by Wendi Sotis
A few minutes later, when all others were involved in a lively discussion, Georgiana turned to her brother and spoke in hushed tones, “Fitzwilliam, I have been thinking. May I ask Lizzy to remain with us whilst we are at Ramsgate?”
The Misses Bennet and Georgiana had been spending a great deal of time together since Darcy had arrived, and he had just been thinking that he could not imagine being at Ramsgate even a single day without seeing Elizabeth. However, any time Elizabeth was near, it was becoming more difficult to conceal his fascination with her. If she were to stay with them, he did not know what the consequences might be.
Glancing at his charge, he took in the hopeful anticipation of Georgiana’s expression, and he could see in her eyes how necessary to her happiness her friend’s company had become. Her request alone demonstrated a degree of self-confidence that had been previously non-existent in his sister’s behaviour. He was pleasantly surprised to have it surface after the disappointment Wickham had doled out. This subtle change in Georgiana’s conduct was refreshing, and he hoped she would feel more comfortable expressing her preferences in the future instead of his always having to guess. After getting to know a little of Jane Bennet’s temperament, he could not imagine that she had anything to do with this change in Georgiana’s behaviour and could only attribute it to Elizabeth’s influence. No matter what level of discomfort it might cause him to have Elizabeth come live with them, Georgiana’s well-being would always be considered before his own.
Darcy nodded. “If her uncle agrees, we can convey Miss Elizabeth to the Gardiners’ home upon our arrival at London next week. However, I hope you do not raise your hopes too high, Georgie. Mr. Gardiner’s answer might not be to your liking.”
“If so, I would understand, Brother.”
Once Darcy and Mr. Gardiner had settled into the study for a glass of brandy, Darcy brought up the subject.
Mr. Gardiner seemed surprised and more than a little uncomfortable. “Although Lizzy is under my protection whilst she is with us, you do understand that I am not her guardian. I am not certain I have the right to agree to such a scheme without Mr. Bennet’s permission.”
Darcy was unsure whether he was feeling more disappointment or relief.
Mr. Gardiner spoke again, “However, I am almost certain that Mr. Bennet would approve. Allow me to discuss this with my wife before giving you my final answer.”
“Would Miss Elizabeth’s absence be an inconvenience during your journey to London?”
“Between Jane, myself, the maids, and the nanny, I would think we can help my wife manage the children well enough on the trip. They cannot run far while inside a coach, which is when Elizabeth is indispensable!”
After the gentlemen returned to the ladies, Darcy saw Mr. Gardiner gesture to Mrs. Gardiner directly, and the two were absent from the room for some time. He felt some encouragement when Mrs. Gardiner caught his eye and smiled at him as they returned. When the couple then approached Elizabeth, her face brightened as Mr. Gardiner spoke to her. Several minutes later, she crossed the room to stand before the Darcys.
“Georgiana, my uncle has just informed me of your invitation. I thank you; it would be a pleasure to stay with you a few days.”
Darcy drew in a deep breath and promised to himself with conviction, I will harden myself to her charms and emerge from this trial retaining full ownership of my heart!
~%~
August 7, 1811
Jane folded one of Elizabeth’s gowns and handed it to her sister. As Elizabeth placed it in her trunk, Jane asked, “Do you really think staying with the Darcys is wise?”
Surprised, Elizabeth looked up with a quizzical expression. “Absolutely. I anticipate having a lovely week with Georgiana. Why do you ask?”
“It is only that... Lizzy, I fear for your safety.”
“My safety? Have you heard something of Mr. Darcy that you have not told me?”
“No...” Jane’s confused expression turned to one of horror when Elizabeth’s meaning became clear to her. “Oh, no, Lizzy! I have heard nothing but good of Mr. Darcy. It is only—well, we have been fortunate that our aunt and uncle have assumed your letters have come from home. What will happen if you receive a drawing whilst you are staying with the Darcys?”
