by Wells, Linda
“Perhaps we can coax Georgiana to play for us at Pemberley so we can dance at home?”
“I am certain that she would enjoy that. We have a musical bird.”
“A canary?”
“No, no, a mechanical bird that sings, and I brought home from Geneva a small device that plays a song. I know of a man in Switzerland who is working to make a larger device that plays songs continuously. I wrote to him and have placed an order, whenever he is ready to sell.”
“How is this possible?” Elizabeth asked as they spun around.
“I …it is difficult to explain on a dance floor, dearest.” Darcy laughed. “How on earth did we find this topic?”
“Is it not better than the weather?” She laughed with him.
“I believe that speaking of nearly any topic would be fascinating with you.” The song ended and they returned to the side. “That was the most wonderful dance!”
“Better than the waltz we are practicing alone in our rooms?” She whispered and giggled.
“Well, I shall rephrase that; it was the most wonderful country dance.” He leaned down to her ear. “Your eyes are sparkling like diamonds, my love.”
“When do we dance next?”
“Not until the supper set.” He kissed her hand. “I hope that it is slow.”
“I would like a slow dance when we return home tonight.” She bit her lip and blushed. Darcy squeezed her hand hard and breathed warmly into her ear. “Oh yes, dearest. So would I.”
“Who will be your partners tonight, Fitzwilliam?”
“The wives of your partners.” He said softly. “No single ladies.”
“But you are married now, you are safe.” Elizabeth laughed.
“I am, but I have no desire to do otherwise. I prefer to watch you, and wait for my turn.” Darcy kissed her hand and then entwined their fingers when he rested it back on his arm. “Have I thanked you yet today for marrying me?”
Elizabeth touched the ruby necklace he had given her before they departed and blushed. “I believe that you did.”
Singleton approached the couple and bowed. “Audrey was to dance the next with you Darcy, but she is not feeling well, do you mind if we sit this one out?” He turned to Elizabeth, “Forgive me for giving up our set, I do not wish to leave her.”
“I am very happy to sit out a set for such a good purpose. Go ahead, I do not mind.” Elizabeth watched him go then found Darcy looking after him as well. “What do you think?”
“I am hopeful.” He turned back to take her hand. “Well my love, shall we dance again?”
“Is that not against all of the rules?”
“Probably, but we shall blame it on the joy of our honeymoon, my smitten foolishness, and your bewitching figure.” Darcy tilted his head. “I would rather be gossiped about for being a man in love than for anything else the crème of society can determine.”
Elizabeth wrapped her hand around his arm and leaned against him. “We have enough gossip to contend with; perhaps some punch would be a better plan.” She looked up to his warm eyes and saw his lips twitching. “What are you plotting, Husband?”
“I have not seen you trying the punch yet.”
“Do you plan to see me drunk?” She cried.
Darcy whispered so that his warm breath moved the loose strands of hair along her throat. “No, I hope to see you very, very relaxed, and then relax you even further upon returning home.” Elizabeth blushed and gasped when his lips brushed lightly over her ear before he straightened. He watched the colour travelling up her breasts to her face and walked her across the room to the punch bowl.
“Your nephew and new niece are keeping too much to themselves!” Lord Creary observed. “They should be making the rounds; everyone should get a good look at them!”
Lord Matlock laughed. “They will be along, Creary. Have no fear; I know how anxious you were to have them as your centrepieces tonight.”
“It is quite a catch; they have not been to any other parties.” Lady Creary preened. “After all of the gossip! Not a word of it was true?” She asked with disappointment. “Not even that she was his mistress?”
“No, my nephew behaved properly at all times, he courted her, he proposed, they were engaged and married. Everything that spread was the result of overactive imaginations.”
“But his cousin!”
“From what I understand, the man who hoped to win the living at Rosings overheard my sister stating the desire that Darcy marry her daughter. This fool assumed it had occurred already. My niece was suffering from a fever and heard the staff rambling on about his ridiculous notion.” He shook his head. “You know how servants enjoy gossip.”
