The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (15 page)

“Precisely, Miss Bennet. One such man is Mr. Thomas Bradenton, of Bedfordshire.
His aunt, Mrs. Braebury, is an old friend of mine and speaks quite highly of
him. He is the younger son of her youngest brother. He is not as handsome as
Sir Malcolm, but they can’t all be, now can they?” 
Elizabeth wondered when Sir Malcolm had become the scale against which every
man was measured, but Lady Matlock just continued down her list.
“Mr. Alfred Kirkland. He is the third son of Mr. George Kirkland. His mother
and I served on a charity board together. He is a barrister, and lives here in
town. His mother has hinted that should he marry, they would purchase him a
house. He is quite his mother’s favorite.” 
And so she went down the list, until Elizabeth was so confused, she couldn’t
remember who was a barrister or a navy captain, let alone who was the son of
whom. 
“I see why you have this written down, Lady Matlock. It is quite overwhelming!”
Lady Matlock just smiled and patted her hand, and, after tea, she took her
leave.
Despite her earlier protestations, Elizabeth had enjoyed herself. It was rather
like an elaborate game. Meet Mr. Worthing of Oxfordshire, 3,000 a year and a
house in town. Mr. Swanson of Bristol, a little older, but very kind. She
laughed a little at herself and shook her head. As much as she hated to admit
it, she was rooting for Sir Malcolm. 

Chapter
12

Sunday morning dawned dark and raining, thunder booming loudly outside the
windows; all knew making their way to church was out of the question in such
weather. 
Georgiana snuck into Elizabeth’s room early and requested they order a tray and
eat together in their dressing gowns, something one of the girls she knew from
school had told her she did with her sisters on rainy days. Elizabeth was happy
to oblige, but had to admit to a slight twinge at the idea of missing breakfast
with Mr. Darcy, something that had become a regular and welcome occurrence in
her day. 
They drank tea and ate toast with jam in the comfort of Elizabeth’s chambers
and their warm winter dressing gowns, giggling about nothing and everything at
once. They talked of the ball and what they would wear and how they would fix
their hair, and what they thought all the other ladies would wear, and how
their hair would be fixed. They eventually moved on to who would be there and
Elizabeth thought this was a perfect time to ask about Mr. Bingley. 
“Georgiana, do you know if Mr. Bingley will be at the ball?”
“I am not certain, but I do not think so. Lady Matlock has rarely met him here
and she did not know his parents. Most of the people at her balls have known
our family for more than one generation. That’s part of what makes them so
exclusive,” she said with her nose in the air and a mocking voice, causing
Elizabeth to laugh lightly. “Why do you ask?”
“I have not seen him at all while I’ve been here and I wish to renew the
acquaintance, that is all.”
“Shall I send a greeting through Miss Bingley next time she calls? She will
probably come the day after the ball to ask me all about it.” 
“No, not Miss Bingley, but if you see Mr. Bingley directly, please give him the
heartfelt greetings of the entire Bennet family, and let him know that my
sister and I hope to see him while we are in town.” 
Eventually they dressed and went downstairs, Georgiana to the music room and
Elizabeth to the library. When she entered the warm space, her eyes flew to the
door she knew connected to Darcy’s study. Surprisingly, it was open. She walked
slowly toward it and gingerly stepped into the doorway, careful not to go too far.
Seeing no one at the large desk, she looked to the fire and saw no one there
either. 
She was about to head back into the library when she heard a murmur. Oddly, it
almost sounded like her name, but she couldn’t be sure. She looked toward the
sound and for the first time noticed something hanging off the end of the small
sofa facing the fire; it was a rather large foot. 
Curiosity getting the better of her, she walked into the room and approached
the fireplace. When she was a few feet away from the sofa, she craned her neck
forward, and found Mr. Darcy sound asleep.
