Chapter 2.6 #2
“My love, my tenderness, my passion are meant only for you. I had never felt nor behaved this way until you charmed me with your fine eyes and your lovely face. Can you imagine how besotted I was since I did not hesitate to confess it to Caroline Bingley?”
Her laughter tickled his heart. “That was not really a surprise since Miss Bingley always pretended you were intimate friends.”
“Dearest, please never use the word ‘intimate’ when you refer to me and Caroline Bingley under any circumstances.”
“I might have to since we will all be family now, you know. I only hope Caroline’s manners will improve in time, or at least that she and Louisa will come to love Jane as she deserves.”
“I share your hope, but I am afraid it will be difficult to accomplish. However, I trust Bingley will succeed in making Jane as happy as she deserves; it is his duty and his responsibility.”
“I wish nothing more than to see Jane as happy as I am.”
He covered her face with tantalising kisses; then his lips brushed over hers. “That, my beautiful wife, would hardly be possible. I take it as my duty and responsibility to make you the happiest woman in the world.”
“And you have already succeeded, my love,” she said a moment before her words were lost in a passionate kiss.
∞∞∞
The Countess of Wellford’s ball took place on a Friday night.
As Lady Matlock mentioned, it was one of the most important events of its kind.
Among the attendants were distinguished members of the ton, including the noble patronesses of Almack’s Assembly Rooms. Even Colonel Fitzwilliam—who had returned to Town for only a day—declared he looked forward to the evening.
Although Darcy treated the entire situation with mild amusement, Lady Matlock was quite determined to secure Elizabeth’s entrance into the most exclusive circles of London society as she insisted it was for the benefit of the Darcy name and for Georgiana’s future coming out.
Despite her usual tendency to support her husband’s opinion, Elizabeth could easily see the wisdom in Lady Matlock’s argument, and she behaved accordingly.
For this ball, she wore a most fashionable and elegant dress of pale green satin overlaid with pellucid, hand-embroidered lace to which she matched a jewellery set of gold, diamonds, and pearls.
The gown came with a stunning new pair of shoes, which Elizabeth admitted to being more beautiful than comfortable.
Darcy’s gaze the moment he laid eyes upon his wife showed his surprise, his approval, and his admiration, and Elizabeth needed nothing more.
As she walked to the carriage on his arm, she proudly wondered whether there could be another gentleman as handsome as her beloved husband.
The countess’s residence was only around the corner from the Matlocks’, but the building looked even more impressive. The entire first floor was tastefully decorated, and the main hall and ballroom were already crowded when the Darcys and Matlocks entered.
Lady Matlock complimented Elizabeth’s appearance, and so did the Countess of Wellford when she greeted their party.
Inside, Elizabeth recognised many persons she had already met at Lady Matlock’s private ball, and she elegantly curtseyed to each of them while Darcy whispered to her any names she could not remember.
To the Viscountess Castlereagh, the Countess of Sefton, and the Countess of Jersey—three of the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s—Elizabeth and Darcy, under Lady Matlock’s careful supervision, dedicated a special greeting and several minutes to answer their inquiries.
When the Countess of Sefton ended the conversation, congratulating the newly wedded couple and expressing her wish that she would see them often during the Season, Elizabeth could see Lady Matlock breathe in relief.
Before the music started, they met with Lord Buxton and Lady Beatrice. Lady Pemberton, her husband, and Lady Marianne were also present. The latter smiled charmingly at the colonel, who responded only with a proper bow.
Since the colonel was her only close male acquaintance and etiquette frowned on her dancing with her husband, Elizabeth anticipated an evening spent in light conversation and the chance to know better some of those in attendance.
Colonel Fitzwilliam asked her for the first set, during which her partner mostly joked about Darcy’s apparently poor mood and his constant gaze at them.
Elizabeth remembered Darcy’s lack of interest in dancing, which was confirmed once again.
At Lady Matlock’s private ball a month earlier, he had danced only because he could do so with her.
Now, he seemed to return to his old ways.
Only his eyes, caressing her from afar, reminded her of the man with whom she was deeply in love.
To Elizabeth’s surprise, after the first set she received four other invitations, which she could not refuse.
Lady Matlock said it was an excellent sign of appreciation.
