by Wells, Linda
“Darcy, I should like to speak to you privately.”
“I have no doubt of the topic Aunt; however, this is no time for discussion. I intend to dance this evening.” He bowed and smiled slightly; and looking back down to Elizabeth, placed his free hand over hers. “Shall we, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I am in your hands, sir.” She laughed when he lifted his chin proudly. They began to walk off when Layton awoke from his stupor.
“Ah, Miss Elizabeth, may I have your fourth set?” She glanced at Darcy who nodded slightly and smiled.
“Of course sir, I look forward to knowing another of Mr. Darcy’s cousins.” They moved away and into the ballroom, and instantly Lady Matlock rounded on her silent husband.
“Who is she?” Lady Matlock demanded. “Why have I heard nothing of her? And this sister of hers? Who are they? How did she meet Darcy? What has happened?”
“Dear, we are neglecting our duties.” He nodded to people waiting in line to greet them, and whispered. “Finish here and we will speak.” He caught her glare and he looked over to his heir.
“She is stunning, Father, as is her sister. I have no memory of either of them this Season,” He turned to his wife, “Do you?”
“No, I would have remembered them, particularly Miss Bennet, she is beautiful. Miss Elizabeth has clearly captured Darcy’s attention.”
Lord Matlock held his tongue and greeted the final arrivals. “Come, we must begin the dancing.” He took Lady Matlock’s arm and guided her into the ballroom. As they walked he whispered to his wife. “Darcy has cared for Miss Elizabeth for two years but knew that she was too young to pursue. They just recently met again, and their …attraction was mutual and re-established all of their previous feelings.”
“He has longed for this girl?” Lady Matlock watched as the couple took their places for the opening quadrille.
“From what he told me, he has thought of her steadily, and thrilled with each glimpse over the years.” Lord Matlock saw his wife’s eyes softening at the thought of this delayed romance. “Now I understand why he was so resistant to our efforts.”
They took their places and the music began. Lady Matlock came to meet him in the centre of the floor. “How long have you known of this, Henry?”
“One week.”
“And why did you not tell me?”
“I wished for you to be surprised.” Lord Matlock smiled weakly and his wife of five and thirty years read him instantly.
“What are you hiding, Henry?”
“Look Helen, see how Darcy smiles!” He distracted her and they looked to see that indeed, Darcy was smiling.
“How are you; Elizabeth?” He whispered as they passed each other, then came around to link arms.
“Frightened out of my mind. And you?”
“Shaking in my boots.” He smiled to hear her laugh. “You are so beautiful.” Elizabeth blushed and he bent down as they let go and moved apart again. “I can think of what will relieve my fear.”
Elizabeth considered him as they stood still, waiting for their turn to move again. When at last it arrived she held out her hands to him. “Perhaps a reassuring sermon?”
Darcy chuckled. “No, I believe that my thoughts do not belong in a church.”
“Oh, then a calming game of Whist, I saw the card rooms set up as we walked to the ballroom.” Elizabeth lifted her brow and he shook his head emphatically. “You do not like cards? Oh Mr. Darcy, that is a problem, I cannot abide a man who does not play. I find him wanting.”
“Do you? Well I find a woman who purposely avoids the topic to be …”
“Yes, Fitzwilliam?” She whispered as she drifted by.
“Intoxicating.” He whispered on her return and heard her giggle. They turned again and his eyes bore into hers. “Will you hear me?”
Elizabeth was about to reply when the music ended and they came to a stop. She smiled warmly at him and called across the floor. “Perhaps another time, sir.”
“Infuriating woman.” He growled. They stood gazing at each other as they waited for the second song in the set to begin.
“WHO IS SHE?” Miss Gannon whispered furiously to her mother. “This is supposed to be MY night! He danced with me!”
“He is dancing the first with her!” A helpful friend leaned in and smirked. “Perhaps he was just practicing with you. Remember, he left the ball immediately after your dance.”
