Chapter 6
Mr Darcy and Lady Anne did not come down for breakfast.
The butler entered, balancing a salver. Bowing, he held it out, “Master Fitzwilliam.”
Darcy looked at the note lying on the tray and held back a grimace. He recognized his mother’s hand. He took it, thanked Leeson, and opened it to read the instructions.
Fitzwilliam,
You will present yourself in your father’s study at 11 of the clock.
His parents were already seated when Darcy entered. His steps faltered on seeing their twin forbidding expressions. He joined them, sitting where his father indicated, and immediately, his mother began to scold him.
“Fitzwilliam Alexander Darcy, I do not think I have ever been so ashamed of you. I am seriously displeased.”
“Forgive me, Mother, Father, I will apologise to the Gardiners for my intemperate remark,” Darcy appeased.
“Apologise! How shall you do that, pray? Your words cannot be unsaid, nor unheard. Your behaviour last night only confirmed to the Ton that our son is everything the gossips have spread about!”
Darcy scuffed the toe of his boot into the carpet. “Well, the next time–”
“You believe there shall be a next time? If I could, I would throw you back into the schoolroom.” Lady Anne threw up her hands and looked at her husband who thus far remained silent. “Speak to your son; I am too disgusted.”
“Mother, you are making too much of this.” He continued quickly on seeing Lady Anne’s lips pinch. “I shall offer an apology, and all will be smoothed over. Especially if I pay my attentions to their niece–”
“That is enough!” Mr Darcy thundered. “I do not know where you acquired this lofty disposition, but it will cease!”
Darcy’s expression shuttered as his father continued in a stern tone, “Do you truly believe the randomness of having been born to privilege makes you better than those who must work for a living?”
Red slowly bloomed across Darcy’s cheeks, “I… never really considered it,” he replied sullenly. “At Eton and Cambridge, it was always them and us.”
“I am fully aware of the sentiments of the old guard, but the world is changing. Soon, there will be no them and us. Estates are going bankrupt and wealthy tradesmen are moving up in the world. Social standing will be bartered for sizable dowries provided by the working class.
“Fitzwilliam, we raised you to be a better man than one who looks down on everyone else. You must remove the bindings of societal expectations you have encased your heart within. Or I fear you will live a lonely life.”
Lady Anne continued their plea, saying softly, “I beg you, Fitzwilliam, consider yourself. Are you truly proud of the man you have become? One who looks at people or a potential bride through the lens of calculation and gain? I would ask you to reflect on what you have to offer, aside from wealth and consequence, to a young lady who is worthy of being pleased.” She sat taller in her seat, pinning him with her gaze.
“Now, we are to be much in company with the Gardiners and their niece. You will be courteous and keep your distance from Miss Bennet. You made a very poor impression on her last night.”
“Fret not, Mother.” Darcy raised his chin. “I am a Darcy. All the ladies wish for my attentions.”
Lady Anne slowly shook her head at him, eyes full of compassion. “You poor deluded boy,” her words the barest whisper of air.
~ / ~
Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner, in the company of the two eldest children, left for their outing to the park. Accompanied by a maid and Jax the footman, they journeyed the short distance to Hyde Park in the Gardiner carriage.
Elizabeth glanced out the window. “We are fortunate it is a beautiful day. Are you both looking forward to our outing?”
“Yes, Lizzy. Shall we see the ducks?” Maggie was bouncing on the seat in her excitement.
“We shall make the ducks our first stop, once we have joined our friends.”
Eddie, who was looking out the window, turned to Elizabeth, “Did you remember to bring bread crumbs?”
“I did. The ducks will be well pleased, I think.” Elizabeth marvelled at the innocent entertainment feeding ducks offered to small children.
“Are we really going to meet a princess?” The little girl seated beside her was still bouncing.
“A princess? Maggie, whatever do you mean?”
“Miss Darcy. You said she is a princess.”
“I said she looks like a princess. She has pretty, long blond hair, quite similar to Jane’s.”
