Chapter 17 #3
“I hope I am not intruding. I was walking around the grounds just before the rain began, and I heard the piano. I imagined it was Georgiana… So, what do you think of this storm? Were you doing anything special?”
He was smiling in obvious good humour, and Elizabeth could not take her eyes from him.
“We played the piano a little earlier…before the storm interrupted us…but Elizabeth is tired; she was just retiring to her room.”
“Really? I am sorry to hear that,” he said, and Elizabeth finally managed to answer.
“I was a little tired, but I can stay a little longer. I… We did not expect to see you here.”
“I did not expect to see you here, either.” He laughed. “May I keep you company for a few minutes? Perhaps card playing for three?”
“That would be lovely, Brother. Elizabeth just proposed we invite Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, but I dare say we would enjoy your presence much better.”
“Really? I must say, your sharp irony frightens me a little, dearest. I notice in you a dangerous resemblance to our uncle in the last few days!”
“I dare say she also resembles her brother.” Elizabeth laughed, more spirited as her distress began to subside.
“That would not be possible. Georgiana was always the kind, sweet, generous part of our family,” Darcy declared.
“As I said, very much like her brother,” Elizabeth repeated, her eyes fixed on his face; he seemed a little disconcerted by her compliment.
“You are very generous with your praise, though I know it is not entirely deserved.”
“Yes, it is,” Georgiana intervened, smiling at her brother. “We were talking about Elizabeth’s family. I cannot wait to be all together at Pemberley.”
Darcy glanced quickly at Elizabeth then to his sister again, and he did not reply for a moment. Elizabeth laughed. “Mr Darcy seems more worried than anxious. I know he does not enjoy large parties, and he is already accustomed to my family’s…particularities.”
“I do look forward to having you at Pemberley, Elizabeth—and your family, too. I have great hopes that each of them will find something to employ their time as they please.”
“Thank you, sir. You are very generous,” Elizabeth said, becoming crimson.
Georgiana giggled. “So, what should we do? Oh dear, what a storm,” she said as thunder crashed and lightning again lit the sky.
“Could you play a little for me, dearest? Anything you wish,” Mr Darcy pleaded.
“I will, but…will you play something for me and for Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked, and Elizabeth startled in surprise, staring at him. He turned red.
“So, you have betrayed me, dearest. I shall not forget that.” He smiled at Elizabeth while he tried to devise an explanation. “My mother loved music, and she was an exquisite performer. We used to spend quite some time together in the music room…”
“And William used to play to me when I was little…when I could not sleep or I was sad or frightened. He used to play for me, and I sat on the carpet at his feet, looking at him. I think I first learned to play only to be able to stay with him more.”
Elizabeth could hear Georgiana’s voice, but her eyes never left Darcy’s face; his countenance was a mix of embarrassment and anxiety, and he attempted a smile. Deep emotion overwhelmed the room, so Darcy spoke with forced lightness.
“Very well then… Make room, dearest,” he said and suddenly sat at the piano.
He then turned to his sister. “I shall play one song, and then you will play for us. Elizabeth is excused for the moment, but her turn will come soon,” he added, glancing at Elizabeth.
She made no reply as his gaze spread cold shivers through her.
Georgiana agreed, and he started to play while Elizabeth watched, mesmerised.
Georgiana slowly sat on the carpet, her beautiful gown spreading across the floor unheeded.
A smile lit Darcy’s countenance, and his eyes abandoned the music sheet to glance briefly at Elizabeth.
As the music filled the chamber, Elizabeth followed Georgiana’s example and joined her on the carpet. The smile on Darcy’s face brightened.
By the time he ended the song, neither Elizabeth nor Georgiana could speak.
He indicated to Georgiana that it was her turn, and she obeyed while he took her place on the floor near Elizabeth.
Their backs leaned against the settee, and after briefly gazing at each other, he took her hand while Georgiana started to play.
For a time, there was only the rain pouring wildly outside, and their hands and hearts joined, wrapped within the music.
When Georgiana finished her performance, it was quite late, and they were reluctant to rise from their reverie.
Eventually, Darcy rose from the floor and stretched his hand to help Elizabeth.
She supported herself on his arm and rose quickly, but the next moment, with a small cry, she fell down.