She had never seen a man asleep before, except for her father, and that was
years ago when she was a little girl. She found herself once again wishing she
had a brother so these things wouldn’t seem so mysterious and stepped a little
closer. The light from the fire was flickering across his face, which was more
relaxed than she had ever seen it. He looked so peaceful, not formidable or
proud or any of the other words she usually used to describe him. 
A lock of hair had fallen casually across his forehead and his coat was
unbuttoned, made more noticeable by the regular rise and fall of his chest. How
disheveled and harmless he appeared! And almost endearing… Elizabeth stood
watching him a few moments more, knowing she was intruding on his privacy, but
not quite able to make herself leave. 
Suddenly he shifted and made a murmuring sound, and she hastily made her way to
the library.
Darcy had waited in the breakfast parlor for Elizabeth to come down, and when
she hadn’t made an appearance, he had begun to worry if she was ill. He had
finally asked Hawkins if Miss Darcy was still sleeping and was informed that
she and Miss Bennet were sharing a tray in her chambers. Relieved she was not
ill, and slightly annoyed she had elected to eat without him, he had gone to
his study in an attempt to be productive. 
He had slept fretfully the night before, awakening in the middle of the night
after a particularly stimulating dream, and had been unable to fall back asleep
for several hours. After reading the same letter three times without
comprehending a word of it, he decided to lie down and attempt to relax his
overactive mind. Hoping Elizabeth would head to the library, as she usually did
when she wasn’t calling on her aunt, he had left the adjoining door open so
that he might hear her when she came in.
He had unwittingly fallen asleep and was now in the midst of his favorite
dream, only instead of finding Elizabeth in the drawing room at Netherfield,
she was in the library in his townhouse. When he kissed and held her, she
whispered his name sweetly and he closed his eyes in contentment. 
A few minutes later he awakened and was surprised to find himself in his study.
Remembering his purpose, he looked toward the open door and listened carefully.
Hearing nothing, he glanced at the clock and thought it was past time when she
should have come down.
Darcy tensely rose and went to stand in the open doorway, looking around the
library in agitation. As soon as he saw her, he felt the tension leave his body
and warmth fill its place. She was standing across the room, her back to him,
reaching up to a shelf just out of her reach, trying to grab a book. He smiled
at the sight of her on her toes, stretching her little fingers as far as they
would go. In a few strides he was at her side.
He stood behind her and grabbed the book she was grasping for, his hand
brushing hers as he did so. Elizabeth froze when she felt his touch.
“Miss Bennet.” He handed the book to her as she turned around. 
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy.” She was almost in his arms, pinned as she was between
him and the bookshelf. She blushed at his proximity. 
“Any time, Miss Bennet.” He stepped back and walked to the fire, gesturing for
her to take a seat across from him.
“Did you enjoy your breakfast with Georgiana?” He tried to keep his voice free
of accusation, knowing his feelings of neglect were more like a petulant
child’s than a grown man’s.
“Yes, we had a lovely time together. I think she is immensely enjoying another
female presence in the house,” she said, smiling. 
He sat quietly for a moment, basking in the warmth of her smiles. They spoke
about the books they were each reading and what they thought of them, noting
how their opinions were the same on certain points and completely opposite on
others, each a little surprised at the other. Eventually the conversation
turned to the poetry of Wordsworth and his many poems about the Lakes, when
Elizabeth remembered her proposed trip with her family.
“Oh! I wanted to tell you something. When I told my aunt about visiting
Pemberley this summer, an invitation she gave me leave to accept, she told me
they are planning a northern tour and were going to invite me to join them. Now
that she knows I will be at Pemberley, she thought perhaps I could journey back
to Hertfordshire with them, and even go with them for a portion of the trip.
They will be spending a few days at Lambton where my aunt spent her youth. She
said it is quite close to Pemberley.”
“Yes, Lambton is only five miles away. Do you know when they will be
going?” 
