If Only In His Dreams (3 page)

He moved closer to where this young lady stood, hoping that someone would introduce her to him.  His desire to know more of her, to hear
her voice, to see if she matched the goddess of his dreams was soon to be granted.  Bingley had been introduced to the young gentleman who was with the goddess, fortunately he learned the gentleman was her brother not her husband.   Darcy waited anxiously to be introduced to the woman who had become his vision of love. 

Elizabeth was standing beside her sister and Charlotte Lucas when her brother introduced them to Charles Bingley, his sister Caroline Bingley, his sister Louisa Hurst and her husband Gilbert Hurst, and Mr Bingley’s friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy of Derbyshire.  She became flustered when she noticed that Mr Darcy was watching he
r intensely.  When Jane was asked for the first set of dances by Mr Bingley, Elizabeth was pleased to see her sister happy to accept.  Having watched Mr Darcy
,
after he entered the assembly, Elizabeth was amazed to find him stepping forward to ask her for the honor of the first set.  Finding no real reason to refuse him, Elizabeth accepted Mr Darcy’s request. 

The Netherfield party moved forward to be introduced by Sir William Lucas to others from the neighborhood.  Charlotte leaned over to her friend.  “Lizzy, what a great honor that you have been given.  Mr Darcy has just met you and asked you for the first set.  To look at him I would not have thought him fond of dancing.”

“He has s
uch a taciturn nature about him;
I was astounded that he would ask me as well.  I would have thought him more likely to only dance with the ladies of his own party and no others.”  Elizabeth’s cheeks had taken a ruddy blush to them.

“What is your impression of Miss Bingley?” Charlotte asked her friend.  “I do not believe she is pleased to be here.”

“You are correct
,
if I am any judge of character.  From her expression I would tend to believe her finding our country assembly to be far beneath her.”  Elizabeth smiled.  “And the color she chose to wear, forgive me for being critical, but the color is definitely not flattering for her.”

“I found the turban and feathers to be…different.  We saw one lady in Town wearing such when we visited last spring, but the woman was smaller build and the color of the turban was more flattering.  I can see that Miss Bingley has red hair, so the burnt orange color clashes terribly.”

“I could not agree with you more.  Oh, Charlotte, how terrible we are to sit here clucking at the poor woman’s…as you said, different…choice of fashion.” Elizabeth began to chuckle.  Charlotte leaned close to her friend and giggled behind her hand.

More neighbors arrived and other young men began to request a set with Elizabeth and Charlotte as well as Jane, though Mr Bingley had shown a distinct preference to Jane.

The music began, announcing that the dancers should take their places for the first set.  Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy came to claim the hands of the Bennet sisters.  As she walked by Miss Bingley, Elizabeth had the impression that if it were possible, the lady would have shot daggers from her eyes at Elizabeth.  This
was puzzling to Elizabeth, as she saw no partiality on Mr Darcy’s part towards his friend’s sister. 

Throughout the first dance of the set, not a word was spoken between Darcy and Elizabeth, but his eyes never left
his watch of her.  Her movement and grace were entrancing, making him wish to hold her and touch her as he had his dream goddess.  The second song of the set began and Elizabeth, nervous at being watched by Mr Darcy in such a way, could take the silence no longer.  “Mr Darcy, I must insist for some words to be spoken.  Perhaps I can comment on the number of dancers and you could speak of the talent of the musicians.”

A small smile graced his lips.  Yes, the voice, it was the woman of his dreams.  “Do you find it necessary to speak while dancing, Miss Bennet?”

“Indeed, Mr Darcy, for otherwise it would be far too solemn if no words were exchanged.  And I refuse to allow a dance to be too taciturn.”

They separated for a moment until the dance steps brought them back together.  “Very well, Miss Bennet, how do you find the assembly so far tonight?”

“First, Mr Darcy, my sister is Miss Bennet.  I am Miss Elizabeth.  And secondly
, I find the assembly well attended, though fewer men were able to attend due to the harvest.  So
,
I thank you for saving me from having to sit due to a shortage of partners.”

“I would find it difficult to believe that you would ever lack in partners, Miss Elizabeth.” Darcy reveled in being able to use her name.  “Someone who is not only quite easily the most handsome young lady here, but also it appears that you are well spoken as well, would be in constant demand by my way of thinking.”

“You flatter me, Sir.  I am neither handsome nor in constant demand.  My sister, on the other hand, fills that description easily.”  Elizabeth turned her eyes towards her sister.

Darcy could not take his eyes from the beauty before him.  “I believe that it is you, Miss Elizabeth, who is mistaken.  Your sister may be pretty, and I do agree with you on that point, but she does not hold a candle to you.  I pray you do not find me inappropriate, Miss Elizabeth, but I wish to know more of you.”

These words came just as the dance steps forced them to separate again.  Elizabeth was pleased, as it gave her a moment to collect her thoughts.  She could feel her skin turning a shade of b
rilliant red, the heat rising throughout her body.  When the movement brought them together again, she could not look into his eyes.

“Miss Elizabeth, forgive me for being forward.  I have never behaved so with any other woman.  I am just as shocked as you are by my behavior.  But I have met many young ladies in my
life and none of them have ever affected me as you have.”  He spoke as they were quite close, the words coming as more of a husky whisper.  Shivers ran down Elizabeth’s spine as he spoke.

“And how have I had an effect on you, Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth whispered back.

