Chapter 14 #3
How could he allow his common sense to be defeated by such thoughts in the presence of his family? What was happening to him? He had never been in such a state, not even when he was a lad experiencing the first quivers of desire.
He was startled when the first act ended.
During the interlude, their group left the box for a short walk in the hall.
That time the colonel was quicker, and he immediately secured Elizabeth and Georgiana, offering each an arm.
Elizabeth accepted the colonel’s company while glancing at Darcy; her smiling eyes and the mischievous twist of her lips were enough compensation for him, so he silently followed them.
After all, it was perhaps better that people not see him and Elizabeth arm in arm again.
Surely, anyone could see his preference for her, and most of them probably noticed his improper, intimate behaviour towards her; he should not fuel more gossip.
At the colonel’s arm, Elizabeth tried to amuse herself with his comments about the people they met during their stroll.
It seemed like nobody in Town was unknown to him; many young ladies gazed and smiled at him while looking at her with curiosity.
She met a few gentlemen who pretended they had known her from the January ball and danced with her; unfortunately, her memories about that ball were sparse and not entirely happy, so she tried to compensate for her oblivion with her most charming smile.
The second act of the play began shortly, and Elizabeth was pleased to resume her place.
She spoke only a few words to Darcy during the interlude, yet she felt at ease and almost comfortable in his presence. Even the nervousness caused by his closeness turned out to be pleasant in a most tormenting way.
A few minutes after the play resumed, Elizabeth felt herself shivering and wondered whether it had turned suddenly cold in the room or it was just her impression.
She looked around and saw Georgiana and Lady Selina putting on their cloaks.
Mrs Gardiner was already wearing a thick but elegant shawl so Elizabeth decided to put on hers.
She slowly turned to the back of her chair, looking for her shawl, but she could not find it—surely, it had fallen down.
Trying not to draw attention towards herself, she blindly searched around the chair on her left.
She remembered seeing it there during the interlude, and she proved correct as she felt it immediately.
The next moment she frowned—the shawl was picked up and handed to her by Darcy, so the moment she took it, her fingers touched his and remained still.
They were both seated on their chairs, apparently attentive to the scene; only their left hands were joined lower, on the shawl, waiting.
His fingers moved slowly, searching for hers through the soft fabric; she did not dare move her hand—she did not dare even breathe.
But her fingers, of their own will, slid along and met his and then entwined, but only for the length of a heartbeat.
He withdrew his hand, together with the shawl, stretched the fabric and gently tried to place it on her bare shoulders.
She leaned forward a little to allow him enough space; while arranging the shawl, his fingers briefly caressed her neck, and his touch felt softer than the fabric that finally covered her.
His hands lingered on her shoulders a moment longer than needed and finally withdrew, reluctantly.
She was no longer cold as every spot on her skin burned.
Elizabeth needed some time before she was able to breathe steadily again.
She slowly looked around, but everyone seemed enchanted by the play; she wished to see what he was doing, but did not dare turn her head to him.
Her head was whirling with reproaches to herself while her heart seemed overwhelmed with joy.
She allowed herself to be rapt by the music and hoped it would calm her turmoil. When the play came to an end, she was no calmer, but at least she was able to present an appearance of composure. Yet, she did not dare meet Darcy’s eyes.
However, the moment they left, without a single word, Darcy gently took Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on his arm. He briefly looked at her to search for a sign of disapproval, but she could not hold his gaze. Instead, her hand tightened the hold of his arm and a shy smile twisted her lips.
The carriages were waiting patiently; Lady Selina and her husband were the first to depart. Lord Matlock and the colonel helped Georgiana and Mrs Gardiner into the carriage, while Darcy handed in Elizabeth.
The bright sky was filled with stars and a shining moon. The streets were silent; only a few carriages could be heard.
“What a wonderful night,” Elizabeth suddenly exclaimed.
“I was prepared to say the same thing,” said Miss Darcy. “Just look at the stars! It would be a perfect time for a long, night ride, would you not agree?”
“I cannot say; it never crossed my mind to ride at night.” Elizabeth laughed. “However, I trust your word completely.”
