Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (28 page)

“I give you leave to smile, Mr. Darcy.” That is what she said to me at dinner, sitting by my side, smelling of lilac and those beautiful enticing curls spilling down and dancing around her neck.  What I would give to see her hair unbound!  I must have looked so stern, but it was all I could do to remain still beside her.  She cannot possibly understand how my fingers itched to take her hand.  Each laugh deserved, no required, an answering kiss. 

The business of courtship is meant to drive a man to distraction, I am certain!  The proximity but unavailability of his object must be what drives them to propose and fix the wedding date.  We need time together, without a roomful of relatives.  I want to talk to her.  I feel so much better now with her in my life, but she is still just barely there, on the periphery.  What will it be like when I have the privilege of her being with me every day!  Tomorrow she comes to Darcy House.  I hope she is pleased, and I must steal a moment with her alone!

“Mr. Darcy, do you have any other directions for your guests tomorrow?”  Mrs. Mercer said loudly for the fourth time.

He startled and looked up.   “I am sorry, I . . .I was not attending.  My guests, no, I just want the house to look its very best, one guest is particularly important.”

“Yes sir, will you be showing the entire house?  Are there any rooms in particular that should be aired?”  She raised her brow but maintained her smooth expression.  A small smile appeared on Darcy’s lips.

“As much as I would like to answer in the affirmative, Mrs. Mercer, I think that particular tour must wait for a future visit, but hopefully it will not be long.”  He saw a pleased crinkle appear in her eyes as she nodded.

“I will wait for your direction then, sir.” 

Mrs. Mercer left the room and he chuckled quietly.  “Well the staff is on alert now, poor Elizabeth, she will be scrutinized from every corner.”  He stood and walked around the study, wondering how he could steal a few precious moments alone with her.  “I need to talk with her.  I know that she will listen, and I can see how much she wishes to share with me.  If only her sister had not interrupted!”  He glanced up to his parents’ portrait, remembering coming upon them time and again, holding hands and walking in the garden, and laughing together, or finding them in the library before the fire, with books in their laps but discussing goodness knows what.  It was comforting for him; it was something he imagined for himself someday. 

“Well Cousin, how goes the courtship?”  Fitzwilliam asked from the doorway.

“You have an annoying habit of simply appearing without warning.”  Darcy glared.

He laughed and dropped into a chair.  “Perhaps I should be a spy!  He rubbed the leg that had been shot through, and then touched the scar from the bayonet that had found a home first in his batman before continuing through to his abdomen.  “Well, not now.”  He smiled ruefully.  “I am set to return to duty.”

“You are healed?”

“Enough.  The infection is gone, and I seem to have most of my strength back.  I came to propose a ride in the park, test my new mount.”

“Ah, she has arrived!”  Darcy smiled.  “Do you have a name?”

“I considered Elizabeth.”  He pursed his lips and saw Darcy’s instant glare then laughed.  “Just testing you, Cousin.  I wanted to see if the bloom had worn off now that you have spent some time with her.  I have never known you to tolerate a woman any longer than it takes to . . .”

“Richard.”

“I know, I was exaggerating.”  He cocked his head.  “How long has it been?”

“It is none of your business.”  Darcy stared down at his hands.

“That long?”  Fitzwilliam sat back and laced his fingers.  “Well, well.  She is visiting tomorrow, Georgiana tells me” 

“You spoke to her?  How long have you been wandering my hallways?” 

Laughing, he sat forward.  “I saw you scribbling in that journal of yours with a smile.  I did not care to interrupt until you had finished.  So I went in search of my ward.  She is excited and apprehensive.”

“I know, but they have met already.  I wanted this meeting to take place before she leaves for your parents’ home next week.”  He laughed, “Although it might be useful to keep her here, it provides a ready reason for Miss Elizabeth to visit often.”

“That it does, well, there is no reason why the two cannot meet here regularly, since it may not be welcome at Matlock House.”  Fitzwilliam saw the worry appear in Darcy’s eyes.  “Father is not happy, but he did speak to me of Uncle George’s desire that you find love. I hope that your Miss Elizabeth is up for the challenge that faces her Tuesday.  You had better warn her, and her relatives.  It will not be easy, not when Mother has no idea you will be arriving with three women on your arms.”

“Should I speak to her?”

“No, the surprise will be in your favour, she cannot behave badly in front of her guests, so be prepared for the morning call on Wednesday!”  He stood.  “Enough, I see that you are beginning to worry, we need some exercise!”

