Flirtation and Folly

by Anna Harlow

  “He can, indeed,” Darcy agreed, chuckling. “Such as when his aunt has commanded him to help her arrange some weeds.”

  Elizabeth giggled. “Flowers are not weeds, sir. And I am sure you shall be a most helpful lackey, even if such is not generally in your nature…Master Will.”

  He smiled. “That is correct, my dear, I do prefer to be in control. Back to practicing now. You have a voice just as beautiful as everything else about you, Elizabeth. I look forward to watching you perform.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Easter dinner involved many guests within a grand dining hall at Rosings. They all gathered together there directly after the Sunday sermon, which had been given by Mr. Collins. Lady Catherine had gone out of her way to make the atmosphere festive, and she had even gone so far as to place little name tags at every place setting.

  “I see that Lady Catherine has considered everything,” said Elizabeth, smirking to find that she had been seated next to Colonel Fitzwilliam. Mr. Darcy discovered his own card across from hers, and he was seated next to Anne.

  “Yes, it would seem so,” he commented dryly. Soon Anne stepped over to join him, and everyone was properly seated for the meal.

  Elizabeth, who had only seen Anne once in all the time she had been in Kent, cast her a curious gaze as she settled into her seat. She was pale and sickly, but Elizabeth highly suspected that most of her discomfort was caused by inactivity rather than malaise.

  “Anne, this may be an impertinent question, but do you never go outside?” she asked her. “Do you never get any form of exercise? I think that your health would improve greatly if you would simply get some fresh air and a bit of activity.”

  Anne winced. “Miss Elizabeth, I have often thought the same thing myself. And yet, you have witnessed enough of my mother to realize how she is. She has declared that I must not overtire myself, and I am rarely allowed to contradict her. My only hope if I wish to go out must be in Darcy. If he were to entreat her to let me accompany him in some way, it is certain that she would yield.”

  “Because it is her fond hope that the two of you will become more intimate?” Elizabeth teased.

  “Indeed, yes, that is her desire,” Anne scoffed. “And yet, how could I ever be a proper mistress for Pemberley?”

  “Or a proper wife for me,” added Mr. Darcy.

  She grimaced again. “That would be such an unnatural feeling, for I look upon you much as I would my own brother. Such a union would never do.”

  “It should be warm enough tomorrow,” Darcy said. “Perhaps she would allow us to go on a picnic.”

  “If you four are to go on a picnic together, I should like to come along with you,” said Charlotte from her place on the other side of Fitzwilliam.

  “And I,” added her dinner partner, a Mr. Percy, who seemed an amiable young man, and who also seemed to be taking an interest in Charlotte.

  “You would be quite welcome, sir,” said Elizabeth warmly.

  “Indeed, yes,” said Fitzwilliam, smiling at him.

  From the head of the table, in a most imperious tone, came Lady Catherine’s voice. “Darcy? What are you saying to Miss Bennet? I must have my share in the conversation.”

  “Nothing so singular you need be interested in it, Aunt,” Darcy replied. “We are discussing the merits of having a picnic tomorrow if the weather holds. And I should like to include Anne in the party.”

  “Anne, if you go outside with your friends, I must insist you walk slowly, my dear,” her mother said. “And you must stay in the shade, too. I suggest you bring along your parasol. For getting a sunburn shall certainly not serve you well.”

  “Yes, Mother, of course I shall protect myself,” she agreed, stifling the smile that almost overtook her face lest the woman change her mind and insist on her staying indoors.

  “Very well, then, I can see no harm in it,” she said. “It is, perhaps, a good thing that there are more young people present at Rosings this year. It seems to have motivated Darcy to pay particular attention to you. I wish that you shall spend as much time in each other’s company as time will allow, Darcy, while you remain here. For certainly, I have waited a long time to see you and Anne become so comfortable with each other.”

  “Quite,” he replied stoically.

  After everyone had eaten, Lady Catherine directed them into the music room for Elizabeth’s performance. She wished that the woman would not build up the experience by increasing suspense in such a way, for surely the piano in the parlor was just as useful and did not make the occasion seem out of the ordinary.

  As it was, Elizabeth could hear a pair of gentlemen she did not know talking about how singular it was to have an entertainment of this sort at Rosings, which ruffled her even more. Then, too, there was the look in Darcy’s eyes as he saw Fitzwilliam take up his position at her side to turn her pages. The memory of Darcy leaning into her was far too fixed in her mind for her own good as she settled onto the bench and stretched her fingers.

  If Fitzwilliam should deign to touch her shoulders with his belly, or to run his fingers down her arms, she would turn around and rebuke him most soundly. She did not wish to examine that sentiment too closely, however, since she had allowed Mr. Darcy to do both.

  Perhaps it was merely because he was just as masterful as he believed himself to be and she had been overcome by him. Considering her dislike for the way he had worked his mastery over Mr. Wickham, she felt a need to convince herself that must be the case. For certainly she had not allowed him to touch her because she liked him. Indeed not.

