Fault or Virtue: An Imaginative Retelling of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' (9 page)

While during an attempt at curbing her younger sisters’ excitement during the
ball, Elizabeth learned that Wickham would not be in attendance after all due to the
presence of Mr. Darcy. She was disappointed and surprised that Wickham would decide
not to come after so fiercely voicing that he would not allow Darcy to further affect his
life. Just as she began to revisit Wickham’s story, she glimpsed Mr. Darcy making his
way towards her from across the room. He stared at her with such intensity, she hardly
knew what to do in the brief moment it took him to cover the distance between them
besides attempt to quell her blush.

“Were you looking for someone, Miss Elizabeth?” he asked as he led her to the
center of the floor.
“I was merely admiring the general splendor, it is breathtaking.” She could not
but help admire him as well.
He is the most handsome man in the room.
His formal wear
was of the highest quality and complimented his figure and features most deftly.
No
wonder half of London is after him, if this is how they often see him.
Her praise did not convince him, and Darcy had a sinking feeling that she had
been looking for Wickham. He wanted desperately to enjoy what little time with her
alone he had to the fullest, but he could not ignore the nagging worry that crept up his
spine. There was no telling what Wickham could do to her if she allowed him the
opportunity.
How did the man manage to target two of the women I most care about?
Darcy silently berated himself for the thought. Miss Elizabeth could be nothing to him
when he left Hertfordshire. Even still, he felt he must do something to protect her from
Wickham so that she would not be in danger once their party quit Netherfield.
“It is a colorful crowd with the militia present,” he started. “Perhaps you have
noticed that your particular acquaintance Mr. Wickham has not come.”
Elizabeth checked her surprise and embarrassment before replying.
“He is a very jovial man. I could not say that I would not have appreciated his
company tonight.”
“Yes, jovial indeed.” He ground his teeth until his jaw ached. “Miss Elizabeth, I
am a man who appreciates decency, intelligence, and loyalty above all other traits. Mr.
Wickham and I share a long history. I feel obligated to tell you, due to our friendship, that
I have found him wanting in these areas of character.” He wanted to say more on the
subject, but could not bring himself to; it exhausted him. “But now we should talk about
much pleasanter things. I shall endeavor to be jovial for you, Miss Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth smiled warmly in response, touched by his kindness to her. She was
relieved that their friendship had remained intact after she and her sister were removed
from Netherfield. Yet as happy as she was, she could not extinguish the burning curiosity
she felt with regards to the history of Darcy and Wickham. There was much more to both
of their stories, she was sure. She could most likely elicit more details from Wickham,
but his words made up only half of the story.

Even still, Darcy was a remarkable dancer and Elizabeth was disappointed that
society would only allow them two songs together. If not society, Elizabeth realized, then
Caroline Bingley would surely cut them short. Caroline Bingley watched Elizabeth like a
hawk from the entranceway, muttering under her breath if Elizabeth so much as smiled. If
Darcy smiled, she would drive her heels into the floor as if she meant to dig through it.

Once the first dance was over, Darcy escorted Jane onto the dance floor while
Bingley took Elizabeth, a compromise which satisfied no one. Miss Caroline Bingley,
however, was the least pleased. When the brooding hostess finally secured the third
dance with Darcy, she launched whole-heartedly into a tirade about the Bennet girls.

Bennet girls. Then the night’s dance partners can only improve.”
“I believe we have both settled on the two eldest Miss Bennets for the last dance
of the night as well.”
“
Settled
is a good choice of wording, Mr. Darcy. Bravo.”

The first half of the night was generally known to have been a great success and
after dinner, everyone looked forward to the second half prepared for the more of the
same.

All throughout, the Bennet family managed to mortify Elizabeth with their efforts
to expose themselves to the most ridicule, but she was sure that Bingley did not notice.
Miss Bingley, however, had managed to catch nearly every indiscretion performed and so
made constant reports to Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth overheard a few of these remarks and
though they were devastating, the look on Mr. Bingley’s face when he looked at her sister
was enough to convince her that Miss Bingley and her remarks meant nothing. Elizabeth
hoped that it would be too late for Miss Bingley to interfere with Jane and Bingley now,
but she just hoped that Miss Bingley would not make Jane live to regret marrying her
brother if such a happy affair came to pass.

