A Quest for Mr Darcy

by Cassandra Grafton

  With a smile, Jane shook her head. ‘It is my turn to change the conversation, Lizzy.’ She sobered and took her sister’s hand in hers. ‘It seems to be the general consensus Mr Bingley was easily persuaded away from his interest in me because I so effectively concealed my true feelings at the time.’

  Elizabeth eyed her sister warily. ‘How is this an alteration of subject?’

  Giving her hand a light squeeze before releasing it, Jane opened a drawer in the dresser and removed a shawl. ‘Think on it, Lizzy.’ She turned about. ‘Are you not in danger of doing the same?’

  Elizabeth stared at Jane, her heart thumping loudly in her ears. What was she to do, with the spectre of Miss Latimer between them? ‘Our acquaintance does seem to have been blighted by misunderstandings.’

  ‘Then make it apparent to him, Lizzy.’

  ‘Make what apparent?’

  ‘That you like Mr Darcy—a great deal. Surely you owe him that much?’

  Turning back to the closet, Elizabeth extracted a pair of satin slippers as Jane left the room. Did she not owe him that? He had, after all, declared himself to her before, and though she could not do the same, were there not things she might say or do to help him understand the extent to which her feelings towards him had altered?

  Elizabeth walked over to the full-length mirror and studied her reflection, seeking the courage that had never let her down before. If she did not begin directly, she would become intimidated by her situation.

  With a rueful smile, she turned away. So be it. Somehow, she would endeavour to ensure Mr Darcy understood she... liked him; very much.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Though he had been there to greet Jane and Elizabeth on their arrival at Pemberley, Darcy thereafter kept his distance, leaving them time to settle in.

  The twins’ pleasure, on hearing of the new guests coming to stay at Pemberley, had known no bounds, and Bingley and the colonel had decided to take the girls for a quick gallop across the parkland to burn off some of their excitement. Knowing Elizabeth was now on the premises, Darcy prowled restlessly along the hallways, uncertain whether to have his mount saddled and ride after the others.

  Eventually, he shut himself in his study in an attempt to remain busy until the time came to dress for dinner and thereafter, at a loss for how to occupy himself until any of his company came downstairs, he headed to his usual retreat: the music room.

  He settled at the instrument, then closed his eyes, his fingers finding their touch and soon he was lost in the sound of the notes pouring forth, only opening his eyes as the last one faded.

  Darcy stared at his hands, now resting on the silent keys. If history had repeated itself, Elizabeth would have appeared. With a wry smile, he turned his head towards the door, then started, one hand striking a discordant note. The lady stood just as she had before, yet the look he surprised upon her face this time was not of astonishment, and he caught his breath.

  ‘Forgive me, sir.’ Elizabeth made a light curtsey, and he rose to his feet to acknowledge her by return. ‘I had no intention to disturb.’ Her smile was tentative, a faint colour in her cheeks. ‘I fear I do not learn from the past; I was drawn here by the music, assuming it was your sister playing.’

  Darcy gestured with his arm towards the now abandoned instrument. ‘We share a love of the same music.’

  ‘Yet you play by ear?’

  A smiled tugged at the corners of his mouth. ‘I find the use of my hands is also beneficial, ma’am.’

  To his delight, she laughed, and his smile widened. Then, his gaze narrowed upon her. ‘Might I ask how you know?’

  ‘Miss Darcy told me. Please do not be angry with her, sir. She has your best interests at heart and has nothing but good things to say of you.’ Elizabeth smiled again. ‘Or your playing.’

  ‘Georgiana shares a little too much at times.’

  ‘As do we all, Mr Darcy. Where our loved ones are concerned, we are all too apt to express our opinions, whether sought or not.’

  He walked over to where Elizabeth stood. ‘Shall we go to the drawing room? The others will be gathering.’

  Elizabeth stepped back into the hallway, and he joined her. ‘How is your sister not with you?’

  The dusting of colour in the lady’s cheeks deepened, and Darcy watched it with interest.

  ‘I was forwarder than Jane; she... I wanted to... I decided to await her downstairs.’ Her words came out in a rush, but he did not want to press her on her evasion, just raised a hand to indicate they should walk on.