“Oh, is that all? Jane, you frightened me!” Elizabeth shook her head. “It is a valid question, but I have decided that the chances are slim—after all, I will be with them only a week—but if it does happen, I shall do everything in my power to avoid answering such a question.”
The ladies continued packing Elizabeth’s trunk for several minutes before Jane replied, “And if you are pressed for an answer?”
Elizabeth spoke hesitantly, “If I am pressed, I will—”
Jane did not look up from smoothing the creases from the gown she just had just folded. “You will say it is from me, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth straightened from her stooped position and placed her hands on her hips. “Jane! Are you advising that I lie to my hosts?”
Jane turned quickly, relieved to recognize the teasing light dancing in her sister’s eyes. “After thinking on it, I do not see any other way. Not many would believe the truth.”
“Fear not. The gypsies seem to be aware of many things about me before I am. I must assume that somehow they would know that I should not receive a drawing during a certain period of time. Similarly, I am confident that if a letter is delivered, all will turn out well in the end.”
~%~
August 8, 1811
As the Gardiner’s luggage was being loaded onto their carriage early the next morning, the Darcy coach pulled up to the curb to collect Elizabeth and her belongings. After the family made their goodbyes, including Jane’s whispered reminder of the previous day’s discussion, Elizabeth joined a maid sent to accompany her in the Darcys’ luxurious coach, and she was on her way.
Georgiana and Darcy greeted Elizabeth upon her arrival at their rented house. Darcy quickly excused himself. Georgiana showed her friend to her room.
Later, Elizabeth was sitting on the sofa with Georgiana, and Mrs. Younge was across from them. The two young ladies were busy finding amusement in Elizabeth’s initial attempt to copy a stitch that Georgiana had just taught her when Mrs. Younge suddenly excused herself and rushed from the room.
With a concerned expression, Georgiana observed, “Mrs. Younge is still not herself, but she will not allow me to ask my brother to call for a physician.”
Remembering the scene in one of the drawings showing Mrs. Younge with Wickham, Elizabeth thought, She, too, has been taken in by Mr. Wickham’s charms and is feeling the sting of disappointment. I cannot imagine how painful the news of his proposal to Georgiana must have been for her!
“She does not seem to be feeling that poorly, Georgie. I suggest you wait another day or two, and if she is not showing any improvement by then, ask again.”
~%~
In the hall, Darcy hesitated with his hand on the latch to the drawing room door, closing his eyes to listen more fully to the sounds coming from within. After all the long months she had been ill, it was such a pleasure to hear his sister’s laughter—he did not want to interrupt by walking through the door at that moment.
When the sounds of their merriment had quieted, Darcy passed into the drawing room and stopped. He could see the ladies in profile, sitting together on a low-backed sofa, facing the windows in order to take advantage of the light. Georgiana was watching Elizabeth, both ladies’ attention wholly engaged by a piece of cloth that Elizabeth was embroidering. Elizabeth pulled the thread tightly and looked up at Georgiana; even from across the room he could see the triumph sparkling in her eyes. Both ladies smiled widely.
“Nicely done!” Georgiana declared.
“Thank you, Georgie; this is a much neater stitch than I have ever done before. Now the question is—can I do it again?”
It was obvious that there was a private joke involved in Elizabeth’s last statement, for Georgiana was having a
difficult time holding back her mirth.
I have never seen Georgiana behave thusly with anyone but Anne, Richard, or myself. This camaraderie would occur often if I were to take Elizabeth as my wife.
He stifled a gasp as the thought startled him—it was impossible for so many reasons, the most noteworthy being that he barely knew her! Realizing he should not allow himself to be near Elizabeth when his heart was calling out for her in such a way, and that the ladies had not yet noticed him, Darcy returned to the hall, closing the door softly behind him. Staring at the door, he removed his hand from the latch as quickly as if it had burned his flesh. Turning, he found the housekeeper standing nearby, a length of linen draped over her arm and a curious expression upon her face. He straightened his spine and brushed a piece of lint from the arm of his coat in order to avoid her gaze.
