Chapter 14 #2
She was pretty with blonde hair and a fashionable willowy figure. Her gown was of the latest fashion. She walked near them speaking to her companion in a loud voice, making sure everyone in the near vicinity could hear.
“I do not see anything special about her. She is not classically pretty. Her complexion has no brilliancy and although I have heard he called her eyes fine, I cannot see anything of the kind.” The jealous woman was looking Elizabeth up and down, making it perfectly clear of whom she spoke.
Elizabeth felt Anne begin shaking next to her. Touching her companion’s arm with her fan, she raised her chin and responded loudly “Miss de Bourgh, I do believe she is speaking about me.”
“Oh no, Miss Bennet, that is not possible.” Anne tried to reassure her friend, until she saw Elizabeth was not upset, rather, she was holding in laughter. Elizabeth’s reaction altered Anne’s. She straightened her posture, and raised her nose in the air, reminiscent of her mother, Lady Catherine.
Elizabeth widened her eyes, put her hand on her chest, feigned her best ingénue expression, and faced the young lady.
“How obliging of you to share your thoughts with”, she looked around, “all of us here.” Elizabeth tilted her head sympathetically.
“But you poor dear… My very old grandmama spoke at such a loud volume because she was hard of hearing, too.” She offered her most sympathetic smile.
“You may wish to be examined by a physician.”
The affronted lady was rendered silent, mouth agape in shock. Elizabeth slid her arm through Anne’s and they turned in unison to walk sedately back to their box. Whispers and twitters grew behind them.
Elizabeth squeezed Anne’s hand. “Are you well?”
“Oh, Elizabeth, that was positively thrilling. No wonder Mama constantly presents herself thus to Society.” She offered her friend a haughty pose.
“It keeps foolish chits in their place!” They collapsed into each other’s arms giggling quietly before composing themselves.
Neither wished to mention the scene to the rest of their party.
Lying in bed that night, Elizabeth pondered the incident. It would not be surprising if such scenes were repeated. The Darcys were amongst the first circles, and Fitzwilliam Darcy was highly sought after in the marriage mart. She rubbed a hand over her heart, trying to soothe a sudden ache.
~ / ~
May 1809, Hyde Park
On a bright day not long after, Elizabeth, Anne and Georgiana were strolling through the park, two footmen and a maid close behind.
They were intruded on by a familiar male voice, “Hark! Thus my eyes behold on so fair a day, three beauteous ladies outshining the sun.”
The ladies laughed, turning toward the speaker. Captain Fitzwilliam approached, accompanied by Darcy.
Elizabeth grinned, “We are indeed enjoying the sun’s rays, but outshining it is not for us to say.”
Her eyes twinkled in enjoyment of their banter. “And where have you gentlemen been, while we have basked in the sunshine?”
Both men puffed their chests out and Darcy replied. “We took in a little exercise at Angelo’s.”
“And who won your battle for the fiercest gentleman in Town?” Elizabeth inquired playfully, whilst Georgiana and Anne giggled behind their hands.
Darcy’s chin rose as he tugged on his waistcoat. “Who wins is immaterial. It is about improving our skills.”
“I scored more points.” Captain Fitzwilliam affected a loud whisper, with a huge grin.
“Ah,” Elizabeth looked at Darcy from the corner of her eye to see if he was genuinely upset. “I am sure next time you will beat him?”
Darcy sighed, “No. Richard is quite good. He is fast and his instincts are even faster.” He leaned closer and admitted, “I have rarely managed to beat my cousin.”
She pulled back to look up at him. “You appear to be bearing up well.”
He shrugged, “No one loves to lose, but knowing my cousin can well defend himself brings me much comfort.”
Her eyes rested on the gentleman who would soon be returning to the front lines. She nodded, “I imagine it does.”
The others had moved ahead of them and seeing they lagged behind, Darcy offered her his arm.
Elizabeth wrapped her hand around his elbow, a frisson of warmth radiated up her arm.
For some time now she had become aware of a contented feeling in his presence.
