Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (138 page)

“Fitzwilliam Darcy.”  She said sternly.

“Onward!”  He murmured to her ear.

They entered the theatre lobby and Darcy purchased their tickets, looking at her apologetically for having to do so, and this time she understood why.  All around them were people.  And a great many of them were looking at the Darcys.

“It is as if they were waiting for us, so much for your optimistic view.”  Elizabeth whispered and held Darcy’s arm.  He placed his hand over hers and gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze.  “My goodness, they all look so rich!”  A soft snort from just above her head drew her eyes upwards.  “Did I say something?”

“Oh no.  Not at all.”   He saw her confusion and was forced once again to remind himself that she was still so innocent.  His protective instincts rose.

“Darcy, good heavens it is a pleasure to see you!”  A man of about Darcy’s age hurried up to them.  “I heard you had died!”

“Obviously not.”  He sighed and looked to Elizabeth.  “Dearest, this is Rupert Whisner, a classmate of mine.  Whisner, my dear wife, Elizabeth.”

“Mrs. Darcy.  You are the lucky woman who captured my reticent friend.  Good for you.”  He bowed and straightening, spoke in a low, serious tone.  “I say, Darcy, I had to run up here and play the fool.  I just wanted to give you fair warning, the ladies have been primed for your arrival.  Everyone wants a look at your bride.”  He shook his head at Elizabeth.  “I am sorry Mrs. Darcy, but I daresay you know what ladies are when they are in a mood.”

“In a mood, sir?”  She cocked her head.  “Oh yes, I daresay that I do.” 

Darcy could feel confidence rising in her.  “So who especially do we need to avoid?”

“Avoid?  I do not think so, Mr. Darcy.  Point me to them, Mr. Whisner.” 

“Take your pick, Mrs. Darcy.”  He smiled and looked to his friend.  “Darcy, good God, man!   Are you
smiling
?”

“I daresay I am.”   His friend bustled off to cry that bit of fantastic news and Darcy looked down at Elizabeth as they started up the stairs to their box.  “Dearest, we are here to enjoy the performance, not to put one on.  You need do nothing other than be yourself.”

“I know.  He just got my back up and you know what happens when I am nervous.” 

“But you are with me, now.  You know that I will not allow anyone to cause you harm.  I dearly want to enjoy this evening with you.  If they wish to gawk, let them, but my primary goal is to see you happy.”  He saw another blush creeping up her face and he raised her fingers to his lips. 

“Are we the only ones here not posturing for one reason or another?”

“hmm.”  He looked around and lifted his chin.  “No, I would say that gentleman there has no reason to put on a show.” 

They had nearly reached their box and Bingley strolled over to them.  “Here you are at last, the show within the show.  I was just watching a young woman watching you, Darcy.  It reminds me vaguely of a sister of mine.”  He laughed and slapped his friend’s shoulder.  “I am teasing you.   Word got around about your accident and I can see surreptitious glances being sent your way from all over.”

“Who spread
that
news?”  Darcy demanded.

“I could not say, but they know of Elizabeth’s role as well.  In fact, they are shockingly well-informed.  I learned a few new things myself.  Did you truly murder three highwaymen with your bare hands while rescuing your wife from their grips, and cry out your never-ending love to her as you fell over the cliff?”  Bingley laughed as Darcy gaped and Elizabeth stood with her hand pressed to her mouth.  “I promise you, my friend, it was not from my lips although as a recognized crony of yours, I have been approached numerous times to provide confirmation, and, better yet, the gruesome details.”  Missing their dismay, he rubbed his hands together.  “What else shall we add?  You know that the ladies would be happily scandalized to learn of your state of undress?” 

“Mr. Bingley!”  Elizabeth gasped and Darcy slipped his arm around her waist protectively.

“This is not a joking matter.  I find absolutely nothing amusing in the levity directed at our near tragedy.  How can they even joke?  I certainly have not spoken of it!  Richard is not here, is he?”  Darcy looked around angrily.

Bingley’s smile was wiped away in a flash.  “I am so sorry, Darcy.  It was all so ridiculous as to be laughable, but of course at the root of it lays the truth.   No, I have seen no blue coat containing the colonel.  Lord Matlock, perhaps?” 

Calming, Darcy shook his head and rubbed Elizabeth’s back.  “No, no, with Parliament shut down due to the fog, he decided to feel his way out of London and make his way to Matlock a few days early.  He has probably collected Aunt Helen and Cathy by now and they are on their way back.” 

