She knew he was acting, but warmth spread through her as she saw him making his way towards her, looking at her with a reasonable attempt at a loving smile.
She must act in return, but coldness washed through her. If she was going to fall in love with the man she was going to marry, then she wished he would love her, too.
“Might I have the honour of this first, Elizabeth?” His voice was low and deep.
She nodded and he put out his hand. She took it and rose. “Will you be all right, Georgiana, until your cousin comes for you?”
“He’s coming now,” Georgiana looked relieved and rose to her feet, too.
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s face was guarded as he passed Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy on his way to join Georgiana, and she wondered why he had not declared himself for Anne.
But she must concentrate on Mr. Darcy and this dance. He must be an accomplished actor, she decided, comparing the look in his eyes with the anger in them earlier, as he’d commented icily on her attending Jane’s wedding.
She smiled impishly at the memory. Mr. Darcy smiled back.
“I am delighted that you’re enjoying yourself, Elizabeth. Delighted — and impressed.”
“I’ve been looking forward to meeting your family — and not just the person you warned me so much about.” She had indeed been puzzled at the delay in introducing her. Surely it would have been politer to bring her to meet the Earl and Countess before the ball? But, it was done now, and she assumed Georgiana was correct, that many of the gentlemen would be asking her to dance, seeking to find out what sort of person she was.
He was a better actor than she had thought he’d be, she thought, finding herself quite breathless during the dance. There was warmth in his gaze, and he watched her the whole time, even when their steps took her to another.
He was a good dancer, too, and she found herself quite dizzy each time he took her hand, each time they danced down the line together, and each time he murmured a few words.
She must gather her defences, she knew that. At some point during the evening, Lady Catherine would sit beside her and try to discompose her. She knew other ladies like that. Aunt Philips was one such, never content unless they had reduced their quarry to silence or tears.
They stayed on the dance floor after the first, waiting for the next to begin, and his proximity was disturbing to her.
“I believe you have certainly convinced your family of our affections, Mr. Darcy,” she murmured. “But I am a little concerned for Georgiana. I suppose Colonel Fitzwilliam cannot ask her for a second dance. Will she have someone with her? I would not like her to sit alone.”
“Don’t be concerned, Elizabeth. I can see Aunt Alice making her way over to sit with her. She knows how nervous Georgiana is.”
Looking over, Elizabeth could see the Countess crossing the room. “That’s good.”
20
Darcy wondered at his feelings as he led her back to their seats after the second dance. It hadn’t been difficult to watch her, to smile at her liveliness, and her enjoyment of the dance. And she was a good dancer, too.
But he was dismayed at his physical reaction to her. This was a formal arrangement that was due to end in a short time. He must stay strong.
As they returned to their seats, Aunt Alice smiled up at them. “Georgiana needs a partner, Darcy, so I hope you have some energy left. I will stay and talk to your Miss Bennet.”
Darcy swallowed. He’d been intending to stay with Elizabeth and monopolise her attention. He didn’t wish too many gentlemen to dance with her, although now he was certain she would be able to hold her own with any of them.
As he led Georgiana to the dance floor, he looked back at her. Was he jealous of the thought that others would dance with her?
He tried to give Georgiana his attention, but found his gaze straying back to Elizabeth whenever he was able to.
“She will be fine, William.” Georgiana’s soft voice startled him. She was smiling knowingly at him, and he felt nettled by it.
“I was just concerned because she said to me that she hasn’t attended an event like this before, and I don’t want her to feel uncomfortable.” He tried to justify his actions.
Georgiana spluttered into laughter, but had to wait until the attention of other couples close by had returned to themselves, before she replied.
“I think the one thing we can both be sure of after this evening, is that Elizabeth is well able to comport herself with dignity and good humour.”
“Indeed.” Darcy was unable to explain his misgivings, after all, Georgiana didn’t know that this was all a pretence. He wondered how she would react once Elizabeth was gone from their lives.
And the pain in his chest when he thought of when that time came, made him wonder how he, in fact, would manage without her.
He glanced over at her again as they turned after the next foray down the line, and his heart nearly stopped. Lady Catherine was making her way towards Elizabeth.
“Georgiana …” he began, hoping that Aunt Alice would stay with her, and wondering if he should stop the dance and join her — he needed to know what was said. Then he saw his uncle was also making his ponderous way to them.
Georgiana took his hand. “Aunt Alice will make sure she is all right,” she murmured, and turned him away.
“But …” and he stopped. How could he explain his worries? He knew the dance was nearly over, and he’d have to make the best of it.
At the end, he hurried over with Georgiana, to find Elizabeth walking towards the dance floor on his uncle’s arm. Uncle Henry was smiling down on her with his avuncular smile, and Darcy knew she’d made a good impression on him.
He stopped, and looked round the room. “Would you rather join Richard and Cousin Anne than Aunt Alice and Lady Catherine?” he asked Georgiana.
She giggled. “What do you think?”
He chuckled. He had never known his sister so lighthearted, was it Elizabeth? She certainly seemed to brighten the atmosphere wherever she was. He shook his head and escorted Georgiana over to join Richard. He bowed at Anne, and asked after her health. Then he hurried away before Lady Catherine regained her hopes upon seeing them together.
