Chapter 38
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Elizabeth was unsure of her place in society.
She had received a mixed welcome at the musical meeting the week before.
The hostess greeted her and her aunt warmly, but two of the women whispered behind their fans as they watched her and then sat as far from her as possible.
She had been disappointed earlier in the week to find that Priscilla remained in Wales, but she was happy to at least hear about her from her friend’s mother.
At this smaller gathering among minor tradesmen’s wives and daughters, Elizabeth had felt welcome.
She had prepared for this evening at the theater with trepidation.
Would Mr. Darcy turn his back on her again if he heard snickers and insinuations about her?
She was used to the comments whenever she went to events attended by wealthier women.
Men rarely spread the gossip and still sought her as a partner for dances and card games, but the women could be cruel.
Unless Jane was in London, Elizabeth avoided places where she expected to be harassed.
Tonight she was on display in Mr. Darcy’s box. Would people see her with Mr. Darcy and think she was a fortune hunter? Most likely. The thought made her question again why Mr. Darcy had invited them to the theater. Why had he come back into her life and become friendly again?
He sat to her left in the front row of his private box at the Royal Theater at Covent Garden. With the stage to her right, she could avoid seeing his gaze, but she felt it on her. Her aunt and uncle sat behind them, and by their chuckles, she could tell they were engrossed in the performance.
Elizabeth had been even less comfortable in this same box the previous April. She had had Jane beside her that evening, but Mr. Darcy had sat behind her and stared at her without speaking the whole evening.
Focusing on the stage for several minutes, Elizabeth laughed and instinctively turned to Mr. Darcy to see his reaction. He was already looking at her, but the corners of his mouth lifted when she shifted to him.
“Is this a favorite play of yours, too, Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth whispered, so he moved closer to hear her, his arm brushing her shoulder.
Noting his citric scent, she inhaled before realizing what she was doing.
She had caught only a hint of the aroma at his home two nights earlier, but sitting closer to him, it reminded her he had always smelled thus, and she had made a childish comment about it years ago.
She had loved the smell of oranges then and still did, but she recognized a deeper scent tonight than almost three years earlier.
Mixed with the oranges, which she now knew must be bergamot, she sensed vanilla and something else that drew her in.
She barely resisted taking another deep breath.
“I prefer Shakespeare’s tragedies and histories, but this is one of my favorite comedies. Are you enjoying it?” His faint smile was familiar, and she returned it.
Elizabeth hurriedly turned back to the stage.
She had no intention of risking her heart on this man again.
She knew he was the last man in the world who could ever be prevailed on to marry her, so she reminded herself again to guard her heart.
Unfortunately, since she had gone to his home for dinner on Thursday, she could not call to her memory any feelings of anger toward him.
They had been friends before, however, and if he continued in this way, perhaps they could be again.
“…Bennet…Mr. Darcy’s mistress.”
Elizabeth froze and felt Mr. Darcy, still near, tense beside her and adjust back slightly.
She had known she would be noticed in this private box, but the implication she had overheard had never occurred to her.
Before she could decide how to react, the door to the box opened, and Mr. Darcy stood to greet a man in full military dress.
She and her aunt and uncle also stood and were quickly introduced to Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, cousin to Mr. Darcy.
He sat on her other side, and they all continued to watch the play, but she kept thinking of the rumor she heard and strained to hear if more was being said.
“Miss Bennet, I think we have met once before.” The colonel’s crooked grin began to set her at ease.
“Have we? I do not recall…”
“You wound me.” He held both hands to his chest.
“I apologize, sir. Perhaps you would be so good as to remind me of the occasion on which we met previously?” She wondered if the gossips would rethink their ideas if she focused on the colonel for a while, so she grinned playfully.
“To be fair, I do not believe we were properly introduced. I arrived with Darcy at the home of Mr. Bingley in December or January a few years ago. You played the instrument the entire time I was there, but I recall my cousin over there speaking with you.”
