Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (16 page)

“I will not dance.”

“Not if Mother has anything to say about it.”  Fitzwilliam clapped his back and looked up at the steps.  “En garde!”

The men were shown directly to the sitting room where Lady Catherine awaited them.  “Darcy, Fitzwilliam!  Do not stand at the door, come in here!”  They exchanged glances and entered, bowing to her.  Darcy kissed her proffered hand. 

“You look well, Aunt.”

“And you have become a fine-looking man.”  She nodded in approval then turned to Fitzwilliam.  “And you nephew, a colonel now!” 

“Yes, Aunt.”  He bent and kissed her hand.

“But Napoleon lives on!”

“If he had been in my sights, I would have gladly taken the shot, Aunt.”

“Still vulgar I see, Fitzwilliam.”  She sniffed and waved them to their seats.  “I suppose that life with the army brings that out in a man.”

“I suppose it does.”  He rolled his eyes.  “May I ask where our cousin is?  I hope that she is well?”

Lady Catherine’s lips pursed, disliking that it was not Darcy who inquired after her.  “She is resting, but will be with us for dinner.”  She smiled at Darcy.  “Anne wishes to look her best for you.”

“I am certain that she would look well despite the company.”   He said without emotion.

Her eyes narrowed.  “Where is your sister?”

“Georgiana remained in town at Matlock House.  She is studying with a music master and did not wish to interrupt her lessons by leaving.”

“That is admirable, I suppose.  One must practice to achieve perfection.  If I had ever learnt . . .”

“Madam,” A footman interrupted.  “Pardon me, Miss de Bourgh sends you a message.”  He handed her a note and she took it from him with a scowl.  Opening it she smiled.  “Darcy, Anne saw you arrive through her window and sends her greetings.”  She looked at Fitzwilliam.  “To you as well.”

The men nodded, and seeing they would say nothing else, she continued.  “What are you doing for Georgiana’s education?”

“She has a governess; however I am considering sending her to a girls’ school.  I think that the companionship of girls her age would be good for her, and she would form friendships, such as I did at Eton and Cambridge.”

“Yes, I can see where that would be useful.”  Lady Catherine considered.  “And with her out of the house, you would be free to concentrate on your marriage.”

“I am not married, Aunt.”

“Your courtship, perhaps?”  Fitzwilliam offered and Darcy glared at him. 

“Precisely.”  Lady Catherine looked at him with approval.  “Anne will take up all of your time.”

“Aunt, I have made no offer to my cousin.”  Darcy said tersely.  “I am not in search of a wife; my responsibilities for Pemberley are very consuming.  When I feel confident with my duties, I will begin to consider marriage.”

“And Anne will be ready for you then.”  Lady Catherine nodded.  “You were formed for each other.”

Darcy closed his eyes and clenched his fists.  Fitzwilliam stood.  “Aunt, will you excuse me, I would like to change from these clothes, and Darcy perhaps you would like to do the same?  After the last battle I find that I cannot abide a soiled uniform for long.”

Their aunt was displeased but agreed.  “Oh, well yes, proper attire is necessary.  We will see you at dinner.”  Darcy rose and they bowed, slipping up the stairs as quickly as possible.

“I am sorry about the courtship comment, I could not resist.”  Fitzwilliam muttered.

“It did not help the situation.” 

“I got you out of the room did I not?”  He chuckled and they stopped outside of their traditional rooms.  “It is only a week, Cousin.”

“I pray that we survive without spilling blood.”  Darcy said under his breath and entered his chamber with his cousin’s laughter ringing in his ears.  

31 MARCH 1809

Jane and I arrived in Gracechurch Street yesterday afternoon.  Oh it is so good to be back!  The children have grown, and it was wonderful to meet my baby cousin Paul.  He is the image of his father.  Aunt said that after Easter, they have been invited to several small affairs and we will join them.  Today we went to the warehouses and purchased a few gowns for the occasions.  It is a terrible expense, and I am certain that Uncle is footing the bill, but they would hear nothing of our protests.  It is noisy here in the city, but the lack of Mama’s voice makes the din of the carts outside of the window sound like birdsong to me.  I will miss my walks but I cannot express enough how grateful I am to be here.  Perhaps this will be a chance to find my future.

