Chapter Eight

L ady Carlisle stifled a yawn behind her fan, but Elizabeth could not be sorry for requiring her escort.

"I cannot believe we are finally here," Elizabeth whispered to Jane.

Jane smiled. "You know I have been anticipating this lecture as much as you."

Their Uncle Gardiner had secured four seats for a popular lecture about the arc lamp, which produced light yet required no flame. Unfortunately, they had not been able to convince Amelia to accompany them, but Lady Carlisle had agreed to chaperone.

She was speaking with a friend of hers even now. "Lady Henrietta is a foolish child if she believes she can spread lies about the Miss Bennets," the countess was saying. She seemed amused rather than irritated. "Please tell Mrs. Forth that I can guarantee that none of that is true. I am in a position to know, and Lady Henrietta is not. Furthermore, Lady Henrietta and Lady Penelope are very welcome to speak with me if they believe their tittle-tattle has any truth whatsoever."

The countess was certain that Lady Penelope had been encouraging Lady Henrietta to spread rumours, and Elizabeth believed she might be right. Mr. Darcy's cousin had evidently been telling everyone in her circle that she and Jane were poor and grasping. She had said that they had nothing when they were at school together and insinuated that they had no fortunes at all even now. Elizabeth and Jane were being painted as the worst of pretenders. However, this was a miscalculation on Lady Henrietta's part, for Lady Carlisle had taken this as a direct affront. The gossip implied, after all, that she and the earl had been foolish enough to be taken in by two conniving young women.

Elizabeth believed the gossip was why Lady Carlisle had agreed to chaperone them at the lecture, for she had little interest in it herself. It would not have mattered, for Elizabeth would not have missed this lecture. The arc lamp was two years old now, but it was the first time she would be able to see one.

One day, Elizabeth was sure, lamps such as these would eliminate the need for candles, or even the gas lamps that were first installed in Pall Mall and were beginning to appear in some homes of the wealthy. The electric current would be contained by a glass shield, and there would be no threat of fire.

"How long do you think it will be before we might all have electric light?" Elizabeth asked her sister eagerly. "I know it would take a great deal to make it practical for use in homes, but surely its improved safety cannot be denied."

"No more threat of house fires from candles," Jane replied. "Would that not be wonderful?"

Elizabeth heard boots on the floor from the left side of her, nearest the chair Amelia's absence had left unclaimed. She glanced up—and up—and her heart sank. This could not be happening .

Mr. Darcy was bowing to Lady Carlisle, who greeted him placidly and waved him to Amelia's chair. Elizabeth was going to have some very stern words for her young friend when they returned home.

Jane nudged her gently with her elbow. Elizabeth plastered a welcoming expression on her face and said, "Imagine meeting you here, Mr. Darcy. Are you as fascinated by the potential for flameless light as we are?"

"Indeed," he said, his deep voice rather soothing. It was too bad that he was himself so brusque. "In fact, I attended the first lecture on the topic two years ago when I was in town."

He had already heard this lecture. Then why was he here? Why was he so intent on breaking up her peace?

Apparently, Mr. Darcy had the same thought, for he added, "My cousins missed that presentation and wished to meet me here. Alas, I was behind my time, and the chairs nearest them are already occupied."

He motioned towards the very front of the room, where she could indeed see Colonel Fitzwilliam and the Viscount Milton—the backs of their heads, at least. There was nothing for it. There was a seat next to her without an owner, and a man before her in need of it. She nodded at the chair, and he flipped his coattails out with a practiced flourish as he sat.

Jane threw her a sympathetic glance and then turned pointedly to the front of the room. Elizabeth's eyes followed her sister's, and she saw that Sir Humphrey Davy had arrived and was arranging his papers. She took a deep breath. She had waited a very long time to hear this man and see his work. Not even Mr. Darcy could spoil it for her.

On the table next to Sir Humphry's lectern was one of the lamps, and after introducing himself and the topic of his lecture, the man had an assistant hold it up while he explained how it worked. "An arc," he said, drawing his finger between the two ends of the lamp, "is a discharge that occurs when a gas is ionized. The current issue is in keeping the current and its light steady."

"It makes a hissing sound as well that is quite distracting," Mr. Darcy added quietly. "He shall have to work those problems out before it will be widely accepted."