She took a hesitant step towards him. “Can I help you, sir?” she asked softly.
“No, I... I did not wish to interrupt the ladies. Send for me when Miss Darcy calls for tea; I will be in the study.”
Walking off in the direction of that room, he reminded himself that on his desk sat correspondence forwarded here from London to which he had not yet replied. Among the letters were a number of invitations to events where he would meet with young ladies who were much more suitable for a man of his station than was Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Of late, he had been too little in the company of ladies of rank—he must respond in the affirmative to all!
~%~
“Fitzwilliam has taken me to several plays, and I have attended the opera twice,” Georgiana said over their dessert. “I enjoyed both, but I do like the theatre better.”
“When my sisters or I visit London, my Uncle Gardiner gives us a choice between the opera and a play. My younger sisters do not wish to try opera, and since my aunt tells us that her husband has never learnt to appreciate it, Jane and I choose the theatre so that we do not torture the poor man.” Elizabeth hesitated and then chuckled. “Although, he did not offer any such entertainment for a while after he had treated us to the premiere performance of Macbeth at the newly rebuilt Theatre Royal two years ago.”
Up until that point, Darcy had only listened to their conversation whilst the ladies discussed the diversions they enjoyed in London. Now, he straightened, opening his eyes wide. “The opening performance?”
Elizabeth nodded.
“I do not understand,” an extremely confused Georgiana exclaimed. “What is the significance of that performance?”
“The theatre had been destroyed by fire the year before,” Darcy explained. “During the first performance in the newly rebuilt theatre, many in the crowd were unhappy about the increased price of a seat.” He turned to Elizabeth. “I had heard the events of that evening were quite frightening.”
“Mr. Gardiner and his business partner had rented a box for the occasion. Fortunately, it was on the second tier, and we were not surrounded by the majority of the rioters, but the noise they made, interrupting the performance, was quite alarming.”
Elizabeth would have ended her story there, but both Georgiana and Darcy seemed to expect her to continue—and so, she did, “When the first hint of trouble began, Mr. Smith went to collect our wraps and call for the carriages, but he did not return. I am sure you can imagine my poor uncle’s state when it became clear that he had become the sole protector of six ladies—three of whom were already in hysterics over what might have happened to their husband and father. When the mob’s protest continued to escalate, Mr. Gardiner decided that we must leave before it was too late.
“The scene in the corridor was complete chaos with most of the spectators rushing to depart at the same moment.” She shook her head. “I am certain I would have joined them in their panic had not it been for the example set by my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Being swept away by the movement of the crowd, Jane and I were separated from the others—I believe we each remained brave only for the sake of the other!”
“What happened next?” Georgiana asked.
“Eventually, we made our way out of doors and recognized my uncle’s carriage. None of us had seen Mr. Smith, but Mr. Gardiner did not wish to leave us to look for him. Knowing we would be much safer away from the theatre, my uncle saw us all inside and then climbed atop with the driver, ordering him to leave.”
“I do hope Mr. Smith was uninjured!”
Elizabeth nodded, “He caught up to us later at the Gardiners’ home. It seemed that he had been attempting to rejoin us in the box, but found it impossible to walk against the tide of people leaving the building. In fact, he was able to see our departure from his vantage point and was quite relieved that Mr. Gardiner had not waited for him.”
Georgiana visibly shuddered. “I do not think I would have been able to endure such a frightful situation!”
“I believe you would have done just as well, Georgiana,” Elizabeth stated with a smile. “But let us pray that you shall never have to prove it to anybody!”
Georgiana nodded.
In an attempt to change the subject, Elizabeth redirected her friend by asking which operas and plays she had attended so far. When Georgiana mentioned having attending a presentation of King Lear, Elizabeth said, “I had been reading King Lear again since coming to Ramsgate, but the book belonged to the library at the house my uncle rented, and I had to leave it behind.”
“Although the collection of books here may not as complete as those in my own libraries, I do remember seeing a few of Shakespeare’s plays among the shelves here.” Darcy pushed his chair back and stood. “Let us adjourn to the study and see if we cannot find it for you.”
