Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (34 page)

“Darcy, I say man, when were you going to introduce us to your friend?  We have been waiting all night!”  Singleton appeared with his wife Audrey on his arm.  Darcy stiffened and Elizabeth took the cue to be on her guard.

“The opportunity simply has not arisen.  Miss Elizabeth Bennet, this is my cousin Audrey Singleton and her husband Mr. Jeffery Singleton.  Audrey is Colonel Fitzwilliam’s sister.”

“It is a pleasure.”  Elizabeth smiled and curtseyed. 

“Well then, it is indeed.”  Singleton looked her over then offered his arm.  “Come, let us dance.”

“Oh, I  . . .”

“No, the best way to know you is by dancing, I insist.”  Elizabeth looked to Darcy and he nodded, but clearly did not like the arrangement.  Tension radiated from him.  Audrey watched them leave and raised her brows. 

“No offer to dance with your cousin?”

“Do you mind if I do not, Audrey?”

“I suppose that you can observe better from the side.”  She laughed and he looked at her quickly then away to watch Elizabeth.  “The room is swirling with rumours, Darcy.”

“I have been informed of them by your father.”

“Mama is furious.”

“Over what aspect?”

“That you could be taken in by a fortune hunter.”  Audrey saw his eyes grow dark with anger.  “By your expression I suppose that the rumours that she is your mistress are also false?”

Darcy spun to stare and she was instantly taken aback by the fury and hurt that was expressed in his look.  “Who dares to say such things?”

“I am sorry, clearly it is incorrect, but it is the only logical explanation for you accepting one so different.  Mama has introduced you to countless women this Season and you have had no interest in any.  To walk in here with someone of her status is an insult to all of the ladies you rejected, and their justification is that if you were not ready for marriage, you chose a mistress instead.”

“Miss Elizabeth is
NOT
my mistress.  What man brings a mistress in the company of her sister and chaperoning aunt?  If these women are disappointed in my disinterest perhaps they should ask what I found wanting in them!”  He fought back the need to announce their engagement.  “I am courting her.  Your father and brother are aware of this.  I am sure that by now your mother is as well.”

“I have heard nothing of it.”  Audrey saw him return his gaze to Elizabeth, and his feelings were transparent.  “My goodness Darcy, you are in love with her!”  He looked down to his cousin and nodded shortly and swallowed hard, then returned to watch Elizabeth dance.  Audrey observed his unwavering attention, and could not ever recall her husband looking at her in such a way.  “Oh cousin, you are lost.  How does Miss Elizabeth feel about you?  Do you know?”

“I do.”  He said softly.  “We are in harmony.”

“I am so very happy for you.”  Audrey touched his arm and he turned to her, and she saw the gratitude for her support.  She nodded her head.  “I will speak to Mama, and perhaps if Alicia is willing, she and I can help Miss Elizabeth.”

“How?”

“We can teach her what she needs to know in our society, I am sure that she is adrift here tonight.”

“I would be forever grateful Audrey, thank you.”  Darcy paused, and biting his lip asked softly, “Why would you wish to help her?”

She smiled and shrugged.  “I was not permitted a love match, but I would rejoice to see yours.”

He grew concerned.   “Are you unhappy?” 

“No, I am fond of my husband, despite his penchant for gossip.”  She watched him dancing and clearly interviewing Elizabeth.  “It was an arranged marriage Darcy; you know that, just as my brother’s was. Richard will likely find the same someday.  It would be so good to see one of us marry for love.”

“Who is she, Stewart?”  Lord Moreland asked his silent son.  “You have been staring at her all evening.  I hear rumours that are frankly disturbing.  Has Darcy really taken a mistress?”

“What?”  Stewart rounded on his father.  “Who dares suggest that Miss Elizabeth is anything but a proper young woman?”

“You are being unusually defensive of this girl.”  His father said sharply.

“I know her well.”  Stewart turned back to see her dancing with Singleton.  “I met her in Hertfordshire; her father’s estate is adjacent to Netherfield.”

“You know her?”

“She is a witty, kind, and intelligent woman.  Darcy is courting her, and I know that he will marry her.”  Stewart looked to see Darcy reacting to his cousin’s words.  “I think that he has just been informed of the same rumours you bring me.”  Stewart turned back to his father.  “When did it become a crime to be a gentlewoman from a small estate?  Why is being one of five daughters mark you as undesirable?”

