Chapter 11 Vaux Hall Gardens #2
She had kept one hand upon the rail and now let it fall. “No, sir. I believe my balance is restored.”
“And you, Georgie?”
The young lady faltered as she stepped down, and he was quick to provide support. He offered his other arm to Elizabeth, and the three descended together.
They returned the blankets and joined Mr. Bingley and Jane upon the bench, where they sat engaged in earnest conversation. Bingley said, “I have promised Miss Bennet that we shall visit the acrobats at the Triumphal Arches.”
“Fitzwilliam, how much I shall have to tell Richard. First the balloon ascent, and now the acrobats besides. He will refuse to credit a word of it.”
“We shall see him tomorrow, my dear. He will call before he departs for Matlock. He has undertaken to secure the opinion of a specialist for Philip.”
Mr. Darcy turned toward Elizabeth.
“Our cousin, Philip, Viscount Stafford, was a summer guest of the Earl of Harrington and rode out with the hunting party. A stray shot startled his horse, and he was thrown. He struck a large rock that lay half-buried in the ground and received a blow to the back of his head. He can move his fingers and toes, so paralysis is not suspected, yet he has not regained consciousness.” His expression was bleak.
“We trust that the military surgeon may suggest some course of treatment to assist his recovery.”
“Did they discover who fired the shot that caused the accident?” Elizabeth asked.
“Richard has only just returned from the Continent. His first concern is Philip’s care, but he has engaged an inspector to examine the matter. He means to learn whether it was no more than a mischance or a deliberate attempt that failed of its mark.”
Georgiana’s eyes widened. “Who would wish to harm Cousin Philip?”
She turned to Elizabeth in explanation. “Cousin Philip is as handsome as Cousin Richard, though he is fair where Richard and my brother are dark. He possesses a lively temper and shows the greatest devotion to Aunt Helen. No one could be a better son,” then she added hastily, “excepting, of course, my brother and Cousin Richard.”
Elizabeth said, “I am sorry for your cousin, yet all hope is not gone. He may still recover. While they continue to give him water, there remains a chance of restoration.”
They continued in conversation until they reached the Arches, where their attention was claimed by the acrobats.
They paused to watch a rope dancer whose leaps rose to a remarkable height, yet with each descent, he found the rope with perfect certainty.
He jumped and turned, and performed figures that held them all in suspense.
When a second performer, a lady, mounted the rope beside him, they were all astonished.
He balanced a chair upon his head, and she achieved a handstand upon it.
Georgiana covered her eyes, fearing a fall. Elizabeth stood transfixed. Mr. Darcy had seen the exhibition before and devoted his attention to watching Elizabeth instead.
When the performance concluded, he addressed her. “May I procure a glass of light sherry for you, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, thank you, sir. I should like it very much.”
“And for you, Georgie, a glass of negus.”
He settled the ladies beside Jane in a box Mr. Bingley had secured, then went to procure the refreshments.
Mr. Bingley was ordering cheesecake when Mr. Darcy returned with glasses for Elizabeth and Georgiana.
A server followed with drinks for the others.
They took their seats and enjoyed a moment of rest, and the cheesecake was served soon after.
Mr. Darcy drew his chair near Elizabeth and inclined his head to follow the conversation between her and his sister. He observed Elizabeth’s expression as they reviewed all they had seen and heard during their visit to the gardens.
When dusk began to fall, Elizabeth watched as thousands of small oil lamps and colored lanterns, suspended from the branches along each principal walk, were lit.
The illumination transformed the gardens.
The golden light trembled with the movement of the light breeze and gave the whole scene an appearance of enchantment. Elizabeth was absorbed in the sight.
She started at a sudden report that sounded overhead, then saw the fireworks break across the sky. “Oh, how lovely. I could never have imagined...”
Mr. Darcy bent his head nearer hers and offered, “If you are ready, we may walk to the green for a better view of the fireworks.”
“I would like that very much, sir.”
He rose and escorted them while Bingley and Jane followed.
