Chapter 7
Over the interval between New Year’s Eve and Epiphany, the two parties saw each other every day apart from one when the weather prohibited it.
One morning, he and his relations discovered that Elizabeth would attend an assembly in Lambton on the sixth of January; subsequently, it was discussed at Pemberley, with Fitzwilliam insisting they likewise go.
Bramwell was dubious. “You know I want to help you secure her affections, Darcy, but a public assembly in so small a place as Lambton?”
Darcy agreed with him, although he did not say it aloud.
How he had hated being at the Meryton assembly!
It had been a disaster, too, in showing Elizabeth that he was a disagreeable, arrogant man who was not worthy of her attention.
He missed what Rebecca said to Bramwell but could guess based on the viscount’s suddenly reversed opinion that, “It probably will not be entirely horrible.”
“I think it will be jolly fun,” Freddie said. “Frivolity, music, dancing, lots of pretty girls. I know it is not the sort of event you particularly like, Darcy, but Miss Bennet will be there.”
“And so shall I,” he said. “It has occurred to me that I have not done as much as I ought to establish friendships, better acquaintanceships, or whatever you wish to call them, with the people who live nearby. The assembly will be an opportunity to do so.”
Rebecca gave him an approving smile, and Georgiana blurted, “Oh, please, may I go with you? I know I am not out, but it is a country assembly, not one in London, and I promise I shall not dance. But I would so like to be there.”
Darcy glanced at Fitzwilliam, who nodded, and it was done; Georgiana—along with their cousins and uncle—would attend the assembly.
I shall dance with Elizabeth. Two sets, if she permits it.
When they had stood up together at the Netherfield ball, it had been a combination of pleasure and torture for him.
Recalling how reluctant she had seemed and their near argument about Wickham, he vowed that this time would be very different.
We shall smile and laugh and, if I am fortunate, it will help our friendship become something far deeper.
One glimmer of love in her eyes, and he would propose. Even if it was in the middle of a set.
For the first time, Darcy spent Epiphany celebrating with the people of Lambton, in addition to his family, naturally.
The town was lively with games, hot punch at the inn, food, sweets, and a sense of community he had not anticipated and discovered he appreciated.
That was likely partly due to seeing how Elizabeth involved herself in the activity, smiling and chatting amiably with everyone who crossed her path.
Her very presence encouraged him to do better, to set aside his reticence and embrace the notion of establishing closer ties to the townspeople.
Should he not understand their concerns and struggles, given he was able to influence the well-being of the area?
To be sure, he discussed important problems with the other gentlemen, and he gave generously to local charities to support the poor and provide services, such as a school, but he kept himself apart.
After he and Elizabeth had assisted an elderly couple to remove the decorations they had put up for Christmas, they strolled through the town, her arm wrapped round his, accepting and returning greetings.
“I suppose I should not be surprised that you have made so many friends here already,” Darcy said.
Elizabeth laughed. “It is easy to do, and being here during the Festive Season, when there is always so much good cheer, makes it even easier. I like Lambton.”
“Do you miss being at Longbourn? Mrs Gardiner is here, but you have been separated from your parents and sisters at Christmas.”
She shrugged. “My aunt has missed my uncle and her children a great deal, but her health is better, and it means so much to Miss Pratt to spend this time here. As for me…yes, I do miss my family, but not as much as I thought I might.” Their eyes met briefly.
“I should have asked sooner, but will you dance the first set with me?” Unaccountably, he was nervous waiting for her response. Fortunately, she was quick to agree.
“Your cousins have asked me for the second, third, and fourth already.” She laughed. “I have no fears that I shall lack partners at this assembly!”
As she had in October. When he had refused to be introduced to her. Darcy was not sure whether she was thinking of that night, and he did not want to discuss it, but he said, “Whenever I am present, I shall do what I can to ensure you dance as much as you like.”
She said nothing but smiled sweetly and tightened her hold on his arm.
“I would be pleased, very pleased, if you saved a second set for me.” He wanted to kick himself for sounding so stupid, but that was forgotten the moment shyness overcame her beautiful visage and she nodded.
“I would like that,” she said quietly. “I see your cousins there, by the baker’s. Let us join them.”
Darcy’s mood at the Lambton assembly was far different from his mood at the one in Meryton.
