27. Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Seven
February 1812 Darcy House, London Darcy
E lizabeth Bennet occupied his thoughts far too often. If Darcy’s mind strayed even a little, her fine eyes and pleasing figure taunted him. He pictured her in his library, at his breakfast table… indeed, he imagined her in every room of his home over and over again.
Darcy could not escape the temptation even in sleep. In fact, she tortured him even further when his eyes were closed, and he could not force his sleeping consciousness to dwell on other things.
It will not do, he chastised himself as his valet helped him dress. The blue coat paired well with the gold striped waistcoat, and his cravat had been tied in an intricate knot. Elizabeth Bennet is not for you. He continued his internal lecturing. She is the poor daughter of an insignificant country squire. Father wanted better for you.
Both his parents had fervently wished for their son to make an excellent match. His mother had at one time suggested that an arrangement be brokered between him and his cousin, Anne de Bourgh. But his aunt had stubbornly resisted the idea, insisting that her daughter would marry for her own inclination. Such had surprised Lady Anne Darcy, for she had been taught that marrying for love was a foolish sentiment.
Anne would be a suitable match for a Darcy, he mused. Yet, Lady Catherine writes that she is being courted by Lady Metcalfe’s son. What is his name? Roger? No, it is Rupert.
Not that Mr. Metcalfe was not suitable. His father was an earl. But Rupert was a second son. Anne’s inheritance meant she could have her pick of suitors. But Lady Catherine determined that her daughter would marry for love, and so it seemed she would.
It is not the same. Miss Bennet is not well connected. Perhaps if she were, I could justify offering for her.
Still, he could not resist her pull. He went to Hyde Park every day in hopes of seeing her. And he did, more often than not. It surprised him that her uncle could spare his carriage so often for his niece to visit the park. Cheapside was across town. Surely, her relations needed the carriage. Did they even have their own carriage? he wondered. He never recalled seeing one, anyway.
Dressed for the day, Darcy went downstairs and partook of a light breakfast before retreating to his study. He had estate business and correspondence that he needed to complete before going out.
Yes, you fool, he thought grimly. Even after a morning of remonstrations, you cannot help yourself. Sighing, he sat in his chair and pulled the stack of letters toward him, intent on spending the next half an hour sorting through and answering each one.
“Brother?”
He looked up, grateful for the reprieve. His neck ached and his hand hurt from the many letters he had read and responded to since sitting down. “Dear Georgiana,” he said warmly, smiling in welcome. “What can I do for you today?”
“I wondered if we could go out,” she said timidly. “I wish for new music. Everything you purchased for my birthday I have mastered.”
She looked as if she would bolt at any sign of displeasure. His sister had been far too withdrawn since the summer. Poor, misused Georgiana. I would do anything to see her restored to herself.
“I suppose we can go as soon as I am done with my work,” he said, hoping his easy acquiescence would ease her nerves.
She smiled shyly. “Very well,” she replied. “May I ask how long?”
“Until I am finished? I do not believe it will be much longer. An hour, perhaps?”
“Then I shall be ready.” She turned and left the room, shoulders slightly hunched as if she feared censure.
Darcy sighed and turned back to his work. Letters and correspondence managed, he turned to the estate business his steward had sent him. His mind wandered back to his sister, and he worried anew for her spirits.
“Blast Wickham and his scheming.” He said it aloud, and then silently wished the man every comeuppance he deserved. Georgiana had been convinced she loved the blackguard, and when his duplicitousness had been revealed, all the confidence she gained at school had been destroyed in an instant.
Forcing his mind back to his work, Darcy examined the letter and the accompanying documents from his steward. The delicate negotiations in the most recent tenant dispute consumed his focus, and he penned a reply with instructions on how to proceed.
Finally finished, he rubbed the back of his neck and then stood. He left his study, closing the door behind him, and then instructed his butler to call for the carriage. Following the sound of the pianoforte, he located his sister and informed her that they could depart as soon as the carriage had been made ready.
She smiled broadly, and his heart leapt at the display of good humor. Georgiana did not express such sentiments often. Not since Ramsgate.
In a half an hour, they left the house and climbed aboard the carriage.
