by Jennifer Joy
Her breath caught in her throat. His eyes had turned to a stormy gray. The man before her was angry… and passionate… and vulnerable… and made Elizabeth question everything she had ever thought about him. It was a dangerous look. She sucked air into her lungs and held it to calm her raging pulse.
Rising from his seat, Mr. Darcy walked to her, the earring in his open hand. "Miss Elizabeth," he said as smoothly as honey.
The way he said her name made her look up at him. Gone was the anger of seconds ago. In its place was a warmth and approachability she found infinitely more threatening. So allured was she that she hesitated to take her earring from his hand until he moved closer.
Her ears burned and she swallowed hard. What had just happened?
Her earring, a simple gold raindrop, looked small in his large, tanned hand. Her fingertips would have to touch his ungloved hand to retrieve it, and the thought of it twisted her stomach. Darting in quickly, she picked the earring up, the tips of her fingers briefly grazing over his warm skin in a fraction of a second. It was enough for her fingers to prickle as she fumbled to put her earring back into its proper place, stabbing her ear in the process.
Mr. Darcy remained in front of her, his eyes fixed on her. She wished he would look away. Heat crept up her neck and spread over her entire body. She should have sat further away from the fire.
"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," she said breathlessly.
He bowed and turned to Mr. Gordon. "Now that we have accomplished our mission, we ought to leave the ladies. The hour is late for calls."
Mother said, "Oh, do stay longer. Have another cup of tea." She moved over to pour more.
"We do not wish to overstay our welcome, but thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Bennet," said Mr. Darcy in a cordial voice. "I must return to my sister before her lessons are over, and I am certain that Mr. Gordon has other affairs to attend to."
With that, the gentlemen bowed and took their leave.
Elizabeth rubbed her tingling fingers against the muslin of her dress and wondered when she would see Mr. Darcy again. Not that she liked him, mind you.
Chapter 12
They were housebound over the next week as the temperature outside became unbearably cold and a thick fog swallowed up all of London and a goodly portion of England.
Two days into their indoor torture, Miss Kingsley— rather, Sophia, as she begged Elizabeth to call her— was kind enough to send Mary Brunton’s newest novel by messenger. Elizabeth was happy to finally get her hands on a copy of Self Control, but she made sure to give the messenger some extra coin for his trouble.
Even Father stayed at home. After three days, he had ventured out in hopes of making it to the tranquility of his club, but he did not make it past the threshold before he was forced to return.
Elizabeth sat next to him at the breakfast table. She would address her concerns before the fog cleared, and he disappeared again.
He sat with his head buried in a two-day old newspaper.
"Good morning, Father," she said.
Peeking over his newspaper, he said, “Good morning, Lizzy.” He folded the newspaper and set it aside. Leaning back and resting his hands over his stomach, he asked, "How are you finding London? Are you meeting many interesting people?"
"I have made some new friends. One, in particular, is diverting and puts me in the way of many other interesting people."
He looked at her from over the top of his spectacles. "Hmm. I do say that I am not surprised. You always did make friends easily."
Father asked no more questions about her new friend, so she offered no unsolicited information.
"How are you enjoying your club?" she asked instead, knowing very well that he enjoyed it so much, he only returned home to sleep. If they offered to set up a cot in the library of his club, she had no doubt but that they would never see him again.
He bunched up his chin and nodded. "It is the best place for reading and contemplation.”
Elizabeth set her bread down and traced the handle of her tea cup. "I have been meaning to ask if you have settled our affairs. I am a bit concerned about Mama. She has become friends with a lady who runs a gambling establishment in her house and there is new furniture in the house every time I come home." She paused, unsure how to continue.
Father chuckled. "She will ensure that the maids have sufficient objects to dust. She has not lost any money, has she?" he asked.
"As far as I know, she has been winning. However, if nobody checks her, she might develop habits which would prevent her from stopping easily. She spends her winnings as quickly as she gets them. Kitty and Lydia often accompany her, since we have yet to acquire a chaperone for the girls…"
Her heart sank down to her toes when Father sat back and guffawed.
"Bless her heart! She has finally found something at which she excels, and I would not lessen her diversion and the peace it offers me for the world. It has been two weeks since I have heard of her nerves.”
Was that really all he cared about? “What of our investments, Papa? Have you spoken with Uncle’s man?”
Father frowned. “Now, Lizzy, I am not so old-fashioned as your Uncle Phillips in these matters, but I thank you not to concern yourself.”
“You have not met him yet? If Mama begins to lose—”
He held up his hand. “That is quite enough on the subject. I have rescheduled my appointment, and you must trust me that it will be seen to.”
Rescheduled? More like he was too busy at his precious club to bother arriving to a prearranged appointment.
Father continued, “As for your mother, I would not lessen her satisfaction by suggesting that she cease participating in some innocent ventures."
Gripping the edge of the table, Elizabeth gasped, "Innocent ventures? Father, can you not see the danger? What if she bets more than she has? What if she begins buying on credit— if she has not begun to do so already? She could lose so much." She could lose everything. They could lose everything.
Father shook his head. "I have given your mother a sizable allowance. How she chooses to spend or invest her money is up to her."
