225Well, here it is, FINALLY! I know it's taken weeks and I'm truly so sorry for that! I've been incredibly busy, please forgive me? I got some really lovely reviews on the last chapter and it got me to get into gear and get this one done though so thank you for those! Hope you enjoy this one, it's going to get... interesting... soon so buckle up. Please review, I don't mind how short it is, its just uplifting it is to read even a one word appreciation of your work! xxxxxxxxx Much love, Stephanie.
Chapter Twelve
Elizabeth returned to the Bingley's and, after promptly removing her pelisse and bonnet, went directly to the breakfast room. The room was empty, though not very surprisingly, Jane had always been able to stay abed later than Elizabeth and after all of her exertions in ensuring the success of the dinner last night, Elizabeth could hardly fault her wishing to glean a few more hours.
A servant entered, carrying a tray of pastries and tea, he turned to Elizabeth and spoke with a well-practiced tone and little expression. "Your breakfast, madam," he said as he held the large silver platter before himself. He continued to stare at Elizabeth with the same expressionless face and said, "Mrs. Michaels wishes me to inform you that Mr. and Mrs. Bingley will not be down at the usual time this morning and have chosen to stay above stairs to break their fast."
"Thank you," Elizabeth smiled. "It is very kind of Mrs. Michaels to keep me abreast of the comings and goings." She smiled again at the man with a congeniality which seemed to relax his overly formal stance a small measure.
"Mrs. Michaels also wishes me to say, should you need anything at all or if you are not pleased with the breakfast then we shall be most happy to be of service. Cook can prepare you something different should you wish."
"No, please do not trouble yourself, this is wonderful, I always find tea and pastry to my liking, but never so much as after a walk in the morning." She smiled once again and motioned with her hand for him to place the tray on the table. "I think I'll find a book before I break my fast, you may leave the tray there, if you would."
He nodded and set the tray down with a quick deftness which only came after years of service and without a sound but a polite bow, he left the room.
Elizabeth now stood at one end of the table, she smiled at the tray of tea and sweet pastry before her, she was often the first to rise at Longbourn and would immediately take her morning walk and often when she returned home, if the rest of the family was still abed, Hill would have the cook prepare a tray similar to the one before her now. Jane must have given Mrs. Michaels instructions before she retired last night.
As she walked toward the library in search of something light to read she thought about the morning which she had just had. She thought about the sense of trepidation she had awoken to and the hundreds of possibilities which had crossed her mind before she left the house. They seemed almost foolish now, the numerous assumptions she had made, but then again, she had been expecting to meet someone entirely different to the man she had found this morning.
This roused her thoughts to consider the man in question and she found that, though she had more to consider, it now seemed a rather pleasurable task to do so. In Hertfordshire during their early acquaintance he had shown only the characteristics he possessed which would do little to recommend himself, pride and prejudice being the most prominent, but she now wondered if he had done so intentionally or if it had been a folly he had little command over. He was very amiable when he chose to be, this morning she had seen his more verbose and congenial traits in abundance.
She could not deny either that her own character was without such prejudices nor pride when examined more closely, thought she displayed hers in a less evident manner and under an affable smile and charming wit instead of a stony glare and scornful quips.
She sighed heavily as she considered the tempestuous beginnings and exchanges she and Mr. Darcy had embroiled themselves in. She wondered momentarily how different their friendship might be at present if their initial meetings might have been conducted in a similar fashion as this morning. This brought her attention back to the event in question and, as she found herself staring out of the library window, she looked toward the park which had been the stage to their play only a short few minutes ago.
Her guilt had lessened considerably and any anger she had once felt was not to be found. Her embarrassment, though not entirely dissipated, no longer weighed upon her oppressively and, most notably of all, her trepidation seemed to have undergone a transformation and was now, for want of a better moniker, anticipation in the sweetest form. Her chagrin at misjudging him so thoroughly still remained, but it was tempered by the various other emotions which now held her. She smiled lightly to herself as she observed the park from the window, how quickly circumstances could change with so little warning, this morning she had desired nothing more than to simply apologise and relieve some of the strain between them for the sake of her own conscience and that of Jane and Charles, but on examination now, she wondered if she would have truly felt content with such a paltry outcome after the resolution they had come to.
She pulled her attention back to the task of finding a book to occupy her whilst she ate and selected one of the few from the Bingley's shelves which otherwise held vases and ornaments of the like, no doubt to fill the noticeable lack of literature. She returned to the dining room and sat before her tray, her thoughts drifting swiftly back to the park as she sipped her slightly cool tea and ate the warm pastries. Her book remained unopened.
~oOo~
The door to Darcy's townhouse was opened before he had reached the top step and his hat, coat & gloves were taken from him as he stepped into the foyer, such was the efficiency of the servants. Darcy thanked his doorman and directed another servant to find him his valet and his housekeeper and have them sent to his study post haste. It took less than a minute to stride to his study and seat himself behind the large oak desk before he began to scrawl a short missive to ensure his box at the theatre could be readied by tomorrow night and just a moment later both his valet and his housekeeper appeared at the door.
He informed them both that tomorrow evening he was going to the theatre. To his valet he gave specific instructions to ensure his dark green coat was readied but other than this he was free to decide the corresponding garments alone, as per usual. The man was then excused to see to said preparations. Darcy then turned to his housekeeper and asked that she would ensure a good dinner was prepared for he expected at least three guest, she curtsied politely and made to leave in order to begin the preparations when Mr. Darcy stopped her, "Nothing too extravagant, no ragout, I think," he said. She told him it would be no trouble and that she had enough time to prepare something much more but he simply thanked her again and reiterated the importance of refraining from anything too ostentatious to which she conceded, albeit a little perplexed by it.