Aunt Alice was hastening toward him. “There’s just time to join this dance, Darcy.”
“Delighted,” he murmured, as she placed her hand on his arm. It seemed she wanted to talk to him and the dance floor was as private as anywhere.
Aunt Alice danced in her usual stately manner, and Darcy had contrived to join the same line that Elizabeth and Uncle Henry were dancing. It meant he could watch her unobtrusively, see how his uncle seemed to enjoy her company.
“I don’t know where you found her, Darcy,” his aunt said, as they passed in the dance. “But she is a delightful girl.” She laughed. “She will certainly keep you young.”
Darcy forced a smile. “Indeed.” But he could think of nothing further to say.
“I can see the way you look at her,” she said complacently. “It is amusing, seeing you so much in love.”
Darcy was startled. His acting was too good, it appeared — and so was hers. His thoughts scattered; should he bring the whole thing to an end at once? But there was still Lady Catherine.
He tightened his jaw. He must continue with the plan. Perhaps he should speak to Elizabeth, remind her of the ephemeral nature of their betrothal and tell her not to ingratiate herself too much to his family.
“Stop scowling so, Darcy,” his aunt reproved him. “It is almost as if you are back to your old self — and I like the new you.”
“I apologise, Aunt Alice,” he smiled tightly in acknowledgement; but he couldn’t stop himself looking at Elizabeth. He realised his opportunity before the dance drew to a close. “What did Lady Catherine have to say to Elizabeth?”
Aunt Alice glanced at him. “I wondered when you would ask.” She looked a little tired. “Henry has already spoken to her very firmly. Even had you not brought Elizabeth with you as your betrothed, s
he must know you will never marry Anne.” She grimaced. “But she can be exceedingly plain-speaking, as you know. It is as well that your Miss Bennet has so equable a temper. She did not allow Lady Catherine to distress her.”
“I am glad to hear it,” and he was. But there was much for him to consider, and he was relieved when the dance ended and he was able to join Elizabeth again.
He forced a smile and bowed, formally. “I wondered if you would like to take a walk along the terrace, Elizabeth? I believe the air is quite mild.”
She smiled up at him, her gaze open and guileless. He found himself irritated.
“I’d be delighted,” her smile washed over him, annoying him further. She rose, her eyes suddenly guarded.
Darcy saw his aunt looking hard at him, and hesitated before offering his arm to Elizabeth, trying to appear more conciliatory.
21
Elizabeth wondered if this was when she might stop enjoying herself. She walked quietly on Mr. Darcy’s arm and they moved out through the great glass doors onto the stone terrace that spanned the back of the house.
She couldn’t prevent a small cry of delight. The gardens were extensive for London, and lit mysteriously with candles along the winding paths.
Mr. Darcy appeared surprised. “I’m sorry, I’d forgotten you hadn’t seen the gardens at night. They are beautiful, aren’t they?”
“They are, Mr. Darcy. I have never seen anything even approximating to them.” She moved forward and leaned on the balustrade, drawing a deep, restorative breath, and she waited. Waited to find out why she had been wrong to smile, why it had irritated him so.
“My relations all seem to approve of you.” He spoke abruptly.
“Yes,” she laughed, “except for Lady Catherine. I think they are wonderful people, they have been so welcoming.”
“And Georgiana,” he said heavily.
Elizabeth turned to him. “Mr. Darcy, what is wrong? What have I done that you so disapprove of?”
He hesitated. “I am just concerned for my relations, if they become too fond of you.”
Slowly, Elizabeth turned to look at him. “I’m sorry, Mr. Darcy, I think I misunderstand you. Under what circumstances could they become too fond of me?”
He looked frustrated. “I am sure you must know, Elizabeth.”
She glanced around them, there was no one close by, but she didn’t know who might be behind the open doors.
“Perhaps we should walk along the path a short way, Mr. Darcy. We will have more privacy, then.” She waited for him to offer his arm, and they moved down onto the nearest path, very slowly. She noticed he was careful to remain within sight of the staff moving between the room and the terrace, and it reassured her somewhat.
“All right, Mr. Darcy, please tell me why it is important that your relations do not become too fond of me.” She turned to face him, her chin in the air.
He ran his hand through his hair, distractedly. “I am sure you must realise why, Miss Bennet.” He looked accusing. “You know this is all a charade, that we must appear affectionate and pleased with this engagement.”
Her heart went cold. “I believe you wrote to Lady Susan, asking for an introduction with a view to an engagement?” She took a step back.
He looked frustrated. “Yes, of course! A limited time engagement, until Lady Catherine gave up intending me to marry Cousin Anne. An engagement that would be broken as soon as that happened!”
Elizabeth stared at him in shock, and took another step back. Had she been the victim of a conspiracy between him and Lady Susan?
“That is not the arrangement that I agreed to, Mr. Darcy.”
He stared at her, his features disbelieving. “What did you think? That I could not find a lady to marry and was reduced to having one found for me?” He took a step closer as she moved away. “You thought I wouldn’t be more curious about your background, your inferior connections, if I was actually intending to marry you?”