“Well, that ends that theory.  Most of it is embellishment, but the basic story
is
there, and they knew
you
would be here, that is certain.  But of course you are not the object of attention anymore; the ladies are far more interested in staring at your wife than you now.  Do you care to hear what they are saying?”

“Not particularly.” 

“What are they saying?”  Elizabeth asked.

“How remarkably svelte your dear wife is.”  He smiled and his heart sank when not even that brought a laugh.

“Well, that is one lie ended.”  Darcy looked at Elizabeth and she smiled sadly.  He rubbed his thumb over her ring.  “What is left?”

“Darcy!”  They jumped and an odd hush seemed to come over the people milling about the area outside of the boxes.

“Aunt Catherine.”  Darcy immediately masked his surprise and bowed his head.  

“Mrs. Darcy.”  Her critical eye swept over her.  “You look particularly fine this evening.” 

“Thank you, Lady Catherine, you are quite handsome yourself.”  Elizabeth watched her, not entirely certain where the conversation would lead.

“I appear as a woman of my age should.  I do not attempt to appear younger than my years like some.”  She cast her eye around the crowd and knowing she was the centre of attention, she turned back to Elizabeth.  “It is no small wonder that my nephew was attracted to you, your beauty contains no artifice.  I see no need for you to apply potions and creams to your skin to achieve what you have simply by breathing.  You have not that sallow look of girls who never step outside to their gardens and you take exercise, so you are strong.  That is something to admire, Mrs. Darcy.”

“Thank you, I am pleased to have one quality that meets your approval.”  Elizabeth spoke clearly, but did not raise her voice. 

“I do not simply judge you on the quality of your looks.  You have proven yourself through your actions as worthy of your position and are . . . a laudable successor to my sister as Mistress of Pemberley.” 

“So it seems that the shades of Pemberley remain as pure as they ever were.”  She raised one brow and met the harridan’s steely gaze.  “I am glad to know that, Lady Catherine.”

“I thought that we agreed that you are to address me as Aunt.”

“I only wish to give you the respect you deserve as my husband’s relative.  However if I am to address you as Aunt, then I hope you will address me as Elizabeth.”  

Lady Catherine nodded and turned back to Darcy.  “You have a very fine wife, Darcy.  You have chosen the woman best suited to your needs.” 

Darcy paused for a few moments as he considered the woman before him.  He knew that this was her way of apologizing, and he now knew the source of the stories of the accident swirling around the theatre.  He spoke softly.  Unlike his aunt, he felt no need to display his emotion or assure that his words were heard beyond the circle where he stood.  “I am well-aware of that, Aunt, and thankfully I did not allow any others to influence my decision to marry.  And the more that I learn of my parents’ plans for my future, the gladder I am that I was permitted to choose with both my heart and my head.  While I abhor any exposure of my or my family’s business in this manner, I am satisfied with this abstract apology that you have tendered, and that you at last acknowledge the truth of how outstanding my dear wife is as publicly as you once so vocally condemned her.  I expect that you will continue your good works, even in our absence?”

Darcy’s brows rose expectantly and he fixed his unrelenting gaze upon Lady Catherine.  She managed to hold it for a full five seconds before she blinked.  “Of course.” 

“Good.”  Darcy nodded and taking Elizabeth’s hand in his indicated to all that the display was over.  Gradually the volume of the surrounding conversation rose to their previous levels and the crowds began milling around again.

Bingley puffed his cheeks and finally blew out the breath he had been holding, and of course instantly attracted Lady Catherine’s attention.  “You are Mr. Bingley.”

His eyes widened.  “I am, madam.”

“Your sister is in dire need of a new modiste.  She will never find a husband if she continues to dress as an actress.  I have told Miss Bingley this.”

“Yes, madam, I . . . I understand that you met just recently at Darcy House . . . I am certain that she will take your advice to heart.”  He bowed and was grateful that after a head to toe examination, she apparently found nothing wanting in him. 

“You are to marry my niece’s sister?”

He looked quickly to Elizabeth and saw her eyes look heavenwards.  “Yes, Lady Catherine.” 

“Marry quickly, there is no need to dilly dally.”

Darcy groaned softly.  Elizabeth could not hold back and pressing her hand to her mouth, she laughed.  When the eyes turned to her, she shrugged.  “I can only admire how you strive to be useful at every turn, Aunt Catherine.” 

