April 1809
Darcy had not been back to London in nearly a year.
The demands at Pemberley had been too great.
Richard had delivered Georgiana home in June and spent a few weeks with them before leaving for Portugal with his men.
Now he was fighting in Spain. After a scorching summer that threatened Pemberley’s crops, Darcy had assisted neighboring estates dealing with flooding in the winter.
Darcy had to rely on other family and friends to transport his sister back and forth in October, December, and January.
In December and January, those friends had been the Bingleys and Hursts, who then spent Christmas at Pemberley.
Miss Bingley had frightened poor Georgiana with her forward behavior.
His sister, now thirteen, had escaped her company whenever possible and had pleaded with him one evening to reconsider.
“Reconsider what, Georgie?” he had asked in January, shortly before she would return to school.
“I know it is not my place to say, but surely you could find a better wife. Of course, if you are deeply in love with her, I am sure I can learn to love her too.”
“My dear, dear sister. You are an excellent judge of character, it seems, but perhaps not of my feelings. Do not fear. I have no intention of offering for Miss Bingley.”
She had been so relieved, she had broken into sobs as she clung to him.
“But whatever gave you the idea I would marry her?” he had asked when she calmed.
“She acts as though she owns Pemberley. Surely you have noticed.”
His fists had clenched. “I try to pay as little attention to her as possible, which is why I am surprised you thought I held her in any regard. Has she been unkind to you or to the servants?”
“Only demanding, I think. But she has spoken of redecorating Mama’s parlor and told me she thought of me as a sister.”
That was beyond all he could have imagined. He reassured her that he had no thoughts of matrimony at present with Miss Bingley or anyone else.
In light of Georgiana’s disturbing revelation, he had spoken to Bingley about his own sister before they returned to London and to his housekeeper as soon as they departed.
Mrs. Reynolds and several of the maids had earned hefty bonuses for their forbearance with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst during those four weeks.
Darcy had wanted to be in London to retrieve his sister from school in March, but he had to deal with more tenant disputes than usual in the past two months, so she had spent a fortnight with their Aunt Matlock in London.
Although he would not say he had been excited to leave his home, he did have high hopes for some relaxation now that he had arrived in town for the Season.
That meant visiting his club and perhaps the theater, meeting Bingley at Angelo’s, and avoiding Miss Bingley and balls for as long as possible.
Of course, Bingley roped him into joining him at a dinner party shortly after his arrival in town. They had both been invited, but Darcy had not planned to go. It would not be as bad as a ball, however, so he acquiesced.
Elizabeth was seventeen now and had begun making social calls with her aunt.
She had not been to a ball yet, as she had been awaiting Jane’s arrival in town.
Uncle Bennet had spoken to her in December about her entry into society.
He gave her his blessing to enjoy herself and her new gowns, but he cautioned her to guard her heart.
He had made it clear he would not support a betrothal before she was one-and-twenty.
He had also reminded her she would need to marry a gentleman.
She had attempted to challenge him and ask about her father, but their conversation had been interrupted, and another opportunity never presented itself.
Other than that, her Christmas holiday at Longbourn had been far better than that of the previous year.
She and Jane had not quite resumed their old camaraderie through their regular letters, but they were getting closer.
Jane had asked again for Elizabeth’s forgiveness, and she had given it.
Although she had been hurt, she understood better after Jane’s explanation.
Along with Mary, they had spoken of some of the same topics she had canvassed with the Bingley sisters two years earlier. Gowns and ribbons and even beaux were more relevant to her now than they had been then, and she was eager to share this time with her cousins.
She did not, however, divulge her continuing feelings for Mr. Darcy.
She knew they would always remain unrequited, but she also found comfort in thinking of him.
He had been so kind at the menagerie the previous year.
He had spoken to Aunt Gardiner animatedly of their shared Derbyshire roots.
Elizabeth had nearly swooned when he carried an exhausted Mandy and whispered in her ear to calm her fear of a roaring lion.
How could she help but think of him fondly when he had left her with that image the last time she had seen him?
Now that Jane had arrived in London the day before and Elizabeth would begin attending more events with her, she could not help but wonder whether she would see Mr. Darcy.
Jane had not met the Bingleys yet, but she and Aunt Gardiner would accompany Elizabeth to her first social dinner of the Season this evening, and the Bingleys would be present.
Perhaps they would discover whether Mr. Darcy was coming to town this Season.
She scolded herself as these thoughts bubbled up, knowing she should not think of the man quite so much.
She had allowed herself private reminiscences, but he should not always be on her mind.
