Men of Consequence

by Francine Rainey

  The supper dance drew Elizabeth close, and Saye inhaled her lovely scent. He faced a dilemma. He could not decide whether he desired to stare into her eyes and enjoy her touch, her looks, her movement, or to engage her mind. As he stared, Elizabeth flushed and looked incredibly young. Though she comported herself with the grace of a duchess, and though her mind was sharp and agile, she was an innocent, and his unwavering gaze had unnerved her. Smiling softly, his decision was made.

  “Miss Bennet, may we continue our conversation?”

  “Of course, Colonel.”

  “Tell me, what has your foray into the study of my character revealed?”

  “Do you really want to know?” Elizabeth tilted her head and raised her brow.

  Saye laughed and then regarded her intently, “You have my full attention,” he whispered.

  Elizabeth blinked rapidly then exhaled. “Well, my sister Jane is a serene beauty, would you not agree?”

  “Yes. Mr. Bingley is blessed.”

  “He is. And Miss Banks, she too is lovely and pleasant?”

  “Yes, again, Miss Bennet.”

  “And Miss Caroline Bingley is lovely and very, well, complimentary, would you not agree, sir?”

  Saye’s brow creased at her seemingly unrelated comments.

  “Yes, Miss Bennet, she is.”

  “As a studier of character, I have noted that having been introduced to the beautiful and complimentary Miss Bingley, the lovely and amiable Lady Banks, and the stunning and serene Mrs. Bingley, you asked me first to dance.”

  Ah, Saye’s eyebrows rose, so she does not know how beautiful she is and believes I chose character over beauty.

  Saye laughed, “Again, Miss Bennet, you are correct, but what does that reveal of my character, madam?”

  “Many things, but I shall only say this, you, Colonel Saye, must walk your own way. You must value challenge and impertinence over amiability, compliments, beauty, and social convention, and I have not yet decided if that makes you a simpleton or a sage! Now, despise me if you dare!”

  Colonel Saye threw back his head and laughed. As the dance separated them again, he attempted to restrain his laughter, lest he offend his temporary partner. When Elizabeth was returned to him, he said, “You, madam, are excessively wise. I do walk my own way, but where you are incorrect is that I value challenge and impertinence over beauty and amiability, for I decidedly value challenge, impertinence and beauty and amiability; thus I asked you to dance,” Saye whispered in her ear as the dance ended. He then offered her his arm and lead her from the floor. “But compliments are acceptable too,” he whispered.

  Darcy watched Saye and Elizabeth, and his head pounded, and the sound of blood rushed in his ears. He clenched his fist tightly and scowled. Richard stood at a distance watching as Darcy’s scowl increased as the evening progressed. He approached his cousin and handed him a drink.

  “How are you, old man?”

  “Never better!” Darcy clipped and tossed the drink back.

  Richard laughed, “Perhaps you should inform your face. You look like a lad who has lost his hound. What gives?”

  Darcy glared at Richard, then looked away. Richard sighed, “Come now, Darcy. I know you carry heavy burdens, but it would be good for you to enjoy yourself now and again.” Richard looked around. “The women here are uncommonly pretty. Look, Saye escorts Miss Bennet this way.” Richard looked at Darcy, “Dance with her. She is delightful.” Darcy glared, his chest rising and falling rapidly, then he turned away. Richard shrugged, “Have it your way, old man,” he slapped Darcy on the back and walked away.

  In the dining hall, Saye found a seat for the flushed Elizabeth who fanned herself as Saye went to fill their plates. After several deep breaths, Elizabeth calmed and scanned the room. She smiled as she observed the whimsy and foibles of society. Her gaze traveled to a striking ginger. Elizabeth glanced away only to return her gaze quickly; the ginger was staring at her. Elizabeth arched her brow slightly, then frowned as the ginger beauty narrowed her eyes.

  As Saye returned, the unknown woman approached and spoke, “Strafford, how delighted I am to see you again. It has been far too long, since last season at the Norton’s ball. Remember?” She raised her brow, “We waltzed,” she lowered her voice and smiled a slow smile.

  “Indeed, Miss Davis, and a delightful time it was,” Saye bowed, sat, and smiled at Elizabeth.

