“No… we could not resist.” Darcy’s eyes were still on my face, and I feel something warm in my belly.
“But, I am afraid I cannot judge you too harshly for your acting. Georgiana is rather fond of it, and she often enlisted me to play opposite her in our performances. Richard also took part, as did… as did some friends of ours.”
I knew he referred to George Wickham. What were they like when they were friends with one another?
“We are united in our sinfulness. We cannot judge one another too harshly. So, what shall your performance be at the ball?”
“We should be the happiest married couple in the world. Other couples may smile, but we shall laugh. We should be devoted to one another. We should loathe being apart from one another and we will stay beside one another all the time. Time spent speaking to others will be time wasted. I suppose I must consent to part with you to allow my uncle and my cousins at least to dance with you, but I should return to claim you at once. I shall not be able to endure seeing you on another man’s arm. I shall not be able to take my eyes from you.”
I smiled and sipped my tea to hide the embarrassing flutter that went through me.
“Well, if you do, I’m sure you should convince everyone. What should I do?” Was I flirting with Darcy of all people?
Darcy smiled, and until he pressed my hand, I was not aware he still held it.
“You should gaze at me like you cannot take your eyes from me. Even though you dance with my uncle and cousins, you shall search for me in the ballroom. You should keep your arm through mine and gaze up with me and touch me when you can. You will smile and laugh at me, and those fine eyes of yours should be turned towards me at every moment. And when I suggest we leave, you will not be able to agree quickly enough.”
I started and came to at that moment. And I do not know whether I was relieved or disappointed. Strange feelings rushed through me at Darcy’s attentions, and I had to remind myself that this was a performance and nothing more. There was nothing real about it.
But oh, how wonderful it would be if this were true? If we were a happily married couple head over heels in love with one another and unable to get enough for one another? How perfect that would be.
As a footman approached the table, Darcy leaned towards me and said in a low voice so only I could hear, “This is as good a time to practice as any.” He raised my hand and pressed his lips against it. He hesitated for a moment his eyes looking into mine, seeking my consent. My breath caught, and I hoped my face did not burn too brightly as I felt his warm lips on my skin. The footman cleared around us, and I tried to behave normally as we discussed what we would do that day. To my surprise, he reached out and touched one of my curls.
“At what time would you like to leave to go to town, Mrs Darcy?” He said the name slowly as if he tasted it on his tongue like a caress. My goodness, who would have thought the staid and proper Mr Darcy could be such a fine actor and play such a convincing lover? If I were not involved in this charade, I should believe he loved me.
“Whenever you are ready, husband darling,” I said what a mischievous smile. “I am yours to command.”
“I rather think it is the other way around,” said Darcy if he raised my hands to his lips once again. There was a slight smirk about his lips that made me feel slightly warm.
The footman glanced at us, and though he seemed embarrassed, there was a slight grin on his face as he pretended not to look at us. I blushed as I thought about what he would tell the kitchen afterwards. How much had they noticed our silence in the previous few days? We had kept to ourselves in the adjoining rooms, and Darcy had told the servants we would need little company. No doubt they thought we were head over heels in love with one another and could not get enough of one another. Would that it were true!
“And what of Georgiana?” I asked. “If we will be with the mantua maker, when should she come here?”
“I thought Georgie might want to come with us. She likes this sort of thing. She has an eye for colour, and she adores looking at new fabrics. I know she will wish for several new gowns herself.”
I felt slightly uncomfortable. Was Georgiana another Miss Bingley, who only cared for her appearance and finery? I hoped not, although it lined up with Wickham’s words about how proud she was. Nonetheless, it had to be done.
“And I hope we shall write to her and ask her to come as soon as possible. I look forward to asking for her opinion.”
“Yes, you will need it.”
At my offended look, Darcy hastily added, “Not because I think I could not trust you to buy your clothes. I mean that my opinion would be no good to you. I’m very partial, you see, and I would think you look ravishing no matter what you wear.”
The tea tray rattled. I looked up just in time to see the footman shake his head though the smile he gave Darcy was impressed. I wondered which kitchen maid was to be wooed with Darcy’s words.
“Spoken like a newly married man sir,” I said archly. “Do you think we shall still be like this when we are an old married couple? Or, no matter what I wear, will you not notice it, never mind think I am the most ravishing woman in the ballroom?”
“It will never happen, Mrs Darcy. I will still feel this way about you even after we have been married for fifty years.”
“I shall hold you to that,” I said with another arch smile. My heart leapt at the thought of being married to Mr Darcy for fifty years. For the first time, it crashed on me that we were to spend all the rest of our lives together. Decades after decades as man and wife. What kind of life would it be?
“You will not need to hold me to it. I am committed.”
I laughed as the door closed. I considered disentangling my hands from Darcy’s, but I found I did not wish to do it. Perhaps I needed the comfort of this contact after the horror of the previous few weeks.
“Well, I hope you will write to Georgiana. How soon can she come here?”
Darcy checked his watch, keeping my hand in his. “Not long. My uncle does not live far from here, so I imagine she can be with us within the hour.”