Fortunately, a gong sounded at that moment signalling the beginning of the play was imminent.  Darcy closed his eyes briefly and drawing up every remaining ounce of civility he possessed, addressed the formidable woman.  “Will you join us, Aunt?”

“I will remain for the first act.  I do not have the time to waste on these frivolous affairs.”  She sniffed, and spoke in her usual strident tone.  “After all, my daughter is to be engaged to a viscount.  It is unnecessary to seek out others for her.”  Nodding her head, she swept away to the door.  “Are you coming?” 

“We will be right there, Aunt.”  Elizabeth called.

“Good Lord.”  Darcy closed his eyes.   Elizabeth took his hand and squeezed hard.  “Dearest, how can I ever apologize for my aunt?  If I had any idea that she would appear . . .”

“She probably just did more to retrieve my reputation than a year’s worth of appearances at balls could do.”  She leaned on his arm.  “Too bad that she is the one who ruined it in the first place.”   

“I am so sorry, Lizzy.” 

“You are wonderful.”  She smiled.  “I loved your speech.” 

“I found my tongue.’  He smiled shyly and looked around to see that the hallway was empty.  “Well, shall we go and join her?  At least we know that we can enjoy the play after she has left.”  Elizabeth laughed and he turned to Bingley. “Will you join us?” 

“No, I have my own apparently poorly dressed family to sit with.”  He laughed.  “Go on, you and Mrs. Darcy deserve a pleasant evening, even if the opera glasses are trained upon you, and you have some company for a bit.” 

“I think that you may call me Elizabeth now, Charles.”  She opened her reticule and handed him the note she had written along with a letter for her father.  “As we are almost siblings.” 

“If I do not dilly dally.”  Bingley tucked the letters into his coat.  “I shall deliver these tomorrow, along with the warehouse full of gifts you have charged me to present to your sister.”  Darcy chuckled and looked at her fondly.

“Thank you.”  She stood up on her toes and kissed his cheek.  “That is for my sister and for you on your wedding day.” 

“Ah, a better gift I cannot imagine.”  Bingley beamed and turned to Darcy.  “I would tell you to take care of her, but then I know you likely have a dagger in your pocket and are ready to take down any who threaten her well-being.”

“Including forward brothers.”  He said sternly and held out his hand with a smile.  “Good luck and a long and happy life to you both, whenever you decide to marry.  I will see you . . . when I can.” 

“Take care, friend.”  Bingley waved and pointed to the box as he hurried down the steps.  “Go on, the lights are out.  I have no doubt that you are dying to take advantage.” 

“Are you?”  Elizabeth whispered. 

Darcy took her hand and they entered the blessedly darkened box.  “After that wonderful entrance, what do you think?  Come on dear, let us see if we can hold on for one act.”

She stood up on her toes and spoke softly in his ear, “Somehow, I do not think that will be a problem.  Knowing Lady Catherine, she will be sitting between us.  Heaven forbid we harm her sensibilities!” 

Smiling, Darcy whispered in return, “Is that a challenge, Mrs. Darcy?”

“Darcy!  Elizabeth!  Stop this incessant lovemaking and sit down!”  

Elizabeth’s hand went to her mouth and Darcy’s shoulders shook in silent laughter at the sound of their aunt’s barely whispered command.  “Yes, Aunt.”  He spoke softly as he kissed Elizabeth.  “We are coming.”

“DO YOU KNOW WHAT TODAY IS?”  Darcy kissed the top of Elizabeth’s head.  She was curled on her side, her head resting over his still pounding heart, safe within his arms. 

“Valentine’s Day.”

“You are my first and last Valentine.”  He murmured. 

Elizabeth lifted her head from his chest and caressing the soft hair on his cheek, kissed him.  “I cannot think of any verse that compares to that, nor one that could possibly make me as happy.” 

“I love you.”

She laughed and held his smiling face in her hands.  “Now you are flaunting your golden tongue.” 

“I think that I do best when I keep things simple.”  He lovingly combed his fingers through her hair. 

“I love you, Will.  Be mine.”

“That is the easiest request I have ever heard.”  His lips parted and he drew her forward to kiss her softly, and closing his eyes, tucked her back into his embrace.  “Do you remember nine weeks ago, we talked about this date?”

“Yes.  We foolishly thought that we could remain celibate until now.”  Elizabeth caressed her hand over his hip.  “How naive I was.”