by Kara Louise
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Elizabeth glanced surreptitiously up at her husband and wondered if his thoughts were at all similar to hers. She and Miss Mandrake had something very much in common. Both received a visit by him, which resulted in something quite different from what they expected. When he came to her at Hunsford to propose, that was the last thing she was anticipating. When he visited Miss Mandrake that night, she hoped for a proposal, but received something else.
By the time they returned from their walk it was getting quite chilly again, and they settled themselves in for the night. Thinking about the New Year’s Eve ball, Elizabeth went up to her dressing room and pulled out her gown. She walked over to a large, full length mirror, holding the dress up to her. Her heart fluttered as she pondered going to the upcoming ball and meeting all those acquaintances of her husband.
As she held up the dress and stared at herself in the mirror, Darcy silently slipped in. “You look beautiful, you know.”
She took a deep breath and blushed that he found her thus. “The dress does help immensely in that regard.”
“I beg to differ. I consider you quite beautiful without the dress!”
Elizabeth directed a playfully stern expression at him and then looked back at her reflection. “Will they approve of me, do you think?”
Darcy put his arm out and pointed his thumb up into the air and looked along the length of his arm toward her as if he were using his thumb as a sight. He said, “If there is anyone at the ball who dares to say you are not the most beautiful lady there, I shall take him outside and fight him in a duel to the death.”
“Oh, Fitzwilliam, be serious.”
“I am serious!” He walked over and took the dress from her, hanging it back in her wardrobe. Coming back to her side, he leaned over to kiss the tip of her nose. “You have no reason to fear the opinion of those who are my truest and closest friends. They will admire you and compliment me on my choice of wife.” He drew her close, wrapping his arms about her.
Elizabeth smiled in the warmth of his arms. She pulled back and looked up at him with a daring glint in her eyes. “And what shall they say about you marrying a country bred girl with inferior connections and one whose condition in life is so decidedly beneath yours?”
Darcy winced. “Please, Elizabeth. You know those thoughts are not mine any longer.”
She nestled her head against his chest. “I know. You have no need to fear that I will be offended by what anyone says. I have your love, and that is all I require!”
Darcy pressed his lips against the top of her head and whispered, “You only need to be yourself, and everyone will love you!”
Elizabeth’s eyes twinkled with mirth. “Would that be my impertinent and teasing self or my best, high society ball behaviour?”
Darcy let out a soft laugh. “I would go lightly on the impertinence and teasing. You may want to emphasize your best, high society ball behaviour.”
“As you wish, my love,” Elizabeth said with a quick kiss on his cheek.
Darcy drew her tightly to him and returned her light kiss with a fervent one of his own – on her lips.
*~*~*
On the night of the ball, Elizabeth was again in the dressing room, donning her gown with Lucy’s assistance. Once fully attired, she looked at herself in the mirror and was pleased with her appearance. Her hair had been brought up in a soft roll around her head, with a few curls pulled out around the sides and back of her neck.
“You look simply stunning, Mrs. Darcy,” Lucy said with a smile. “You will certainly be the most beautiful lady there!”
Elizabeth appreciated her compliment, but did not believe the latter part of her comment.
Georgiana had been picked up earlier in the day by Laura Kingston and her family. Elizabeth was grateful for the chance to meet Mr. and Mrs. Kingston, as they would be present at the ball tonight. They were very cordial to her and expressed an interest in seeing her later in the evening.
When it was time to depart, Elizabeth went downstairs. Darcy had been getting ready in his separate dressing room, with the help of his valet, Edwards. When she saw him, Elizabeth gulped. He was attired in a dark green, nearly black coat with a matching vest. It was almost the same colour as the ribbon in her dress and the one woven through her hair, and she thought they complemented each other very well. She was certain that if anyone would be admired tonight, it would be him!
Darcy, on the other hand, felt that he might have to stave off the gentlemen at the ball, for certainly once they saw Elizabeth, they would want nothing more than to dance with her.
