by APRIL FLOYD
“I could not, Miss Dumont, for I have come to see Miss Bennet in particular. Perhaps another time?” Mr. Darcy’s tone did not suggest he might wish to be alone with Miss Dumont.
Elizabeth watched in pleasure as Miss Dumont smiled and turned to leave. Before Mr. Darcy might continue his conversation with her, the young lady turned back and smiled coldly at Elizabeth. “We shall speak later, Miss Bennet. I would warn you of his charms.”
In her room, when Mr. Darcy had gone and everyone retired for the evening, Elizabeth brushed her hair with vigor. After Miss Dumont had left them and rejoined the Bingleys, Ferris Dumont had made his way over to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy.
Miss Dumont had gone to the piano forte and began playing. As the cousins of Mr. Bingley had only just arrived, she could not refuse when Mr. Dumont asked her to dance while his sister played.
“It would be my great honor to dance with my new cousin, chérie. Mr. Darcy will excuse us.” He had offered his arm and Elizabeth stood and placed her hand upon the fine fabric of his coat. She looked back at Mr. Darcy, who had also stood, but he only nodded. His eyes were narrowed and his lips set in a firm line.
Mr. Dumont whisked her away to the space in front of the piano forte and soon Jane and Mr. Bingley joined them. Elizabeth had never been held as close in a man’s arms as Mr. Dumont held her on their first dance.
He chose the waltz and Elizabeth had been out of breath by the end, and not only from the closeness of the man but because of the words he spoke to her as they moved about the small space.
She recalled them now and hoped he was only an impossible flirt as it would be difficult to avoid him at Bingley House during his visit if he were a seducer instead.
“Miss Bennet,” he had said as they twirled away from the Bingleys, “you are a rare English beauty like your sister. I am shocked no man has claimed you for his wife. Perhaps the men of your acquaintance are blind?”
At first she had merely laughed off his compliments as he was raised for a time in France. But he grew bolder as the dance wore on. “I would never allow such a lady as yourself to refuse me if my heart was set upon having you. Would you like to think of me as a suitor, Miss Bennet? I am skilled in the art of love and you would never be lonely as my wife.”
Elizabeth had answered him with a partial truth. “You make false assumptions as to my love life, Mr. Dumont. There was a young man, my father’s cousin, who came to visit and asked for my hand. I am not certain yet if I care enough to marry him.”
He smiled at her as if she were a simple child. “If a lady does not say yes to a proposal, she is saying no. I am certain your cousin has moved on to the next lovely lady by now. You are a prize indeed, but a handsome lady who will marry is worth more than the pretty one who will not entertain a man’s desires, non?”
Since her father’s cousin, Mr. Collins, had moved on and married her best friend, Charlotte Lucas, Elizabeth could not in truth dispute Mr. Dumont’s conclusion.
She was glad when the dance ended at last. Elizabeth had declined another turn with him and made her way to Mr. Darcy’s side instead.
They had passed the remainder of the evening without further flirtations from the Dumonts and Mr. Bingley had entertained them all with tales of his wedding trip with Jane. They had toured the coast and met many eccentric people on their journey.
Now, as she sat before the mirror braiding her hair, Elizabeth chose to push the Dumonts from her thoughts and consider Mr. Darcy’s visit. He had not spoken to her of anything more than books, his sister, and whether he might remain in London when spring arrived. Elizabeth’s attention to his words was tested time and again as she was distracted by the strong line of his jaw and the way his shoulders fit his coat.
She felt her cheeks grow hot to remember now how easily she was distracted by his handsome features and hoped he had not noticed. Mr. Darcy was observant in his quiet way and so she doubted her ogling was missed by the master of Pemberley.
Placing her head in her hands, she sighed and hoped Mr. Dumont would refrain from pursuing her. Mr. Bingley would likely be most pleased if his cousin were to ask for her hand in marriage.
At Darcy House, Mr. Darcy sat alone in his study sipping his favorite port. The problem of Ferris Dumont had not been foreseen. The Dumonts were notorious for their amorous intentions, but the Bennet sisters had no experience where the pair was concerned.
