IT WAS mid-afternoon when Elizabeth found the strength to go downstairs. Her head had stopped aching and although she felt a little nervous at the thought of meeting her husband, she was ready to come out of hiding. Her eyes were still a little puffy from crying, but a little powder helped to cover up the redness and with her hair freshly dressed and wearing one of her favourite dresses, she felt ready to face him.
As she descended the stairs, Mrs. Winter was crossing the hallway. “Good afternoon, madam. Are you feeling better?”
“I am, thank you,” said Elizabeth trying to sound as if everything was normal. “I was looking for my husband.”
“He’s not here, madam, nor is Miss Georgiana.”
Elizabeth didn’t know whether to feel irritated or relieved. Her conversation with her husband would have to wait. She suddenly realised she was feeling hungry.
“Would you see some tea and pastries are brought to the drawing room?”
“Yes, madam.”
Elizabeth hurried along to the drawing room, grateful that she had the house to herself for a while. She sat down at the piano. She knew her skill did not match Georgiana’s, nor did she have the same dedication to improve her playing, but she found it soothing to let her fingers run over the keys and enjoy the sounds that came forth.
She stopped when Mrs. Winter arrived with tea and two types of cake. She really was very hungry and as she enjoyed the sweet tea and some delicious walnut cake, she began to feel more like herself. When the dull ache of hunger had been satisfied, she left the tray and sat back at the piano and started to play again, immersing herself in a Mozart sonata.
She was so engrossed that she never heard the door open and was only aware she was no longer alone when she heard someone clap. She jumped as Mr. Darcy spoke.
“That was beautiful, Mrs. Darcy.”
Embarrassed, Elizabeth quickly closed the keyboard cover. “I did not expect to see you. I understood you were out.”
“My business did not take as long as I had expected. You must be feeling better if you’re playing.”
He was still standing in the doorway, his height, his presence making her feel awkward. She did not want him questioning her about her health. “It was nothing. Just a slight headache.”
Mr. Darcy came into the room sat down on the sofa staring at her intently. “One that caused you to rush away without a word and kept you in your room this morning.”
Elizabeth could not meet his eyes. Was that censure in his voice? In her room she had felt ready to confront him. Now she wasn’t so sure. “I am sure that you did not miss me at the ball,” she muttered.
“You are very much mistaken, Elizabeth. I missed you greatly and when I learned you had left, I only stayed to ensure that Georgiana would be accompanied home before I returned.”
“There was no need. You seemed to be enjoying yourself.” She had meant to remain, calm, disinterested and yet she could not help a touch of bitterness creeping into her voice.
Mr. Darcy sighed. “Elizabeth, you seem very angry with me and I would like you to tell me why?”
Elizabeth raised her eyes, staring at him in disbelief. She could hardly believe what he was asking. Was his memory really so short? He had refused to talk about Miss Dearborn, and yet he had muttered her name in Elizabeth’s bed. He must realise people were talking about Miss Dearborn and yet he had chosen to dance with her. He had humiliated her.
“You ask me why sir?”
“Yes. It is not like you not to speak your mind, and I wish you would do so now.”
The more he spoke the angrier Elizabeth felt. She had tried to ask him about Miss Dearborn, and yet he had refused. Now he wanted to know why she might be angry. She did not understand him. Suddenly the man she had married felt like a stranger.
She stood up, and drew herself up to her full height. “You are mistaken, sir. I am not angry at all. I am only disappointed.” And with as much dignity as she could manage, she left the room. She had no wish to be in his company and was eager to go to her room before the tears fell once more.
FROM THAT MOMENT, the happy relationship that had existed between Mr. Darcy and herself since the start of their marriage started to crumble. Elizabeth did everything she could to avoid being with her husband alone. It was not difficult. As promised, Lady Grantham invited her to one of her ladies’ teas, and this led to other invitations, and Elizabeth and Georgiana spent a great deal of time away from the house enjoying renewing old acquaintances and making new ones.