“Cousin Jane is pretty as a princess, and so are you, even though your hair is not blond. Will Miss Darcy play with me?” Elizabeth gently removed the ends of a curl of hair from Maggie’s mouth.
“I believe she will. She is a very nice girl.”
Edward turned away from the window again. “Aww, she will probably only play girl games.”
Elizabeth gave him a mock stern look. “I am a girl; do I only play girl games?”
“Nooo,” the word was drawn out, “but you are not like other girls.”
Elizabeth smiled at her cousin, “Thank you, Eddie.” She continued to reassure her cousins. “I believe Miss Darcy might enjoy the park as much as we all do. Let us see how everyone feels after visiting with the ducks, hmm?”
Mrs Gardiner peeked out the window as the carriage slowed to a stop. “Eddie, Maggie, we have arrived and I expect you to stay together and not run off.”
After Jax assisted everyone from the carriage, he ensured the breadcrumbs, two blankets, and a basket full of treats were all in hand.
Mrs Gardiner addressed her children, “Come. I told our friends we would meet them by Grosvenor Gate.”
They arrived first but only a few minutes passed before Lady Anne and Miss Darcy approached, followed by the governess and two Darcy footmen.
After the greetings, introductions, bow, and curtseys were complete, Elizabeth clapped her hands to attract the children’s attention. “Shall we feed the ducks first?” The two Gardiner children cheered, and the more subdued Miss Darcy smiled.
“Come along then and we shall make our way to the pond. No running, if you please, and stay as a group. The ducks are not going anywhere.” They all moved in the direction of the pond.
Lady Anne and Mrs Gardiner walked at a slightly slower pace than the others.
“Elizabeth believed this would break the ice and give them all time to grow comfortable with one another.”
“That is an agreeable idea.” Lady Anne admired Elizabeth’s easy direction of the children.
Her playful temperament was contagious, and their laughter rang through the park as the ducks darted about as they ate the bread crumbs.
The sound brought joy to Lady Anne’s heart.
Elizabeth would make an exceptional mother one day.
Mrs Gardiner instructed the footman and maid to spread the blankets out under a large tree a distance away from the water before she joined her children near the pond.
By the time the noisy fowl had devoured every crumb, the children were chatting away like old friends. Mrs Gardiner called, “Come, children, we shall refresh ourselves with the tasty nibbles Cook prepared for us.”
Cheering again, Eddie ran ahead of Miss Darcy and Maggie, who followed with hands clasped together, swinging them as they walked. Elizabeth and Lady Anne trailed behind.
Lady Anne overheard Elizabeth sigh. “Miss Bennet, are you well?”
“I am, I thank you. I was just marvelling at the children. I wonder why we lose this ability after we are grown.”
“Making friends so easily?”
“Aye, and with no prejudices.”
“Miss Bennet, please accept my apologies for the night of the musicale.”
“My lady, you owe me no apologies.”
“Perhaps not, but as I already explained to your aunt, he is my son, and a mother never outgrows her need to make things right for her children.” Lady Anne touched Elizabeth’s arm to halt her step. “I hope you will not be uncomfortable should you find yourself in his company again.”
Elizabeth smirked. “I am not made for ill humour, though I do reserve the right to tease him mercilessly.”
Lady Anne could not help but smile. “On that, my dear, you have my full support.”
~ / ~
The evening of the Allen’s ball arrived and Mrs Gardiner flitted in and out of the room in nervous anticipation. Elizabeth hid a smile thinking her aunt was doing a canny impersonation of her mother.
“I think you should wear the white dress with the blue embroidery and blue netting overlay, Lizzy. I know your mother never let you wear blue, but your colouring is so different from Jane’s, you require a darker shade compared to the pastel tones most suited to your sister.
The gown is lovely; Mrs Bean outdid herself.
Let me see… this blue ribbon matches perfectly.
I thought it might. It brings out the brown of your eyes, my dear.
” She finally stopped chattering and took a deep breath.
