walked off to dance. “I do not mean to inspire jealousy.”
“Oh, neither do I!” Sophie took her place opposite of Darcy. “I simply wish to keep him on his toes.”
“Why is it that I can imagine you imparting this advice to my wife?” He caught Elizabeth’s eye further down the line and looked pointedly at Sophie. Elizabeth laughed and clapped silently and nodded to her partner. Darcy’s brow creased and his smile fell away when he saw Richard grinning at him. Sophie watched the silent conversation and started to laugh. Darcy’s troubled gaze returned to her. “Oh my! I do not need to teach Elizabeth a thing!”
The music began, and it was another country dance. From the length of the line, it would be some time before the partners would have their chance to move. Richard was still chuckling at his cousin’s frown. “What exactly does he expect to happen between us? I have never fancied you.”
“Well, that is certain. Why from the very beginning, from the first moment I may almost say, of my acquaintance with you, your manners were enough to convince me that we should never be friends, let alone behave as family in anything more than the most formal of occasions.”
“Weddings, funerals …”
“And the odd ball.” Elizabeth smiled and they took each other’s hands. “Shall I interrogate you as you did me that night long ago?”
“Go ahead, although I feel that I have borne your ire quite well over the past months.” He grinned and nodded, “Have at me, Mrs. Darcy.”
“No.” She drew in a breath and met his eye. “Have at me.”
“What do you mean?”
“Have I lived up to your demands? Have I met your expectations? That night you painted a dire picture as you tried to dissuade me from Fitzwilliam. You were testing my mettle, I know, but … tell me, have I cared for him well enough to earn your approbation?”
Richard stared. “Elizabeth, Lord yes, of course you have! Need you ask? Look at the man!” He gestured to his cousin as he and Sophie at last took their turn and skipped past them. He laughed. “Amazing how he can glare at me and smile at you all at once. He seems to remember my inquisition that night as well.” Looking away from his cousin with a smile, he saw her expression. “Elizabeth, when I interrogated you out of affection and concern for my troubled cousin, you said many, many things that struck me as sharply as a lash against my hind side. But do you know what stays with me? What strikes me as appropriate now?”
“I have no idea.” She said helplessly. “I barely recall what I said, only the emotion behind it.”
“Well, I do remember. You said that Darcy chose you not only to help him through his troubles then, but also with an eye and anticipation of the future when you would be alone together, as a couple. That time is now, is it not?”
“Did I really say that?” She shook her head and smiled down to her hands. “My goodness. I was a feisty one.”
“You still are, and I count on you remaining so for a very long time. And you were absolutely correct about Darcy’s motivation.” Richard laughed and held out his hands as their turn came around again. “Now, shall we dance, Cousin?”
“YOUR PUNCH IS A GREAT SUCCESS, Mr. Evans! They are drinking it by the bowlful!” A footman called as he hurried through to the buttery to bring up a new pitcher. “I would say that they are enjoying it as much as the master’s port. If you add something stronger to the lemonade I daresay it would disappear just as fast.”
“You do make a very tasty punch, Mr. Evans.” Mrs. Reynolds nodded as she supervised the maids flying around. “Missy, what are you doing with that bucket?”
“Lady Winter’s husband tripped over her gown and spilled his cup. It left a stain on the carpet.” She panted.
“Well you are not going to be scrubbing a carpet in front of the company, silly girl! Wait until supper and take care of it. You are not to be seen! On second thought, at supper time, be ready to empty chamber pots, if they are gulping down punch, it will have to go somewhere.”
“Yes, Mrs. Reynolds.” The girl noticed the rolling eyes of her fellow workers and ducked away.
Shaking her head, she looked into the kitchen. “Mrs. Johns will have aged a decade before the night is over.”
“Once supper is through, I will bring her a personal bowl of punch.” Evans smiled and taking two decanters of port he headed for the stairs.
“Wait! How is the mistress doing? Is the master well?”
