by Pamela Lynne
Darcy was disappointed. He thought how nice it would be to translate the love song she held in her delicate hands, perhaps while whispering in her ear.
“Did you have access to masters in Meryton?” He had wondered how she was so well educated without the formal schooling he and every one of his acquaintance experienced.
“There were masters available to us, but Jane and I mostly learned from our Grandmother Bennet. She was determined to give us the education befitting a gentleman’s daughter in spite of my mother’s insistence we not attend school. I also had full access to my father’s library and made use of it as often as possible.
“After my grandmother died, Jane and I came here to live with my aunt and uncle for a few years before they had children of their own. Our education was a bit more formal here with our aunt taking her role of caretaker quite seriously. They brought in masters for us until we returned to Longbourn.”
“Where you continued your education on your own,” he said, admiring her continual determination to rise above her upbringing. She nodded and turned back to the tables of sheet music.
Moving around to her other side, he grazed her shoulder with his arm as he looked around the shop. It was a deliberate act on his part; he needed some sort of physical contact with her. His eyes then rested on a beautiful pianoforte in the center of the store.
Leaving Elizabeth’s side, Darcy walked over to examine the instrument. It was a grand piece, dark wood with intricate carvings on the sides and legs. As he sat on the bench, he thought of Georgiana. Well, it is not little, but it should make her smile. He placed his long fingers on the keys and played a simple tune.
Elizabeth turned her head toward the pianoforte when she heard the music begin to play. Seeing Darcy at the keys, she walked toward him. When she reached the instrument, Darcy gave her a mischievous grin and, while still playing, said, “You mean to frighten me, Miss Bennet, by coming in all this state to hear me? You must know I do not intimidate easily, though you do play with such emotion that one could easily feel inadequate when playing before you. Still, I am determined my courage will not fail under your close scrutiny.”
Once again, Elizabeth laughed at the teasing man in front of her and wondered why they had not had such camaraderie when they first met in the fall. Silly, vain Lizzy. Look what you missed.
“Mr. Darcy, I cannot believe you would find many people intimidating, least of all me. After all, I barely reach your shoulders. How could I possibly frighten you?”
“I assure you, Miss Bennet, you can frighten the wits out of any man when you set your teasing smile and beautiful eyes in his direction.”
She merely smiled and shook her head in response and, feeling suddenly and inexplicably shy, changed the subject.
“I have heard much about your sister’s talents at the pianoforte, but I did not know you played, sir.”
“My mother taught me a few songs as a child, but I do not often play. Georgiana plays daily and is as you said, quite talented. It gives her great joy, I believe.” His brow furrowed, and he became pensive. “I think I will purchase this for her. Her instrument at Pemberley is old, and she deserves to be rewarded for her hard work.” Then he added in a voice so low Elizabeth could barely hear, “Perhaps it will help.”
He summoned a clerk to arrange the procurement, and she returned to the aisle of sheet music and carefully watched Darcy.
He was different than in the autumn, and not just in manner. He was still incredibly handsome, by far the most handsome man she had ever met. But he was thinner, and dark circles masked his eyes. He was weary. Her heart broke at the thought of his sadness, and she wanted, at that moment, to embrace him and take away his troubles.
Darcy glimpsed back and saw her look of concern. He knew she must have recognized in him the same sadness he saw in her eyes when they met at the bookstore. Her worry touched him. He longed to take her home and love her until their grief gave way to blissful surrender. He would lock her away for a few days so they could lose themselves in each other’s embrace and drown out all the nagging voices with their cries of passion as they took their pleasure from each other. A few days? No, nothing less than a lifetime will do. I have no choice then but to try to win her hand.
With more confidence than he had felt in quite a while, he took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back. “Miss Bennet, I would like to know more about why you left Longbourn, but I think it is best if we discuss it somewhere besides the busy shops of London. May I call on you tomorrow at your uncle’s home? We can be more open to each other if we have more privacy.”
