Elizabeth smiled. “It will be difficult to get to know her properly without having time alone together. I hope that we get that chance soon.”
“Well, perhaps I can engage Mr. Darcy in conversation for a short while?”
“Oh, Aunt Gardiner, that might be very helpful!” Elizabeth felt better. “Even if it is only for a few minutes at first.”
Jane smiled. “I think I will go up to my chamber and write to Mr. Lawrence and Mama while you have your callers, Lizzy. I have been remiss in keeping up with my correspondence.”
Aunt Gardiner looked after her eldest niece affectionately. “Poor Jane. She will not be happy until you find out whether you will be able to stand up with her at her wedding.”
Elizabeth bit her lip. She didn’t know what was going to happen, how quickly Mr. Darcy wanted to marry, and whether he’d expect her to distance herself somewhat from her family.
“I know he was told about my background, but I do wonder what he will think when he meets Mama,” she said anxiously.
He aunt laughed. “It will be very interesting.” Her eyes twinkled. “He was, of course, insistent that no one except you and Jane, your uncle and me, know about the arrangement. So he will have to be a considerably talented actor to hide the fact, especially from your father.”
At that moment the door opened and the housekeeper announced their visitors.
“Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy.”
Elizabeth rose hastily. Miss Darcy was on her brother’s arm, but she looked exceedingly anxious.
He bowed to her, and his smile was also anxious. He must be worried about his sister.
“Miss Elizabeth, may I introduce my sister, Georgiana?”
Elizabeth curtsied at her and smiled warmly. “I’m so glad to meet you, Miss Darcy. And Georgiana is such a pretty name.” She turned to indicate her aunt. “This is my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner.”
The two curtsied. “It’s very nice to meet you, Miss Darcy,” Aunt Gardiner said warmly. “Why don’t you sit down next to Lizzy and we’ll have some tea.”
She smiled at Mr. Darcy and indicated he sit in the chair opposite her. Elizabeth saw that he looked a little startled, but complied when the ladies were seated.
Elizabeth turned her attention to the girl beside her. “I am sorry this might have come as quite a surprise to you, Miss Darcy, but I’m really hoping we can become friends, because I’m going to need your help.”
The girl looked even more anxious. “I would be glad to assist you, but I don’t think there is much I can help you with,” she whispered.
Elizabeth leaned closer. “I’m going to need a friend,” she whispered back. “I’ve never been married before!”
Miss Darcy laughed nervously, and Elizabeth was aware of Mr. Darcy’s attention, although Aunt Gardiner was keeping him in determined conversation.
“And your brother tells me you are very fond of music. I enjoy playing very much, although I have had little formal teaching.”
Miss Darcy’s face lit up. “Oh, I do hope you can call on us soon. I would love to hear you play.”
“I’d like that, Miss Darcy. We might have more time together.”
The girl plaited her fingers in her lap. “Do you think you could call me Georgiana? Miss Darcy seems so very formal.”
“Thank you, Georgiana. It’s such a pretty name. And you must call me Elizabeth.”
In the short pause that followed, she heard Mr. Darcy’s voice. “Mrs. Gardiner, I wonder if you might permit Miss Elizabeth and I to take a turn about your garden?”
She looked round, a small smile on her face, as her aunt answered.
“I think that is a lovely idea, and Miss Darcy can stay and talk to me for those few moments.” Aunt Gardiner turned to her.
“Fetch your coat, Lizzy, the weather is quite cool.”
Elizabeth nodded. “I will not keep you long, Mr. Darcy.” She was soon back, more warmly attired, and saw that Aunt Gardiner was already deep in conversation with Georgiana, who looked quite happy.
Mr. Darcy offered her his arm, and they went through the great glass doors to the terrace outside. They could still be seen from the drawing room, and Elizabeth felt quite happy with the way the visit was going.
“I think your sister is content to stay with my aunt,” she ventured, and he nodded.