“I will go change.”  Darcy stood to go upstairs and saw him heading to the decanter.  “Do try to leave me some port.”

“You can afford it.”  Fitzwilliam laughed and poured. 

“AND THIS IS THE MUSIC ROOM.”  Georgiana said proudly.

“Oh what a beautiful pianoforte!”  Elizabeth exclaimed and walked up to it, drawing her hand over the intricately carved wood.  “Your brother tells me that you are very accomplished with your playing.”

“Well, I am improved from when I began.”

“Hopefully we can all declare that.”  Elizabeth laughed and looked up to see Darcy watching her with an expression of warmth that made her heart beat faster.  “I am afraid that my playing is poor.  My sister Mary is always at the instrument, so my time to practice is limited.”

“May I hear you?  I am sure that Fitzwilliam would like it, would you not, Brother?”  Georgiana looked at him hopefully and his smile widened.

“I would indeed Miss Elizabeth, if you would care to oblige us?” 

Elizabeth shook her head, then glanced at Mrs. Gardiner who was looking at her with raised brows.  The moment to perform graciously for the man she had imagined had arrived.  “Very well, sir.  But I make no promises for pleasure in the performance.”

“I can bear a missed note or two.”  He smiled and taking her hand settled her at the bench, and spoke softly in her ear.  “Shall I turn pages for you?” 

“If you like, but I know this piece by heart.”  She added softly.  “I do not know why, but I think of you when I play it.”  Their eyes met and he took his seat beside her.

The other ladies took their places and waited expectantly.  Elizabeth closed her eyes, breathing in the intoxicating scent of Darcy’s cologne as he moved, and leaned unconsciously against his solid form, his thigh and calf touching hers.  His sharp intake of breath brought her back to the present and they looked at each other, then she began to play. 

Across the room, Georgiana gasped.  “Fitzwilliam, it is your birthday song!”  Elizabeth looked up to see a delighted smile, and his head nodding in agreement. 

“So it is.”  He leaned down to Elizabeth as she played.  “I gave this to Georgiana when I returned from my tour, with a request that she learn how to play it for my birthday.”

“I purchased this to learn two years ago, after my visit to town.”  She looked up from the keys to meet his intense gaze, and her playing faltered.

“Elizabeth.”  He breathed. 

“Will you sing for us, Lizzy?”  Mrs. Gardiner called out.

The couple startled and both blushed.  “Oh, yes.”  She cleared her throat and clasped her shaking hands nervously.  “Do you have a request?” 

“Anything you do will make me smile, Miss Elizabeth.”  She laughed and his smile grew.  “Especially if you laugh, I so enjoy your laughter.”  Tilting her head, she raised her brow, and looking at him with sparkling eyes, began to sing:

“When the green woods laugh with the voice of joy,

And the dimpling stream runs laughing by,

When the air does laugh with our merry wit,

And the green hill laughs with the noise of it.

When the meadows laugh with lively green,

And the grasshopper laughs in the merry scene,

When Mary and Susan and Emily,

With their sweet mouths sing, Ha Ha He.

When the painted birds laugh in the shade,

Where our table with cherries and nuts is spread,

Come live and be merry and join with me,

To sing the sweet chorus of Ha Ha He.”²

Darcy burst into laughter and the rest of the room followed.  “That was wonderful!  William Blake?”

“Yes,
The Laughing Song
.”  She giggled and gasped to feel his hand slip around her waist to draw her into a brief embrace.  She looked up to see nothing but joy in his face.  “You like my silliness?”

“I do, I need your liveliness more than I can say.” 

Mrs. Gardiner turned to Georgiana, “Would you play for us, Miss Darcy?”

She immediately stopped smiling.  “Oh, no, I am not ready for performing.”

She patted her arm reassuringly, “That is fine; there is time enough for that in the future.”

“I do not recall you giving me such an easy pass when I declined, Aunt.” 

“You were not thirteen.”  She pointed out and Elizabeth rolled her eyes.  Darcy looked to Jane.

“Miss Bennet, may we hear you?”

Jane blushed.  “No sir, I am afraid that my accomplishments do not include the pianoforte.”

“You sing, Jane.”  Elizabeth prompted her.  “I have heard you when you think you are alone.”

“Lizzy!”