Darcy then resumed writing his directions in regards to preparing his box and had a servant deliver the message once finished. All this took less than a quarter of an hour and once completed he felt at a loss for what to do next. He looked at the clock on his mantle, willing the seconds to tick faster and then turned his attention to the window and glared at the low sitting sun, begging it to reach midday sooner. He was not an idle man and being forced to wait for the rest of the world was a reoccurring vexation for Fitzwilliam Darcy. There was a light knock on his door, an appreciated distraction from glaring out at the bright day beyond his study window, and he called for the diversion to enter. A maid entered carrying a small tray of coffee and what appeared to be pastries. The girl had been sent up by the housekeeper to deliver a tray to the master just in case he wanted to eat now as Miss. Darcy was till abed. He accepted the tray gratefully and the maid left, leaving him alone once again. He had always risen early, never had he been able to follow the fashionable hours which the ton held. Though he would usually stay awake until the early hours, he would always rise before seven whilst Georgiana never came downstairs before ten. He smiled, 'Elizabeth seems to be of a similar mind to myself' he thought wistfully as he recalled her fresh and perfect appearance this morning.
As his thoughts began to wander to the subject of the morning he began to consider that of the afternoon and his planned meeting with Charles specifically. He was resolutely determined that the Bingleys and Elizabeth would join him at the theatre, he would brook no room for opposition, not when he had finally been given such an opportunity. But he would have to think of a way to position it so that Bingley would feel like he did have a choice in the matter, no matter how erroneous that may be.
His thoughts having been so well distracted and happily based around Elizabeth held his attention until he heard the sounds of the piano in the music room down the hallway. This broke his reverie and he glanced at the clock only to note that the few short moments he had allowed himself to daydream had actually been a very long two hours. It was ten fifteen and Georgiana was now up. He made his way down the hall toward the music room, the door was ajar and from his hiding place he could see the sweet blonde ringlets bounce as his sister played the lively piece, she stumbled and sighed heavily. He took this cue to enter the room as he smiled lightly and came to join her on the bench.
"Good morning brother," she said cheerfully, never taking her gaze from the sheets of music in front of her. He laughed lightly and played a few notes in front of him, at this she looked up, curious to see what prompted him to do so. He looked as if he was miles away but he smiled at her and kissed her forehead before he replied. "I have some news, dearest, I am to take Mr. Bingley and his wife to the theatre with his new sister tomorrow…if he agrees that is," he said, amending his arrogance a little at the end, though Georgiana couldn't know how presumptuous he was really being, 'though quite justifiably so,' he thought as he imagined Elizabeth sitting in this very room tomorrow evening. "They'll be joining us for dinner afterwards… if agreeable to you that is," he once again amended, wishing ever so slightly and highly immaturely that he could simply have his way.
She smiled brightly but then stopped short and exclaimed, "Oh no. But I can't, I promised Lady Matlock to stay with her tomorrow evening so that we could go shopping the next morning, I'll be with her for dinner tomorrow." He looked a little dejected by what she said, so she quickly added to her outburst. "You will still be able to host the dinner brother and Richard and Mr. Bingley will surely be able to keep you jovial around your guests. Who else is coming?" She finished.
He stopped short; for one thing he'd quite forgotten that his exuberant cousin, Richard, would likely turn up for dinner and for another he hadn't quite realised just how intimate the dinner he had planned was set to be, just himself and Georgiana with Bingley, Mrs. Bingley and Elizab… Miss. Bennet, a rather intimate setting indeed. He thought for a moment longer, torn between relishing selfishly in the intimacy it would create and deigning to allow for other guests to intrude upon it. He soon came to the conclusion that with Richard there that intimacy would not be and, as host, attempting to monopolise one guests time and ignore the others would be the height of insolence. But the idea of inviting any of his other acquaintances was unappealing to say the least, there would be no hope of a close and comfortable dinner party if he invited strangers to intrude.
He must have been silent for a little too long as Georgiana soon spoke again. "Have you invited Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner? I think you spoke of visiting the theatre when last they were here," she smiled up at him as he blinked in response. She continued, "They are related to Mrs. Bingley and her sister somehow are they not?" She asked, a little confused by his silence.
He looked down into the bright eyes of his sister as she furrowed her brow, clearly confused by his lack of response. The idea was genius, he could have the Gardiner's come to dinner and the theatre and still retain the close and easy atmosphere. It was perfect. By way of response he took Georgiana by the shoulders and kissed her firmly on her forehead before he leapt from the seat and bid that she enjoy her day as he had business to tend to and may not see her until dinner. She continued to stare at the door in confusion for a few moments before she shrugged and returned to her music.
Darcy strode from the room and toward the front hall, calling for his hat, gloves and overcoat and asking for his horse to be readied post haste. It was done within ten minutes and he left, atop Boreas, in the direction of Gracechurch Street.
~oOo~
The front door to Mr. Edward Gardiners townhouse was opened by a slightly flustered looking footman who breathed rather heavily as he took Mr. Darcy's outdoor things and had the horse taken care of by a livery boy from the nearby mews. Darcy thanked him and eyed him for a moment, curious as to what could have him looking so agitated. His answer came quickly as a screech of terror and squeal of delight erupted from the room to the left and a young girl came tearing into the entrance hall, followed by what appeared to be a small frog and then an older boy who appeared to be chasing after the offending amphibian.
"Freddie, Mamma told you not to bring those into the house, she told you!" Cried the five year old Susan as she attempted escape by way of the staircase.
"It's your own fault, why would you wear a dress embroidered with butterflies and flowers anyway? He's only chasing you because he wants to eat the silly bugs on your dress," replied the nine year old Freddie. Miss. Susan Gardiner replied by poking her tongue out at her brother.
Into the madness came a maid and a second footman, the maid ran quickly to Susan's rescue and the footman dove toward the little green frog in an attempt to catch it. Darcy watched in stunned silence for a moment before the deep laughter of Edward Gardiner broke into the ruckus as he stepped through the doorway of his study.
"My word, your mother is gone for all but two minutes and look what happens, I thought we were being invaded," he said to both his children as he reached out and finally grasped the tiny green frog. "Freddie, put him back into the garden and don't let me see them in the house again," he said more gravely now as he handed the guilty looking boy his friend.
