Imperative: Volume 1, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (26 page)

“You had your chance on several occasions.”  Elizabeth sighed and he laughed softly, “I will stop teasing, although at the time it broke my spirit to be denied.  Tell me why I would amuse you?”  He smiled at her sad expression and nudged her gently.  “Do you think me too stiff for such frivolity?”

“Ohh to see you be frivolous!”  She revived and laughed.  “I cannot imagine it.”

“Just wait until we are at last alone, and I may be myself with you.”  Darcy stood across from her and waited for their turn.  “Then perhaps you will appreciate me.”

“I do already, but I must say that I am all curiosity now.”  They came together and held hands to perform a slow turn.  “Tell me about this wild man you keep hidden away; is he your true self?  Does he battle bears unarmed?”

“Bears?”  He laughed.  “No.”

“Any wildlife?”

“The occasional buck, will that do?”

“No.  Not unless he is charging you.”  He groaned and she smiled.  “I barely know you.  I think that I have made out your character, though, and it is very good.”

“Bless your excellent perception.” 

“But your true personality . . .”

“I hope that you will not attempt to sketch it now, when our lives are so unsettled.”  He drew away and they waited as their turn came for the next movement.  “I hope to spend many years discovering yours.”  They received the cue in the music and took up each other’s hands once again.

“Mr. Darcy . . .” His brow rose and she shook her head, “No sir, we are in public.”

“Very well.”  He sighed.

“I have discovered something.”

“And?”

“When you are in the company of someone you trust and care for, you are able to speak quite well.”  She smiled when he looked shyly away.  “Unless it is about . . .” She parted from him.

“About?”

Shaking her head, she looked at her feet.  “I dare not say.”

They came together and he studied her, and understanding came to his eyes, and they warmed.  “About feelings and opinions that should be expressed in private, that is when I am a blithering fool?”

“Yes.”  She laughed and looked at his hands grasping hers tightly.  “I rather like that fool.” 

“I hope so; I do not know him at all, so I cannot say that he improves upon acquaintance.”  The song ended and they parted once more to opposite sides of the line and waited for the next, watching each other and listening to the conversation swirling around them.  Both blushed when they heard their names and the speculation attached to them.  Elizabeth heard at least one mention of a baby in the offing and Darcy heard it as well.  His hands clenched when he heard another voicing the thoughts of what might have happened during Elizabeth’s visit to Netherfield that earned her such a fine wedding gift of the emeralds.

The music began again and immediately they sought each other’s hands.  She spoke softly, “I cannot bear this staring.  I thought it was bad in church, but now, they are free to mill about and speculate openly.” 

“They are jealous.”  Darcy whispered urgently and tightened his grip.  “Remember, you said so.”

She met his eyes.  “I know my reason for saying that, may I ask yours?”

“I have secured the loveliest of the Bennet sisters.” 

“Secured.”  She blushed and looked down; her confidence in the evening had been shaken.  “That is the word, sir.” 

“Just as you captured me, remember?”  He smiled a little and tried to catch her eye.  “Knowing what you do now, do you mind so very much?” 

“I would still say yes.”  Their eyes met as they parted, and the conversation faded away.  They were alone once more. 

“Let us marry.”

“We are, in four days.” 

“Today.  Now.”

“Pardon?”  Elizabeth’s mouth opened in surprise.

“The settlement is signed.  I have the special license upstairs; we can marry in any location at any time of day.”  He looked around.  “There is Mr. Collins . . .”

Her spirit rose once again.  “Oh no, I will not have Mr. Collins marry us!”

Darcy’s eyes crinkled.  “Very well, Mr. Pierson is across the room.  Come and marry me.  Marry me here before all of these nosy hens.  Quiet them in the most fantastic way possible.”

“You are mad!”  Elizabeth laughed.  “Is not a fortnight short enough time for this courtship and engagement?”

“As far as I am concerned we have been courting since the moment we met.”  His head tilted. “What were your first thoughts of me?”  She blushed and shook her head.  “You cannot possibly be shy.”

“Of course I can.”   She looked at him defiantly.

“I do not believe a word of it.”  Darcy said sternly.

“You should smile more often, it is most becoming.”

“I believe that I have never smiled so much since I met you.” 

“I have never been so exasperated since I met you.”  Elizabeth laughed. 

“Why delay?  Let us marry now.”  He urged.  “Come, please.”

