4

Darcy felt as though he had been clubbed over the head. He reeled, then gaped, and then, for the first time, he really looked at her. Damn Oliver Lucas for being quite right, the woman was radiant. “You are the famous Lizzy?”

She dipped into another curtsey, looking very well pleased with herself. Darcy fairly staggered backward. He was well aware of the woman’s wit already; he had relished every letter Olly had shared with him in the last few years, and it had been his own suggestion to adorn their quarters with her satirical sketches.

He felt himself the greatest ass in all England for insulting the one person he had actually expected to enjoy meeting, loath as he had been to attend the assembly. “Forgive me,” he said, reaching out as if to take her hand; he recalled himself, withdrew and gave a civil bow. Bingley turned and whispered to Olly, no doubt repeating his idiotic blunder, for Olly burst out laughing as Miss Lucas observed them all with an inscrutable expression.

Elizabeth eyed him as if waiting for him to elaborate on his apology, as if he had not already anticipated he should find himself tongue-tied in the presence of Olly’s witty friend. Olly’s pretty friend. “I cannot believe I said such a reprehensible thing,” he blurted out. As if she could see that it was not the sensible reply he had wished to make, she began to laugh.

“Nor I,” said she. “Particularly if you already know me to be famous.” Her eyes darted to Olly, who gave her the sort of mischievous look Richard was ever prone to bestowing on Darcy.

“I have heard much of you,” Darcy babbled on. “I have had far less correspondence from home than our mutual friend, who has been so obliging as to share his own with any of us who would listen. You must be the favourite artist of everyone aboard the Phaeron, and now I am making the acquaintance of so many whom I have seen depicted in your impudent drawings.”

“It is a great joke between Olly and I,” said she. “He has often teased my penchant for sketching peoples’ characters metaphorically, for folly and foibles, and whims and inconsistencies do delight me. Though I cannot claim any real talent, I thought it only natural I should begin to sketch characters more literally. I had no expectation of being repaid in kind this evening.”

One of her eyebrows quirked upward in an expression of such feminine defiance as he had never met with in all his life. How could he have, just moments ago, proclaimed her merely tolerable? He had, for these three years, felt he knew her well already, and in all that time he had never imagined she would prove to be the handsomest woman of his acquaintance, as he now felt certain that she was. Her intelligence and irreverence alike rendered her pleasing face utterly remarkable, and he wondered at her easy confidence.

“You are truly a marvel,” he said, still unable to connect his brain to his mouth.

“Oh, botheration,” Olly cried, clearly relishing the disaster. “Will you really not stand up with her? She is a finer dancer than she is an artist, Will.”

Darcy did the most sensible thing he could manage and clamped his mouth shut as he offered her his hand. Any woman in the ton would have taken it instantly, even greedily, pictures of Pemberley and Rosings in her mind; Elizabeth only glanced at his hand and laughed at him.

“Mr. Darcy despises dancing. At an assembly such as this, it would be insupportable to him. Then again, perhaps he rather deserves the punishment of standing up with me.”

Bingley gave a merry hoot, Miss Lucas began to cough, and Olly grinned as he reached out and placed Elizabeth’s hand in Darcy’s. “You have had your fun, Lizzy,” he chided her.

She grinned as she seized at the chance to turn her wit to Olly. “The fun is over, and now I must dance with Captain Darcy?” Her hand was still in his, and she subtly curled her fingers and gave Darcy’s thumb a pinch.

His head spun. “You may berate me as much as you desire; I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours.”

This remark seemed to amuse her, for her eyes sparkled so brilliantly with mirth that Darcy felt he might swoon; he was sure he would continue to spout incoherent nonsense at her, and yet this may yet result in more of her bewitching teasing. God, he hoped so. He would gladly lodge his foot even further in his mouth – if such a thing were even possible – if only to receive her lively reproofs.

“I am most exceedingly obliged to you, Captain Darcy,” she said as he led her to join the set that was forming.

