Chapter 25 #2
“Well, you could have hired some men to beat him as our dear colonel suggested.” Lady Kendal laughed at Elizabeth’s shocked and appalled stare.
“Let us hope such measures will not be necessary. I am glad that Lydia will be safe and comfortable, even if she cannot be happy in her marriage.”
“True, my dear. We shall properly attend to her and her child. You have no reason to feel any guilt—you have done the best you could. Even Mr Darcy said so,” Lady Kendal concluded, and Elizabeth nodded, her cheeks colouring slightly.
∞∞∞
During the following week, the main subject of interest was the upcoming evening at the theatre.
Lady Kendal’s first concern was to order a proper gown for Elizabeth—one that respected the mourning period but also underlined her position and personality.
She ordered a dress in two colours—black and dark red—accompanied by a black velvet shawl for the shoulders and a scarlet mantle.
As for jewels, it was established she would wear nothing but a pair of small ruby and gold earrings.
When she was presented with the complete outfit, Elizabeth gasped in surprise and delight; almost five months had passed since Philip’s death, and it was the first time that she would wear anything other than black outside the house.
But she had no reason and no desire to reject the suggestion of Lady Kendal—the only person who loved and cherished Philip more than she did.
Things slowly calmed around her, some of her grief soothed, worries and doubts dissipated, and her old spirit revived. And she had one person to thank the most for her recovery.
Just like the addition of the scarlet to her mourning gowns, Darcy’s presence in their house slowly brought colour back to her life and gradually released her deeply buried feelings, one by one.
She felt a tightness in her stomach and thrills in her heart every time he appeared, every time he addressed her, every time a timid shadow of a smile appeared on his lips, for her only.
And when, by chance, they were close enough to touch each other, her entire body shivered and her senses were aroused.
She could not be absolutely certain but hoped that his feelings were no different.
On the day of the performance, Elizabeth woke up with more excitement than usual.
She had not seen Darcy in the last three days, but Georgiana had called on her the previous afternoon.
It was decided that Miss Darcy would join Kitty, Mary, and Lydia in the Kendal box, as well as Mr and Mrs Gardiner.
In addition to the entire Fitzwilliam family, Jane and Bingley would sit in their box, together with Caroline, Louisa, and their husbands.
Darcy’s choice of seat remained unknown, and Elizabeth felt as excited as a child hoping she would be in his company.
She laughed at her own anxiety and admitted to herself she was being unreasonable.
Darcy was no stranger to them, he visited them regularly, and she had seen him on multiple occasions.
Then why such eagerness and exaltation at sitting in the same box at the theatre?
“My dear Elizabeth, you look stunning! Even though it is a colour of mourning, red suits you so well. You should absolutely order more jewels of ruby and gold!”
“Thank you, Grandmamma. This gown is stunning and I thank you for it! I confess I am pleased with my appearance, but ordering new jewels is not something I plan to do at present.”
“Well, it will be at some point. For now, I am pleased to see you in such good spirits. Come, your sisters are ready. They all look lovely too.”
“I also have you to thank for their appearance, Lady Kendal. In truth, I am very uncomfortable that, despite having all this money of my own, you still insist on purchasing gifts for all of us.”
“It is my pleasure, my dear girl. Do not worry about that. Let us go. We should be there and seated in our box before the halls become too crowded,” the lady said, taking Elizabeth’s arm for support. They walked together, Elizabeth carrying some emotions she could not understand.
When they arrived at Covent Garden, it was already full of carriages and people—from the highest ranks to those who had spent their meagre savings for the love of a good performance.
The uproar of voices distressed Elizabeth for a moment, especially when many pairs of eyes turned to her with apparent curiosity. She had been introduced to some of them, but for everyone acquainted with Lady Kendal, Elizabeth’s identity was obvious.
The five ladies exited the carriage, glancing around for a familiar face. Elizabeth immediately noticed the Darcys among the crowd and waved to Georgiana. The two siblings approached and Elizabeth’s heart began to race.
“Elizabeth, you look absolutely wonderful,” Georgiana whispered to her.
“So do you,” Elizabeth answered, trying to smile and jest while she stole a quick glance at the girl’s brother. “But I can understand your astonishment—while you are always beautiful, I look quite ill most of the time.”
