Darcy's Voyage: A Tale of Uncharted Love on the Open Seas (28 page)

Jane was not sure she dared ask, but found herself compelled to. “What was that?”

Elizabeth smiled to reassure her. “Do not fret, Jane, as he was always the perfect gentleman toward me.” Elizabeth sighed as she continued, “We fell in love, but both of us were afraid to tell the other. We travelled all the way to America
pretending
to be a couple who fell in love on the ship and married, while, in all truth, we really
were
. Each of us thought the other was holding to the expectation that the marriage was only a temporary solution to a problem and would be later annulled, so neither of us confessed our love to the other.”

“Oh, Lizzy, my head is spinning with all this news. But tell me, has he annulled the marriage?”

Elizabeth shook her head and patted Jane’s hand. “No, and he does not intend to. He told me the last morning we were at Netherfield. In fact, I really was not aware of his feelings for me until that morning.”

“Oh, Elizabeth, I must admit I am quite astonished! And to find out that he and Charles are best friends!”

Elizabeth smiled at her use of his Christian name. “Yes. When I first saw him at Netherfield, I was quite surprised. Surprised and shaken. I knew how strong my feelings were for him, but I believed him to be indifferent to me, or fond, at best. In fact, I was under the false assumption that he and Miss Bingley shared a mutual regard.”

“Charles has told me that his sister has long desired his good opinion.”

“That is quite apparent.”

“But Lizzy, what of this engagement Mr. Collins spoke of?”

“Knowing Lady Catherine has lived with this expectation that her nephew is to marry her daughter, my main concern is how she will feel about me once she knows the truth. I cannot imagine I will sit in her good graces now.”

“When are you going to tell everyone? I mean… Lizzy! You are married!” Suddenly a serious look swept across Jane’s face. “What about Papa? He will not be happy either!”

Elizabeth nodded. “I have thought about that. William… Mr. Darcy has only informed me that it cannot be until Mr. Collins departs, for he does not want to take any chances that his aunt will find out. It is something he and I need to discuss. Unfortunately with the weather as bad as it has been, neither of our suitors seems inclined to visit us.”

“Oh, but Lizzy, Mr. Darcy is not your suitor, he is your
husband
!
I can scarce believe it! Married to Mr. Darcy!”

“Jane, it is still hard for me to believe, but it is true.”

Jane pulled her sister close and gave her a fervent embrace.

Elizabeth could not have been more pleased with Jane’s reception of the news and could only hope and pray that Mr. Bingley would soon make the offer that her sister so greatly desired. She also offered up a prayer that she and William would find the most suitable time and appropriate way to tell everyone else of their marriage before word of it was somehow found out.

On the day of the Netherfield ball, the Bennet household displayed a total disregard for Mr. Bennet’s sanity as they readied themselves for the neighbourhood’s event of the season. All were of the firm opinion that it was to be a ball unlike any other. To be held at such an illustrious place as Netherfield, to have all the fine officers in attendance, and to conjecture that Mr. Bingley might, before long, make an offer to Jane was enough to cause an abundance of folly, particularly from Mrs. Bennet’s quarter. That, in turn, prompted Mr. Bennet to wonder how he would ever endure the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, unable to contain herself. “Just think of it! A ball at Netherfield! Our Jane with Mr. Bingley! I am quite sure he intends to ask for her hand soon, and all the officers looking so handsome for all our other daughters! It shall be the most delightful affair!”

Mr. Bennet, having been one too many times on the receiving end of an emotional outburst, stood up to retreat to his study and was heard to cry out, “Oh, that the ball had been a week ago and all your hopes and dreams for it had been dashed!”

Elizabeth preferred the solitary confines of her room, which allowed her to deliberate on her situation, away from the trying goings-on of the other members of her family.

She thought of Miss Anne de Bourgh. Was her heart as inescapably entwined with William’s as Elizabeth’s was? Did she harbour feelings of love for him that would be crushed when she learned of his marriage? Was his esteem for his aunt so great that he would find it difficult to announce it to her? His own declaration that he could not speak to her father while Mr. Collins remained at Longbourn gave her pause to consider as well.

Elizabeth looked forward to this evening, not least because she knew she needed to talk to him about some very critical issues.

Elizabeth finished readying herself, and when her hair had been drawn up and embellished with flowers and ribbon, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her dress was one of her nicer ones, although she was certain Darcy would have seen many that were much more elegant in the circles he frequented.

She took in a deep breath, resolving that she would not let herself dwell on that thought. She then walked out of her room with a smile, eager to join the others, travel to Netherfield, and see the man she loved and whom she had not seen in almost a week’s time.

When she came downstairs, Mr. Collins was waiting. He reminded her that she had promised to dance the first two with him tonight and suggested she save another set later in the evening for him. Elizabeth sighed as she contemplated what an impediment this man was to her happiness and peace of mind. She was continually annoyed by his hovering presence.