"You can hardly call gambling an investment."
"True. Fortunes have been made and lost at the blink of an eye, but Mrs. Bennet would never put the future prospects of her unmarried daughters at risk by losing everything on a whim." With that, he picked up his paper. Their conversation was done.
Feeling worse than she had before, Elizabeth tried to turn her attention back to her morning meal, but the dry bread grew in her mouth and stuck in her throat.
"Your art tutor sent a message that she is unable to come today due to the weather. What would you like to do, Georgie?" Darcy smiled at his sister, who tried not to look bored as she sat with one elbow perched on the window sill. Not that she could see anything outside the glass. The clouds had descended upon them and only the most determined individuals dared leave the warmth of their fires at home. Darcy wondered how Miss Elizabeth passed her days.
"I have heard so much about the Bennet sisters, I had hoped that you would allow me to invite them over for tea," Georgiana sighed and slumped deeper into the cushions surrounding her. "How am I ever to meet them in this fog? I should like to invite them here eventually." She waved her hand at the window.
"That is thoughtful of you. I would like for you to meet the two eldest sisters. They have many qualities which recommend them."
"What of the younger sisters? Are they not my age?"
Darcy resisted the urge to deny her friendship with the younger Bennet sisters. Experience had taught him where that would lead. He had refused her any contact with George Wickham, only to have her rebel against him and try to elope with the blackguard. Thank goodness Bingley’s valet had suspected that something was amiss when he eavesdropped on a suggestive conversation at Ramsgate and informed his master directly. Bingley took his warning seriously— forever putting Darcy in his debt— and helped Darcy catch them before they could elope.
No, Darcy would not make the same mistake twice. He would allow her to choose her own friends… under his vigilant supervision.
"I can see it on your face that you do not approve of them, William, and you have yet to answer my question," Georgiana said, interrupting his reflection.
"I apologize, Georgie. I want to give you an answer worthy of the young lady you have become. The younger Bennets are your age, but they have not been guided to act as young ladies in society ought to act.”
“I would think that after spending some time in town, they would soon adjust their ways. They cannot be so bad as that.”
“Their manners are coarse at best and display a shocking immaturity at worst. They are not the sort of young ladies with whom I would choose for you to keep company." He paused.
Her chin trembled. "I know that I do not deserve your trust after the events of this past summer. How I wish I would have listened to you instead of… him," she whispered.
Darcy leaned forward, reaching for her hands. They were so small and pale compared to his. "Would I could protect you from all of the bad in the world. All I want is for you to grow into a lady you can be proud of— a lady with virtue, honor, and a strong mind. Much like our mother.”
“Tell me about her,” she pleaded.
“You look just like her. Mother was a great beauty, but more importantly, she was a lady in every wonderful sense of the word. She cowered before nobody, and she spoke up for the people around her who could benefit from a kind word.”
Georgiana sighed. “That is how I want to be, but I fear that I do not have the strength of character. The one time I made a decision on my own, it nearly ruined me.” All of her blinking could not prevent a tear from splashing against Darcy’s hands.
He pulled out his handkerchief, which she gladly accepted. How he wished he could ease her pain and give her the confidence she needed before she made her way in the world.
“I have not been a satisfactory guardian for you. I know this. However, my hope is that we can learn from our mistakes and strive to do better… for the improvement of both of our characters."
She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. "You are the best brother a girl could have. And as your sister, I wish to see you happy as well." She chewed on the corner of her lips and slumped back into the cushions. "I should very much like to meet the Bennets. If they are as you say— which I trust they are— I shall not choose to keep company with the younger ladies, but I might find good friends in the elder sisters. I have always wanted to have a sister." She blushed and looked at him out of the corner of her eye.
Darcy sighed. "As soon as the weather clears, we will arrange an outing— something which will give you an opportunity for conversation and which will not encourage intimacy with the younger sisters if you are not so inclined."
Georgiana's crystalline eyes sparkled in excitement. "Would it not be fantastic if they could visit us at Pemberley? I love winters there. The pond freezes over and we skate every day. The hills are perfect for sleighing, and I can best you in another snowball fight!"
“Not next time! I know all of your tricks,” he teased, content to see his sister happy.
Darcy easily imagined Miss Elizabeth throwing snowballs, her cheeks like red apples as the icy wind caressed her face. She would not be intimidated by the steep slope behind the house, but would boldly sleigh where others cowered. Their laughter would roll through the hills.
The picture in his mind inspired a perfect plan. Georgie would love it. And so, he believed, would Miss Elizabeth.
Chapter 13
The breakfast table burst with energy. The day before, the sun made an appearance, and the fog lifted enough to go outside. Elizabeth had joined Sophia for a drive around Hyde Park where they criticized and acclaimed bonnets and attire. The feel of the outside air, though still brisk, had filled Elizabeth with life again after a tedious week indoors.
Father contemplated his family chattering around the table. He seemed like he had something to say, so Elizabeth waited until he should say it. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a cream envelope. Holding it up, he said, "It will please you to know that I accepted an invitation for you. I only apologize that I had forgotten it entirely until this moment."
"Invitation for what?" asked Mother.
