Chapter 1.26 #4
Of course, not all the guests were so readily enchanted by Miss Elizabeth Bennet; in truth, some of the ladies—Lady Beatrice among them—declared her to have no beauty nor the proper manners required of a member of the ton and treated her with icy politeness.
Therefore, awkward moments still occurred, and Elizabeth had to face various malicious comments, the worst made by Miss Bingley.
In the middle of conversation during supper, she asked Elizabeth how her sister enjoyed married life and how her brother-in-law was managing to adapt “his old habits to his new commission.”
Though surprised by the question, after casting quick, worried glances at Jane and Mr Darcy, Elizabeth kept her calm admirably and gave her the most neutral answer she could, explaining that her brother-in-law likely had not yet undertaken his new commission, as they were still visiting her family in Hertfordshire.
Lord Hothfield, though not guessing anything about Elizabeth’s reason for embarrassment, showed an honest curiosity about her family’s home, and asked for more details about the country.
She was happy to indulge him, and as Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy were ready to add their favourable impressions of the area, the conversation pleasantly turned, and Caroline Bingley was left out of it, having no alternative than to concentrate on her plate of food.
Lady Ellen was delighted with Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s first public appearance.
She closely observed her and was enchanted by the natural elegance with which Darcy’s future wife behaved during the entire night.
More than anything, her ladyship was delighted with the subtle—but eloquent—proofs of adoration Elizabeth displayed towards Darcy and the way he reciprocated them: stolen glances and smiles, blushes, slight touches of the hands unnoticed by the others, private comments when they found a moment of seclusion in a room full of people.
To have her nephew engaged to a woman who could share his love and seemed worthy of his deep affection and devotion was the fulfilment of her strongest desire.
If her heart ached, knowing her older son was far less happy in his marriage, she turned her hopes and thoughts to the colonel for whom she was determined to secure as blissful felicity as Darcy had.
The ball ended with the unanimous opinion that it had been yet another astonishingly successful event hosted by Lady Matlock, whose reputation was not to be easily equalled in London society.
Mr Darcy and Elizabeth’s family were the last guests to leave. After making their goodbyes, she had almost reached the carriage when Elizabeth suddenly returned to her hosts, followed closely by a surprised Mr Darcy.
“Elizabeth, is something wrong?” asked Lady Matlock.
“No, nothing is wrong… It is just that… Lady Ellen, I only wish to thank you again. I cannot find the proper words to express my gratitude for everything you have done for me from the first moment I had the honour of meeting you…I…” she smiled, as her emotions were too strong to let her speak further, and impetuously she placed an affectionate kiss on her ladyship’s cheek.
Not accustomed to such openly displayed proofs of affection even from her own sons, Lady Matlock was taken by surprise but not displeased in the slightest. She patted Elizabeth’s cheek and returned her smile.
“No need to thank me further, my dear girl. It was my pleasure to see all those long, shocked faces the moment you entered the ballroom—all those mothers and daughters, so prepared to criticise the unknown, insignificant country girl who trapped Darcy. I was only afraid some of them might die when they saw you.”
“The gown your ladyship helped me to select and the exquisite jewels that matched it had an extraordinary effect, Lady Ellen!” Elizabeth laughed while the lady shook her head in disagreement.
“Of course the gown and jewels had an effect, my dear, which was precisely my intention when I insisted upon your wearing them. But you wear them with a perfect elegance and grace that are not often observed, you may well believe that—not to mention that you and Darcy are an astonishing pair. I can only imagine how beautiful your children will be. But we shall have time to talk about all this in the next couple of days before your departure for Hertfordshire. Now go; do not keep your relatives waiting too long.”
∞∞∞
The morning after the ball, Elizabeth woke after only a few hours of sleep. She still felt as though she were flying from happiness, as if she were in the midst of the most wonderful dream. She could not wait to share her impressions with her sister and aunt.
As she rose from bed, a gentle knock on the door startled her, and her heart fluttered when the maid entered with an enormous bouquet of red roses; their beauty astonished her. Eagerly, she found the note hidden among the blossoms and held her breath as she read it.
My love, there are only a few hours until we meet again, but what I want to tell you is private and very urgent, and I could think of no better way to do it than through these roses.
I awoke this morning with a painful longing to see you, to touch you, to hold you, to delve deeply into your eyes.
I miss you so much that I cannot bear it for long.
My only consolation is to know that exactly one month from today I shall not have to long for you anymore.
In a month you will be mine. From that moment, every night when I fall asleep, I shall have you close to my heart, and every morning when I wake up, I shall have you in my arms. I have already started counting the days until our wedding.
But, my love, shall I be strong enough to bear such exquisite torture for so many days?
I must beg for your help. I must beg you to share this torture with me so it is an easier burden to carry.
And I know you will not refuse me, for I have never doubted your generosity as I have never doubted your love.
W.
Elizabeth read and re-read the letter, each time her heart melting with growing passion for the man who had written it.
However, what tormented her exceedingly and made her burn and shiver at once was the phrase whose meaning she did not dare to admit.
“In a month you will be mine. From that moment, every night when I fall asleep, I shall have you close to my heart, and every morning when I wake up, I shall have you in my arms.”
Could his words be implying what she thought they were? Was he prepared to put aside what propriety demanded for a husband and wife of his situation and share a bed with her?
She threw herself on the bed and pulled the letter close to her heart, closing her eyes, repeating his words in her head again and again. And, though she knew how improper her thoughts were, she could not help imagining herself sleeping blissfully in his arms every night.