Darcy and Elizabeth’s Valentine’s Meet Cute (Holidays with Darcy and Elizabeth)

7. St. Valentine’s Day Ball

CHAPTER 7

St. Valentine’s Day Ball

I n the week since being introduced to Georgiana, Elizabeth had visited Darcy House every day except St. Valentine’s Day, the day of the ball at Matlock House. That morning, Elizabeth woke full of nerves, wishing, not for the first time, that she were at Longbourn. If for no other reason, Elizabeth longed for a long walk to try to work out her feelings. Being in town was lovely, but she missed the ability to walk out by herself and think.

She rose early and went downstairs to speak with her aunt and uncle. After confiding her need for a long walk, she was soon dressed warmly and sent to the park near the Gardiner’s home, accompanied by a footman. There, she was given the time to walk off the anxiety she felt about the coming dance.

It was not the ball itself that concerned Elizabeth but the fact that she would be dancing the supper set with Mr. Darcy, which was sure to give rise to all manner of speculation. The thought of being the centre of attention—with all eyes on them—made her uneasy. She knew Mr. Darcy considered her worthy, but she was less confident about how the others would view her.

Over the past week, Elizabeth’s friendship with Georgiana had flourished, and at the same time, her connection with Mr. Darcy had deepened. Each visit began with an hour or two spent alone with Georgiana, but Mr. Darcy joined them afterwards for conversation. Their discussions were lively and engaging, and when the afternoon visit ended, he never failed to escort Elizabeth home. A maid accompanied them in the carriage for propriety’s sake, but their conversations flowed effortlessly despite the chaperone’s presence.

They never seemed to run out of topics to discuss. Even when they disagreed, they found enjoyment in their debates, occasionally adopting opposing viewpoints simply to prolong the exchange. There was an ease between them, a growing familiarity that made each conversation more stimulating than the last.

Though it had only been about ten days since their initial meeting, Elizabeth was confident she was in love with Mr. Darcy. However, despite him honouring her with a dance that night, she had no idea how he felt about her. He had never spoken of courtship, nor had he given any indication that he might desire one. Elizabeth knew he was aware of her circumstances—particularly her lack of dowry—and perhaps he knew something of her family. Still, she was not sure if either of those things would deter him from considering her as a possible match.

To make matters worse, when Elizabeth returned home the previous day, she found a letter from her mother awaiting her. In it, Mrs. Bennet demanded her immediate return to Longbourn, declaring that Elizabeth did not deserve the ‘reward’ of remaining in London. Convinced that her daughter was enjoying herself too much, she had grown increasingly irritated by thinking of what she must be doing. In her view, Jane should be in town for the season, attending balls and parties and finding a suitor.

It mattered little that the Gardiners had yet to attend a single ball—the upcoming Matlock event being their first. Mrs. Bennet, imagining Elizabeth swept up in a flurry of social engagements, deemed it unfair that she should receive such favour. The letter left no room for argument: the Bennet carriage would arrive at the Gardiners’ home by ten Monday morning to collect Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was conflicted. If she told Mr. Darcy and Georgiana she would be leaving in three days, they might miss her company, but their acquaintance would likely end there. She considered that Georgiana might write to her after she left, but Darcy—whatever feelings he might have had—would likely forget her once she was no longer in town. As she walked laps around the park, these thoughts weighed heavily on her, alongside her nerves about the evening.

After nearly an hour and a half of walking, the footman, struggling to keep pace, finally told Elizabeth it was time to return. “Miss Lizzy,” he said, “your aunt and uncle have asked that I bring you back after no more than two hours. It has been nearly that long, and it is time to return.” Elizabeth reluctantly agreed and followed him back to the Gardiners’ home.

Once there, she spoke to her aunt. “Thank you for everything you have done for me these past months, especially for encouraging my relationship with the Darcys. As you know, Mama wrote to me yesterday, and though I did not mention the contents of the letter before, I must tell you now. She insists I return home as soon as possible. The letter states the Bennet carriage will arrive on Monday to return me to Longbourn. Jane is to stay in London in my place and attend events with you, since, apparently, I do not deserve such attention. She also said that since it is unlikely that I will ever catch a husband, Jane should come here to find one to, as she puts it, ‘save the family.’”

Mrs. Gardiner sympathised with Elizabeth but knew she could not defy her sister-in-law’s wishes. It seemed strange that Mrs. Bennet would send Jane to London without an invitation, as if she expected Jane to take Elizabeth’s place without question. While Mrs. Gardiner was tempted to send Jane back with Elizabeth, she decided it would be best to discuss the matter with her husband before making any decisions.

Darcy prepared for the evening across town at Darcy House, though his uncertainty was for an entirely different reason. Tonight, he would ask Elizabeth Bennet to enter into a courtship. His feelings for her had only deepened over the past ten days, and with each passing moment in her company, Darcy had grown more certain—Elizabeth was unlike any woman he had ever met and was on a fair way to claiming his heart. For the first time in memory, he was looking forward to attending a ball, knowing that the prospect of dancing the supper set with her would make the evening not only bearable but enjoyable.

