Elizabeth Bennet's Deception: A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (16 page)

“Might we walk the room, Sir?” Her voice sounded breathy and unsure, but Elizabeth felt gratitude at being given a second chance.

Mr. Darcy tilted his head in a familiar fashion, as if he studied her every move, but he offered Elizabeth his arm.

“Fitzwilliam,” he said to his cousin, “you will escort Georgiana to her quarters.”

The colonel presented an expression of congeniality, as he winked at Miss Darcy.

“I intend to dance once more with my precious girl, and then we will make appropriate farewells. Does that meet your pleasure, Georgiana?”

What appeared as mischief marked Miss Darcy’s eyes.

“As this is my first foray in society, I wish to claim every memory afforded me.”

Elizabeth shot a tentative glance to Mr. Darcy, who smiled deep into her eyes. The gentleman turned their steps to a slow promenade of the room. For several minutes they said nothing.

Even so, Elizabeth could feel the heat of his strength claim her arm, while tingles of excitement rushed through her veins. She was so engrossed with Mr. Darcy’s closeness that she did not realize he led her out into the darkness of the terrace.

“We cannot…” she began, but Mr. Darcy stopped just outside the open terrace doors.

“What business?” he demanded.

It surprised Elizabeth that Mr. Darcy offered no apologies for leading her into the darkness. If they did not return soon, her reputation would know another black tick.

“Could we not return to the festivities?” she pleaded.

Elizabeth meant to pull her hand free of his arm, but with a flex of his muscles, Mr. Darcy locked her arm to his side. Anyone who passed the door could view Mr. Darcy’s profile, but Elizabeth doubted they could see her. Even so, she did not wish to encounter censure from her neighbors.

“What business?” Mr. Darcy repeated.

Elizabeth gave her arm a second jerk, and this time Mr. Darcy permitted Elizabeth her freedom.

“I cannot remain here,” she insisted. “People will talk.” Elizabeth started past him only to find Mr. Darcy’s hand staying her retreat.

“There would be no gossip if you agreed to accept me.” He whispered in Elizabeth’s ear, as he played with a curl, which came loose from her chignon.

“Not here,” Elizabeth implored.

“Then where?” Mr. Darcy insisted.

Elizabeth did not bother to deny her exasperation.

“I hold no idea, but I cannot begin a relationship based on scandal.” The gentleman released his hold on her arm, and Elizabeth sidestepped him to return to the ballroom.

* * *

Darcy watched her go.

“Not well played,” he offered in self-chastisement. “But the game does not know an end.” He sighed deeply. When Darcy led her onto the terrace, he thought to steal a kiss. “The woman is by far the most confounding and the most enchanting creature I have ever known. Who else, other than Elizabeth Bennet, would risk calling upon me in my quarters one day and be afraid of joining me on a darkened terrace upon another?”

With a shake of his head, Darcy turned toward the ballroom.

“One more volley, Miss Elizabeth,” he said with a twitch of his lips. “I will know your acquiescence this night or the world will declare me as doddy as Lord Byron.”

* * *

Darcy noted the rush of color upon Elizabeth’s cheeks when he stepped through the terrace door. She joined her two younger sisters, but Elizabeth’s eyes met his.
Not entirely set against me
, he thought in triumph. Darcy arched an eyebrow, and Elizabeth pointedly turned her back on him, but only for a few seconds. He adored teasing her; Elizabeth’s contestations would keep him young.

From off to his right the musicians took up their instruments again for what would be the last dance of the evening. Darcy knew Bingley intended to lead Miss Bennet out first before the other couples joined them. It was part of his friend’s surprise for his betrothed: To dance with all eyes in the hall upon them. Darcy thought it an admirable gesture upon Bingley’s part, but when he heard Bingley’s plan, Darcy considered himself too private to conduct such a show, but perhaps, he erred.

Sir William Lucas took to the dais to announce the last dance and to instruct others to permit Mr. Bingley to honor his bride-to-be with a few minutes alone on the dance floor.

Noting Mr. Lincolnton’s approach to claim Elizabeth’s hand for the set, Darcy moved to intercept the fellow, but Colonel Fitzwilliam was quicker. Darcy’s cousin stopped Lincolnton with what was likely an inane question, but one which Lincolnton could not ignore coming from an earl’s son. Darcy nodded his appreciation before crossing to Elizabeth.

“I believe this is our set, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy announced loud enough for those about them to overhear.

Something like disregard flashed in her eyes, but Darcy schooled his features to remain unconcerned. Mary Bennet whispered something in Elizabeth’s ear, and Elizabeth nodded her understanding.

“There must be some mistake, Mr. Darcy. We shared two sets previously.”

Darcy gave her a slow shake of his head.

