Conundrums & Coincidences (Mr Darcy’s Dilemmas)

Chapter 30

30

REASSEMBLY

O n Thursday, after receiving and answering urgent correspondence and paying a call at Longbourn—an all too brief one for his liking—Darcy returned to Netherfield relieved that Elizabeth had suffered no repercussions, particularly of her father’s doing, following the previous night’s Musical Magic.

Darcy had enjoyed that quick kiss upon his cheek, the one upon the back of his bare hand, and the hair ruffling. He could have done without the nose tweak, though. Her mortification had become his own, and he silently repented of being jealous when Elizabeth had caressed other men’s hair. It was but a mere touch, you noddy, not a caress.

Most of all he regretted that he had gone to Longbourn bearing ill tidings. Elizabeth’s disappointment had nearly been his undoing. He prayed that, later that evening, all his time, effort, and expense might mitigate some of her sadness over the forthcoming separation—one of a fortnight’s duration, longer than expected, and a distance of one hundred and thirty-eight miles .

There were estate matters to be addressed in Derbyshire, ones that could not be handled through the post. The most urgent was that Pemberley’s venerable and long-serving steward was not long for this world. Darcy wished to be home for his friend’s funeral, and Mr Ward’s nephew would require guidance while settling into the position for which his uncle had been training him.

Then there was the matter of preparing the house for Mrs Darcy’s arrival. Mrs Reynolds was a godsend, as always; but, needing everything to be as perfect as possible, Darcy wanted to oversee the refurbishment of the mistress’s apartments and nursery himself. A thrill shot through him at the very thought of Elizabeth in those rooms.

Rubbing his forehead, he banished those images and reviewed details of his current project and was confident nothing had been overlooked. Even the sky had cooperated. The night was clear, and guests would be guided to and from the venue by the light of a full moon. But after days of preparation, he had gained a greater appreciation for the time and effort stage-managers put into theatrical productions.

“So remember, Bingley,” Darcy had said to his friend hours ago, “the first with Miss Jane Bennet, the two third with Miss Maria Lucas, the two fourth with one of Mrs Long’s nieces, the two fifth with Miss Jane Bennet, the two sixth with my Miss Bennet, and Le Boulanger with?—”

“Yes, yes, Darcy! I remember!”

Once Jonesby had made the final touches to his cravat, Darcy inspected his valet’s handiwork in the mirror and nodded his thanks. When he arrived downstairs at half past the hour, six of the Netherfield party stood waiting in the vestibule, but there was no sign of Miss Bingley.

“Georgiana, Hadley, Mrs Annesley, and I shall go ahead in my carriage and await you outside the inn. Bingley, kindly ensure your sister does not cause a delay. We must make an entrance together, as we did on the fifteenth of October.”

Reassembled outside Meryton’s best—and one and only—inn, they paired up as arranged: Mrs Annesley on Bingley’s arm, Georgiana on Darcy’s, and Mrs Hurst on her husband’s, leaving Miss Bingley to be escorted by Hadley. Together they climbed the stairs and entered the hired assembly room, for which Darcy had paid handsomely.

In general circulation within five minutes of their arrival was a report of his being in desperate need of a wife. Want, not need. Well, yes, need.

The Master of Ceremonies beckoned them over. Clapping while the musicians tuned their instruments, Sir William Lucas said, “Capital, capital! What a charming amusement assemblies are for young people, eh, Mr Darcy?”

“Certainly, Sir William. There is, after all, nothing like dancing. It is one of the first refinements of polished societies.”

Miss Bingley sneered. “Then one should have stayed in London, where there is polished society.” She and the Hursts were much as they had been in the autumn, and Georgiana and Hadley seemed duly shocked at their supercilious remarks.

Disregarding Miss Bingley and her fault-finding, Darcy nodded to Sir William. “I hope to prove tonight that I am adept in the science of dance.” And off he went to do so.

In passing a gaggle of females frantically fanning their faces, he heard them complimenting his countenance and stature. “And he has such an alluring, inviting smile.”

Egad! Darcy cringed, and the tips of his ears reddened. Glancing down at Georgiana, whom he was shepherding about the room, he noticed the pretty blush upon her cheeks and the grin she tried to subdue.

Needing to be on his very best behaviour, he walked about the hall reacquainting himself with all the principal people and introducing his sister, her companion, and Hadley and making a valiant attempt to be amiable, mannerly, very easily pleased, and not above his company. It was quite exhausting.

And if all that was not enervating enough, there was the dancing. Georgiana and Mrs Annesley would not be partaking, but, between the three of them, Darcy, Bingley, and Hadley danced almost every dance.

While his friends stood up with local young ladies, Darcy danced with Elizabeth, her sisters, Miss Bingley, and Mrs Hurst. His good character was decided, and everyone hoped he would return to Meryton again and again, with or without a wife.

