Chapter 22
TWENTY-TWO
Once the music stopped, Darcy escorted Elizabeth to her aunt, asking her for a second set as they crossed the room.
To his delight, she readily agreed. Each such moment gave him additional confidence that she was learning—or perhaps had learnt—to view him with affection.
Her feelings might not yet equal his own love for her, but the time was coming when he would be bold and propose.
They encountered Bingley, who grinned and said, “It is such a crush, is it not? You might not like being here, Darcy, but I think it is the most excellent ball I have ever been at. Miss Be— Pardon me, Miss Sterling, I hope you are enjoying yourself?”
“I am, although the ball has only just begun,” she said.
“True,” Bingley agreed, nodding as he spoke.
“I suppose I find tonight particularly diverting since I do not know when I shall next attend such a large party. I am returning to Hertfordshire in less than a week, and as you both know, the society there is not as large. Though I have many fond memories of my weeks there,” he hastened to add, his cheeks taking on colour.
“You speak no more than the truth,” Elizabeth reassured him, and he smiled at her in apparent gratitude.
“I had intended to go back sooner, but…town is always so busy, there were Christmas festivities with my family, and so forth. But now, I have no reason not to go, and I shall. Likely, I shall remain until Easter, if-if not longer.”
Darcy had no notion what to say, and neither, it appeared, did Elizabeth; she murmured something he could not discern.
Grinning again, although not quite as easily as earlier, Bingley added, “I shall not detain you, and I must find my partner for the next set.” His gaze moved about the room.
“Until later, Mr Bingley,” Elizabeth said.
They parted ways with Bingley, and as the two of them continued their path to the corner in which Lady Romsley stood, Elizabeth told him that Bingley had asked her for a set.
To no great surprise, she was a popular partner for the night, as Darcy discovered when she and the countess were chatting about who her partners would be for the coming dances.
He was nearly astonished that she had an available set for him, especially since it would be their second.
A voice in his heart cried that she had arranged it thus for him, in the hope that he would show her such a mark of his interest, but he knew it might be only coincidence.
Yet, the long looks she gave him as they spoke with the countess, the smile that seemed to say that she wished she could remain with him when her partner for the next set came to take her away, gave him additional cause to believe her feelings for him were more than those of friendship.
In the interval before they danced again, he often caught sight of her, occasionally by accident, but usually because he was seeking her out, wanting to know whom she was with and if she appeared pleased with her company.
Their second set was as amusing as the first—and, in some ways, more so.
Elizabeth had an additional lightness that delighted him to no end, and throughout the lively dance, they laughed, and he smiled so much that the muscles in his cheeks ached.
If asked, he would not be able to say what words they exchanged; he was too caught up in the exquisite sensations associated with being so near to her.
As soon as the music ended and they had made their curtsey and bow, she smiled and fanned her cheeks with a hand; they were a lovely shade of pink. How he longed to caress them and feel their warmth and the softness of her skin!
“I am in desperate need of fresh air,” she said. “Is it possible?”
“I know just the spot,” he said, reaching for her hand. He was thrilled when she did not hesitate to take it, although as soon as they entered a less busy part of the room, she ended the clasp.
They went to stand in a quiet corner by a tall, partly open window.
“Oh, it has been such a wonderful night!” she said. “Lady Romsley will be pleased it has been such a success.”
He chuckled. “I suspect—no, I know—what pleases her more than anything else has or will for a very long time is having you here. You must trust me about this, given I am far more familiar with her than you can be. She has gained something tremendous and unexpected by meeting you. Our entire family has.” Struck by the realisation that she might not consider them as belonging to the same family, he continued hastily.
“I-I know you and I are not related by blood, but-but—” He stopped abruptly when he felt her hand on his arm; a heated longing coursed through him when she did not withdraw it immediately.
“But I would be very stupid indeed if I had failed to understand the tight bonds between the Fitzwilliams and Darcys, ones that will be growing, now that Rebecca has accepted Bramwell. Besides, who could not wish to claim Georgiana as a relation? She is such a dear, sweet girl.”
