*****
A week of practices later, Darcy and his friends determined the teams ready for matches. Lady Aurora had asked why they had to even keep score, but the children clearly wanted something in exchange for all their hard work. Bragging rights could mean the world at their age.
“I can hardly wait for Jane to arrive,” Bingley bounced on his toes as the children warmed up their muscles in various activities. Darcy had been correct on needing a lady for the girls. She was able to show them how to do jumping jacks and stretches modestly.
“When are you going to make it official?” Marshall asked.
“Why rush?” Bingley shrugged. “We knew each other but six weeks before I left Hertfordshire. Then we were separated for four months. Surely time is on my side.”
“I would hate to injure a lady’s feelings with her younger sister showing her up.”
Marshall’s words stung Darcy like a dagger in a festering wound as they always did when he alluded to his plans for Elizabeth. Perhaps if she did marry another, the injury might have a chance to heal. Lady Aurora smiled over at Darcy from across the field, and his heart seized again. Was he raising her expectations?
Perhaps it was natural to return to the state he one once knew. Marshall sought to find a new mistress for his estate after the death of his mother and saw Elizabeth as the ideal candidate. Darcy sought no one because loneliness was not a new thing to him. He told himself this and yet, realising Elizabeth would never be the mistress of Pemberley and walk in its gardens made him wince in pain.
“Here they are,” Bingley grinned.
He and Marshall walked off to meet the others.
“I feel like a real gentleman with an audience watching us,” Tom said at Darcy’s side.
“Don’t let them worry you. Keep your focus.”
“Yessir,” Tom grinned up at him. “Me and Fred’s an unstoppable force.”
Tom ran off for target practice with Freddie protecting the goal. Darcy smiled to see them getting along. Putting them on the same team and making them indispensable to each other had been the key.
“Those are the two that hated each other?”
Elizabeth’s voice caused Darcy to jump. “Yes,” he shrugged. “Boys can be friends one minute and rivals the next.” His gaze drifted to Marshall who chatted with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.
“Or vice versa, as the situation went.”
Darcy could hear the tease in Elizabeth’s voice. Yes, he got that backwards. Did she understand his slip of the tongue?
“It is not so different with girls.”
“Oh?”
“Jane had been assured by Miss Bingley that Mr. Bingley desired to marry Georgiana. Jane is too kind to see any lady as a rival or hate her, but I never would have guessed they could become friends.”
Darcy nodded. “She loved him too much.”
“She still does,” Elizabeth said with a happy sigh.
Suddenly, Darcy could see Elizabeth stiffen and straighten beside him.
“Oh. You did not say she was so beautiful?”
“Who?”
“Lady Aurora,” Elizabeth said in a small voice. “She is exquisite. Frolicking in such a gown?” She cast her eyes down.
She felt inadequate, Darcy realised. But for what reason? Because of her gown? Or because Darcy had developed a friendship with another lady of higher rank and what Elizabeth felt was greater beauty? “I am sure your attire is the better for frolicking.”
His words brought Elizabeth’s head up, and he kicked himself. That was not what he really meant to say, nothing like what he wanted to convey but at least it was something. Elizabeth’s eyes shined with mirth and appreciation. Darcy released the breath he did not realise he had been holding. He had finally said something right.
“My secret is,” Elizabeth dropped her voice, and Darcy leaned lower to hear it, “that I intend on always frolicking. Such a gown would be an utter waste on me.”
Darcy opened his mouth to speak. His hand reached for hers. He needed to press a kiss against her smooth skin.
“Mr. Darcy!”
Lady Aurora called, ruining all of Darcy’s plans. Instead of confessing to Elizabeth that he wanted to play games with her his entire life and that he would have her no other way, he stood with his mouth half open and his hand stiffly in front of him. Elizabeth had turned in the direction of the voice. The lady in question approached rapidly, silk skirts swishing in the light breeze as she held her hat on her head with a hand.
