by APRIL FLOYD
Jane worried for her sister, but knew Elizabeth would confide when she was ready. “It was an eventful evening. If the ball is half as interesting, we shall have made Bingley House the talk of London.”
The next morning, Elizabeth entered the ballroom with Jane and Miss Dumont. The floors gleamed from the efforts of the maids and candles were placed around the room, ready to be lit.
Jasmine and moss roses filled vases around the room and Elizabeth knew they came from the Darcy hot house. She wondered when they had been delivered, but knew Mr. Darcy had not brought them himself. Servants would have been dispatched for such a task.
She wished to see the man again, to find whether he had read her valentine. Before bed the night before, Elizabeth had opened her valentine to find foolishness written by Mr. Dumont. Things Mr. Darcy would never have written that made Elizabeth blush to the roots of her scalp. Mr. Dumont was vulgar and bawdy and Elizabeth had wept to receive such a horrid note.
Now as she walked around the room with Jane checking that all the decoration was complete, she regretted she had kept the note and carried it now in her skirt pocket.
She meant to tell Mr. Dumont that his valentine had been completely insulting and not a thing any young lady of substance should have been offered as a romantic gesture.
Her opportunity arose as Mr. Bingley and Mr. Dumont strolled into the ballroom. The two men seemed happy about something.
Elizabeth was astonished when Mr. Dumont came to her and took both her hands. From the corner of her eye, she could see Mr. Bingley joining Jane with a satisfied smile.
“Miss Bennet, I have spoken with my cousin. I am certain you have read my note and are aware of my intentions. I have fallen in love with you and care not that you are the poor daughter of a country gentleman. I wish you to be my wife.”
Elizabeth had not expected to hear such a proposal given before her sister and Miss Dumont in the ballroom of Bingley House. She simply could not accept it, not when it came from a man she could not respect, and who did not respect her.
“Mr. Dumont, since you have chosen to ask me in front of everyone in the house, I feel no regret in answering your plea here and now. I cannot marry you as I hold so little regard for you and only suffer your presence so as to honor Mr. Bingley and my sister and not cause them a moment’s pain.”
The room was silent for a heartbeat before everyone began talking at once. Mr. Bingley approached his cousin with questions as to why Elizabeth might dislike him so plainly. Jane went to her sister’s side and took her hand, leading her away from the men.
Miss Dumont attempted to soothe her brother who was now indignant and yelling at Elizabeth. “I ought to have known better than to propose to a cold fish of a girl like you. You belong in the country, not in the city amongst gentlemen you might falsely lead along.”
Elizabeth broke away from Jane and pulled the hideous valentine from her pocket and thrust it at Mr. Bingley. “Read this, Brother, and see why I could never marry him. He is a seducer and a reprobate.”
Mr. Bingley took the note and read its contents quickly. His countenance darkened and he threw it into the fire. He grabbed his cousin by the collar and hauled him from the room with Miss Dumont running behind them, wailing that her brother was only crazed by the rejection of Miss Bennet.
Elizabeth watched in utter fascination as Mr. Dumont twisted in his cousin’s grasp in an attempt to yell at her again. Instead, Mr. Bingley’s fist crashed into his mouth and nose. Blood spurted and sprayed across a display of jasmine and moss roses and Jane pulled Elizabeth close against her side.
The butler and two footmen arrived and hauled Mr. Dumont to the front door and out onto the steps. Mr. Bingley ran his hand down the front of his coat and breathed deeply. “Take him to my club and instruct them to give him a room on my account. His things will be sent over shortly.”
To Mr. Dumont, he said. “You are never to darken this doorstep again. Lizzy is my sister and you have disgraced yourself and your family and embarrassed her. It is a wonder Emilie may stay. Off with you!”
Miss Dumont grabbed Mr. Bingley’s arms but he kindly removed her hands and waved her towards the upstairs. “Go to your room until I decide your fate. Or you may follow your brother wherever he goes.”
Instead of going upstairs, she raised her hand to slap Mr. Bingley but he caught her by the wrist. He ground out his last words for her as Jane called for her lady’s maid. The woman came, with the housekeeper, and removed Miss Dumont from the premises.