It was at this moment that the footman who had answered the door thought to announce the guest. "Mr. Darcy, sir," he said feeling all the awkwardness of the situation he was introducing him into. Two small heads whipped round and Mr. Gardiners finally looked toward the front door.
"Mr. Darcy!" cried both Susan and Freddie, both clearly embarrassed and excited at his sudden appearance. The gentleman in question supressed a smile for fear that laughing might condone what had just passed and undermine Edward. He nodded instead.
Mr. Gardiner cleared his throat and reminded his son of his task and asked that the maid now holding little Susan would take her upstairs to change her dress. Freddie began laughing hard at that but stopped short when his sister sent a quelling glare his way and he left to perform his task.
Once the entrance hall had been cleared Edward stepped forward and offered his hand to Darcy as if nothing had happened. Darcy took the proffered hand.
"Mr. Darcy, I hope this day finds you well," said Mr. Gardiner.
"Very well indeed sir. I hope I haven't come at a bad time," Darcy said, a smile threatening to erupt.
At that Mr. Gardiner broke into a hearty laugh and shook his friends hand with some vigour. "You do have interesting timing, Darcy," he said as they both attempted to subdue their amusement.
They made their way to Edward Gardiners study where Darcy extended the invitation for him and Mrs. Gardiner to join his party at the theatre tomorrow evening. Mr. Gardiner gladly accepted and the two men made their way to the drawing room to join Mrs. Gardiner and the children.
"Mr. Darcy, Susan and Freddie told me you had come, I was just putting James down for a nap, I'm sorry I was not here to receive you earlier," said Mrs. Gardiner serene as ever. From the moment Darcy had met Mrs. Gardiner he had liked her, she was a measure of both Elizabeth's wit and Jane Bennett's sweetness and he had deduced that the two sisters must have spent some time with their aunt and uncle growing up.
"Please, do not trouble yourself, Mrs. Gardiner, I should have written ahead of time so you knew to expect me."
"There's no need for that, Darcy," said Mr. Gardiner. "You may come and go as family," he added sincerely but a mischievous spark lit his eyes before he added, "From what I hear, you soon will be just that."
Darcy's eyes widened and his smile disappeared immediately, if Mr. Gardiner knew that he had met with Elizabeth in secret this morning he would have every right to demand that Darcy do the honourable thing. Not that he would have any qualm about doing so but what Elizabeth might have to say certainly gave cause for concern.
Mr. Gardiner's attention had been swiftly called away by his daughter as she asked him to help her onto the chaise and therefore he missed the amalgamation of emotions on the gentleman's face. Mrs. Gardiner, however, did not. She noticed the panic, the guilt, the happiness and the concern as she looked at him curiously, she could already see there was a lot to be revealed but for now she decided to save him from whatever war he had thrown himself into. "Susan has decided on a date for the wedding Mr. Darcy," she said, raising an eyebrow and gesturing toward the five year old now sat between herself and her husband.
Darcy relaxed visibly and breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled widely and sat directly in front of the very determined looking girl who then smiled back and proceeded to tell him why she had decided they would marry at Christmas.
After an hour of entertaining conversation and tea, Darcy left the Gardiners house and ensured them he would have his carriage sent over to collect them tomorrow evening before he bid them good day and then made his way toward Bingleys home.
He couldn't credit the nerves he felt as he neared the house, he knew that Elizabeth wanted to go to the theatre so why he should worry that she had changed her mind he couldn't say. He reached the house and dismounted, passing the reigns to a stable hand who took Boreas to Bingleys own stables.
He climbed the stairs to the townhouse and as he reached the top the front door was opened to him, he stepped inside and removed his outdoor garments. The servants had long ago been instructed by both Mr. Bingley and Caroline Bingley that should Darcy ever call he was to be taken directly to the study where he could make himself comfortable, as opposed to waiting in the entrance hall. The footman stepped aside to allow Mr. Darcy access to the hall leading to the study but the gentleman in question stalled him and instead enquired as to where Mr. Bingley was at present.
"He is with Mrs. Bingley and Miss. Bennet in the front parlour, Sir." The footman answered, quickly registering that Darcy wished to go to that part of the house as opposed to the study which was his want when he usually came to see the master, 'in order to expedite his business, of course,' the footmen would tell the maids above stairs. 'In an attempt to avoid Miss. Caroline Bingley,' the maids would say bellow stairs. The footman motioned toward the hall leading toward the front parlour and moved to lead Darcy in that direction but again Darcy stopped him.
"No… no need, thank you. I'll see myself in," Darcy said as he quickly manoeuvred around the perplexed footman and toward the front parlour. He stopped outside of the door to the parlour and took a moment to recall what he had decided was the politest way of telling his friend that he would be commandeering his evening tomorrow and he had no choice in the matter. He smiled slightly as he thought to himself that, knowing Charles as he did, Bingley would probably smile and acquiesce no matter how Darcy phrased it. This made him frown a little, one thing he had realised when he returned from the wedding was that there were times in the past when his propensity to lead would exert itself and it would drag Charles and his trusting nature along. He sighed 'to think I tried to convince him into leaving the woman he loved,' he thought.
A sound from the other side of the door drew him back to the present and he realised he was staring at the grain of the wood on the door. It was laughter, or more specifically, Elizabeth's laughter. 'Miss. Elizabeth's laughter.' The sound brought back his smile and without a second thought he opened the door and stepped into the room.
Upon entering he was met with three sets of eyes, two of said sets beheld him with a warmth they showed to all and an inviting curiosity reserved for the vagaries of this enigmatic man, but the final gaze was that which could hold him for an eternity, relieve the harshest of pains and bestow the purest of joy to its lucky receiver. And thus he stood bewitched, feeling an eternity of pass in the blink of an eye.
"Darcy! I wasn't expecting you today, we didn't have an engagement did we?" Bingley said, a hint of worry in his voice which, Darcy suspected, was born of the idea of having to leave his wife's side.