“Aye, but you must put up with it, once trained; it is too difficult to lose them.” Creary nodded. “So your niece is recovered?”
“Yes, quite. She is weakened, but coming along.”
“Hmm.” Creary watched them depart and looked over to his wife. “What do you think?”
“They are married, it is over.” She watched as Darcy set down a cup and laughed while Elizabeth held her hand to her mouth and stared at him. “It is an unusual match.”
“She is a beauty.” Creary said appreciatively. He saw his wife’s disapproval and clearing his throat, wandered across the room, talking up his friends and sipping his drink.
“Elizabeth.” Fitzwilliam bowed and held out his arm. “Come, it is our turn.”
“I am rescued!” She smiled and gratefully latched onto her cousin’s arm. “Please save me from my husband.”
“What has the man done to you?” He patted his sword and raised his brow. “Shall I make a widow of you and claim you for myself? After a suitable period of mourning, of course.”
“Of course.” Darcy said dryly. “Keep this up Richard, and I will see you on the field of honour at dawn.”
“You will certainly see the field, as your face will be pressed into it!”
“Gentlemen!” Elizabeth hissed.
The men stopped their banter and both had the grace to look abashed. “Forgive me, dearest.”
“I am sorry, Elizabeth.” Richard smiled. “I am always happy to defend you from any foe, so what did this lout do?”
“He served me that … concoction.” She pointed to the punch bowl and Fitzwilliam began to chuckle.
“Was this a first taste for you?”
“No, but …” Elizabeth blinked, and slumped upon his shoulder. “Oh my.”
“Elizabeth!” Darcy immediately led her to some chairs. “Dearest are you well?” Fitzwilliam sat down beside her and looked at her worriedly.
“This woman is not at all used to drink, Darcy.”
“I see that. You have never had trouble with wine, Lizzy.”
“I have never had any opportunity to try anything stronger than that or cider.” She smiled and leaned on Darcy’s shoulder. “I am sorry to embarrass you.”
“No, I am sorry for encouraging you. I should have known better, there is nothing to you.” Darcy held her hand and Fitzwilliam sat back. “No dance for you.”
“May I claim another, perhaps?”
“I will be fine, of course you may.” Elizabeth smiled and looked across the room. “Perhaps you might ask Mrs. Carter to dance in my stead?” Fitzwilliam’s head shot up and he saw Evangeline looking their way with a concerned expression on her face.
He groaned. “Mother and Father have her!”
Lord Matlock drew her attention back to their conversation. “Mrs. Carter, I am delighted to meet you. Our son told us that he enjoys your company. I must admit I have been anxious to meet anyone who can cheer his mood.”
“Thank you My Lord, I am happy to meet you and Lady Matlock, but the colonel seems quite amiable, have I been misled?” She smiled and raised her brow.
“No, my dear, our son is a naturally happy man, but it takes some familiarity before you can read through his expression.” Lady Matlock took her hand and gave her an assessing eye. “I understand that you have at last le
ft your mourning behind.”
Evangeline’s smile faded. “Yes My Lady, it feels good to do so.”
“I imagine that it would.” She glanced up and spotted Fitzwilliam watching them closely. “Well, please do not let me interrupt your evening further. I see Richard is walking this way.” She nodded and Evangeline left to meet him.
“Your parents are most welcoming, Colonel.”
“I am pleased and relieved to hear of it. I saw your concern for Elizabeth, and I thought to assure you of her good health.”
“I can see that she is well.” Evangeline smiled over to where Darcy and Elizabeth were speaking with each other and watching them.
Fitzwilliam nodded and said softly. “May I have the next set, Mrs. Carter?”
“Thank you, yes.” She smiled at him, and was pleased to see the usually confident man become shy in her presence.
Darcy laughed and Elizabeth squeezed his hand. “Well, there is no doubt there about his interest, is there?”
“I wonder if she will relent and allow him to court her.” She watched as he bowed to Evangeline and gestured their way. “I hope so.”