“Goodness, I think you are more nervous than I.” Elizabeth grabbed hold of her aunt’s hands and squeezed. “We will all have a wonderful time tonight, Aunt. Even if I do not dance every dance.” She winked.
Mrs Gardiner flapped her hand at her niece, “Hush, child.” Turning to Sarah, the maid, “I think perhaps these will work well in Miss Lizzy’s hair this evening.” Pulling a box from her dressing gown pocket, she opened it and showed Lizzy the contents.
Inside were hairpins tipped with shiny pearl beads. “Oh, Aunt, these will look lovely in my hair. You are too kind to me.”
“It is our pleasure, Lizzy.” Mrs Gardiner kissed her cheek and turned to exit the room, saying over her shoulder, “Now hurry along, we do not want to be late.”
~ / ~
Darcy overheard his parents talking about the ball they would attend that night. He paid it no great mind until the Gardiners were mentioned. He retired to his rooms to prepare for the evening, mentioning nothing to his parents.
The dancing had already begun when Darcy entered the ballroom. Lady Anne was alerted to his presence when she noticed heads turn in his direction.
“Fitzwilliam,” Lady Anne approached him with a warm smile, then hissed in his ear, “what do you do here?”
“I overheard you and Father mention the ball and wished to see Miss Bennet again.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “You will behave yourself.”
“Of course, Mother.” He gave her a confident smile, showing the dimples he had inherited from his father, and offered her his arm.
Together, they walked the perimeter, with Darcy’s attention fixed on the dancers.
Lady Anne followed his sight-line when she felt him stiffen beside her. “Miss Bennet is dancing with Mr Frank Carter. They met recently at a dinner party the Gardiners held.”
Darcy stared until he was forced to blink. When the dance ended, he and Lady Anne followed the couple to where Mr and Mrs Gardiner stood.
“Good evening, Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner. Miss Bennet.”
“Good evening, sir.”
Lady Anne shared an uncomfortable smile with Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet, you seemed to be enjoying yourself on the dance floor.”
“Indeed, I was, my lady. Mr Carter is an energetic dance partner.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled in amusement. “He is quite looking forward to his trip to the North and could speak of little else.”
“Miss Bennet, may I have the next dance?” Darcy blurted out.
“My next sets are taken, sir.” The joy slowly diminished from her countenance.
“Your next available dance, then?” Darcy insisted.
After a hesitation, she responded, “My next free, is the second after supper.”
“Excellent.” He bowed and walked away, wishing her presence did not leave him so tongue-tied. He never had to initiate conversations with a lady before. Oh, but for one ounce of Richard’s verbal talents.
Darcy spent the next two hours following Elizabeth with his eyes or listening to her conversations.
Elizabeth noticed Darcy’s behaviour but refused to acknowledge his presence. By the time their dance arrived, she was vexed.
They moved through the formations in silence for several minutes. Seeing her partner was content to remain silent, Elizabeth said, “Did you not think I expressed myself well on the topic of music and younger sisters?”
“You seemed to speak most eloquently.”
“About which, Mr Darcy, music or younger sisters?” her lips curled on one side.
“Both, I imagine.”
“You, yourself have a younger sister and you are exposed to beautiful music daily. Surely, there is more to be said on the subjects.”
Darcy’s mouth suddenly felt dry. He opened his mouth, but then closed it without saying a word.
Elizabeth let the topic drop, “Have you attended any plays recently?”
On this subject he could readily converse, and after one desperate swallow, described the last play he saw until the dance was over. “I understand my parents extended an invitation to attend a play in the Darcy box.”
“I believe so.”
“Perhaps I shall see you then, Miss Bennet, if not before.”
“Perhaps.”
Darcy escorted her back to the Gardiners and bid them good night.
Elizabeth told her relations she had no more promised dances. “If you are amenable, I would not object to leaving. I feel rather fatigued.”
Mrs Gardiner glanced towards her husband inquiringly.
“Aye, Lizzy, I gather we are all tired. Let us thank our hosts and take our leave.”