  Just to prove it to herself, while she played she leaned a bit toward Fitzwilliam as he turned her pages. Not touching him, precisely, but trying to move close enough to the gentleman to discover if his touch was likely to affect her in any way close to Darcy’s. The trouble was, with so many butterflies from the fact she was performing, and even more butterflies because she knew Master Will was jealously watching their proximity, she could hardly ascertain that a closeness to Fitzwilliam had any effect on her at all.

  She performed five songs for those assembled, all of which were related to the holiday but the last one, in which she actually sang. That song was a popular, modern melody which was meant to send everyone away to the parlor in a lively mood, and it seemed to do the job adequately.

  “Miss Elizabeth, you were flawless,” Mr. Darcy told her, moving closer to her ear to speak to her than was strictly necessary. Blushing, she was forced to confirm that only his proximity affected her nerves in such a way.

  “You must have noticed that I fumbled several times,” she protested. “Surely you cannot think I did so well.”

  “To me, my dear, you are always flawless,” he whispered, moving even closer so he would not be overheard. “But one thing about the performance did annoy me greatly. Can you guess at what it might have been?”

  “I have no notion,” she lied.

  Her flesh tingled. Would Darcy dare to touch her with so many people there to observe him? Many of them were walking out of the room, and Lady Catherine had been among the first to vacate the place, so that she could properly receive all of them into the parlor, but at least twenty people remained. Some of them waited to compliment her and were therefore paying attention to the pair of them directly.

  “Mr. Darcy, I have flaws enough,” she admonished him. “I do not think this is a good time for you to tease me, however. My fans await me, it would seem.”

  He smiled. “Let them wait. As you have so aptly pointed out, I very much like to have my own way. Though, since we are to go on a picnic tomorrow, I can surely wait until we are alone if you prefer.”

  “Yes, please,” she pleaded. Though when he bowed and walked away from her, it felt almost like someone had torn away a couple of her limbs, such had been the strength of their connection with him.

  “Miss Elizabeth, if I might give you a small advice?” said Fitzwilliam.

  “Sir?”

  “Your reaction to Darcy is too clearly wri
tten on your face. I would compose yourself a bit before talking to anyone remaining here. It is lucky for you that I am well aware of your true feelings, else I may have wondered why you were leaning into me earlier.”

  She blushed further. “Sir, I do not know what you mean. I did not lean into you, and certainly I do not desire Mr. Darcy. And even if either of these accusations were true, we cannot discuss them here. Do you not agree?”

  Fitzwilliam chuckled. “I do, indeed.”

  Having fended off the attentions of the two cousins, Elizabeth then composed her countenance as the latter suggested before she got up from the bench and turned to greet the stragglers, shaking hands and smiling and thanking all of them profusely.

  Now that her performance was over, she was feeling a great deal more confident in her abilities than she had previously. She even began to have an understanding for Mary, and why she felt such a need to play at the balls and assemblies. She now had an odd surge of energy from her accomplishment, which satisfied her greatly.

  Finally, she managed to enter the parlor on the arm of Fitzwilliam, who had rescued her from all the praise and drawn her with him out the door. However, her gratitude towards him was short-lived when he brought her to a sofa and sat there with her, as far away from Darcy and Anne as possible.

  Elizabeth was certain that Darcy had arranged himself beside Anne merely to please Lady Catherine, and yet the two of them engaged in a deep conversation, and a surge of jealousy welled up in her as she wondered what it could be. Darcy might profess that he had no interest in Anne, yet by the look of their interaction, she wondered if she had been deceived.

  “I must say, Miss Elizabeth, that Darcy has never behaved with Anne like that in company on any other occasion,” Fitzwilliam told her. “I think perhaps your little performance earlier may have had the effect you intended. He is now putting on quite the performance himself, it would seem.”

  “Sir?”

  “If you wish to further irritate the gentleman, I am completely at your service,” he teased. “Just remember, you must not fall in love with me. For I am married to the army and have no use for a young miss who was raised to one day marry a landed gentleman and help him to keep his estate running smoothly.”

  Elizabeth chuckled. “Sir, I would not know how to proceed in such a ruse.”

  He moved in to whisper into her ear. “A little harmless flirting should do, don’t you agree?”

  She flushed, though his nearness was not nearly as exciting as Darcy’s. “I take your meaning, Colonel. But as for taking the bait, I am sure I cannot agree.”

  Chapter Twelve

  On the following morning, Mr. Percy came to collect Charlotte and Elizabeth from their little cabin directly, and the three of them walked to Rosings. Mr. Percy was quite attentive to Charlotte, a circumstance which made Elizabeth quite happy. No matter what troubles with gentlemen she was having herself at Rosings, at least she might see Charlotte finally settled amiably.

  As agreed upon, they entered Rosings and went to one of the smaller parlors, where they found Mr. Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Anne awaiting their company. They all greeted each other with animation, for they were quite looking forward to the outing.

  “Do not forget your parasol, Anne,” Darcy reminded her. “It was the one demand of Lady Catherine’s to which you agreed. If you wish to get out again, you will need to conform to such things.”