“I hope so for both of them, but it is an unlikely step for her.”
“She is so young, she could have a family.”
“How do you feel about children?” Darcy asked quietly. “Does it frighten you? Being with child and giving birth?”
“Of course I want children!” Elizabeth said with surprise. “What brought that to mind?”
“I do not know.” Darcy kissed her hand and turned his eyes back to watch the dancers. What he did not say was that seeing her for the first time feeling physically weak, even if it was from a too-strong cup of punch, frightened him to the bone.
“Why are you not dancing?” Alicia asked and sat by them. “Are you well?”
“I tried the punch. Do skip it.” Elizabeth laughed.
“Oh, I should have warned you. Lord Creary is famous for his concoction. He should be weaving through the crowd before long; and woe to the girl who falls in his clutches.”
“What does he do?” Elizabeth asked curiously.
“He kisses them.” Alicia wrinkled her nose. “And this man does not appreciate clean breath.”
“oh.” She glanced at Darcy, who like every other part of his life, was scrupulous with his hygiene, far beyond any dictate she had ever heard before. She had enjoyed more baths since her marriage than she had in the last two months.
“Yes.” Darcy returned from his musings and said definitely. “And when your dance with him comes, I will be watching.”
“I love you when you are jealous.” She whispered. “It makes me feel pretty.”
“You are pretty.” He stroked his hand over hers. “You are doing very well.”
“Darcy, Mrs. Darcy, may I wish you joy?” Harwick bowed.
“Harwick, thank you.” Darcy smiled, and looked down to Elizabeth.
“I am sorry that you could not come to our wedding, you were missed.” She smiled to him and he nodded.
“That is exceptionally kind of you, Mrs. Darcy. May I enquire after your sister?” He asked quietly.
“She is well, sir. You have no need to berate yourself. It was not meant to be.” Elizabeth tilted her head to see him look down. “I know that this is terribly forward of me sir, but I hope that you might do me a favour tonight?”
“Anything, Mrs. Darcy.” Harwick smiled at her.
“Will you favour me with one dance?” She smiled. “You see, my husband is very unhappy sharing me and I would prefer to dance with his friends than with strangers.”
Harwick laughed and smiled at Darcy. “So the green-eyed monster has entered the room. I understand.”
“My wife is far too presumptuous; however, I would consider it a great favour.”
“It is my honour.” He took Elizabeth’s free hand and bowed. “And my great pleasure, thank you.”
Over the next hour, Elizabeth danced with Layton, Harwick, and Singleton. At last she was with her husband again, and as they hoped, the pattern was slow. “Fitzwilliam, Mr. Stewart asked me for a dance.”
Darcy asked softly. “Do you mind dancing with him?”
“No, I do not. He is your friend, and I would like to think of him as mine, but nothing more. Do you mind?”
“I will not know until I see him touch you.” Darcy moved away and looked at the floor. Elizabeth watched his tall slumped figure and already had her answer.
“Perhaps Lord Creary will tread on my foot when we dance after supper?” She whispered when they came together again.
“You would do that for me? Thank you Elizabeth.” He sighed. “I am being ridiculous; of course you should accept his offer to dance. I am the man who will take you home tonight.”
“And every night.” She reminded him. They continued the dance in silence, and when it ended, Darcy escorted her to the supper room where they were kept from eating by the constant attention of the people around them. Elizabeth discovered how withdrawn her husband became in company, and set about the task of addressing the inquiries with as much patience and grace as she could muster, all while feeling his hand tightly grasping hers under the table.
Eventually Elizabeth left Darcy when some school friends of his came to offer their congratulations and took a seat next to Audrey. “How is your evening? I am sorry that I have not had time to speak with you, are you feeling well?”
“I am fine, truly. Besides, you and Darcy are the centre of all attention, I hardly expected you to be bothering with us.” She smiled. “We are doing well.”
“I am glad to hear of it.” She watched Singleton and saw him look up and to his wife, then smile softly. “He seems to be sincere, Audrey.”
