Richard laughed, “Calling me immature would only be insulting if it were false. Since it is not, it will not help you evade the question.”
Darcy chuckled. Richard always could lighten his mood, and he could use his cousin’s wisdom – on some matters. “Eat up and join me in my study,” Darcy raised his voice higher and batted his eyes as Richard had done, “where I shall tell all.” Darcy exited the room to Richard’s hardy laughter.
“Elizabeth,” Jane called as they sat in the breakfast room, “do you look forward to the theater tonight?”
“Yes, Jane. I do. The theater is so exciting and evocative.”
“Exciting and evocative,” Jane peered up at Elizabeth, “could the same be said about a rather dashing Colonel who shall remain nameless?”
Elizabeth pursed her lips, “I had not heard that there were gypsies in these parts. Have you, Jane?”
Jane creased her brow. “Gypsies? Why do you speak of gypsies?”
“Ah, for surely there must be gypsies who have come and stolen my dear, sweet Jane and left me with this treacherously teasing facsimile.”
Jane stared at Elizabeth with wide eyes, and then they both dissolved into laughter. “Truly, Sister,” Elizabeth spoke with the smile still in her voice, “Mama would be positively pleased with your matchmaking arts. Where did you learn them so quickly? Is there a course for married women to teach them how to marry off their sisters and daughters?”
When the laughter finally quieted, Jane looked at Elizabeth at length, “Seriously, Lizzy, what do you think about the dashing Colonel?”
Elizabeth sighed. “I do not know, Jane. Tis too soon to tell. He, he intrigues me. He has seen so much of the world, and it is exciting,” Elizabeth paused and looked upward, “but he also reminds me of a ride in a speeding carriage.”
“A speeding carriage ride?”
“Yes! It is exhilarating, but not quite safe.” Elizabeth wrinkled her nose, “Do you know what I mean, Jane?”
Jane nodded slowly, “I think I do.”
“I do not quite know what to make of him. And I do not know if I would like anything more than friendship.”
Jane nodded. “That is wise, Lizzy. Charles says that he has only heard good of him, but I agree Sister, proceed with caution until you know your own mind.”
Elizabeth sighed, “Ah, there is my dear sister returned from the gypsies with perfect sense!”
“Teasing woman,” Jane laughed, “now, what shall you wear to the theater tonight?”
After breakfast, in Darcy’s study, Richard asked. “So, Darcy, who poked the bear at the ball?” Richard sat drinking coffee.
“Insulting me is your military strategy, Cousin?”
Richard looked over the rim of his cup, “Remember, Darce, it is only an insult if it is not true.”
Darcy chuckled and leaned back in his chair, rapidly rubbing together his index finger and thumb as he studied Richard. Finally, he sat forward with elbows on his desk and sighed, “Francesca Waters has returned.”
“Really!” Richard’s brows nearly disappeared into his hairline. “And what does she want? Still trying to worm her way into the Darcy lineage?” Richard curled his lip in disgust.
“I do not think that has ever been her plan,” Darcy clipped and rubbed the back of his neck. “However, even if it is, I am no longer a…” fool Darcy thought. ‘A…” a naïf, a lamb, Darcy derided himself. Sighing, he said, “I am no longer an innocent overwhelmed with grief. The Darcy lineage is safe from Mrs. Waters. No need to send the cavalry.”
Richard watched Darcy. No, no need this time. “Will you meet with her?”
“Do you see her retreating?” Darcy raised a brow, and Richard huffed. “I thought not. So, I will.”
Richard nodded. His cousin was right. Darcy was a man now, not a lost lad overset with grief and responsibility. Richard lifted his head and creased his brow, “What did she have to do with your vexation at the ball?”
Darcy tensed and gripped the chair arm. Richard watched as Darcy took a sip of his now cold coffee and grimaced, “She sent her card around the day of the ball,” Darcy answered, looking down.
“Hmm,” Richard responded, watching with steepled hands as Darcy rubbed the back of his neck. Do not ever gamble with me, Darce, for you will undoubtedly lose. “Well, speaking of the ball, what a pleasure it was to meet the lovely Miss Bennet. A delightful lady, lively and witty, and not at all hard to look at.” Richard side glanced Darcy, “You have been withholding from me, Cousin, seeking to keep all of Miss Bennet’s delights for yourself?” Richard raised his brow.