Mrs. Hawkins interrupted them to bring in the tea and Elizabeth’s favorite
lemon biscuits, giving Darcy a moment to think. His original intent in inviting
her to Pemberley was to secure her plans for the summer so she couldn’t go
anywhere else. She seemed to be issued many invitations, and once they were
engaged, he did not want any obstacles to an immediate wedding. He did not
think he could handle more than a three month engagement at the most, and would
prefer less. It would seem he had been right to plan ahead.
“I am not sure exactly as their dates are not yet fixed, but they are planning
on departing mid-June and traveling roughly six weeks. I can inform you in more
detail as we approach the summer.”
Darcy briefly thought how much simpler this conversation might be if they were
already engaged. As it was, she did not know if or when he would ask, though he
believed she was expecting it at some point.
“I am sure something can be arranged to suit all parties,” he said
diplomatically. 
Such as me taking you
to the Lakes on a wedding tour
.  
Alone.
She smiled at him again
and handed him his tea, prepared in his new favorite way. 
“Miss Bennet, I wanted to speak with you about your journey back to Longbourn.
Are you still set to leave Saturday?”
“Yes. My uncle will take me as far as Islington and then I will take the post
to Meryton.”
“And you will return to town three weeks later?”
“Yes. I am to spend two days with my aunt and uncle before going on to Kent.”
“Can we not persuade you to remain? You will only be at Longbourn three weeks;
that is barely worth the journey.”
She smiled indulgently. “That is very kind of you, Mr. Darcy, but I am afraid
my father would not like to have me away for three months altogether,
especially if I am to spend the summer away as well.”
“You are close with your father?” He sipped his tea.
“Yes, very. I suppose because I am the most like him of all my sisters.”
“He will miss you greatly when you are gone.” 
Elizabeth looked at him quizzically for a moment, then answered, “Yes, but the
visits are not overly long and as one’s friends marry and move away, it is
inevitable.” 
He looked at her, wondering at her meaning, and asked, “So you will not
consider staying until you remove to Kent?”
“I am sorry, but I cannot.” He thought she looked regretful, but wasn’t sure.
“Then please allow me to return you to Longbourn in my carriage.” Elizabeth
opened her mouth to protest and he gently held up his hand. “It is the least I
can do. I haven’t seen Georgiana this happy in months.”
She looked at him through narrowed eyes, wondering if he had known she would
refuse the offer of the carriage, so he offered to extend her stay first,
knowing she would refuse it as well, and believed she would not decline two
offers in one conversation out of politeness. 
Well
played, Mr. Darcy.
 
“I should not accept. How would it look, for me to travel all that way in your
carriage without Georgiana?”
“It would look like you are a very dear friend of the Darcy family and a lady
who is well protected. Miss Bennet, I would be much more at ease if you
traveled in the carriage instead of by post.” Elizabeth had been enjoying
teasing him, but now she saw something in his eyes that arrested her response.
He was sincere and seemed genuinely concerned for her.
“Very well, Mr. Darcy. If it will make your mind easier, I shall take the
carriage.”
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. You have greatly relieved me.” He smiled and they
continued to discuss whatever topic entered their minds for the next hour.

~

Monday, as Elizabeth returned from her visit to the Gardiners, she heard music
coming from the back of the house. She gave her things to the footman and
followed the sound to the ballroom.
Peeking around the door quietly, she saw Georgiana and Mr. Darcy dancing
together, slowly going through the motions of a quadrille while the housekeeper
played the pianoforte in the corner. Georgiana stumbled through a few of the
turns, but after several minutes, her confidence grew greatly and her eyes
danced in merriment as the tempo increased. They danced through a faster jig,
twirling and hopping, and Georgiana could not contain her giggles. Darcy’s deep
laugh joined hers, his head thrown back and his eyes crinkling at the corners.
Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile at their antics and wondered, again, what it
would be like to have a brother. Someone to practice dances with and look after
her, someone who always had her best interests at heart. 
If she had her choice of brothers, she supposed she would choose one like
Colonel Fitzwilliam. She had a sort of familial affection for him, and they got
along famously, having similar temperaments and senses of humor. She gathered
that he thought of her in a similar manner, judging by the way he spoke to her
and the jokes he was always telling her. 