“Do introduce me to your friends,” Lady Aurora said as she came closer.
“Certainly,” Darcy agreed and called the others over.
Aurora met the Gardiners cordially, but Darcy thought he saw a slight stiffening when his profession in Town was mentioned. She greeted Georgiana warmly and talked with Jane and Elizabeth as though they were the greatest mysteries of the universe. She garnered as much information from them as Lady Catherine might have but in a way that did not feel intrusive. She indeed was a talented conversationalist.
Soon, the teams were ready to play. The girls would play first. For this purpose, Aurora instructed one team and Darcy the other. Bingley and Marshall would be the judges. Before going to her side of the field, Aurora looked at Darcy intently.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” she shook her head. “Nothing of importance to you but I finally understand.”
“Understand what?”
“That your heart is taken.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “You will ask her, won’t you? Do not allow prejudice for her station to stand in the way.”
“Madam,” Darcy said through clenched teeth. He would not have these things said in public or bandied about. Her father was a duke!
“Oh, do not growl at me,” Aurora laughed. “Your secret is safe with me.” She turned and scampered away.
Darcy’s heart fell as Marshall called time to play. He did not wish to impose his sentiments on Elizabeth or ruin her reputation, but keeping his love for her a secret had done nothing. Besides, there was only one person he trusted with his secrets, and she was the last one who could ever know why.
During the break between games, Lady Aurora chatted with Elizabeth and Jane. Whatever she said caused Elizabeth to look discomposed and avoid his eyes for the remainder of the day. All was not lost, however. His team beat Bingley’s, but in the end, all the children won as Darcy treated the players and audience alike to ices. The children’s’ eyes grew large at the unprecedented treat. If Darcy could, he would spoil them all. Already, he talked with his solicitor and steward about finding places for them. Evans had acknowledged the facts to him. More than half the women who left their infants in the care of the foundling hospital had been employed in personal service. Darcy found it hard to believe that many women chose to risk their livelihoods and position with unwise affairs of an equal nature. Be it via intimidation or outright force, undoubtedly, many of the infants were fathered by the master of the house. The hospital needed a better referral system.
Additionally, his words to Lady Aurora about the health of women who do not regularly exercise were not merely about once they had married and left service, choosing to start a family. For many servants, babies came and destroyed their plans. An unexpected or unwanted pregnancy could be recovered from. The infant could be placed with family or a childless couple, and the mother returns to work. Death, however, gave the child little choice, typically, than to start in destitution.
Darcy and Georgiana could have easily been among those children. Fortuna’s wheel dealt him luck. A few short months ago, he never would have described his life as fortunate. He would have railed against all the injustices he had faced. Now, he saw an opportunity to extend his blessings to others. Would George Darcy approve of him spending so much time at the Foundling Hospital? No, he probably would not. Was Darcy disgracing his supposed forefathers and letting down the Darcy legacy? He no longer cared.
Having performed his duties as head instructor, Darcy sought
out the company of his friends. Lady Aurora spoke with Jane and Elizabeth again, the latter’s composure returned. Marshall hovered at her side, likely the cause of sereneness.
“Darcy,” Marshall grinned. “Spectacular events. We should do these every week!”
Darcy chuckled. “I believe neither me nor the children have the energy for that.”
“True and I would much rather you save your strength for my ball.”
“Have you chosen a date, then?”
“Yes, and Lady Aurora convinced me to choose fancy dress. Now, everyone is to choose a costume, and we will play a game guessing who is who.”
The others gasped in surprise and applauded Marshall’s choice. Darcy hung back. He did not like balls, he did not like crowds, and he detested subterfuge. However, he wore a disguise every day. He was endeavouring to show others his feelings. Still, he supposed he could bear the annoyance for one night. Elizabeth’s eyes danced with glee and Darcy knew he would do anything but miss her joy.
“Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner said quietly, “I must speak with you privately.”
