Chapter 56

56

D arcy was the proudest of men as he escorted Elizabeth down the aisle behind her sister. The only thing that would have made this day better was if she had been his bride and was now Mrs. Darcy.

He glanced down at her, her expression hidden by her demure Sunday-best bonnet, and his heart softened yet more. How he was to get through the day without the whole world guessing that they were courting, he did not know. But he was prouder than he had ever been. She was a jewel of the first order, and he had won her love and her approbation.

He stood taller, if it was possible, and led her towards the Darcy coach, whence he would convey her and her parents to Netherfield. The rest of the Bennet sisters would be in the Longbourn carriage with the two chaperones provided by the schools for Miss Kitty and Miss Lydia.

He smiled wryly. Even only a week away from home, and both of them had improved considerably. He hoped Bennet would continue to send them, despite the danger in Meryton being past, although it must be a heavy expense for such a small estate and large family.

There was no need to speak much in the coach, for Mrs. Bennet was in full flow, dabbing her eyes with a scrap of lace for a handkerchief. He watched Elizabeth fondly as she deftly controlled her mother's worst excesses, and teased her father into some semblance of cheerfulness.

Darcy was rather grateful she did not tease him. His joy was too new, too fragile, to withstand much from his love — he knew all too well the danger of how her lightly spoken words affected him.

In the grand entrance hall at Netherfield, he stood beside Bingley in the receiving line while Elizabeth did the same for her sister. Her absence from his side was beginning to become a physical pain. But at least he could see her, and hear her voice. What would happen in the future on the occasions when he had to leave her on business?

During the breakfast, at which she ate but little, he leaned towards her. "I know it is traditionally expected, but may I have the pleasure of your company for the first dance, so I may lead you out behind Mr. and Mrs. Bingley?"

As he had hoped, her face lit up to hear her sister referred to so, and her cheerful acceptance heartened him. Perhaps they could move from courtship to betrothal within a few short weeks, whatever Bennet had said; he huffed amusement to himself — mere days if he had anything to do with it.

He had led her out onto the dance floor behind the bride and groom, and spent the whole time wishing it had been a waltz. Afterwards, he had taken her aside and handed her a glass of wine.

His consideration was all for her when she stiffened, and he glanced round protectively. Miss Bingley had approached them without him having noticed her malevolent presence.

"Well, Miss Eliza, you have achieved your aim and my brother is now shackled to your family." Her nose tipped further in the air. "Now you seem to be assuming you can monopolise the attention of poor Mr. Darcy. You should leave him to approach those he wishes to. Your attitude reeks of desperation."

Elizabeth's hand pressed warningly against his arm. "Is that so, Miss Bingley? One word first, before you have your way. As my sister is now wed, I am the eldest Miss Bennet, and should be addressed as such, although perhaps your excellent school — for those from trade — omitted to instruct you in the correct forms of address." She smiled dangerously at her victim. "And of course I will release Mr. Darcy to speak to whomever he wishes to." She slipped her hand from his arm, and the emptiness made him want to berate her enemy.

But he could be equally biting. "Pray do not go, Miss Bennet. We were having the most interesting conversation. May I escort you to speak to Miss Lucas?" He offered her his arm again.

"Good day, Miss Bingley." He turned away, thankful Elizabeth had accepted his arm and would not leave him to the machinations of her adversary.

He watched the woman for a number of minutes, but the joy of the presence of Elizabeth meant he could not think of Bingley's sister for long.

It was both not soon enough, but far too soon, that he handed Elizabeth up into the Darcy coach and followed her in, to escort her to her home with her parents, and followed by the Bennet coach. He was tired, and it could hardly be too soon before he could take to his room at the inn and sleep. But leaving Elizabeth would be difficult, and he longed for the day that would place her beside him forever.

A week later and he could not fathom what was happening. While their courtship had been announced and all was official, Elizabeth seemed to be rather more distant. Not cool towards him, but certainly less … effusive.

Finally, he conceded defeat and called on Bennet. The man looked at him. "Can you imagine what ails my daughter?"

"No, sir. That is why I have come to you. I am dismayed that you seem to feel there is something wrong, and I have not discerned it."

Bennet gazed at him, but said nothing. Darcy thought back of what he could. "Is it …? Could it be that she is missing her sister?"