“Your aunt is a remarkable lady,” he said gravely. “As are you. I have never seen Georgiana take so quickly to people who are new to her.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Perhaps the skill is yours in preparing her to meet us,” she suggested.
“Thank you for the compliment, Miss Elizabeth, but I do not feel I should share the achievement.”
They walked a short while round the garden, moderately large for London. “This is a pleasant garden,” he commented.
“It is,” Elizabeth replied. “My aunt and uncle are the most gracious people I know.” She wondered if he would pick up and comment on the differences in their background.
“Indeed.”
She wondered what he had intended to say when he had suggested the garden, because it seemed he was disinclined to speak at all.
Eventually, she decided to take advantage of the silence. “I must thank you, Mr. Darcy, for the most generous contribution you gave my uncle yesterday, to cover my expenditure over the next few weeks.”
He seemed surprised. “It was expected, I think.”
“It was much more generous than I had anticipated,” she said firmly. “I am sure I will not need so much.”
“I beg to differ,” he said, equally firmly. “The gown you’re wearing becomes you very well, but you will need many more than one, and as soon as possible.”
He turned to face her. “It is soon time to meet my family. My uncle’s celebration ball will be the first of many invitations, and I have said I will introduce you at that time.” He smiled faintly. “You know it may be rather a trial, and the finer the gown you wear, I am told, the easier in your mind you might be.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth smiled back. “One always feels more confident when one is dressed perfectly for the occasion.”
He nodded. “I have asked Georgiana to invite you to Darcy House tomorrow, and am hopeful you will be able to come. I would like to introduce you to my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, the younger son of my aunt and uncle. I think if you are acquainted with someone else before the ball, it will again be easier for you. And Richard is a true friend and gentleman.”
“You are most thoughtful, sir. I am grateful.”
“Good. I will send the coach to collect you, with a maid.” He frowned slightly. “I believe you do not have your own lady’s maid. Please find someone suitable soon and let my housekeeper know. She will arrange the appointment.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth murmured. There were going to be a great many changes for her to get used to. “Perhaps we should go in now. I would not like to think your sister to think I am taking too much of your attention.”
18
Darcy paced up and down the hall. Where was Elizabeth? She knew this ball was important, it was the whole reason for this arrangement, after all.
Georgiana peeped nervously out of the drawing-room doorway. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon, William. She’s never let you down before, has she?”
He forced a reassuring smile to his face. “You’re right. I’ll come and sit down to wait.” He turned to the butler.
“Inform us the instant the coach arrives, please.”
As he took a seat beside his sister, a disturbing suspicion began to firm in his mind. She had gone to her sister’s wedding, he was suddenly certain.
He knew she had been upset when she’d discovered his uncle’s ball was on the same day as her elder sister’s wedding, but he had been firm. He had told her that all his relations were eager to meet her, and she must be with him.
She had acquiesced, but there had been a difficult few moments when he wondered if she was going to disagree with him. However, after a few days
when she was quieter than normal, she seemed to be back to her lively self. Georgiana already adored her, and Darcy was beginning to feel rather nettled by it. Elizabeth knew that she would be leaving within the next two months, and it was rather thoughtless of her to get too close to Georgiana, surely? Even Richard seemed very taken with her, and they were on their way to becoming settled friends.
Darcy did not want it so. When the engagement was broken, he wanted her to have nothing more to do with his family. From the very first meeting, her presence, her words, disturbed him, and he was finding it no easier for the times he had been with her. He feared he was in some danger, and being sure that he would never see her again would help him to forget.
Mr. Jones came to the door. “The coach is approaching, sir.”
Darcy jumped to his feet, and turned to take Georgiana’s arm. She was already fully attired, and he picked up his hat and gloves from the table and they hurried into the hall.
They wouldn’t be too late, he supposed, looking at the tall clock, but he had planned to be early and get over any unpleasantness before the main part of the ball.
