Mr. Darcy Came to Dinner (36 page)

“Neither can you.”

“Very funny. I have received Bingley’s official permission to court his sister, and I will talk to him again after the Season.”

“Aunt Catherine will be displeased.”

“When is Aunt Catherine not displeased? Confounding her is the family sport as you well know.”

Darcy wanted to believe his cousin knew what he was about. “Are you certain about this?”

“You do not know Caroline as I do. True, she is vain and dismissive of those beneath her, but so am I to a certain extent. I can tolerate her blemishes, and I certainly have my faults.” Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled indulgently. “We get along, Darcy. I make her laugh, and that makes her beautiful. We are friends, and that is no bad basis for a marriage, I think. As for her weaker characteristics, I will guide her to better behavior. All it takes is a gentle, firm hand like the stable master back at Matlock. It is rather like breaking a horse.”

“You compare your intended to a horse?”

The colonel laughed. “Not to her face; I am not stupid! But, you must admit there is a certain similarity between horses and wives. Consider that both were made by our Creator for man to ride. Who am I to disparage the Lord?”

Darcy shook his head. His cousin could come up with the strangest ideas! Was it wit or insanity? “You have been spending too much time at your campfires.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam grew serious. “That is another thing. Marriage means I can retire from the king’s service, and I thank God for it, for I am not ashamed to admit I am weary of soldiering.” He turned to the window and looked out into the gathering darkness. “I do not want to spend another cold, wet night around a distant campfire fearing the dawn and wondering whether this will be the battle in which I fall. I long for normalcy — a good house, a soft bed, and an agreeable woman by my side. All my cares behind me.”

He took a long drink from his glass. “For fifteen years I have served king and country. It is past time I retired. I have been searching for a way out, for a woman of fortune who was at least tolerable, without success. Until now. I have finally found that fair and formidable lady, and she is Miss Caroline Bingley. We
will
be happy, Cuz. I am determined.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam continued to stare out of the study window from his chair, and Darcy watched him closely. He began to suspect there was more mutual affection between his cousin and Miss Bingley than Fitz was willing to let on. Finally, Darcy roused himself, stood again, and extended his hand.

“Then I wish you joy in earnest, Fitz. May you find the peace you have earned.”

The colonel leapt to his feet. “Thank you, Darce. I think I shall. Oh, I know Caroline would prefer a title, but joined to the war hero spawn of a titled family is not so bad. I may even wear my red coat on occasion just to delight her.”

“Will she be delighted to learn that your name is Algernon?”

The colonel laughed. “Not until the wedding. Must keep some surprises. Then, when it is too late, she will pledge herself for life to Colonel the Hon. Algernon Richard Henry Fitzwilliam. I hope she does not swoon.”

Darcy chuckled. “Take care not to cut yourself, and you should be safe.”

* * *

By the beginning of the New Year, Elizabeth’s feelings were much in common with Mr. Darcy’s. December flew by with letters and preparations for the holidays and Jane’s wedding. Mr. Bingley’s constant visits were always enjoyable even though his presence could not but remind Elizabeth of the gentleman absent. Still, Christmastide was enjoyable as always.

All that changed as the month grew to an end. The weather had turned snowy, curtailing Elizabeth’s walks. Worse, Jane left on her trousseau-buying expedition to London. But instead of Elizabeth accompanying her dear sister, she was left behind. Mr. Bennet declared he could not do without her, and Mrs. Bennet selected Lydia as Jane’s companion. To the surprise of all, Lydia declined the honor, choosing to stay at Longbourn and attend her dear Miranda. As Mary had no interests in Town, it became Kitty’s happy task to accompany her sister. Elizabeth was left to stew in her disappointment.

Her father tried to explain. “I know you would rather be with Jane and the Gardiners. I am sure Mr. Darcy, once he learned you were in London, would brave even Cheapside to visit Gracechurch Street. At least, I am convinced of it. But in any case, I have heard of nothing these six weeks but wedding and balls and dresses and breakfasts. Allow me to be selfish and enjoy some reasonable company. I am certain it will be a pleasure that I will lose sooner than I would like.”

