Men of Consequence

by Francine Rainey

  “Yes, yes,” Richard responded, “you did indeed capture…” Richard’s voice trailed away, and he followed Saye’s distracted gaze; he knew that a beautiful lady would be at the end of it. Just entering the ballroom was Bingley with a beautiful Bennet sister upon each arm. Behind him was Caroline Bingley, her arm linked with Lena Banks whose eyes danced about as she giggled. Caroline was dressed in a garish orange silk gown, topped with a turban of flitting ostrich feathers, and looking as if she smelled something unpleasant.

  Richard rocked back and forth on his heels. “Quite lovely, eh?” Richard waggled his brows.

  “Indeed,” Saye answered his eyes glued to the ladies. “I wonder who they are?”

  “If someone only knew them who could introduce Bingley and those lovely ladies to us,” Richard smirked.

  “Indeed,” Saye answered again, his eyes still glued to the ladies.

  “Yes, Charles Bingley is a good chap. I heard he was recently married to a remarkably beautiful woman,” Richard said, looking side-eyed at Saye.

  “Indeed. He…wait!” Saye whipped around to Richard, “You know him! Come, man, do your duty!” Saye said, already walking toward the group with a laughing Richard behind.

  Elizabeth entered the ballroom and gazed about with sparkling eyes. The room was aglow with what seemed like 10,000 candles. Lighted chandeliers hung from the ceilings. The ladies’ beaded turbans and bejeweled necklaces lent bursts of light as they reflected the candles. Elizabeth watched young maidens batting their eyes from behind their fans at young dandies parading about like peacocks. Elizabeth smirked as she imagined her mother amid such an assembly with eligible, handsome gentlemen in abundance and four daughters in need of husbands! Just as Elizabeth thought she would not be able to suppress her giggle, she saw two distinguished gentlemen headed toward them.

  Richard and Saye weaved their way through the crowd, and Richard approached Bingley and bowed. “Bingley! Well met, old fellow.”

  “Well met, Colonel! How do you do?”

  “As good as an old soldier can. Will you not introduce me to your lovely companions?”

  “Of course! May I present my bride, Mrs. Jane Bingley,” Bingley beamed. “And her sister Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” As Richard greeted the ladies, Caroline cleared her throat. “Yes, yes and my lovely sister, Miss Caroline Bingley.” Charles glanced back and noticed the lady who had attached herself to Caroline’s arm, “Oh, and Miss Lena Banks.”

  Richard bowed, “A pleasure,” Richard addressed them all, “Miss Banks and I are already acquainted.” Then he turned again to Bingley, “You always did have the best fortune, Bingley, to be surrounded by such beautiful women and to have captured the heart of one is astounding.” Richard bowed over Jane’s hand, “I wish you joy, Mrs. Bingley.”

  “I thank you, Colonel, and a pleasure to meet you as well,” Jane smiled softly, her eyes briefly maintaining contact before sliding to rest upon her husband.

  Richard bowed to the remaining ladies, “Miss Banks, a pleasure to see you again. Miss Bennet and Miss Bingley, a pleasure to meet such lovely ladies. And may I introduce you all to Colonel Strafford Saye, of Windemere in Cheshire.” Caroline’s eyes suddenly widened at the introduction of Saye as master of Windemere; she lurched in front of Elizabeth.

  “It is a pleasure to meet you, Colonel Saye. I have heard much of you and that your home is one of the loveliest in England.” Caroline smiled her most seductive smile, which gave her the appearance of a Cheshire cat eyeing a vat of cream.

  Saye pursed his lips to contain his amusement at Caroline’s fawning. Hmm, fawning, and grasping. He had no choice but to greet her first since she had pushed her way forward and had pulled Miss Banks along with her. “You flatter me, Miss Bingley,” Saye bowed. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he said as he turned quickly away. He then bowed to Lena Banks, “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Miss Banks.”

  Lena giggled like a schoolgirl. “The pleasure is all mine! I do so love a ball there is always so much… so much, dancing!” She finished and beamed as if she had not just spoken the most insipid statement in all of England.