“Open to each other, sir? Does that mean you will unburden yourself to me as well? You will tell me what keeps you from sleeping and why you frown when you mention your sister?”
Darcy nodded and replied, “You are too observant, Miss Bennet. Yes, I, too, am in need of a friendly ear, if you are willing to provide one.”
Elizabeth smiled into his eyes, feeling special that such a man would desire to take her into his confidence. “Yes, Mr. Darcy, it would be my great pleasure to be your friend, especially now that I am in great need of one myself.” Her last words were spoken as she choked back a sob.
He squeezed her hand and wished he could do something to ease her mind. “Elizabeth, what can I do?”
She shook her head and regained her composure. “We will talk tomorrow, Mr. Darcy. At present, I would like to pay for my selections before I am dragged out of this shop as well.” Darcy chuckled, placed another kiss on her hand and guided her to the front counter. Elizabeth, who was smiling up at Darcy, nearly missed seeing her aunt, who stood right in their path with an astonished expression on her face.
********
Madeline Gardiner could not believe the sight in front of her. Her most sensible niece was in a public place allowing a man to kiss her hand not once, but twice. She first spied them on the pavement as she was making her way across the street. When she saw Elizabeth laugh, she suddenly stopped in awe. She had not heard her niece laugh like that since she came to London, except on Christmas when the children performed a play for her as their gift. She had laughed wholeheartedly during the play, but gloom pervaded her as soon as it was over. And now she was laughing with a very handsome young man who was, at least to herself, a stranger.
The sound of approaching horses broke her reverie, and she finished crossing the street and followed the couple into the music store. There, she observed how easily they spoke to each other even though she could not hear what was being said. Elizabeth was studying the young man, and he looked concerned as he held her hand. Could her niece have been in love all this time? Had her sadness been about more than just leaving Longbourn; had she been heartbroken as well? After these thoughts flew through her head, she noticed them walking her way.
“Aunt! Is it time for us to meet already?” Elizabeth said with a brilliant smile.
“No, dear, we still had some minutes before our appointed time, but I spied you from across the street and thought I would join you and your friend.”
Mrs. Gardiner made a point of looking at Elizabeth’s hand on Darcy’s arm and back up to Elizabeth’s questioning face.
Elizabeth knew this gesture meant that her aunt did not approve of her being on Darcy’s arm, so she reluctantly dropped hers from his as she made introductions.
The truth was, Mrs. Gardiner was thrilled to see Elizabeth smiling after weeks of living with her somber mien. She was predisposed to like the dashing gentleman who was bringing her beloved niece back to life. She needed, however, to be sure of his intentions. He seemed genuinely struck with Elizabeth, but she did not want to see her fall further into despair if the man was toying with her.
She also noticed the attention they received both on the pavement and there in the shop, something to which the couple had been oblivious. She understood the curiosity, however, when Elizabeth made introductions. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley was the most sought after bachelor in London, if not the entire coun
try.
The Gardiners did not move in the same circles as Mr. Darcy, but it did not mean they were not privy to the gossip of the ton. Mr. Gardiner’s business associates spanned London’s social sphere, and the wives of said associates were almost always willing to share what they had heard about those in the highest circles. In all her years in London, she had never heard any gossip about Fitzwilliam Darcy except he was rich and handsome but also cold and elusive. She also never saw him mentioned in the papers, though his maternal relations, the Fitzwilliams, were in them constantly. It was unusual that a man of his consequence was never linked to a woman, though many pursued him. Now that he had been seen showing attention to a young lady in public, things were likely to change.
The idea disturbed her greatly. Elizabeth had been hurt terribly by the people she loved most in the world; she did not need to feel the hatred of every unattached woman in London on top of that. However, if Darcy’s intentions were honorable and his affection was genuine, this could be a splendid thing for Elizabeth.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darcy. My niece mentioned to me that she made your acquaintance last autumn in Hertfordshire, I believe.”