  ‘We are most grateful, Mr Darcy, for the consideration you gave to our present situation.’

  He inclined his head. ‘I trust your rooms are to your liking? Georgiana chose them.’

  Elizabeth smiled faintly. ‘How could they not be? You have a beautiful home, sir.’

  Darcy’s heart swelled at such praise from her. ‘If there is aught else I can do to aid you—or your sister—in feeling more at ease, please do not hesitate to speak the word.’

  An impish look touched Elizabeth’s face. ‘We rely quite heavily upon Alice, sir? I am sure she would enjoy coming to stay too.’

  Darcy blinked, then shook his head. ‘You are teasing.’

  ‘Indeed.’ Elizabeth looked away, and Darcy admired her profile. Then, she turned back to him. ‘There is one thing; your library, sir; I barely had chance to see it earlier. If it would not be too much trouble, would Mrs Reynolds or your sister be able to show it to me one day? I should very much enjoy the opportunity.’

  Wishing he could take her there now and watch her perusing the shelves, Darcy cleared his throat. ‘You are welcome to make use of it at any time, and please indulge your pleasure in any of its content. I will ensure you are shown the library on the morrow.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  They walked for a moment in silence, Darcy, as was his wont, searching his mind for a sustainable topic of conversation.

  ‘We were speaking this afternoon, sir, when we were interrupted.’

  He threw Elizabeth a cautious glance. They had been talking of his cousin’s errand, had they not?

  ‘You said you did not wish for my gratitude.’

  ‘I would not have it of you. It was not my purpose.’

  They were nearing the main entrance hall now, and Elizabeth slowed her pace. ‘Then if not gratitude, sir, what would you have?’

  If only he could tell her; if only he could say, all he wished for was the return of his affection for her. ‘I cannot answer your question; not now.’ He glanced around the empty entrance hall as they reached it, then sighed. ‘But I hope I shall be able to do so soon.’

  Elizabeth’s smile was tentative. ‘Then gratitude will have to suffice for the present, and I hope you will accept it, if not for the flowers, then for what you have now done.’

  He frowned. ‘What else did I do?’

  ‘Truly, sir? You have forgotten taking us into your home and under your protection? It will be of great comfort to my father in his absence.’ She frowned also. ‘Wherever he may have gone. Did Papa speak of it to you, Mr Darcy?’

  ‘Not at all.’ Darcy wished he could share such intelligence with her. Noting her unsettled air and countenance, he sighed. ‘It is not such a comfort to you though, Miss Elizabeth.’

  Elizabeth shook her head. ‘You mistook my reaction earlier, I believe, sir. For that, I apologise. It was... your generous offer was unexpected. Do not think I hold any aversion to your home, Mr Darcy.’ She paused, and he held his breath. ‘Or to any of its occupants.’

  Relief swept through Darcy, along with a cautionary admonishment. He must learn not to always assume any displeasure of Elizabeth’s was solely down to him!

  The sound of voices filtered into the hall from the drawing room, and Darcy glanced at Elizabeth, only to find her gaze on the staircase and looking up, he saw his friend descending with Jane Bennet on his arm.

  When he noticed them, colour flooded into Bingley’s cheeks, though the lady seemed as
collected as always, as they took the last stair in unison.

  ‘Darcy! Are we late?’

  ‘On the contrary; your timing is perfect.’

  Jane smiled as they joined them. ‘I was feeling a little lost, Mr Darcy.’

  Elizabeth sent her sister an apologetic look. ‘There are a confusing number of hallways and doors, are there not? I am sorry for deserting you in my haste to—’ she stopped and bit her lip.

  ‘I would have found my way, Lizzy, but fortuitously, Mr Bingley happened to be passing by as I left my room.’ Jane released the gentleman’s arm and took her sister’s, and both ladies turned towards the open doors to the drawing room, with the gentlemen falling into step a few paces behind.

  Throwing his friend an amused glance, Darcy spoke quietly. ‘So—you were ‘just passing’, Bingley?’

  If anything, the colour in his friend’s cheeks deepened, and he cleared his throat. ‘I—er...’

  Trying not to laugh, Darcy said nothing else, but with Georgiana having insisted on installing the Miss Bennets in the family wing rather than in the guest wing, where the Bingleys were housed, it was fortuitous indeed!

