Chapter 2 #2
Darcy had suggested taking her to London, but Lady Catherine had denied him.
Instead, she had accused him of distressing Anne with his refusal to marry her.
She had demanded he declare whether he intended to marry another woman, and, if not, why Anne was not good enough.
That question had tortured him for a few days while he waited for Anne to recover.
If he could not have the only woman he desired, why not Anne?
If he could not be happy, why not at least offer some comfort to his relatives?
Anne and Georgiana would enjoy each other’s company; they would support each other. What harm could be done?
He had discussed this with Anne and had been honest with her.
He had told her he intended to protect her, assure her well-being, and attend to her needs and wishes.
He had confessed he felt affection and care for her but nothing of the passion a man should feel for the woman he married.
He had asked her about her own feelings for him, and she had admitted the same—she would feel awkward sharing any intimacies with him.
She had said she wanted to live—even if she only had a short time left—with some freedom.
She did not want to marry him but wanted to be away from her mother.
So their pact was made. He took Anne and her companion to London, then to the Matlock estate, and then to Pemberley.
Doctors were brought to her, her treatment changed, and Anne’s state improved visibly.
She gained in health and in trust. Her complexion looked better.
She was obviously more at ease with Georgiana and with Richard than with him, but that did not bother him at all. Everyone seemed happier.
As for him, he ceased hoping for happiness. Instead, he prayed for tranquillity, but that had been denied him when Elizabeth had arrived at Pemberley. Ten months had passed since then, but he was still not at peace.
Darcy was aware that he would have to see Elizabeth at some point. But the further away that moment was the better. Perhaps by then, he might be able to master his feelings and face her with reasonable composure.
“The Kendal residence has always been exquisite,” Lady Matlock said, and Darcy startled.
They had already arrived in front of the impressive building, elegantly adorned for a celebration. Several carriages were stopped on the street and handsome, fashionable couples were entering. The sound of a violin drifted through the open windows.
They paused in the entrance hall, waiting in line while the announcements were made.
Taller than most of his companions, Darcy looked around indifferently. He wanted a drink, to make a brief appearance and return home, then leave town according to his plan.
His eyes skimmed over the heads of those assembled, noticing some familiar faces and avoiding anyone’s gaze.
Then, a chill ran down his spine and a shiver weakened his knees.
Through the open door he spotted Elizabeth standing with Lady Kendal, smiling with perfect self-confidence while somebody performed introductions.
Darcy’s first impulse was to turn and run, but his arms were trapped by both Georgiana and Anne.
His cousins—the colonel and the viscount—were right behind him.
He felt his feet moving forward, following the Matlocks and Lady Catherine.
As he approached, Darcy glimpsed the Bingleys and the Gardiners in a corner, then Elizabeth’s eyes rose and met his.
She paled, then coloured, blinked several times, and put her hand on her heart to calm the surprise.
She looked more beautiful than he remembered.
To her natural beauty, more elegance had been added.
Her gown suited her perfectly, and the set of jewels she was wearing—obviously expensive—glimmered against her silky skin.
Small flowers were entwined in her flawlessly arranged hair.
The fashionable gown embraced her enchanting figure, and a pair of beautiful slippers peeked from under the hem.
At once, he was reminded of a muddy pair of boots after a three mile walk from Longbourn to Netherfield.
Overwhelmed by recollections and emotions, the desire to run engulfed Darcy again, but he stilled when a handsome man, sitting on a large, elegant armchair next to Lady Kendal, took Elizabeth’s hand in a familiar gesture, gazing at her adoringly.
Elizabeth, however, did not take her eyes from Darcy, and after a whole year of torment, he gazed back at her. To his astonishment, the sparkling eyes he remembered were now shadowed by a mixture of feelings that he did not recognise.
And at that precise moment, a loud voice announced the Matlocks, then…
“Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Miss Anne de Bourgh, Mr Darcy, and Miss Darcy.”
Lady Kendal smiled at each of them, greeting Lady Matlock and Lady Catherine with warmth.
“How lovely to see you. We are grateful for your company upon such a joyous occasion. Do you remember my grandson, Philip Russell, the Earl of Alveston? And this is his betrothed, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
∞∞∞
The moment she noticed Darcy and his family, Elizabeth’s heart started to race, then beat more and more wildly. Her reaction astonished her, and she sensed her face colouring and her hands trembling.
She was surprised by their entrance, as she did not even know they were in town.
Bingley had called on Darcy several times, but he had been told the family was still at Pemberley.
They must have only just arrived. She had not even been aware they were invited.
She had had little involvement in Lady Kendal’s guest list, except for adding her own family: Jane, Bingley, and the Gardiners, as well as Bingley’s sisters.
Her own parents had declined the invitation, Mrs Bennet too excited and overwhelmed by the news of the engagement and Mr Bennet too heavy-hearted, still trying to accept his favourite daughter’s decision.
When the party entered, she was pleased to see the colonel, Anne, and Georgiana, and genuinely thrilled to finally encounter Darcy.
She could not avert her eyes from his gaze, mesmerised by his dark, heavy expression.
He was obviously surprised and probably displeased.
She wondered if he would turn and leave, only to avoid her, but realised that that was a foolish thought.
He approached, their eyes locked, and the proximity made his torment even more apparent.
Then she felt Philip take her hand, and at that moment Darcy frowned.
He continued moving towards her. She tried to smile at Georgiana and Anne, then Lady Kendal made the introduction, and the astonishment on their guests’ faces embarrassed her.
Those who knew her stared incredulously, their eyes and mouths wide open; only the Matlocks showed any decorum.
Lady Catherine seemed to be struggling not to cry out in disbelief.
As for Darcy, he seemed to have forgotten to breathe. He looked at her again, for only as long as a blink, then bowed and said, “Congratulations. I wish you much happiness.” Then he excused himself and moved away into the ballroom.
Elizabeth’s heart started beating again, so fast, so powerfully, that she feared the others could hear it.
And she wondered why—since it had never happened to her before.
Not in the same way. Not with the same feelings and warmth inside her.
Not with the same chills running across her skin.
Not with the same sense of regret and sorrow.
The moment of their meeting had finally arrived, but it was nothing like she had hoped. And her own feelings had caught her completely off guard.