Darcy shifted in his chair, “Do not be preposterous.”
“Preposterous? Me?” Richard chuckled. “But why did you not mention that you had spent significant time with such a charming lady in Hertfordshire?”
Darcy leaned forward and straightened a stack of papers that suddenly required his utmost attention. “When have I ever acquainted the likes of you when I have met a charming lady?”
“Oh, ho! So, you do think she is charming, do you?”
Darcy hmphed, “If I recall, Cousin, it is you who called her charming.”
“Ah, yes, but you did not disagree. And I noticed that you, who would rather muck out a stall than dance, took the lady for a spin. Quite singular.”
Richard was too quick by half. Darcy sighed, rolled his eyes, then lifted his chin, and stared slightly above Richard’s head. “As you say, I am acquainted with her.”
“You are, and it is this very acquaintance that is prompting the inquest,” Richard coughed, “I mean, um, conversation.”
Darcy glared at Richard, “Get on with it, Richard.”
“If an acquaintance alone had ever been sufficient inducement for you to dance, all the modistes in London would be overwhelmed with young debutantes and a few older ladies, too, ordering their trousseaus. So, do not use that disguise with me.”
Darcy leaned back and tapped his finger on the arm of the chair. Then he looked at Richard, “Really, Richard, Bingley is my friend. I danced with Mrs. Bingley and so could not slight her sister.” There, Darcy shrugged.
Ah, but you did not extend that same reasoning to Bingley’s other sister, Miss Caroline Bingley, Richard thought but decided to gain his information by another method. “Right you are, Cousin, excellent manners as always.” Darcy watched Richard with narrowed eyes. “It is good that you have no interest in the lovely Miss Bennet, for she has certainly piqued Saye’s interest. Did you notice that he danced with her twice and stared at her for the rest of the night?” Richard lifted his hand and examined his nails, his eyes flitting to Darcy.
Darcy nearly snapped the quill he had picked up. “She has no wealth and very abysmal connections,” his voice sounded too loud in his ears. “Saye should take care not to trifle with her,” he narrowed his eyes, “as should you. She is a gentleman’s daughter.”
Richard clutched his heart, “A direct hit, Cousin! When have I ever trifled with a gentleman’s daughter? And Saye is as honorable as any I know. I think that he is genuinely taken with her.”
Darcy shifted in his chair and then rubbed the back of his neck, hard.
“They go to the theater tonight,” Richard spoke softly.
I shall fire my valet, he always ties this blasted cravat too tight, Darcy thought as he tugged at it.
“I go, as well. Will you come along? Open that grand box of yours so that the second son of an earl will not have to cavort with the unwashed masses?”
“I shall let Miss Victoria Wentworth, whose family does not have a box, know that you consider her one of the ‘unwashed masses.’”
Richard laughed, “Will you come?”
“No,” Darcy clipped. “I have responsibilities and cannot amuse myself constantly with entertainment.”
Richard rose, laughing at the implication. “Please yourself, Cousin, but I will enjoy watching the theater.” Walking toward the door, Richard turne
d, “And by that, I mean the beguiling Miss Bennet and her dashing suitor, Colonel Saye.”
When Richard exited, Darcy flung the now mangled quill onto the desk and stalked to the window.
Dressed and looking resplendent in his evening wear, Saye jogged up the stairs at the Bingley townhouse. “Colonel Saye,” Bingley bowed as Saye entered the drawing room, “Welcome. Please be seated. Jane and Elizabeth will be down soon.”
“It seems I am a bit early.”
Light laughter was heard as the ladies entered the drawing room. Saye turned, his face brightening with a slow smile as he watched Elizabeth. She was stunning with her hair styled in an intricate design of braids and curls and a gown of the softest rose that draped her body beautifully.
Saye bowed. “Mrs. Bingley, may I say how beautiful you look tonight?”
“You are too kind, Colonel Saye, thank you.”
Walking to Elizabeth, Saye kissed her hand, “And you, Miss Bennet, are breathtaking.”
Elizabeth flushed as she held Saye’s twinkling gaze. “I thank you, Colonel, you are rather dashing yourself.”
“Miss Bennet, you have far eclipsed the appeal of the theater.”