She couldn’t help herself. Far from being able to stand her ground, she took another step back. “Nobody mentioned to me that it was anything other than an introduction leading to marriage. If you recall, I asked if you had been told about my background and you said you had. Am I supposed to question your every assertion?” She took a deep breath and then another.
Nothing would be gained by getting upset, she was acutely aware that there was much of the evening remaining. She turned away from the house, staring at the flickering candles that lined the path away from the light. If this was all true, she was travelling to a dark, unknown future, too.
Her heart was racing. How could this have happened? She turned back to him. “I must believe your assertion, sir. I can only think that there was some dissembling on the part of Lady Susan, and I am surprised. I had felt her to be trustworthy.”
His voice was quiet and bitter. “I will call on her and Lady Somerville in the morning, have no fear of that, Miss Bennet.”
Her chin went up. “I cannot think how you could imagine any young lady would agree to such a tasteless arrangement, Mr. Darcy.”
“I agreed with them that I would add three thousand pounds to your fortune, to increase your marriageability.”
She shook her head. “Not with the stigma of having called off an engagement — would you ever consider a lady who had been engaged before?”
He was silent, and she pushed home her thoughts.
“Perhaps I should leave now. You could say I am unwell.”
He laughed unpleasantly. “We have the rest of the evening yet, Miss Bennet. I hope you would not wish Lady Catherine to feel triumphant that she has beaten you?”
“Why should I be concerned about that, Mr. Darcy? After all, I will not see any of your family again, so it should not matter what any of them think.”
There was silence from him for several minutes. When he spoke again, he sounded more conciliatory. “I am sorry this happened this evening, it would have been better, perhaps, for some very frank discussions earlier which might have clarified the misunderstanding before today.” He drew a deep breath. “Might I beg of your kindness, to continue what we had arranged for this evening, at least? I am concerned for what Georgiana may think.” He sounded tired. “She often blames herself for events which she had nothing to do with.”
Elizabeth looked down. “It is going to be very difficult to continue with the act, sir. You must think I am, indeed, a fortune-hunter as Lady Catherine described me,” she paused “and I think you must be an arrogant, ungentlemanly person to have even considered that I might be the sort of lady who would agree to a pretend engagement!”
She heard his sharply indrawn breath at her words. “I am sorry you feel that way, but I would ask you, for Georgiana’s sake, that we do our best for this evening, and then I will call upon Lady Susan and see what is to be done.”
It was Elizabeth’s turn to be silent as she considered what to do. But all other possibilities seemed impractical. Reluctantly, she nodded.
“I suppose I shall have to. But do not try me too much, Mr. Darcy. My temper is not improved.”
“Nor mine, Miss Bennet.” His voice was cold. “Our absence will have been noted. Let us go in and see if we can continue our performance.”
He offered his arm and she took it, noting dispassionately that she still thrilled at his touch. She blinked away sudden tears. She must not show emotion, she must not. Her pride would not let her.
22
Darcy led her back into the ballroom, and back to where Georgiana was sitting. Richard leapt to his feet.
“I was hoping you would return soon, Miss Bennet. I have not had the honour of a dance yet and hope you’re not too fatigued?”
Darcy felt her slip her hand out of his arm and was surprised how cold he felt. He listened to her bright reply to his cousin, who led her away.
He sat heavily down beside Georgiana. He must have time to think.
“What has happened?” Georgiana whispered. “You both look troubled.”
/>
He forced himself to smile. “We are quite all right, Georgiana. Nothing is wrong, nothing at all.” Perhaps he had forced his tone too much, she looked very sceptical.
But she was quiet, at least. He sat and watched Elizabeth with Richard. She seemed as lively and vivacious as she had been earlier, but he could tell her act was listless below her apparent gaiety. He tightened his lips, how could he blame her when he, himself, was unable to recreate his mood of half an hour ago?
“You must not let Lady Catherine’s remarks come between you.”
Darcy jumped. He had not noticed Aunt Alice come and sit beside him. But she continued without waiting for a response.
“I saw you in the gardens, and I think I know what you were discussing. I have been talking to your uncle and we think you should not delay your wedding. Then Lady Catherine will have to stop troubling you.”
Darcy was relieved she hadn’t known what the disagreement had been about. He didn’t know what to say to her.
“We will be discussing it very soon, Aunt Alice.” It wasn’t the right thing to say, she too, looked very sceptical.
“You know that you sometimes have an unfortunate manner, Darcy. If you have said something that has distressed her, then you must not be too proud to apologise.” She stood up. “Remember what I said, she is an ideal lady for you and will make you a fine wife.”
Darcy watched her as she walked away. He had always respected her opinion, and hesitated now. But she did not know Elizabeth’s background, how unsuitable she actually was for a real engagement. He knew he didn’t, either.
He drew a deep breath and wished the evening was over.
“I don’t wish to risk your anger, William,” Georgiana’s voice was very quiet, “But I want to tell you that I agree with Aunt Alice.” She hesitated. “Do you think, that she might possibly … no, I don’t suppose so.”
Impatiently, Darcy Page 8