Darcy was both thrilled that Elizabeth had thought about him enough at least to mention him to her relations and shocked that the fashionable, sophisticated woman in front of him was Elizabeth’s aunt. His experience with her family had, thus far, been almost frightening. He had forgotten for a while that morning that her uncle was in trade. Her unfortunate connections had been one of the reasons he told himself he could never offer for her. He assumed this aunt and uncle would be as bad as, if not worse than, her Meryton relations. If he would have to maintain an acquaintance with tradesmen, he was glad that they would at least have taste and sense. Elizabeth obviously respected her aunt, and so he could do no less. Though he was unhappy about now having a chaperone, he decided to make the best of it and show Elizabeth he could be civil to those so beneath him.
“The pleasure is mine, I assure you, Mrs. Gardiner. Yes, indeed, I had the privilege of meeting Miss Bennet when I visited Hertfordshire and was especially pleased when we unexpectedly met again this morning. She has been very kind to allow me the pleasure of her company as she completes her shopping.
“I hope to continue our acquaintance during her stay in town. Miss Bennet has agreed to allow me to pay a call tomorrow morning if it is acceptable to you and your husband, madam.” Damn, I sound like a prattling fool, but that should at least assure her of my intentions.
Mrs. Gardiner was both amused and pleased with his little speech. She looked at Elizabeth, who was staring at Darcy with an expression of wonder. She turned back to Darcy and said, “Of course, Mr. Darcy. Any friend of Lizzy’s is welcome in our home.”
Although his manner toward her had been very pleasing during their time together that morning, Elizabeth was surprised by how many words had just come from Mr. Darcy. Looking back, she could not remember a single time during their acquaintance when he had spoken more than two sentences at a time. The only exception was when he debated some point with her, but those exchanges could barely be termed civil. She smiled, remembering how exciting it was to spar with him. Her smile grew when she recalled how she had won nearly every round.
“Lizzy, finish your purchases, dear. The carriage will be waiting.”
Elizabeth walked toward the counter, leaving Darcy and her aunt to make small talk. Though her speech was genteel and refined, Darcy thought he detected a familiar accent and asked where Mrs. Gardiner was from. Her being from Lambton, a village within miles of his estate, gave them something to talk about until Elizabeth returned.
********
The trio stood on the pavement beside the Gardiner carriage saying their goodbyes as gray clouds moved across the London sky, blotting out the sun. Darcy stood as close to Elizabeth as propriety would allow, marveling at how those beautiful eyes could penetrate all the darkness that surrounded him and bring a light to him that he had never before known. Was it only a few hours prior that he despaired of feeling anything other than longing and bitterness?
He assisted Mrs. Gardiner into the carriage then turned to Elizabeth and took her hand.
“Miss Bennet, may I say again what a great pleasure it was to spend time with you today. I have not felt as content in months as I did in your company this morning.”
Elizabeth searched her mind for a teasing answer in response to his heartfelt words, but looking up, she saw the familiar intense gaze that had followed her around Hertfordshire. She had no defense against that look and found she could only answer honestly.
“Mr. Darcy, I have hardly known myself these past weeks, but this morning with you, I actually felt light and unburdened. I thank you for that, sir, and I look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
Darcy smiled at her with a warmth that could melt the most frigid heart and then placed another kiss on her hand.
“Until tomorrow then, Miss Bennet,” he said as he handed her into the carriage.
Elizabeth settled into the seat, let out a deep sigh, looked at her aunt, and prepared for the inquisition that was sure to come.
Chapter Two
* * *
Anyone who saw Darcy that afternoon would not think anything was different about him. He walked home with his same determined stride, greeted his servants in his usual way as they took his coat and hat, and walked to his study where he tended to correspondence in his usual fashion. But something was different. It was a difference that was perceptible only to him, but it was no small thing. It was something that fit within the confines of his breast and created waves of hope and wonder to spread through his entire being. That something was Elizabeth.