The carriage was ready and waiting, and after donning their warm outerwear, they stepped outside. The temperature had dropped again, but the skies were clear, so there was no chance of snow. The ride to the Moffeys would take about twenty minutes.
When they arrived and pulled up into the large circular drive, Elizabeth gazed up at the expansive house. It was slightly larger than their London townhouse, and it was set back further from the street. Their coach pulled in behind a line of carriages, and they waited to reach the front entry, where they were helped out. Elizabeth took her husband’s arm, and they walked to the house.
“Well, my dearest, your first London ball. Shall we?” Darcy asked as they stepped through the door.
Inside the entryway, the Moffeys greeted their guests. When Darcy and Elizabeth walked up to their hosts, a genuine, soft smile came across Mrs. Moffey’s face, and Mr. Moffey stretched out his hand, giving his friend a firm handshake. “Darcy! I am so glad that you have come!”
Darcy thanked him and introduced his wife to his long-time friends.
Mrs. Moffey turned to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, it is certainly a pleasure to finally meet you!”
Mr. Moffey took her hand and kissed it. “Darcy, why have you kept this beautiful woman hidden from us? She is charming!”
Elizabeth liked the couple immediately and felt as though a friendship had been formed instantly. “The Prestons arrived a few moments ago. They inquired after you when they came in, and I am sure they would be most happy to see you and meet your wife,” Mrs. Moffey informed him.
“Thank you. I shall try to find them at once.”
As they began to walk away, Mr. Moffey quietly whispered to Darcy, “When you have a moment, I would like to see you in the sitting room.” And with that, he patted him on the back.
As they walked away, Elizabeth asked about the Prestons.
“They are Joseph Preston and his wife, Amelia. He and I were at Cambridge together. He met his wife while at the university and they were instantly inseparable. It was a good match for the two of them.” His eyes searched about the room. “I knew they were both very much in love, and I envied them for what they had. How I wanted that for myself.” He looked down at Elizabeth. “You have provided me with everything I ever hoped or wished for.”
Elizabeth rewarded him with a smile, and her fingers gently squeezed his arm as his gaze once again swept over the crowd.
“There they are, over this way.”
As they walked across the room, Elizabeth readily noticed the eyes that darted in their direction, and it seemed as though a general murmur followed them. Darcy seemed oblivious to the attention, only nodding occasionally at someone they passed. They finally reached the other couple and their eyes lit up in joyful recognition.
“Darcy, ol' man! How are you? How long has it been?” asked Joseph.
“Too long, I dare say. Joseph Preston, Amelia, this is my wife, Elizabeth.”
“We are so pleased to make your acquaintance. We have been eagerly waiting to finally meet the woman who sent Darcy over the edge.”
Elizabeth blushed at his words. Amelia instantly drew Elizabeth to herself and began talking as Darcy and Joseph chatted, catching each other up on their respective lives and that of other Cambridge classmates about whom they knew.
“You look simply stunning, Mrs. Darcy, and I am quite convinced that you are the env
y of every lady here and are going to be most admired.”
“Well, I cannot be certain of that, but please call me Elizabeth.”
“Only if you call me Amelia.”
“We have only heard your husband’s side of the story of how you two met, Elizabeth. But I know how men have a tendency to leave out all the important particulars that a woman would enjoy hearing, so you must promise to tell me your side of the story.”
“I would be more than happy to,” Elizabeth said, wondering what exactly her husband had told them.
“If we cannot steal away by ourselves tonight, we must get together some day while you are still in town.”
Elizabeth was prevented from saying anything more when another couple joined them. Darcy introduced Elizabeth to Mr. and Mrs. Kingston, and the six held a congenial conversation, with the men forming a small circle and conversing together as the ladies did the same. Despite the enthusiastic discussion, Elizabeth sensed the scrutiny of her person by others in the room. She stole a quick glance at her husband and instantly realized why he was so reserved in unfamiliar situations. He most likely never got used to being gawked at and whispered about at these types of affairs.
