Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (51 page)

“Forgive me Fitzwilliam.”  She bit her lip and he stared at her expressively.  “Is there nothing I can do that does not . . .inspire . . .your . . .”

“No. There is not.”  He sighed and looked over to the opposite side of the theatre and saw Stewart studying someone in their box.  Angering, he looked to see if it was Elizabeth and realized that it was a different woman entirely.  Seeing Audrey staring, he quickly returned his attention to Stewart who had an expression of confusion on his face.  Again he looked at Audrey who looked down and wiped the tear that escaped her eye.  “My God.”  He whispered.

“Fitzwilliam?”  Elizabeth saw his expression and noticing Audrey’s distress; rose quickly and handed her a handkerchief from her reticule.  “I know, it is such an emotional story, is it not?  It took everything I had not to burst into tears.”  Audrey started and Elizabeth smiled. 

“Oh, oh yes, I am quite overcome.”  She clutched the handkerchief and Elizabeth squeezed her hand.

Darcy was now standing and watching the door for Singleton’s return and glancing back to Stewart’s box, where he saw the man still watching Audrey.  Next he noticed Stewart’s sister, also staring . . . at Harwick? 
Good heavens what is happening tonight?
  Harwick seemed to be making an especially earnest attempt to encourage conversation out of Jane. 

Bingley ambled over and spoke softly.   “Caroline took the news of your engagement rather poorly, so I asked Louisa to take her off of my hands tonight.  I did not think you would mind.” 

Darcy stared at him blankly.  “She what?”

“She was set on marrying you.”

“Pardon?  I have seen her perhaps five times?” 

“Yes, her theory is that if I had invited you more often . . .”

“Bingley the reason I did not come more often was to avoid her!”  He said heatedly.

“Yes, I . . . um, considered mentioning that, but decided to be a little more tactful.”

“How?”

“I said that your heart was already engaged and I did not feel it was fair to tempt you with another pretty face unless you were free . . .”

“No doubt that set her to thinking of how to disengage me.”  Darcy’s fingers itched to grab Elizabeth and either hold her or take her out of this opera and home. 
No, what is waiting for me at home?  Aunt Catherine and Anne.
  Darcy groaned and closed his eyes, only to reopen them when he heard Singleton stumble into the booth.  “This is a disaster.” 

Elizabeth saw him grimace and reached her hand out for his, they entwined their fingers and squeezed.  “Fitzwilliam, something has upset Audrey.”

“I noticed dearest, but I am sure she will be well.” Further conversation was curtailed when visitors began to appear, claiming a desire to give their good wishes to Elizabeth and Darcy, but in truth it was to get a good look at the unknown woman who stole one of their own.

“Elizabeth, this is Lord and Lady Creary.”

She curtsied and smiled, but inwardly she was cringing, waiting for the tall man to recognize her.  “I am happy to meet you.”

Lady Creary looked her up and down and raised her brows.  “And we are pleased to meet you.  I was telling my husband that we must come and see the girl who won Darcy.  We had heard so many whispers of you around town, and of course you know that gossip should never be trusted.”

“Gossip tends to inflate small facts into outrageous fable, inspiring equally spectacular conjecture, particularly if it is born with a malicious intent.”  Elizabeth said without flinching.  “Please allow me to correct any misunderstandings you may have heard of me.” 

The woman’s brows rose.  “You speak rather decidedly for one so young.”

“I have learned that not to speak is to invite confusion.  I prefer to live in the light.”  She smiled and laughed.  “Of course, the truth rather curtails everyone else’s enjoyment.”

Darcy took her hand in his and kissed it before placing it on his arm.  “I prefer honesty to entertainment.”  He smiled into her eyes and looked up to Creary.

“Well you are known to be a stick in the mud amongst the younger set, Darcy.”  He sniffed and looked Elizabeth over.  “You seem to have done a good job on Darcy.”

“I have charmed him as much as he has charmed me, sir.” 

Creary barked out a laugh.  “She has a wit, Darcy.  That should last over the years.”

“Do you mean when her beauty fades, Husband?”  Lady Creary asked acidly.  He flushed and rubbed his chin.

“I meant no offence, my dear.”

“Hmm.  Miss Bennet, your dress is particularly beautiful, your modiste?”