She was still in the coach and he assisted Georgiana in and then climbed in afterwards, nodding at the coachman as he closed the door.
“Good evening, Mr. Darcy, Georgiana.” Her voice was calm and it maddened him even more. He tried to push back his anger. He must not upset Georgiana.
“I suppose you attended your sister’s wedding, and that has made you so late.”
Her chin went up. “Yes, sir. As I told you, I had always promised to stand up with her, and although she could not alter the date, they did manage to change the time to 30 minutes earlier. I did not attend the wedding breakfast, but instead, my aunt and uncle were gracious enough to return with me immediately after the ceremony.”
“Well, I hope you are not too fatigued to give a good account of yourself this evening.” He felt Georgiana’s surprise at the shortness of his tone, and tried to moderate his temper. It would not do for her to be distressed.
“I believe I will be able to perform as you wish, sir,” she said quietly; and he turned, simmering, to the darkness beyond the window.
Elizabeth began a low-voiced conversation with Georgiana, easing her mind, but he noticed she didn’t answer his sister’s questions about the wedding. He supposed that she realised it would rub salt into his anger.
He offered her his hand to assist her down from the coach, as he had for his sister. Her touch burned through his glove, fuelling his anger. He had not forbidden her to go to Hertfordshire, but she knew his wishes, and had gone anyway, risking her attendance tonight.
But they were only pretending this betrothal, he had no power over her, so why was he so angry? In fact, her determination and sense of independence stirred his feelings more than the timid attitude of many young ladies.
With her on his arm, and Georgiana on his other side, they ascended the great steps up to the open door of Matlock House. Richard was waiting at the entrance, and he bowed to the party.
“I was beginning to wonder if you were attending at all,” he said mildly, and Darcy glanced at Elizabeth to see if she would flush. But she didn’t, her curtsy to his cousin was calm and assured. A maddening young lady, indeed.
Richard offered his arm to Georgiana, and Darcy led Elizabeth over to the receiving line to introduce her to his uncle and aunt.
“Uncle Henry, Aunt Alice, may I introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” He looked at Elizabeth.
“Elizabeth, my uncle and aunt, the Earl and Countess of Matlock.”
She curtsied calmly, a warm smile on her face. “I am honoured to meet you, Lord Matlock, Lady Matlock.”
As his aunt made a polite comment to her and she answered composedly, Darcy looked further into the room. Lady Catherine was forging her way through the crowds towards him, her expression angry.
It was going to happen. Darcy’s arm tightened on Elizabeth’s hand, and she hesitated, looking up at him.
He looked down at her. “Lady Catherine is making her way towards us,” he murmured.
Uncle Henry looked angry. “I have told her she is not to make a scene, but I do think you should have taken the time to get this over with before tonight.”
Darcy looked at him levelly. “I saw no reason to allow her to think that her opinion was more important to me than anyone else’s.”
“So this is the little fortune-hunter, is it? The one you have rejected my daughter for?” The imperious tones washed over Elizabeth.
Darcy could not detect a single tremor in the young lady beside him, although her hand jerked slightly on his arm.
He found he was quite proud of her. Few others could have done this.
“Lady Catherine, allow me to introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet.” He smiled down at Elizabeth. He must act as if he were a man in love.
“Elizabeth, my other aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
Elizabeth curtsied. “It is an honour to meet you, Lady Catherine.”
19
Elizabeth met Lady Catherine’s gaze. She was not going to betray by any means the doubts she had in meeting her. She had discovered from Georgiana and Colonel Fitzwilliam that the whole family was in terror of her, and her own feelings were that there was no possible insult that was going to make her feel inferior or frightened. She could hold her own against the rudest of people.
If the worst came to the worst, she could always walk away. But she was going to give as good an account of herself as she could. She smiled confidently at the woman. “I have been looking forward to meeting you.”
She felt Mr. Darcy’s surprise, and heard a muffled chuckle from the Colonel and, surprisingly, the Earl.