He knew when he stood in front of the door of the bookshop his life had changed. With the decision to walk through that door, he was committing himself heart and soul to the pursuit of his one true desire: a life with her. That decision lifted one heavy burden from his chest and made the remaining ones seem lighter.
Fitzwilliam Darcy was not prone to impulsive behavior. Any decision was made only after careful deliberation and almost agonizing scrutiny. Once made, however, he was always quick to see his decision acted upon. He had agonized over Elizabeth for months.
When he returned home after his unexpected morning with her, his first impulse was to rush up the stairs to the mistress’s chambers to see what needed to be accomplished before she could occupy them. He wanted to make her transition into the role of his wife as comfortable as possible. Before he reached the stairs, however, he realized he should at least call on her before bringing her home. His impatience was getting the better of him, and he silently admonished himself. One accidental meeting does not equal a courtship, Darcy.
Instead, he went to his study to distract himself the way he always did: with work. After answering his third letter, however, he began impatiently strumming his fingers on his desk while reviewing all the things he would need to do before his wedding. He had reached for a sheet of paper to write his solicitor about the marriage contracts when his study door flew open.
Standing in the doorway wearing a red coat and a broad grin was his cousin Richard Fitzwilliam. A colonel in the army, he had recently accepted a training assignment that kept him closer to London and away from combat. He had spent too many years fighting on the continent and was happy to put down his sword for a little while.
His tall lanky frame held many battle scars, and his jovial attitude hid the emotional effects of war. Few people outside his unit knew that beneath his tussled blonde hair and piercing blue eyes laid a warrior with a wounded heart. He never talked about himself or his experiences, choosing instead to jest and heartily drank whatever was handed to him.
Richard always managed to arrive unbidden and unannounced, which annoyed Darcy greatly. He was fond of his cousin and generally enjoyed his company. He did not, however, enjoy surprises, especially when those surprises had the last name “Fitzwilliam.” Those surprises usually left
him with a terrible headache and an empty brandy container. True to form, in Richard’s hand was an overly full snifter from which he took a long drink before exclaiming, “Darcy!”
Darcy grimaced as he watched Richard gulp down his drink. The excellent French brandy was far too smooth and expensive to be treated with such haste. It was meant to be savored, experienced, not to be used for a fleeting pleasure—much like Elizabeth. He sighed and smiled pleasantly at the thought then remembered his unwritten letter to his solicitor.
He grimaced again as he looked at his cousin who, during Darcy’s brief moment of reflection, had downed the entire contents of his glass and sprawled himself out on the settee adjacent to Darcy’s desk.
“Richard, is there a purpose to your visit today, or did you just come to help yourself to my brandy? And can you please tell me how you manage to get past my usually loyal staff and walk in and out of my home as if you own the place?”
Richard laughed loudly at his cousin’s feigned anger while he sat up to look at his dour face. “Darcy, I thought when I saw that brief smile you wore a moment ago that you would not be your usual grumpy self this afternoon. I see I was wrong. I come bearing a message.”
“Tell Sebastian I am not giving him any more money.”
Richard laughed again. “It is not from my brother, though I hear he is spending his week in the arms of one of Madame du Marche’s finest. He will likely make is own request in a few days.”
Darcy groaned. “I am not bankrolling his bad behavior. Have him go to your father, or better yet, advise him to cease his expensive habits altogether. I doubt Matlock can survive the derelict behaviors of both the earl and the viscount.”
Richard rolled his eyes. “Yes, yes, I’ll let you give them that little lecture. Again.”
Darcy sighed in frustration. Not that they would listen. He did not understand why his cousins or his uncle did not take their heritage seriously. Matlock had once been a grand estate that rivaled Pemberley in both size and production. Now it was being sold off piece by piece to fund a lifestyle of indulgence and laziness. It saddened him to think that so little care was taken of his mother’s ancestral home. Thank God she had been so different than the rest of her family.