Chapter 4
Chapter Four
A few days following the Assembly, the Netherfield party joined other leading families and Colonel Foster of the ___shire militia for dinner and cards at Lucas Lodge.
The younger set, determined to have their fair share of enjoyment, had entreated Miss Mary Bennet to play a few songs they could dance to.
Soon a few young ladies and gentlemen had lined up awaiting the first chords to begin.
Mary ran her fingers over the keys and played a lilting melody to warm up and stretch her fingers.
Darcy, propped against the window, heard the familiar music and moved to watch Miss Mary play, noting there were no sheets of music in front of her. When she paused briefly, he asked quietly, “Where did you learn this melody, Miss Mary. It is delightful.”
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She ducked her head and blushed bright red from his attention. “I heard Lizzy humming before her walk this morning and determined to teach myself the melody. It is not complete. I have yet to ask her to hum the rest.”
Stunned into silence, he gave her a polite half bow and retreated back to his station by the window.
How could Miss Elizabeth remember the melody from the waltz they’d danced to?
He’d wiped her memory, did he not? He most definitely remembered standing at the foot of her bed, reciting the ancient words.
And he knew he’d done the required hand gestures, a requirement for the spell to work. Then, how could she remember the music?
The more he learned, the less he knew and his thoughts were consumed by a dark-haired sprite with emerald eyes dancing opposite a man he’d decided to dislike.
“I can guess the subject of your reverie...”
Darcy closed his eyes and wished himself anywhere but here, standing next to Miss Bingley. With great effort he reined in his frustration and answered her in a tight voice, “I assure you, you cannot.”
God would roll back the stars before he revealed his inner thoughts to Caroline Bingley. If she knew how much pleasure he derived at the sight of a light figure and fine eyes brightened by dancing, his time at Netherfield Park would become a living hell.
“I’ve known you for almost three years and see how much you disdain this company. It’s insupportable that Charles will not quit this dirt trodden village and return to Town.”
Stretched beyond the limit of his patience, Darcy closed his eyes briefly, drawing upon his natural reserve to obscure his thoughts.
“I happen to enjoy the quiet respite I have found here in Meryton. There is something in the air that allows you to pause and regroup.”
“Respite? You have found respite in a place where the Bennet horde cause mayhem and chaos?” She gazed about the room, an almost permanent sneer marring her face. “I shall have Mr. Penray check Charles’ wine reserve to make sure you have not partaken more libation than your senses can withstand.”
And the stars rolled back.
“I urge you to temper your chastisement, Madam.” He turned to face the upstart who clutched the mad dream of being Pemberley’s next mistress to her chest like a precious vase.
“Never seek to reprimand me for my behavior. You are not my mother nor my sister, and you are most decidedly not my wife. It will be a cold day in Hades before I allowed that to happen.” He gave her a crisp bow. “Good evening.”
He cared not that she stood in complete shock, her mouth opening and closing like a carp out of water.
In his peripheral vision he noted her sister scurrying to her side.
With luck, they’d call the carriage, return to Netherfield Park and leave on the morrow.
Spotting Charles, standing next to Miss Bennet, he joined them.
“Miss Bennet.” He gave her a polite half bow.
“Mr. Darcy.” She returned with a small nod of the head. “Are you enjoying Sir William’s house party?”
“I am and wondered, would you do me the honor of the next dance, if your sister continues to play such happy music?”
“I would.” Jane Bennet’s cheeks flushed slightly. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
He noted that Charles practically beamed with joy, knowing this was his way of subtly approving of his choice of lady.
How long that would last after his sisters informed him of his despicable manners, only time would tell.
He’d warned Charles often enough that he would not tolerate Caroline insinuating herself into his life any more than reasonable given their close friendship.
In Town she was easy to avoid. He and Charles met at the club or Gentleman Jack’s, but within the close confines of Netherfield, she’d begun to portray a kind of desperation that made him leery.