“Well you do not have the excuse of youth, come now, sing for us!  You have a lovely voice.”  Jane shook her head and Elizabeth sighed. Darcy leaned to her.  “Is something wrong?”

“No . . .I guess . . .” She looked to see his genuine concern and spoke softly.  “I worry for her future.”

“I understand; her singing could help to win attention from a gentleman?”

“We have so little to offer.”  She looked down to her hands in her lap. 

With the piano serving as cover, he slipped his hand over hers and squeezed.  “I am discovering with every meeting the wealth that you possess, Elizabeth.  I will be richer than Midas someday.  I hope.”  He entwined their fingers briefly then let go when Mrs. Mercer arrived to announce that refreshments were ready.  The party rose together, and he lingered behind, letting Georgiana lead the way.  He bent to Elizabeth’s flushing cheek.  “Finish your tea quickly; I would like to show you something privately.”  She nodded and swallowed, and took his offered arm to follow the women. 

Entering the sitting room she gasped.  “What a magnificent display!”  A table had been set with platters of strawberries and pastries, sliced meats and delicacies she could not identify, all on beautiful gleaming silver platters.  “Sir, were you expecting more guests?” 

Darcy laughed and Georgiana piped in.  “He told Cook to be prepared for special guests today.” 

“Is that so?”  Elizabeth smiled at his blush then looked at Georgiana.  “It seems that your brother is not comfortable with teasing.”

“No man is, dear.”  Mrs. Gardiner winked.  “Only amongst themselves; or inflicting it upon others.”

“Ah, like Papa.”  Elizabeth smiled at Jane.  “We know that all too well.”

“Your father has a sharp wit?”  Georgiana asked.

“That is the source of my sister’s humour, I think.”  Jane smiled.

“I look forward to meeting him.”  Darcy spoke and took a cup of tea while the ladies filled their plates.  “I understand that Hertfordshire is only a two-hour ride, and I should probably go and speak to him in person about our courtship.”  He smiled at Elizabeth and creased his brow when she looked away.  “Is something wrong?”  Jane gripped her hand as Elizabeth’s eyes welled up with tears. 

“Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bennet has given my husband complete authority as Elizabeth’s guardian.  There is truly no reason to make such a lengthy journey at this time.”  Mrs. Gardiner met his eye and he tried to understand what she was communicating.  The memory of Stewart came to his mind, and his explanation that Elizabeth’s family was unsuitable.  He nodded slowly. 

“Well then, I will meet him in the future.  Thank you for saving me the journey.”  He looked to Elizabeth and smiled reassuringly.  He noticed that the others had taken their seats and were laden with plates and teacups. “Miss Elizabeth, I see that you are not hungry.  I would like to show you a rendering of Pemberley in my study, if you would care to come with me?  If that is acceptable to you, Mrs. Gardiner?”

Mrs. Gardiner looked between her niece and her concerned suitor and nodded.  “I am sure that it will be a brief exhibition?”

“Yes, madam.”  He nodded and offering Elizabeth his arm, they walked down the hallway to his study where he moved the door, but did not push it shut.  They stood for a moment looking at each other, her eyes still filled with tears.  He took her hand and led her to stand before the landscape of Pemberley.  “This is home.” 

“Oh.” Elizabeth took a breath and examined the picture.  “Is this accurate or an artist’s fancy?”

He chuckled and without thinking moved to stand behind her and wrap his arms around her waist; she naturally leaned back against him, sinking against his chest.  Darcy brushed his lips on her ear and she trembled.  “This is very true to life.  The house was built and burned twice, and now what you see has been added to many times.”

“It is enormous.  You must rattle around in there all alone.”

“I do.”  She looked back and up to see his mouth so close to hers, and his eyes focussed on her lips.  Darcy swallowed.  “Why did you cry, Elizabeth?  Do you not want me to meet your family?”

“Mr. Darcy,” He sighed, “Fitzwilliam.”  Darcy looked up and smiled, “You do not want my uncle to come to the ball, and you know him to be a good and admirable man.  My family . . .”

“
My
uncle is the one who did not invite Mr. Gardiner, not I.  I fought for him.  I fought to be allowed to escort you and your sister and aunt.  My uncle wished for Bingley to bring you as his guests.  I informed him that even if that was done, the moment you entered the ballroom it would be perfectly obvious that you were attached to me.  I intend to display my preference for you very clearly.  You are a gentleman’s daughter; I am not ashamed of you.”