  Victoria Davis narrowed her eyes. The daughter of a wealthy gentleman, she had set her sights on Colonel Saye since he had inherited. And never having been denied anything, she was determined to win.

  She pulled her escort’s arm and flopped down across from Saye and stared, her eyes roaming Saye’s face and figure and shooting arrows at Elizabeth. “Strafford,” she interrupted, “will you not make introductions?”

  Saye paused, then cleared his throat, “Miss Davis, allow me to introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Miss Bennet, Miss Victoria Davis of Valleyview in Gloucester.”

  Victoria’s eyes raked over Elizabeth lingering a bit upon her large, emerald eyes before scanning her well-made and well-fitted, but less ostentatious gown. Finally, she perused Elizabeth’s only jewelry, her simple pearl necklace. Victoria glanced at Saye, and then her lips curled into a pseudo smile. “A pleasure to meet you, Miss Bennet. Why have I not had the pleasure of your acquaintance before?” she smiled, and then she wrinkled her nose. “Oh, it must be because you hail from Hertfordshire and your family keeps no home in town, is that not so?” She continued as if answers from the person addressed were superfluous. “Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire,” she tapped her cheek with her finger as she turned her eyes upward, “Hertfordshire is a small and little place, is it not?” she asked as if one invective on Hertfordshire was not enough to convey her disdain. “Oh,” she laid her hand upon her heart as if wounded, “do not tell me this is your first time in town, Miss Bennet!” She pouted as one would toward a poor orphan born in a workhouse; she then reached over and patted Elizabeth’s arm. “You poor dear, how unfashionable! You must allow me to introduce you to the best modiste, though you are dressed, um, charmingly, I would be happy to show you the finest shops, for I am happy to share my wisdom and I am certain you would greatly benefit from my instruction, Miss Bennet,” Victoria smiled and batted her lashes at Saye.

  Oh my, a Caroline replica! Elizabeth covered her smile with her hand, then cleared her throat. “That was quite an oration, Miss Davis! Shall you like a response?” Victoria tilted her head and frowned as she stared blankly.

  “Well, I should like to answer, as it is customary to engage in a conversation with those one meets,” Elizabeth said, and Saye disguised his chuckled with a cough. “First, it is a pleasure to meet you as well, and thank you for the compliment to my appearance. We have not met before, I daresay, because we have only tonight acquired a mutual friend to introduce us. And, yes, I suppose Hertfordshire could be called a small and little place though hardly necessary for it would be difficult to be both small and large, at least in size, would it not? Though I must confess I quite enjoy its size. And finally, Miss Davis this is not my first time in town; however, I must admit that it has been difficult securing an appointment with Madame Carbonnier, thus far I have only had three.” Elizabeth leaned forward and whispered, “My uncle and aunt are favorites of hers, and she condescended to work me in.” Victoria inhaled. Elizabeth sat back and returned to a normal volume. “I have been told that she is the best, but if you are aware of one finer, then I await your instruction, for I have learned that in tutoring, it is not only the pupil but also the teacher who learns, Miss Davis,” Elizabeth smiled and drank from her glass.

  Victoria’s face resembled a beet, clashing horribly with her ginger hair. She glanced at Saye who had turned his head away, nearly as far as an owl’s, to hide his mirth. Turning back to Elizabeth, Victoria flattened her lips, “Well, I will be glad to help, Miss Bennet. Do you stay in town long?”

&
nbsp; “Likely for a few more months, Miss Davis.”

  “Then we will have opportunity to become great friends,” she tried to smile, but her quivering, angry cheeks failed her. “Oh look, Percival, tis Miss Green. I must speak to her.” She and her escort rose, “Strafford, Miss Bennet, a pleasure.” Saye rose and bowed. Victoria stalked away.

  Colonel Saye could hardly keep his mouth in a straight line. After Elizabeth’s quip about the teacher needing to learn, he had turned his head away, for Victoria’s dress was ostentatious and her manners atrocious. Yes, time spent “instructing” Elizabeth would inevitably result in quite a needed education for her. Saye sat and looked at Elizabeth for a very long time.

  Darcy arrived in the dining hall late, having been accosted by Caroline who gripped his arm as tight as one in stocks. Looking for seats as close to Elizabeth as possible, he had managed to be seated across from her and down two seats where he could hear when she spoke to those around her.