It shamed him that he had been so sour yet had agreed to go out in public then, but it was a tremendous relief to feel happy currently; two months ago—even one—he would not have believed it possible.
The sense of festivity from earlier in the day continued.
The assembly rooms were brightly lit, the musicians excellent, and there was an elaborate Twelfth Night cake, covered with sugar decorations, that had been prepared by the baker.
The robust man stood proudly beside his creation with his wife.
Moreover, Elizabeth was especially lovely.
Her gown was elegant and appropriate for the occasion, and she had adorned it and her hair with red ribbons that matched her complexion perfectly.
But it was not what she wore that made her beautiful; it was her demeanour, one that—just as it had begun to in October—called to him.
He was tethered to her by invisible forces, and there was no breaking them, even if he wished to, which he most decidedly did not.
Darcy remained by her side as much as possible.
He knew people were whispering about the attention he paid her, but he did not care.
When she danced with Fitzwilliam, Bramwell, and then Freddie, he asked Rebecca and two other ladies.
Georgiana sat with Mrs Gardiner, Miss Pratt, and Frederick, and Darcy even saw her chatting animatedly with some of the local young ladies.
He was glad; it would do her good to have friends near Pemberley.
It occurred to him how much had changed simply because Elizabeth had accompanied her aunt to Lambton.
There is no surer proof that our lives will benefit from having her in our family.
Not only his and his sister’s; the relations who had met her liked her, and Bramwell and Fitzwilliam insisted they would convince the earl and countess to embrace Elizabeth as a new niece. Darcy chose not to doubt their success.
After the fifth set, which Elizabeth and Darcy danced together, they sought a quiet corner in which to enjoy a refreshing beverage. Conversation had been easy between them all night, but at present, she was seemingly lost in thought.
At length, he said, “I wish…”
“What do you wish?” she asked.
“I wish that the night we met had been more like this one, that I had understood myself as well as I do now, after seeing you again. Has it truly only been a fortnight?”
“Sixteen days. I can hardly believe it has not been sixteen weeks, given how much has changed.”
“You feel it also?” he said, needing to hear her say what her comportment showed.
“I do. I was so confused by you at first, but now…I am not.”
Darcy’s mouth was dry, and he finished the last drop of punch remaining in his cup before stepping closer to her.
His voice low, he said, “For me, there are some things, one in particular, that has not changed all that much.” The expression in her eyes—curious and hopeful yet a little anxious—encouraged him to go on.
“Even before I left Hertfordshire, long before Bingley’s ball—I cannot say when it began, perhaps from the very first moment—I had fallen under your spell.
I fought against it. I told myself it was inappropriate to regard you as anything other than an indifferent acquaintance, allowed that to drive me all the way to London and then Derbyshire.
I was a fool. I knew it the instant I saw you in Lambton, and my family have made me realise that I would, indeed, be a fool if I did not pursue the only lady who has ever made my heart sing. ”
“Oh, Mr Darcy, I…” She sounded breathless.
“Do you think you might ever feel the same? That you might return my affections? I do admire— No, I ought to be more direct. I love you, and I can imagine no better future than to have you as my wife.”
Nervousness tightened its hold on him, but he forced himself to search her eyes. They were bright with tears, one of which slipped down her cheek, and he knew—he knew—he had spoken too soon. She is about to tell me she cannot, that she does not care— Her voice interrupted his descent into misery.
“Yes.”
Never had one simple word meant so much. Tears burned the back of his eyes, and his voice trembled as he asked, “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she cried, her cheeks growing wet with her own tears. “I can imagine nothing better than to be your wife.”
Darcy grinned so broadly his muscles ached. It occurred to him that he might have chosen a better location for this conversation, because he was desperate to kiss her yet could not with so many people about. He settled for wiping her tears away and holding her hands in his.
She laughed. “What do we do now?”
He also laughed. “I do not know. I cannot possibly think, not when I feel so much, when I am so filled with joy. Tomorrow, we shall discuss all the little, and not so little, matters we must settle. Tonight, let us rejoice.”
“I agree.” She gently touched his cheek. “Happy New Year, my darling Mr Darcy.”
“Happy New Year, my love. Together, we shall have many of them.”
It was a promise he was determined to keep.
Lucy Marin lives in Toronto, Canada, surrounded by hundreds of books and a loving family. She teaches environmental studies, loves animals and trees and exploring the world around her.