Darcy and Elizabeth--A Most Unlikely Couple

by Brenda J. Webb

  Jane nodded, forcing a wan smile. “Yes, I believe Char—I mean, Mr. Bingley’s report.”

  “You may call him Charles when speaking to me. I know how close you are.”

  Jane nodded. “What I worry about most is that while Mr. Darcy might not be unkind to Lizzy, he may completely misunderstand her, for she is unique. You and I know that she can be brusque—she takes after Papa—but underneath has a very tender heart.”

  “I understand. We can only trust that both of them shall give the other the benefit of the doubt. If you will pray for that to happen, I shall, too. You know the Bible says that if ‘two or more agree as touching any matter—’”

  “It shall be done,” Jane finished, smiling genuinely now. “I shall agree with you.”

  “Then it is sure to happen eventually! Now, while we are on the subject of marriage, have you and Mr. Bingley settled on a date? I know there has been no formal announcement, but it is clear that you and he have an understanding.” Jane blushed, but did not refute her words. “Will there be enough time to bring you to London to shop for your trousseau in the proper manner, or will your engagement be as rushed as Lizzy’s?”

  The question made her niece giggle. “You know Mama will never agree to let me marry quickly, though I think Charles would like to follow his friend’s example. She wishes to parade us all over the county and brag of his circumstances for at least six months, I think—perhaps even a year.”

  “But what of you? What do you want?”

  “While I wish to marry him, I am in no rush to get married. All of the theatrics that have occurred since Andrew Darcy compromised Lizzy have put me off anything to do with weddings. I wish to calm down—to breathe again—before undertaking such an important step.”

  “You are sensible. But, of course, you were always the sensible one.”

  Jane could not help but smile at the compliment. “Lizzy says I am too nonchalant, that things do not ruffle me when they should.”

  “Maybe a little, but that is not necessarily a disadvantage. You look before you leap, while others—well, this entire debacle was a result of not thinking before leaping. God bless her, Lizzy has often been too apt to run headfirst into danger. Do you remember the time she decided to remove the hornet’s nest from the apple tree in the garden?”

  Jane laughed aloud. “Do I? I have never run so fast in my entire life! We could not go out of the house for days, fearing we would be stung.”

  “I know, for I was here!” Mrs. Gardiner pushed a hair from her niece’s forehead. “It is good to see you smile again.”

  “Thank you for making me smile.” Jane grew pensive. “Do you think the wedding has quelled what is being said about Lizzy and Andrew Darcy?”

  “If the number who attended the wedding and packed into Longbourn to fete the bride and groom is any indication, it has already been forgotten.”

  Just then, the door flew open, banging against the wall behind. “Jane! Why are you up here chatting with your aunt when we have guests? Come down this minute and help me. And do not be slow about it.”

  Instantly, she was gone. Mrs. Gardiner winked at Jane as they stood up.

  “Duty calls,” Jane sighed.

  “Remember. In no time at all you will be married and no longer subject to your mother’s whims, if that is any consolation. ”

  “I believe I shall miss even her whims when I am no longer here,” Jane said pensively.

  Aunt Gardiner patted her hand sympathetically. Then they quit the room and began to descend the stairs arm in arm.

  Somewhere in the tumult below, Mrs. Bennet could be heard over the din, saying, “And to think! He has ten thousand a year and half of Derbyshire!”

  Chapter 13

  Darcy House

  That evening

  Having finished dressing for dinner, William decided to see if Elizabeth was dressed as well. Since she had no lady’s maid as yet, he was not sure if she was alone or if the maid who had helped with her bath was still attending her.

  Going to the door that connected his bedroom with the mistress’ suite, he opened it cautiously, peering inside the sitting room that they shared. Not seeing Elizabeth there, he gingerly proceeded across to the door that led to her bedroom. Trying that knob, he found it unlocked, so he gave several loud raps upon it. Hearing no answer, once again he opened it cautiously only to find that she was not there either. Consequently, he crossed that room, stopping in the middle to make sure she was not on the balcony. Not seeing her outside, William continued to the door of her dressing room which, unexpectedly, had not been closed all the way.