Yes, Colonel Fitzwilliam was the ideal older brother. Georgiana was like
another sister and Mr. Darcy was, well, she didn’t know 
what
 Mr. Darcy was. She knew she did
not have a familial sort of affection for him. He was a friend, even though it
still seemed odd to call him such.
With her thoughts thus organized, she left the siblings to their dance and went
upstairs to change for dinner.

Chapter
12, Part II

The next few days passed much as the days before, with Darcy only dining out
once, and Elizabeth going to Cheapside twice more, each time in the Darcy
carriage. Final fittings were done and their new gowns delivered, until, at
last, the day of the ball arrived.
Elizabeth and Georgiana ate a light repast in Georgiana’s sitting room, then
separated to prepare. Georgiana was beside herself with excitement and
nervousness, wanting to have a good time but afraid she wouldn’t, and terrified
of all the people and all that was expected of her. 
Elizabeth relaxed in the tub, all too aware that this would be one of the last
times she would enjoy it. Friday morning would be spent sleeping, then she
expected Caroline Bingley to call in the afternoon and she had decided to
remain with Georgiana during the visit. Dinner would likely be a subdued and
languid affair, but she hoped the Colonel might come to say goodbye, and then
Saturday morning, she was off to Hertfordshire. Elizabeth would miss this
place. 
I will especially miss this tub,
 she
thought. 
She slid down, allowing the water to come to the nape of her neck, and let her
mind flood with memories of her visit. She had become infinitely closer with
Georgiana and had enjoyed meeting and getting to know Lady Matlock and Colonel
Fitzwilliam. She had even become friends of a sort with Mr. Darcy, something
she never would have imagined when she first came to London. Not wanting to
ponder on things she didn’t understand when she did not have the time to do
them justice, she turned her mind to the ball.
She could not believe she was participating in Lady Matlock’s scheme to marry
her off. At least the first two dances were with men she knew. Colonel
Fitzwilliam was very amiable and she knew he would become a favorite
acquaintance. He would probably be an excellent source of information
throughout the evening and was likely to know everyone in attendance, so
Elizabeth could apply to him with her questions. She wondered if he would ask
her to dance a second. 
Probably not, I
doubt his mother will allow it!
She was set to dance twice with Mr. Darcy. She had been surprised when he asked
her for a second dance; she was under the impression he disliked the activity.
 Maybe it is only country balls he dislikes.
 She
had made headway in her sketching of his character, and she felt she had a
better understanding of him than she had had in Hertfordshire, but he was still
an enigma in many ways.
 I will have to
consider this when I have more time, perhaps in the carriage
, she
thought.
There was one more person to think about; Sir Malcolm. She was to dance the
supper set with him, which probably meant she would be eating with him as well.
It would give her an excellent opportunity to get to know him, and she already
knew him to be intelligent and agreeable, and he was handsome. 
Tonight will certainly be interesting, if nothing else
,
she mused.
Darcy sat in his dressing room, his chin in the air while his valet shaved him.
He wanted to look perfect tonight. It was a special day, though no one knew
that but him. He was dancing twice with Elizabeth, and he would be able to
watch her easily in the crowded ballroom, though he did not relish seeing her
smile and dance with other men. He couldn’t wait to see her in all her finery
and believed all her efforts were for him. 
He remembered how she had looked at the Netherfield ball and knew that tonight
would be even better. Tonight they would not argue or talk about Wickham. They
would dance and be together until dawn, and when they came home, he would ask
her to speak with him in the library. He would tell her that he loved her and
ask for her hand. He hoped she would allow him to kiss her, and he entertained
warm thoughts of holding her hand, or perhaps just holding 
her
, by the fire, discussing plans for the
wedding and their future together.
An hour later, Darcy stood in the entry waiting for the ladies to come down. He
was just becoming impatient when he saw a flash of white and looked up. 