  Saye’s brow raised slightly, and he pursed his lips, “Indeed, so typical of a ball.” Hmm, vapid, and silly. As with Caroline, Saye turned quickly, smiled, and bowed to Jane. When he rose, he looked keenly at her, Jane returned his gaze with a warm smile. This one is stunning and serene. She is sensible, not like that fawning Miss Bingley or the witless Miss Banks. No, she will be a rock for Bingley. She will always be polite and proper, but with dignity and strength.

  “An extreme pleasure to make your acquaintance and may I wish you joy?”

  “Thank you, sir, and the pleasure is mine,” Jane spoke and smiled softly.

  Just as I imagined, Saye thought as he returned her smile and looked deeply at her. Bingley is fortunate. Saye turned to Elizabeth and froze. Elizabeth stood with one eyebrow arched, lips curled in a smirk, fire and amusement dancing in her beautiful eyes. Saye’s eyes widened, and then he nearly forgot himself with a peal of laughter. This one is not serene! She thinks she knows what I am about! And if I am not mistaken, she has just given me her opinion on my character assessments. How delightful! Beautiful and fiery.

  “Miss Bennet,” Saye bit his lip to squelch his laughter, “I am delighted to make your acquaintance.” His brown eyes swept quickly over her before coming to rest upon her beautiful eyes that watched him with such boldness that he felt both understood and reprimanded in the same remarkable gaze!

  “The pleasure is mine, Colonel Saye,” Elizabeth beamed, her eyes twinkling with laughter.

  “Miss Bennet, if you are not otherwise engaged, would you do me the honor of the first set.”

  “I am sorry, but the first set has been spoken for, sir.”

  “Then I must await you in the second if you will have me.”

  “With pleasure.”

  Darcy strode into the ballroom, his features tight. A letter from his steward had delayed his arrival. Having answered the letter, he had rushed to his room, barking orders to his valet, who had Darcy bathed and impeccably dressed an hour later. As Darcy looked about, he was accosted by Lady Miller, the wife of a baron and her daughter, Isabella.

  “Darcy, how delighted I am to see you!”

  “Lady Miller, a pleasure,” Darcy bowed stiffly.

  “You remember my daughter, Miss Isabella Miller,” Lady Miller looked at Darcy with a side glance and a smile that curled one half of her lip.

  Darcy swallowed the bile in his throat as he watched the scenario like a spectator in a recurring tragedy. Miss Isabella will curtsy and hold it just long enough for me to ogle her décolletage should I desire and rise with a sickeningly sweet smile meant to enthrall me.

  As if on cue, Miss Isabella curtsied deeply and counted, one, two, three, rise. She rose and looked boldly into Darcy’s eyes.

  Ah, no smile. Well, at least something original, Darcy bowed crisply. Now Lady Miller will bore me with her daughter’s accomplishments. Darcy’s eyes glazed over.

  “She is so accomplished. A lovely dancer, even Mrs. Wainscott has commented on how she had rarely seen another dance as lovely as she!”

  “Indeed,” Darcy clipped as he scanned the room from above their heads. Elizabeth! Darcy spotted her, and she looked ravishing in a soft pink, silk gown, that concealed and revealed her beauty expertly. Darcy inhaled, his heart nearly halting. There was his Elizabeth, the woman his mind craved, his soul loved, and his body desired, the woman who promised intrigue with her beautiful eyes, and bliss in her teasing smile, the woman he loved until it ached – smiling and sparkling up at Colonel Saye. Darcy felt as if he had been hit in the gut with a wrecking ball. “Excuse me,” Darcy said as he strode quickly away from a slack-jawed Lady Miller and a pouting Miss Isabella.

  A few years older than Darcy, Saye was a man of substance. Even before he had become master of his extensive estate, Saye’s rep
utation was one of honor, strength, and good sense. Now, he had also earned a name for himself in the military. He had fought bravely, and his bravery had inspired his fellow soldiers and impressed his superiors. He was lauded for his keen intellect and military savvy, causing him to rise rapidly upon the ranks. However, three years ago, Colonel Saye was unexpectedly made heir to a substantial property by an uncle who had lost both his sons. Last year, his uncle died, and Saye took leave to meet with the estate’s steward. Upon ascertaining the competency and character of the steward and the prosperity of the estate, Saye returned to duty, and to the increased respect of his men. Saye was a man of consequence – and Elizabeth was smiling at him. Darcy nearly ran to the group.