Mr. Bingley closed the door when his servants had come back inside and ordered the butler to bar it to keep Miss Dumont out. “Mrs. Osborne,” he said to the housekeeper, “have her things, and Mr. Dumont’s, packed and sent away with Miss Dumont in one of my carriages. She will find lodging among her friends here in Town.”
With that, Mr. Bingley returned to the ballroom and called for a maid to remove the bloodied flowers and clean up the mess. He strode quickly to Jane’s side to be certain she was well. “I am sorry to have displayed such violence before you, my dear. I could not allow him to hurt Lizzy even more than he already had.”
Jane laid her head against her husband’s chest and thanked him for protecting her sister. “I dare not ask about the contents of the note for I know you would never have hurt him if it was innocent.”
Elizabeth hugged herself and rocked back and forth on her heels. “I must also apologize. I should not have allowed him to bait me with his proposal. He is wicked and not worthy of notice.”
Mr. Bingley held out an arm for Elizabeth and Jane pulled her into their embrace. The three of them laughed nervously after a long hug.
Mr. Bingley wiped a tear from Elizabeth’s cheek. “You owe us no apology, little sister. I had no idea how wretched he was, and I am sorry you had to endure his odious behavior. If ever a guest in my home, our home, behaves in a way that causes you discomfort, you must come and tell us.”
Elizabeth agreed and the trio continued to see to preparations for the ball. Jane had not thought of it before, but she turned to her husband and asked the question Elizabeth had already worried over. “Do you think they shall come tonight and make a scene, Charles?”
“I will set two footmen at the steps and have them watch for Ferris and Emilie. They will not enter this home again, I assure you.”
8
The ball at Bingley House began with Mr. Bingley guiding his wife to the center of the ballroom floor and formally introducing her to the crowd gathered in their finest. Jane blushed and looked to Elizabeth to help settle her nerves.
When the crowd had cheered the newlywed couple, the musicians began a waltz and Elizabeth wiped a happy tear from her eye as she watched her favorite sister move about the ballroom floor with Mr. Bingley.
Bingley House was full to the rafters with family as Mr. Bennet had brought Elizabeth’s mother and three other sisters, Mary, Lydia, and Kitty, to London for the ball.
As other couples joined the Bingleys in their opening waltz, Elizabeth glanced around the room. There were many people she did not know, and a few that had come for tea besides the Darcys. The Dumonts were nowhere to be seen and for that, Elizabeth was grateful.
Just as she was about to make her way to the punch bowl where she spied her sister Mary, Elizabeth was surprised to find Mr. Darcy standing beside her. Miss Darcy was standing with the colonel and his parents, the Earl of Matlock and Lady Matlock, just a few feet away.
She glanced up at him and her heart picked up its pace. How she wished he had sent his valentine to her instead of the beautiful scheming cousin of Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth wondered if he had searched the crowd for Miss Dumont, though she thought surely he had heard the gossip of her expulsion from Bingley House.
Of a sudden, he turned and addressed her. “Miss Bennet, I noticed you were not joining in the dance. I imagine Mr. and Mrs. Bingley would like for you to partake in the merriment.”
Elizabeth shrugged. “Mr. Darcy, I would look silly dancing alone,
do you not think?”
Mr. Darcy laughed. “You have a point. Would you care to dance with me?”
Elizabeth peered at him closely. “Pardon me, sir, but are you well? I seem to recall that you loathe dancing.”
“If you think of our time together since you came to London with the Bingleys, I believe you may find I have changed in some respects. I would be honored to dance with you, Miss Bennet,” he said as he gave a slight bow in her direction.
Attempting to hide the smile his actions brought, Elizabeth took the arm he offered and they joined swiftly with the other couples gliding across the floor.
Mr. Darcy held her as though she were precious to him and Elizabeth did not feel the same uncomfortable closeness she had when dancing with Mr. Dumont.
When the music ended, he escorted her back to her place among the throng and went to get cups of punch for them both. Elizabeth watched him go and a happy sigh escaped her lips. How she wished it was Mr. Darcy who had proposed to her here earlier in the day.