  “As long as I am with you, sir, I believe that would be her main concern,” Anne pointed out. “However, you all must walk slowly until we are away from Rosings. She would not like it if she knew I went forth with any degree of speed.”

  “It is quite terrible of her to keep so you sheltered,” Elizabeth complained. “Would that I could whisk you off to Longbourn for the summer, I should have you out walking every day. You would be feeling much better in no time if you were allowed to enjoy life properly.”

  “We shall have to do our best to help her while we are here,” said Fitzwilliam. “For Lady Catherine would never allow her daughter to go elsewhere—well, not unless Darcy finally consents to marry her. Perhaps if she were to go to Pemberley, her health would improve greatly.”

  “Do not tease me, sir,” Anne complained. “I will not use Darcy in that manner. Such a marriage would never work. But that does not mean I will not take advantage of his presence at Rosings fully, if he is willing to let me.”

  Elizabeth felt a twinge of jealousy as Anne took Darcy’s arm, leaving her to walk out with Fitzwilliam, as the old harridan would be pleased to see if she happened to be observing. Both Darcy and Fitzwilliam brought along a basket on their arms, and Charlotte and Elizabeth each grabbed up linen baskets which contained blankets, dishes and cutlery. Elizabeth’s basket also contained six goblets and a couple of bottles of wine, which she could see sticking out from under the blanket to one side.

  “So then, gentleman, where is this picnic to take place?” she inquired once they were outside and upon the path leading into the forest. “For that, at least, we never had the chance to agree upon before we left last night.”

  “I believe, Fitzwilliam, that we ought to bring these ladies out to our favorite haunt by the lake,” said Mr. Darcy, smiling. “Our repast could take place there quite comfortably.”

  “An excellent suggestion,” the Colonel agreed, giving Elizabeth’s arm a little squeeze. “Do you not think so, Miss Lizzy?”

  She was surprised by this forwardness on his part, until she recalled his suggestions from the night before. With a slight blush, and a quick decision, she replied, “Yes, Fitz, it sounds wonderful.”

  This exchange was certainly not lost on its intended target. Mr. Darcy compressed his lips, obviously biting back words he did not wish to say, and summarily his grip on Anne’s arm tightened slightly. Charlotte and Percy, who were unaware of the true dynamic, must certainly think nothing was amiss, but that the two pairs were perfectly happy with things just as they were.

  “It is such a wonderful, sunny day, is it not, Lizzy?” asked Charlotte, smiling. “I should not mind if we remained out here for quite some time, away from the expectations of any other party but our own. What a wonderful prospect.”

  “Yes, that’s true,” said Elizabeth circumspectly, keeping her pace sedate despite the heightening of her emotions. “I shall enjoy such a prospect myself.”

  The setting the two gentlemen had in mind was idyllic, and a nice, large patch of the grassy area was flat enough to spread out their blankets and baskets with plenty of room for everyone to be seated comfortably.

  A blanket was placed specifically for Anne underneath a great old oak tree so that she might remain in the shade as she was meant to do. Anne summarily scooted the blanket forward slightly so that she could also obtain a bit of the sun, though she took great care to keep the parasol in front of her face so it would not obtain any hint of brown.

  “It is such a disservice to Anne to be disallowed the simple pleasures of walking in such a way,” Elizabeth said with a dissatisfied frown as she looked over at her. “And to be singled out as the only one among us who must be in the shade, too. It must give her such great pangs to endure.”

  “You are such a kind, caring soul, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy replied, smiling at her, though at present she was sitting with Fitzwilliam.

  “She is,” that gentleman agreed, and he reached to grasp her hand and brought it to his lips, giving it a small kiss. “The kindest and most gentle of women.”

  Darcy’s face went from an impassive mask to one of outrage, which he quickly mastered back to it’s usual demeanor in short order. His eyes, however, could not leave the joined hands when Fitzwilliam failed to let Elizabeth go immediately.

  “So, you also extol the notion of walking each day, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked, smiling slightly. “Both Fitzwilliam and I take great pleasure in walking each morning, even during the winter as long as it is not too cold. For him, I suppose, it is all part of his military training. But for myself, it is a ple
asure I discovered a long time ago, for it afforded me a chance to spend some time alone.”

  “Oh yes, I completely agree,” said Elizabeth, smiling back at him and noticing at the same time that Fitzwilliam had let her go at last. “I love to walk. To be out in nature, enjoying the birds and the trees and any other flora or fauna that might be involved. At Longbourn, I am often to be found rising with the sun to enjoy such sights and sounds.”

  “I do much the same at Pemberley,” said Darcy.

  “I could never find joy in arising quite so early,” said Charlotte as she smiled over at Percy. “I think it difficult to rise early when the lifestyle of a genteel young lady insists upon her staying up so late in the evening. If I should adopt such a habit, I am certain I would never get any sleep at all.”

  “But surely the demands of social life in Meryton can be nothing compared to what one might find in London,” said Darcy speculatively. “I know that you have the assembly balls every two weeks, and occasional dinner parties. But with only four-and-twenty families, do you not consider the society of your home town somewhat confined and unvarying?”