Finding a secluded corner, Gardiner explained he desired Darcy’s assistance in viewing two homes near Pemberley. “I had hoped to leave next week, but I suppose you would like to stay for the ball,” Gardiner said.
Darcy kept his eyes trained on Elizabeth. “I do not often enjoy balls, and yet I would not miss this one for anything in the world.”
“I…” Gardiner trailed off.
Typically, able to converse regardless of the time, crowd, or service, his reticence drew Darcy’s notice. “What do you wish to say? I assure you I will not be offended.”
Gardiner sighed and shook his head. “No, I would not guess you to be offended, but I wish to put you on your guard.”
Darcy tensed, supposing he knew the route of this conversation.
“He calls on her every day; he courts her for all the world to see. It’s enough for her to see it and while I love my niece, she is not always the most observant when she would rather ignore a thing. Apparently, Mr. Collins had dropped repeated hints that he wished to marry her but she claims she was utterly surprised.”
“Thank you for your concern,” Darcy silenced the older gentleman. “I assure you it is unnecessary. I mean no trouble for her happiness.”
Gardiner looked at Darcy for a long moment. “You really do love her.”
It was no question, and it saved Darcy the heartache of having to answer. He did love Elizabeth and always would. He wanted her happiness even more than he desired his own. He would attend Marshall’s ball, watch Elizabeth, and then leave with Gardiner. By the time Gardiner returned to Derbyshire in the summer, Elizabeth would likely be engaged. Perhaps by then the thought would hurt less but, all things considered, nothing could wound Darcy more than Elizabeth not living in the world. He could bear any pain but that—even seeing her marry his oldest friend.
Marshall whispered to Elizabeth, pulling a smile and a laugh from her lips. For the millionth time, Darcy wished he had the ease and gregariousness of his friends. Instead of returning to them, Darcy called for the carriages and made arrangements for everyone to return to their homes.
Chapter Twenty
“I am not wearing that,” Darcy said, disgust and embarrassment nearly clogging his voice in this throat as he stared at the costume laid out by his valet.
“You asked for a costume like Edward the Fourth,” his long-suffering valet held no sympathy in his voice. “I am sorry if you did not understand the customs of their day.”
“Brantley, it is obscene.” Darcy looked again at the long hose which was meant to be the only covering of his lower half. His legs and backside, not to mention his unmentionables, would be on display for everyone to see.
“These are not historical hose,” Brantley reassured him and held them up. “These are the pantaloons some of those dandies wear.”
“I’m no dandy,” Darcy grunted.
“No, nor a fop, but this is the costume you have ordered.”
Firm and rapid knocks sounded through his dressing room door. “William, please hurry! We are meant to leave soon!”
Darcy could picture Georgiana bouncing on her toes and wringing her hands while her face flushed with excitement and her eyes darted nervously to the clock. “A few more moments,” he called back. “Wait in the drawing room. I have a gift for you.”
Georgiana squealed, actually squealed. Mere weeks ago, she never would have displayed so much emotion. “As if allowing me to attend my first ball was not enough! I can never thank you enough!”
Darcy grinned and shook his head. He would have to make the most of this costume somehow. He would not disappoint his sister. “Go.”
He heard another squeal and rapid footsteps as she scampered off. Darcy turned to his valet again. “I do not understand. What about those stuffed short breeches I have seen?”
“Those were hose stuffed with horsehair and not worn until nearly a hundred years after your Edward.”
Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose. “And Henry the Eighth? He wore a long pleated tunic.”
“Fifty years later, sir.”
Darcy took in a deep breath. Debating history, or in this case being educated on it, would do little right now. There was no time for a new costume. He had spent the past week avoiding thinking of it and avoiding seeing Elizabeth. Marshall intended to propose to Elizabeth this night, Darcy was quite sure. I am happy for her, he repeated in his mind. It was true, he would never want to deny Elizabeth’s happiness, but how he had wished she would have found it with him. Tomorrow, he would leave with her uncle to look at several properties near Pemberley. He supposed the blessing to Elizabeth’s marriage to Marshall would be that she would not visit the Gardiners at their estate near as often as she could if she remained single. Darcy had said nothing to Mr. Gardiner, but he had no intentions of returning to London.
