Memory: Volume 1, Lasting Impressions, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (83 page)

“Your ability to forgive is astounding.”

“I have not always been this way.”  She said softly.  “I would nurse wounds to my pride and vanity, rather than try to understand why they were hurt.”  Darcy followed her eyes and saw that she was staring at Creary.  When he looked again, he noticed that her gaze had shifted to Stewart. 

“Well Mr. and Mrs. Darcy, it is time to begin the dancing, and as our newlyweds, it is up to you to lead off.”  Lady Creary directed them forward to the dance floor.  The eyes of the room were upon them, the conversation turned to whispers and speculation.  Elizabeth tried not to hear but could not help but catch the snippets as they passed. 

Darcy leaned down and spoke softly.  “Ignore them.”

“It is so difficult.”  She said quietly. 

“I know, my love.  I am a little more used to it than you, but I hate it.  Just look at me.   Concentrate on the music and look at me.” 

They lined up and waited for the others to take their places.  Elizabeth heard a woman behind her say loudly that she wondered at Darcy marrying a girl so young and poor, and another asking if she noticed any signs of a pending child.  She glanced down at the tightly fitted bodice of her gown and bit her lip.  If she were indeed with child, it was certainly not for very long.  Another woman said to her companion that Darcy was a fool to give up Rosings for Elizabeth, whatever self-confidence she had when entering the room was beginning to dissipate quickly.  Audrey squeezed into the line beside her and grasped her hand.

“Ignore them.”  She whispered.  Elizabeth nodded and kept looking at her shoes. Audrey glanced up to notice Darcy’s attention and nudged her.  “Look up.”

Elizabeth lifted her head to find her husband’s unbreakable gaze upon her face.  He was smiling in a way that she knew was reserved solely for her.  “I love you.”  He mouthed.  The music began and without thinking, Elizabeth stepped forward to take his hand.  During the course of the next quarter hour, the Darcys danced to their own tune.  Their movements were mimicked by all of the others, but none could match the ebb and flow of their graceful steps, or imagine the feeling that passed between them with each touch, each glance.  When the notes drifted away and the participants stopped to clap, different conversations sprang up around Elizabeth.  Darcy’s eyes remained fixed upon hers; a slight smile lifted his lips.  She fell into his deep blue gaze, and only barely registered the new comments of how calf-eyed her husband was, and how well they performed together. 

Audrey kept looking between the two, and did not dare break the connection between them.  Instead she glanced to her husband and found him gazing wistfully at her.  When he noticed her attention he nodded to Darcy and then looked at Elizabeth, and back to her, questioning her.  When the next song began and they stepped together, Singleton said softly as they held hands.  “I find myself wishing for their happiness.”

“That they be happy?”

“No Audrey, that we be happy.”  He squeezed her hand and they moved apart to change partners.  Singleton took Elizabeth’s hand and smiled warmly at her.  “I believe that any doubts over you will be banished tonight.”

“Do you?”  She blushed.  “I do not want to fail him.”

Singleton laughed.  “Cousin Elizabeth, he would never notice.” 

Darcy turned Audrey and smiled at her, speaking softly.  “He is improved, I think.”

“The debt collectors have all been paid.”  She whispered as he bent his head.  “We are beginning anew.”

“Will you allow him to try?  You are a lovely woman, Audrey.  Holding a grudge against a man who is reforming will not sit well with you.”  Darcy let her go and passing her back to her husband, reclaimed his wife.  “We need to dance much more often, my love.”

“Perhaps we can coax Georgiana to play for us at Pemberley so we can dance at home?”

“I am certain that she would enjoy that.  We have a musical bird.”

“A canary?”

“No, no, a mechanical bird that sings, and I brought home from Geneva a small device that plays a song.  I know of a man in Switzerland who is working to make a larger device that plays songs continuously.  I wrote to him and have placed an order, whenever he is ready to sell.”

“How is this possible?”  Elizabeth asked as they spun around. 

“I . . .it is difficult to explain on a dance floor, dearest.”  Darcy laughed.  “How on earth did we find this topic?”

“Is it not better than the weather?”  She laughed with him. 

“I believe that speaking of nearly any topic would be fascinating with you.”  The song ended and they returned to the side. “That was the most wonderful dance!”

“Better than the waltz we are practicing alone in our rooms?”  She whispered and giggled.