“What say you to making an afternoon of it?” he asked. “We might first go to the museum, and then to the shop to find your music.”
“And then tea and sweets at Gunter’s?”
“What, no ices?” he teased.
“It is February!” she cried, aghast. “I am already frozen.”
They chuckled, and the carriage lurched as it started forward. Darcy knocked on the roof and called out new instructions for the coachman to go to the museum.
“There is a new Egyptian exhibit,” he told his sister. “I have been meaning to go for some time.”
Georgiana wrinkled her nose. “I do not understand what you see in history,” she said. “Especially Egyptian history. What is so interesting about the dusty, linen wrapped ancient dead?”
“The entire culture is fascinating. They had their heathen gods, and their strange traditions. And the pyramids! I wish I could travel to see them someday. How could men have created such enormous structures?”
Georgiana laughed. “Very well, you have made your case. May we also visit the art gallery?”
Darcy nodded.
They arrived at their location. Having spent the ride in pleasant conversation, brother and sister now disembarked and climbed the stairs to the museum. They first visited the art gallery and spent an hour looking at the paintings. Georgiana had keen insights about each work, and Darcy found himself enjoying it much more than he thought he would.
They moved to the Egyptian exhibit after. Georgiana expressed her distaste again, and Darcy promised that they would avoid the mummies on display.
The high ceilings made voices carry. A familiar voice drew his attention, and his gaze drifted across the room. There she was. Elizabeth Bennet stood with another gentleman, one who Darcy did not recognize, their backs to him.
His restraint wavered, and he drifted closer to where she stood. Oh, how he longed to be near her!
“This is a lovely piece, Uncle,” she said, pointing to a gold bracelet on display. “See the engravings?”
“Yes, my dear, it is very lovely. Now, we have lingered long enough. We must find your aunt and sister and be off. I have business to attend to.”
“You always have business,” she said. Darcy could hear the teasing in her voice. “What is it today?”
“Nothing you need concern yourself with. Now, let us be off.”
They moved away without seeing Darcy or Georgiana. Just as well, he thought. It would be dreadful to be introduced to a tradesman. Though, I admit he spoke very well. He seemed less nonsensical than I recall Mrs. Bennet being.
“Did you know them, Brother?” Georgiana asked.
“Who?” he asked distractedly.
“That young lady and her uncle. You looked at them like you did.”
“Hmm?” Darcy turned an inquisitive look on his sister. “What makes you say that?”
“Your face lit up when you saw them. Why did you not speak? I might have made the lady’s acquaintance.” Georgiana looked disappointed.
“Are you so lonely, Georgie?” he asked, hoping to distract her from seeking her answers.
“I am,” she confessed. “The young ladies at school were not to my liking. I should like to have a friend who enjoys my company.”
“I see. I shall have to give it some thought. Shall we go off to seek your music?”
Thoroughly distracted, Georgiana nodded eagerly, and they set off.
Later, he delivered his sister and her newly acquired music to Darcy House and then went to Hyde Park. The air was cold, hints of a possible storm in the air. He hoped to encounter Elizabeth in the park, for after seeing her at the museum, his desires to be in her presence had been inflamed once more. He knew the attraction to be foolish, doomed to be nothing more than wistful wishes, but he could not resist the opportunity to spend time in her company. Elizabeth Bennet stirred his passions and touched his soul.
He walked the paths for some time before he turned toward the entrance to the park. Disappointment and frustration warred within him, battling relief that he had not encountered the delectable siren from Hertfordshire. As he neared the gate, the lady appeared as if summoned by his thoughts, her faithful footman trailing behind her.
“Miss Bennet!” he cried. “I have been walking the paths for some time in hopes of meeting you.”
“Have you, sir?” she asked. She seemed surprised. Why should she be? Had he not told her he hoped to encounter her there?
“Yes. I am very pleased to have found you at last. Will you walk with me?” He smiled broadly, and she blinked. Her expression looked…bemused.
“Have you not been out in the cold for long enough, sir?” she asked. “The air is very brisk.”
“No amount of cold could deter me from accompanying you, should you choose to favor me with your company.” He said it boldly, silently cursing himself. You will give rise to expectation, he thought.