“I assure you, it is a pleasure. Olly speaks well of you, and often; I have been looking forward to making your acquaintance.”

“And I have been looking forward to thwarting all of Olly’s schemes, of which I must surmise you are aware. I had not counted on you making it so easy, though I suppose there is little sport in it now. I had anticipated having to harden myself to considerable flattery in order to disappoint his designs.”

“You are too hasty,” Darcy replied, desperately trying to match her spirited banter with a little of his own. “I may yet confess I had not even looked at you properly before speaking those horrid words. I see now how very wrong I was.”

She smiled. “I give you leave to elaborate, sir.”

He suspected that Olly had warned her of his reticence, and she meant to provoke him by urging him to speak in a way that was not at all his custom. He admired her for it, absurdly so.

“Had I been less cross when I first saw you, I am sure I should have instantly recognized you as the Elizabeth Bennet I have heard so much praise of, and I will admit that none of it was exaggerated; quite the reverse.” Darcy smiled, satisfied with his speech for the first time that evening.

“Oh?”

Vexing woman! How thrilling it was to be held at the razor sharp edge of her insolence. She was no mere coquette, fishing for undeserved compliments; she cared nothing for his opinion, only his penitence.

“I have never been fond of dancing, but I suspect you are aware that the true punishment for me is being called upon to wax poetic. Olly loves to remark upon the great difference in our disposition; perhaps he has even told you that I chose the perils of the navy over joining the church from sheer terror at the prospect of speaking before an audience. I do not often express myself well, though I have never done quite so poorly in the presence of a beautiful woman.”

She turned this way and that, looking over her shoulder before asking, “To whom do you refer? I do not see her.”

“Enough, I beg you,” he said, laughing despite his discomfiture. “Dearest, loveliest Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me to begin again.”

“My only expectation of the evening was to be amused, and so I shall agree,” she said. The dance was one that allowed them to converse, though she missed a few of the steps in order to dip into a playful curtsey. “It is a rare delight to make your acquaintance, Captain Darcy.”

He also missed the next figure of the dance as he bowed in return. “Miss Elizabeth, I cannot recall when I have had so much pleasure in a dance.”

They resumed their dancing, and Elizabeth continued to watch him with humour in her countenance. “And now how are we to proceed, sir? I converse as a rule while dancing, but I would not have you think I speak only to plague you with the effort of having to reply.”

“I should be happy to hear whatever you wish to say. Perhaps we could speak of books? Every title you have mentioned in the post-scripts of Miss Lucas’s letters to Olly is one I myself cherish, so we must have a similar taste.”

“I am glad to hear it,” she said. “But I could never speak of books in a ballroom; we must save that topic for another time.”

They turned in time to the music, and when they came back together, Darcy observed, “I am pleased to hear you will wish to speak to me again after tonight. I know Bingley wishes to have a great deal of society while he is in Hertfordshire, and I anticipate we shall often be in company together.”

“Have you more pleasure in card parties and musical evenings than in country assemblies?”

“I have never been easy amongst strangers. I have not the talent which some people possess of conversing easily with those I have never met before.”

“And nobody can be introduced in a ballroom, so I suppose it is a hopeless case,” she teased him.

“I feel comfortable enough in your presence, though you are determined to laugh at me,” Darcy said, again speaking before he had sufficiently pondered a suitable reply.

Her eyebrows rose. “How gratifying of you to say so; you shall ease my remorse when I relay our conversation to my sister Jane this evening, and she admonishes me for berating you.”

“Surely your sister would not be dismayed at your delivering a well-deserved set-down after such an infamous insult.”

“Jane is too angelic to allow it. She would convince me it had all been a great misunderstanding, and beg me not to quarrel with the friend of her new admirer.”