Today, the feeling was more pleasurable, leaving her almost breathless.
Being held firmly to his side nearly overwhelmed her. His tall, masculine figure was so near and so strong, and so… so him!
Her body warmed from more than the heat of the day and she struggled to regulate her breathing. When she had calmed enough, she raised her eyes to look at him. He had a smile on his face, and seeing it made her smile in response.
Darcy spoke, breaking the silence. “And what has motivated that smile?”
“Why, your smile, sir. You have smiled more in the past week than you have, I would imagine, in the whole of your life.”
The look in her eyes was warm, causing a blush to suffuse his cheeks.
“If I do,” his voice came out raspy, “it is because you inspire me to it.” He placed his other hand over hers on his arm and locked his gaze onto hers.
The intensity in it caused her stomach to swoop, but she could not look away.
“When we first met,” he began slowly, “I was not a man my parents could be proud of. I have since learned I am not proud of the man I had become. I hope,” he stuttered, “I hope you no longer despise me.”
“Rest assured, I do not,” she replied quickly. “Though it is not for me to say what sort of man you should be. You are the best judge of that.”
She looked down a moment then raised her eyes to his again, “We have definitely moved past our mutual dislike, and I have enjoyed the time spent in my friend’s company.”
He looked forward, contemplating her use of the word friend. He had to swallow down the rising disappointment it provoked. “At the risk of beginning another debate, I will only correct one material point.” He waited till he had her complete attention, “I never disliked you.”
His look was so heated, it mesmerized her. Breaking their gaze, she inhaled to calm her inner turmoil, “I understand congratulations are in order; Mr Vernon and Miss Abigail Mansfield are officially courting.”
Apprehensive, Darcy ducked his head beyond her bonnet to see her face. The pleased expression she wore relieved him. “Are they, indeed?”
“Yes. I imagine they bonded over their shared passion for music.”
“And this does not distress you? I had thought perhaps there was some interest–”
“Oh, no. He and I were friendly; we enjoyed discussing music and art. I should not boast, but I take pride in their match, as I did bring them together.”
The smile she raised to him made him want to kiss her then and there. Curls framed her face, flaming in the sunlight and her cheeks were rosy from their walk in the warmth of the day. Her eyes enchanted him most of all. Their brown depths sparkled with joy; they bewitched him.
All the other women, every single one he had ever met, dulled in comparison. No one was more beautiful than she at that moment.
“Miss Bennet–”
“Lizzy!” Georgiana was rushing toward them.
Darcy wanted to scowl at his sister.
“Georgiana, are you well?” Elizabeth was concerned by her friend’s outburst.
“I just heard the most diverting story from Richard, and I know you will wish to hear it.”
Elizabeth cast Darcy a look of apology and let herself be dragged away.
When the party broke up, Richard took Georgiana and Anne home. Darcy insisted on escorting Elizabeth back to the Gardiners.
“Will you be attending any more balls or events before the end of the season? Activities will soon begin to wind down.”
“Yes. I know we have been invited to a few. Though I cannot recall the details.”
“Well, if we should be at the same event, would you save me a dance?”
“Of course. I must rescue you from holding up a pillar all night, and from all the matchmaking mamas.” Her bright smile inspired his dimples to make a brief appearance.
“Thank you for escorting me home, sir.” Elizabeth blushed and tried to hide it behind the brim of her bonnet.
“It is my pleasure, Miss Bennet.” He bowed low over her hand and lightly kissed her knuckles, as his thumb gently caressing the back of her lace-gloved hand, before reluctantly letting go.
Elizabeth’s breath was shallow as she watched him walk away. She came to herself with a start, one hand on her chest, as she stared at nothing. She hurried up the steps into the Gardiner’s home. The maid followed, trying hard to hide her smile.
Mrs Gardiner noticed a glow about her niece with trepidation.
She feared the pain that was in Elizabeth’s none too distant future.
Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy might have improved, but there was no way to know if the changes included a wife from a sphere below his.
Gently bred, Elizabeth may be, but she was far from the sphere the Darcys inhabited.