“Well, I shall rephrase that; it was the most wonderful country dance.”  He leaned down to her ear.  “Your eyes are sparkling like diamonds, my love.”

“When do we dance next?”

“Not until the supper set.”  He kissed her hand.  “I hope that it is slow.”

“I would like a slow dance when we return home tonight.”  She bit her lip and blushed.  Darcy squeezed her hand hard and breathed warmly into her ear.  “Oh yes, dearest.  So would I.” 

“Who will be your partners tonight, Fitzwilliam?”

“The wives of your partners.”  He said softly.  “No single ladies.”

“But you are married now, you are safe.”  Elizabeth laughed. 

“I am, but I have no desire to do otherwise.  I prefer to watch you, and wait for my turn.”  Darcy kissed her hand and then entwined their fingers when he rested it back on his arm.  “Have I thanked you yet today for marrying me?”

Elizabeth touched the ruby necklace he had given her before they departed and blushed.  “I believe that you did.”

Singleton approached the couple and bowed.  “Audrey was to dance the next with you Darcy, but she is not feeling well, do you mind if we sit this one out?”  He turned to Elizabeth, “Forgive me for giving up our set, I do not wish to leave her.”

“I am very happy to sit out a set for such a good purpose.  Go ahead, I do not mind.”  Elizabeth watched him go then found Darcy looking after him as well.  “What do you think?”

“I am hopeful.”  He turned back to take her hand.  “Well my love, shall we dance again?”

“Is that not against all of the rules?”

“Probably, but we shall blame it on the joy of our honeymoon, my smitten foolishness, and your bewitching figure.”  Darcy tilted his head. “I would rather be gossiped about for being a man in love than for anything else the crème of society can determine.”

Elizabeth wrapped her hand around his arm and leaned against him.  “We have enough gossip to contend with; perhaps some punch would be a better plan.”  She looked up to his warm eyes and saw his lips twitching.  “What are you plotting, Husband?”

“I have not seen you trying the punch yet.” 

“Do you plan to see me drunk?”  She cried.

Darcy whispered so that his warm breath moved the loose strands of hair along her throat.  “No, I hope to see you very, very relaxed, and then relax you even further upon returning home.”  Elizabeth blushed and gasped when his lips brushed lightly over her ear before he straightened.  He watched the colour travelling up her breasts to her face and walked her across the room to the punch bowl.

“Your nephew and new niece are keeping too much to themselves!”  Lord Creary observed. “They should be making the rounds; everyone should get a good look at them!”

Lord Matlock laughed.  “They will be along, Creary.  Have no fear; I know how anxious you were to have them as your centrepieces tonight.”

“It is quite a catch; they have not been to any other parties.”  Lady Creary preened.  “After all of the gossip!  Not a word of it was true?”  She asked with disappointment.   “Not even that she was his mistress?”

“No, my nephew behaved properly at all times, he courted her, he proposed, they were engaged and married.  Everything that spread was the result of overactive imaginations.”

“But his cousin!”

“From what I understand, the man who hoped to win the living at Rosings overheard my sister stating the desire that Darcy marry her daughter.  This fool assumed it had occurred already.  My niece was suffering from a fever and heard the staff rambling on about his ridiculous notion.”  He shook his head. “You know how servants enjoy gossip.”

“Aye, but you must put up with it, once trained; it is too difficult to lose them.”  Creary nodded.  “So your niece is recovered?”

“Yes, quite.  She is weakened, but coming along.”

“Hmm.”  Creary watched them depart and looked over to his wife.  “What do you think?”

“They are married, it is over.”  She watched as Darcy set down a cup and laughed while Elizabeth held her hand to her mouth and stared at him.  “It is an unusual match.”

“She is a beauty.”  Creary said appreciatively.  He saw his wife’s disapproval and clearing his throat, wandered across the room, talking up his friends and sipping his drink.

“Elizabeth.”  Fitzwilliam bowed and held out his arm.  “Come, it is our turn.”

“I am rescued!”  She smiled and gratefully latched onto her cousin’s arm.  “Please save me from my husband.”

“What has the man done to you?”  He patted his sword and raised his brow.  “Shall I make a widow of you and claim you for myself?  After a suitable period of mourning, of course.”

“Of course.”  Darcy said dryly.  “Keep this up Richard, and I will see you on the field of honour at dawn.”

“You will certainly see the field, as your face will be pressed into it!” 

“Gentlemen!”  Elizabeth hissed.