Darcy was relieved that she would not be turning all the neighbourhood against him in repeating his dreadful blunder, and silently thanked Jane Bennet’s goodness if indeed she would take such an optimistic view. He glanced over at Bingley; he was dancing with Miss Lucas, but his gaze followed Miss Bennet, and Darcy knew his friend would soon be rhapsodising about his latest angel. “Bingley seemed not to mind a jot, but I commend your sister’s sweetness, such as you attribute to her, and your own generosity in expressing it.”

“My mother is louder and lengthier in her praise of Jane, as you will soon discover, but I believe her worthy of all of it and more. She is the gentlest and kindest person I know; and she is blessedly more reserved than I.”

Darcy considered her words as he glanced back at Miss Bennet, who was mirroring all of Bingley’s smiles as they turned about in the dance. He had thought her more elegant than the rest of the Bennets when they were introduced, if only because of her reserve. “I imagine with so many sisters, you must each have different qualities to distinguish you. It is much the same within my own family.”

“There are five of us,” Elizabeth told him. “Jane is patient and serene; nobody has ever had a cross word from her. Mary is diligent in her studies, a bit too prone to moralising but eager to distinguish herself. Kitty and Lydia are young and perhaps a little wild – Lydia is especially bold, but they are both good girls who only need to grow into better sense. And I… I am as you find me.”

“My brother Marcus is only an hour my elder, but we bear little resemblance in countenance and character. We were both given good principles by our parents, and though the burden of the family estate ought to have made him more serious, he is steady, cheerful and fond of amusement, if a little droll. He is not quite as energetic as Bingley – nobody is – but he enjoys country such pastimes as we are likely to encounter here. We have a sister, Georgiana, who is but sixteen years old. I might describe her as you have done your eldest sister, gentle and reserved; she also shares Miss Mary’s dedication to becoming accomplished.”

“And you?”

Darcy smiled as he repeated her own words back to her. “I am… as you find me.”

She studied him for a long moment, her gaze piercing his own as if every sentiment he could not put into words had been laid open to her circumspection. She smiled, and Darcy began to hope she could approve of him.

“You spoke of your awkwardness among strangers; I must say I think it prudent of you to attach yourself to friends who might ease your way in company. Olly is certainly such a person, and you have described Mr. Bingley as such. I should like to think that I am similarly amiable, when not in a fit of pique.”

“That is just what I had meant to make of my observation. I should like to think you have just called yourself my friend,” Darcy said eagerly.

She screwed up her face as if to prolong her indecision, and then gave a nod. “I am not formed for ill humour. Your insult amused me nearly as much as your subsequent praise, and any true and understanding friend of Olly’s must be a friend worth having. Besides, between our own observations and Olly’s inevitable schemes, we are sure to come to know one another’s defects as well as virtues and this be on equal ground ere long.”

Darcy felt his cheeks flush warm as she mentioned the scheme that Olly had imparted to him that afternoon. Since returning to England, Darcy had expressed his intention to marry for love over any other consideration, and had been insistent that matrimony was the furthest thing from his mind. On the former his principles remained fixed; the latter had been repeated only to convince himself. He had known even before Olly suggested it that the indomitable Elizabeth Bennet was just such a woman to tempt him.

He did not know, however, what to make of her acknowledgement of Olly’s designs for them; Darcy supposed she wished only to make sport of the notion. As he considered the rest of her speech, he had further cause for a little pondrance before making his reply. That she was amenable to a friendship growing between them pleased him, as did her surety that they would have much occasion to come to know one another. It was the sort of consideration that seemed never to occur to most women of his sphere. Caroline Bingley would have accepted a proposal from the new master of Rosings even had she been so new an acquaintance as Elizabeth. And that she had spoken of his discovering her defects! While Darcy was inclined to doubt that she had any, this, too, served to set her apart from the inferior ladies of high society.

But what struck him the most was what she had said of Olly – a true and understanding friend. Could she mean to hint that she knew of Olly’s peculiar inclinations? He imagined she must, else surely Elizabeth would prefer his friend over himself. They were of such a similar disposition that all who knew them must surely have imagined such a perfect match to be a near certainty. Darcy silently thanked God for the existence of Lieutenant Drake.