Elizabeth took Georgiana to visit the Gardiners and they spent a happy afternoon watching the play the children had written. There were even parts for them and Elizabeth found herself donning a mob cap and taking on the role of a rather disagreeable housekeeper. The warm atmosphere of the Gardiners’ home reminded her what a happy home felt like and it was in marked contrast to the atmosphere in the house at Connaught Place.
On the rare occasion they dined at home, Elizabeth had little to say to her husband and he was equally quiet. Whether he was upset by the estrangement between them, he gave no indication of it, and he made no effort to engage her in conversation. The door between their rooms remained locked, but it did not matter as he made no effort to visit her. His disinterest in her hurt more than she cared to admit, and her body ached for him.
Elizabeth tried to forget about Adeline Dearborn, but it was impossible to escape her. It was during one of the ladies teas at the Grantham’s house that she learned a little more about her.
Fifteen ladies had been invited by Lady Grantham to discuss visiting women in prisons, though conversation quickly turned to other matters.
“Is it true Adeline Dearborn is back?” asked Lady Thurloe, as she accepted a cup of tea from Lady Grantham.
Elizabeth flinched at the mention of Miss Dearborn’s name.
“Yes, it is,” said Lady Grantham, “And I for one was pleased to see her.”
Lady Thurloe did nothing to hide her surprise. “But after what she did….”
Lady Grantham continued to pour the tea. “She did nothing. Her brother was responsible.”
One of the other women shuddered. “She may not have, but her family did a great deal of damage. Some have never recovered.”
Elizabeth wondered what they were talking about. She looked at Georgiana, who shook her head slightly.
“I see no value in discussing it,” said Lady Grantham. “It is in the past. Mrs. Darcy, how do you like your tea?”
Elizabeth smiled at her gratefully, but Lady Thurloe was not about to be silenced. She turned to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, what do you think of Miss Dearborn? I hear she was dancing with your husband. I do not believe I would be so tolerant of my husband consorting with her.”
Elizabeth knew they were all watching her. Lady Thurloe’s words were insulting and hurtful, though Elizabeth was determined not to show it. “Miss Dearborn is an old family friend,” she said firmly.
“And I also danced with him,” said Lady Grantham. “And I would hope you would not imply there was anything improper about that?”
Lady Thurloe’s neck had grown mottled and her lips with quivered with anger. “Naturally, I would not insult you in anyway Lady Grantham, I only meant…”
“Good,” said Lady Grantham with a steely smile. “Now tea… Miss Darcy, how do you like yours?”
Elizabeth waited for Lady Thurloe or one of the other women to say something, but it seemed none of them were brave enough to take a stand against Lady Grantham. and it was not long before their attention turned to some of the up and coming balls.
On the way home Georgiana bristled with indignation. “I don’t know what Lady Thurloe was implying,” she said. “What has Miss Dearborn done?”
Elizabeth sounded weary. She had been grateful for Lady Grantham’s support, but she had found it trying to keep smiling and act as if nothing was wrong. “I don’t know that she has done anything, Georgiana.”
“It cannot be bad, or Fitzwilliam would not have anyt
hing to do with her.”
Elizabeth was inclined to agree, but she did not understand why her husband would not discuss Miss Dearborn with her. He had always been stubborn, but she had never known him to be so intransigent about something, except perhaps about singing. But the singing did not really matter. This did. They had been happy until Miss Dearborn had arrived. She knew she would have to be patient if she hoped to learn more.
Georgiana however, could not wait and she told Elizabeth of her intention to ask Mr. Darcy that evening.
Elizabeth immediately cautioned her against taking such action. “Fitzwilliam will tell us if he wishes to talk about it.”
“But what is the secret?” asked Georgiana. “Everyone is talking about her.”
“Not everyone…” said Elizabeth quickly.
“Nearly everyone. It is not just today. There was talk at the Grantham’s ball.”