The men stopped their banter and both had the grace to look abashed.  “Forgive me, dearest.”

“I am sorry, Elizabeth.”  Richard smiled.  “I am always happy to defend you from any foe, so what did this lout do?”

“He served me that . . . concoction.”  She pointed to the punch bowl and Fitzwilliam began to chuckle. 

“Was this a first taste for you?”

“No, but . . .” Elizabeth blinked, and slumped upon his shoulder.  “Oh my.”

“Elizabeth!”  Darcy immediately led her to some chairs.  “Dearest are you well?”  Fitzwilliam sat down beside her and looked at her worriedly.

“This woman is not at all used to drink, Darcy.”

“I see that.  You have never had trouble with wine, Lizzy.”

“I have never had any opportunity to try anything stronger than that or cider.”  She smiled and leaned on Darcy’s shoulder.  “I am sorry to embarrass you.”

“No, I am sorry for encouraging you.  I should have known better, there is nothing to you.”  Darcy held her hand and Fitzwilliam sat back.  “No dance for you.”

“May I claim another, perhaps?”

“I will be fine, of course you may.”  Elizabeth smiled and looked across the room.  “Perhaps you might ask Mrs. Carter to dance in my stead?”  Fitzwilliam’s head shot up and he saw Evangeline looking their way with a concerned expression on her face. 

He groaned. “Mother and Father have her!”

Lord Matlock drew her attention back to their conversation.  “Mrs. Carter, I am delighted to meet you.  Our son told us that he enjoys your company.  I must admit I have been anxious to meet anyone who can cheer his mood.”

“Thank you My Lord, I am happy to meet you and Lady Matlock, but the colonel seems quite amiable, have I been misled?”  She smiled and raised her brow.

“No, my dear, our son is a naturally happy man, but it takes some familiarity before you can read through his expression.”  Lady Matlock took her hand and gave her an assessing eye.  “I understand that you have at last left your mourning behind.”

Evangeline’s smile faded.  “Yes My Lady, it feels good to do so.”

“I imagine that it would.”  She glanced up and spotted Fitzwilliam watching them closely.  “Well, please do not let me interrupt your evening further.  I see Richard is walking this way.”  She nodded and Evangeline left to meet him. 

“Your parents are most welcoming, Colonel.”

“I am pleased and relieved to hear of it.  I saw your concern for Elizabeth, and I thought to assure you of her good health.”

“I can see that she is well.”  Evangeline smiled over to where Darcy and Elizabeth were speaking with each other and watching them.

 Fitzwilliam nodded and said softly.  “May I have the next set, Mrs. Carter?”

“Thank you, yes.”  She smiled at him, and was pleased to see the usually confident man become shy in her presence. 

Darcy laughed and Elizabeth squeezed his hand.  “Well, there is no doubt there about his interest, is there?”

“I wonder if she will relent and allow him to court her.”  She watched as he bowed to Evangeline and gestured their way.  “I hope so.”

“I hope so for both of them, but it is an unlikely step for her.” 

“She is so young, she could have a family.”

“How do you feel about children?”  Darcy asked quietly.  “Does it frighten you?  Being with child and giving birth?”

“Of course I want children!”  Elizabeth said with surprise.  “What brought that to mind?”

“I do not know.”  Darcy kissed her hand and turned his eyes back to watch the dancers.  What he did not say was that seeing her for the first time feeling physically weak, even if it was from a too-strong cup of punch, frightened him to the bone. 

“Why are you not dancing?”  Alicia asked and sat by them.  “Are you well?”

“I tried the punch.  Do skip it.”  Elizabeth laughed.

“Oh, I should have warned you.  Lord Creary is famous for his concoction.  He should be weaving through the crowd before long; and woe to the girl who falls in his clutches.”

“What does he do?”  Elizabeth asked curiously. 

“He kisses them.”  Alicia wrinkled her nose.  “And this man does not appreciate clean breath.”

“oh.”  She glanced at Darcy, who like every other part of his life, was scrupulous with his hygiene, far beyond any dictate she had ever heard before.  She had enjoyed more baths since her marriage than she had in the last two months. 

“Yes.”  Darcy returned from his musings and said definitely.  “And when your dance with him comes, I will be watching.”

“I love you when you are jealous.”  She whispered.  “It makes me feel pretty.”

“You are pretty.”  He stroked his hand over hers.  “You are doing very well.”