Mr. Bennet kept to himself in his study, having readied himself before anyone else. He was not fond of these types of affairs; he would prefer to remain home and read. But this was an event of some import, and so he resigned himself to oblige his family and attend. He only hoped that there would be some intelligent conversation to be had and that the evening would pass quickly.

When the last of the Bennet daughters came downstairs (and it was Lydia, who spent a great deal of time doing and redoing her hair), Mr. Bennet joined them and they set out for the ball.

Upon arriving at Netherfield, Elizabeth entered the ballroom and cast a glance around her at the array of people from her neighbourhood, dressed in their finest. Everyone exclaimed at the opulence of the house and they seemed in the highest spirits, as they anticipated a most pleasant evening. Unfortunately, the man she most wanted was not to be seen.

While Elizabeth looked around for Darcy, Lydia and Kitty anxiously looked for Wickham. They were greatly disappointed, therefore, to hear from Denny that he had been obliged to go to town on business the day before, and was not yet returned. This dismayed them to no end, particularly Lydia, as she felt he had singled her out with his attentions earlier in the week at the Phillips’s home. At length, however, the two girls became enamoured of any officer who took notice of them, and soon Wickham was forgotten.

Elizabeth noticed with a smile that Bingley had come to Jane’s side and was escorting her around the room visiting with his guests. Their happiness seemed to infect everyone with whom they spoke.

Elizabeth greeted those around her, all the while furtively watching for Darcy. Instead of being rewarded with his presence, however, she received a distressing reminder from Mr. Collins that he was intent on claiming those first two dances. Elizabeth rather reluctantly walked with him over to the set.

Elizabeth endured two dances with her cousin, and in the middle of the first set, she saw Mr. Darcy enter the room. He watched her dance the set with her cousin, rather impatiently it seemed. When she remained with Mr. Collins for the next set, she saw him walk away.

Once the two obligatory dances were over, she directed Collins toward Kitty for the next set, and walked away in search of her husband. She smiled at the thought.

Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, was standing off by herself. They had only seen each other once since Elizabeth’s return, and she walked over to her, giving her a warm embrace.

“Charlotte, it is so good to see you.”

“Elizabeth, I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you, as well. I had planned to visit several times this week, but the poor weather prevented me.”

The two ladies talked joyfully, and as they caught up with each other’s news, a tall figure came up and stood before them.

Elizabeth greeted him. “Good evening, Mr. Darcy. Are you acquainted with Miss Lucas?”

“I believe we met at Lucas Lodge,” he answered.

Charlotte affirmed that he had.

Darcy then looked awkwardly at the two ladies, and finally asked in a most anxious way, “May I have the honour of the next dance, Miss Bennet?”

“I would be happy to, Mr. Darcy.”

He bowed and walked away, content to wait until the dance began to speak with her.

Charlotte looked curiously at Elizabeth. “This is quite a compliment to you, Lizzy. Everyone knows he hardly danced at all at Lucas Lodge.”

Elizabeth looked over at Mr. Darcy, who had gone to stand off to the side. She thought back to her first impression of him on the ship and his tendency to withdraw in situations where he knew very few people. “You must remember, Charlotte, that he knew no one at that dance. Perhaps he is reserved in unfamiliar situations.”

“Well if that is so, he certainly makes up for it with his handsome appearance and meticulous fashion, let alone wealth.” She looked at Elizabeth slyly. “You know I am not a romantic, Elizabeth, and that I only look to be married to someone who will give me happiness and security.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I am all too aware of your feelings about matrimony, Charlotte.”

“Yes, I know you are,” she said with a faraway look in her eyes, “but I think I should be in a fair way most content if my husband happened to be as nice looking as he is.”

Elizabeth shook her head with a laugh as the music began and Mr. Darcy approached to claim her hand.

“I had no idea I would have to wait so long for a dance with you, Elizabeth.” Squeezing her hand, he said, “It appears as though I am not your only ardent admirer here.”

“William, please,” she said in exasperation. “Mr. Collins asked to dance with
each
of his cousins.”

“I see,” Darcy replied, but he smiled down at her and she smiled back warmly.

“I think from now on, we ought to use our formal address, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth added playfully.

“As you wish,
Miss
Elizabeth,” Darcy replied with a smile and nod of his head.

As they took their place in the set, Elizabeth standing opposite Darcy, she read the amazement in the faces of her neighbours, and she realized that she and Darcy were now to become the object of much speculation and gossip.

As they stepped together, grasping hands, Elizabeth felt all the warmth from that simple contact that she had from his kiss. His hand was warm, his arm went around her waist, and he applied a little more subtle pressure than a casual acquaintance might. Darcy seemed content to dance in silence, his hands bestowing expressions of his love and regard instead of words.