Darcy and Georgiana rushed to help her, but she set them at ease and attempted to laugh at her own folly.
“I am such a fool; my leg felt numb as I stood on it. I think I twisted my ankle; how fortuitous—now I can neither ride nor walk.”
“Let me see,” Darcy said, serious and worried. He helped her to the settee and put her legs up. She smiled, red-faced and embarrassed.
Darcy hesitated a moment, then slowly removed her shoe; he glanced at her for an instant then returned his attention to her leg. His fingers gently touched her ankle, pressing carefully against it.
“Does it hurt?”
She would have been unable to feel the pain even if there were any; his fingers warmed her skin through the stocking, and each touch seemed to run along her leg and spread over her entire body.
She felt ashamed of her sensations, so inappropriate compared to his genuine care, and especially in the presence of Georgiana.
“No…it does not hurt. I am certain it will be fine by tomorrow…”
“I am not so certain; if you feel any pain in the morning, we shall fetch a doctor.”
“Oh, please do not do that; it is not necessary, trust me. I shall rest tonight; a good night’s sleep is all it needs.”
“You are probably right; besides, I think we should all go to sleep. It is very late.”
Equally worried for her friend, Georgiana did not attempt to contradict her brother. Darcy helped Elizabeth to rise and offered her his arm; she took it and held it tightly.
“I will need a lighted candle; the wind blew mine out,” Elizabeth said, and Darcy took one from the table.
“I shall help Elizabeth to her room,” he briefly explained to Georgiana.
“You must promise you will not worry for my leg,” Elizabeth told the girl. “It is just a silly accident; my mother will tell you it has happened to me many times before.”
“I promise I will try not to worry. Good night; I will see you first thing in the morning.”
Elizabeth hobbled slowly along the hall, holding Darcy’s arm, wearing only one shoe and struggling to decide whether she was more amused or embarrassed by the situation.
They entered her room, and he helped her to the bed then hurried to light a few candles.
She climbed on the bed, her back against the pillows. A slight pain was trying her foot.
“Should I send you a maid to help you prepare for the night?”
“No, please do no such thing. I do not want to disturb anyone at this hour.”
“I could help you,” he said, and she frowned, staring at him. “I could bring you your nightgown and put it on the bed. I did not mean to…”
She averted her eyes, her cheeks burning at her silliness. What was she thinking?
“I should leave now,” he said a moment later, but his hands did not move from her legs.
“Yes,” she replied then suddenly startled.
“But let me see the leg once more.” He sat near her and took off her other shoe; for a few moments, his hands caressed both ankles, examining them.
“It seems to be fine; it is not swollen at all.”
“Thank you for your care, but I told you it would be fine; it only hurts a little.”
He did not cease pressing her ankle gently, searching for any sign of discomfort.
She knew his caresses meant nothing but worry for her safety, but she could not temper the shivers inside her.
His palms cupped her heels as his fingers brushed along her ankles.
A moan escaped her lips, and his movements stopped.
“Does it hurt?”
“No…no,” she whispered, averting her eyes.
“I am glad,” he said; she felt his gaze searching her face. “I should leave now; it is very late, and you must be tired.” His hands still rested on her ankles, burning her through the stockings.
“I am not tired. I had such a wonderful time with Georgiana—and with you,” she confessed, daring to meet his eyes.
“I hope we spend many evenings like this after we—” She stopped, uncertain whether it would be proper to continue.
To her surprise, he tried to subdue a smile that was twisting his lips.
She looked at him, her inquiring eyes awaiting an explanation.
“There is no doubt that we will spend many wonderful moments together with Georgiana after we marry, but those moments will never happen at such late hours. I am afraid you will have to bear my company…alone…at times like that.”
As he spoke, he leaned slowly towards her until their faces were only inches apart; his voice became lower and his stare more difficult to bear; she closed her eyes.
The gentle press of his lips started as tender and sweet as she expected, and her own lips parted to welcome his growing passion.
She was breathless, so she leaned back against the pillows; his eager lips refused to abandon hers as his weight soon pressed against her; her hands encircled his neck, and her mind completely abandoned the struggle against her senses.
“I absolutely must leave now,” he said, caressing her face with tenderness.
“Yes…” she admitted, as she attempted to regain her breath. However, neither of them seemed willing to separate. He placed light kisses along her jaw.