Her cheeks grew hot to think such thoughts and she fanned herself with a gloved hand. But he had not, and perhaps her valentine for him had been too simple to relay the admiration she held for him.
When he returned and handed her a cup of punch, Elizabeth sipped it slowly, enjoying the refreshment.
Mr. Darcy took her cup when it was empty and handed it to a passing footman with an empty tray. He moved his head in an effort to loosen his cravat and Elizabeth wondered if he might join her outside if the air was not too cold.
“I believe a bit of fresh air would be as welcome as the punch. Would you care to join me on the terrace, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth said as she turned and looked across the room at the terrace doors.
Mr. Darcy agreed. “It is warm with all the dancing and this crowd.”
He lifted his arm and Elizabeth tucked her hand against his elbow. Together they wove through the crowd and were soon standing shoulder to shoulder looking out over the small garden of Bingley House. Light from the ballroom only stretched halfway across and the trees that bordered the garden wall cast long shadows.
Elizabeth shivered when a cold gust of wind swept past and Mr. Darcy removed his coat. He placed it on her shoulders and Elizabeth inhaled the scent of orange and some spice she could not name. It was likely a cologne mixed by the chemists at one of the two famous shops in Town. It tickled her nose and brought back the memory of how he’d smelled the night he came to visit and ate baked apples with her. She smiled.
Mr. Darcy noticed. “I must say I have never encountered a lady who loves the outdoors as much as you, Miss Bennet. It is refreshing. It is a pity you do not ride.”
She laughed, a deep, amused sound, and looked up at him as she stood warm inside his coat. “Horses are far too unpredictable, Mr. Darcy. I prefer the surety of my own two feet. Besides, I never run headlong into the brambles like my old mare was wont to do. Papa tried for years to make a horsewoman of me, but it was not to be.”
He turned and gazed down at her, his eyes alight with mischief. “I could make a horsewoman of you for I have many gentle, and intelligent, mares at Pemberley. I know of one in particular that might be your perfect match. Oh you would certainly love to explore the fields and woods of my home in Derbyshire.”
Elizabeth breathed deeply to calm her racing heart. Being alone with him on the terrace, inhaling his scent, and listening as he practically begged her to come to Pemberley with him had an intoxicating effect.
“My Aunt and Uncle Gardiner wish to tour the Lake District this summer. Perhaps I might visit with them. Is your home open for private tours then?”
Mr. Darcy pushed a curl behind her ear and smiled. “It is, though I am seldom there in the summertime. I often ride North and pitch a camp near my cousin’s country estate so that I might fish and ride to my heart’s content.”
Elizabeth was surprised by this admission and by the tender touch of his fingers against her ear. “I would never have taken you for the type of man who would live in a tent, sir.”
“It is uncommon for someone of my circle, yes. But I am uncommon for someone of my circle, Miss Bennet. There is much about me that might surprise you. I hope you may come to know me better.”
Mr. Darcy leaned closer and Elizabeth stood completely still. She stared into his eyes wondering whether he might kiss her. Feeling silly, she finally looked down. “I would like that very much, I think. I am not surprised when I think that perhaps your camp is an escape of sorts. I admit that wandering in nature is my own way of being alone and sorting things in my head. Perhaps we understand one another more than we know?”
He chuckled soft and low, a sound of happiness and relief. “I had never thought to find a lady who might understand and encourage my whims. Perhaps even one who might share them? Miss Bennet, I have wondered whether you might do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Elizabeth was shocked by his sudden proposal. She could not think what to say. Her heart was lodged securely in her throat but happy tears escaped her lashes.
Mr. Darcy brushed at her tears and took her hands. “I expect you are surprised, and I hope happy, to entertain the idea. I must tell you how ardently I admire and love you, my Elizabeth. I have tried to repress these longings of my heart. I have hidden my feelings so well that this must be why you have been struck dumb. When I did not receive a valentine from you, my heart doubted that you might return my feelings…”
Elizabeth found her voice at his mention of the valentine. “Oh, but I did. I did write my valentine to you.”