  “Darcy!” Richard saw his approach, “so, you came! Surely you knew that this is a ball and there will be copious amounts of dancing?” Richard teased, and Darcy clenched his jaw and tugged his coat sleeve to keep from punching the smirk from his cousin’s face. Darcy’s eyes, as always, slid to Elizabeth who watched him intently. Therefore, instead of massaging his knuckles with his cousin’s jaw, Darcy bowed instead and greeted Bingley and the ladies.

  “Indeed, Richard, if you agree to spend the evening in the card room as is befitting one of your age, I will be delighted to spend my time in the company of these lovely ladies,” Darcy said. The group laughed and then continued in conversation. Darcy’s eyes glided back to Elizabeth. He exhaled. She was so beautiful, young and pure and wonderful. The things she did to him without even trying was more than he had ever felt. Darcy held himself stiffly to control the need to touch her.

  Behind him, Saye cleared his throat, and Darcy wrenched his gaze from Elizabeth. Darcy and Saye eyed each other. Saye was as tall as Darcy, with equally dark hair, but he had dark eyes to Darcy’s blue. He was also powerfully built from years in the military. Darcy had enough with the sensible and amiable Lance, now it was apparent that he would also be required to contend with Colonel Saye.

  “Saye,” Darcy greeted.

  “Darcy, I have not seen you in an age. What brings you here to spend time with mere mortals, and at a ball no less? I did not know that the great Darcy had such a close connection with the Lancasters. Or perhaps there is another inducement for your presence tonight?” Saye inquired with a raised brow and a smile that appeared more like a challenge than amusement.

  “I do not claim a close connection with the Lancasters, although I do respect Lance. As to inducements,” Darcy spoke slowly, “my inducements are my own.” He paused, “Although you may find them to be similar to yours.” The men eyed each other like pugilists before the first blow is thrown.

  Saye glanced at Elizabeth and back at Darcy and chuckled, “Then let the best man prevail.”

  Chapter Six

  The music signaled the beginning of the first set and Lance approached Elizabeth.

  “Miss Bennet, may I say how beautiful you look tonight.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Lancaster,” Elizabeth smiled.

  “I believe this is our set, shall we?”

  Darcy and Saye stood shoulder-to-shoulder watching Elizabeth bounce, skip, and sparkle in her dance with Lance. Her movements were joyful and elegant, and neither could look away.

  “Miss Bennet is delightful, is she not?” Saye asked.

  “Indeed,” Darcy clipped.

  Saye cleared his throat, “Have you known her long?” Saye asked, his eyes forward watching the woman dancing rather than the man beside him.

  Darcy turned slightly to face Saye. “I have known her for many months now. She is intelligent and amiable.” And beautiful and enticing. “She is a gentleman’s daughter, though not of our circle and not to be trifled with.”

  Saye looked at Darcy, “Not of our circle, eh? Well, it seems my circle has widened, Darcy.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I no longer see the world as confined as our society proposes,” Saye answered, and Darcy raised a brow.

  Saye turned to Darcy with a face as grave as a soldier’s in battle. “Men are men. I have seen the sons of great men cower behind their rank and circumstance, giving orders they know little about to men they thought little of, while sons of tradesmen and orphans, bravely strode into battle, giving their all for a country that scorns them. I have seen the noble behave ignobly and the ignoble with nobility. I have seen, Darcy, and I can no longer judge the value of a person solely by rank or circumstance. It is a false measure.” Saye shrugged, “As I said, men are men. Greatness and smallness come from choice more than circumstance.” Saye finished and smiled a smile that transformed his face from a solider to a lover as he stepped forward to collect Elizabeth from Lance.

  “Did you enjoy your dance, Miss Bennet?”

  “Yes, I did, Colonel Saye. I dearly love to dance.”

  “And you excel at it, Miss Bennet. It was a pleasure to watch.”

  Darcy stood as rigid as stone, his face pinched as he watched Elizabeth and Saye smile at each other. Elizabeth glanced up at a scowling Darcy, and her smile vanished, replaced by a furrowed brow. Darcy, unable to answer the question in her eyes, looked away; he had never felt so bereft.

  After some conversation, the music began for the second set. “Miss Bennet, this is our dance.”