~%~
His mind too busy replaying the events of the day, Darcy had endured enough of tossing and turning, and rose from the bed. After lighting a candle, he dressed in a lawn shirt, trousers, and a dressing gown, and settled into a chair nearby. The book of poetry reminded him of a conversation he had enjoyed with Elizabeth earlier in the evening. Darcy headed towards the study to choose something else to read.
Upon his arrival at the study, he noticed the door was slightly ajar. Pushing it open, he stopped short, surprised to see Elizabeth within. From his vantage point, he guessed that she must have dressed herself to come down and was unable to reach several buttons at the top of her gown. The light from the hearth played upon the exposed skin halfway down her back to where a bit of lace on the edge of her chemise began. His fingers itched to trace the line of her spine.
I should not be alone with this tempting creature! he thought, and yet he could not force his feet to lead him away from her.
Elizabeth examined several volumes and then reached for a book that was too high for her limited stature. Darcy’s first impulse was to move forward and offer his assistance, but he became distracted by what she did next. Taking her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes searched the room. She placed her candle on a nearby table and stooped to pull a footstool towards the shelves.
Concern for her safety broke the spell that had held Darcy rooted amongst the shadows of the hallway. Taking a step or two into the room, he cleared his throat to announce his presence.
“Mr. Darcy!” Elizabeth startled and straightened, quickly turning her back away from him—he assumed in order to hide her state of undress.
He sensed more than saw her blush in the dim light. Darcy bowed slightly.
“I found that I am not in the mood for a tragedy after all, sir. I came down to find something else.”
“And the book you desire is out of your reach?”
She nodded. “I am still thinking of Shakespeare, but I might do better with a comedy this evening.”
As he moved closer to the bookcase, her scent invaded his senses, making him profoundly aware of the nearness of her person. Her attempt at backing away from him was thwarted by the lack of space at this corner of the room.
If I had not been so utterly distracted—if I was truly a gentleman—I would have stepped aside to let her move away before offering my assis
tance.
Now it was too late; he would do better feigning ignorance of his faux pas. He forced his gaze to search the shelf where Shakespeare’s volumes stood.
“Is Twelfth Night more to your liking?”
Confused by her lack of response, he looked down. Her soft, steady regard and the quickness of her breathing sent a thrill through him. His gaze caressed her features and settled upon her mouth. Her full lips parted, and he leaned towards her slightly. Her quiet gasp brought him to his senses.
Darcy straightened and stepped away to a more appropriate distance. Clearing his throat, the contempt he felt at his complete disregard of propriety saturated his voice when he barked, “Why did you not call a servant to retrieve a book?”
Her eyes widened and brows rose as she replied, “Would I not be thought of as exceedingly selfish should I interrupt someone performing their duties or disturb their sleep, only to get a book off a shelf?”
“Most assume that servants are here to serve the occupants of the house.”
She pursed her lips but held her tongue.
“I will not allow my guests to be injured whilst climbing on furniture,” he snapped. “In the future, if an item is not within your reach, I ask that you either request assistance or do without.”
“I will have you know that I am a champion tree climber, sir. If standing on a mere foot stool should cause me an injury, I would be thoroughly ashamed.”
In addition to the fire of anger brightening her eyes, a most appealing colour was now spreading across her cheeks. In his distraction, the novelty of what she had revealed took him off guard. Darcy could control his countenance for only so long before he burst out laughing. Instead of taking offense, as one would expect after a gentleman so boldly derided a lady, Elizabeth joined him in his mirth.
“Have you not been told that ladies should not climb... anything?” he asked between chuckles.
“It just so happens that my mother has found a need to remind me on a daily basis since the moment I took my first steps, sir! It has required a great deal of discipline on my part to curb most of the hoydenish activities I favoured as a young girl, but I am afraid my passion for tree climbing is one that I have yet to overcome. However, I have become more careful.”