“I err often, Miss Elizabeth, but never where sharing your company comes into place. You really must be more aware of your dance card, my dear. If you look at the card, you will clearly note my name for this set.”

“But, we cannot,” Elizabeth protested. “Unless…”

Darcy sensed several in the crowd edging closer so they might hear his exchange with Elizabeth Bennet. He knew many of them were privy to his “not tolerable enough” comment from the Meryton assembly. The onlookers would think his earlier attentions to Elizabeth during the ball were in his role as standing with Bingley for his friend’s nuptials, but no longer. Darcy placed that particular fact from his mind and concentrated upon the expression of hope crossing Elizabeth’s features.

“Unless, we two were engaged,” Darcy finished her thoughts. Swallowing his anxiety, he continued, “You are too generous to trifle with me. If your feelings are still what they were last April, tell me so at once. My affections and wishes remain unchanged, but one word from you will silence me on the subject forever.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. She did not expect such a public proposal. Yet, she remained Darcy’s customarily magnificent opponent.

“Tell me how you know we will suit, Mr. Darcy,” she demanded.

“That is simple, Miss Elizabeth.” His lady regarded him with suspicion. “Some things you see with your eyes. Some things you know with your heart.”

Tears misted Elizabeth’s eyes.

“Why must you always possess the perfect response, Mr. Darcy?”

“I await your answer, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy insisted.

The common awkwardness and anxiety of their situation must have impressed her. With a startled blink, a smile of delight claimed Elizabeth’s lips.

“Very well,” she said with a shift of her shoulders. “I shall not leave you to pubic disdain without joining you in the merriment.” Darcy watched as Elizabeth swallowed her fears. “My sentiments, Sir, have undergone so material a change since the period to which you alluded, as to make me receive with gratitude and pleasure your present assurances.”

Darcy’s lips twisted with wry humor. He elicited a promise from Elizabeth before a crowd of witnesses. Something like embarrassment rippled over her handsome countenance as Darcy extended his hand in her direction, but Elizabeth accepted the symbolic offer.

“Finally,” Darcy whispered as Elizabeth joined him. From the other side of the ballroom, a round of applause accompanied Bingley and Miss Bennet’s entrance to the dance floor, but Darcy thought it could just as easily be meant for him: He won the game and claimed his prize.

The crowd pressed close about them, and Darcy was most uncomfortable by the recognition, but Elizabeth thankfully took pity upon him. She set the mood for their courtship.

“Oh, Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet appeared at Elizabeth’s side. The woman’s famous nerves were all aflutter. “Why did you not…?”

Thankfully, Elizabeth broke through her mother’s effusions.

“No well wishes, Mama,” Darcy’s bride-to-be declared. “There will be time enough for your joyful congratulations when we reach Longbourn. This moment is Jane’s, not mine. Mr. Darcy and I shall gladly wait our turn. Jane is the dearest of sisters, and Mr. Darcy is Mr. Bingley’s most loyal friend. Neither of us wishes to rob our loved ones of the fondest memories of their joining.”

Elizabeth spoke loud enough for those about them to hear her determination. To the few who meant to ignore her caution, she added in firm tones.

“Mr. Darcy and I would take umbrage with anyone who did not accept our wishes.”

Darcy certainly did not object. To no longer be the center of attention pleased him. For a brief moment, he wondered what those who sought his attentions in London would think of his public proposal to Miss Elizabeth. Most would likely term the rumors “impossible” for Darcy held the reputation of a man who kept his cards close.

Elizabeth turned her mother’s shoulders to face the dance floor.

“Is Jane not lovely, Mama? She is the prettiest among us, and the most kind.”

“The prettiest girl in the neighborhood,” Mrs. Bennet declared with pride, and many in the crowd nodded their agreement.

Darcy was of a different mind, but he kept his opinions to himself. Miss Bennet’s beauty was too perfect for Darcy’s tastes. Moreover, the eldest Bennet daughter lacked the depth of character found in
his
Elizabeth.

“All our daughters possess great beauty,” Mr. Bennet said as he joined his wife among the well-wishers. “And they will be excellent stewards of their husbands’ households.”

Mr. Bennet’s eyes misted over, as he looked first upon Miss Bennet and then upon Elizabeth. The removal of the two eldest daughters from his manor left the gentleman visibly moved.

When Bingley motioned his guests to join him, Darcy directed Elizabeth’s steps to the dance floor.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

“For what am I to know your gratitude?” Elizabeth teased with a beguiling smile.

“For making me the happiest of men.” Darcy brought the back of Elizabeth’s hand to his lips.

“Is that all?” Elizabeth’s breath hitched faster.

Darcy set her in the line forming on either side of Bingley and Miss Bennet.

“And for realizing one public spectacle was enough for the evening.” Darcy winked at her as he stepped to the gentleman’s line.