"We did not. I simply came to extend an invitation for the theatre tomorrow evening," replied Darcy. "Good afternoon Mrs. Bingley, Miss. Bennet," he finished as nodded politely at the two ladies.
"Well come then, take a seat, my dear fellow and tell us what you have planned," said Charles jovially.
The three original occupants of the room had been sat together with Jane and her husband on the chaise and Elizabeth in a chair facing them. Darcy took the chair by Elizabeth's and found the strength to give her a light, faintly conspiratorial smile. She smiled back politely and raised her brow almost imperceptibly in response to his mischief.
After Jane had called for tea and returned to her seat Darcy began. "I'm inviting a small party of friends to join me in my box on Drury Lane for their performance of Othello tomorrow night and then to return to Darcy House for dinner and I want to have you and your new wife and Miss. Bennet, of course, join us," he said succinctly if not a little demandingly. In fact, it was at this moment that Elizabeth realised that, though Mr. Darcy seemed to be instructing his friend to a degree, there was in fact a touch of uncertainty in back of what he said. One would never expect to find such a trait in a man such as he and would be easily missed if one was not particularly acquainted with him. 'In fact,' she thought with a wry smile, 'it could easily be mistaken for reserve and disdain.'
Bingley smiled "Well, that's very good of you Darce, I'm not aware of any engagements we have for tomorrow," he said, looking to his wife for confirmation.
Jane looked to her sister to gauge her reaction but found it unreadable and, unable to delay her response, she said, "We would be very glad to join you, Mr. Darcy, thank you."
"I have always wished to see Othello performed, I thank you for my share of the invitation, Mr. Darcy," said a heretofore silent Elizabeth, drawing the attention of all three. Bingley smiled happily, Jane with some confusion and Darcy smiled blithely at the idea that he shared a secret with the woman beside him. He wondered if she realised just how much of a share she really had of said invitation and had to suppress the urge to tell her that it was in fact all for her.
"You are most welcome Miss. Bennet, I'm glad to hear you are a reader of the bard, though not surprised in the least," he drolled.
She smiled a little too brightly for such an ordinary statement, drawing a little too much attention from her sister and so decided a change of subject was in order. "Who else is to make up the party, Sir?" she settled with.
Darcy, still enraptured slightly by the smile which she had just bestowed upon him, took a moment to register what she had said and so answered a little swiftly. "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner are to join us at the theatre and my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam, will join us afterwards for dinner."
Elizabeth looked surprised for a moment and then blushed profusely and looked at her hands in her lap. Darcy turned to look at Charles and Jane as if he had only just recalled their presence. Both looked somewhat uncomfortable and it was then that he realised that they were all considering the fact that Darcy's close friendship with the Gardiners stemmed from an event best forgot. He shifted a little in his seat and, determined not to let this unfortunate moment direct the rest of the call, he said "Mrs. Bingley I have only just noticed how very much like you Miss. Susan Gardiner looks."
Jane looked up to him immediately and felt her cheeks warm but smiled in relief at the turn in the conversation. "Yes, my aunt says so as well and people often mistook me for her mother if Lizzy and I would take them on walks when we stayed at our aunt and uncles." She smiled at her words and looked to her husband and her smile widened as her blush deepened.
The thought of a small Jane in the arms of Jane herself was what brought Bingley back from his discomfort and he took his wife's hand as he smiled happily back at her.
There was a short silence as husband and wife shared their look of adoration before Jane recalled her company and turned to her sister who's initial discomfort seemed to have lessened considerably but was still strong enough to keep her mute. "My uncle also says that Freddie and James bear a strong resemblance to Lizzy, in both features and personality," Jane said, gesturing toward her sister.
At this Mr. Darcy began to laugh recalling the antics he had met with this morning at the Gardiner's household. The other three members of the group looked at him, more than shocked to hear him laugh so openly at they knew not what.
"Forgive me," he said in an attempt to keep his mirth at bay, "it is only that, I went just this morning to invite Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner and I was greeted by a rather amusing incident at the hands of Master and Miss. Gardiner." He again erupted into a deep laugh as he recalled the scene and now began to see a small, young Elizabeth Bennet in place of Freddie Gardiner, grappling after a frog she had just brought into Longbourn. "I can certainly see the resemblance between you and Master Gardiner, Miss. Bennet," he managed to say as his laughter began to quieten.
Elizabeth blushed again but laughed lightly "I don't dare ask what mischief he has been subjecting my poor aunt and uncle to now for it is quite possible and probable that I am at blame," she said I'm mirthfully.
Though this morning had shown her the forgiving and friendly nature of this enigmatic man she still was at a loss in believing that the Mr. Darcy who sat beside her now was one in the same with the stoic character she had met those months ago in Hertfordshire. How had her pride blinded her so thoroughly as to completely misalign him so? He was still smiling pleasantly as he regarded her, unaware that he was doing either and she was caught for a brief moment by how handsome he looked when he was happy, so much younger and less severe. There was something else in his gaze which gave such a warmth to his expression but she could not name it. It was not new, she realised, it was something which she had perceived whenever he regarded her but it's meaning she could not surmise, nonetheless it was very becoming on him and quite effective in inspiring a warm smile from her as well as a blush which she could not account for.
"I dare say I would not doubt your assertion though whether it is blame or praise which is owed to you for Master Gardiner's wit and... curiosity is debatable," he said, smiling softly with laughter dancing in his eyes.
Had Mrs. or even Mr. Bingley been attending to more than simply each other, they may have been curious about the prolonged silence which denoted the considerably long gaze shared between their sister and their friend.
~oOo~
It was not long after the exchange that Darcy felt, having achieved his purpose, his remaining for much longer would be seen as an intrusion and rather uncharacteristic at that. He left after tea and offered to have his carriage sent for them the following evening, Charles thanked him but insisted that they come in their own as it would be far easier getting two smaller carriages to Drury lane as opposed to one considerably large chaise and that Darcy and the Gardiner's should come in one such carriage whilst the Bingleys and Elizabeth come in his own. Darcy cared little how they arrived so long as they did, so he agreed happily and with a contented smile.