He rose to pace the room as his hands closed into fists at his side. Watching Elizabeth in Mr. Dumont’s arms and not cutting in to sweep her away from the rake had taken all his composure. Even now, he burned with anger to think of the woman he admired dancing with anyone else, especially a scoundrel.
But he had not declared himself and therefore could not make demands upon her time or attention. With Dumont in the picture, he would not be able to take the time he wished to know her better and make his wishes known to Mr. Bingley without seeming to have lost his mind.
Bingley had known him many years and would not miss the opportunity to goad him if he professed love for Miss Bennet now after having warned against her family all those months ago in Hertfordshire. How might he ask for Miss Bennet’s hand without looking the fool?
Miss Bennet was naive to the type of character Mr. Dumont and his sister held. She would never prowl after men as Miss Dumont was wont to do and Mr. Dumont’s deceptive charm was the kind he was certain she had never seen displayed in Hertfordshire.
Returning to his seat to raise his glass, Mr. Darcy sighed. He would woo Elizabeth Bennet before them all if he must to keep Dumont from winning her heart and ruining his dream of making her mistress of Pemberley.
5
Jane and Charles Bingley came to Elizabeth’s room the next morning after she was dressed and ready for her day. Jane announced they were to go to Mayfair with Miss Dumont after visiting with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst at Hurst House.
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, she did not care for either of Mr. Bingley’s sisters but she could not beg off on such short notice. Instead, she went to the closet and searched among her reticules for one that would match her dress.
Mr. Bingley pulled Jane into his arms before she might be distracted by her sister’s search. “Do you not wish to know why we have come to your room so early, Lizzy?”
Choosing a favorite reticule, Elizabeth turned and looked at the two of them. They were so very happy and Jane seemed almost shy as she glanced at Elizabeth. Her face bore witness to her happiness. Indulging her suspicions, Elizabeth smiled and asked, “Is this news of a babe coming to Bingley House?”
Jane and Mr. Bingley shared a look of astonishment. Jane peered at her sister. “How did you know, Lizzy? We have not told a soul before today.”
Jane was earnest in her surprise and Elizabeth placed her reticule upon the dressing table meaning to come back for it after breakfast. “I do recall the signs of impending motherhood, Jane. You have been most ill whenever there is a meal served and so I imagined it must be that you are with child. I am thrilled to know I was correct. I am afraid I wrote Papa with my suspicions.”
“I should have known you would find me out and tell Papa. Hopefully Mama will be pleased. It is so soon after our wedding.”
Elizabeth took Jane’s hands. “Mama will be deliriously happy, you know. She may even come to London to be certain you are not overdoing it with all the work of opening a home.”
Jane’s face fell and Elizabeth laughed. Mr. Bingley tried to bring the smile back to his wife’s lips. “If she does come, she is most welcome here. She may bring your sisters as well and they could share the two rooms not yet finished.”
“Or they may stay at Gardiner House in Gracechurch Street, Jane,” Elizabeth said with a sly smile. “With the Dumonts visiting, you simply must tell Mama that there is no room at present.”
Mr. Bingley quickly agreed with Elizabeth’s plan. “We have yet to prepare the nursery and the other two rooms. Your mother could be kept quite busy if we place her in charge of it all, a
s a favor to her if you wish.”
Jane leaned her head against Mr. Bingley’s shoulder and Elizabeth groaned. “The two of you! How sweet it is to see you so in love. I have only had Cousin Collins seek my hand.”
She laughed and brushed past the happy couple. Mr. Bingley gathered his wife and led her to the door of Elizabeth’s room. “I saw two men vying for your attention last evening, Lizzy. Had you not noticed yourself?”
Elizabeth decided she liked Mr. Bingley more when he was not so observant. “I am afraid I do not know your meaning, sir. I simply danced with one and conversed with the other. Is that not how ladies behave in polite society?”
Mr. Bingley chuckled. “Oh, it was not your behavior that gave me concern, dear little sister. It was the two men who will surely come to blows over you before we see the spring flowers bloom.”
Jane laughed and glanced at Elizabeth over her shoulder. “Perhaps this babe will have a cousin before long.”