“Thank you; I visited Madame Dupree, on Lady Matlock’s recommendation.”  The woman smiled and nodded her approval, and the couple was soon replaced with several more, all making subtly intrusive inquiries over Elizabeth’s home, opinions, interests, challenging her thoughts and Darcy’s patience.  When the last of the visitors left, she practically shrank away when the weight of performing was lifted.  Darcy was smiling at her with pride and leaned to whisper his admiration to her.  When she looked up her eyes were bright with tears of appreciation and he did not attempt to hide his feelings.  She noticed Audrey clapping silently and nodding at her, Harwick tilting his head and smiling, and creased her brow when she noticed Jane watching Harwick’s smile unhappily. 

Bingley approached and took her hand.  “Miss Elizabeth, please, you must give me some lessons on tact and speech.  You were magnificent!”

“I hardly know what I said.  Look, my hands are still shaking.”  Darcy enveloped them in his clasp and she smiled up to him.  “As long as I did not embarrass Mr. Darcy . . .”

“Nonsense!  I am convinced that you are incapable of such a thing.”

The gong sounded and everyone returned to their seats.  As lights were extinguished the couple stared at each other.  Again they kissed as soon it was dark, this time there was a sense of urgency in the caress, and again it was over far too soon. 

When the second act ended, Darcy was on his feet quickly.  “Come, shall we get something to drink?”

“Oh yes, that would be nice.”  Elizabeth took his hand and looking over at Stewart, noticed that he was speaking to his parents.  Audrey was doing the same with her husband, and was succeeding in engaging him in an apparently easy conversation.  Harwick stood after trying several subjects with Jane, and fell into conversation with Bingley.  When they gained the hallway and approached the table selling lemonade, Elizabeth felt that the eyes of the crowd were a relief compared to the tension in the box.  “What is happening in there?”

Darcy sighed.  “I have no idea, and I have no desire to interfere.  It seems though that whatever happened at the beginning is being ignored now.” He stared distractedly out of a window to the street below.

“Fitzwilliam.”  Elizabeth said quietly.  “Fitzwilliam.”  She touched his arm.  “Something is bothering you, and it is more than the behaviour of our companions.”

“You are too good at reading me.”

“You are too obvious in your discomfort.  Please tell me what it is, do not force me to drag it from you.” 

He smiled a little.  “I can just imagine us having countless talks like this someday.”

“Someday is now.  Please tell me.”  Elizabeth’s brows rose and she folded her arms.

A steady stream of people approached and they both had to adjust their behaviour and go through the motions of introductions and meaningless conversation.  When at last they were alone again, Darcy saw that Elizabeth’s smile had disappeared and an increasingly familiar insistent gaze met his eye.

“Do you realize that you were so preoccupied with continuing our conversation that you forgot to be nervous while meeting a Duke?”  She was not to be distracted, and he could not help but admire the quality.  “Very well.”  He sighed and closed his eyes while he gathered his thoughts.  “Waiting for me at home are my Aunt Catherine and Cousin Anne.  They are there to protest our engagement, and I am sure, press my marriage to Anne.”  Elizabeth’s mouth fell open and she hugged herself.  “They arrived just before I came to collect you, and I have only the barest idea of what my aunt has planned.  I will hear her out in the morning.”

“They are staying with you?”

“They invited themselves.”  He said bitterly.  “I could not very well refuse them.”

“Why must you listen to her?  Can you not feed them breakfast and send them away?” 

Darcy heard the fear in her voice, pried her arms from her chest, and placing her hand on his arm, rubbed some warmth into it.  “As tempting as that is, I cannot treat them that way, not unless there is cause.  So far it has been tense, but civil.  I have no desire to cut ties with my family unless it is necessary.”

“I understand, I do not like it but I understand.  You are tolerating my connections, after all.”  Elizabeth swallowed and tried to control her emotions when so many eyes were upon them.  Darcy presented her with a glass and she gratefully concentrated on the drink.  When the cup was empty, she felt him take it away, and then touch her hands gently. 

“You have nothing to fear, Elizabeth.”

“Would it help if I . . .met them?  You thought that I might battle your aunt well.”

He laughed quietly.  “I know that you would, but I think that I must have this meeting on my own.  Thank you for offering, though.  You will meet them before too long.”  The gong sounded and they looked up.  “Well, what awaits us within our box, do you think?”

“I hope that everyone is back to normal.”  They started walking slowly and Elizabeth stopped before they entered.  “Jane is not doing well with Mr. Harwick, is she?”