“In which case, I should leave to change.”
I rose for my chair and gently took my hands from his. He rose, and I left the room. As I closed the door, I could not resist turning in his direction once again, to see him still standing by the table watching me with that curious smile on his face.
I ran up the stairs to my room, my heart feeling lighter than it had since we were married, even if it depended on a performance. Still, it was far better than the silence and loneliness of the previous few days. Perhaps we could at least become friends?
26
The maid knocked on my door as I finished adjusting my hair.
“Mr Darcy sent for you, ma’am. Miss Darcy is downstairs.”
“Thank you, Kate.”
I hurried downstairs and went into the drawing-room. Darcy was seated and leaning forward as he spoke with someone in the opposite chair. He rose at once with a brief smile. In the chair across from him, another figure rose. I looked at the young lady who dropped a curtsey even as her face deepened to red.
“Ah, here is Mrs Darcy now. Georgiana, I must present to you my wife, Mrs Elizabeth Darcy, formerly Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” I came towards my new sister and offered my hand. I was unsure whether it would offend her, but I decided I did not care. If she was as proud as Mr Wickham claimed, she might well be offended, but that was too bad. I was mistress of the house now, and she was my sister.
To my pleased surprise, Georgiana accepted my hand, though she kept her eyes fixed on the floor. She was a tall, well-built girl, a little taller than me. She had a mature figure for her age, and though she had her brother’s dark eyes, her hair was much lighter, almost as flaxen as Jane’s. Her skin darkened to a rosy pink.
“I am very pleased to meet you, Mrs Darcy,” she said, in a voice so low I almost did not hear what she said.
“Please, I hope you will call me Elizabeth. And may I call you Ge
orgiana?”
Georgiana raised her eyes to meet mine, and though she still blushed, a little smile flickered on her face, making her look like her brother.
“I would like that very much, Elizabeth,” she said.
I smiled, and we sat beside one another as Darcy left to call for the carriage. I thought I could make my new sister out. There was just that degree of reserve in her that might make another person feel she was proud and unfriendly. But after conversing for a few minutes, it was apparent to me she was timid and embarrassed about our meeting. Could she be as proud as Wickham said? Perhaps he was wrong. Or maybe she had been proud but improved over the years. Georgiana was fifteen years of age. She might have gone through the trying age since he last knew her.
“I am delighted to meet you,” I said. “I hope you can forgive me that it has taken so long.”
Georgiana raised her eyes to meet mine. “I wondered,” she confessed. “But then, my cousins laughed at me and said that a newly married couple would wish to be alone together. They said we would not hear from you until the end of the week and I was prepared for that. So I am pleased to meet you now.”
“Ah yes, your brother and I have spent much time alone together. But now we are eager for company, especially as we have received the invitation to your cousin’s ball.”
“Oh, yes.” Georgiana’s eyes lit up. “I am so looking forward to it.” She glanced around her, as if afraid of being overheard, and leaned towards me. I mirrored her movements, feeling amused at her earnestness. “I am not out yet you know. But William says that because it is the occasion of your marriage and we shall celebrate Richard being home, I may join for the meal and then leave before the dancing starts. I wish I could join in the dancing, but William will not hear of it. He is rather protective of me.”
“I cannot imagine what that must be like for you. I have no older brothers, you know. Only four sisters.” I made a face as if this was scandalous information, and for the first time, she giggled.
“I should have dearly loved to have a sister,” she said. “But I am very pleased that I have one now.”
“Surely it cannot be much longer before you are out in society? I understand you are fifteen years of age now. Perhaps in the next year or two?”
“That is what William says. I confess I am rather nervous at the prospect.”
“You do not need to be nervous,” I promised her. “You have a sister now. I will help you when the time comes. I know your brother will as well.”
Georgiana smiled. “I wish I could see the dancing at the ball.”
“Well, perhaps you should see some of it. After all, it is a private ball and in your family’s home. Why should you not dance for a little while?”
Georgiana’s eyes widened. “I do not know if William would like such a plan.”
“Well, perhaps he will indulge me.”
“I am sure he will,” said Georgiana, her eyes lighting up, but she still looked nervous. “I am sure he should do anything you ask of him. I know he loves you very much.”
I laughed, though I felt a pang in my heart. If only that were true.
“Well, I just hope he does,” I said, playfully. “I should be most unhappy to find myself married to a man who does not love me.”
“Oh, I am sure you do not need to fear that,” said Georgiana. “Anyone can see how much my brother loves you. Why the letters he sent from Hertfordshire were full of news about Miss Elizabeth Bennet and her playing at the pianoforte. I have been most eager to meet you.”
“Oh?” I struggled to hide my astonishment before Georgiana noticed it. “Your brother wrote to you about me?”
Georgiana nodded eagerly. “My brother writes me a lot when we are apart. I asked for all the news from Netherfield, and much of it involved you. I was so excited to meet you.”