Walking down the centre of the set, Darcy finally broke the silence. “How have you been this past week,
Miss
Elizabeth?” A quick lift of his eyebrow acknowledged his use of her formal name, and Elizabeth responded in kind by nodding her head.

“I have been well. And yourself, Mr. Darcy?”

“I have been most intolerably bored,” he answered. “There is very little liveliness at Netherfield now for some reason.”

“I am sorry to hear that.” Elizabeth looked at him sympathetically.

“I would have hoped you would
not
be sorry to hear that!”

They were silent as the movement of the dance separated them. When they came back together, Darcy said, “I have missed seeing you. If it had not been for the excessive rain, I believe Bingley and I would have tried at least once to call on Longbourn.”

Elizabeth gave him a reserved smile. “I would have liked that. I was hoping you could meet my father.”

“I
have
met your father,” Darcy said. When Elizabeth looked at him with a questioning glance, he answered, “During your second dance with Mr. Collins, I sought him out and secured an introduction. I could not bear to watch that Collins look so smug as he danced with you. Besides, I felt it was imperative that I meet the father of the woman I am married to.”

Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat at his words and the look of open admiration on his face. She easily returned his smile, but curious of his opinion of her father, she asked, “And how do you find him?”

“I can certainly see where you get your intelligence and lively disposition. He has an interesting sense of humour, yet does not use it unnecessarily often.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “I enjoyed the short time I spent with him.”

Elizabeth had wanted so much for Darcy to appreciate her father and see the good in him. “I am glad.” She also wondered what her father’s opinion of
him
had been.

They settled into an easy silence as they danced. Each time they turned away from each other, Darcy anxiously waited for the movement that would bring him back to face her. Then he would look forward to stepping forward and taking her hand and bringing his arm around her.

As they met in the centre of the set and walked around the couple next to them, Darcy spoke. “I was rather surprised to discover that my aunt is Mr. Collins’s patroness.” Elizabeth flinched. Darcy searched her face, noticing her discomfiture. “Elizabeth, tell me what is wrong.”

Elizabeth’s eyes turned serious. When the steps brought him to her side again, Elizabeth looked up at Darcy. “My cousin mentioned the other day that Lady Catherine considers you to be engaged to her daughter.”

Darcy took her hand and held it tightly.

“Trust me, Elizabeth, it is not as it might seem, but I cannot talk of it while we dance.”

They danced in silence until the set ended. As they stepped away from the other couples, Darcy continued in a firm, but whispered voice, “Elizabeth, my aunt has held this absurd notion in her heart and mind all my life, and she refuses to listen to reason and my insistence that it will never happen!” His voice raised in irritation. “Neither my cousin nor I have ever been inclined to be married to one another!” He closed his eyes as he noticed the concern in Elizabeth’s. “Even before I met you, I never had any intention of marrying her.”

“And go against your family’s wishes?” she asked softly.

“She is the only member of my family who holds to such nonsense. And yes, I am more than willing to go against any family wishes in this,” he answered her emphatically, sensing that Elizabeth was still disconcerted.

“Will your aunt not be angry at you? At
us
? And what of your cousin?”

“Do not worry about my aunt, because
nothing
ever pleases her. If by some miracle she is pleased, she will refuse to admit it. And as for my cousin, I am quite confident that she will hold you in the highest regard.”

His eyes beseeched her to trust him. “I was afraid you might hear something to that effect when I found out your cousin knew my aunt. She does tend to speak as though a marriage between us is a settled thing.”

He looked down at her, securing her hand in both of his. “Trust me, Elizabeth. I will stand between you and her if she voices any objection.”

Elizabeth looked up at him and finally bestowed him with an effusive smile.

“Now
that
is what I have been longing to see all evening. May I be so bold as to claim a second dance with you, Elizabeth?”

“Perhaps later. I believe there is already an excess of speculation going around, and I would not want my father to question your character or your intentions and think poorly of you even before this evening comes to an end.”

Darcy gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go and spoke softly to her. “Elizabeth, I need to talk to you about my going to him. I need to talk to you
alone.
Perhaps we can meet out in the side alcove later. Would that be agreeable to you?”

Elizabeth nodded while her heart fluttered at the thought of meeting him outside alone.

“Good. I shall let you know when it seems like a good time.” He bowed. “Thank you,
Miss
Elizabeth, for an enjoyable dance, and I look forward to one more later in the evening if I may be so fortunate.”

They had not long separated when Miss Bingley came toward her and, with an expression of civil disdain, thus accosted her, “Miss Eliza, I noticed you dancing with Mr. Darcy. I wish to advise you that he has obligations due his name, and although he may have found himself to be enamoured of you, I would warn against fanciful conjectures regarding his securing you as a dance partner and advise against dancing another with him.”

“Upon my word, Miss Bingley! I will dance with whomever I choose, and I believe Mr. Darcy will do likewise.”