Elizabeth stood at the top of the stairs, her white dress flowing elegantly,
her hair upswept with two perfect curls hanging over her shoulder. As she
descended the stairs, her eyes met his and held them the rest of the way down,
until she was standing on the bottom step, eye level with Mr. Darcy. 
He noticed her cheeks had a becoming flush and her eyes were sparkling in
anticipation. Without meaning to, he had walked towards her and was now face to
face with her, blocking her path. He stood staring at her, unable to move a
muscle.
Elizabeth smiled brightly at him, not sure what he was doing but finding it
amusing, and was surprised to see him smile back brilliantly. 
“Mr. Darcy.”
“Miss Elizabeth.”
After a few moments, she smiled nervously and waited for him to move, but he
did not. Beginning to be uncomfortable with the unusual closeness, she nodded
toward the entry. 
“Shall we?”
Wordlessly, he held out his arm and led her toward the door, releasing her to
collect her cloak. Georgiana came down a moment later to compliments from
Elizabeth and Darcy and the three of them boarded the carriage to travel the
short distance to Matlock House. 

~

They were the first to arrive, having come slightly early at Lady Matlock’s
request. 
“Lady Helen, Lord Matlock.” Darcy bowed formally. They nodded and he turned to
Elizabeth. “Allow me to present Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn in
Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth curtseyed and Lord Matlock bowed slightly. “It is a pleasure to meet
you, Miss Bennet. I hear interesting things of you from my wife.”
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance as well, Lord Matlock. Her ladyship has
been equally interesting in her stories about you.” She smiled at him.
“Oh has she now? And just what has my wife been telling you?” he asked
good-humoredly.
“Henry, why don’t you and Darcy have a glass of port while I speak with the
ladies?”
“Yes, dear.” He smiled at his wife, knowing she was getting rid of him before
he heard something she didn’t want him to know. “Come, Darcy. Let the ladies
convene on their own.” He clapped Darcy’s back, and after giving Georgiana a
kiss on her cheek and telling her how grown-up she looked, led Darcy to his
study. 
“How are you holding up, Darcy?”
“What do you mean, Uncle?” Darcy looked at him warily.
“Georgiana at her first ball, meeting gentlemen for the first time. They’ll be
watching for her next year when she comes out. Now would be a good time to see
who’s out there and start asking questions.”
“Already? I thought I wouldn’t need to start interviewing suitors until half
way through her first season.”
“It wouldn’t be interviewing exactly, just getting to know who the potential
players are. It is a big decision and not one you want to make quickly.
Georgiana is a sweet girl; we don’t want her taken in by a reprobate.”
“Of course, you are right, Uncle. I will keep my eyes open tonight.”
“Good. Now, tell me about Miss Bennet.” Lord Matlock sat back in his chair as
if waiting for a treat.
“Sir?” Darcy had a twinge of fear that his uncle knew his plans.
“Helen seems to have taken quite a liking to her. She has determined to find
Miss Bennet a husband.” 
“She what?” Darcy blurted, nearly choking on his port.
“She says she wants Miss Bennet close by, at least socially, for Georgiana’s
sake. She doesn’t want her to lose a friend. But between us,” he grinned at
Darcy, his eyes twinkling with humor, “I think she just wants to play
matchmaker and happens to like Miss Bennet.”
Darcy returned the smile uneasily and asked, “Who does she have in mind?”
“Who does she not? Anyone who is appropriate and shows the least amount of
interest will be considered, I imagine. And judging by the looks of her, there
will undoubtedly be some interest.” He looked meaningfully at Darcy.
“Has Miss Bennet expressed an interest in the prospect?” He tried to keep his
voice even as he thought of hordes of suitors dancing with 
his
Elizabeth.
“From what Helen told me, she had to talk her into the idea. Said she wanted to
marry for affection and wouldn’t consider anything less, no matter the material
gain. From what I’ve heard, and what I’ve seen myself this evening, she is a
spirited one.” He laughed softly. “Reminds me of Helen,” he said to himself.