Elizabeth closed up her journal and gazed out at the busy street, wondering who she might meet in the coming months.  Mr. Darcy immediately sprung to mind, but she shook him away. 
No, stop it now!  He is an impossible dream.
  Perhaps a tradesman like her uncle would like her.  She sighed then straightening her shoulders, stood and went down the stairs to join the family.

“Lizzy, I just received an invitation to a dance Monday night with some friends of ours.  I will ask her if you and Jane may come, and I am certain that she will be delighted to include you.”

“Who are these friends, Aunt?”

“This is the Hendersons.  They are fabric exporters, and work closely with the cotton mills in the North.  I know that several of their clients will be guests.”

“So this is not just a friendly dance, but business as well?”  Elizabeth asked.

“I am afraid that most dinners or balls have an element of business about them, dear.”  She laughed.  “A little bit of relaxation makes for a good atmosphere for negotiations.  Your uncle has done very well in the studies while we ladies strike deals of another nature in the drawing rooms.”

Jane smiled.  “You strike deals, Aunt?”

“Of course!  Discussions of marriage are always popular and finding suitable husbands for girls is a favourite subject, however we have also been known to discuss our husband’s business and hear things to whisper in their ears.”

“Aunt, really?”

“There is no more powerful persuader than a woman who knows her business.”  She smiled and nodded.  Elizabeth laughed with delight and Jane looked on with horror. 

“But, it is not the woman’s place . . .”

“If it has anything to do with caring for her family, it is her place.”  Mrs. Gardiner said firmly. 

“Oh.”  Jane whispered. 

“So, I suppose that Jane and I are to be part of these negotiations for husbands now?”  Elizabeth asked.

“I will do my best for you, if you wish it.”  She smiled.  “I want you to be happy with your husband, whoever he may be.”

“DARCY, COME ATTEND YOUR COUSIN!”  Lady Catherine barked. 

He closed his eyes and stood, then walked over to Anne.  “Forgive my tardiness, Cousin.”

She placed her thin hand on his arm.  “It is well, Darcy.  You will come to me eventually.”  Darcy shot her a look.  Her implication was clearly about more than escorting her to dinner.  She said nothing more and he moved to sit across from her.  He glanced at Fitzwilliam who raised his brow in inquiry.  Darcy looked back at Anne who was staring at him. 

“Does she not look well, Darcy?”

“Yes, quite well.” 

“Anne’s doctors assure me that she is growing healthier by the day.  Of course the glow in her eyes is new to this day.”  Lady Catherine smiled at her with satisfaction.  “It will be good to see her established in her own home, and overseeing her staff as she has been taught.”

“I look forward to the happy day when she finds her home and will be glad to know the fortunate man who will be her husband and, of course, the master of Rosings one day.”  Darcy murmured.  Anne’s eyes widened and she raised her brow.  Lady Catherine’s eyes narrowed as he continued, “The mistresses of Pemberley and Rosings will undoubtedly become good friends.”

“There is no mistress of Pemberley.”

Darcy turned his head and smiled slightly.  “No, Aunt, not as yet, but then I have yet to speak to her.”

“We will have this discussion later, Darcy.”

“There is nothing to discuss, Madam.”

“You know your mother’s wishes!”

He looked her straight on.  “I do, because my father told them to me.  I know his desires, and I will follow them without fail.”

Anne made an odd noise with her throat and Lady Catherine turned to her.  “Look, look what you have done, you have upset her!”  She waved at a footman.  “Help her upstairs, Mrs. Jenkinson, do not just sit there, move!” 

The companion who had sat silently by Anne’s side jumped up and led her from the room.  Anne paused at the door, looking back at Darcy for a moment and stared at him unblinkingly then disappeared.  Darcy glanced at Fitzwilliam who cleared his throat.  “Does that happen often, Aunt?”

“What?”  She said angrily.

“Anne having such an emotional fit.”

Darcy’s eyes closed and he shook his head, then lifted it to see his angry relative huffing at him.  “Aunt, I should have said this last year, but I will say it now.  I will not marry Anne.  No matter the reasons or circumstances.  I will not marry her.  Please stop making your pronouncements, please stop encouraging her to think it might happen.  If she is truly healthy enough to marry, then by all means, take her to London for the Season and see what comes of it.  My father told me that no scheme existed between my mother and you for a marriage and has instructed me on his expectations.  I do not wish to address this topic again with you.”  He spoke quietly and firmly.  “Do I make myself clear?”