"Thank you, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth said in hushed tones. "I believe we all apprehended as much." She and Jane had read all about the Davy lamp before journeying to town and had engaged in long dialogues with Uncle and Aunt Gardiner about it on their last visit.

Mr. Darcy simply nodded.

"I will now switch on the light," Sir Humphry was saying.

He did so, and Elizabeth could hear the hiss Mr. Darcy had mentioned.

"Observe that a small current is initiated from the starter and ignitor. This creates a magnetic field . . ."

Elizabeth listened as Sir Humphry talked through the progression of the current, but her attention was caught by the switch. Imagine only needing to flip it and wait a moment for illumination! She clasped her hands together in delight. There would be no more need for servants to light candles in the evening, nor snuff them out before bed, no need to set a lit candle near one's bedside and anxiously hope that everyone else in the house had remembered to put their own out before falling asleep.

She was nearly over the worst of those fears, now. Nearly. But perhaps one day people would not need to concern themselves with such fears at all. Would not that be wonderful?

Mr. Darcy leaned over to her. "Once the lamp can sustain the arc—"

Elizabeth felt her irritation prickle. "Yes, Mr. Darcy. The ballast is used to limit the current to the minimum level required to operate the lamp."

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Jane's slight smile.

He did appear surprised for a moment, but he nodded. "Just so. "

"Shh," said someone from behind them, and they settled back in their chairs. Elizabeth turned her face resolutely towards the front of the room. The man who had become her personal black cloud did the same.

Thus they sat until the end of the lecture. Elizabeth realised only when everyone began to stand at the end that her arms had been crossed over her chest. She sighed.

"It is like harnessing lightning," Elizabeth said to Jane, but Mr. Darcy heard her and of course felt the need to comment.

"A romantic notion," Mr. Darcy said, and though he did not sound disdainful, the words struck Elizabeth as dreadfully superior. She could not help but turn to him.

"The colour of the light changes, Mr. Darcy, did not you note it?"

"I did."

His calm reply set her pulse racing. She knew she ought not reply, but she could not help it. "The electrical characteristics of the current change with temperature and time, sir. When the atmosphere is ionized, lightning behaves in the same way. Therefore, harnessed lightning. Simple."

Mr. Darcy leaned over to say, very quietly, " Simple is not something I would ever think of in regard to you, Miss Elizabeth."

Whatever did that mean? "Excellent."

He tipped his head to one side and assessed her again. "Good."

"Mr. Darcy," she said with a huff, "must you always have the final word?"

"Miss Elizabeth," he responded, "I was wondering the same about you."

Whatever one could say about Miss Elizabeth and her sister, the Bennets had not arrived at this lecture unprepared. Darcy quite approved of that. He had been among the first to attend Sir Humphry's lecture on his arc lamp during his short season two years ago—he had, in fact, delayed his departure by a week to do so, and had not been disappointed.

The ability to rid society of candles and open flames for lighting was very appealing, and the lamp did seem to work. However, no one would want a lamp whose light flickered and hissed, at least not inside a home. And until those matters were sorted out, Sir Humphry had a wonderful idea, a prototype, and not a great deal else. It would be worked out, eventually, but it would take years, perhaps decades. In time for his children or grandchildren. But it was unlikely to alter his own life in any significant way.

That being the case, he could not understand why the Bennet girls were so enthusiastic. A working light that did not require fire was . . .

He closed his eyes briefly. Fire.

They had been at Lady Henrietta's school at the same time as the fire. Of course they would want to attend a lecture on the Davy lamp, to see its workings. He would apologise for being such an oaf, but there truly was no excuse, and would it even help? No, his best, most compassionate response would be to stop talking. Remaining silent had never been a problem for him before, but for some reason, he wanted to speak with Miss Elizabeth. Even when the words she spoke in return were sharp.

She was forever surprising him. Sometimes he just wished to hear what she would say next.

Sir Humphry invited those in the room to step to the table and examine the lamp up close.

Miss Elizabeth nearly fled from him into the aisle. Miss Bennet rose more slowly and cast a wary look in his direction before joining her sister.