"Mr. Darcy has invited us on an outing. He would like the opportunity to introduce his sister, Miss Darcy, and since his invitation was politely given, I accepted it." Father looked quite pleased with himself.
Elizabeth did not know what to make of Mr. Darcy’s invitation. He did not approve of her family.
"When is the outing scheduled?" she asked.
"It is for this afternoon. Mr. Darcy has arranged for you to join him in a sleigh, which will take you to the river where the good people of London have organized a frost fair." Father reached for his newspaper.
Kitty giggled. “If there are handsome gentlemen present, we can pretend to slip on the ice.”
“If I pretend to bump my head, one will have to carry me in his arms to the carriage!” added Lydia.
Comments such as these would make for a disastrous outing with Mr. Darcy, especially if Father was not there to give them some restraint. Elizabeth raised her voice to be heard over Kitty and Lydia’s senseless talk, "You do not include yourself? Will you not accompany us, Father?"
"I am unable to as I have a meeting with the gentleman you and I discussed the other day." He looked at her over his spectacles and pinched his lips as if his activities were a great secret. Elizabeth was pleased that he was taking control of their finances before Mother spent all of it.
She tried to eat her breakfast, but her stomach would not allow it. Why should she be nervous? Mr. Darcy was only a man. She need not concern herself with his opinion… though she did hope that Miss Darcy proved to be more amiable than her brother. More so, she prayed that her own younger sisters would behave appropriately in the company of a young lady who was surely the epitome of politeness and propriety.
Mr. Darcy’s large, white sleigh sat on top of the fluffy snow, piled high with furs and blankets. In the midst of them sat a fair-haired girl no older than Lydia. She peeked out from behind a blanket as if she would prefer to hide behind it. Though she sat, Elizabeth could see that she was tall like her brother, but that was where their similarities ended. Where Mr. Darcy had dark, curly hair, Miss Darcy had straight, fair hair. Where he exuded confidence and pride, she hid behind blankets.
Mr. Darcy introduced them, his voice soft and his eyes warm when he looked at his sister. Elizabeth had not expected the tender concern and encouragement she witnessed Mr. Darcy display. He was a different man. A kind man.
Watching him make introductions in such a way as to put Miss Darcy at ease, Elizabeth’s desire to befriend her grew. At least, she could help the girl feel more comfortable.
"I am so pleased to finally meet you, Miss Darcy. I have heard many compliments about you from Miss Bingley and Miss Kingsley," said Elizabeth, hoping that establishing a common ground would relax her.
It worked. "Miss Kingsley is practically my sister. She would never say anything against me." She remained suspiciously quiet about Miss Bingley, so Elizabeth decided not to mention her name again.
They piled into the carriage, assisted by Mr. Darcy, who entered last. "Mr. Bennet and Miss Mary will not be joining us?" he asked.
Mother, who sat across from him, answered, "Mr. Bennet had some business to attend to. As for Mary, she has become quite the philanthropist and is away from home a good deal. You know, Mr. Darcy, I am a patroness of the arts as well."
Mr. Darcy looked shocked. "That is admirable," he said, after a considerably long pause.
Mother snuggled into the furs. "Oh, yes. My donations to the British government are mainly for the improvement of the roads and the cultural advances of our good people in town. I read in the paper that the museum is to be improved, and I intend to contribute toward the cause."
Elizabeth bit
her tongue and held her breath to keep from laughing. More lottery tickets would be in Mother's future apparently, for that was the only 'contribution' she made toward the betterment of society.
Mr. Darcy nodded and smiled.
The sleigh lurched forward, and Elizabeth straddled the foot warmer at her feet as the wind bit into her cheeks.
The fog having lifted completely, the sky now blazed a brilliant blue between thick, gray snow clouds resembling spread cotton in the sky.
"Your brother mentioned that you are studying with the masters, Miss Darcy. Do you have a favorite occupation?" she asked.
Miss Darcy answered in a low, insecure tone. "I enjoy painting, but my true love is playing the pianoforte."
Elizabeth smiled at her. "My sister Mary practices the instrument a good deal. I wish I could say the same, but I find that I have not the discipline required to pay much heed to the notes or to spend the time in practice when the day is pleasant and I would rather go for a walk out of doors."
Miss Darcy's eyes widened. "Oh, you must not malign yourself. I am certain that with some determination, of which I do not doubt you possess, and the advantage of an excellent instructor, you should soon master the instrument."
Elizabeth laughed. "You have much more faith in me than I have in myself, Miss Darcy. You are too kind."
Her eyes still wide, Miss Darcy shook her head. "For a fact, I know you to possess more talents of which to own. My brother, on several occasions, has mentioned your name favorably, and I have never known him to exaggerate."
Elizabeth did not know what to say. Mr. Darcy thought well of her? How was that possible when she— not to mention, her family— was certain of his poor opinion? She looked at him sitting across from them, enduring the conversation of Mother and the chatter of Lydia and Kitty.
Jane came to her rescue when words still escaped her— a rare occurrence indeed when Elizabeth Bennet could not think of a clever retort or witty reply.
"How long do you plan to stay in town, Miss Darcy?" asked Jane.