The rest of the day passed without trial and his spirits were lifted beyond what they had been even after his meeting in the park that morning. The next day brought a flurry of work and bustle bellow stairs in Darcy house but, due to the highly professional nature of his staff, there was no sign of worry above stairs. That is of course discounting the master himself; all morning he either sat in wonder or paced with trepidation. He was ecstatic, there was no question about it, but he could not help but worry over the situation he had placed himself in; to be so openly displayed to every prying eye about the ton, the very thought made him ill, though the much coveted reward of the few hours in Elizabeth's company made the idea a thoroughly enjoyable musing and any nausea was swiftly replaced with sweet anticipation. He still, however worried.
It was not that he would be scrutinised thoroughly nor that every mother and daughter would be vying for his attention, no, these annoyances he was used to and adept at handling. But he was about to subject his dearest friends to what would undoubtedly be scornful resentment, what had he been thinking? The Gardiner's, he knew, would bear any of the hateful slights with the dignity and forbearance they naturally possessed and Jane would be safe through her marriage to his best friend and a respected man. But Elizabeth would be subject to the derision of every jealous eye about her if he made his attentions even slightly obvious. And herein lay his dilemma; he could not imagine treating her with the indifference he had attempted to bestow upon her when he was first suppressing his burgeoning feelings toward her. But should he pay her even slight deference they would both be condemned by every woman present, she for being a fortune hunter and he for being fool enough to fall for her wiles. How he loathed fashionable society.
The day came and went, Colonel Fitzwilliam agreed to arrive on time for dinner and come clean shaved and well dressed. Though he would not be able to join them at the theatre, he was eager to see the Gardiner's again and curious to finally glimpse the famous Jane Bennet and the sister to whom Darcy alluded.
That evening Darcy's carriage, holding Mr. & Mrs. Gardiner and Mr. Darcy stopped outside the theatre on Drury lane and the three exited swiftly as the door opened. They made their way inside and waited patiently for the rest of their party to join them. Darcy could feel every stare, every appraisal and every affected look as he waited. The Gardiner's were speaking happily to an acquaintance beside them whilst Darcy watched the door, willing Bingley to appear. He did so promptly and Darcy couldn't help but smile at his dear friends pleasing nature.
His smile was short lived however as Bingley entered with only his wife on his arm. His heart sunk, immediately he assumed his worst fears had been realised; she was not here.
Elizabeth stood in the dark foyer attempting to re-pin the loose tresses of hair which had fallen from their pins as the carriage had hit a deep rut in the road. She twisted, tucked and pinned her hair but to no avail. Most of the maids work was still intact and looked very elegant but there was now a small cascading of waves and curls which hung over her right shoulder. It did look deliberate as both Jane and Charles had told her but such a style was somewhat risqué and not something which Elizabeth felt she could sport with her usual confidence.
She took one last look at the dark reflection before her as she used a far off window to examine the damage and gave the curls one last twist to gather them together in two flowing spirals at her neck. It would suffice.
As the Bingleys made their way toward the party they were stopped by another couple who Darcy recognised vaguely, he waited impatiently, willing his friend to hurry so he could learn the whereabouts of Elizabeth. He rolled his eyes as Bingley seemed to be drawn deeper in conversation and then gave a cursory glance about the room, careful not to make any eye contact which might encourage its receiver to approach. It was as his eyes moved swiftly over the figure at the door that his heart stopped.
She craned her neck slightly as she glanced about the crush of people, she could not see her sister nor her brother and new not if Mr. Darcy and her Aunt & Uncle were here yet. The loose hair brushed her neck slightly as she moved her head in search; a constant reminder of her appearance, making her feel self-conscious. Her courage rising in response to the intimidating trepidation, she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, resolutely determined not to be daunted or oppressed by such a trifling matter.
She continued to search the room, now walking forwards as she did so, she could feel the curious stares and the affronted glares cast at her, she should probably not have entered alone but she had not expected to be so far from Jane and Charles when she did so and now it was too late to simply stand by quietly.
Darcy watched her as she silently searched the crowd and maneuverer herself forwards, he could have stayed happily entranced all evening had he not be prompted to retrieve the object of his observation.
It was Lord Devonshire, who stood a few paces to Darcy's left, which brought him to the present. He spoke to another gentleman, a peer Darcy supposed but he could not see the man's face, through who it was and what they looked like mattered not, it was the words exchanged which brought about Darcy's return from his musings.
"Who, is she?" Asked the first voice with an unconcealed curiosity.
"Which do you mean," the second responded with a disinterested air. "I don't recall seeing her before," he continued after a pause, sounding more intrigued now, "or she must be very dull indeed for me to have forgotten such a figure and face," he finished lewdly. Darcy could practically hear the smirk which his face beheld.
Darcy shot daggers at the offending, insolent cad though the recipient of such a glare failed to note it as his eyes still rested on the subject he and his companion were so enraptured by.
The many eyes which had been so very interested in the mysterious woman became positively rapacious for anything they could glean about her when it was noted who appeared to be approaching her.
Darcy stood to her right as she looked to her left, he blinked as if he had only now realised that he had approached her and was instantly aware of the silence which the couples near to them had been plunged into.
He cleared his throat self-consciously and her head spun around, causing the cascade of curls at her neck to brush her soft skin, catching his attention immediately.
She smiled with relief when she beheld him and curtsied gratefully. "Mr. Darcy, I seem to have managed to lose my way, thank you for retrieving me," she said with a light laugh.
He smiled immediately, forgetting entirely the audience which they now held as he took her hand and bowed his head over it. "Miss. Bennet, it is a pleasure to see you again, may I say you look very well indeed," he said very politically. He did not trust himself to allow even a measure of his sincere admiration to be voiced at present, though he was certain that he heard several gentlemen scoff at his rather neutral choice of words to describe the beauty before him.