I knew Darcy often wrote to his sister. Miss Bingley teased him about it one evening as he was the middle of writing to her and demanded that he include messages from her to Georgiana. Darcy has rebuffed her, claiming he did not have enough room to do them justice. Was it possible he spoke of me? Had he said something about me in the letter? I could not imagine it was all to the good. I well knew of what Darcy thought of my family when he first met us. If he mentioned me, I was sure it was nothing more than informing her that me and my sister Jane were staying at Netherfield. Perhaps, Georgiana, being a romantic young girl, wish to see what was not there. There was every chance that she rewrote the letters in her memory to make it seem more romantic than they were now that we were married. Still, it was strange to think Darcy might have been writing about me when I felt I did not matter to him at all. It was strange but flattering.
“Well, I am afraid your brother might have exaggerated. My abilities on the pianoforte are lacking. I did not always take the time to practice. But I understand you are a superior piano player?”
“Oh yes… That is, I’m not a superior player, but I do love playing the pianoforte.”
I smiled. “There is no need to be modest Georgiana,” I said. “It is not only your brother who spoke to me about your superior skills. I also heard it from Charles Bingley and his sisters. Your talents are well known, my dear.”
“Ah, Mr Bingley has always been kind to me. And his sisters…” She trailed off as she did not know how to finish the sentence. “Well, they are very elegant ladies.”
I smiled at my new sister, sure she shared my opinion of those ladies. It only increased my regard for her.
“Yes, they are rather elegant, are they not?”
Georgiana smiled and looked as if she would like to say more but did not. I do not wish to tease her too severely while we were still new to one another, so I changed the subject.
“I do not know if your brother has told you of our plans for today?”
Georgiana shook her head.
“We will need to go into town. And I will need your help. Your brother was very careless. In all the excitement of our marriage, he forgot to tell me of the ball. And I have nothing suitable to wear. He tells me that your mantua maker can make up a gown in the short time we have?”
“Oh, yes,” said Georgiana. Her face lit up “Eleanor can make anything. She is so clever. And you wish for my opinion?”
“Of course,” I said. “You are my sister, and the only sister I have in London. Your opinion will be invaluable to me. I can hardly ask your brother what he thinks, can I?”
Georgiana laughed a little. “I am afraid my brother is not an expert. He will not be much use to you.”
“So he says, and so I suspected. So I should be most grateful if you can tell me what you think.”
“That is very kind of you. I hope you will be pleased with my recommendations. And I am afraid my brother will be biased. He will think you are beautiful no matter what you wear.” She leaned closer. “I must tell you, Elizabeth, but I must thank you for making my brother so happy. I have never seen him so alive as he is today. He loves you most dearly. And do you feel the same about him?”
There was a glass of water on the table beside me, and I hastily took a sip to quell the coughing I could feel rising within me.
“Oh yes, of course. Your brother is very dear to me. I am sure we will be the happiest couple in London until you are married.”
To my surprise, Georgiana’s face fell. Thinking I understood her distress, I added, “But that is not for some time yet. You are far too young to think of such a thing now. But I know it will happen for you and that you will be as happy as I am.” Or sincerely happy I added silently.
“I hope so, but I am not so sure.”
She looks so sad I was confused. What could distress her? She was a little young to despair of ever finding love just yet.
Georgiana smiled again and shook her head. “Forgive me. Sometimes I can feel sad. I wish I could be of lively and cheerful as you. No doubt that is why my brother loves you so much.”
27
Before I could respond to that statement, the door opened
, and Darcy entered the room. He heard Georgiana’s last words, and he glanced at me.
“I see you two are becoming friends?”
“I think so,” I said, looking at him curiously. The idea he had written about me still struck me. I was not insensible of such an honour. A thrill of mischievousness struck me, and I could not resist adding, “Georgiana was telling me about how you spoke of me in your letters when you were in Hertfordshire. I am sure I have no idea I have made such an impact at such an early point, but I am flattered.”
Darcy gave a quick smile and then turned away as if preoccupied with some papers on a nearby table.
“Well, of course, I should have written to my sister about all my doings in Hertfordshire. And of all the people who made a significant impact on me.”
“I was just telling Elizabeth how happy I am to see the two of you together, William,” said Georgiana. “I have never seen you so happy.”
Darcy gave me a swift look and then looked away again.
“Yes, I am a fortunate man.”
Georgiana smiled at him. She noticed his discomfort, but thankfully she put it down to shyness.
For my part, I felt somewhat disappointed to see how much he tried to avoid my eye. For a moment, I had flattered myself perhaps he had liked me after all. But I knew it was only his shyness and nothing else that caused him to look so embarrassed now. Well, what of it? What else did I expect? We were only acting. It could be nothing else, and I would be foolish to be deceived by our masquerade. Determined to show him I saw it as a game and nothing more, I smiled at him.
“I believe my husband is embarrassed, Georgiana,” I said. “Is it not strange that a married man should be so embarrassed to be discovered that he spoke about his wife long before they were married? How shall we tease him about it?”
Prevailed Upon to Marry Page 12