“Quiet Emily! He left because he did not want to bestow his attention on any other woman.” She lifted her chin and glared at Elizabeth. “See how she resembles me? He must have been fooled by that!”
“She is small with dark hair, that is true, but where you have no figure, hers is prominently displayed.” Emily looked over Elizabeth’s gown with admiration. “I wonder who her modiste is, that is gorgeous!”
“Whose friend are you?” Miss Gannon demanded. “Help me find out who she is!”
Emily sighed. “He cannot dance every set with her. Go stand nearby and remind him of you, and see if he asks you to dance. That will tell the tale.” She nodded over to Darcy as they began to move again with the next tune. “But by that rare smile he is wearing, I would say you are fighting a losing battle.”
Mrs. Gannon piped in. “She has not lost. Now be a friend and circulate, find out the news on this girl!” Mother and daughter glared at the crowd, and other interested mothers drifted by to lend their advice.
On the dance floor a lively jig had begun, the dancers were weaving far down the line and back up to their partners. Elizabeth came back to take Darcy’s hand and smile up to his twinkling eyes and danced away again, taking the hands of another man only to look up with a wide smile then gasp. “Mr. Stewart!” He stared at her in stunned silence, and gripped her hands tightly.
“Miss Elizabeth! What brings you here?” The steps changed and she returned down the line to Darcy. He immediately saw the change in her demeanour.
“What is wrong?” He whispered urgently.
“Oh …oh nothing, I …I thought that I misstepped.” She looked distressed and he read her face then looked back down the line to see Stewart staring at her. His face set into its mask. The requirements of the dance forced them apart, and she looked back at Darcy, not knowing this stone-faced man who was now going through the motions. Elizabeth found herself again holding Stewart’s hands and looked up to his eyes.
“Miss Elizabeth, please I must speak to you. May I have your next?”
“I am occupied until the fifth set, sir.”
“Then may I have it?” Elizabeth moved away without answering. To refuse would keep her from dancing the fifth and the sixth, and that was the supper set, and promised to Darcy. Instead she came back to clutch his arm. “I was asked to dance the fifth.”
“By Stewart?” Darcy growled.
“Do you know him?” She looked up in surprise. “Of course you would, he is a friend of your relatives’.” She looked away as tears filled her eyes, this particular friend of Darcy’s would tell him everything of her unsuitable family, and he would be sure to tell Darcy to end their relationship immediately.
“Did you agree?” He broke into her thoughts. He was still staring down the line at Stewart. She moved away to the man at her side and he, unseeing, swung the woman by his. They came back together as his eyes returned to hers, his glare disappeared. “Elizabeth, are you well?
“No.” Immediately he led her from the floor and they walked from the room to the refreshment table, where he found her a cup of negus. The powerful wine punch made her gasp.
“I can see that Richard has had some influence here.” He took the cup away and grasped her hands. “Are you better?”
“I should not have come here.” Darcy started to speak when he was interrupted.
“Lizzy?” Mrs. Gardiner approached. “Do you need anything?”
“Oh Aunt …I …”
“Well Miss Elizabeth, it is our turn!” Bingley appeared and offered his arm. “Shall we?” He smiled warmly and Elizabeth
gratefully attached herself to him and he led her away. Darcy stared after her and looked back at Mrs. Gardiner.
“I did nothing, I swear.” He said to the woman whose eyes had narrowed. “She was asked to dance by Mr. Stewart.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Gardiner’s stance relaxed. “I see. Mr. Darcy, are you acquainted with Mr. Stewart?”
“Yes, we are good friends.” He added quietly, “We seem to share the same taste in women.”
“Mr. Darcy!” Mrs. Gardiner spoke. “Do you know of …”
“Mr. Stewart’s rejection of Miss Elizabeth? Yes, I do.” He looked back to the ballroom where Elizabeth danced with Bingley. His infectious smile had restored hers somewhat. “He spoke of it to me last December. He did not say her name, other than to call her Elizabeth and describe her and her location. I … I puzzled out who his friend was. I knew it was my … Miss Elizabeth.” He said softly. “I heard his regret, and his reasons, and I … rejoiced in her remaining free. I could not act on it at that time, but I … selfishly was glad for her hurt because … it allowed my impossible dream to remain … possible.”