“Yes, I have heard something of the same,” Darcy said thoughtfully. A hint of
doubt was creeping over him, but he tried to ignore it. 
“Shall we get back to the ladies?” Lord Matlock led the way while Darcy
contemplated what he had heard. 
How had he not known about this? It was happening under his own roof! And what
was Lady Matlock thinking, playing matchmaker for Elizabeth? She didn’t need a
match, she had him! 
He brooded over why Elizabeth would choose to participate in such a scheme when
he had clearly made his preference known. 
But
how could she say no to Lady Matlock?
 he justified. He knew
from experience that the countess could be very persuasive when she wanted
something, and Elizabeth was a guest; she probably felt obligated to go along
with the plan. 
After all, you have not
proposed. Yet,
 he told himself. 
Could she doubt him? Surely not! Surely she knew him better than to think he
would court her and disappear? She must be playing along out of politeness. It
was the only explanation.
They returned to the ladies to see Georgiana receiving instructions for the
evening from Lady Matlock, Elizabeth watching with a polite smile on her face.
Darcy looked at her until she felt his gaze and turned toward him. Her smile
immediately brightened and he moved to her side. 
See how she smiles at me. She does not doubt me
,
he thought with satisfaction.
Before he could speak to her, Colonel Fitzwilliam joined them. 
“Miss Bennet, Darcy.” He bowed. “You, madam, are looking very lovely this
evening.” He smiled at Elizabeth.
“Thank you, Colonel Fitzwilliam. You look rather dashing yourself,” she said
brightly.
“I hope you are well rested for this evening, Miss Bennet. I fear you will not
sit out a single dance.”
“You are too kind, Colonel. But do not fret, my feet can take it and I dearly
love to dance.” Darcy sent a dark look to Fitzwilliam, which his cousin chose
to ignore.
“Miss Bennet, I fear I must warn you of imminent danger,” he said seriously in
a low voice, but she saw the twinkle in his eye.
“And what danger might that be, Colonel?” she asked just as quietly.
He leaned towards her and whispered loudly, “My brother, the viscount. I fear
that your toes are in grave danger if you accept a dance with him.”
“But surely you know, sir,” she replied, leaning toward him and matching his
tone, “I cannot refuse him should he ask.”
“Well, it is no loss to me as I have your first dance. But if he stomps on your
foot and you are forced to sit out the rest of the evening, do not say I didn’t
warn you.” He smiled brightly and she gave a small laugh.
“Richard, what on earth are you going on about now?” came a loud voice. 
“Ah, just the man I wanted to see. Cyril, may I present Miss Bennet of
Longbourn in Hertfordshire? Miss Bennet, my elder brother, Cyril Fitzwilliam,
the Viscount Selton.” Colonel Fitzwilliam was obviously having fun baiting his
brother, and Elizabeth had to cover her smile with a formal curtsey.
“Miss Bennet, it is a pleasure to meet you.” He bowed deeply, getting a good
look at her décolletage as he did so. He arose with a small smile on his face.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Selton.”
“Miss Bennet, may I request a dance? Are you free for the second?”
“I am already engaged for the second, milord, but the third is available.”
“The third it shall be then. Thank you, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth smiled and nodded, and he turned back to his parents.
“Well, Miss Bennet, surely now you see my point. I can see you barely survived
the introduction!”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam, I found your brother to be perfectly agreeable and civil.
I am quite looking forward to my dance with him,” she teased him casually as
she plucked nonexistent lint from her skirt.
Fitzwilliam shook his head and offered his arm. “May I escort you to the
ballroom?”
“You may, but do you not have to greet your guests with your family?”
“A benefit of being a second son and living in a barracks - I can avoid
reception lines.”
She took his arm and they started off, smiling and laughing. Darcy extended his
arm to Georgiana, and they followed them into the ballroom, Darcy scowling all
the way.