During his first set with Elizabeth, she said to him, “Should I be worried or happy, Mr Darcy, that you, my future husband, can be so secretive and scheming? I thought Jane had gone quite mad this evening when she rooted round the wardrobe, pulled out this old gown, and insisted I wear it to an assembly about which I had no knowledge. Although, come to think of it, of late you have been acting suspiciously.”

“Acting? Whatever do you mean?”

“Yes, acting. You belong on stage, sir, as I believe I told you at Oakwood.”

“Oakwood? What is Oakwood? I have no notion of what you speak, madam.” Darcy smiled and put his whole heart into it. I am enjoying this a bit too much, I think.

Halfway through the night, he was informed that—due to the trampling of her toes by an inept buffoon—Elizabeth had been obliged to sit down awhile, which, although terribly unfortunate for her, was fortuitous for him.

He fetched Bingley, and ensuring they stood close enough for Elizabeth to overhear a conversation between them, Darcy prodded his friend.

In a decidedly stiff, monotonous tone, Bingley recited, “Come, Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”

Good grief. Has he never acted before? Put some emotion into it, man!

“I certainly shall not.” Darcy feigned a groan. “My feet are killing me. Have you not noticed how many times I have danced thus far? Of course, at such an assembly as this, with ladies outnumbering gentlemen, it would be insupportable not to do so. Besides, it would be unwise of me to stand up with someone a second time, lest my intention be marriage. Gallantry is expected of a gentleman but is often construed as flirtation.”

“Upon my honour, Darcy. I never danced with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening.” Bingley’s intonation had improved. “And there are at least half a dozen of them who are uncommonly pretty.”

“Indeed there are many uncommonly charming and attractive young ladies here, and you just danced with one of the handsomest.”

“Oh, yes ! Miss Jane Bennet is the most beautiful creature I have ever beheld!” Bingley’s vocal inflections were masterful. “If I am very fortunate, I shall marry her some day! Oh, but look. There is one of her sisters sitting down just behind you. She is very pretty and, I dare say, very agreeable. Why not ask her to stand up with you again?”

“A second time! Why, I might as well announce to the entire world that I ardently admire and love the lady and have chosen her as my bride. As you well know, Fitzwilliam Darcy does not dance twice with any woman at any ball. By the bye, which sister did you mean?” Turning round, Darcy looked fixedly at Elizabeth, never withdrawing his gaze. “By Jove, Bingley, thank you for bringing that exquisite creature to my attention. What fine eyes she has!” He lowered his voice a mite. “You know how discriminating I can be. She, however, is handsome enough to tempt me.” His eyes caressed her.

Squaring his shoulders, he made a show of adjusting his cravat. “I presently find myself in excellent humour just being in the lady’s presence. Why, my feet do not even hurt any longer. Return to your partner, Bingley, and enjoy those pretty smiles she bestows so generously. You are keeping me from the woman I intend to wed and carry off to Pemberley.” With confidence, Darcy strode towards Elizabeth.

Her dark eyes were bright and, perhaps, laughing at him. Tempting lips smiled so invitingly that he almost forgot himself and kissed her then and there.

“Pray tell, madam, does your injury cause much pain?”

“No…unless you insist I dance a reel.”

“Ha! I would not dare. But whenever you are ready to scandalise your neighbours, I hope you will stand up with me a second time. I want everyone to know my affection is not a slight, thin sort of inclination.”

She stood and held out her hand. “Then let us leave them in no doubt, sir.”

Elizabeth remained extremely cordial towards him during that quarter of an hour. She teased him, she held his fingers a little too long for decorum, and she moved a little too close for propriety. So much so that Darcy thought it wise to put a bit of space between them and find a less desirable partner for the second dance of that set.

Therefore, with Elizabeth’s permission, he cajoled Mrs Bennet into dancing a reel with him. While doing so, he kept an eye on his intended as she walked about the room, smiling and laughing and speaking with her friends and telling them, with great spirit, the story of how he was putting to rights last autumn’s event during which he had so cruelly slighted her. Of course, most everyone in the room had been in on the scheme, so they merely smiled and nodded at her and declared it a most excellent evening.

So lovely, so delighted with what he had done, so lively and playful was she that Darcy longed to whisk her off into the night and… Best keep your thoughts under good regulation whilst dancing with the woman’s mother. Soon, though…

The instant the reel ended and he had escorted Mrs Bennet to her chair beside Mrs Philips, Darcy went in search of his love.

“Darcy! Darcy, did you not hear me hailing you?” Running a hand through his hair, Bingley approached from the side.

That sight evoked in Darcy a memory of Elizabeth’s fingers threading through his wavy hair, fingernails scraping his scalp, eliciting a moan, and?—

“Darcy, are you well, man? You just groaned. Are your feet truly killing you?”

“No. Yes.” That was just my own wishful thinking and not at all how it happened last night. “What is it, Bingley?”