  Looking straight ahead, Darcy had flushed and tensed when the ginger beauty talked down to Elizabeth. His mouth had softened into a half smile when Elizabeth responded. However, it was when he glanced at Elizabeth and Saye that Darcy’s world imploded. Saye stared at Elizabeth intensely and smiled tenderly: and Darcy recognized the look; it was admiration. Saye was dumbstruck. Darcy ran his hands down his face. Rarely had he felt such crushing weight. Not even at Ramsgate had he felt such hopelessness. A life without her, without her joy, her sparkle, her courage, her sense and sensibilities, was a life swathed in grey – too dreary to fathom. Darcy’s scowl deepened.

  Just then, as Darcy’s scowl increased, Elizabeth looked at him. Then she tilted her head, frowned, and turned and spoke softly to Saye. Darcy groaned.

  The ball resumed, and Lance claimed Elizabeth for a second set. As Elizabeth and Lance took their place in line, she noticed Darcy standing up with a stunning woman, as beautiful as Jane, with shiny brown hair, large eyes, and an oval face. So engrossed was she watching Darcy that she failed to hear Lance call her name.

  “Miss Bennet,” he called again.

  Her head snapped forward. “Forgive me, I was not attending.”

  “Should I be concerned Miss Bennet that after so short an acquaintance and only the second dance, you have grown tired of me already?”

  “Mr. Lancaster, you cannot possibly believe that I could become tired of such an amiable gentleman in so short an acquaintance. I am certain it would take at least until the end of the ball for me to feel such!” Lance smiled then looked over Elizabeth’s head to a frowning Saye. Lance caught his gaze and nodded.

  Colonel Saye did not at all like the competition.

  Elizabeth cut her eyes again to Darcy who now stared back at her with dull eyes having turned her way at the sound of her laughter. Elizabeth frowned. If it were not for his flawless dress, one would surmise that Mr. Darcy has just emerged from a fierce battle.

  “Miss Bennet,” Elizabeth glanced at Lance, “I am beginning to believe that you have fibbed and that you have grown tired of my acquaintance.”

  “Nonsense, Mr. Lancaster! Tis not yet the end of the ball!” Elizabeth laughed.

  Lance smiled. “Then let us have some conversation, Miss Bennet. Have you been enjoying your time in London?

  “Very much. I love spending time with Jane and my new brother.”

  “And what of walks, Miss Elizabeth? Have you been ‘scampering about’ London as Miss Bingley said you do in Hertfordshire?”

  Elizabeth laughed. “Hardly, though not because I lack the inclination. Alas, my brother and sister are vigilant sentries, and I have not been loosed to ‘scamper about’ London. I have considered absconding, but I cannot mortify them with my country manners in so fashionable a city.”

  “Might you allow me to be your knight and rescue the damsel from her confines and the scampering can begin?”

  Elizabeth’s laughter floated through the air. Saye huffed and rolled his eyes as he watched Lance’s attempts to charm Elizabeth.

  At the end of the set, Lance returned Elizabeth to Jane and Bingley. Bowing over her hand, he said, “Miss Bennet?”

  “Yes?”

  Lance whispered, “May I call upon you tomorrow?”

  Elizabeth flushed and glanced about her before settling on Lance’s solemn, steady gaze. She smiled, “You may.”

  “Until then, Miss Bennet.” Lance kissed her hand, bowed to Jane and Bingley and left.

  Jane brought her fan to her mouth and pursed her lips, her eyes twinkling. Bingley coughed and covered his smile with his hand. Elizabeth’s eyes flitted about the room. She looked at the ceiling, down at the floor, at the walls, at her slippers, then she smoothed imaginary wrinkles from her dress. Finally, knowing she must face their teasing eventually, Elizabeth lifted her chin and eyed them.

  “Wait until I speak with Mother Bennet!”

  “Charles!” Jane and Elizabeth spoke simultaneously before all erupted into laughter.

  As the night ended, Darcy approached. “Miss Elizabeth,” he bowed stiffly, “if you are not otherwise engaged, may I request the honor of the last set?” Elizabeth opened her mouth and then snapped it closed. She stared into his intense blue gaze and swallowed.