Knowing he must make some reply, Darcy said, “I could not have voiced my own sentiments any better, Miss Elizabeth. With such a friend as you to say what I am thinking, I am sure to enjoy moving amongst new acquaintance here in Hertfordshire.”

“You bestow upon me considerable power, Captain Darcy,” she laughed. “Shall I begin directly, in pronouncing what you must be thinking?”

“I beg you would not,” he cried, sputtering with laughter. “I fear the performance would do neither of us any credit.”

“Nay, sir, you cannot now withdraw such a gift,” Elizabeth said archly. “You have given me leave to declare all your innermost notions, and I shall wield my power with benevolence. I believe you are thinking how pleasant it must be to spend an evening occupied in such a fashion as we are now; indeed, you have an overpowering desire to stand up with all my sisters, even the ones who have been slighted by other men.”

Darcy looked over at the plainest Bennet sister – he suspected she must be the one prone to moralising and eager to distinguish herself. She stood with her mother and Lady Lucas at the edge of the room, frowning as the two older women ignored her. He thought of his own sister, and how he should hate to see her looking so lost and forgotten amidst such frivolity. Darcy had often felt this way in his younger days, thus convincing himself that he had no wish to participate in diversions he knew not how to navigate. Had he directed his discomfiture at a young lady more like Georgiana or Miss Mary this evening, he was certain they would not have acted as graciously as Elizabeth had.

“Is that Miss Mary there with your mother?”

“It is. She is not as popular as the rest of my sisters at such gatherings, especially when gentlemen are scarce, as is often the case.”

“I will ask her for the next. I should happily partner your elder sister as well, when I have the opportunity.” He smiled, hoping to impress her with something clever as he added, “I cannot let Bingley make a scandal by attaching himself to her all evening, as I can see that he wishes to, and I suppose I must make a favourable impression on your sister while I have the chance, so that she will have cause to be so forgiving when you tell her how abominably I have behaved.”

Elizabeth gave a musical laugh, her eyes crinkling at the corners in a delightfully genuine expression of joy. The candlelight behind them framed her face in an ethereal glow, and Darcy felt that he was in as much danger as his friend of attaching himself to a beautiful woman and making an utter fool of himself. He pushed the thought from his mind; he simply did not care.

“Jane will only assure me that you must have had some reason to be out of humour; you must have been fatigued from travelling, or perhaps you were suffering a terrible megrim.” Again her cheeks turned rosy. “Forgive me, I do not mean to press you to account for yourself; I should never be so impolitic.”

He smiled at her jest. He did not consider it an impertinence at all – it was rather a kindness that she should allow him to explain his surliness. “I cannot claim I was not weary after the journey from Derbyshire, and certainly I was wary of the prospect of going out on our first evening here. In truth, I was more concerned that my mother shared these sentiments.”

“Has she the same reserve as you?”

Darcy nodded. “She is not so prone to churlishness as I am, but she is diffident and prefers smaller, intimate gatherings of friends. Like myself, she has been taught to be on guard for those who would seek friendship only to elevate their own status; she despises London. I do not mean to suggest she would disdain any new acquaintance here, for she is generally easy at any country house party. At present, however, she is troubled by the separation from my father.”

Elizabeth’s countenance betrayed her compassion, rendered more worth the having for the intelligence that enhanced her sentiments. “I am very sorry for her.”

“Thank you,” Darcy said, giving a deep bow of his head. “My father is not well; he has not been in good health these five years, and she rarely leaves him for more than a few hours. Her decision to accompany my brother and I was an impulsive one. She wishes to spend time with me after my prolonged absence from Pemberley – that is our family estate – and she saw our party’s need for a chaperone other than Mrs. Hurst, who is young and inexperienced. In preparing for our outing this evening, my mother began to question whether it was right to leave our father. In truth, she fears the worst shall happen in her absence.”