  As he watched them walk away, Darcy gripped his glass so tightly that his hands shook. His eyes remained upon the couple as they took their place in line.

  “Most people come to a ball to dance,” Richard whispered to Darcy as he walked to the floor. Darcy tossed back the remainder of his drink and turned his back to the dancers.

  The music began, and Saye looked deeply into Elizabeth’s eyes as their gloved hands caught and their feet completed the pattern of the dance. They danced for some time without speaking, and Elizabeth shivered under his gaze. He was a man with magnetism. He was handsome, broad and strong; Elizabeth felt small beside him. She flushed under his gaze and looked away; she then squared her shoulders and cleared her throat.

  “Tell me, Colonel Saye, from where did you learn your character sketching skills? Were they acquired in the classroom or the crush of a ballroom?” she raised a brow.

  Saye laughed, “You have presumed that I am a studier of character, Miss Bennet. Very astute. And to answer your question, I learned my skills from neither the schoolroom nor the ballroom, but from the battlefield. Although, with the number of maneuvers employed in most ballrooms, I cannot say that there is much difference between the two.

  “Ah, yes,” Elizabeth laughed, “I have been subjected to a few verbal volleys in the ballroom.” The dance separated them, and when they came together again, Elizabeth said, “I, too, am a studier of characters.”

  “Really?” his wide smile lit his face with joy. “And have you applied your skill tonight?” The steps led Saye to another partner, but his eyes remained on Elizabeth.

  When she returned to him, he took her hand quickly, “Yes, I have,” she said, arching her brow and waiting.

  Saye watched her from the side of his eyes as she circled him. He grinned, and his eyes gleamed, “And was that person a worthy study, Miss Bennet?”

  “I find all people worthy studies, for to the discerning as much insight can be gleaned from the simpleton as from the sage. Do you not agree, Colonel?” Elizabeth smiled; her eyes bright with mischief. She was alluring when she teased; mysterious and playful, and Saye caught a glimpse of the beauty inside her soul.

  He stared and then shook his head slightly to regain his composure. “Ah, indeed, they both offer much to ponder.”

  “Yes, one to mostly avoid and the other, to mostly consider,” Elizabeth said.

  The dance separated them, and when they came back together, Saye pulsated with excitement. “Only mostly, Miss Bennet? Should one not completely avoid the simpleton and always attend the sage?” He asked, incapable of modulating the smile that threatened to claim his entire face.

  “Indeed not, Colonel, for even the simpleton may have moments of s
ense, while the sage, moments of insensibility.

  Saye stared for a long while with a soft smile, then he leaned forward and whispered, “Touché, Miss Bennet,” his eyes were sultry with admiration, and Elizabeth flushed and looked away. “And who has had the privilege of your study tonight?”

  Elizabeth chuckled, “Why you, Colonel,” Elizabeth answered, suddenly breathless.

  “And of your subject tonight, Miss Elizabeth.”

  “Yes, Colonel?”

  They circled each other like combatants on a field, and Elizabeth was caught in the heat of his gaze. As they made their final turn, just before they resumed their place in the line, he whispered softly, “Am I to avoid,” he paused and stared intensely, “or to consider?”

  Elizabeth gasped. When the music ended, they stood for a moment, transfixed. Saye then bowed, stepped forward, and escorted her from the floor.

  “Miss Bennet, if you are not otherwise engaged, might you reserve the supper set for me as well?

  “The supper set, Colonel?” Elizabeth fanned herself vigorously. “Is that prudent, sir?”

  “Prudent?” Saye pursed his lips and turned his eyes upward. “Perhaps not. Paramount - definitely.”

  “How, sir?”

  “You have not answered my question, and I will be in anguish until you do,” Saye smiled down at Elizabeth who flushed and smiled into his eyes as she nodded her acceptance.

  Darcy leaned on the wall, stone-faced, his chest rising and falling with great effort.

  Elizabeth danced with Colonel Fitzwilliam and two other gentlemen, one charming whose name she could not remember, and one not so charming whose name she could not forget. Now, it was time for her supper dance with Saye. As Jane and Elizabeth spoke, Saye sauntered over, tall and masculine, his gaze trained upon Elizabeth, who flushed and fidgeted with her silk gloves.