“He is undecided as yet.”  Darcy said honestly.  “He is trying to imagine them living together.” 

“And she is making little effort to display her assets.”  Elizabeth sighed.

“Forgive me Elizabeth, but beyond her looks and kindness, what are they?”  Her eyes flashed and she started to open her mouth to protest when she was struck dumb.  “You can understand Harwick’s hesitation then.”  He smiled sadly and they were almost to the box when Stewart and his sister emerged.  Darcy looked between the siblings and caught Elizabeth’s confused expression.  “Stewart . . .”

“I am sorry Darcy, but we really must dash if we are to return to our seats in time.  Laura wished to greet Audrey, Mrs. Singleton.” 

“We will see you at the Derby!”  Laura called as they hurried away.

Darcy looked at Elizabeth.  She seemed just as confused as he was.  “We should go in.”  He kissed her hand and they entered the box to find everyone in their places.  Harwick was talking with Singleton seriously and the man was listening.  Audrey’s head was down, but she was listening to the conversation.  Bingley was speaking happily to Jane and she was smiling gently at him.  Darcy sighed with relief and felt Elizabeth’s tense clutch relax a little.  “One more act.”

“When the lights go down . . .”

He smiled as they sat down and leaned close to her shoulder.  “Do not worry sweetheart, I have not forgotten kissing you for an instant.  What do you think has been buoying me through this evening?”

Elizabeth laughed as the lamps were extinguished, and when the box once again became pitch black and the musicians began to play; she was silenced with his lips covering hers, and his hands drawing her hard to his chest.  He did not withdraw quickly this time, but allowed a hand to slide up from her waist to cup and fondle her breast, and continue to slide up her throat to support the back of her head with his palm while exploring her mouth deeply with his tongue.  The kiss ended gently as she daringly nibbled his lower lip.  They rested their foreheads together and tried to contain their ragged breathing.  He moved his mouth to her ear, “I pray that you are feeling what I am, if we were alone, I would make sure that the fire racing through me was shared by you.”

She pressed her lips to his ear and kissed him, and felt his shudder and tightened embrace.  “I cannot describe what I feel when you touch me, but if you call it fire, I can only anticipate you fanning the flames.”

Darcy contained his moan by pressing his mouth against the pulse rapidly beating on her throat, and when he gradually regained some control, he settled her into his arms.  As the actors’ singing filled the hall he whispered, “Knowing that your desire matches mine . . . I can face anything now, my love.”

ANNE WOKE AND BLINKED.  The moonlight filtered through the gap in the curtains when the breeze blew them apart and she realized that she was not in her room.  As always when she woke at night, her mind was not slow or fuzzy from her elixir and it did not take long for her to sit up and remember that she was in her new home.  “I am in Darcy House!”  She said softly.  Climbing from the bed she stood and looked around; then lit a candle, and frowned.  “I do not remember our wedding.”  Shaking her head and swearing to never take that elixir again, she explored the room.  It was lovely but it did not seem quite right.  “Surely this is not the mistress’ chambers!  Why am I not in my proper place?  And why has my husband not come to me, surely I would remember that!”   Becoming agitated, she opened the door to the hallway, and carrying her candle she walked along, and spotted a door she remembered from childhood.  “The master’s chambers!”  She turned the handle and found it was locked and frowned again.  “That cannot be correct.”  Continuing along she came to the door she remembered belonging to her namesake, and now knew was her own.  She entered and was suddenly assailed by the scents of fresh paint and saw drop cloths everywhere.  Her frown disappeared and a smile spread.  “Oh, of course, he is redecorating for me; I knew that he loved me!”  She held her candle up and examined the chamber.  “I will have to chastise him for doing this without seeking my opinion.  Gently of course, but I must make my feelings known.”

Looking about she saw so many doors, but quickly calculating the position of Darcy’s room, she unerringly selected the one that opened into his chambers.  The handle turned silently and she slipped inside.  Standing at the bedside, she saw her husband stretched out, the covers disturbed around him, and his broad back gloriously bare.  He lay with his arms embracing a pillow, deeply asleep.  Giddy with delight, Anne untied the top of her nightdress and let it drop to the floor, and whispering words of passion excitedly, she climbed in, wrapping her thin body against him and pressing kisses against his slightly parted lips.  Darcy groaned and muttered in his sleep.