Evans stopped as did the activity around him. He looked around at the interested faces. “Mrs. Darcy is doing the master proud. She is the picture of grace. I watched her moving from one group to the next, asking after their comfort, smiling, laughing, if you didn’t know better you would think that she has been doing this for years instead of for the first time. If Mr. Darcy’s chest could get any bigger, he would split open his waistcoat, so proud he is of her! The looks he gives her make that crystal clear. What I like most is that he leaves her to it; he trusts that she is capable. But we all knew that already.”
“How wonderful!” Mrs. Reynolds clapped. “Of course we all knew that she would do well, but the poor woman was so nervous. And the master himself; is he talking? How does Mrs. Darcy look at him?”
Evans laughed, “If Mr. Darcy is proud, Mrs. Darcy is … I cannot begin to describe the way she looks at him. The two of them are so protective of each other.”
“Is he affectionate?” She sighed with her hand to her heart.
“When is he not, Mrs. Reynolds? I happened to look into the ballroom when they were dancing.” He smiled as he looked around at the raptly listening staff. “Your sentimental heart would render you a puddle on the floor for Missy to mop up.”
“Oh my!” The housekeeper searched for a handkerchief and dabbed at her eyes. “And the guests, Mrs. Darcy was nervous of meeting them?”
“There is nothing to fear, the master is by Mrs. Darcy’s side and tells her something of each person, and then she carries on with the conversation. After that, all he has to do is smile and nod.”
“No wonder he is delighted.” Parker chuckled. “Evans, the port? The men in the card room are supposedly parched.”
“Of course they are.” He pressed the decanters into the valet’s hands. “Thank you for minding them for me.”
“Well, my butlering duties at Sommerwald are coming in handy.” He winked and set off for the stairs, but stopped by the laundry. “Judy …”
She looked up from a wine-stained dress she was scrubbing out. “How is she really? I heard Evans but I know that all of the guests can’t be so easy?”
“Of course not, but nobody is rude. She is being observed and she knows it, but she is as confident on the outside as she ever is. She keeps holding her stomach, though. She might be feeling some nerves. The master is keeping watch over her.”
“That is no surprise; I’ll have some tea ready for her at supper, although if she has enough of Mr. Evans’ punch, I imagine she won’t be feeling anything before long.” Judy laughed with him and examined his attire. “You look rather nice in livery.”
“Who, me?” He held out his arms and gestured with one of the decanters to his head. “What do you think of the periwig?”
“That I can live without.”
“Me as well. Itchy and hot!” Parker smiled at her and leaned into the room to whisper. “I am holding you to our dance, dear.”
“Hush!” Judy glanced around quickly.
“Forgive me, Miss Orchard.” Laughing, he turned and headed up the stairs. “I am still holding you to it!”
“AS FOR MISS BINGLEY, I k
now that the family is anxious to see her married. Why do they want her gone? She is not a burden for Bingley unless she overspends her allowance. Something else must be driving them, she is barely older than Mrs. Darcy, so she is hardly a spinster.” Manning nodded meaningfully and then looked for their host. Spotting him with Elizabeth, he indicated the couple with his chin. “I am afraid that meeting Mrs. Darcy and seeing our friend’s happiness has altered my perception of marriage somewhat.”
Winslow followed his nod. “Darcy is the ultimate hypocrite. He has always turned up his nose at our dancing and here he is taking every opportunity to flirt with Mrs. Darcy.”
Fox smiled. “Leave him be, he’s always been bashful around the ladies. Obviously all he needed was to find the right one. I can say unequivocally that for him, he has succeeded.”
“If I had laid a bet on his marriage, I would have been on the wrong end. I am glad for him, and not a little jealous.” Manning sighed.
“As are we all!” Winslow insisted, “It is a relief to see him ridiculous for once. We were all worried for him. We all knew of his family’s hopes to ensnare him, let alone the mothers who are after us, too.” He glanced to the open doors at the head of the ballroom and watched the couple speaking together. “Good heavens, she has him relaxed in a ballroom! I never thought I would see the day when he came out of the corner for more than a set with his hostess.”
Fox grinned, “She looks at him with as much admiration as he shows her. This is no one-sided affair. Who knew stiff and proper Darcy could inspire such devotion in a woman?”