“Very well, Mr. Darcy,” the lady said. “If you can bear the cold for half an hour, I will consent to your accompanying me.”
He offered his arm, and she took it. Her hands were encased in fur-lined gloves, and her bonnet framed her face perfectly. When she turned away, he could not see her face, and he wondered what she thought about his desire for her company.
“How has your day been?” he asked after they had walked in silence for a time.
“Enjoyable. My aunt and uncle took us to the museum. We were there for several hours. After that, we went to Hatchard’s.”
“I, too, spent part of the day out and about. My sister went in search of new music.” He did not admit to having seen her at the museum. She would wonder why he had not approached, and he could not think of an excuse to give her that would not sound insulting.
“And was she successful?” she asked.
“Yes, Georgiana has several new compositions to learn. I imagine, however, that we will need to seek new music before we return to Pemberley.”
“Is she so dedicated to her instrument?” Elizabeth sounded surprised and pleased. “That is good. I am not as focused as I ought to be, despite having had masters. I find pleasure in many things, and so my attention is usually rather divided.”
“No one who has had the pleasure of hearing you play could find anything wanting,” he said earnestly. And he meant what he said. Every time Miss Bennet had played at a social gathering, he had been further entranced. She lent something more to the music than just playing the correct notes. Her performances had an emotional depth that stirred the soul of the listener.
She chuckled. “You are a flatterer today, Mr. Darcy. Have you not heard my sister play? Mary is by far the better performer.”
He protested, and she laughed again, shaking her head. She fell silent, and he glanced down at her, wishing he could see her face.
“Miss Bennet?” he asked when she did not speak.
“You puzzle me,” she said finally. “I cannot make you out at all.”
“I am afraid I do not understand.”
She shook her head. “Never mind my musings, sir. Tell me, have you decided when you are to depart for the north?”
They spent the rest of their walk in pleasant discourse, and when he farewelled her at the gate, he watched as she walked slowly away, her footman ever present.
What did she mean about not being able to make me out? he wondered. Have I not been more open with her than with any other lady? Georgiana included.
He returned to Darcy House, his desire for Elizabeth's company satiated for now. We are to go to Derbyshire soon, he thought dismally. Whatever shall I do without her?
The next few days kept him very busy, and when he finally had a moment to himself, he decided to go to the park. Having not been with Elizabeth in some time, he wished only to be by her side, her arm in his.
The short walk to Hyde Park allowed him to compose himself and bring his anticipation under good regulation. He feared that the moment he saw her again, he would declare himself and beg her to be his wife. The infatuation had turned into something more, something permanent. His heart had been captured, and he knew that if he did not control himself, he would throw away everything his parents wished for him and offer for her.
It would not do at all. Yet, she entranced him, drew him in, and he felt powerless to resist her.
He entered the park, looking around to see if she was there. Only a few people strolled the visible paths, and he set out to see if she had wandered farther into the park.
On impulse, he took a little path that led into the trees. They had walked there before, and he knew it to be one of her favorite paths.
Voices could be heard ahead, and he paused, trying to make them out.
“You are such a tease, James.”
That was Miss Bennet! He drifted forward. Ahead of him, in a small clearing, sitting on a bench, was Elizabeth and an unknown gentleman. Her footman was nowhere to be seen.
“My dear Lizzy, I reserve my most playful character for those I love best. You know this.” The gentleman tapped her nose, and they laughed. She leaned into his side and put her head on his shoulder.
“How long will your father delay until he allows you to propose?” she asked.
The man sighed and patted Elizabeth’s hand. “He says I must wait until June. It is not fair. We know what we want.”
“Very true. Well, you will have all you desire. I cannot see the lady defecting.” Elizabeth winked, and her companion chuckled again.
Dismayed, Darcy backed away. His heart seized and disappointment crashed around him. She loves another, he thought. And it is likely my fault. She is an astute lady and likely understands that I cannot condescend to offer for her. And now it is too late!
Resolved to be away from London as fast as possible, Darcy returned to his home and ordered his things to be packed. He and Georgiana would be gone at first light. He could not remain, knowing that Elizabeth would soon be beyond his reach forever.