And vigilant. Every night he bolstered the wards around his room in case she attempted a compromise.
Shoving those unpleasant thoughts aside he escorted Miss Bennet to the head of the line and, surprisingly, enjoyed a pleasant half hour in her company.
Although demure to the extreme, he was pleased to note that she had a healthy knowledge of books and current events, reminiscent of her closest sister.
Jane Bennet may not command the attention of the room beyond her stunning beauty, but waters ran deep in her soul and Charles was a lucky man to have discovered this diamond in the rough.
When the dance was complete, he handed her off to Charles who was speaking with Miss Elizabeth and Sir William.
“Thank you for the dance, Mr. Darcy.”
Miss Bennet gave him a slight curtsy.
“My pleasure, Miss Bennet.”
He had to work hard to stop the smile which threatened to appear at the look of surprise in Elizabeth’s eyes at his pleasant demeanor.
Sir William spoke up. “What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr. Darcy. There is nothing like dancing after all and I see that you are quite adept at the science yourself.”
“Indeed, Sir William. But then, any savage can dance.”
“Quite so, quite so.” The gentleman guffawed, abruptly stopping to stare keenly at Miss Elizabeth.
“My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr. Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a desirable partner. I’m sure you cannot refuse her a dance when such beauty is before you. ”
Darcy witnessed Elizabeth visibly start at Sir William’s words. He could see her lips forming the word ‘No’, and stepped forward, taking her gloved hand in his, bowing low over it.
“Miss Elizabeth. Would you find me tolerable enough to suffer through a half hour of my company?” She gasped at the direct reference to his odious remark from the public assembly and he thought for sure her one eyebrow would make contact with the delightful curl which insisted on wisping out of her elegant coiffure.
He gambled further and continued, “Although I might not be handsome enough to tempt you, I’d be honored if you would be my partner in the next dance. ”
“Mr. Darcy, you are all politeness...” She attempted to withdraw her hand but he held firm.
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. I know I have not made a good first impression upon the fair people of Meryton and for that I apologize.” Was it possible for her eyebrows to creep up any further? “I hope I can count on you, and your fair sisters to aid me in re-establishing my good name.”
He noticed her cast a quick glance toward her sister who gave her a quick nod.
“In light of your wish to reform your pride, Mr. Darcy, I accept.”
He dropped her hand and offered his arm to escort her to the head of the line. He sensed the whispers flowing about the room.
Proud Mr. Darcy standing up with Elizabeth Bennet? I thought she wasn’t handsome enough for the likes of him.
He chastised himself internally. What a fool he’d been.
He placed his full attention toward Elizabeth as the opening chords of the dance began.
As they circled around each other for the third time, he noticed her fichu had slipped where the base of her neck met the gentle slope of her shoulder.
His eyes were drawn there in happy remembrance of how soft her skin had felt beneath his lips.
As she raised her arms to move under his, the fichu slipped again and he sucked in a sudden breath.
At the base of her neck, the very neck he’d lavished unbridled attention upon in her dream, was a lover’s mark.
Only a steely resolve kept his feet moving in time to the music.
How was that even possible? First, she’d remembered the music of the waltz, and now this.
They had been in the dream realm not the physical world.
He gave her neck another quick glance to make sure he’d not imagined the physical manifestation of their lovemaking and felt a familiar tightening of his body.
For one sizzling second, he was transported back to the exact moment he’d cupped her breast and recalled with unbridled delight how her nipple had hardened from his devoted ministrations.
He raised his gaze to Elizabeth’s and realized by the widening of her eyes that she’d witnessed his naked desire. She stumbled and he reached for her.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he managed to say with a modicum of normalcy. “Are you all right?”
“Yes. I was wool gathering.” She regained her equilibrium and continued through with the next portion of the dance although she refused to raise her eyes and her cheeks blazed a bright red.
He had to do something. At any moment she would abandon him on the dance floor and flee for her life.
Well versed in the fight or flight phenomenon, he did not want her to leave without setting her mind at ease.