“Oh, no, that is not true! That was not what I meant,” Georgiana replied, with genuine concern that Elizabeth had reached such a conclusion.
“Do not worry, my dear,” Darcy interjected. “I have known for some time that Lady Alveston finds enjoyment in professing things she does not believe, only to tease us. Surely she must know that she always looks beautiful too.”
Elizabeth laughed nervously and tried to contradict him, blushing like a young girl while her eyes locked with his. Lady Kendal readily agreed with Darcy, and he continued.
“However, I must share my sister’s compliment. You look remarkably well today, Lady Alveston.”
“Thank you,” she answered in a trembling voice. Coming from him, it was more than a mere compliment.
“May I escort you inside?” he offered, and Lady Kendal readily accepted, taking his arm.
Georgiana walked with Kitty and Mary, and Lydia following them, so Darcy offered his other arm to Elizabeth.
She took it after a brief hesitation—it was the first time they had purposely touched in more than a year.
Her gloved hand barely touched the fabric of his coat, her fingers grasping it to avoid trembling.
Through the curious stares, greetings, bows, and whispers, they entered and did not stop until they reached Lady Kendal’s box, where they could finally breathe in relief.
Elizabeth sat in the middle of the box. On one side of her was Georgiana and her sisters, on the other side sat Lady Kendal and there were empty seats for the Gardiners, who were expected to arrive soon.
“Will you stay with us, Mr Darcy? Or do you prefer the company of your cousins and friends?” Lady Kendal enquired.
He seemed undecided, glanced at Elizabeth, then across the auditorium, where Elizabeth had spotted Jane, with Bingley and his sisters.
“I assure you there is no other company I would enjoy more,” he finally answered, with a seriousness that made Elizabeth flush. “I shall go and greet my relatives and then return.”
“Please convey my warm regards to Lord and Lady Matlock, sir. I would do it myself, but I do not feel comfortable enough to walk through the crowd again,” Elizabeth said in complete honesty.
“Of course, that is understandable. I see my cousin Richard and Bingley standing up. I believe they may come and greet you.”
Indeed, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Bingley, Jane, and Anne seemed to be leaving their box. The Matlocks, and the viscount and his wife, waved to them discreetly, while Caroline, Louisa, their husbands, and Miss Pemberton seemed engaged in a private conversation, separately from the others.
Mr and Mrs Gardiner arrived a few minutes later, and immediately after them, the Bingleys and the Fitzwilliams appeared.
Greetings were exchanged, and they struck up a conversation while the theatre filled with people all engaging in gossip and chit-chat.
Such an event meant more than an exceptional performance of a popular play; it was also an opportunity for people of all ranks and social circles to see and be seen.
One by one, the spectators resumed their places.
As he had planned, Darcy accompanied his friends when they returned to the Fitzwilliams’ box and remained there for a short time.
While she pretended to listen to her companions, Elizabeth’s glances ran to him often.
The distance was moderate so she easily distinguished him speaking to his relatives, then Miss Pemberton and another young lady—the viscount’s sister-in-law—who addressed him, took his arm and whispered to him.
Elizabeth was distraught and unreasonably bothered by the sight, and she scolded herself for what she knew to be a ridiculous reaction on her part.
The play finally began but Darcy did not return, much to Elizabeth’s disappointment.
For the length of the first act, he remained in his uncle’s box, talking to Lord Matlock most of the time.
The performance on the stage was exceptional, but Elizabeth did not pay it due attention.
As much as she tried to keep her gaze on the actors, out of the corner of her eye she watched Darcy and even met his gaze several times.
At the first interval, a real uproar of voices made the theatre vibrate. Almost everyone left their seats and went to stretch their legs along the halls, and there was a bustle of activity everywhere.
“Come, let us take a short stroll,” Lady Kendal suggested, and Mr Gardiner offered her his arm. Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner followed them, but the girls chose to remain in the box. Elizabeth would gladly have stayed with them, but she did not want to disappoint Lady Kendal or her aunt.
Almost immediately they were stopped by people approaching Lady Kendal. Some addressed Elizabeth too, and she tried to remember their names.