Elizabeth could make no answer, both from embarrassment over her father’s presumption as well as her resentment of the delay of being in her Fitzwilliam’s most agreeable company until Jane’s wedding.

She poured her disappointment into her next letter, but upon reading it, she decided it was far too
missish
and tossed it into the fire. The replacement was far more sanguine, but a trained eye could easily see the longing between the words.

Still, Elizabeth was not made for misery. She found employment in her daily practice sessions with Mary and developed a closer relationship with her too. By the time an excited and exhausted Jane returned from Town burdened with purchases, Elizabeth could say she loved Mary almost as much as she loved Jane. It was now Elizabeth’s mission to know her younger siblings better, and the month of January passed far more agreeably.

Nevertheless, Elizabeth greeted February with as much anticipation as Jane. The wedding was nigh, and so was Fitzwilliam’s return. Only the weather’s moderation, allowing Elizabeth to resume her long, meandering walks, prevented the girl from losing what sense she still possessed.

She was on such a walk a week before the joyous event, trying to curb her growing impatience over the Darcys’ expected return in the next few days, when she received a great surprise.

Chapter 21

E
LIZABETH WAS WALKING ON
the London Road, returning from Meryton, when she spied a phaeton, top up, heading in her direction. She knew no one in Hertfordshire who owned such a vehicle, so her curiosity was aroused. Other feelings soon followed as it grew closer, for the little carriage was pulled smartly by a matched team of gray ponies, and the woodwork and brass gleamed in the pale winter sun. Only a rich man could own such a conveyance, and Elizabeth knew a very agreeable rich man was due to visit Hertfordshire presently. Could it be that excellent gentleman was before his time?

It was exactly the case, for the carriage was driven by none other than Mr. Darcy. Within moments, the phaeton had come to a stop right before her. “Miss Elizabeth!” he called out, raising his crop in greeting. For Elizabeth’s part, she waved vigorously, a smile spread from ear-to-ear, her heart threatening to burst from her chest.

With anxiety and excitement, Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy eased himself down. His leg, now free of splints, was still weak, and Elizabeth feared it would buckle under the strain. She rushed to assist the gentleman, but he waved her off, retrieving a cane which he used to good effect, supporting his tall frame.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he greeted her again. “Forgive me for not bowing, but I do not believe that I would recover from the exercise.” He said this with such gravity that Elizabeth was unsure whether the man was serious or not. “I see that Cassandra is not with you,” he observed.

“No,” Elizabeth said, not yet composed enough to speak words of more than one syllable. She wrung her hands, unable to keep them still in her happiness.

“Pity. I believe I was well prepared for her this time.” Mr. Darcy indicated the carriage.

Elizabeth, quickly becoming expert in the small alterations of his expression, could see the slight upturn of the corners of his mouth and the twinkling in his dark eyes. He was jesting with her! He stood as tall as he always had, yet there was something different: a relaxation along with nervous excitement.

It was left for Mr. Darcy to carry the conversation. “I hope I find you well.”

“Oh! Yes, I am in excellent health! As is all of my family.” Elizabeth remembered her manners. “You are very welcome to Longbourn, sir. Your sister — is she well?”

“She is.” He smiled. “I must confess I am already acquainted with your family’s good health. I am just come from calling on them with Georgiana. She remains there, but Miss Bennet was good enough to mention that you had gone for a walk.”

Good, loving, thoughtful Jane! Elizabeth would love her forever! “Yes. I would ask you to join me, but your leg — can you — ”

“Mr. Macmillan is very happy with the progress I have made and instructs me to exercise whenever I can. I believe a short walk is not beyond me.”