  ~o0o~

  Dinner was a lively meal, mainly due to the twins, who had been allowed to join them, but when it came time for the ladies to withdraw, they begged Elizabeth and Jane to accompany them to their rooms before they retired for the night, so they might look out of the window and perhaps be fortunate enough to see the ghost which they insisted hovered in the treetops at nightfall.

  By the time the ladies returned downstairs, the gentlemen had already come along to the drawing room, and as they entered, the colonel approached Elizabeth.

  ‘Any more sightings of ghosts this evening, Miss Elizabeth?’

  With a smile, she shook her head. ‘They were most put out; nothing but darkness to be seen.’

  He grinned. ‘Then let us hope they now find something else to amuse them. Speaking of amusement, ma’am, I have just been discussing the upcoming ball with Bingley. You are to attend, I understand, despite your father’s absence?’

  Glancing over, Elizabeth could see Jane now in conversation with Georgiana.

  ‘Mr Bingley very kindly offered to be our escort before we knew of Papa’s absence. Our father had no problem with us attending in such circumstances.’

  ‘Has Darcy secured you for a set yet?’

  Elizabeth’s insides swirled suddenly, as though they danced in anticipation. ‘No. I—I did not know he was to attend.’

  The colonel snorted. ‘He did not know he was to attend either, until I forced his hand.’

  With a tentative laugh, Elizabeth’s eye was drawn to Mr Darcy’s tall figure where he stood looking out of one of the windows into the darkness.

  ‘Darcy!’ The colonel raised his voice, and Darcy turned around as they crossed the room to join him. When they reached him, however, it was Elizabeth whom Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to address.

  ‘Now, ma’am; how is that dance card of yours looking? Is there any space left on it for an ageing and lonely gentleman sorely in need of refreshing company?’

  Elizabeth smiled, thankful she had found the recalcitrant thing lodged in the back of her drawer behind a box of hairpins. ‘I am not engaged for any sets at present, sir; beyond Mr Bingley I had no notion of any other acquaintance attending until just now.’

  ‘Excellent. Put Darcy down for the first set before someone else nabs the spot.’

  Conscious of the habitual warmth filling her cheeks, Elizabeth cast a quick glance at Mr Darcy to see how he took this, but though he looked surprised, he met her wary gaze openly. ‘If you would do me the honour, Miss Elizabeth.’

  She frowned, looking from one gentleman to the other. ‘But what of your other guests, Mr Darcy? Will she—I mean, will they not expect you to be at their disposal above all others?’

  Darcy held her gaze for a moment, and she hoped he could not read in her face how much she wished him to stand by the colonel’s suggestion.

  ‘Please take pity upon me, Miss Elizabeth, and do me the honour of opening the dance as my partner? You know full well how little I enjoy the exercise in the company of a stranger.’

  Elizabeth cleared her throat softly. Was he so easily dismissing Miss Latimer as such? ‘I—thank you, sir.’ She hesitated, glancing at the colonel who was smiling somewhat smugly. ‘So long as you do not feel unduly coerced.’

  The colonel laughed. ‘There is nothing amiss with a little coercion now and again, eh, Darce? Now, Miss Elizabeth, whilst you have the ball fresh in your mind, reserve the set after Darcy’s for me. Then you can regale me with how many times he stepped on your toes!’

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Sunday dawned with a chill wind and the threat of rain, and the party from Pemberley did not linger long after attending the service at Kympton church before making their way back home.

  Following Jane into their dressing room, Elizabeth removed her bonnet and gloves before glancing in the mirror. Pausing to fasten a couple of curls more neatly, she spoke to her sister through the reflection.

  ‘I saw you speaking to Alice after church. Is all well at The Grange?’

  ‘So it would seem.’ Jane placed her own bonnet on top of the dresser. ‘Though Cook has complained of there being a raid on the kitchen garden.’

  ‘So the poacher remains at large.’ Elizabeth turned her head to one side to inspect the neatness of her efforts. ‘How I have missed being able to walk freely; I long for the bracing air of Curbar Edge.’ Catching sight of Jane’s troubled countenance in the reflection, Elizabeth turned to face her. ‘Is anything amiss?’