Elizabeth had thought Georgiana had been too busy enjoying the dancing to hear anything. It seemed she was wrong. She felt sorry for her sister-in-law. She did not want her to be exposed to such talk. Mr. Darcy must realise Georgiana could get hurt.
“I would not listen to the gossips. Miss Dearborn’s arrival after some years away has surprised many, but they will soon find other things to talk about. I would not mention it to Fitzwilliam.”
Georgiana looked doubtful, but Elizabeth said no more hoping Georgiana had heeded her words.
Georgiana had not.
As they waited in the drawing room later that evening, waiting for their carriage to be readied she suddenly turned to her brother and asked. “Fitzwilliam, what is the secret surrounding Miss Dearborn? Everyone is talking about her.”
Elizabeth was shocked. It was not like Georgiana to question her brother. She could not imagine her husband would be happy.
“Georgiana, I hope that you have not been indulging in idle gossip.”
Georgiana glared at him indignantly. “Fitzwilliam, naturally I have not. I only ask about Miss Dearborn because everyone else is talking about her. Why has she come back?”
“I do not know, nor is it any of our business,” said Mr. Darcy drily. “Now I would rather you did not talk about her again.”
Georgiana was not satisfied. “But why Fitzwilliam?”
It was a question Elizabeth wanted to ask herself.
Mr. Darcy was frowning at his sister, tapping his foot impatiently against the hearth. “Because I have said so, Georgiana. Now I hope this urge to question my judgment is not because you are spending so much time out, or we will have to consider how long we stay in London.”
Georgiana looked horrified at this sudden pronouncement. “Fitzwilliam, you promised we would stay for the whole season.”
“Yes, he did,” said Elizabeth, looking pointedly at her husband.
Mr. Darcy shrugged his shoulders. “Our plans are still uncertain, but I would ask that neither of you indulge in gossip about Miss Dearborn. It serves no purpose.”
Georgiana’s eyes were full of tears and Elizabeth was furious. He should know they would not gossip, but it was unfair of him to refuse to discuss it. Looking at Fitzwilliam, so handsome in his evening finery, she hardly recognised him. What had happened to the man she had married? A foolish question. Miss Dearborn had happened.
IT WAS a subdued party that left for the ball and as soon as they arrived, Mr. Darcy disappeared towards the study where many of the men were playing cards and they did not see him again for the rest of the night.
It was a lovely ball, but upset by her brother Georgiana was not so inclined to dance and she upset several young men by rejecting their invitations to dance. Elizabeth tried to coax her to change her mind, but Georgiana was adamant that she was tired and only wanted to stand on the side and observe. Elizabeth was worried. She did not want Georgiana to earn a reputation of inviting the attentions of eligible young men and then snubbing them without just cause. Looking at Georgiana’s sad face, she blamed her husband. It was most unfair of him to threaten Georgiana and say they would cut her season short. She would have to speak to him.
They were both glad when Mr. Darcy joined them and told them he had ordered their carriage.
AS SOON AS they arrived home Georgiana disappeared upstairs without even speaking to them. Mr. Darcy turned towards his study and Elizabeth followed him determined to make him realise how he had upset his sister.
As she shut the door behind them, the anger she had suppressed all evening bubbled to the fore. “How could you talk to Georgiana in such a manner? She was upset all evening and refused to dance. You should know she would never gossip.”
Mr. Darcy poured himself a drink, but did not offer her one. “I have the right to expect she will not question my decisions,” he said firmly.
“She did not!” snapped Elizabeth indignantly. “She is only curious about Miss Dearborn, as I am. You must see you are not being reasonable by not talking about her.”
Mr. Darcy did not raise his voice, but she could not mistake the anger in his tone. “Mrs. Darcy, I will not indulge in gossip to serve Georgiana’s curiosity or yours, and I would ask that you do not mention this matter again.”
His tone was so dismissive, Elizabeth had rarely felt so angry. “But I am your wife.”
“And as such you will follow my direction.” Mr. Darcy took a sip of his drink. “Good night, my dear.”