Later, at his leisure, he’d research old tomes and see if this had ever happened before.
There was more to Elizabeth Bennet than met the eye.
At their next return he said, “I had a delightful letter from my sister today.” A small lie, but necessary to break the frigid ice around her heart.
“You have a sister, Mr. Darcy?”
He paraded around another lady in their set before facing Miss Elizabeth again.
“Yes, she is my only sibling and is in Town with my aunt and uncle while I help Bingley learn estate business.”
They touched hands and proceeded down the line for a few beats of music.
“Is she enjoying her time with your family?”
Wasn’t that the hundred-pound question. When he’d seen her at Lord Matlock’s home he was shocked at how wan and thin she appeared.
All life seemed to have drained from her eyes and she wouldn’t even play the pianoforte.
There was nothing he could do but leave her in the capable hands of his aunt and the new companion they hired.
“My sister is but fifteen and not out in company as of yet. She has a love for the pianoforte and my aunt has hired a Master for her learn more.”
“My sister Mary would love to tutor under a Master musician. She spends most of her day, when not reading and copying tracts, playing our instrument. Papa has had to replace the keyboard at least twice in my lifetime, such is her passion.”
“I have perceived her passion and commented to her how much I enjoy her playing. Especially the song she used to warm up with.”
“I’m afraid I was getting Mama a glass of punch and missed Mary’s warm up.
I’m glad you appreciated her efforts. Not many people praise my younger sister.
She will hold you in high esteem now. I hope you’re prepared for her to like you despite what others may say.
” She clamped her lips tight as she realized how insulting the words were.
He determined to take it as a light jest.
“Come now, Miss Elizabeth. Who has spoken against me?”
“No one, Mr. Darcy. Pray excuse my bad behavior. It was ill done and I am most ashamed.”
The dance ended and he extended his arm to escort her back to their party.
“Miss Elizabeth, you have nothing to be ashamed of. If anyone should apologize, it is me. You well know I’m aware that you overheard an obscene remark. It was most ungentlemanly done and my mother, were she alive, would have boxed my ears in front of the whole assembly.”
She stifled a giggle behind her gloved hand and he felt a sense of relief when her bright eyes danced with amusement.
“Mr. Darcy, if I could travel through time, I’d love to meet your mother, have her attend that same assembly and watch the mayhem and ensuing chaos with glee.”
“You, Miss Elizabeth, are decidedly cruel. My cousin Richard would stand with you and cheer, ungrateful cur.”
“The ladies were quite taken with your cousin. They sighed over his bearing and red coat for at least a half hour the next day.”
“And you, Miss Elizabeth? Did you fawn over my cousin’s regimental bearing?”
A small frown creased her brow. “No, Mr. Darcy. A man in regimental red does not set my heart apace. I require a man who is thoughtful, well learned and loves to laugh at the capriciousness which is life. Not one who charms each lady as if she is the only one he cares about. A fickle heart will not sustain any long-term relationship.”
“Ah, Miss Elizabeth. You have discerned my cousin’s motive most aptly. To my knowledge, he has not given his heart to any lady and until Monsieur Bonaparte is defeated, he doesn’t dare raise their hopes. He may not return from the battlefield.”
“I forget at times there is a reason for most of our young men to don the uniform of His Majesty’s army.” She raised concerned eyes to his. “I shall treat him with more generosity of spirit than I had before.”
They had reached her sisters and he allowed her to let his arm go.
“That is all we can ask for.” He bowed over her hand. “Thank you for a most delightful dance, Miss Elizabeth.”
It took every ounce of his will power to keep from her bedroom that night.
Everything in him clamored to stake his claim again.
He wanted to leave his mark all over her sensuous body and show everyone that she was his, and his alone.
As it was, he pored over old family tomes within the walls of Pemberley, where he was heavily warded and no one, not even his trusted servants would know he was ensconced in the library trying to unravel the secret that was Elizabeth Bennet.