She smiled warmly and he thread her hand through his arm and directed them back towards the Gardiner's. When they arrived the Bingleys had joined Elizabeth's aunt and uncle and, with Darcy and Elizabeth's arrival, the party was thus completed.
It was difficult to pay any notice to the stares and whispers which could be heard and not even the few members of the ton who sought out Darcy, Bingley or the Gardiner's as a way of ingratiating themselves and seeking an introduction could perturb the peace of mind and the happy warmth generated within their small party.
The party made their way to the Darcy box in the Grand Tier as Darcy lead with Elizabeth on his arm whilst the Bingleys and Gardiners followed in back. Darcy smiled lightly to himself; before they had even arrived he knew where he wished Elizabeth to sit: It was a space where she would have an almost perfect view of the performance and he would have a perfect view of her without raising suspicion. Moreover, it was directly beside his own seat. However, before he could direct her to said seat, Mr. Gardiner spoke, "Shall we allow the ladies to take their seats together whilst we go to fetch refreshments, gentlemen?" Mr. Gardiner addressed Darcy and Mr. Bingley.
Mrs. Gardiner, being more attuned to the war waging inside of Mr. Darcy's heart and head as well as the pain of separation felt by the newlywed Mr. Bingley, noted the subtle drop in composure at her husband's suggestion. She squeezed his arm lightly and he turned to look at her questioningly. "Perhaps, my dear, you might sit by me, it has been many years since I have seen Othello performed and even longer since I read it. I would ask you to remind me of some of the characters backgrounds for I know you have read it recently." She smiled a sweet smile and appeared ostensibly innocent, though Edward Gardiner knew that look well; she was far from innocence at present. He would, however, wait to enquire as to what mischief she had concocted.
"Of course my dear, I should have realised," He said, taking his wife's dainty hand and kissing it lightly. "Darcy, why don't I allow you to arrange us, you are after all more familiar with your box." He finished, though his voice grew quieter and his eyes barely left his wife. Even after so many years of marriage she was so very intriguing to him; a mystery not meant to be solved, only relished.
"Very good, might I suggest the you and Mrs. Gardiner take the side closet to the stage, I would recommend either the front or one row back." Darcy said, his voice attempting to conceal his relief at Mrs. Gardiner's revelation. Mr. Gardiner smiled and nodded as he lead his wife to the far left, front row seats of the box.
Elizabeth, being far from a fool, did not take long to realise where this seating plan would leave her. Jane and Charles would, undoubtedly sit together and she would be somewhere either between her Aunt & Uncle and the Bingleys or beside Mr. Darcy. She could not say why the latter gave her a strange sensation at the thought of it, but it was not something she was averse to and so stayed silent on the matter, allowing their host, who she now noted had yet to relinquish her arm, to dictate the seating plan.
He had perceived her silence, so unlike her as it was, and grew worried that she may think him officious if he were to dictate where she should sit. He was torn between ensuring her presence beside him and ensuring her comfort. About to make the painful decision to ask her preference, he sighed but, before he could do so, was saved by his most obliging friend.
"Darcy, I know how you prefer the corner there so Jane and I will take the middle two seats and Elizabeth can be beside her, leaving you to your brooding in the shadows." Charles laughed and Darcy chuckled with a shake of his head. Elizabeth was still considering the sensation she felt at the prospect of such an intimate setting and failed to hear the quip at the end. It was only as Darcy made to direct her to her seat that she realised the others were all seated. She looked to her left, there sat Jane & Charles, followed by her Uncle and then her Aunt the husbands and wives already engrossed in one another respectively.
She heard the slight movement to her right and looked around surreptitiously to find Mr. Darcy looking out over the rest of the theatre with that severe mask he donned so often. What an enigma he was, she could not put together this man with the one she had met all those months ago, and yet, observing him now, she could well see that proud, unapproachable man as he scowled at the crowds in the boxes around them. If she did not know the other side of him, the side she had met with only the previous day, she would begin to think him almost frightening.
Had it truly been just one day since they had met in the park? It felt as though it had happened so very long ago. As though he had been the agreeable friend she now knew him to be for… well, it almost felt as though he had always been that man. She supposed he had, she had simply been blind to it, she mused.
'Though with such a foreboding glare, I'm not surprised,' she thought.
She turned her attention to the large audience and the boxes of gentry and socialites, in particular, which were the recipients of the withering glare. There were many among them who whispered to one another and stole glances in their direction and there were a few who stared openly. She met the intent gaze of one gentleman, she knew not who, and at his slight smirk, raised brow and inclination of his head, she quickly returned her attention to the general space of her own box and the gentleman beside her in particular.
Darcy was gazing at her curiously when she brought her attention back to him, her face flushed slightly.
"Were you searching for someone in particular Miss Bennet?"
"No, I was simply observing the general splendour," she answered but frowned slightly as she recalled the disconcerting gaze she had encountered.
"I hope that you are not disappointed," he said, frowning slightly.
Her eyes flew to his, "no, not at all," she said fervently. "How could I be in such a setting?" she finished more gently as she smiled softly up at him.
Darcy was lost for a moment as the soft candle light illuminated her face; the brightness lit her eyes and coloured them with hues of gold and the soft glow caressed her supple lips & rosy cheeks in a way he had only dreamed of, and he felt envious for it.
Elizabeth watched as his eyes moved slowly over her features and her breath stopped for a moment. She felt his gaze so strongly now, back in Hertfordshire when he had watched her, she had felt irritated by it, resented him for it. But now, as she felt him tracing her features with his dark and intense eyes, she felt something so far removed from irritation or resentment, something which was becoming more and more familiar to her. God, but if she could describe it; it had always been there, she realised, beneath his cold, stony exterior and hidden behind her animosity, this… this. This thing, this feeling so difficult to name and so fragile that when closely examined it disappears; a wave of pure blissful ecstasy and warmth, accompanied by agonising frustration at its fleeting nature. She had realised its presence long ago, after they argued at the wedding. Only it was stronger now, warmer, and less irrational.