“Son, what are you about?  Did you . . . my God, this is the woman you have been mooning over all these months!”

Stewart looked away and back to her.  “She is a lovely girl, but I feared pursuing her.” 

“Why?”

He laughed shortly.  “Why?  Look at the reaction of this place to her!  Granted that is jealousy by a roomful of the wealthy with nothing better to do but gossip about a supremely eligible man, but what would you have said?  You would have told me the truth; I could not afford to have her.”

“I am sorry, Son.”  Lord Moreland stared at his son’s angry visage.  “You turned away from this woman because . . .”

“I am a second son, someday I will have an admirable income and it might be possible, but right now when she is free . . .” He looked up to see his father’s reaction and let down his defences.  “It is my fault Father.  I had my opportunity, and Darcy has snapped up the treasure.  And I’ll be damned if I will see either of them suffer for the amusement of these people!”

Lady Moreland approached and touched his arm then looked to her husband.  “What is wrong?”

“I hope that if you do not listen to me, then you will speak to Lord Matlock.  He knows the truth.”  Stewart watched as Singleton returned Elizabeth to Darcy’s side.  Immediately he took her hand and kissed it, and placed it on his arm, then covered her hand with his free one.  The gesture was clear enough, but then Darcy gazed directly into her eyes.  The smile; and her happy smile in return expanded the story.  All around him tongues began wagging, new speculation about the relationship blossomed.  Behind him he heard two women burst into conversation.

“Besotted!” 

“Could it be true, Mr. Darcy is in love with her?”

Stewart saw his opportunity and turned, and leaning down, spoke in a conspiratorial whisper, “Ladies, I know without a doubt that Mr. Darcy is courting Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and his intentions are honourable.”

“Sir, are you certain?”  One woman asked eagerly.

“Indeed, I am.  She is restoring his good humour after his father’s sad death.  Is it not a blessing?”  The women nodded and put their heads together.  Satisfied, he watched as they began moving around the crowd.  Soon gasps, pointing, and whispered conversations began.  Stewart moved to the couple and walking to Darcy’s side leaned to his ear and spoke quietly.  Darcy glanced up quickly and nodded.  “Come, Miss Elizabeth.”  He bowed to his cousins and they began moving through the crowd.

“Where are we going?”  She asked worriedly. 

Darcy squeezed her hand and gave her a small smile.  “We are striking while the iron is hot.”

“You are speaking in riddles!  Please tell me what is happening?”  They approached his goal, Lord and Lady Matlock were standing together, and Fitzwilliam was nearby.  Both men were speaking to her and she was listening with a doubtful expression on her face. 

Darcy whispered to her.  “Dearest, if ever there was a moment to be charming, it has arrived.”

“What are you asking me to do?”  Elizabeth came to a stop and demanded.

“I am asking you to be yourself, follow my lead, and trust me.”  He spoke softly.  “Please.”

She nodded and the couple approached his family.  Fitzwilliam nudged his father and Lord and Lady Matlock stopped speaking to see what they had to say. “Uncle, Aunt, I have heard some outrageous rumours spreading throughout your home tonight regarding my friendship with Miss Elizabeth.  I wish to correct them immediately.”

“Yes?” 

“I have to speak to Miss Elizabeth’s uncle, but I wish you to know that tonight I proposed marriage to Miss Elizabeth, and she has accepted me.”  He turned and gave her a beaming smile.  “She has made me the happiest of men.”

“Darcy.”

“I am my own man, Aunt, so I hope you will not attempt to dissuade me.  I know my mind.  I also suggest that you protect your family by accepting the inevitable, and show this crowd of hawks that you welcome her to our family.”

“A rift would not do, Helen.”  Lord Matlock bent to her.  “All eyes are upon us.” 

Lady Matlock looked between her nephew and the woman by his side.  Darcy’s face was lit up with happiness, an expression that she despaired ever seeing again.  Elizabeth’s head was tilted and shaking, her lips were pursed and her eyes were sparkling at him.  “Miss Elizabeth, my nephew is clearly very pleased with his announcement.  I wonder at your reaction.”