Darcy watched them stroll together to the front of the room, and his conscience smote him. Fitz had been correct. He had been in a foul mood since arriving in town, and Miss Elizabeth had borne the brunt of it. He would have to show her he was a gentleman, no matter how poorly he had begun.

Darcy stood and made his way over to Lady Carlisle, sitting in the chair next to her when she motioned to it.

"I presume my husband spoke with you?" she inquired.

He sighed. Lord Carlisle had sent word to his uncle, and Darcy had been ordered to attend this lecture. His cousins had been dispatched to make certain he arrived without incident. Had there been more than one available chair, he believed Fitz would have sat with him to be certain he did not say anything stupid and incite a Shakespearean war between the houses of Darcy and Carlisle.

Too bad there had not been another open chair.

Fitz and Milton were standing now and made their way down to the Bennet ladies.

Darcy watched as they were received with more pleasure than he had been. "He spoke with my uncle."

She chuckled. "As well he should, given the behaviour of Lady Henrietta. Well, were you proving recalcitrant, Mr. Darcy? I must warn you that my husband is not in the habit of brooking refusal, not even from dukes, let alone untitled gentlemen."

Darcy frowned at the pointed reminder of his place. "So I have learned."

This produced a chuckle from the countess. "I did enjoy your little note about coins. Surely you are aware that most women carry coins for incidental purchases, even in town?"

"My mother never did, and I have told my sister as much."

Lady Carlisle smiled wistfully. "I do miss your mother. She was witty, kind, a wonderful musician—but you must know that refusing to carry coins was merely one of her little quirks, in which she was encouraged by her sister Lady Catherine. "

He had not known it—his mother was the woman he judged all other women by. But she had died when he was only eleven. She and Lady Matlock were long dead, and he could barely tolerate Lady Catherine. Even Lady Henrietta had little use for him. He ought to have considered his lack of experience with women before offering his advice. He tugged at his cravat. How Miss Elizabeth must detest him.

Lady Carlisle must have seen his mortification, for she did not wait for him to respond.

"Dear Anne." She waved her fan before her face. "Your mother was an excellent friend, but she was not perfect—none of us are, you know. She was a little proud, though of course she had a right to be. That pride, it seems, she has passed on to you. Whether your father was the same, I do not know." She studied him before saying, "You will be pleased, however, to hear that we have instructed Miss Elizabeth to place any purchase of note against the Carlisle name for as long as she remains with us. She has a stubborn aversion to taking advantage. I fear she would deny herself many pleasures we are pleased to provide for her. I thank you for calling it to our attention."

Darcy nodded stiffly. The countess was clearly offering him a few different pieces of information. First, Miss Elizabeth was not a fortune hunter. He had already surmised as much. Second, she was more than just a guest to the Carlisles.

The countess studied his countenance before her own expression softened. "Mr. Darcy, your mother was a good friend to me, so I hope you will accept what I am about to tell you with the understanding that I offer it in kindness."

This did not sound like anything Darcy wished to hear. But he nodded again .

"When Anne was bothered by something, she became both silent and sharp, just as you have been of late. Perhaps you should examine your own feelings to determine what is bothering you —and stop laying the blame for whatever that is upon Miss Elizabeth's head."

Lady Carlisle was of the same mind as Fitz. And they were both correct. "Very good, Lady Carlisle."

This time she was the one who nodded. She fluttered her fan a little faster, then stood. Darcy rose as well. "It is dreadfully warm in here. I must collect my charges, Mr. Darcy. As your instructions were clearly to accompany us, shall I count on you and your cousins to join the ladies for a ride in Hyde Park?"

Darcy offered a shallow bow. He would have preferred to go home and sit by the fire with a brandy and his own thoughts, for he had much to consider. It was cold outside, and it still grew dark early this time of the year. By the time they arrived at the park there would only be an hour of light left. Even so, there would be ample numbers of the fashionable elite who would lower the tops of their carriages and wrap themselves up in their furs in order to be seen.

And that was obviously the point. After his insult, he ought to be seen in friendly company with the Bennet women and the Carlisles. He sighed. It was the least he could do.

"Colonel Fitzwilliam," Elizabeth asked quietly, "why is your cousin staring at me? What is it you think offends him?"