  From that vantage point, he could see Elizabeth standing in front of her dressing table, bent over at the waist, brushing her hair. She was tossing the thick, glossy locks to one side of her head, brushing them vigorously, then flipping them to the other side and repeating the deed. Her endeavours seemed to cause the curls to relax a bit in waves. Suddenly, she stood up straight, letting the ebony mass cascade down her shoulders and back. It was magnificent, reaching more than halfway down her back and shining like crystal. William was awestruck. And in that moment, he longed to feel those tresses soft against his skin more than he wished to breathe.

  Elizabeth, totally unaware of his presence, then began to braid her hair. Apparently in too much of a hurry, she dropped one of the strands.

  “Drat! I shall never finish,” she said, stamping her foot in frustration.

  “May I be of service?”

  Elizabeth jumped, startled to hear Mr. Darcy’s voice. Her hand flew to her heart as she turned to face him, completely forgetting that she was wearing only her chemise and a thin dressing gown. William’s heart began to beat faster at the sight of her breasts straining against the diaphanous fabric, the dark centres easily recognisable. For a moment, he stared without thinking. Noting where his eyes were trained, Elizabeth crimsoned, crossing her arms over her chest. Instantly he began to speak, though his voice was unsteady.

  “Please excuse me. I did not mean to startle you. I knocked on the door,” he tilted his head towards the door he had entered, “but you must not have heard me.”

  “I... I did not,” Elizabeth managed to say. “But it is no matter. It is your house, and you are free to come and go as you please.”

  “No. I should have made another attempt to alert you. After all, these are your rooms now and I should knock before entering.”

  She paused, seeming a bit confused. “That is very kind of you.” Then she added, “Still, I am uncertain of how you might be of service.”

  “I have some experience in styling hair,” he said confidently. As one of Elizabeth’s eyebrows rose in question, he added, “With Georgiana’s hair.”

  “Oh, I see, and what do you propose to do with my unruly curls?”

  “I am very good at braiding in the French style,” he answered triumphantly. “When my sister was very young, my mother was so ill that Georgiana had a French governess who helped with her care. She began to braid her hair in the custom of her country, which was more intricate than any braids I had ever seen. Often, I watched her, mesmerized by how she accomplished it. When she had to return to France, she taught me how to braid Georgiana’s hair in the same manner.”

  “I am surprised that she taught you and not another maid.”

  “You have to understand the circumstances,” he explained. “My sister is tender-headed and at the age of nine would not allow just anyone to brush her hair. She was used to my help, so I was the one she chose to master the technique. Besides, at that age, I was keen to give it a try, just to see if I could do it.

  “I see. So now you fancy yourself an expert?”

  “Not an expert! In fact, it has been years since I have attempted it, but I am willing to try my hand at it. The lady’s maid that I asked Mrs. Barnes to engage will be here tomorrow, so you shall never have to put up with my skills again.”

  Elizabeth studied herself in the mirror, making a face at the image staring back. “I s
uppose it cannot look any worse.”

  William swept an arm towards a chair and she sat down. He took his place behind her, a little giddy at the thought of being able to touch her hair. As he began to gather the long locks in order to braid them, they were just as silky as he had imagined and unknowingly he released a sigh.

  “Defeated already? Are you discouraged before you begin?”

  Embarrassed that she had heard him, he mumbled, “I... I was just admiring your hair. It is beautiful.”

  She blushed, her eyes falling. “I need to have it cut, as it is getting too hard to manage without a maid.”

  “No!” William exclaimed. Seeing her look of surprise, he added less vehemently, “I meant to say that you shall have all the help you need very shortly. And, to be honest, I do not wish for you to cut your hair. I would be very disappointed if you did.”