“How so, sir?”
“Did you not say that the theater is alive with beauty?”
Elizabeth coughed and covered her smile, “Something of that nature.”
“Then whatever it offers tonight will fail to compare to the beauty that is before me.”
Elizabeth inhaled and then exhaled with a soft sigh.
Georgiana stood in the great hall of the theater on the arm of her brother. She was surprised that he had invited her to the theater that very night! It was also beyond belief that he stood in the foyer rather than arriving just before the start of the production and striding rapidly to his box. Instead, he stood tensely amid the crush, speaking a clip greeting to anyone who deigned to speak to him while alternating between rubbing the back of his neck and casting his eyes constantly to the door.
Georgiana watched him through hooded eyes. When his body became like a steel rod, Georgiana followed his unwavering gaze to the door. At the entrance, stood her cousin Richard with Mr. Bingley and a stunning woman she presumed to be the new Mrs. Bingley. Georgiana’s brow furrowed as she turned back to study her brother’s face. He was breathing deeper, and she followed his gaze back to the entry once more. It could not be Cousin Richard, Bingley, nor even the stunning Mrs. Bingley that was the focus of the most intense stare she had ever seen. She followed his gaze closer; this time, she found that it rested exclusively on a slender, lovely lady on the arm of a large, dashing man with a broad smile. The slender, lovely lady had beautiful chestnut hair, a stunning dress of rose silk, a beaming smile, and eyes like so many twinkling candles. Georgiana looked at her brother and raised her brow.
“Darcy! What brings you here, old fellow, and standing in the lobby, no less!” Richard said as he neared Darcy and Georgiana.
Darcy glared at Richard and returned his gaze to Elizabeth who approached on the arm of a smiling Saye. “Very droll, Cousin. I am here for the performance just as you.”
Remembering his parting quip from earlier in the day, Richard whispered close to his ear, “Yes, Cousin, but which one?” Darcy leveled Richard with a hard gaze. Richard eyed Saye and Elizabeth, and then he turned and winked at Darcy.
“Darcy! I did not expect you here tonight! And Miss Georgiana, how lovely you look,” Bingley greeted them.
With introductions made Darcy invited them to enjoy the theater from his box.
“Excellent, Darcy,” Bingley responded. Then remembering the others, he said, “That is if it meets with your approval?” he asked his party.
Darcy caught Saye’s eye as the others talked, and the two men spoke without words. Finally, Saye nodded, and the group proceeded to Darcy’s box.
Darcy stood at the entrance and allowed his guests to enter, as Elizabeth passed, she looked up to find his intense gaze upon her. Your presence is air. No! She inhaled and tensed, no! He said, “fair!”
When Elizabeth tensed, Saye looked down, “Are you alright, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth smiled quickly, “Yes, yes. Tis just excitement.”
Elizabeth turned her eye from Saye and looked about; the Darcy box was exquisite. Its interior was plush with large, lush seating. Stuffy Mr. Darcy showing his wealth again. Surely it has never held someone as low born as I. Perhaps I should take care that it does not plummet me down to the masses below. She cast a glance at her host. Darcy stood graciously, directing his guest to the most advantageous seats in the front row of his box, while he and his sister and cousin sat in the second row. Elizabeth grimaced at her unkind thoughts. She glanced at Darcy again, and at that precise moment, Darcy turned his gaze upon her. Shock flowed through her body; she jumped and turned quickly forward in her seat.
Saye sat in the front row on Elizabeth’s right with Jane on her left and Bingley next to Jane. As the curtains opened, Saye watched Elizabeth’s face display her every emotion, joy and sorrow, intrigue and contemplation. Her eyes widened in surprise, her lips smiled in humor, and her chest heaved in indignation. As he watched her passions, Saye sat with a half-smile. He leaned over and whispered a droll observation about a scene that he had observed before. She turned to him, her eyes bright with pleasure and comprehension. Their eyes held for a moment before she smiled brilliantly at him and turned her attention back to the stage. Saye sighed, beauty come to life indeed.
