Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Elizabeth’s reunion with Colonel Fitzwilliam would have proceeded more smoothly if there had not been quite so many eyes on them both.
His manner towards her was courteous, but she could not deny there was a touch of distance in his demeanour.
In return, she was equally as cool; she found his irreverent asides did not entertain her as they had before.
Feeling supremely uncomfortable, she asked after his family.
“My father is bearing up well enough, but I do not wish to be far from him for long.”
Georgiana leant forwards. “Do not hurry back to Haddon Court, if you can help it.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “We have all missed your company.”
So transparent a comment could not be misunderstood, so Elizabeth interjected quickly to save the colonel any embarrassment. “You must act as your heart and conscience dictates. I understand you have been a great comfort to Lord Matlock.”
“The old boy has finally begun to realise my worth,” he said with a twinkle, before adding soberly, “I am afraid I cannot be parted from him.”
Lady Acaster regarded him for longer than Elizabeth was comfortable with.
“A pity for us! However, your attentiveness to Lord Matlock does you credit.” Her eyes darted towards Mr Darcy, who was silently watching their exchange.
“Devotion to loved ones appears to be a family trait.” She reached over and tapped Elizabeth on the elbow.
“This morning, my dear niece and I were discussing our plans. I am of the opinion that we should return to London soon. My business is concluded, and we have abused Mr Darcy’s generosity enough. ”
“You are welcome to stay at Pemberley for as long as you wish.” Mr Darcy’s words included both Elizabeth and her aunt, but his eyes sought only hers.
Blushing, Elizabeth answered, “My summer in Derbyshire has been one to remember, indeed one I shall never forget, but regretfully I cannot stay here forever.” She turned to Georgiana, whose downcast expression was almost comical.
“But my aunt agrees that you would be always welcome to stay with us at her home in London.”
Georgiana paled slightly. “I would dearly love to visit you, but I am afraid if I should—”
Elizabeth thought at once of Georgiana’s night-time wanderings. “Only when you are ready.” She placed a reassuring hand over her friend’s.
Lady Acaster’s eyes creased. “Imagine the balls, dear Miss Darcy, and with your beauty and your talent for music, you would be the envy of London.”
“But I hardly know how to dance,” she stammered. “I have never even been to an assembly, let alone a ball. I would surely lose my way.”
“It is not so fearsome,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said with a laugh. “One grows accustomed to the steely gazes, gossiping tongues, and quizzing glasses. I am certain Miss Bennet will show you what to do.”
“I would not take you to a ball, but rather the theatre, or an art exhibition,” Elizabeth reassured her. “We may go to a marionette show or sample the delights of Gunter’s Tea Shop.”
Georgiana brightened. “That does sound wonderful.”
“But not as fun as a ball.” Colonel Fitzwilliam’s natural liveliness had returned, and he said with mischief, “If Miss Bennet will not take you dancing, then I shall. Though I cannot promise to be a jolly companion, for I shall growl ferociously at any man who asks to be your partner.”
Georgiana began to giggle. “You would not dare.”
“I do not think I could stop myself. And I would not act alone—I am sure Darcy would be found skulking in the shadows, ready to stick out a leg to trip any eager suitor who thought to approach.”
Lady Acaster chuckled. “We shall have a ballroom of injured men, hopping around, clutching their ankles.”
Even Elizabeth could not suppress a laugh at this image; she glanced at Mr Darcy, who had so far said nothing.
Lady Acaster followed her gaze. “Is there any truth in your cousin’s words, Mr Darcy? We have not seen you in any of London’s ballrooms and have no notion of how you might behave.”
Mr Darcy frowned. “I am not in the habit of breaking young men’s limbs.”
“But you do lurk most frightfully,” Colonel Fitzwilliam could not resist adding. “I cannot remember the last time I saw you dance.”
“We have all had that pleasure.” Lady Acaster looked at Elizabeth. “Mr Darcy and my niece partnered one another last month.”
“Darcy danced with you, Miss Bennet?” Surprise inflected every one of the colonel’s words.
“Only as a demonstration for his sister,” protested Elizabeth.
“But my cousin so rarely dances with anyone outside of his shockingly small circle of friends. My biggest regret is to have missed it. Perhaps you might treat us to another performance.”
Mr Darcy cut through their conversation, his deep voice laced with warning. “May I remind you that I consider Miss Bennet and her aunt to be close acquaintances. There is nothing remarkable about our dancing together.”
This somewhat cold description stung Elizabeth, but she was saved from composing a response, for the colonel announced theatrically, “I have it! There is an assembly in Lambton in three days’ time.
It is but five miles away—we should all attend.
” He turned to Darcy. “You may display your clumsy feet, and I shall laugh at you robustly.” Addressing Georgiana, he grinned.
“What better introduction to a ballroom? Think of the fun it would be, and you may hone your dancing skills far away from the ton’s watchful eyes. ”
“Would you dance at least two sets with me?” Lady Acaster interrupted. “I have no wish to be a wallflower at a Lambton assembly.”
“In an instant,” he replied with a wink, “And Darcy will dance all those that he does not promise to his sister or Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth started. I, dance with Mr Darcy? Unbidden, the sensation of his hand covering hers returned, and she was back in the moonlit study, his face only a whisper away. How she wished for some way of controlling her body temperature as heat swept through her.
Her cheeks must have betrayed her unrest, for Colonel Fitzwilliam added, “You do not look happy at the prospect! Come, you have braved my solemn and serious cousin’s company for all this time, Miss Bennet, do you think you might tolerate him in an assembly room?”
Annoyed by his impertinent questioning, she hid her disquiet behind a smile. “What makes you suggest I would only tolerate Mr Darcy’s company? I cannot name a more agreeable gentleman.”
“Are you certain we are talking of the same man—the one that scowls and hides himself in his study?”
She raised a playful brow. “That description does not match my observations. Perhaps he only behaves that way when you are near.”
From his place by the fire, Mr Darcy quickly rubbed his hand across his mouth.
The colonel did not miss Mr Darcy’s attempt to stifle a laugh, and exclaimed, “Then it is settled! I await your first proper dance together with anticipation. You may observe my cousin in the company of people he does not know well, and we can compare our experiences.”
Mr Darcy had regained his composure and frowned. “You presume, of course, that I would agree to this scheme.”
“You would refuse to dance with a pretty woman?” Colonel Fitzwilliam’s teasing was relentless; Elizabeth could not like it.
Pointedly disregarding his cousin, Mr Darcy looked at Elizabeth, then his sister and Lady Acaster. “Would you wish to go?”
Elizabeth glanced at Georgiana, whose expression remained apprehensive. “Only if it is agreeable to everyone in our party.”
Georgiana’s blue eyes drifted from Elizabeth to her cousin before her gaze settled on her brother.
“We have not all been together for many weeks, and if Elizabeth and Lady Acaster are to depart soon, I do not know when we shall be in each other’s company again.
I would like my first public dance to be with Elizabeth and Lady Acaster, for I think them to be accomplished dancers, and I would take great reassurance from their company. ”
Elizabeth felt Mr Darcy’s gaze upon her. With the quiet resignation of a man accepting his fate, he replied, “Then I shall make all the necessary arrangements.”