The dancers nodded their heads in time to the music and when the pattern repeated, Bingley raised his hand to gesture their participation, and they each stepped into the form. Darcy and Elizabeth circled each other: Their eyes locked in a loving gaze. Darcy never knew such happiness: He claimed a priceless jewel as his wife to be. The barren pain of desolation would no longer shadow his existence. Of late, Darcy accepted the turmoil gnawing at his insides as love, but now a gentler emotion spread through his chest. The realization of loving Elizabeth Bennet was all that was delightful.

He and Elizabeth parted, and Darcy found himself opposite his sister. It startled him to realize he forgot Georgiana was even among the dancers.

“Your countenance glows with happiness, William,” Georgiana said with a girlish giggle. “You truly love Miss Elizabeth.”

He turned Georgiana in a tight circle.

“Elizabeth is
home
,” Darcy told her. “I have no other means to explain it.”

When the first dance of the set ended, Darcy caught Elizabeth’s hand and tugged her along behind him.

“I must assist Jane,” she declared, but Elizabeth did not resist his machinations. “Where are we going?”

Darcy slowed their steps. He met Elizabeth’s questioning gaze with a smile.

“To the terrace. We have unfinished business.”

“Oh,” she whispered as a flush of color claimed her cheeks.

“Come along,” Darcy announced in firm tones. With a smile, Elizabeth nodded her agreement.

When they reached the shadows of the terrace, Darcy turned Elizabeth into his embrace.

“At last,” he whispered as Darcy caressed the curls framing her face. “I missed you.”

“And I you.” Elizabeth laid her cheek upon Darcy’s chest.

The early autumn night was cool, but when Elizabeth moved into his embrace, Darcy would swear the blackness vibrated warm around them. At length, Elizabeth raised her gaze to meet his. She shivered again, but this time Darcy thought it was from anticipation–from desire–from the knowledge they would step into the future together.

Darcy lowered his head to claim Elizabeth’s mouth. A gentle kiss. Their breaths shared. A kiss to declare his devotion to her. She was the one woman to complete him.

Elizabeth moved closer, clinging to him. Her arms came about Darcy’s neck. Fingers teased the length of his hair. She kissed him back. Tentative at first and then with more boldness. God, but he would live a blessed life with Elizabeth by his side!

Darcy kissed her as he dreamed of doing since those early days at Netherfield. He tasted her for the first time, sliding his tongue along the seam of her lips and delving inside when Elizabeth opened her mouth to him. Darcy tightened his embrace, one hand splayed across the small of her back and the other upon the fall of Elizabeth’s hips.

The scent of lavender filled his senses. Elizabeth was his whole world. Yet, such perfection must occasionally claim a breath of air. The sound of boisterous laughter brought them apart while still clinging to each other. Their hearts pounding in complete accord. Elizabeth appeared dazed, and her breath came in ragged puffs.

Darcy’s eyes stared down upon her upturned countenance; the desire dripped from him. His fingers sought hers, and Elizabeth intertwined their hold.

“I feel I waited a lifetime to know you,” Darcy whispered.

“I feel I always knew you,” Elizabeth admitted.

Her innocent response had Darcy smiling again.

“We should return to the ballroom,” he pronounced with regret. “Even those who are betrothed are not permitted the latitude of intimacies.”

* * *

Elizabeth came close to admitting to Mr. Darcy her dislike for propriety’s restrictions for she despised losing his closeness, but she dutifully followed him to the ballroom. Inside, she assisted her father in gathering her family so they might all return to Longbourn, while Mr. Darcy accepted the well wishes of his sister and cousin. Still tingling from the intensity of Mr. Darcy’s kiss, Elizabeth at first did not notice Kitty sitting upon a small bench in the main foyer.

“Papa says to wait for him here,” Elizabeth said as she settled beside Kitty. Mr. Darcy assured Elizabeth he would call in the morning to escort her to church, and so Elizabeth rejoined her family.

“Does it matter?” Dejection laced Kitty’s tone.

“What is amiss?” Elizabeth implored.

Kitty sighed heavily, her shoulders lifted in resignation.

“Jane will marry and then you. Even Mary holds the prospect of Mr. Grange. Only I will remain at Longbourn, and it is not likely Mama will relinquish all of her daughters. I shall be Mama’s nurse until I am well upon the shelf.”

“Oh, my darling.” Elizabeth laced her arms about Kitty’s shoulders. “Do not permit the blue devils to vex you.”

“I shall be like one of those heroines in a Gothic novel, where the woman is locked in a cell until the hero comes for her. But for me there shall be no such rescue,” Kitty protested.

Elizabeth hid her bemusement. For years, Kitty embraced the dramatics to claim a bit of attention from Lydia.