Jane was inspecting the lamp, but the colonel and Lord Milton turned to look. Mr. Darcy glanced away. He seemed to be speaking with the countess. At least, she was speaking, and he was nodding .

"I do not believe you offend him, Miss Elizabeth," the colonel said. "For whatever reason, he has not been himself of late."

The viscount agreed.

Elizabeth did not know what to say to that. She had never met Mr. Darcy before their introduction at Lady Ashford's ball. To her, he was a man who was always appearing where he was not wanted and saying things he ought not say. His entire remonstrance about ladies using coins was based on his own poor understanding, and yet he had offered his advice with such surety that he had made her doubt herself.

"Lizzy, come and see this," Jane said, and pulled her gently over to the table.

Elizabeth watched the current make its circuit and smiled when it began to emit a light. "Do you think that your children will have electric lights in their lifetime?" she asked her sister.

"Certainly our grandchildren shall. Is it not marvellous?"

Elizabeth nodded.

"I believe the countess wishes to take us to Hyde Park now," Jane said when Elizabeth had finished examining the lamp and had given her place to a gentleman and lady who had been waiting their turn.

"Yes, outfitted in our matching cloaks and fur-lined muffs," Elizabeth said with a chuckle. The countess had a strategy for this outing, though she had not enlightened them. They were only to follow her instruction. It was difficult for Elizabeth to trust anyone so far as to follow orders in such a way, but with each reasonable command, the countess nurtured Elizabeth's burgeoning regard and respect.

The pale blue wool cloaks were only to be used when they were likely to be seen by a great number of people, for they would be very difficult to keep pristine. A less practical colour in London Elizabeth could not fathom. But Lady Carlisle had insisted .

She glanced at Mr. Darcy, who was standing now, along with Lady Carlisle. Hopefully he would take his leave now, and his cousins with him. The countess's eyes were gleaming, and Elizabeth knew she was attempting not to laugh. Had Mr. Darcy said something humorous? She could not imagine it.

"Lady Carlisle's expression just now is very similar to that when she read Mr. Darcy's note," Jane whispered in her ear.

"Absurd man," Elizabeth muttered in reply.

Mr. Darcy's note to the earl had resulted in her being unable to refuse the Carlisles' largesse. Now she would not feel comfortable treating herself to anything she did not truly need, for she did not wish to put ribbons or material or even books for her own collection on the earl's accounts.

"Mr. Darcy will be attending us on our jaunt to the park," Lady Carlisle said as the pair approached. Elizabeth was sure she had never seen such a miserable man as the one beside the countess. "Shall you ride in our carriage, Lord Milton? Colonel?"

"We have our horses, Lady Carlisle," Lord Milton said with a smile. "Shall we ride along?"

"That would be lovely. There is even a chance you might meet Simon today. He said he would be there."

"I do apologise, Lady Carlisle," the colonel said with a quick look at his brother. "But I must return to Whitehall yet today."

"You prefer the duties of war to facing down the terrors of Rotten Row, Colonel?" Elizabeth asked teasingly. "How disappointing."

Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled. "Believe me, Miss Elizabeth, I would rather engage with the most determined denizen of the ton than my general when he is kept waiting."

"My goodness, that is serious," Elizabeth replied.

"Will you be with us for dinner?" Lord Milton inquired .

"I do not know. Tell Hen not to hold the meal for me." He bowed to the ladies and smiled encouragingly at his cousin. "Darcy, you still owe me some time at Angelo's. I mean to collect soon."

"You have not bested me in a year, cousin. I owe you nothing," Mr. Darcy said, but it was a playful jibe.

"Yes, it is at last time to spring my trap, before I am sent back to the continent." The colonel smiled and took his leave.

Elizabeth watched him go. As she turned to say something to Jane, she caught the fleeting expressions of concern on both Lord Milton and Mr. Darcy's countenances. They were worried for the colonel. He was in a dangerous business, so she did not know why their care should surprise her—very well, she was not surprised by the viscount's worry, only his cousin's. Still . . .

"I shall meet up with you at the park, Lady Carlisle," Lord Milton said, and followed his brother.

The countess snapped her fan closed and dropped it into her reticule. "Well, the day is speeding on. Shall we retrieve our cloaks, girls?"

"Yes, Lady Carlisle," she and Jane said together.