At one point in the conversation, Elizabeth noticed Joseph glance over his shoulder and look back at Darcy and nudge him. He nodded slightly toward the door, and Darcy turned. Elizabeth saw the startled look cross his face, and she turned in the direction he was looking to see a slender, stately woman walk in on the arm of a tall gentleman.
Elizabeth was close enough to hear the men’s conversation.
“Did you know she was coming?” asked Joseph.
“I was not certain, but I knew it was definitely a possibility. I think right now I would like to dance with my wife. Would you both excuse me?”
He apologized for interrupting the women and asked Elizabeth to join him for the next dance. He escorted her to the dance floor, and they took their place in a set that was just about to begin.
Elizabeth enjoyed the dance, always appreciating her husband’s agile and effortless movements. He was silent, however, and Elizabeth had a fairly good suspicion why. At one point in the set, she noticed him look up as the same young woman stepped through the door. A slight faltering of his footwork made Elizabeth quite certain this was Joanna.
When the dance ended, he quickly took her arm and escorted her away from the Prestons, away from the Kingstons, and away from the direction of the young lady.
Darcy asked her if she would like some refreshment, and she was most willing. They walked into a large banquet room which was filled with tables of food and drink. As they filled their plates with a sampling of food, Elizabeth noticed an older woman enter the room and take a seat against the far wall. She gave Elizabeth a very knowing look that made her wonder who the lady might be.
Elizabeth continued to watch as a group of three or four ladies approached and gathered about this woman, apparently listening to what she was saying. As she spoke, she kept her eyes on Elizabeth. It was when the ladies turned around and also looked at her that Elizabeth finally turned away, feeling certain she had been the object of their discourse. She turned her attention back to her husband and the plate of food just as she heard someone call out Darcy’s name, and when he looked up, she saw her husband's face turn white.
Elizabeth turned quickly toward the voice and was now face to face with the woman she assumed was Joanna Mandrake standing with the gentleman she had seen earlier. She had the clearest blue eyes and a cream complexion and was dressed in what Elizabeth would consider was likely the most expensive and ornately decorated dress of anyone there.
Elizabeth politely smiled and then looked up at her husband, waiting for him to return the lady's address, but he seemed unable to formulate any response. Finally, with a pained expression on his face he was able to muster, “Miss Mandrake,” and politely bowed.
She stepped a little closer to Darcy, and with a nervous smile offered, “Mr. Darcy, my sister informed me that you and your wife were here. It has been a long time.”
Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “Yes it has.”
She looked over at Elizabeth. “May I assume this lovely lady is your wife?”
Darcy exhibited a slight look of surprise. “Yes, this is my wife Elizabeth Darcy. Elizabeth, this is Miss Joanna Mandrake. Miss Mandrake is Jocelyn's sister.”
Joanna eyed Elizabeth with a quick appraisal from head to toe. Her very controlled expression did not give any indication of what her assessment of Elizabeth had been. “I am pleased to meet you, Mrs. Darcy.” She turned back to Darcy and said, “You remember Michael Stevens?”
“Oh, yes, certainly,” Darcy answered and shook the man's hand. “It is good to see you again.” Turning to his wife, Darcy said, “Mr. Stevens, this is my wife, Elizabeth Darcy.”
“Mrs. Darcy, it is a pleasure to meet you.”
Elizabeth smiled back at the gentleman. She found his manners pleasing, and he seemed genuinely delighted to make her acquaintance. She was, however, unsure about Miss Mandrake. Hers was a difficult character to sketch. Yet it was the expression on her husband's face that had her intrigued. Where had she seen that look before? His features were set, not allowing any emotion to show. Suddenly she remembered. He was now wearing the same expression as he had that day in Meryton when he had encountered Wickham. How odd, she thought.