Darcy had always avoided opening a ball with a partner, wary of raising expectations he had no intention of fulfilling. But tonight, he also intended to claim Elizabeth for the first set. Initially, he had refrained from securing a second dance with her, uncertain where their acquaintance would lead. Now, however, he wished to make his interest unmistakable. Not only would he lead her out for the first and supper dances, but he also hoped to stir speculation among those in attendance.

Let them speculate. For once, Darcy was prepared to meet and exceed expectations.

With this thought in mind, Darcy stepped into his carriage for the journey across town to Gracechurch Street. Gardiner had, at first, insisted that his escorting them was unnecessary, but when Darcy had visited the warehouse to speak to him earlier that day, he had agreed to the escort, along with the promise of a few minutes alone with Elizabeth to make his request.

Conversely, Darcy’s journey to the Gardiners was too short and too long. He was anxious to see his Elizabeth again, for that was how he referred to her in his mind, but he was also nervous that she might reject him. Darcy believed she cared for him and liked him, but she was uncertain how she would respond to his request for courtship and for a second significant set at the ball.

Gardiner had told Darcy a bit more about Elizabeth’s family that afternoon, including how Mrs. Bennet constantly criticised Elizabeth and her insistence that Elizabeth would never marry. Darcy scoffed at the idea but also understood how being treated in such an infamous way by her mother could affect a young woman. He would do all he could to bolster Elizabeth’s thoughts about herself and show her, in word and deed, how much she meant to him.

The housekeeper showed Darcy directly to Gardiner’s study. “I am afraid I have news for you,” Gardiner began, handing the younger man a glass of port.

“Is Miss Elizabeth well?” Darcy asked, having been asked to call her that earlier in the week when she was with his sister.

“Physically, she is well, but her mother wrote to her yesterday demanding that she return home. She did not say anything to her aunt until this morning, and I did not learn of it until I arrived. I do not know how this will affect your resolve to court her, but I know the thought of leaving the company of you and your sister troubles her,” Gardiner replied.

Darcy took a sip of his drink, taking a moment to think the matter over. “Would her father allow her to stay in London if I asked?”

“I cannot say. Bennet is not one to stand against his wife, which is why Lizzy ended up with us for as long as she has. He might prefer she return home simply because he may think you will give up your pursuit of her if you did,” Gardiner replied honestly.

“And I were to propose marriage instead? I know what I want but am uncertain of Miss Elizabeth’s feelings,” Darcy replied.

“My wife would know better than I,” Gardiner said. “But perhaps the best solution is to allow you and Lizzy ten minutes alone so the two of you might discuss the matter. I believe the ladies are ready now; I will send her to you here.”

Darcy nodded, and both men stood. A few minutes later, Elizabeth entered the room, and Darcy was momentarily speechless when he saw her in her ivory dress, trimmed with emerald green to match her eyes.

“You look beautiful, Elizabeth,” he breathed.

She felt her cheeks heat both at his compliment and his use of her Christian name. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she murmured.

“Elizabeth, when I arrived tonight, I intended to ask you for a courtship. However, after speaking to your uncle and seeing how lovely you look, well, I have changed my mind,” he said.

Elizabeth’s head dropped, and Darcy saw the tears pool at the corner of her eyes. “No,” he rushed to say, stepping towards her and taking her hands in his. “No, no, it is not what you think. My darling Elizabeth, I do not wish to ask for a mere courtship. I want to ask you to be my wife. A courtship would have allowed us to get to know each other more, perhaps, but we can learn about each other during our engagement as easily. I do not need a courtship to tell me that you are the only woman I desire to be my wife, my partner.”

“Truly?” Elizabeth asked, looking at him for the first time that evening.

“Truly,” came the earnest reply. “Elizabeth, will you marry me? We can go to the ball tonight and announce our engagement. Your uncle is your guardian and can permit us to do so. I can go to your father tomorrow to ask him to allow you to stay, but even if he does not, I will find a way to come to you. Georgiana can lease a home for a month or two until the wedding. If we are already engaged and must be separated for a time, we can write to each other.”

“What if my father objects?” Elizabeth asked.

“Do you think he will?” Darcy questioned, wondering what sort of man might reject such an eligible suitor, but Gardiner had told him before that Thomas Bennet was not like many men.

“I cannot say for certain,” Elizabeth replied, turning away from him slightly as she thought about him making the journey to Longbourn. “I almost hate the thought of you meeting my family and having to speak to any of them. If my mother knew of your request, she would not let him refuse you based on your wealth alone. I have been to your house, sir, and know you are well off. However, she will try to convince you that you should marry Jane instead.”

“I love you, Elizabeth, and not even Aphrodite herself could dissuade me from marrying you,” Darcy declared. “You are beautiful, no matter what your mother may say, and even if your sister were Helen of Troy, I would not trade your wit and conversation for all the silent beauties in the world.”