Bennet's gaze softened. "I knew you would work it out. My daughters have the closest bond, although I do believe Lizzy's attachment to Miss Lucas may be somewhat stronger. But, although she and Jane have occasionally been apart for some weeks at a time, there has never been an time when they did not exchange letters almost daily."

"I am sorry to have disturbed you then, Mr. Bennet." Darcy bowed by the door, "I will call on Miss Elizabeth … Miss Bennet."

Bennet looked puzzled. "Did she not tell you that she is going for one of her long walks today with Miss Lucas?"

"I do not recall it." A feeling of possessiveness rose up within him, and he fought to hide it. Her friend was no danger to him. He must not give way to jealousy; Elizabeth was an independent soul who would not wish to be constrained by him.

Bennet was watching him, and Darcy controlled his expression with an effort.

"There is something I would speak to you about, Mr. Darcy, and since Elizabeth is not here today, I was hoping you might honour me with a game of chess, while we discuss the subject."

Darcy bowed. "It would be my pleasure."

Where did Elizabeth and Miss Lucas go on these long walks ? Is that really all they did? What did they talk about?

Bennet had heaved himself to his feet and rang the bell. He ordered coffee and went to the chessboard, where he picked up the black king almost caressingly. "Do you have a favourite chess set at home, Mr. Darcy? This one was brought back from India for me by Gardiner more than a decade ago."

"He must have been quite young to travel to India. It is a journey of many months." Darcy picked up a white knight. "Yes, I have a favourite set in my library at Pemberley. It is beautifully carved and a joy to play."

"Ah, yes. Your library at Pemberley," Bennet mused. "I have heard it is fabulously stocked." He tipped his face at Darcy. "You must be aware that if you do take Lizzy, you may well have me visit you to see it for myself." His emphasis on the word if was almost imperceptible.

Darcy bowed his head. "You would be very welcome, sir. Although not immediately after the wedding." He smiled to attempt to show his tease.

"Bravo, Mr. Darcy! Elizabeth is obviously teaching you to release your sense of humour." Bennet laughed to ease the sting.

Darcy bowed slightly. "If I have been reticent before, it was because I was never sure if I might inadvertently cause offence." He drew a deep breath. "Perhaps, given our connection, you might call me Darcy? I do not tend to use my given name, as it can cause confusion with my cousin."

"I am honoured. Please call me Bennet." The man nodded abstractedly. "Perhaps we can discuss what I wished to talk about before we play. I do not wish you to be inattentive to your match, or our discussion."

Sitting in Bennet's comfortable armchair, a cup of coffee to hand and one of the best shortbread biscuits he had ever tasted melting on his tongue, Darcy glanced at his host. "You wished to speak to me. Is it about Elizabeth — I mean, Miss Bennet?"

Her father nodded. "I will not beat about the bush, Darcy. I know you are a busy man and will have much in the way of estate matters and business obligations once you settle back to a regular life."

Darcy nodded and maintained his silence.

"I expect people of your station in life generally provide for a personal maid and perhaps a companion to keep a wife company while their husband is busy on estate matters."

Darcy thought furiously. "A lady's maid, certainly. But I was rather hoping that in the early days, Elizabeth and I would be much in company. And she also seems to enjoy the companionship of my sister."

"Of course." Bennet stared at his cup in contemplation.

"Had you … had you someone in mind?" Please, please, not one of her sisters!

Bennet glanced up at him. "I can see you are not enamoured of the idea, Darcy. However, given how much Lizzy is missing her sister, the added loss of association with her friend Miss Lucas might make it even more difficult for her if she moves far away and is surrounded by people and places she does not know."

Darcy bowed his head. Certainly Miss Lucas would be far more acceptable than any of the Miss Bennets, but …

"Is Miss Lucas looking for employment, then, sir?"

Bennet sighed. "She is a pragmatic young lady, Darcy. She knows that at her age she is almost certainly on the shelf, and her mother is becoming more desperate by the month, and almost as strident as Mrs. Bennet." He huffed an unamused laugh.

"But perhaps you could at least offer Lizzy something to look forward to … perhaps a visit from her friend after a few months?"

He almost sounded pleading, and Darcy was taken aback.

"That sounds perfectly in order. But you must understand that I will need to talk to Elizabeth before any arrangements are made."

Bennet brightened. "Of course. Elizabeth does not take kindly to decisions being made for her."

"I am aware of that." Darcy glanced over at the chessboard. "Was that the only issue you wished to bring to my attention?"

"Certainly." Bennet brightened. "Prepare for a battle."