“Sir,” Brantley interrupted Darcy’s thoughts, “there is a long cloak-like garment to be worn with it. Surely that would provide some…modesty.”
Darcy grunted in agreement. However, there could be no dancing in this attire. He could hold his arms in such a way to conceal his body, but dancing required too much movement. Once more, Elizabeth would have a reason to think poorly of him.
Georgiana radiated joy, and for a moment, Darcy stood in the doorway of the drawing room watching her as she primped in a mirror. In a gown of white, she looked so much like their mother. At last, she noticed him and beamed up at him.
“Let me see,” she said and made a great show of circling around him to critique his costume. “Hmm…one of Shakespeare’s plays? Henry…well, one of the Henries.”
Darcy chuckled as Georgiana shrugged her shoulders. History and literature were not her strong suits. “Close, I was a character in Henry the Sixth. I am Edward the Fourth.”
“I see,” Georgiana said still eyeing his costume. “Well, let me see the rest. What is under the cloak?”
“I fear that is impossible.”
“Impossible?”
“There was a…misunderstanding about my requirements for this evening. I did not know they wore such…indiscreet attire. I had only seen portraits of Edward from the waist up.”
Darcy had chosen Edward IV because he had married for love and to a woman named Elizabeth Woodville. She was severely below him regarding rank and fortune. Her family had supported his rival and the former King Henry VI. There had been rumours about Edward’s bastardry which came out again when he risked everything with marrying who he pleased and rewarding her family. He suffered from the plots of two brothers and an uncle to take his throne. He was victorious in battle but also capable of diplomacy. The only things Darcy could not admire about the man were his infidelities and leaving his family so unprepared in the wake of his death. It cost his wife and children dearly. He had refused to see the truth of his family’s schemes. Instead of his heir being crowned, his brother had the two princes imprisoned for their safety. Soon, t
hey disappeared from history, and Richard III sat on the throne instead.
“William, may we go now?”
Georgiana tapped her foot impatiently and glanced at the clock. She had no interest in his costuming concerns or the reason for his choice. “In a moment,” Darcy chuckled at her impatience. “First, let me look at you.”
Georgiana posed, lifting her arms and a flute to one side of her mouth. “Ah, Euterpe, goddess of music,” Darcy smiled. It suited her perfectly. “I wanted to present you with a gift for your first ball.” Darcy opened the case and showed his sister. She gasped at the amethysts on a silver chain. “It was our mother’s.”
“Thank you,” Georgiana said with a tremor in her voice and shimmering eyes as he moved to slide it around her neck. She had to fix the clasp, as Darcy was too unpractised in the skill of ladies’ maid. Suddenly, she met her brother’s eyes. “I will not be like her.”
“No,” Darcy smiled. “She was not happy, I think, for most of her life. She always did what others told her she must until she could not squash her own desires any longer. You have come into your own in recent weeks, and I am so proud of you, Georgiana.”
He held her eyes, and they silently communicated their shared hurt over the past and their commitment to a happier future.
“I want you to be happy too,” Georgiana squeezed his hand. “Maybe Lady Aurora—”
“I thought you wanted to leave?” Darcy led her to the entry where servants rushed forward with their outerwear. “If you want to talk matchmaker then we will never leave.”
Georgiana affected a pout then rolled her eyes. “Very well. But soon, dear brother. You cannot escape me and my feminine abilities forever.”
The siblings laughed as they entered the carriage. Soon, however, nerves overtook both of them, and they rode to Marshall’s London residence in companionable silence. They alighted from the carriage, and Darcy’s heart hammered in his chest. Georgiana’s grip on his arm was tighter than usual, reminding him that, as taxing as this evening would be for him, he must consider her first.
Seven Days With Mr Darcy Page 69