Elizabeth looked up at him with that crooked brow he had learned to recognise as the prelude to a tease. “You would not cast me aside were Aphrodite or Helen to appear and be willing to follow you home?” she asked, her lips curving into a mischievous smile.

Darcy chuckled, shaking his head. “Not even if they begged on bended knee.”

Elizabeth laughed. “Aphrodite, begging? Now that I should like to see.”

“You are the only goddess I have eyes for,” he said softly, reaching for her hand. “No myth or legend could compare to the woman before me.”

Elizabeth’s teasing expression softened, and she simply gazed at him for a moment. Then, giving his hand a gentle squeeze, she whispered, “Then I am the most fortunate of women. Yes, Mr. Darcy, I will marry you. If Father will not consent, well, if he will not, we will do whatever we must.”

Leaning down, Darcy captured her lips in a slow, lingering kiss, his hand sliding up to cradle her cheek. “I love you,” he murmured against her lips, his voice husky with emotion.

“Not as much as I love you,” she whispered, her gaze full of teasing and challenge.

A wicked gleam entered Darcy’s eyes. “Is that so?” he murmured before claiming her lips again, this time more urgently. His arms tightened around her, drawing her flush against him as he deepened the kiss, leaving no room for doubt as to the depth of his devotion.

When they finally parted, breathless and dazed, Elizabeth laughed softly, her forehead resting against his. “Perhaps it is best we inform my aunt and uncle of our news. And we still have a ball to attend.”

“We do, and now that we are engaged, I must claim more of your dances,” he said, his voice warm with affection. “I have already secured the supper, but I wish for your first and final sets as well.” His fingers brushed lightly over hers, his gaze unwavering. “I have never anticipated a ball as much as I do tonight. Though my aunt will no doubt insist I stand up with one or two others, know that my thoughts will never stray far from you—nor from the joy of knowing that you have made me the happiest of men.”

The couple’s news was met with hearty congratulations from Elizabeth’s aunt and uncle and, later, by Darcy’s family. Lord and Lady Matlock, already acquainted with Elizabeth, received the announcement with approval. Lady Matlock had always wished for Darcy to find a woman who could match his intellect and spirit and was especially delighted by his choice.

When Lord Matlock heard the news, he let out a hearty laugh. Elizabeth was not only poised and well-spoken but also a formidable chess player who had challenged—and occasionally bested—him. “She will certainly keep you on your toes, Darcy,” he remarked with amusement. “You shall have to work to keep up with her.”

To his surprise, his nephew did not bristle at the tease. Instead, Darcy merely smiled—a rare, unguarded expression that spoke volumes about his feelings for the lady in question.

As expected, Darcy opening the ball with an unknown young lady incited much speculation amongst those in attendance that night. Some initially assumed she must be a distant relation or a guest of Lady Matlock’s since she had arrived with Darcy. Others, noting his usual reluctance to dance, suspected there was more to the matter. But the whispers grew louder when he also claimed her for the supper set. Who was this dark-haired beauty at his side?

As they moved gracefully through the steps of the dance, Elizabeth arched a teasing brow at him. “You do realise you have set the entire room to whispering, sir?”

Darcy’s lips quirked. “Let them whisper. I have nothing to be ashamed of. If I could, I would declare to the entire room that I have found my perfect match.”

Elizabeth tilted her head playfully. “Nothing at all? Not even the smallest regret at connecting yourself to an unknown country miss?”

He met her gaze, his expression softening. “I regret nothing and am rather enjoying being the object of speculation for once. They are all wondering how you have captured me and do not know that it was I who have won the prize.”

She laughed, the sound warm and bright. “Who are you, and what have you done with Fitzwilliam Darcy?”

“I have merely decided to embrace what I have always known to be true,” he said, his voice quieter now. “That you are the only woman I have ever wished to dance with.”

A blush rose in Elizabeth’s cheeks, but she did not look away. Instead, she lightly squeezed his hand as the dance brought them together again.

As the night went on, many guests sought introductions, determined to uncover the identity of the woman who had so completely captivated Darcy. Gentlemen were drawn to her charm, while disappointed mamas and envious debutantes scrutinised her with a critical eye. They whispered about her lack of noble connections—no one seemed to know her—and murmured over the simplicity of her gown. Yet even the sharpest tongues could find little fault with the fine fabric and elegant cut. Most of all, they could not ignore the exquisite attention Darcy lavished upon her throughout the evening.

As the strains of the final notes faded and he led her back to her seat, Darcy leaned in slightly. “Would you grant me your final dance, my love?”

Elizabeth pretended to consider, then smiled archly. “Since you have already danced more than usual, one more would hardly damage your reputation further.”

And when he led her out for a third set, the entire room seemed to come to the same conclusion. Though no formal announcement had been made, nor had any connection been publicly acknowledged, it was undeniable—the elusive, much sought-after bachelor from Derbyshire had been caught.