“Have you told her of your knowledge?”
“No, when she referred obliquely to her unsuitability for me and her awareness that her family did not measure up, I knew she meant Stewart’s rejection. I thought it would embarrass her to have me confess my knowledge, instead I assured her of my constancy.” He looked back to his companion. “Was that wrong?”
“No, not as long as you did not meet him. But I daresay Elizabeth is afraid that you and your friend are going to exchange information now, and you will abandon her once you have certain knowledge of her family.”
“I will never leave her.” He said fiercely.
She saw Stewart standing on the side of the dance, watching Elizabeth and Bingley. “I think that your friend is reevaluating his decision. Seeing her here might make her more acceptable.”
“Over my dead body.” Darcy bowed an excused himself. He approached and addressed his friend. “Stewart.”
“Darcy!” He startled and tore his eyes from Elizabeth. “I was surprised to see you dance tonight, and the first.”
“Indeed?” Darcy folded his arms and watched Elizabeth as well. “I had a great incentive.”
“Miss Elizabeth is a beautiful woman. I imagine that you snatched her up as soon as you arrived.”
“No indeed, she arrived with me, so our arrangement was made long ago.”
“You … escorted her here?”
“I did.”
“How … how do you know her?” Stewart said and looked at Darcy intently.
“I noticed her two years ago.” Darcy saw the astonishment, and continued. “I knew she was too young then, and was very pleased to meet her again in town this Season.”
“I have not seen you with any woman!”
“It was a very recent reunion.” Darcy met his eye. “I have asked for a courtship, and she has accepted me. I find nothing wanting in her. She is a treasure, and I will rejoice in her company all of my days.”
Stewart realized then that Darcy knew that Elizabeth was the woman he rejected, and was about to respond when Layton arrived and whispered furiously. “Are you out of your mind, Darcy? A girl with no dowry and a houseful of sisters to marry off? How can you be such a fool? Pemberley will be overrun by spinsters, or you will have to use your funds to pay men to take them!” He laughed and snorted then gestured at Stewart. “Stewart here would not consider such a ridiculous alliance!”
“Where did you hear these things?” Darcy demanded.
“Why her sister told me. She was not dancing so I went over and asked a few questions. She was only too glad to provide the answers. It was almost sad, really. A great many men are looking her way, but once the word of her having no dowry gets around …”
“And why must it?”
Layton laughed. “What do you care, they are not of our circle, they are barely above that dimwit puppy Bingley you ferry about with you!”
“How dare you disparage these people, they have done nothing to you!”
“Oh, and as if you have never done the same.” Layton smirked. “You forget yourself, what is it, he who is without sin should cast the first stone?”
Stewart stepped forward, “Then why are you?”
“Because I can.” Layton began to walk away and Darcy grabbed his shoulder. “If you ruin this night for Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet, I will cut off all ties with you. Do not forget that you are nothing until your father’s death, but a Darcy surpasses you forever.”
“You are threatening me?”
“Do you feel threatened?” Darcy glared at the older man. Lord Matlock walked up and stood between them.
“What the devil is going on? You are drawing attention to yourselves!”
“Darcy’s lover is nothing but a poor gentleman’s daughter.” He tattled to his father. “She and her sister are fortune hunters.”
“She is not!” Darcy and Stewart cried together. Father and son gaped as Darcy and Stewart exchanged glances.
“No, she is not.” Lord Matlock recovered and turned to his son. “I am aware of Miss Elizabeth’s and her sister’s origins. Darcy told me when he asked for permission to bring her here tonight. You will stop interfering or I will send you packing to Matlock at first light.”
“Father!”
“If I hear one rumour circulating, I swear I will settle the estate on Richard.” Layton’s eyes grew wide and he bowed, then hurried away. Lord Matlock sighed. “Now, what about you two?”