Mortified by their teasing, Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at her sister. “Just so long as you both allow me to decide which gentleman I prefer if there is some plan afoot to see me wed. I shall only marry for true love, you know.”
Mr. Dumont appeared at the moment from the other end of the hallway and Elizabeth grew hot with the flush that crept up her neck to her cheeks. She had not meant for him to hear her rejoinder to Charles and Jane’s teasing.
“How very romantic to speak of love this early in the day, Miss Bennet. Has my arrival sparked stirrings in your heart?” He offered her his arm as her sister continued down the stairs with Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth was mortified but held her own. “I am not so easily won, Mr. Dumont. To even think I might be enamored so quickly is folly. A gentleman must do more than be handsome and possess a silver tongue in his head to capture my attention.”
Mr. Dumont placed a hand dramatically to the place above his heart and sighed with regret. “You find me handsome by your own admission and challenge me to show my affection with greater devotion. I shall do as you wish, chérie!”
Not a little exasperated by his willful misunderstanding of her statement, Elizabeth refused to accept the arm he offered and left the insufferable man laughing atop the stairs as she hurried to join Jane and Mr. Bingley as they waited for the staff of Bingley House to gather.
Mr. Dumont came slowly down, his eyes on Elizabeth the entire time. He meant to stand beside her but she moved to Mr. Bingley’s other side and left the devil with the silver tongue beside Jane.
When the staff had all congratulated their master and mistress on the news of a child, Miss Dumont appeared on the staircase and joined them as they all went into the breakfast room.
Mr. Dumont pulled out Elizabeth’s seat and to her chagrin, sat beside her while Mr. Bingley pulled out Jane’s seat and then one beside her for Miss Dumont.
“What news have I missed by rising later than the rest of you, chérie?” she asked Jane.
“Mr. Bingley and I will welcome a babe later this year! I do hope you might visit again once our little one joins the family.”
Elizabeth hoped they would not, but saying such aloud would only embarrass the Bingleys.
After the visit to Hurst House and shopping in Mayfair, Elizabeth wished to walk in the small park near Bingley House. Everyone was gathered in the parlor listening to Mr. Dumont’s tales of his recent holiday when she paused before the door.
Elizabeth did not wish to enter and become the object of his desire for a second time that day. At breakfast, he had ignored everyone at the table to center his attentions upon her. He had complimented her hair, her complexion, and her dress until she became bored by the conversation.
She had asked him about his university days and about France but time and again, he fawned over her and would not cease his praises.
Elizabeth found him to be quite insincere but imagined he likely thought she was enthralled by his heavy-handed flattery. When she thought of it now, he reminded her of Mr. Wickham. The lieutenant was a bit more polished and showed some restraint in his flirtations, but the method was the same.
It struck her of a sudden how very different Mr. Darcy was in his manner than either Mr. Dumont or Mr. Wickham. The more Elizabeth came to know the master of Pemberley, the less she was inclined to believe Mr. Wickham and his tales of abuse.
Going downstairs to retrieve her pelisse, Elizabeth called for a footman to walk with her in the park. Before she might gain the front door to see if the weather would hold, a knock came.
The butler answered and admitted Mr. Darcy, to Elizabeth’s surprise and great relief. Perhaps he might walk with her?
He took her hand and gave a slight bow over it. “Where are you off to Miss Bennet? I am sorry to have come as you are going out.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply as she spied the dimple in his left cheek. Each time they met, she was drawn to him more than the time before. “I was only going to walk in the park. Would you care to join me?”
Before Mr. Darcy might answer, Mr. Dumont and Mr. Bingley appeared above them on the landing of the first floor. The butler had gone up to announce Mr. Darcy without delay.
Elizabeth sighed and moved closer to him. She hoped he might wish to walk with her.
“Mr. Darcy, would you care for tea? It won’t take but a few moments for Cook to arrange it,” Mr. Bingley was as welcoming as ever.
Mr. Darcy turned to Elizabeth. “I believe the lady and I might stroll the park first, Charles. We should not be long.”