  The corners of Elizabeth’s mouth lifted slightly. “I shall keep that in mind.”

  Relieved, William proceeded to braid Elizabeth’s hair in an intricate pattern that ended at her shoulders, leaving the rest loose. When he was done, he reached for a small mirror on the dresser and handed it to her. She stood and turned in order to examine his handiwork.

  “You are hired to do my hair,” she teased, which caused him to beam. “But I think I should fashion what you left undone into a bun. To wear it loose is more the fashion for young girls.”

  “My wife shall wear her hair as she wishes or as I wish. And, for now, I wish it to be down so that I can admire it.”

  “Then would you will be so kind as to call a maid to help me dress.” She saw the gleam in his eye. “Do not tell me that you have experience as a lady’s maid.”

  “What can I say? My mother was ill so much after Georgiana was born that I often looked after her. It was nothing for me to button or unbutton a gown.”

  Her eyebrow rose higher as her eyes twinkled. “I would have liked to have seen how you handle stays. But, unfortunately, they have gone out of favour with the new styles.”

  “Alas, I have no experience with stays. By the time Georgiana was a young woman, she had conceded to having a lady’s maid do her hair and help her dress.” His sky-blue eyes twinkled even more brightly as he struggled not to smile. “However, I am willing to learn anything that may be useful to you. That is, if you wish it.”

  Elizabeth’s smile vanished. William immediately noticed the change and guessed the reason for her reluctance.

  “Elizabeth, there is something that I have wished to say to you since we left Longbourn.” She tilted her head questioningly. “I do not want you to feel that you must... that we must... ” As he searched for the right words, her wide, dark eyes blinked continuously, and he struggled not to get lost in them.

  “I do not want you to think that I do not desire you... as my wife. I do—more than you shall ever know. But I am willing... ” He swallowed hard, forcing himself to continue. “I am willing to wait until you decide that you are ready to consummate our marriage... if that will ease your mind.”

  Instantly, her eyes filled with tears, and she flew into his embrace. She hugged him, barely managing not to cry. Delighting in the feel of her body next to his, his arms instinctively tightened and for a moment he regretted ever making the offer. He began to pray that she might refuse his offer, but it was not to be; for just as quickly as she had embraced him, she pushed away.

  “I am so grateful for your understanding, and you are correct—it will ease my mind... very much.”

  Nearly overcome with desire, he could barely reply. “Then it is settled. I shall wait until you come to me. And until then, I think it best that we maintain separate bedrooms.”

  That remark was confusing to Elizabeth, for her parents had always kept separate bedrooms and, according to her mother, that was the way of all married couples. So she made a mental note to ask her Aunt Gardiner about it, for she was not about to broach the subject with William—especially since he had been so generous.

  “I agree,” she whispered. Taking a deep breath, she pasted on a smile. “Now, if you would ring for a maid so that I may finish dressing, I am sure that your cousin is wondering what has become of us. He must be starved. ”

  The mention of Richard lightened the mood. “I imagine my cousin could not care less where I am, and he never starves, I can assure you of that. But you are correct, for most likely he is already at the table. I shall ring for a maid and wait in the hall until you are ready, Elizabeth.”

  Immediately William was out the door, closing it quietly behind him; however, Elizabeth had seen his smile disappear the moment he turned away from her, his disappointment palpable.

  Clearly he wished for me to object. After all, what man would not want to consummate his marriage on his wedding night? She shrugged guiltily. But I cannot pretend that I am not relieved to have more time to know him better.

  With that confession, she hurried to the bedroom that was now hers, though she did not feel comfortable claiming it. Shaking off her misgivings, Elizabeth entered the closet to find the few gowns that she had brought from Meryton hanging neatly in a row. They looked pitiful in the cavernous space, and she stepped forward to study each critically, convinced that none would do for her first dinner as mistress. Nonetheless, she set aside her reservations.

  After all, she mused, I cannot go downstairs in my chemise.