“No.”  She lifted her chin.  “I am not yours yet.  In four days I will be another possession . . .”

“Please do not say that.”  He said softly.

“It is the truth, look at how you disliked your cousins’ attention.”  She looked at him as they parted again and went to take the hands of other partners.  Darcy’s lips pursed together and he saw Richard and Samuel’s close observation.

“That was not why I held you as I did.”  He whispered when they found each other again.

“Why then?”  She demanded and he shook his head.  Elizabeth saw him glance to the side and noticed Samuel’s smile of appreciation but focussed on Richard’s clearly deeper observation.  “Oh . . . he is judging me!”   Suddenly the reality struck her.  The gossip of Meryton was meaningless, she was leaving this place forever.  It was her new life in a new world that was important now.

“Sometimes you are far too quick.”  Darcy took her hands as they turned and squeezed hard as her expressive eyes showed the anxiety she was feeling.  “I have no doubts. 
None
.”

“But he can make things more difficult with your family!  I thought he was the supportive one!  Why does he watch?  You chose me, is that not enough?  Your other cousin holds you in high esteem, does not this one?”

“I hope so, I certainly esteem him.  He supports us both.  Do not fear him.”  Darcy smiled encouragingly.  “Dearest Elizabeth, please, I know that you are frightened, but please trust me.” 

“I do.”  Her eyes were welling up.  “But I do not know what he wants . . . oh . . . oh . . .”  She heard Lydia’s raucous laughter, saw her mother speaking loudly of Mr. Bingley near Richard, watched her father laughing at Kitty tipsy and leaning on a soldier, and watched as Mr. Collins looked purposely down Mary’s dress.  Her gaze went back to Richard and she saw his distaste.  “Oh no . . .” Richard’s eyes fell on her and her hand went to her mouth.  “My family . . .”

“I do not care.”  Darcy said urgently as the evening seemed to be falling apart around them once again.

“What will he tell your aunts and uncles?”  She demanded.

“It does not matter.” He spoke with conviction.  “I am marrying you, not your family.  I am marrying you.”  The music ended and they stood across from each other.  He did not bow, she did not curtsey and when the dancers began to move off, they remained still.  Their gazes were locked and had they been alone, there is no doubt that they would be in each other’s arms. 

“It is just so much so fast.” 

“Too much?” 

“I do not know.”  Elizabeth swallowed.  “I am losing my confidence.”

Darcy crossed the divide between them and took her hands in his.  “How may I bring it back?  I need yours to strengthen mine.” 

“You lack confidence in me?”  She looked to their entwined hands and watched his thumb caressing over hers.  The simple, reassuring touch was all he could give, but all that was needed.  He felt her relax.

“No, dear Elizabeth.”  He kissed her hand.  “I need the confidence that I am worthy of you.”  Their eyes once again met, unspoken feelings were exchanged, and promises were made.  Samuel approached and cleared his throat.  “I give you up for now.”  Darcy bowed and let go.  “But only for a dance.”

Chapter 9

“W
hat news have you?”  Judge Darcy looked expectantly at the former soldier who stood before his desk.  “Any sign of him?”

“No, sir.”  The man stood at ease with his hands behind his back.  “We have covered about a quarter of the city; the colonel indicated that he had funds, so we started with the more pleasant establishments.  Tonight we will advance to the seamier side of Town.”

“From experience I would say that is where you will find him, not in the gutter, but not at the top where he is more noticeable.”

“Undoubtedly you are correct.”  He laughed.  “I imagine you run across all sorts in your courtroom.”

“Indeed.”  He mused and rubbed his chin.

“It was easy enough to find Mrs. Younge’s establishment.  Rather a shock to find she had been murdered just yesterday.”

“Quite a disturbing coincidence.”  The judge murmured.  “No word on how or why?”

“How, strangulation.  Why?”  He shrugged.  “Who knows, the till box was empty, but some patron likely took advantage.  We asked around, no sign of someone fitting Wickham’s description, pure chance, I’d say.”

“Pity, she was handsome, I remember, in a cheap way.”

“Yes, there was some evidence of her . . .” He cleared his throat, “Enjoying herself before . . .”

“Oh?”  The judge’s brows rose.  “A rape and murder?”

“No, this seemed voluntary.” 