Darcy's gaze was abruptly broken as the lights began to diminish. The candles were being put out, signalling the imminent commencement of the performance. He cleared his throat and looked out over the balcony, focusing his attention on the stage. So chagrined was he, at once again losing himself in Elizabeth, that he failed to note the fact that she had returned and held his gaze, appearing just as lost.
Elizabeth felt the loss of his eyes but also saw the candles being snuffed and, excited for the performance ahead, forgot the incident for the time being. She smiled brightly and turned her attention to the stage, thereby removing Darcy from her gaze and thus removing him from her thoughts.
Though both were successful in setting their attention elsewhere, the lingering effects were heady; for Darcy, the exchange left a powerful sense of hope, longing and made him acutely aware of every minute detail about her. For Elizabeth it was a sensation like no other she had ever felt and it intensified that un-nameable quality which had always lingered between herself and Darcy. The space between them suddenly felt like a mile and a millimetre all at once.
Ostensibly, there was nothing to be remarked upon; they sat an acceptable distance apart, they were surrounded by family and friends and both were of a respectable reputation. There was no cause to imagine anything had or was occurring between the two, appearances however, are deceiving and there was at least one person who was far from fooled. Mrs. Gardiner smiled lightly to herself and sighed as she said a silent prayer for her niece and, most of all, Mr. Darcy.
Throughout the first act Darcy watched Elizabeth as she watched the stage. He watched her expressions change from scene to scene and he watched her eyes dance with mirth, sadness, intrigue and a whole host of emotions. He loved to see her lips move along with familiar lines and he manfully restrained his urge to kiss her cheek as she smiled or simple take her hand in his own.
It was in the second act however that the intoxicating amalgamation of joy and desire overthrew his restraint and he gave into the simple temptation to ne near her; after the gentlemen returned with refreshments each moved back to take their seats. During the first act he had been leaning back in his chair, affording him a perfect view of Elizabeth as she enjoyed the play. However, when he resumed his seat and the second act began, he made an unaffected movement to lean forwards in his chair, thereby putting himself mere inches from Elizabeth. It was a small gesture but it had a momentous effect upon him as he breathed in the sweet smell of honey and lavender which she wore.
This did not go unnoticed by her; she felt his movement before she heard him sigh and she felt a shiver course down her neck. Realising he must be quite close indeed she felt the need to say something in order to relieve the inexplicable tension around them.
"It would almost be comedic to watch the characters so easily swayed by here say and malicious lies if it did not lead to such tragic conclusions," she said, inclining her head toward his as she whispered. He was so enraptured by having her so close and whispering to him so intimately that he almost missed what she said. "I would like to believe that if I found myself in such circumstances, I'd be shrewd enough to see the truth behind it, or at least question the information and seek the truth from the accused." She was silent for a moment as she heard her own words. She closed her eyes against the cruel taunting humour of fate as it laughed at her words. She could almost laugh at the irony, he was one person most acutely aware of just how blind she could be, how susceptible to human error she was and yet she had just told him she believed herself far above such folly.
He had not missed the significance of what she said and he saw the precise moment that realisation dawned on her. He wanted to reach out and brush away the frown which marred her beautiful face but managed to refrain from doing so. He could not, however, keep himself from touching her in some small way. So desperate was he to relieve her discomfort that he felt the urge to do anything he could at that moment. Her hand rested in her lap and without a second thought he tentatively reached forward and lightly pressed the back of her hand with his fingertips.
The touch was feather light, making it all the more intense and her eyes shot open at the powerful sensation. He looked at her intently and, she noted, without pity but with true concern.
"It is a claim we would all like to make I'm sure, but one few can boast. It is the strength of emotion upon which the evil can pray. In Othello's case, it is love." He looked back to the stage but his fingers remained upon her hand. "It is his fervent love which Iago uses to control him by poisoning it until it becomes putrid jealousy." He looked back at her hoping he had relieved her to some degree but she seemed ever more distressed. "In other cases, it is the goodness of heart which can be manipulated by a practiced villain and goodness of heart is not something to hold against someone," he said significantly.
She looked down to where her hand rested on her lap and his fingers rested gently on her hand. She knew not how such a small gesture could be so strong but she valued it greatly and raised her eyes to his with a small, appreciative smile.
"Then those of us foolish enough to be ensnared by such deceits are lucky to have forgiving friends," she said as she pulled her hand from beneath his fingertips, placed it on his forearm and pressed lightly before removing her hand and returning her attention to the stage.
He felt the loss of even that small contact significantly but knew he could do nothing to re-establish it. He heard her words run through his mind again along with her gesture; friends, yes friends, how could he forget? The word was like poison to him and her 'friendly' gesture felt sharper than any blade. Fitzwilliam Darcy was no fool though, he was not an ignorant schoolboy blundering through an infatuation and he knew he would have to be strategic in his thinking. He would accept it for now, whilst their relationship was in a fragile state, but he would not be content with it.
~oOo~
Upon entering Darcy House Elizabeth had been awed, not by the ostentatious décor or the elaborate furnishings, but by the refinement of it all. It was not excessive or pretentious but looked inviting and elegant. As the only person in the party not to have seen the house, she was offered a tour by Mr. Darcy but she declined it, not wishing to be an imposition. He tried not to let his disappointment show and turned his look of disappointment to the door. It was to this scene which Colonel Fitzwilliam was admitted.
"I say, don't look to excited to see me, Cousin, I may never leave," he teased.
"Richard. Good of you to join us," Darcy smiled, leaving his cousin thoroughly confounded, he hadn't seen so much as a smirk upon Darcy's face these past few months and now he was grinning like a fool.
"Richard, how good to see you again, all well at the home office I trust?" Mr. Gardiner called, breaking the colonel's wonderment.
"Edward, Mrs. Gardiner, what a pleasure to see you again," the colonel said as he strode to the man and shook his hand warmly.