Mr. Darcy observed, “Miss Elizabeth, your hair shows like burnished copper in this illumination. The effect is remarkable.”
“Thank you, sir. I was thinking the same of Georgiana. Her hair holds threads of gold in this light.”
“Miss Elizabeth, do you visit London often?”
“No, sir. My uncle’s family usually comes to Longbourn to visit. They both enjoy the fresh air, and my uncle takes great pleasure in fishing and in riding.”
“You do not miss the opportunity to shop at fine establishments or to enjoy the entertainments found only in town?”
“No, sir. I should like to spend an entire day at Hatchard’s, and I would enjoy an evening at the theatre; however, I must confess I am a country girl.
The air in London is foul, and the streets are crowded and noisy.
There, now you will think me eccentric.” She raised her eyes to read his expression, but he appeared pleased with her answer.
The fireworks were now in full display, and they fell silent to watch.
The hour was late by the time the fireworks concluded. Mr. Bingley consulted his watch. “Darcy, it is half past eleven. My carriage should be waiting along the road.”
Elizabeth felt a degree of happiness she had not known before. “Mr. Darcy, I thank you for bringing us here. I have never passed a more agreeable day.”
“You are most welcome, Miss Elizabeth. I also count the day a happy one. And you, Georgie?”
She rested her head against his arm. “It has been a wonderful day. Only Richard’s presence could have improved it.”
Darcy replied. “We shall hope for the best and pray that Philip soon recovers.”
They left the gardens and headed toward the bridge. After a short distance, Mr. Bingley gestured ahead.
“There stands my carriage beneath that tree. My coachman chose his place well.”
The drive back to Gracechurch Street passed in quiet. Once again, Mr. Darcy sat pressed against Elizabeth, and though it was unintended, she welcomed the intimacy.
She felt at ease in his company. His shoulder rested against hers. He was near enough that she caught again his clean masculine scent. The memory of the evening fixed itself in her mind. She believed she would recall it even as an old woman, looking back upon the happiest moments of her life.
When they drew near to the house on Gracechurch Street, Elizabeth took leave of Georgiana.
Once the carriage halted, Mr. Bingley descended and assisted Jane down, then escorted her to the door.
Mr. Darcy followed and handed Elizabeth from the carriage.
His fingers closed about her hand as he guided her arm through his and drew her near.
She offered no resistance, and by the time they mounted the steps, he held her firmly against his side.
The door opened. Mr. Darcy released her hand and bowed. “Thank you again for joining us this evening, Miss Elizabeth.”
“And I thank you for the pleasure of the day, Mr. Darcy. I shall remember it always.”
She entered with Jane, and when the door closed behind them, they hastened to the nearest saloon and looked out through the window. The gentlemen had already boarded the conveyance, yet they watched the carriage lamps until they vanished.
Elizabeth seated herself upon a small couch. “Jane, I never passed such a day of exquisite pleasure. It seemed almost unreal.”
Jane sat next to her and pressed her hand. “Lizzy, Mr. Bingley is like a hero from one of your novels. I did not suppose such a man could exist, so handsome, so agreeable, such a perfect gentleman.”
“You mean he resembles neither Sir William nor Mr. Goulding?”
Jane laughed. “He does not. If I were married to such a man, I should count myself fortunate all my days. If I were married to him, I should be the happiest wife who ever drew breath.”
Elizabeth rested her head against her sister’s shoulder. “You may yet be so. His attentions were marked, and you received them well. I saw that you offered him encouragement.”
“I remembered your counsel. If he withdraws, it will not be because I showed him indifference. It tried my sense of propriety, yet I resolved to be open in my manner. If smiles can give courage, he received many.”
They continued to recall the evening until Mrs. Gardiner entered.
“Come, my girls. There is a fire in the drawing room, and the candles are lit. You must tell your aunt every particular.”
The two sisters rose and accompanied her there, and they did not retire until one o’clock, recounting each adventure and, in Jane’s case, each look, each smile, and each attention she had received from Mr. Bingley.