  “You may, Mr. Darcy.”

  Darcy bowed again and took her hand. And from that moment, Darcy’s tenuous restraint tumbled like a boulder down a precipice.

  From across the floor, Saye eyed the couple with crossed arms. Lance, he had but little concern, but Fitzwilliam Darcy as a lover? – that was an altogether different matter.

  Chapter Seven

  “Brother,” Georgiana toyed with the lace on her sleeve.

  “Yes, Sweetling,” Darcy folded his paper and looked up.

  “I was wondering,” Georgiana looked up and then quickly down again, “I was wondering if you thought I have improved? I know I have not always acted the way I should have, but I am much better behaved now, I think. Mrs. Annesley says I am a proper young lady.”

  “Dearest,” Darcy leaned forward and grabbed her hand, “you have always been a proper young lady. Please do not assume the responsibility for what occurred last summer. You acted honorably by standing against the pressure from two adults you should have been able to trust. I know at first you were flattered and confused, but when you assessed the situation, you were brave. I could not be prouder of you, Sweetling.”

  Georgiana’s chin quivered, “Do you mean that, Fitzwilliam?”

  Darcy stooped before her, “Yes! What you did was commendable. You have proven that you can trust your instincts.”

  Georgiana exhaled loudly and then launched herself awkwardly into her brother’s arms, nearly knocking him off his feet.

  “Oh, Brother, thank you, thank you! I have been so sad thinking I had lost your good opinion!”

  Darcy patted her on the back, “You could never lose my good opinion.”

  He handed her a handkerchief, and Georgiana wiped her eyes, “Then, may I ask, I mean to say that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst called today and well, though I do not usually enjoy their company,” Georgiana slapped her mouth, her eyes huge, “I should not have said…”

  “Hush,” Darcy fought to keep the humor from his voice. “I understand. Please tell me what you desire.”

  Georgiana sighed. “They have invited us to a concerto with a wonderful pianist. I do so want to hear him, and afterward, Miss Bingley has invited us to dinner. I would not normally seek her attention, but I have wanted to meet the new Mrs. Bingley since you have spoken highly of her and her sister.”

  Darcy tensed, then rose. Acceptance would mean he would be in her company again.

  The music seemed to fill his being as he drew slowly near her, her scent filling his senses, her tiny hand in his, her body drawing near. “Mr. Darcy,” she had said, but he hadn’t heard a word as images of a life with her arrested his senses. “Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy…”

  “Brother! Brother!” Georgiana call
ed.

  Startled, Darcy flushed. “Yes, Georgiana, I am sorry I, I was not attending.”

  “May we go?”

  After ascertaining the day, Darcy paused, “Yes, of course.”

  Georgiana leapt up and hugged her brother. “I shall go and inform Mrs. Annesley,” she said as she skipped from the room.

  Darcy dropped in his chair and put his head in his hands, “What have I done? How could my resolve have slipped yet again? Of course, I cannot deny Georgiana anything that is within my power to grant her.” Yet even as he uttered these words, he knew that it was not so much Georgiana that he could not deny, but he could not deny himself the opportunity to be in her presence. He needed her, wanted her and nothing he did, thought, or acknowledged ever proved strong enough to restrain him from seeking her. His mind wandered to last night’s last dance.

  He had walked with her close to his side to their place in the line, every part of him attuned to the woman of his dreams upon his arm. He felt in danger of a missish trembling as his body celebrated her nearness. He countered by holding himself stiffer, as he willed his body to cooperate with his scheme of polite indifference; however, he felt as if he were as transparent as glass and just as easily broken.

  This night, the music filled his being as he slowly drew near her, her scent filling his senses, her tiny hand in his, her body drawing near. “Mr. Darcy,” she had said, but he hadn’t heard a word as images of a life with her arrested his senses. “Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy…”

  Startled, Darcy had flushed. “My apologies, Miss Bennet, I am sorry I, I was not attending.”

  Elizabeth had smiled and looked at him with a side glance. “Should I be concerned, Mr. Darcy, that after so little time in my company and only one dance you have grown weary of my presence?” Elizabeth had smiled even broader after making that statement. And Darcy was caught.