Elizabeth waited nervously while Mr. Darcy secured the team’s reins to a branch. The two then moved off at a slow pace, Mr. Darcy’s limp quite pronounced. Elizabeth was very aware of his presence. It almost overwhelmed her, in fact. How heartily did she grieve over every saucy speech she had directed towards him. She was satisfied just to remain in his company and share a quiet stroll.

Apparently, Mr. Darcy was of a different mind, for after a few minutes of walking he declared, “Miss Elizabeth, it is well that I find you thus, for I desire some privacy. I must speak to you if you will do me the honor of giving me a few moments of your time. I could not speak before, confined to a chair. But I am not in a chair now, and I can no longer go on in silence!”

This declaration caused Elizabeth to stumble, and Mr. Darcy reached out to steady her. Elizabeth laughingly accepted his gallantry. “It would serve me right to fall on my face after everything I have said and done to you since we met, but I am well.” Their progress stopped, she turned to face him. “In fact, I have never been as well as I am this very moment. Please, sir, speak on. I would be happy to hear whatever you have to say.”

Carefully balancing himself on his legs, Mr. Darcy took her hands in his, the crook of his cane secured over his arm. “I know I have been an indifferent lover, despite the fact that my preference and affection for you knows no bounds. I have been so engrossed in my own feelings that I have failed to make them clear to you. In my foolishness, I took your wishes for granted, an insufferable presumption on my part. This I vow never to do again. But the only way I can prove this new resolution to you is through my future actions. I will not hide from the world but let it know my intentions — let society see how I love and respect the woman I hope one day to make my wife.

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. I would consider it a great honor if you would permit me to ask your father’s permission for a formal courtship.” He bit his lip in anticipation.

Elizabeth was silent as she took in the full weight of his words. He loved her, and she knew that she loved him. Her face glowed as a dazzling smile broke out.

“Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, I can think of nothing I enjoy more than your company. You may speak to my father, and I will anticipate your calls with every regard.”

A whirlwind of emotions danced across Mr. Darcy’s face, now more dear to Elizabeth than anything in the world. He brought her hands to his lips and kissed them, not lightly and daintily as young ladies are taught to expect, but with all the passion a man violently in love might express.

“Dearest, loveliest Elizabeth! May I call you Elizabeth?”

Almost choked with love, she could hardly look him in the face. “Yes, you may . . . Fitzwilliam.”

His hands grew tight on hers, and Elizabeth watched as his eyes studied her lips. She could not know how much Fitzwilliam wanted to kiss her; she only knew how much she wantonly wanted him to. But both were creatures of good breeding, so instead, Elizabeth moved to Fitzwilliam’s hurt left side, wrapped her arm around his left, and moved as close as she could.

“You would take the place of my cane?” He smiled.

Her eyebrows rose, a sure sign of teasing. “I believe I can serve
tolerably
.”

His bark of laughter brought on hers, and they returned to the carriage in the highest spirits. Ascending into the phaeton caused Elizabeth a bit of anxiety, for Fitzwilliam would not hear of her helping him, and he stubbornly insisted on holding her hand while she climbed into the vehicle. It was a small carriage, built low to the ground, and Elizabeth was relieved to see that her suitor had little difficulty joining her after untying the horses.

Fitzwilliam noticed her distress. “I have been practicing,” he admitted. “It would not do for me to be helpless when I so wanted to impress you.”

She laughed. “You have mistaken the situation completely! Do you not know that little engages the heart of a young lady more than her favorite needing her assistance? You have missed an opportunity, sir!”

He playfully asked, “Do you need to pity me, Elizabeth?”

She looked at him coyly from under her lashes. “No, sir. I do not pity you — not at all.”

Fitzwilliam grinned and expertly guided the carriage down the lane. Elizabeth, seating herself closer to him than propriety allowed, could feel the warmth of his body through her winter clothing. It was a bright, crisp day, made all the more glorious by their understanding, and Elizabeth was in no hurry to return to Longbourn.