  Jane shrugged lightly as she placed her gloves in a drawer. ‘Alice has had little success in finding the locket, yet it cannot be anywhere but in my chamber. She said she would continue to look for it. I suspect my closet and drawers will all have been rearranged by the time we return.’

  ‘Aye—whenever that may be.’

  Jane sighed. ‘Mama always said it was the only thing of value she brought to the marriage. I cannot bear to have it lost.’

  ‘It cannot be, Jane; it is merely misplaced.’

  Returning her pelisse to the closet, Jane turned around. ‘I am sure you are right. Oh, and Alice asked what was to be done with any post arriving. Strangely, Papa left no instruction.’

  ‘With his haste to depart, it is to be understood.’

  ‘Aye, it is.’ Jane sat on a nearby chair and started to unfasten her bootlaces. I suppose as any post other than Kitty and Mary’s all comes through Gracechurch Street, Papa will see it before it is sent on.’

  Elizabeth shook her head. ‘I am not confident he has gone to London.’

  ‘What makes you say so?’

  ‘The carriage did not turn for the turnpike to Town when he left.’

  ‘Papa must have had an errand to perform before going away. There is no possible connection with anyone northwards, other than Mary and Kitty, and he assured us his business was not with them.’

  Elizabeth stared thoughtfully at her sister. ‘Perhaps you are right. There is sufficient intrigue over Papa’s purpose, without further speculation.’

  She turned her attention to changing her outdoor footwear for satin slippers, and once they were both ready, they walked into Jane’s chamber.

  ‘How do you feel, Lizzy, now we have passed a night at Pemberley?’

  Walking over to the window, Elizabeth stared out across the beautifully landscaped parkland. ‘I think it must be blatantly obvious to Mr Darcy I more than like him. I can barely look at him without turning pink-cheeked.’

  Jane smiled as she joined her sister. ‘But he needs encouragement, does he not, after all there has been between you?’

  Elizabeth turned around and leaned against the sill. ‘To what end? He is destined for Miss Latimer. You know it, I know it, and he knows it.’

  ‘Then why did he claim you for the first set on Tuesday?’

  ‘Because his cousin forced his han
d.’

  ‘Dear Lizzy!’ Jane took her sister’s hands in her own. ‘Mr Darcy is many things, but if he wished to reserve the first set for Miss Latimer, then he would have had no compunction in asking you for the second, regardless of his cousin’s attempt at coercion.’

  Knowing her sister had the right of it, Elizabeth sighed. ‘I cannot account for his choice, though I am thankful. The last time we stood up together was at Netherfield, and one could hardly say it was a pleasing experience for either party. Of all things, I trust Tuesday’s ball will be very different.’

  Jane laughed as she released her sister’s hands. ‘Yes; it will indeed.’

  ‘And Mr Bingley?’ Elizabeth eyed Jane curiously.

  ‘What of him?’

  ‘Has he secured your hand for a set?’

  Faint colour stole into Jane’s cheeks. ‘Yes; the first.’

  ‘Ah, I see.’ Elizabeth smiled. ‘And Mr Wentworth? How was he, when you spoke to him after the service?’

  ‘Quite well. He asked if I might be able to do some parish visits, but I am not certain, with Papa’s instruction not to be out walking alone.’

  ‘Mr Darcy will place a carriage at your disposal, I am certain.’

  Jane smirked as she turned for the door. ‘He would do so if you were to ask him.’

  Grabbing a cushion from a nearby chair, Elizabeth threw it at her sister, whose smile widened as she caught it neatly.

  ‘Come, let us join the others.’ Jane dropped the cushion onto the bed and they both went out onto the landing, and Elizabeth drew in a steadying breath. What would this day bring?

  ~o0o~

  The rain, when it came, was unrelenting, lashing against the windowpanes and preventing any possibility of leaving the house for the remainder of the day. Occupied with their various pursuits, the residents of Pemberley passed the time pleasantly enough. The gentlemen indulged in a few games of billiards whilst the ladies remained in the drawing room, enjoying gentle conversation and, for a while, listening to Georgiana playing on the elegant pianoforte. Olivia and Viola were restless, returning time and again to whichever window was nearest and lamenting the weather.