Chapter 4 The Netherfield Ball #2
“Your sister has importuned me with a thousand questions about Mr Darcy, and I wonder whether he has forgotten to inform you that he is a gentleman of great consequence and illustrious connections. Let me caution you against placing absolute confidence in all his assertions. The Darcys and Matlocks are from another sphere that differs wildly from your quaint neighbourhood in Meryton. Take heed. If you have the slightest care for him, you should decline his impromptu and ill-advised offer. His family will never accept you, and you will be scorned in the most infamous manner by the ton as a mercenary shrew who has stolen one of England’s most eligible gentlemen from more suitable ladies. ”
Elizabeth’s nails dug painfully into the palm of her hand, but it was either that or slap the offensive Miss Bingley’s face.
“If I am Mr Darcy’s choice, he must be expecting his family’s blessing, and as for the rest… Most people have more sense than to risk being ostracised from the society of a gentleman of great consequence by scorning his wife.”
“It was kindly meant, Miss Elizabeth. Simple advice between friends. It was not my intention to offend you.”
The disingenuous Miss Bingley left mere moments before Mr Darcy returned.
Observing him striding confidently towards her made any concerns she may have harboured following Miss Bingley’s unwelcome interference disappear.
Her heart alone would disregard every impediment, and her mind would allow it.
Mr Darcy was magnificent and so undeniably male; she was unequal and bashfully inept for the occasion.
His character she could not fault. How he acted upon espying a reprobate in their midst, by immediately warning the unsuspecting citizens through her, showed an uncommon reliability.
Most young men these days thought of nothing but themselves—but not Mr Darcy.
He dutifully took on the responsibility her father could not be stirred from his book room to assume. She would not suffer as Mrs Darcy.
Mr Darcy dropped to his knee, breathing heavily.
“Did Sir William importune you again?”
“No,” he heaved. “It merely took some time to locate the box. I must have unintentionally shoved it under my bed…”
The image of Mr Darcy and his bed created unfamiliar sensations, and a giddiness assaulted her senses causing her to giggle.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Oh no, it was something that entered my mind quite unrelated to…” She looked down at him, kneeling on the floor with a resplendent set of pearl necklace, bracelet, and earrings in his hand. Even on the dim balcony it glittered in the faint light shining through the windows.
“May I remind you that you have yet to offer me a reply?”
“Oh dear, I had quite forgotten. I am not the sort of lady who would torment a man by design. Of course I shall marry you! Nothing would make me happier than becoming your wife.”
“Thank God,” Darcy muttered, rising from the floor. He fastened the necklace first, then the bracelet, and at last the earrings. His breath tickled her throat, and his hands grazed her neck, sending frissons down her spine.
“It is a family heirloom that belonged to my mother,” he explained about the set. “I want you to wear it, always, so that everyone can see you are mine.”
Mr Darcy’s declaration was startlingly stirring, and she tugged at her ringlets to deflect the feeling. Her betrothed grabbed her hand and laid it on his cheek. He was warm and prickly, the shadow of his beard tangible on his skin.
He kissed her wrist before releasing her fingers to grab her waist with both hands, possessively pulling her closer. Looking up at him, she saw his eyes turn into dark pools in the dim light.
“I am going to kiss you like a husband, even though it is not my right nor is it considered gentlemanly conduct.”
Elizabeth closed her mouth and nodded. She was intrigued by the notion that a kiss could be more than what she had already experienced in the library.
The moment his mouth descended upon hers, their location, the ball, and its guests were quite forgotten. The intensity scorched her lips and then her tongue. His fingers dug into her hips, but it was not unpleasant until he used them to put her at arm’s length.
She read soundless curses issuing from him and feared she had displeased him.
“I should not have done that, but I cannot find it in my heart to repent.”
“Then do not,” she declared and smiled encouragingly.
“I must speak to your father, but I would rather address him on the morrow if you do not mind.”
“I do not mind,” Elizabeth hastened to agree.
“It is rather exhilarating to keep it between us for a while longer.” Not because she was concerned her mother’s effusive exclamations would frighten Mr Darcy away; she firmly believed that nothing would scare the gentleman.
No, it was the joy of contemplating her future without having to answer tedious questions about wedding fripperies that attracted her.
“I shall arrive early. Will you be awake before breakfast? Bingley has business to attend to, and he is leaving for London tomorrow morning. I shall accompany him to—”
“You are leaving so soon?” Elizabeth interrupted her future husband. Fortunately, he did not take offence but looked rather pleased.
“Yes. To arrange for the marriage settlement and return with due haste.”
“I shall attempt to be patient.”
“I have not left yet,” he remarked, wiggling his brows.
“Then I suggest you kiss me.”
“You could kiss me…”
“Surely not…”
“Truly, it would please me.”
Elizabeth grabbed his lapels and tugged him closer whilst she strained on her toes to plant a swift kiss on his lips. She lowered herself to her heels when Lady Lucas, whom Miss Bingley had chosen as the evening’s leading lady, called the third set.
“Heaven forfend! I have completely forgotten Mr Collins.”
Darcy let out a low rumbling growl from the back of his throat, but she scarcely had time to appease him. “I am greatly anticipating our supper set, but meanwhile I shall have to suffer my cousin’s two left feet. Pray that he at least knows the steps.”
“I do not even believe our dear Lord could help you in that regard,” Darcy grumbled.
Elizabeth rose on her toes to kiss him again.
She missed, and her lips landed on his firm chin before she hastened to endure two embarrassing dances with her cousin.
She recovered during the supper set. It was fortunate that Mr Darcy paid her rapt attention throughout the meal because her mother boasted loudly about her expectations regarding three advantageous marriages, and how that would put her two remaining daughters in the path of other rich men.
At the latter statement, a ghost of a grimace clouded Mr Darcy’s handsome countenance, but it disappeared so quickly she could not be certain she had not imagined it.
Elizabeth and Mr Darcy’s third set drew considerable attention from her neighbours; it was fortunate the evening ended and the chaos of donning coats and fetching carriages saved her from responding to too many probing questions.
The Bennets’ equipage was the last to arrive, and she and Mr Darcy spoke quietly between themselves, making plans for their future.