“If there is a heroine, then there must be a hero. It may take him longer to arrive upon the scene than you would prefer, but trust me dearest one, your hero will arrive when the time is right.” Elizabeth thought of Mr. Darcy and how she was slow to accept the perfection of what he offered.

“No one will even know I am hidden away,” Kitty protested. “Papa says I may not stand up at assemblies unless I stand up with my sisters, but my sisters shall be no where near Longbourn, and who would choose such a dolt to mate?”

Elizabeth did not point out the fact that Netherfield was but three miles from Longbourn and if Mary chose Mr. Grange, the middle Bennet sister would be in Meryton; instead, she attempted to soothe her sister’s doldrums.

“I wish you more happiness than dancing with your sisters. And I would extend an invitation to you to join me and Mr. Darcy at Pemberley.” Elizabeth prayed Mr. Darcy would not object. They had yet to discuss such details. She knew Mr. Darcy would never accept Lydia and Mr. Wickham under his roof, but what of the other Bennets. It would be something Elizabeth must address with the gentleman at the earliest convenience.

“Truly, Lizzy?” Kitty’s features brightened.

“I will require a bit of time to settle in at Pemberley,” Elizabeth cautioned. “Yet, I think you and Miss Darcy would do well together.”

Kitty caught Elizabeth in a tight hug.

“Oh, thank you, Lizzy. You are the best of my sisters!” Happy at last, Kitty insisted, “I shall find Mary. Mr. Grange has had enough of our sister’s time for one evening.”

Watching Kitty skitter away, Elizabeth prayed she did not err in her estimation of Miss Katherine Bennet. She thought it would be to Kitty’s material advantage to spend the chief of her younger sister’s time with her and Jane.  In society so superior to what Kitty generally knew, Kitty’s improvement would be inevitable.

“Kitty is not so ungovernable a temper as Lydia, and, removed from the influence of Lydia’s example, Kitty will have the opportunity to become less irritable, less ignorant, and less insipid,” Elizabeth whispered to the empty foyer. “I should also speak to Papa about keeping Kitty from Lydia’s company, as well as to speak to Jane in assisting Kitty to a better way in society.”

Within the Bennet coach, Elizabeth tolerated her mother’s excesses of “Good gracious! Lord bless me! Only think! Dear me! Mr. Darcy! Who would have thought it? And is it really true? Oh, my sweetest Lizzy! How rich and how great you will be! What pin money, what jewels, what carriages you will have! I am so pleased! So happy! Such a charming man! So handsome! So tall! Oh, my dear Lizzy! Pray apologize for my having disliked him so much before. I hope he will overlook it. Dear, dear Lizzy! A house in Town! Everything that is charming! Three daughters married! Ten thousand a year! O Lord! What will become of me! I shall go distracted!”

No one in Mr. Bennet’s carriage attempted to silence Longbourn’s mistress. They learned long ago to permit Mrs. Bennet her moments. Yet, between the lady’s exclamations, Elizabeth and Jane whispered their hopes of happiness.

“I noticed you and Mr. Darcy disappeared for a few discreet minutes,” Jane teased.

“Do you think others noticed?” Elizabeth asked in alarm.

“No one who would criticize,” Jane assured. “Did you enjoy your first kiss with Mr. Darcy?”

Elizabeth thanked the darkness for hiding the red heat crawling up her neck.

“Did you enjoy your first kiss from Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth countered.

“Very much.” Jane giggled is a manner Elizabeth had not observed in some time. “And you?”

“I did not kiss Mr. Bingley,” she taunted good-naturedly.

“Lizzy!” her sister pronounced in frustration.

A smile tugged at Elizabeth’s lips as the image of Mr. Darcy’s countenance filled her memory.

“Yes, very much. Very much indeed.”

Mr. Bennet crawled into the carriage to sit beside Elizabeth. He laced his fingers with hers. Her marrying Mr. Darcy would take Elizabeth away from her family, and for a moment, Elizabeth fought the urge to call off the engagement so she might remain with those who loved her, but then she thought of the devotion written upon Mr. Darcy’s features; and she knew the gentleman would never permit her to know loneliness again.
And there is the promise of children,
she thought.
A husband. A new sister. And children.
She would know happiness.

* * *

Darcy slipped the local vicar an extra coin so the man would agree to add the first calling of the banns for his and Elizabeth’s joining to the vicar’s third calling of the banns for Bingley and Miss Bennet.

“But the Pemberley vicar does not do the same in Derbyshire,” Elizabeth protested.

“Who says Mr. Winkler does not perform his official duties?”

Darcy winked at her as he placed Elizabeth beside his sister and the colonel on the bench.

“Yet…”

Darcy caught her hand as he sat beside Elizabeth.

“Does it matter, Elizabeth? Your deceptions and my deceptions brought us to this time. I, for one, am glad to claim your affections after all the turmoil.”

Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose in bemusement.