“I despair of doing this again to Jane…leaving so soon after a ball, but she and Miss Elizabeth wish for us fortunate men to marry them in a double wedding on the eleventh. So I must go to town and procure a common licence, and see about purchasing Netherfield, and arrange for?— ”

“Stop there, Bingley. Do not be so hasty in making such an important purchase. Give living within three miles of your mother-in-law a few months before deciding whether to renew the lease, buy, or run for the hills of Derbyshire. Trust me.”

“I do trust you . I just wish I could trust Caroline and the Hursts not to pack up and follow me to town.”

“Yes, well, speaking of going, I really must beg your pardon, my friend. There is an important matter I have yet to accomplish this night.” With a nod, Darcy turned on his heel. Although others called out to him, he was finished with being amiable, mannerly, and easily pleased. There was only one person with whom he wished to be warm and engaging.

A glance at his watch informed him it was eleven o’clock, and the assembly would last only until half past the hour. There was no time to lose.

In passing the supper room, where light refreshments were being served at his expense, he noticed Hurst eating and drinking as though he was famished from dancing all night. The man had stood up once. With his own wife.

At the very end of the passage, Darcy espied the very person he sought, standing at an open window, looking out into the night. At his footfall, she turned, and he rushed to her.

Moonlight caressed her profile, and he perceived a silvery track of tears. “Elizabeth, my love, are you well?”

“I am…now that you are here with me.” Her smile was forced, he could tell. “It is your leaving tomorrow that saddens me.”

Darcy tenderly wiped away the vestiges of tears with his handkerchief. “I am sorry. ’Tis unavoidable, though. Mr Ward was, is , my very good friend, and I pray I shall not be too late to say my last farewell. ”

She reached for his gloved hand. “I understand, sir. Truly I do. Still, I shall miss you terribly.”

“Terribly as in very much, or terribly as in very badly done?” He smiled as Elizabeth batted his arm.

“Horrid man. Why did I imagine I might be wretched without you?” She looked at him with a sombre expression. “Last night you told me you would be gone eleven days, which was bad enough. But fifteen! You are to return only just in time for our wedding. And I distinctly remember you saying, on at least two separate occasions, that you would by no means suspend any pleasure of mine.” Moonlight captured a hint of mischief in her eyes.

Darcy tugged her into an embrace. “Of all horrid things, this act of saying goodbye is the worst. However, when we meet at the altar after this separation and all the longing and anticipation of a fortnight, our love will be stronger.”

Tilting her head back, she looked up at him, eyes luminous as she swept a few curls from his forehead.

Just as he had done while carrying her from Oakwood’s garret, Darcy firmly hugged her warm body to his. A whiff of summer meadows and autumn orchards. Home. The caress of sweet breath upon his cheek. He closed his eyes, indulging in sensation. Fingers stroking his nape. Blasted gloves! Lips brushing lips, sliding, parting. Heaven.

Unsure how the kiss had been initiated or by whom, he drew back to look into her eyes. They were closed. Her kissable lips were still slightly parted. To indulge one’s appetites without restraint is not the action of a gentleman. To indulge one’s appetites without restraint is not the action of a gentleman. To indulge one’s appetites without restraint is not the action of a gentleman.

Nobility of restraint asserted itself. Gently, he moved her hands from his neck and held them. “Elizabeth, we should go.”

“No. Not yet.”

“We must. But before we do, I have something to give you.” He backed away and reached into his breast pocket. “This was the first gift, and sadly the last, that I chose for my mother. And it will be the first of many for you.” He placed a tiny velvet pouch upon her palm. “’Tis nought but an amusing, decorative trifle, but I hope you might like it.”

She pulled the strings and tipped the pouch onto her glove. “Oh, how lovely!” The silver brooch featured a pair of long-tailed barn swallows perched upon a branch of rose-cut diamonds. “I love watching the aerial performances of these birds and listening to their musical twittering. Thank you.” She kissed his cheek. “I shall wear it every day while you are gone.”

Then, with most exquisite misery and utter despondency, Darcy and Elizabeth bade one another farewell until they would meet at the altar in fifteen days.

As Darcy left the assembly room and entered his carriage, he hoped the six Bennet ladies had returned to Longbourn in good spirits.

Good humour was not the case at Netherfield.

“I still do not understand why you went to such bother, Mr Darcy, just to rectify a silly little remark you made to Eliza Bennet eight months ago.”

“How would you feel, Miss Bingley, if I said within your hearing that you are not handsome enough to tempt me?”

She gave a ladylike little laugh and smiled beautifully at him. “But you never would say that of me, sir.” At the look on his face, her smile faltered. “Would you?”

When he did not answer, she sniffed. “And what could Eliza have meant by wearing the same dreary gown she wore eight months ago? And you! To have danced with her twice , sir! Why, you might as well have declared yourself to the entire assembly! I cannot imagine how you are going to resolve such a conundrum.”