Without looking away from Darcy’s gaze Elizabeth spoke softly.  “Lady Matlock, forgive me if I do not appear to be excited enough for you, but please consider the wide variety of emotions I have been subjected to this evening.  I anticipated coming here in this exquisite gown in the company of the man I have dreamed about for two years.  I was nervous and frightened to meet his family and to be under the examination of his peers.  I felt the extraordinary pleasure of our first dance, and the fear of losing him when rumours of my origins began to circulate, and then experienced the joyous overwhelming surprise of Mr. Darcy’s heartfelt and sincere proposal of marriage.  This night I have dropped to the depths of despair and achieved the highest pinnacle of joy so many times that I am rather proud to be standing here now with some semblance of sanity and my equilibrium intact.”

Darcy began to chuckle, as did Fitzwilliam and Lord Matlock.  “I warned you that this would be a challenging experience.”

“You did not warn me that I would need a program to understand each act of this operatic evening!”  Elizabeth laughed. 

“And how do you feel about the conclusion, Miss Elizabeth?”  Darcy said softly.

“Have we arrived, at last?”   She smiled and he nodded.  “It was emotionally exhausting, but worth every moment.”  Elizabeth looked to Lady Matlock.  “I suspect that I will not find sleep easily tonight, nor will I believe it is all real when I finally wake in the morning, but I assure you, I care very deeply for your nephew and I hope to keep that expression of happiness you are witnessing now upon his face for the remainder of our days.”

Darcy again raised her hand to his lips as Elizabeth blushed and looked down.  “I feel the same.”

“I expect you to come here tomorrow afternoon Darcy, and explain how this came about.”  Lady Matlock regarded Elizabeth.  “And I expect you to come along, Miss Elizabeth.  You display many promising qualities, not the least of which is you charming my frustrating nephew.  I will reserve my opinion until I know you better.”

“That is fair, Lady Matlock.  I hope that you will find me worthy and . . .I hope that I might ask for your help.  I am afraid that I have nobody to guide me in this world that I have entered.”

“You ask for my help?”  She studied the sincere expression of the suddenly young girl.

“I have no desire to embarrass those who will be my family one day, and particularly Mr. Darcy.” 

“Well . . .” Lady Matlock’s expression softened and she let down her angry stance. 

Darcy saw the opportunity and jumped in.  “Audrey has already spoken to me of her willingness to guide Miss Elizabeth Aunt, and she promised to recruit Alicia as well.  If you were to lend your expertise . . .”

“You may stop your flattery, nephew.”  Lady Matlock looked Elizabeth over from head to toe and nodded.  “Come here tomorrow at three o’clock.”  She looked to Darcy and he smiled triumphantly.  “Very well.”  Turning back to Elizabeth, she held out her hand.  “It seems that I must welcome you to our family.”

Elizabeth took it and they clasped briefly.  Behind her she could hear a wave of whispers, and understood the significance of the gesture.  “Thank you madam, I will never do anything to cause your regret.”

Darcy leaned forward and kissed his aunt’s cheek, and she patted his face.  “What a mother will do for her child.” 

He whispered softly, “You will love her as I do.” 

Straightening he saw Lord Matlock patting Elizabeth’s hand and smiling, then Fitzwilliam bowing to her with a grin.  “When do we announce the news?”

“Keep quiet, Richard.  I must speak to her uncle.”  He reclaimed Elizabeth’s arm.  “Have you had enough for one night?”

“More than enough.”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Please assure me that they are not all like this!”

The group laughed and he shook his head.  “No, but it was memorable, was it not?”

“One for my journal, that is certain!”  His eyes lit up with her words.  “Mr. Darcy?”

“You keep a journal?”  He saw her nod and smiled.  “I do as well.  Perhaps I may read yours sometime?”

“Why?”  She asked suspiciously.

“If yours is as mine, I suspect there are many references to me in there.  I would love to know your thoughts over the years.”

“Will you share?”

Darcy paused as if struck by a thought and spoke in a low serious voice.  “What is mine is yours.”  He placed her hand back on his arm.  “Come, let us collect our friends and take you home.”  When they did not immediately move, Elizabeth noticed that he had raised his free hand, and that he was tenderly tracing her bare fingers.

“Fitzwilliam.”  Elizabeth whispered.  When his brightened eyes met hers she smiled.  “You are holding all that is mine.  And it is yours.”

Chapter 14

    
“D
o you mind if I . . .” Mr. Gardiner indicated the decanter of brandy sitting behind his desk.

“No sir, not at all.”  Darcy watched as a small amount was poured and nodded when he raised his brows.  The two men settled into their chairs and sipped.  “This is exceptional, sir.”