Darcy had claimed Elizabeth’s hand for the last set, and so as promised, led her
gently to their positions and bowed before her.
“This is perhaps my favorite dance, Mr. Darcy,” she said, when the music had
begun. It was slow and engaging, the perfect way to end a night.
“I had rather imagined your favorite to be something more lively, Miss
Elizabeth,” he smiled when she cocked her head at him.
“Perhaps I do not like my preferences to be so easily guessed.”
“Trust that they are not.”
The smoldering that Elizabeth had seen in his eyes returned again and she felt as
if they had a fire between them. Of everything else in the room, she became only aware
of him: his eyes, his hands, his body. She knew he felt the same of her. Not once did he
retreat emotionally as he had in their first dance. She felt a rush that started in her

!
$)!
fingertips, jolted her stomach, and weakened her legs when the dance brought them
together, and somehow she knew he felt that, too.

When at last the music stopped, she found herself nearly clinging to him. He
stepped away slowly to bow while making an apologetic face. His eyes traveled down her
face. It glistened with moisture from the exercise, her eyes bright with passion. His gaze
rested on her lips: wet, red, and soft.

Jane and Bingley’s arrival broke the tension between them and they struggled to
return to reality.
“Come, Lizzy, Mr. Bingley is going to walk us out,” Jane blushed at the
admission of his attention and Bingley took her arm and turned towards the door.
“I would be delighted if you allowed me the same privilege,” said Darcy
carefully.
Elizabeth was at a loss for words and so she and Darcy followed in silence. The
strange connection that had erupted between them remained and strengthened when
Darcy kissed her hand before handing her into the carriage.
“Goodnight, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”

Darcy cursed himself for his openness and vulnerability. Netherfield was emptied
and he was again left alone in the company of the Bingleys. It was nearly dawn, but
Darcy’s exhaustion was trumped by the thrill of his dance with Miss Elizabeth and the
anger that he had directed at himself for his actions.
Why did I come back in the first
place? Why did I care what this neighborhood thought of me?
He could not for a moment
admit that there was only one person’s good opinion that he sought. He would never
admit it.

He joined Bingley at the door as he watched the Bennet carriage pull away.
“Bingley, may I have a word?” Bingley jumped at his question, but nodded.
Darcy poured himself a tall drink, ignoring Bingley’s raised eyebrows.
“Bingley, as your friend, I must inquire as to your intentions towards the eldest

Miss Bennet.” He took a large swig.
“It’s funny you should ask, Darcy, for I have only just made up my mind on the
subject . I will attempt to wait the appropriate amount of time after tonight and then I will
fly to Longbourn and secure her hand. I must have her and as soon as possible!”
Darcy’s face fell and he sat down across from his friend.
“I do not believe you have taken sufficient time to consider this from all angles.”
“Consider this from all angles? Darcy! I am in love, there are no angles. I know
you disapprove of her family, her upbringing, her station, but I do not care. If you think
that I am squandering all that my father saved for me by making a love match, then I will
implore you to keep your mouth shut on the subject. My father’s money has awarded me
the opportunity of making such a match, I will not look at it any other way.”
“I meant no offense, Bingley.” He closed his eyes and imagined his friend’s
future. It would undoubtedly mean that he and Elizabeth would be thrown in constant
company, and how would he keep his resolve then?

!
$*!
“May I ask a favor of you, Bingley?” Darcy had one last idea. Bingley nodded his
assent. “I trust your feelings and I have no greater wish than to see you happy in life and
in marriage. I simply think we should all of us temporarily quit the neighborhood. I
would not be easy if I was not sure that Miss Bennet was the only woman for you,
Bingley. Let us remove ourselves to London for two weeks time and if your heart is still
what it is today, I will return with you immediately.”

Bingley sighed. If it was not for the desperation in his friend’s voice, he may not
have agreed, but as it were, he could not deny him this small request. He informed his
sister, who all too eagerly saw to their removal from the neighborhood.