Darcy looked back into the ballroom. Elizabeth was standing with Bingley and Jane, but looking worriedly at the arrangement of Darcy, Stewart, and Lord Matlock.
“What is wrong?” Jane asked her and took her hand.
“Oh Jane, look, Mr. Stewart is surely telling them of us!” She fought her emotion. “See how Mr. Darcy looks over here?”
Bingley turned his head from where he had been observing Miss Gannon staring at Darcy and chuckled, then saw the whispering sisters looking at him as well. “Well, Darcy is certainly enjoying a great deal of attention from the ladies tonight.” The sisters stopped their talk and looked at him. “See that woman over there, Miss Elizabeth? Does she bear a touch of a resemblance to anyone you know?”
The girls looked over Miss Gannon and Jane mused. “You know Lizzy; she looks a little like you.”
“No …” Elizabeth gasped and turned to Bingley. “Is this the woman he danced with?”
He smiled, “Ah, I see that he confessed that to you. Good man.” He shook his head. “Miss Gannon has been plotting all night to get another dance from him; of course, he has not cooperated. I believe that she was sure he was going to offer for her. Silly girl, he is besotted with another woman entirely.” He smiled and saw Elizabeth’s blush. The music began and Richard arrived with a grin.
“Well, it is my turn, Miss Elizabeth!” He took her off to the dance floor and Bingley followed with Jane. “How do you enjoy your evening thus far?”
“I do not know, sir. It began well, but I fear that it is bound to end sadly.” Elizabeth looked back over to the men. Richard saw her distress and followed her gaze, noticing the group for the first time.
“Hmm, that is interesting.”
“Sir?”
“A bit of a cockfight. That must be gratifying for you?”
“I do not understand your meaning; Colonel.” Elizabeth’s eyes searched his and he moved away from her then returned. He recognized fear in her expression.
“Have you never told him of Stewart?”
“You know?”
“Yes, and more importantly, he knows. Has for some time.”
“What?” Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open and Richard smiled, seeing the fear turn to ire.
“Now, now, Miss Elizabeth, you cannot be angry for something he did not confess when you did not confess yourself. Can you?”
“What does he know?”
“Stewart courted you and walked away.”
“Did he … tell …”
“I am a second son, just as Stewart is. I must marry with a dowry in mind. So must he.” Richard smiled to see her relief. “So you see, no matter the delights of the woman, the reality of our situation requires us to be prudent, no matter how much we wish to overlook them.”
“He did not love me.” Elizabeth said. “And I did not love him.”
Richard watched her expression. There was love in her eyes, but it was directed at Darcy. Stewart’s feelings were discovered after he had left her. He nodded. “What are your feelings for my cousin?”
“That is private, sir.”
“It is, however, I will be interrogated by my family tonight after you leave. I am Darcy’s closest friend, and I want to represent his case the best way possible. You do not have to tell me any feelings that you have yet to express to him. But please assure me that you love more than his wealth.”
“I am not a wealthy girl, sir. I would not know what to do with a King’s ransom if I tripped over it. All I want is …” She looked over to see Darcy looking intently at her, a question in his eyes. She smiled at him and his stiff posture relaxed, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.
Richard watched the exchange and nodded. “You do not need to continue. I know my way now.” He cleared his throat. “Now then, would you like to hear the amusing tale of my pearl?” He grinned and she turned her eyes back to his, and gratefully saw acceptance there.
“I hear that it is one for the ages, sir.” Elizabeth cocked her head and he chuckled, then let go of her hands to move to the side as the song ended.
He called over to her while they waited for the next to begin. “There were no pirates, but the earth did swallow up the bounty.”
“Davy Jones’ locker come to land?” She laughed and he grinned as they came together again.
“I never thought of that. I had imagined a group of very industrious ants, but then, I was five!” Elizabeth’s musical laugh carried across the dance floor and both Darcy and Stewart drank in the sound.
Lord Matlock cleared his throat. “Gentlemen, you both cannot be in love with her.”