“How dare you speak to me this way!”

“I am the master of my house; you are suggesting who should be its mistress.  I have every right to say what I feel on the subject.  I ask again, madam, am I clear?”

“Yes.”  She barked.

“Do you wish for Fitzwilliam and me to remove ourselves from Rosings?”

“No, that will not be necessary.”  She said tersely.    

“Very well, then.”  Darcy said softly in his quiet steady voice.  “May I compliment you on the meal?”

“I am unhappy with my cook.”

“Of course you are,” muttered Fitzwilliam under his breath.  Darcy glared at him and he lifted his shoulders and smiled.  The rest of the meal proceeded in silence, with only the sound of cutlery on the plates breaking the oppressive atmosphere.   When at last she rose from her chair, the men quickly stood.

“I will retire now.  There is port available.  I expect to see both of you ready for breakfast at nine and you will meet my pastor.”  She looked from one man to another and without a word, left the room. 

Fitzwilliam collapsed back into his chair.  “That was exhausting.  What made you do it?  Confronting her with her delusion?  I was betting you would go on year after year, dancing around the subject and never saying anything to keep the peace.”

“That actually was my original plan.”  Darcy sank back down in his chair and thanked the servant who poured him a glass of port.  “You know me well.”

“So what moved you?”

“Anne.”  He shook his head.  “She whispered that she expected me to eventually come to her.  It was . . . unnerving.”

“I bet.”  Fitzwilliam laughed.  “The stuff of nightmares.”

Darcy closed his eyes.  “Well, let us survive Easter and spend the next few days looking over the estate with her steward and return to town.”

“She will probably never forgive you for this.”

“It is a relief; believe me, to have cleared the air.”  Darcy took a deep breath.  “Now I can court with a clear conscious.”

“You owed neither of them anything.”  Fitzwilliam poured a new glass of port and automatically filled his.  “So, you have yet to speak to your future bride.”  Darcy’s head shot up and his cousin smiled knowingly.  “Clever, Darcy.”

“I WISH THAT JANE COULD HAVE COME.”  Elizabeth looked around the crowded ballroom nervously.  “She is so good at these things.”

“Oh, I find it hard to believe that you are not.”  Mrs. Gardiner patted her arm.  “Unfortunately Jane’s headache will not be relieved for several days.”  She smiled at Elizabeth and she rolled her eyes.  “So what exactly does your sister do that helps you at dances?”

“She is beautiful and attracts men to dance with her.  I invariably get asked for at least a few sets.”  She shrugged.  “At least I dance.”

“You really need to stop thinking of yourself as unattractive, Lizzy.  I know that you are sensitive to your mother’s pronouncements, but please remember the source and her motivation.”  She gave her a hug.  “You will do well tonight, I am certain.”

“Thank you, Aunt.”  Elizabeth smiled. 

“Well, I will ask you here and now for the second set.”  Mr. Gardiner smiled.  “My wife of course has the first.” He bowed gallantly and offered his arm.  Mrs. Gardiner laughed and they walked off to line up with the rest of the dancers and Elizabeth stood on the side looking over the room.  She had never attended a ball in London before, and had already noticed how different it was from the country dances she knew from Meryton.  Beyond the dress of the participants, their behaviour and speech was much more formal and made for a fascinating study.  She was startled from her observations by the appearance of a tall blonde man before her. 

“Pardon me.”  He bowed.  “I know that I should wait for an introduction, but the music is about to begin, and frankly, I do not wish to miss this dance.  May I have this set?”  He smiled warmly and his eyes twinkled at her.  “I promise not to step on your toes.”

Elizabeth laughed and curtseyed.  “Well with such an incentive how can I say no?”  She took his arm and they walked to the line.  “May I know the name of my partner?” 

“Ah, I knew that I forgot something!  Charles Bingley, Miss . . . and my partner is?”

“Bennet, Elizabeth Bennet.”

“Miss Bennet.”  He stood opposite her and bowed again.  “A pleasure.”  The music began and they danced reasonably well together.  She thought of him as an enthusiastic puppy, whose feet were too big for the rest of him, but he smiled and laughed, and did not give her one moment of doubt over her performance or appearance.  She thoroughly enjoyed herself.  When the dance finished he offered her his arm and they walked to the side.  “May I fetch you some punch, Miss Bennet?”