They planned to depart at first light of the morning, despite it meaning they would
not get any sleep. As was his habit, Darcy walked out in order to stretch his long legs
before the lengthy carriage ride with the Bingleys.

The Bennet household remained lively until the early hours of the morning, each
Bennet girl recalling their favorite moments of the ball. When Mr. Bennet had finally
convinced them that such things would go better with breakfast, they were all ushered
into their respective bedrooms for the remaining hours of darkness. Jane fell almost
immediately into a deep slumber and Elizabeth was left alone with her thoughts, all of
which were focused on Darcy. Her feelings, hopes, and confusion were all heightened by
the utter quiet of the household and Elizabeth resolved to walk out at the first hint of
dawn.

“Mr. Darcy?” Elizabeth was sure her eyes were betraying her when she saw his
figure emerge suddenly from the light morning mist.
“Miss Elizabeth? I’m surprised to see you,” he looked around to determine where
he had wandered. Elizabeth laughed to see his confusion, remembering when she had
ranged so close to Netherfield the morning of his departure.
It’s like a dream!
“I am sure that you’re rather closer to Longbourn than Netherfield, Mr. Darcy.”
She raised her eyebrows while she waited for his reply and he chuckled in return.
“So I am. Do you not sleep, Miss Bennet?” he asked, trying to ignore her softlooking dress which he assumed was a sort of sleepwear.
“I could not sleep.”
“Nor could I.”
Her smile melted under his smoldering stare and she was at a complete loss as to
what she should do. When his intense gaze dropped from her eyes to her lips, she inhaled
sharply in anticipation. It was the same hungry look he had cast upon her at the ball. The
same one she was sure she had returned. In half a second, he closed the distance between
them, slipping one strong arm around her waist and wrapping the other gently around to
cradle her neck in his hand while he pressed his lips to hers. She started slightly when his
lips fell upon hers, knowing that she should push him away, but as she placed her hands
on his chest to push him back, Darcy deepened the kiss and she suddenly felt unwilling to
break it off. When he at last pulled away, he stayed inches away from her, looking into
her eyes as if his would communicate for him. After a moment, he kissed her softly and
briefly three times. Before Elizabeth could recover, he was gone, vanishing into the fog
just as quickly as he had appeared.

Elizabeth returned to the house in a daze, uncertain whether she had been
dreaming. She slipped quietly into bed next to Jane and fell quickly to sleep, hoping the
dream would be revisited.

The carriage was waiting for Darcy when he returned and Caroline was looking
around for him, eager to begin the journey that would mean prolonged close proximity.
“Mr. Darcy, you look as though you’re sad to leave.”
“I believe you know better, Miss Bingley. I find I am very fatigued this morning
and am grateful that the carriage ride will afford me some rest.”
It allowed him no such an opportunity however, as Caroline found it necessary to
whole-heartedly justify their quitting the neighborhood and not returning. Both Darcy and
Bingley adjusted uncomfortably as the topic of discussion turned more specifically to the
Bennet family. Bingley’s hope fell as he listened to his sister’s version of the family he
had wished to align himself with while Darcy’s resolve strengthened. Yet even when he
had banished all second thoughts from his mind, the feeling of Elizabeth’s smooth lips
seized him.

The neighborhood was not aware of their removal until sometime later, and after
that time, it was the only topic of discussion. Inwardly, Elizabeth warred with various
emotions, but outwardly, she betrayed nothing.
Had the kiss been a parting token of
affection?
It was circulated that they would only be gone for two weeks time, but every
moment Elizabeth reflected over their departure, the less assured she was that they would
return. Caroline Bingley would undoubtedly, at that very moment, be tormenting Mr.
Bingley with harsh recollections of Hertfordshire and the Bennet family. Elizabeth knew
all the particulars of Caroline’s sense, but she was driven to distraction attempting to
guess at Darcy’s thoughts.
Would he revel in putting Hertfordshire behind him?

Mrs. Bennet worked herself into such a fit of hysterics over the loss of Mr.
Bingley that she was barely able to pen a letter to her brother in London to notify him of
the imminent arrival of his two eldest nieces before she collapsed into bed.