The foursome stood silent for a moment, producing an awkward pause. Elizabeth decided she had better further this conversation. “Miss Mandrake, is your residence here in London?”
She turned and smiled. “No, I have not lived here for several years. I make my permanent residence in Oxford. I do try to come into the city as often as I can, and always stay here with my sister and brother-in-law. I just arrived in London late this afternoon.” When she finished, she looked hesitantly up at Darcy. Then there was, again, more silence.
Elizabeth thought to herself that this was going to be a very long evening if there was not any more attempt to converse. It seemed as if both her husband and Miss Mandrake were unsure of what to say.
Mr. Stevens also seemed aware of the awkwardness and finally asked Darcy, “May I inquire after your sister, sir. How does she fare?”
“She is doing well, thank you. She came into town with us and is visiting with a friend tonight.”
“I have seen her only occasionally when she has been in town,” Mr. Stevens added.
Miss Mandrake seemed finally to formulate a thought. “She must be a beautiful young lady by now. She was a very young girl when I saw her last.”
Darcy looked at her and nodded. “She is almost seventeen.” Then he added, almost as an afterthought, “And she is a beautiful young lady.”
“Shall we see her come out this season?”
Darcy bit his lip. “I am not quite certain she is ready, but if that is her desire as the time nears, we shall certainly consider it.”
“Oh, you must! She will be adored by all!”
Elizabeth was grateful for the conversation to finally have moved from awkwardness to some form of civility and noticed that both her husband and Miss Mandrake relaxed a little. They made very little eye contact, though, and Elizabeth sensed that her husband was not yet quite himself.
They conversed for a while longer about Georgiana. That appeared to be a safe subject for them. At length, Mr. Moffey came over and asked Darcy if he would join him in the sitting room. He then looked over and nodded at Miss Mandrake. What happened next surprised Elizabeth.
Darcy excused himself from the group and told Elizabeth he would return shortly. She turned back to Miss Mandrake and Mr. Stevens, about to make another attempt at conversation with them, when Miss Mandrake suddenly excused herself as well. She turned and walked away, and Elizabeth watched her as she followed her husband and Mr. Moffey towards the sitting room.
Elizabeth could not restrain the reaction of both her eyebrows arching in a look of surprise.
At that moment Mrs. Moffey came up behind Elizabeth. Sh
e placed her hand upon her arm and when Elizabeth looked up, she begged to have a moment with her. Elizabeth turned to give Mrs. Moffey her full attention.
“Mrs. Darcy, I hope you do not mind my husband taking your husband away from you for a few moments.”
Elizabeth felt reassured by the look on her face, but did not understand why Miss Mandrake had followed them. It appeared to her that it had been planned. “Not at all, Mrs. Moffey. But may I inquire to what purpose it is? I only ask as I am surprised that Miss Mandrake went along with them.”
Mrs. Moffey smiled and looked down, then back up at Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, for a long time I have felt the need for the two of them to talk through some things. The last time my sister and your husband saw each other, four years ago, they had quite a disagreement.”
Elizabeth assured her that she was aware of what happened. “Yes, he told me about the misunderstanding between the two of them. I understand everyone in town expected him to ask for her hand in marriage.”
“That was very true, but they did not just expect him to ask for her hand, they wanted it! They could not imagine a better suited couple. I believe he began to feel pressure from all sides, including from my sister, which he did not wish to accede to. He finally went to make clear to her what his intentions – or lack of intentions – were.”
“I imagine having to tell her he had no intention of marrying her must have caused some hurt.”
“Yes it did. But it was what followed that caused most of the injury.”
Elizabeth looked at her, trying to remember if her husband mentioned anything that happened afterwards. “He only told me that he left London.”
“That is only part of the story, Mrs. Darcy.”
Elizabeth's eyes widened, waiting for her to finish.
“Afterwards, my sister began spreading some vicious rumours about him that were not true. They were very harmful to your husband’s character.”
“He did not tell me any of this.”