Mr. Darcy’s brow furrowed. “I was only given one valentine, from Miss Dumont. I believe we both have been duped, my dear. Charles told me of Dumont’s proposal and his wicked note. I wish I had been present to throw him out of this house.”
Elizabeth shook her head in disbelief. “So Miss Dumont must have given my valentine, that was for you, to her brother and kept the one you wrote to me for herself! I am sorry to speak ill of others, but the two of them are wicked to the core. Why would she think you might want her?”
Mr. Darcy dipped his head and glanced away, his shame overcoming him. “Years ago, I was fooled by her beauty, a mistake of my youth you might say, an infatuation. I courted her for a time until I found her with another man. Miss Dumont is too ripe and ready by half, that has never changed. I’m ashamed now to admit I was ever one of her marks.”
Elizabeth lifted her hand and cradled his cheek. “She is lovely and dangerous, Mr. Darcy. I could not blame you for feeling something akin to love. She is a beguiling creature.”
Mr. Darcy leaned into Elizabeth’s hand and sighed. “Oh, my Elizabeth. I do love you, every word and deed and look. Yes, yes! You are handsome enough to tempt me beyond anything Miss Dumont could ever have done. Will you answer me so that my heart might resume its work or will you fell me like a great Oak here on this terrace with a silent refusal?”
Elizabeth moved closer and placed her free hand on his other cheek and tiptoed quickly to place a chaste kiss upon his lips. When she sank back and felt the solid stone beneath her feet again, she whispered a yes that Mr. Darcy strained to hear.
He picked her up and spun her about the terrace inducing girlish giggles that he silenced with his lips when at last he sat her back on her feet.
Elizabeth was breathless, winded by his passion, and dizzy on the love that blossomed between them in the cold, gusty air of a February night.
9
Mr. Darcy stood before Mr. Bingley and Mr. Bennet in the library of Bingley House with Elizabeth at his side.
The two had been found by Mr. Bennet when he had stepped outside to seek refuge from his gossiping wife and silly daughters in the midst of the ball.
Now, he eyed Mr. Darcy and his favorite daughter. Instead of speaking to the man, he addressed Elizabeth. “Do you love this man, Lizzy? In Hertfordshire, you claimed to your mother that you could never be persuaded to dance with him. Now you have fallen in love in so few weeks?”
Elizab
eth blushed at her father’s words. She glanced at Mr. Darcy who only smiled serenely and nodded for her to answer her father.
“I do love him, Papa. He is much different from what I first judged him to be. In London, I have come to see another side of Mr. Darcy. He is kind and patient, and a good brother and friend. With me, he has been honest and apologetic for the misunderstandings between us in Hertfordshire. Jane was right and I was wrong,” she turned from her father and looked at Mr. Darcy, speaking to him, “I do love Mr. Darcy, with all my heart.”
Mr. Bennet shook his head. “Well, your mother will be pleased to see you married as he is worth ten thousand and that she may brag about to Lady Lucas and all her friends, but I shall miss you, my daughter. I will be left with Mary, Kitty, and Lydia I suppose, though all three of them together could never equal you. I expect that I may visit at Pemberley?”
Mr. Darcy turned to Mr. Bennet as he held Elizabeth close to his side. “You may live at Pemberley if it pleases you sir, for I do know the place you hold in Elizabeth’s heart. I shall love and protect her, honor and cherish her all my days. If it pleases you, will you allow your daughter to become my wife?”
Mr. Bennet turned to Mr. Bingley. “What say you, son? Can you vouch for your friend? Do you believe he loves my Elizabeth?”
Mr. Bingley patted Mr. Bennet on the back. “Our Lizzy could not have chosen better, sir. He is sometimes a bit pompous and can appear aloof, but once you know him, you will find he is a fine man of principal and character. I have known for quite some time he favored Lizzy.”
Elizabeth gave a surprised look in Mr. Bingley’s direction, her brows raised but he only laughed. “It was plain, little sister. We all saw it, even Jane.”
At this, the library door gave way and in tumbled Mrs. Bennet and Jane and the rest of Elizabeth’s sisters followed by Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Even Miss Darcy and the colonel ended up trailing in behind with the Matlocks.