“So someone she knew.”  He rubbed his chin again.  “Hmm.  Well, as you say, it likely was not Wickham; some other business of hers.  It seems that Colonel Fitzwilliam was correct; using her name was a ruse to send us in a different direction.  I am sure that Wickham is in the city, a man like that makes his fortune from those he can use, and they are in abundance here.”  He opened a drawer and handed him some money.  “Carry on.”

The man smiled and saluted him.  “I will report tomorrow.  Shall I send word to the colonel, sir?”

“No, no.  No need for that, I will let him know.  I am in charge while he is away.”  He glanced at the clock.  “I imagine he is in the midst of a dance with a lovely lady just now.” 

“Lucky man.”  He nodded his head and pocketed the cash.  “Good night, sir.” 

Judge Darcy nodded and watched him depart, then picked up a glass and took a long sip.  “‘Ye have heard hath it been said, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’”

“MR. DARCY, ELIZA!”  Sir William approached the dancing couple and clapped his hands.  “I just had to say how well you look together!  What a pity it is that you are marrying so soon!”  

Darcy’s deep sigh was fortunately covered by the sound of clapping as the song ended.  Elizabeth pinched his arm and pasted on a smile.  “A pity?”

“Why yes!  Do not upbraid me with your eyes, my dear!  I know of the gossip you have had to endure these past weeks, undoubtedly you are most anxious to move away from us and to Mr. Darcy’s estate far away!”  He beamed and looked from one silent person to another.  “Yes . . . well . . . Perhaps you will soon return to our neighbourhood to join in celebrating another most desirable event?”  He indicated Bingley dancing with Jane, talking animatedly while she listened with a smile.  He again looked between them and cleared his throat.  “Well, I am surely in your way, the music is beginning . . .”

“Thank you, Sir William.”  The man bustled off.  Elizabeth sighed and felt a little pinch from Darcy.  “Ow!”

He shot her a look and lifted his chin to scan the room as they began to dance the second set of the supper dance.  “What is your opinion of Sir William’s opinion?”

“I do not know.  Mama determined that Mr. Bingley is a single man in want of a wife and that wife was Jane.  Mind you this was before she had ever met the man.”  Darcy’s eyes rolled and she laughed.  “How many mamas have thought the same of you when you entered their neighbourhood?”

“Too many to count.”  He murmured and watched Jane, looking for any sign of attachment to Bingley at all, or at least enjoyment of his company, and he started with Elizabeth’s quiet question. 

“Have there really been so many?” 

“Many?”  Darcy’s brow creased.

“Others.”  Elizabeth sighed.  “Ladies.”

“For Bingley?  Well I suppose he has had quite a fair share, look at him, he is quite the social butterfly . . .”

“YOU Fitzwilliam, how many have
you
batted away?”  Her eyes flashed and he blushed, then the slow smile reappeared.  “I am not jealous, I am curious.”

“I see.”  He glanced at her and bit his lip, holding back the chuckle that her possessive glare inspired.  “Think of it this way, there are roughly ten thousand members of society.  How many of those are mothers, and how many of them have daughters of marriageable age?” 

“Oh.”  She looked at her mother fussing over Mary and her sister loving the rare attention.  “So you have been quite busy?”

“No.  Being an object of attention does not translate to actively seeking it.”  Elizabeth took his arm and they smiled into each other’s eyes as they executed a slow turn.  “Do you feel better?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me, why were you upset?”  His head tilted.

“I am not sure.”  Elizabeth blushed and Darcy squeezed her hand.  “I cannot name the reason.”

“When you can, promise that you will tell me.”  The music came to an end and they stood still, facing each other while all around them people began to move off to eat.  At last Darcy offered her his arm, and attempted to break through the faraway look in her eyes.  “I think that we are both feeling better.  That was a wonderful dance.”  He smiled to see her returning from her contemplation, and helped her into a chair in the supper room.  Speaking to her ear he whispered, “We are working towards a common goal.”

“I hope so.”  She watched him take his seat and leaned to his shoulder.  “Please forgive me for everything tonight.  I wanted it to be perfect and did not consider anyone else’s behaviour but our own.  I have been so overwhelmed that I am forgetting your worries . . .”

“My worries are for the moment unable to be addressed, they are far away.  My relief is your smile.”  He was pleased to see contentment and reached for her hand beneath the table.  “I am very uncomfortable in these surroundings, so please forgive me my moments of . . . well, you know what I do by now.”