“That is not for me to say in such a setting, Miss Elizabeth.
” Darcy found himself behaving in a manner he had despised in others of his station in society.  Many men of wealth thought nothing of seducing and bedding any women they wished,
marriages did not matter.  If fact, most marriages of the Ton were marriages of convenience and other than producing heirs, the men, and even the ladies, were commonly known to have affairs.  Darcy detested this behavior.  He had been taught from an early age what it was to respect himself as well as his family.  His father had been in love with his mother, and because of that love and devotion, he refused to ever stray outside their marriage.  It surprised Darcy to learn from his father that he had never entered into relations with any lady before his wedding night, and that if Dar
cy were
wise, he would save himself for the woman he would one day marry.

But this woman, this vision which seemed to have exploded from his dreams, had stolen his ability to think properly.  In his dreams, they had been a couple for what seemed to be an eternity.  And they had made love many times in that world, a world that had shown him such delight and pleasure.  It was difficult now to think of this as reality, not the exotic world inside his mind.

“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth.  You have reminded me of a dream I had, one which
the young lady looked and sounded just as you do.  I must remember that I am no longer dreaming, but in the presence of a young lady.”

The heat rising inside E
lizabeth was making her blush deeper
.  Darcy noticed that her color had heightened, leading him to imagine how far the flush of color extended.  ‘Stop’ he said inside his mind. ‘She is a lady, flesh and blood.  I will not disrespect her.’

Fortunately, the dance came to an end, and Darcy escorted his goddess to where her brother stood.  After releasing Darcy’s arm, Elizabeth walked to where Charlotte was seated behind Alex.  Darcy leaned in to speak quietly with Alex, praying for the answers he desired.

“Forgive me, Mr Bennet, for being so direct, but I wish to speak to you of your sister, Miss Elizabeth.”

Alex took a deep breath.  Could this be the answer to his
prayer?  He knew that it was essential that Elizabeth and Jane both find good matches and be settled well in their own homes.  This was a responsibility he took seriously. Even though Elizabeth had told him of her desire to only marry for love, Alex knew that the chance of that was rare.  She would do as he told her, or Alex would have to set his foot down with his sister.

“And what would you wish to speak to me of in regards to Elizabeth?” Alex attempted to appear every bit the guardian and gentleman that was expected to conduct business on his sister’s behalf.

“Would you mind if we were to step from the room for a moment?  With the noise in here, I would prefer to speak somewhere a little quieter.” Darcy stated.

Motioning to Darcy to follow him, Alex moved towards the side of the room.  He noticed that Elizabeth had been collected for the next dance by Samuel Long, the son of one of their neighbors. 

Chapter 3

Stepping into one of the side rooms where men
were known to gather to speak or play card games, Alex made certain that they were alone by closing the door.  “You said you wished to speak in regards to my sister.  Of what would you wish to speak?”

Darcy attempted to gather his thoughts.  “Is Miss Elizabeth spoken for?  Is she engaged or in a courtship at this time, promised to anyone?”

Inwardly Alex smiled.  From what he had heard of Mr Darcy of Derbyshire, the man’s fortune was extensive.  This could be the perfect situation for Lizzy.  “No, Mr Darcy, she is not attached to anyone yet.  Though, as I am certain you will agree, I doubt it will be long before there will be a great many young men wishing to claim Elizabeth’s hand.  I have
been concerned for several years, since the death of our parents,
of finding a man who was worthy of marrying each of my sisters.  I will not allow them to be treated poorly or misused.”

“Of course you would be protective.  I have a younger sister I am responsible for as well.  Fortunately, my sister is a great deal younger and is not out in society as of yet.”

“Then I am certain that you are awa
re of how difficult it is to do right by a sister.  Is there more you would wish to speak of in regards to Elizabeth?”

Darcy stepped closer to the window.  Looking out, he gathered his wits about him to continue.  “Forgive me, Mr Bennet, but I have never dealt with such a situation before.  I have long felt as if I were a prime steer or stallion, the way I have been treated by the matchmaking mammas and their young daughters.  Due to my estate and my wealth, I am regarded as a spectacular catch by the Ton.”

“Indeed, I believe I have seen your family name in the papers over the years.  And is this to impress me, your wealth?”

Smiling, Darcy turned back towards the young man before him.  He was impressed that Alex was not on his knees begging for Darcy to marry his sister immediately after he had danced with Elizabeth.  “Sir, I am not attempting to impress with my wealth.  I am simply explaining that I have had my share of avoiding the young women of the Ton, and, yet, find myself
taken by a country miss.  I must begin with telling you that I have dreamed of meeting a woman just as wonderful as your sister.  The young lady I dreamed of looked and sounded just like Miss Elizabeth.  If I am not mistaken, your sister is well read, sometimes impertinent, as well as very intelligent and not afraid to share her opinion.”

Surprise was apparent on Alex’s face.  “How did you know?  Have you been watching my sister secretly?”  Concern was rising in his voice.

“No Mr Bennet, I have never seen or spoken with your sister before in my life.  As I said, I have seen this lady in my dreams.  Very specifically, in my dreams, I have found myself falling in love with and marrying a lady who I met tonight.  I know in my heart that the woman from my dreams is in fact your sister.”

“This is quite interesting, Mr Darcy.  Have you ever spoken with anyone in regards to this woman of your dreams?” Alex was growing quite concerned.

“My mother and I spoke of it last year.  The dream has been
with me off and on for three years, growing stronger of late.  When I met your sister, I knew that she was the one.”