According to Uncle Bennet, she was “not allowed” to fall in love for several more years, so she saw no harm in this little fancy, as long as she did not permit her feelings to gain ground.
Darcy descended from his carriage and took several steps away from it as soon as it stopped in front of their destination.
Even for such a short ride, Miss Bingley had tried his patience.
He would need to speak with her brother again, it seemed.
Perhaps he should not have offered to escort their party in his carriage, either.
As he walked toward the townhouse where they would dine tonight, he ignored Miss Bingley’s and Mrs. Hurst’s conversation. He kept ahead of them, so he would not be forced to escort the younger sister inside. Let her brother do that.
With the rest of his party, he greeted his hostess politely but without emotion. She had a daughter in want of a husband, and he did not wish anyone to suppose he would be the man.
A dozen people already filled the drawing room, and Darcy looked around to see whether he knew any of the gentlemen.
His gaze sprang back after initially passing over an enchanting Miss Elizabeth.
He had not thought to see her here, or in fact in London at all.
Aside from the times Georgie had mentioned her, he had not thought of the girl in the past year.
She looked to be a girl no longer. His heart stuttered as he took in her appearance.
She wore no thick braid but a stylish…he could not think…
a few dark, silky curls brushed her cheekbones and her smooth, pale neck behind her ear.
He swallowed. She was approaching, and he noticed her cousin and aunt for the first time.
Miss Elizabeth wore a fashionable, pale green gown that emphasized her elegant figure while remaining modest. What a difference a year had made.
He quickly licked his dry lips as Bingley greeted the women, and he belatedly bowed, as well.
“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth.”
Dinner was called, and Darcy had just enough presence of mind to extend his arm to Miss Elizabeth before Miss Bingley could claim it. He was gratified to find the hostess’s arrangements in the dining room allowed him to sit next to his choice.
“You look well, Miss Elizabeth,” he said. “That is, I hope you are in health?”
“I am, I thank you,” she smiled. Still sweet despite other changes. “And you? How has Pemberley been since we parted last year?”
He took the offering she gave him to find some normalcy in the encounter, and they spoke of Pemberley, Longbourn, and their families.
Soon she had placed him at ease, as she had always done.
How had he forgotten that she had ever been an oasis for him in each room they shared?
How had he not thought of her incessantly the past year?
After the ladies rose to remove to the drawing room and he watched her graceful retreat, he regained his composure at last and remembered that she had been but a child the year before. She was certainly old enough for him now, was she not? Nobody who saw her or spoke to her could deny it.
His father had been eleven years older than his mother, and his uncle was fourteen years older than his aunt. No, Miss Elizabeth’s age would soon mean nothing. He acknowledged, though, that her age had been only the most obvious stumbling block.
Before he allowed himself to develop true feelings for her, he must learn of her fortune and connections.
He knew nothing of her uncle in London, but her aunt was fashionable enough, and the uncle who had raised her longer owned his country estate.
She associated with the wealthy Bingleys and wore a fine gown tonight, the bodice beautifully embroidered with unobtrusive flowers in a color matching the fabric.
Surely, she would prove suitable. Until he knew, however, he must hold back and treat her as he always had.
Elizabeth had never been happier. Even Caroline’s snubs glanced off her as she and Jane sat with their friends and their aunt lingered with hers nearby.
They spoke of their time apart and their plans for the next fortnight.
Caroline asked Jane why she did not intend to stay longer, and her cousin said her father wished it.
“I assume you will join Jane in everything this Season, Eliza?” Caroline asked in a way that said she would have preferred it were not the case.
“Most everything. Jane may outpace my stamina for late nights, but we will soon find out.” Elizabeth took in the room around her.
She had spoken to her hostess and several of the other ladies.
While she had not received an overwhelming welcome and suspected Caroline had spread some of her history to the women, she was content.
Caroline suddenly sat straighter, and Elizabeth realized the men were joining them.
The guests tonight were a mix of tradesmen and gentlemen and their families, and she had also met several of the men before Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley had arrived.
They had been kinder than the ladies, as a whole, but all had made the evening satisfactory.
Moments after the men arrived, servants were called to push back furniture and roll up carpets for dancing. Elizabeth had not expected this, but Jane was already joining Mr. Bingley for the first dance, and she watched her cousin contentedly.
“Miss Elizabeth.”
She looked to her side to see Mr. Darcy, the corners of his lips ever so slightly turned up.
“Would you care to dance with an old friend?” he asked.
Friends was perfect, of course, as she knew he could never be more no matter how much she wished it. She would savor this dance for what it was and what she would later dream it could have been.