Elizabeth hoped Charles and Jane could not see the joy that surely showed on her face from their place at the top of the stairs. Mr. Darcy did wish to walk with her!
Mr. Dumont exclaimed that he too would love to take the fresh air of the park and called for his sister to come out into the hallway. Miss Dumont hastened to her brother’s side.
“Look, Emilie,” he said, with much pleasure in his tone, “Mr. Darcy has come and we are all to walk in the park with Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth’s joy became annoyance at this turn of events, but she hid it well lest anyone notice how her smile had disappeared.
Miss Dumont descended the stairs with her brother and stood before Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth. “I did not think to see you again so soon, mon chéri, but it is a most lovely surprise.”
Mr. Darcy flinched at her use of such an intimate appellation, but he kept himself under good regulation. “Likewise, Miss Dumont. I am pleased to see you and your brother this afternoon. And Miss Bennet, of course.”
He turned to gaze at Elizabeth openly before Miss Dumont and the woman seemed subdued for a moment. Once she was wrapped in her pelisse, she elbowed her brother sharply and he moved to stand beside Elizabeth.
Mr. Dumont offered his arm and Elizabeth could not refuse it without declaring her feelings for Mr. Darcy.
“Do hurry back,” Jane said, waving happily to them.
Miss Dumont nearly purred her pleasure at having Mr. Darcy as her companion. “It is like old times,” she whispered to him and Elizabeth again swallowed the jealousy that rose in her breast.
Her irritation with the Dumonts ruined the walk before it had begun. She glanced over her shoulder at Mr. Darcy as he followed with Miss Dumont. His countenance was as grim as she thought hers must surely be in the moment.
6
When they had all come back from the park, where Miss Dumont’s laughter had carried to Elizabeth on the cold breeze and caused her much aggravation, Jane and Mr. Bingley led them into the drawing room.
Miss Darcy had come in search of her brother and was now playing on the new piano forte Mr. Bingley had purchased the week before. Elizabeth was surprised to see that Miss Darcy was fair as Mr. Darcy was dark-haired like herself.
Mr. Darcy went to his sister’s side to turn the music sheets for her and Elizabeth followed. She had never met Miss Darcy, and had only relied upon Miss Bingley’s accounts of her talent for playing, but the young lady did play very well.
The Dumonts had go
ne to stand before the fireplace and warm themselves while Jane called for refreshments. Elizabeth watched the brother and sister. The pair vexed her and she felt an odd kinship with Miss Bingley.
When she and Jane had gone to visit Hurst House with Miss Dumont, Elizabeth had taken pleasure in Miss Bingley’s obvious discomfort. Now she understood perfectly. Miss Dumont had been Miss Bingley’s rival for Mr. Darcy’s affection at some time in the past. Elizabeth was sure of it.
When Miss Darcy ceased her efforts upon the keys, Elizabeth moved closer to Mr. Darcy for an introduction.
“My brother has spoken of you before, Miss Bennet. It seems he remembers you above all others he met in Hertfordshire,” Miss Darcy said and held out her hand.
Elizabeth took it and squeezed gently. She was shocked Mr. Darcy had spoken of her to his younger sister. “I have heard your brother and Miss Bingley speak well of you at Netherfield Park. They both painted a lovely picture and to make your acquaintance, I must say they were correct. You play very well.”
Miss Darcy blushed and Elizabeth moved to sit beside her on the bench seat. Mr. Darcy seemed pleased. “Georgiana, perhaps you might sing for us while Miss Bennet plays?”
Elizabeth noticed that Miss Darcy wrung her hands in her lap and attempted to calm her. “We may sing together if you wish. My sisters and I played and sang together often at home. This was one of our favorites.”
Miss Darcy smiled as she recognized the tune Elizabeth pulled from the sheets of music Mr. Darcy handed her. “I would love to sing with you, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth played the opening notes with enthusiasm. As soon as they began singing, Jane left Mr. Bingley’s side and begged the Dumonts to forgive her abandonment of the conversation. She hurried to stand beside Mr. Darcy, but he moved to allow her to be closer to Elizabeth and Miss Darcy.