“Well,” Lady Catherine seemed rather nonplussed. “What I want to know is why Darcy has kept you and your name so secret until tonight.” She leaned forward, her face close to Elizabeth’s. “Now I know your name, I will discover all about your family.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth kept smiling, knowing it was maddening the woman. “Perhaps I can save you the trouble and tell you what you wish to know?”
Lady Catherine snorted. “I doubt you will tell me all I intend to find out.” She looked Elizabeth up and down, disparagingly. “I don’t know where he found you, but you are not of any of the best families.”
“Indeed I am not,” Elizabeth said equably. “Is your daughter here, Lady Catherine? I have been looking forward to making her acquaintance.”
“She is here, but I will not introduce you. I will find out first just who you are.” She turned away, rudely.
Elizabeth curtsied, trying not to laugh. “It was very pleasant to meet you.”
She turned slightly away. Georgiana was looking very shocked, but the Colonel looked as if he was having difficulty containing his mirth.
“Come with us, Darcy and Miss Bennet. We can find a seat before the first dance.”
Mr. Darcy leaned down as they followed his cousin and sister. “I am impressed, Miss Elizabeth. You were remarkably calm.”
“You had warned me what she was likely to do, sir. I had already decided that I would not let her intimidate me.” She was worried, however. “But I do wish you had met my family before she tells you about them. I know Lady Susan told you of my background, but it is very different to yours.”
She hesitated. “When had you thought to go and see my father?”
She thought he seemed a little distracted. “You are not under-age, Miss Elizabeth.” He looked round, they were getting closer to the seating area. “Although — perhaps I should go and see him.”
“I think that would be best.” Elizabeth was puzzled. Courtships were not usually protracted, and she was surprised he had not talked of a date for their marriage. She took the chair he held for her, and sat beside Georgiana. The Colonel leaned forward. “There is our cousin, over there. Lady Catherine’s daughter Anne, with her companion.” He looked at Georgiana, “I imagine Darcy will be taking the first two dances with Mis
s Elizabeth, so may I take the opportunity of the first with you?”
Georgiana blushed. “Thank you,” she whispered, and Elizabeth divined she was overwhelmed with even this family affair.
But Colonel Fitzwilliam was still talking. “I will take the opportunity, if I may, of greeting Cousin Anne first.” He moved away. Elizabeth watched him greet his cousin and sit down beside her. As he spoke, she could see the affection between them, as clearly as if it had been spoken. But why were they both trying to hide it?
Why had Mr. Darcy taken the very extreme step of using the services of Lady Somerville to find a bride, when it was quite obvious to her that Lady Catherine would find Colonel Fitzwilliam quite suitable? His lack of fortune would not be a concern because of the great wealth Anne de Bourgh would inherit from her mother.
She turned to speak to Georgiana. There was something here that she didn’t understand, but she thought the middle of a ball was not the best place to ask him.
She smiled cheerfully at the girl. “Do you know most of the people here, Georgiana?”
Georgiana nodded, “I suppose most of them, but there are still a lot I don’t know,” she chewed her lip anxiously. “I really don’t enjoy these big occasions.”
Elizabeth took her hand. “I’ll stay with you, Georgiana. Apart from the dances that I have to do.”
Georgiana giggled. “I think you’re going to find everyone wants to dance with you and find out your secret.”
“Secret?” Elizabeth was alarmed. Had someone …?
“Oh, not really.” Georgiana sounded anxious. “I just meant that everyone has always said that nobody could win William’s heart, and they’ll want to know how you did it.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth swallowed. She was set for some difficult dances, she could see that. But first, she expected these first two dances with Mr. Darcy to be equally difficult in a different way.
He could have no idea of the effect he was beginning to have on her. She’d been hard put not to snatch her hand away from the sudden heat she’d felt as he assisted her from the coach this evening, angry with her as he was.
Impatiently, Darcy Page 7