Darcy was seated in the staggered seat which placed him behind Elizabeth and Saye. It was an advantageous position; he could see her each time she turned her head to follow the actors on the stage. It was also advantageous to see what he did not want. Darcy was amid savoring a particularly delightful expression upon Elizabeth’s face when Saye whispered to her. Darcy tensed, like a beast ready to pounce on prey. His heart pounded; then it threatened to cease beating altogether, as Elizabeth turned to Saye and stared before a slow smile lit her countenance. And Darcy could not breathe. His whole life, lonely, joyless, and overwhelmed with duty, flashed before his eyes. The festive season alone or an add on at Georgiana’s family gatherings, being a godparent to Bingley’s children while his own nursery was empty. Never experiencing the ecstasy and the intimacy, the knowing and the being known, the shared life, breath, and dreams that could only come from the grace of true love. A solitary figure traversing life’s paths – perhaps married to another, but never truly belonging.
He could accept such a fate, find satisfaction in something else if he had not already tasted of the bliss in her smile, if he had not already been presented with ecstasy. He could even have accepted, torture though it may be, if Elizabeth rejected his suit, but to not even have tried, to foolishly let it slide from his grasp, to throw a diamond out with the dung, that was untenable. As Elizabeth turned back to the stage, Darcy uncurled the fingers that had gripped his armrests and tugged at his cravat. His breath came in gasps. He was pleased that his sister was engrossed in the action and that his perceptive cousin was seated on Georgiana’s other side.
Melancholy swept over Darcy like a force. Was Elizabeth’s heart already touched? Blast it! Have I waited too long and now my worst nightmare is upon me? Darcy wanted to pace. Think man! How long of an acquaintance did they enjoy, a few days? She could not really know Saye, and he knew Elizabeth to be too sensible to give her heart too easily. His breath slowed. Maybe there was still time. He had heard of no courtship. Bingley would have surely mentioned such a thing and asked his opinion of Saye before he consented. Darcy laid his hand upon his heart and closed his eyes as the panic seeped from him and his breathing regulated.
Ever a man of logic and action, Darcy assessed his advantages. He was her brother’s best friend, to be in her company often was something that he could easily arrange. He enjoyed a longer acquaintance with her than Saye. They were not friends; how could he possibly have settled for being only friends with this all-consuming love a
nd raging desire that marked his existence since knowing her? However, they had history, lively debates, dances, shared memories. Yes, yes, Darcy nodded in the dark, he would utilize that. Also, though Saye was a gentleman, he was still a soldier, rough, and Darcy was sure that he did not enjoy literature and art as Elizabeth did. But I do, he thought. Saye was also restless, he did not seem inclined to settle down, (he even left his recently inherited estate to his steward), while Darcy was more than ready to succumb to domesticity with the right mistress. Saye was wealthy and connected, but few people, even peers of the realm could match the wealth that Darcy had. While Darcy realized that Elizabeth was not mercenary, still he had the means and the inclination to bring her the world and lay it at her feet.
There was still the matter of Georgiana. Darcy’s finger tapped a rapid beat on the arm of his chair. Since Ramsgate, Darcy had ceased paying Wickham’s debts, and he had since been thrown into debtor’s prison. No one would take the word of such a one over a Darcy. And Mrs. Younge, well he held her fraud over her. She would be silent. How had he given Wickham so much power over him? Darcy exhaled and looked at Elizabeth. Yes, he had the advantage and now the resolve. He would do everything in his power to make her his.
At intermission, the party stretched and chatted. As the other gentlemen fetched refreshments for the ladies, Darcy inhaled deeply and spoke, “Miss Elizabeth, how are you enjoying the production?”
“Very well, Mr. Darcy, and you? Have you the privilege of seeing it before?”
“Yes, I have,” Darcy answered somewhat stiffly. This was not at all what he wanted to say. I love you like I never dreamed possible. “It is one of Georgiana’s favorites. We have come often to view it.” I will prove my love to you.
“An ideal elder brother,” Elizabeth said as she looked at Georgiana who seemed to find the carpet fascinating. Smiling Elizabeth continued, “Perhaps you will share some of your insights, Miss Darcy.” Georgiana looked at Elizabeth with large eyes and then glanced at her brother. “I would love to hear your favorite parts,” Elizabeth continued. Georgiana nodded, and Elizabeth reached her hand to Georgiana and brought the shy girl to sit beside her. Darcy sighed as he watched Elizabeth draw his reticent sister into a conversation.
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