  That thought made her giggle just as she heard the bedroom door open and close. Assuming a more appropriate expression, she stepped out of the closet to greet the maid. The servant was young and pretty, with hair so light it was almost white. She curtseyed at the sight of Elizabeth.

  “I am Maggie, Mrs. Darcy. Mrs. Barnes sent me to assist you.”

  Elizabeth motioned to the closet. “Thank you, Maggie. If you would be so kind as to help me into my green gown, I shall join my husband for dinner.”

  The gown in question was of plain white muslin, featuring a light green bodice and sleeves, as well as a matching border at the hem. Other than being serviceable, there was nothing to recommend it. Clearly the maid was surprised that it was not of better quality, for her face fell as she brought it from the closet into the light.

  “I shall be happy to,” she managed to murmur. Before long Maggie was fastening the buttons, though she kept stealing glances at her new mistress in a large mirror that stood in one corner of the room. “There, all finished,” she announced sombrely. “Do you wish me to do anything else?”

  “No, thank you. You are free to go.”

  The young maid bobbed another quick curtsey and left.

  Opening the door to the hallway, Maggie found that Mr. Darcy was still leaning against the door directly across from his wife’s bedroom, just as he had been when she came up. His head was down, as if deep in thought, and one of his legs was bent, with an expensive boot propped against the doorframe. He looked so very dashing that she could not help but smile as she passed him, though he never looked up. Curious, she hurried to the landing at the top of the grand staircase, turned the corner and then peeked back down the hall to see how he would react when his wife came out. She did not have to wait long, for in a moment the door opened and she appeared. Mr. Darcy was instantly at her side. Though she could not hear what was being said, the look on his face as he gazed at his bride was unmistakable.

  Well, it was evidently a love match on his part! I suppose there is no accounting for taste.

  Looking around to make sure no one was watching, she ran towards the steps that led to the kitchen, for it would not do to let Mrs. Barnes see her spying on the Darcys. She knew how particular the housekeeper was about servants keeping their mouths and eyes shut when it came to their employer.

  DOWNSTAIRS

  The Dining Room

  Colonel Fitzwilliam had been in the dining room for some time before William and Elizabeth appeared. Though one could not tell, he had lifted the silver covers from the serving dishes to see what Cook had prepared and, being hungry, pinched a roll, dipped it int
o the gravy that surrounded a pheasant, and finished it off in a few short bites. Quite pleased with having gotten away with that manoeuvre, he justified his actions because his hosts were late for dinner.

  After all, they make me wait while they are upstairs doing... Richard paused to consider what they might be doing. A wide grin followed. Whatever they do! But I cannot live on love! Hence, I must eat at regular—

  “Have you been waiting long, Cousin?” William asked as he and Elizabeth entered the room and he directed his wife to a chair. Across the table, Richard stared at her with his mouth agape. Though William was proud that her beauty would cause such a reaction, he was equally jealous that it had.

  “Have you been waiting long, Cousin?” William asked as he directed his wife to a chair. Across the table, Richard stared at Elizabeth with his mouth agape. Though William was proud that her beauty would cause such a reaction, he was equally jealous that it had.

  “Richard, you are staring,” he said, taking his place. The tone of his voice carried a warning, bringing the colonel out of his stupor.

  “I apologise, Mrs. Darcy, but other than when Georgiana wore her hair in that manner, I do not think I have seen anything as lovely.”

  Elizabeth blushed, her eyes falling to the tablecloth. “You are too kind.”

  The talk quickly turned to more mundane things, such as what the cook had prepared for dinner. While the wine was being poured, a loud commotion in the foyer drew everyone’s attention, and dinner was quickly forgotten. Recognising his father’s voice, Richard stood immediately and left the room without bothering to excuse himself.

  William rose to follow, leaning over to say to his wife, “Please finish your dinner, Elizabeth. This may take a while, and I would not want your food to grow cold. I shall return as soon as possible.”