“Oh, yes! I do remember. You entertained Miss Bingley quite handily that day.” Now her amusement was unfeigned, and thinking for the second time this evening of the long ago day, she turned to Mr. Darcy and smiled before she recalled she should ignore him.
He had a hard look in his eyes, though, reminding her of the flippant words still circulating.
Of course, Mr. Darcy was angry for people to think he would take her for his mistress.
She knew he was opposed to the idea in general, but even if he were not, he would be appalled by the idea of anything romantic between them.
She gave the colonel a cursory smile and turned fully to the stage once again.
Elizabeth’s eyes had sparkled with mirth when she turned from his cousin to himself, but her face fell when she looked at him.
He realized he was scowling and adjusted his features, but she had already turned away again.
He knew he should be nothing but grateful that his cousin had made her laugh, but he felt a pang of jealousy instead.
Richard knew Darcy’s heart and would not overstep, but Elizabeth may still prefer the jovial cousin.
Darcy tried to shake off his ill feelings.
He knew by her subtle shift that Elizabeth had overheard what he had—the ton linking them together in an unsavory way—and he had been grateful his cousin had arrived at that moment.
Had Darcy ruined the beneficial change his cousin had brought?
The first act was nearly at an end, and he would do his best to reassure her during the intermission.
From his position beside her, he could observe the left side of her face, her perfect, slim neck from her dark hairline down to her pale green silk.
Elizabeth’s gown was finely made and of the newest fashion, as far as he was aware.
Observing her, even from this close proximity, was not enough for him this time, though.
When she had been in his box the year before, he had not spoken to her, so although he now longed to test the softness of her skin with his fingertip, he knew he had already made progress over last year.
Applause from the audience recalled him to his other guests. Her aunt and uncle were directly behind them tonight, but he got the feeling they approved of him, at least as a friend. He had not yet shown himself to be a suitor.
“Would you like some lemonade, my dear? And Lizzy?”
Both ladies answered Mr. Gardiner in the affirmative.
“Darcy, would you care to join me?”
“Would you accept my company instead?” Richard gave him a wink before turning to Mr. Gardiner. “I need to stretch my legs and would be honored to know you better.”
Darcy knew not whether his cousin was investigating Elizabeth’s family on behalf of his parents or offering him a few minutes with her. He appreciated both.
“Is the performance all you had hoped, Mrs. Gardiner?”
“Oh, yes, Mr. Darcy. My husband said he told you it was my favorite, but I have never seen it done so well. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Of course. I hope we may have many future opportunities to view such performances. In fact, Miss Elizabeth, Artaxerxes is coming here in less than a fortnight. I would be honored if you would all join me again in my box.”
He saw Mrs. Gardiner smile, but Elizabeth looked more confused than happy.
“Are you familiar with the opera, Miss Elizabeth? Have you seen it performed before?”
“I have not, but I understand the music is exquisite, and I have always wanted to hear it, but—”
“I will confirm the dates and send round a note, then.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed.
“Forgive me, you have an objection?”
“Not exactly.” She swept her eyes over the assembled crowd and bit her lip but said nothing more.
How he wished to speak with her alone, to reassure her that the ton’s imaginings would not affect his feelings for her. He could confess to no particular feelings yet, however, so they did not require privacy. He must work on her trust and friendship for now.
“Soon after we became friends, we spoke of your first year in London and how little you had seen. Have you now experienced most of what you had hoped here?”
She glanced at her aunt before looking into his eyes and then down at her hands, covered in fine kid gloves and resting in her lap.
“When Jane is in town, we go to balls and card parties and an occasional performance. Last summer, my uncle took me to a watercolor exhibit at the British Gallery of Pictures.”
“Do you still paint, Miss Elizabeth?”
“She paints nearly every day, Mr. Darcy. I am still waiting to see what she has been working on for the past month, but she says only that it is a surprise series.”
Elizabeth blushed but offered no details of her latest pieces.
“I hope I will have the chance to see your talent again soon.”
She looked at him with surprise. He leaned closer to her and spoke in a low voice, fully aware that her aunt could hear him.