“It would also be the perfect time for a walk,” Mr Darcy intervened, a small smile on his face. “For those who are not fond of riding, I mean…”
Though she felt her face colouring, Elizabeth daringly held his eyes for a moment and did not attempt to conceal her laughter.
“Thank you, sir. You are very considerate to those of us who are not fond of riding.”
“But, Elizabeth, what will you do next week?” Georgiana asked in concern. Elizabeth laughed again.
“At the hunting party, you mean? I do not hunt and I do not ride; so I have only two choices—to stay in London or to go and take care of the children as my aunt suggested.”
“Or you may learn to ride,” Miss Darcy said, and Mrs Gardiner approved her immediately while Elizabeth laughed, a little nervous.
“Of course I may; in five days I can easily become proficient in riding.
“William could easily teach you to ride. He taught me when I was three years old.”
“I am sure Mr Darcy could easily teach anyone anything,” Elizabeth concluded, trying to laugh, and Georgiana chuckled.
“Matlock is a beautiful estate, and perhaps the best way of enjoying its beauties is by walking,” Darcy said in earnest. “Its surroundings are exquisite in the spring.”
“This is an excellent suggestion, thank you.”
“Besides, no matter how fond we are of riding and hunting, I doubt very much that we will spend the entire ten days in such a way. I am certain you will find someone to keep you company on your walks.”
“I shall keep you company, Elizabeth. Hunting is not my favourite way of spending time, after all,” Miss Darcy said, and though the conversation was mostly in jest, Elizabeth could not be insensible to Miss Darcy’s generous offer nor to Mr Darcy’s subtle one.
∞∞∞
Jane’s arrival in London the next day was a moment of joy.
Miss Bennet looked more beautiful than ever, and Elizabeth could easily see that Mr Bingley’s presence had been beneficial for her.
In addition, Mr Bingley seemed more bewitched than ever.
His adoring gazes and smiles directed at Jane, his hurry to guess her small wishes and comply with them—everything was undoubted proof that Jane could expect a happy future.
The journey began early in the morning and lasted until late afternoon.
As Georgiana had told her, the Matlock estate was one of the most beautiful places Elizabeth had ever seen. It had all the grandeur of Rosings and the same wonderful gardens, but it possessed what Rosings lacked completely: warmth, joy, and liveliness.
The moment they arrived, Lady Selina’s children climbed from the carriage and started to scamper along a path, followed closely by Mrs Gardiner’s children. The governesses attempted to scold them, but Lord Matlock stopped them.
“Let them play—there is nothing more lovely than children’s laughter. Just keep your eyes on them; the grounds are extensive, and you could easily lose them,” he said, entering the house and giving specific orders to the servants.
“And please keep them out of our way,” Lady Sinclair said harshly. “I do not remember joining my parents at hunting parties when I was an infant.”
“Indeed, I have to agree with you, Lady Sinclair,” said Miss Bingley, casting a reproachful glance at the children who were rolling on the grass, in the small, front garden. “Children are nice as long as they can be seen but not heard.”
“Seen, but not too much,” Mrs Hurst intervened with a meaningful look to her sister.
Elizabeth looked at her aunt who was only a few steps away from their exchange and was positively pale—then to Lady Selina, who turned red. Lady Selina stepped towards the other ladies. When she spoke, her voice admitted no contradiction.
“Eve, please remember that this estate is my children’s home.
They may do whatever they please, together with their friends and with their parents’ permission.
My family will do everything to ensure that you all have an excellent time, but we shall not keep our children locked away to gratify your inane sensibilities.
If there is anything that bothers you—or you,” she said, turning to Bingley’s sisters, “this would be the perfect time to alter your plans for attending our party. The carriages await your pleasure.”
Elizabeth could see Lady Sinclair colour with anger, while Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst seemed unable to breathe. Mrs Gardiner tried to maintain her usual, elegant temper, while Jane and Georgiana became pale with embarrassment.
“So, ladies, shall we enter?” The colonel was the first of the horsemen to approach, a happy expression on his face. A moment later, he noticed the tension on their faces.
“Are you well? You seem preoccupied and too serious for my taste.”
“We are perfectly well, Brother. We were just discussing the children.”