“Thank you,” he said, but he was not sure he made much sound, too affected by the ease with which she touched and spoke to him and the thought of her and Georgiana being sisters.
He cleared his throat and continued, his voice stronger.
“If you do not object, she and I will join you at Romsley Hall after you visit Hillsdale.”
Was it his imagination, or did her smile soften? “I have no objections.”
This time, he coughed lightly before speaking.
“It is not so far from Pemberley, and I would very much like to show you my estate. I believe you would approve of it. Our mutual relations often come to stay. Perhaps this year will be no different, and you might pass a week or so there before returning south—to town or Hertfordshire, if you intend to go there.”
Her brow furrowed slightly. “I thought our going to Pemberley had already been decided.”
He nodded, although what he wanted to do was berate himself for stupidity. He had not forgot; he had wanted to find a way to express how much he wished to show her his home, and to say that she would be the most honoured guest.
“As for Longbourn,” she said, “I have promised to visit in the spring. I do not know how I will manage to divide my time between so many people!” She laughed.
“Mrs Sterling—the aunt I have yet to meet—wrote to welcome me to the family and inform me she and my uncle hope I shall spend some weeks with them next summer.”
God willing, they will have to invite your husband as well! Her voice held a certain edge he had heard before, one that hinted she was unsure what to make of it all, and he said, “The choice will always be yours. I am the last man to be surprised you are so in demand.”
“Even by people who have yet to meet me?” she interjected.
“Yes, even by them. The Sterlings are excellent people, and you are their niece. I would be shocked if they were not as eager to know you as your family here has been.”
“I apologise if I sounded ungrateful. There are moments when I cannot believe this is not simply a dream. Discovering who my father was, I mean, and being accepted by his relations.”
“I suppose that is natural, especially when the situation involves fulfilling a wish you have had for so many years.” By comparison, his desire to secure her love and hand in marriage was of short duration, yet he suspected it would take him weeks, if not months, after they were married for him to believe it had truly happened.
“This period of my life has been dream-like,” she admitted.
“I do not know that I can describe the feeling. There are moments when nothing about it seems like it can be real, not only that I have the answers I have sought since I was a child—and that I had all but given up hope of ever finding—but…you.” The last word was said on a whisper. “How can you be part of it?”
He took her hand and pressed it gently; if he were more daring, he would kiss it.
“I cannot believe my good fortune that I am. I was a fool when we met last autumn, but now, since the day I saw you standing beside my aunt in her drawing room, I have grasped at the opportunity to show you the man I truly am and, if I am yet more fortunate, earn your approval.”
Elizabeth smiled. “You have it already.” She took a deep breath and released it in a heavy sigh.
With her eyes, she gestured to the lively ball taking place.
“Can I believe this is more than the magic of the Christmas season? I want to accept that this is my life now, that everything I feel is real and lasting. But, despite always telling myself to confront every situation with courage and resolve, I admit to being a little…unsure.”
Daringly, he asked, “About me?” When she briefly averted her eyes and nodded, he continued. “Do you think you might ever return my esteem, that you might love me?”
“Yes, oh yes!” she said, pressing her free hand against her chest. “That is what frightens me most of all.”
“Do not let it,” he implored. “As much as I wish to take this discussion to its natural conclusion, I know there is no need to hurry. My affections and wishes will remain unchanged. One word, one look from you when you are prepared to discuss my most treasured hopes for our future is all I ask.”
Shining with tears, her eyes met his, and she nodded.
He kissed her hand and allowed his lips to linger for a long moment.
Then, softly, he said, “Go meet your Sterling relations. Relish being surrounded by your family and learning everything they have to tell you about your father. I shall see you at Romsley Hall soon enough.”
“And then we shall have time to continue…this,” she said, squeezing his hand. “I look forward to it more than I can say.”