Elizabeth, however, was convinced that most gentlemen asked her to dance out of curiosity, for the chance to speak with her, and to find fault with her behaviour.
Darcy, on the other hand, had no doubt that the invitations were a result of Elizabeth’s beauty being widely admired, a fact he found rather disturbing.
Colonel Fitzwilliam, a witness to all these speculations, was amused and inclined to support his cousin’s opinion.
Before the fifth set, Darcy was engaged in conversation with his uncle, Lord Pemberton, and several other gentlemen as little inclined to dance as he was.
Elizabeth was in a group of Lady Matlock’s friends, exchanging impressions about the ball, when she was stunned to see Lord Felton approach her and ask for the favour of the next set.
The mere presence of the man irritated her, and she noticed Lady Matlock’s darkened countenance.
She glanced toward her husband, but he seemed involved in his own discussion.
The other ladies in her group appeared to be on friendly terms with Lord Felton, and although she attempted to find an excuse to deny his request, she could think of no reason for an elegant refusal.
Therefore, she had to accept, and as the music began, she took his arm and accompanied him to the set.
She had just taken the first steps when she observed Darcy’s angry stare. He looked determined to move toward her, but Lord Matlock caught his arm to stop him. Elizabeth paled for a moment then smiled as lightly as she could to calm him down.
“Mrs Darcy, it is such a pleasure to have your company for half an hour. I thank you for this favour. I imagine your husband is not very pleased with our dancing together.”
“Lord Felton, I trust you did not ask me to dance in such a large company only to ensure I could not refuse you and to upset my husband. That would be rather childish behaviour and not at all worthy of a gentleman of your position.”
She smiled, but her eyes were as sharp as her voice, and her partner appeared disconcerted by her words.
“You are a very self-confident woman, Mrs Darcy, and that adds even more to your charm. I assure you that my invitation only reflected my desire to know you better.”
“I see…well, I doubt a set would be enough for closer acquaintance, but fortunately, both of us know ample details about the other to have already formed an opinion.”
“I am afraid I am at a disadvantage here, Mrs Darcy. I barely know anything about you. And I am afraid your opinion about me is biased since you certainly have only unfavourable accounts about me. I am sure neither Darcy nor the Matlocks have anything positive to say about me.”
When the dance steps brought them closer, Elizabeth spoke in a tone that admitted no debate.
“Lord Felton, I beg you not to go any further with this conversation as I would be sad to have to respond rudely. Please trust my word that I know all the relevant details about your history with my husband, Lady Hothfield, and the events that occurred. I would kindly suggest that, for the rest of the dance, you choose only subjects that would be approved by both my husband and your wife. So—what do you think of this lovely weather?”
The remaining time, Lord Felton said little else.
He complimented Elizabeth a few times, expressed his surprise to see Darcy married in such haste and so far from his usual circle of friends, and mentioned that he was closely acquainted with Mr Wickham, who—such a coincidence—had recently married one of her sisters.
She answered briefly, keeping her smile wide, and glancing frequently at her husband to show him that she was well and he had no reason to worry. Darcy’s expression, though, remained dark and preoccupied.
When the music stopped, Felton directed Elizabeth to her chair, but Darcy was beside them in an instant.
“Darcy, I congratulate you for your wife; we had a lovely time together. Oh, do not be so distressed. You look ridiculous, honestly. Do not worry; we did not discuss Miss Alton at all—pardon, I mean Lady Hothfield,” Felton said insolently.
Elizabeth became angry, astonished by the man’s impudence. She felt herself gently pushed away, and Darcy stepped closer to Felton, replying in a low voice.
“Do not ever dare approach my wife again under any circumstances. This is the first and last warning I shall give you.”
“Or what? Will you call me out?” Felton laughed with spirit.
“Not at all; Lord Hothfield already defeated you and made you look the fool. But if you ever bother my family again, I will injure you with my bare hands such that you will pray for the shot of a bullet or the cut of a sword.”
Lord Felton was about to answer, but Darcy ended the conversation.
“Do not make the mistake of taking my words lightly. I would do anything for my family’s comfort, and please meditate carefully on the word ‘anything.’ Now excuse us; we have no more time to waste on this matter.”