Elizabeth could assume only one reason for Darcy's cousin to know her aunt and uncle so intimately; 'he must have aided them in finding Lydia, he is in the army after all, it is likely he helped Darcy to ensure Wickham's commission in the North and prevented any severe punishment he might have faced for running off to London,' She thought. She was mortified once again that that this man she had meet had such an intimate knowledge of her family and their folly. How was she to face him with equanimity? She had shrunk back so as to remain behind the colonel whilst he greeted the rest of the party.
The colonel exchanged a warm welcome with Mr. Bingley and was introduced to the new Mrs. Bingley whom he praised only mildly so as not to ruffle poor Charles' feathers too much. It was only then that Elizabeth stepped forwards to make the acquaintance, having regained a modicum of composure.
Darcy watched as she stepped forward, she looked as if she would walk to her aunt and uncle so they could make the proper introduction but Richard seemed to spot her before she could move too far.
He only glanced at her first, expecting it to be Darcy moving to join the conversation, but upon noting that it was most definitely not his cousin and was in fact a rather enchanting young woman, he brought his attention to rest upon her fully.
"You must be Miss Elizabeth Bennet," he stated, intrigued. Darcy rolled his eyes though Edward Gardiner was the only one to notice that.
"Colonel Fitzwilliam, a pleasure to meet you," he said, taking up her hand a bestowing a kiss upon her glove.
Elizabeth smiled lightly and inclined her head but the colonel looked puzzled at her silence..
"I would introduce myself to you, Sir, but since you have already assigned me a name I think it would be a pointless exercise," she said impishly.
The colonel guffawed and the rest tittered whilst Darcy smiled admiringly, in such a small intimate setting a few of the proprieties could be overlooked.
"My cousin did not lie when he said you had a sharp wit, Miss. Bennet," the colonel laughed.
Elizabeth, surprised by the revelation, looked over to find Mr. Darcy smiling gently at her. Both coloured faintly.
Dinner was called and the group made their way to the dining room. The seating arrangement was not ideal in Darcy's mind, having Elizabeth sat as far as possible from him with Bingley and Jane on his left, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner on his right and his cousin and Elizabeth beside the two couples respectively.
Conversation was easy and friendly, there was always a topic on which to speak and it was enjoyed by all present. Darcy felt that his cousin enjoyed himself a little too much as he commanded, what he thought was, copious amounts of Elizabeth's attention.
"I dread to hear what you might know of me if you know me through accounts of my aunt & uncle and Mr. Darcy, Colonel. I had hoped to pass myself off with some degree of credit but I see it may be a challenge," she laughed.
"I assure you madam, it is only the very best, though I find even such high accounts do not hold up to the reality," he smiled flirtatiously.
Elizabeth blushed but remained composed. "And, prat tell, where would you have heard such accounts?"
"My cousin speaks quite eloquently on your talents and virtues, though I must admit he was only so kind as to mention them to me yesterday and left a great deal out," she said, throwing another teasing glance at Elizabeth.
She smiled freely at this; she was not affected by his flirting and knew him to be simply making light banter with her so allowed herself to laugh openly.
Darcy could not know that she was unaffected by his cousins charming nature, all he could see was that she laughed happily with Richard and said little to him, though he grew more quiet and Richard grew more vocal.
By the time they retired to the music room, eschewing the separation of the sexes, Darcy was ready to remove his cousin from the room, preferably via a few window panes first. It was only when Elizabeth sat to turn pages for Jane that Richard moved to speak to his cousin.
"I say, Darce, you hid her very well. She's quite the creature," he said conspiratorially, his gaze remaining focused on the subject in question.
"Richard, must you flirt so openly? It's an embarrassment to watch," Darcy spat.
His cousin jerked his head round to meet the bitter scowl and steely eyes Darcy was currently bestowing upon him. "What on earth has gotten into you, man? You've sunk into deeper dudgeon all evening! You've barely made any conversation since we left the table."
"Well if you weren't so intent upon seducing the guests, perhaps I would have made more small talk," he retaliated sharply.
The colonel looked taken aback; over diner Darcy had been so unaffected, so at ease, he could not imagine what had caused him to become so suddenly sullen. And then he heard the melodic laugh coming from the piano. She was enchanting, of course Richard was only flirting with Elizabeth in the form of friendly banter, he knew he would not be able to marry for anything less than twenty thousand pounds, but he enjoyed her pretty smile, lively nature and sharp wit.
He laughed loud and hard, unable to prevent himself when he realised; he might enjoy her wit and beauty but Darcy clearly enjoyed it more. He guffawed and slapped his knee as the laughter continued. His cousin in love! He could not believe such a turn of events but it made sense and accounted for his cousin's suddenly foul mood. He made some inarticulate remarks as he continued to laugh outright at Darcy, words and phrases such as 'petulant school boy,' 'enchated,' and 'madly in love' were wheezed through fits of laughter. When he stopped 'cackling' as Darcy insisted he was doing, he noted the curious gazes which were focused on him as well as Darcy's death inducing stare. He politely apologised and said he must have imbibed a little too quickly.
Once all eyes were facing the piano once again and the music had resumed he leaned over to his cousin, unable to resist the urge to taunt him. "O, beware, my lord, of jealousy;
It is the green-ey'd monster, which doth mock the meat it feeds on,"* he whispered.
Darcy stiffened beside him and was about to berate his foolhardy cousin but saw the futility before he could. He closed his eyes tightly and sighed. "Is it… so evident?" he asked, his voice low and frustrated.
The colonel had to supress the bout of laughter which threatened to erupt. "If you continue to threaten every man who speaks with her it will be."
This time Darcy did glare at him but Richard simply gave him a look which suggested they would discuss this fully once the guests had left. Darcy dared not allow himself to feel relieved at the thought of sharing the truth with someone; it was, after all, Richard.
For now, he would enjoy watching Elizabeth in his home and imagine what bliss it would be to not have to say goodbye to her at the end of the evening.
* Shakespeare's Othello.