“I believe that he is.” She said quietly. “It is difficult to forget the past, though.”
“But what good does it do you to dwell upon it? He is putting forth a good faith effort, but it will not continue without your encouragement.” Elizabeth squeezed her hand. “Even my Fitzwilliam needs encouragement.”
Audrey turned to her and laughed. “For what? The man is smitten!”
“He is also terribly shy.” She whispered and nodded her chin to where Darcy sat alone despite the crowd of men around him, his eyes were down to his plate, and he was only listening to the conversation. “I must return to him.” She stood up and looked at Singleton watching them. “Why not do the same?”
Audrey watched Elizabeth walk over to Darcy and resume her seat by his side, and immediately he reanimated. Audrey then moved to sit near Singleton, and tentatively she took his hand under the table. The gratitude that shone from his eyes was heartbreaking, and she squeezed as hard as he did. “Audrey?”
“I have had enough tonight. Could we go home?”
Singleton nodded and took a deep breath. “Yes, anything, yes.” He rose to his feet and held out his hand. “Let us go home.”
Stewart watched them leave and looked away to find his sister watching him. “Are you well, Daniel?” Laura asked.
“I am.” He smiled at her. “Do not worry about me. Go and enjoy your time with Mr. Harwick.”
“No, he is not ready for more.” She watched him sitting alone and looking her way. She smiled at him warmly and he responded with a small upturn of his lips. “Perhaps next Season.”
“I wish that I had an estate to invite him to visit for you.” Stewart smiled. “I could play matchmaker.”
“I think that I need to become serious about finding a match for you.” She laughed and he shrugged. “Give me some time, Brother. I will have you married before long.”
Soon the sounds of the musicians beginning to play were heard again. “Mrs. Darcy!” Lord Creary’s voice boomed. “Our dance has at last arrived!”
“Oh.” She glanced at Darcy and they both stood. “I expected us to meet in the ballroom, sir.”
“Nonsense! This is my home, and you are the bride, and I intend to have you on my arm for as long as possible.” He laughed a
t Darcy. “And there is not one thing you can do about it so instead of fuming at me,” He scanned the room, and raised his brows, “ah, Victoria, come, Darcy needs a partner!” Elizabeth looked around and saw a young woman about her height and colouring rise and walk over to them. Darcy closed his eyes for a moment and fixed a tight smile on his face. Creary laughed. “There you go!” He turned and led Elizabeth away from the supper room. “Now there is an ironic pairing.” He chuckled to himself.
Elizabeth could not look behind her without being obvious, so concentrated on the formidable man by her side. “I thank you for our invitation tonight, sir. We are honoured to be asked.”
“Mrs. Darcy, our guest list was made months ago, and of course a man of such consequence as your husband was invited, in fact, our invitation this year had another purpose.” They lined up for the dance and Elizabeth glanced at Darcy, who again was staring anywhere but at his partner.
“What was that purpose, sir?”
“Why, it was not so many weeks ago that Darcy started the tongues wagging when he danced with my niece, Miss Victoria Gannon. He had not danced at all this Season, or rarely in any case. I swear; my wife was at her sister’s home the next morning with wedding bells ringing in her head! Ah what a match that would have made!” He said nodding thoughtfully; then saw Elizabeth’s wide eyes. The music began and he took her hand. “You do resemble her. When did you meet Darcy?”
Elizabeth shot a look at Miss Gannon and did see the resemblance. “Two years ago, sir. In Hyde Park.”
“Really?” Lord Creary moved in time to the music. “I remember running into Darcy in the park last summer.”
“Do you?” She said quietly. “It is a common enough place for people to walk. Anyone can be found there.”
“Yes, I know.” He grimaced. “Be sure that you never walk there without an escort, my dear. There are people of questionable worth there.”
“Really?” Elizabeth looked down, then moved to change partners and found her hand encapsulated by a very large warm one.
“Are you well, dearest?” Darcy whispered.