Was he really dismissing her? Tears of frustration stung her eyes, but she would not let them fall. She thought Fitzwilliam was being most unfair, but there was little she could do about it.
10
Georgiana soon recovered from the upset with Mr. Darcy, though Elizabeth noticed she was a little quieter than normal and made no effort in her conversations with her brother to tease him. No one spoke of Adeline Dearborn and they did not see her again until they attended a ball at the Duke of Montague’s residence.
Georgiana had been delighted when they had received an invitation as it was one of the most important occasions of the season. Not only did the Duke live in one of the most opulent houses in London, his eldest son was unmarried and, being very handsome, was sought after by every family hoping to secure a good marriage for one of their daughters.
From the moment they entered the Duke’s house they realised that great deal of time and money had been spent to ensure all the guests were entertained. As well as the musicians to accompany the dancing, there were performers, walking around, tossing balls in the air, performing acrobatics and tricks which left guests entranced.
Georgiana, who had spent most of the afternoon worrying about her new gold dress and its suitability for the occasion, was delighted when the Duke’s son shyly came to ask her for the first dance. Elizabeth noticed that her acceptance was greeted with disappointment by two other young men who were also about to ask, but she knew they would get their opportunity later.
Mr. Darcy was busy talking to Lord Grantham, Lord Halpern and several other men while Elizabeth stood with Lady Grantham and a group of other ladies.
“Mrs. Darcy, I must congratulate you. Miss Darcy is a delightful young woman and I believe much of that is down to you,” said Lady Grantham.
“Thank you,” said Elizabeth, “but I think it has little to do with me.”
Mrs. Twittington Hicks sniffed disapprovingly. “I have always found her rather distant.”
Elizabeth quashed a feeling of annoyance. She did not like anyone to criticise Georgiana. “She was certainly a little shy when I first met her, but I have always found her delightful company. She is not like many who would pretend friendship where there is none.”
Elizabeth saw Lady Grantham stifle a smile. Mrs. Twittington Hicks’ neck had turned an unpleasant shade of red though she ignored Elizabeth’s reply, quickly turning her vitriol in another direction.
“Well, that is someone I did not expect to see again,” she said nodding in the direction of Adeline Dearborn, who was walking towards them, looking particularly elegant in a dark green gown with a striking emer
ald necklace. “I would not have expected the Duke and Duchess to extend an invitation to the likes of her.”
A couple of the other woman nodded in agreement and they quickly moved away. Elizabeth stayed where she was, as did Lady Grantham.
Miss Dearborn greeted them with a warm smile. “Good evening, Lady Grantham, Mrs. Darcy. How nice to see you again. We still have not talked. Forgive me if my presence is awkward for you.” She looked towards the group of women who had moved away, but kept looking back, whispering to each other
“There is no awkwardness!” said her ladyship firmly. “I am delighted to see you. I wanted to invite you to one of my ladies’ teas.”
Elizabeth was surprised at the invitation. The main reason for her ladyship’s parties appeared to be to encourage others to take part in charitable works. She did not know Miss Dearborn, but she did not seem the type to get involved in ministering to the poor.
“Thank you. I am not sure how long I will be in London, but an invitation will be most welcome.”
Miss Dearborn turned to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, is Darcy present this evening? I do not see him.”
“Yes, he is here.” She looked around, but could not see him. “He may be in the card room.”. Was Miss Dearborn hoping Mr. Darcy would invite her to dance again?
Miss Dearborn looked disappointed. “Perhaps I will see him before the evening is over. I have something I would ask him.”
What it was, Elizabeth did not find out, as with an abrupt nod of her head, Miss Dearborn saw someone waving at her across the room and drifted away.
Lady Grantham laughed. “She can be shocking, can’t she?”
Elizabeth found it difficult to speak, and Lady Grantham took pity on her.
“I confess, I rather like her. I always have.”
Elizabeth knew Mr. Darcy did not want her to gossip, but she was desperate to know more. “But the rumours…”
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