Darcy instantly feared he had said too much; he neither wished to shade her opinion of his mother before they had been introduced, nor speak of such a personal matter to a woman he had only just met. Holding his tongue in this stunning creature’s presence was proving impossible. “Forgive me,” he said.

“There is nothing to forgive,” she said with feeling. “I am honoured that you would share your concerns with me, and I find myself now better prepared for making her acquaintance – I will save all my teasing for you, and save all my kindness for Mrs. Darcy.”

“Lady Anne,” he said. “I believe she will enjoy making your acquaintance – might I have the honour of presenting you to her before I seek Miss Mary?”

“Certainly,” Elizabeth replied. The set had just come to an end, and they were obliged to recollect themselves and move away with the other dancers. “I ought to follow your example and make a good impression while I can, before my mother shades her opinion of all the Bennets. If our boisterousness is not shocking enough, I must warn you that Mamma feels so differently about Papa that she is sure to scandalise Lady Anne.”

“My mother is no stranger to such an attitude. Amongst our acquaintance of the ton, there is far more marital discord than felicity to be seen and heard of. That is why I intend only to marry for the deepest love and respect.”

Darcy felt his face grow hot and red as he blurted out this last. Elizabeth beamed at him before schooling her countenance. “My father is not a bad man; I would not have you think that is what I meant,” she said, turning her face away as she changed the subject.

“Mamma’s interests tend toward fripperies, the activities and prospects of her daughters, and, I am sorry to say, a great deal of gossip. Papa prefers to keep his own company, reading in his book room and doing what little is not delegated to our steward for the estate. He shares my enjoyment of reading and learning, and of course laughing at the doings of our friends.”

“No great difference from my own father, though it is his health that has caused him to turn over many of the responsibilities of Pemberley to my brother. He is a great reader and enjoys scholarly conversation; I imagine if he had been able to come to Netherfield with us, he would seek refuge in your father’s book room for brandy and chess.”

“Then they should make fast friends indeed, for Papa has only me to play chess with; I seldom best him, and even more rarely partake of his good brandy,” Elizabeth quipped. She coloured as she realised his mother may have heard her remark, for they had made their way through the crowd to reach the place where Lady Anne sat alone, wistfully observing the merriment.

“Mother, may I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn? Miss Elizabeth, this is my mother, Lady Anne Darcy.” Darcy felt himself smiling with ridiculous pride as he watched the two women exchange a curtsey and a warm greeting.

“I have met your mother and sisters,” Lady Anne said. “I think you were mentioned as the second daughter?”

“I am relieved to only be described as such – I had imagined Mamma would inform you that I am the troublesome daughter,” Elizabeth said, giving Darcy a pert smile. “I apologise for not being amongst my family when we were introduced. No doubt your son has told you of Captain Lucas, and you will not be shocked to learn that I was detained by his nonsense when you arrived.”

A deep crimson coloured her cheeks, and she added, “He is like a brother to me, and I have been occupied since his return in thwarting his trickery at every turn. But he has brought such pleasing company amongst us that I must forgive him his mischief.”

“I grew up with such a brother,” Lady Anne said, her eyes twinkling with fond recollection of the earl in his youth. “I have but one daughter, who was raised with two brothers, as well as my godson George Wickham, and two exuberant male cousins. She would likely envy your good fortune in so many sisters.”

“I hope they will prove pleasing acquaintance for you while you are in Hertfordshire,” Elizabeth replied. “My family is fond of society. My mother, in particular, has ever taken to newcomers with alacrity; we share a gregarious disposition, and I hope we both mean well.”

“Your mother was most welcoming,” Lady Anne said warmly. “I have been invited to take tea with her on the morrow, and she has solicited my advice on some drapes she wishes to replace in your withdrawing room.”

Elizabeth laughed. “You are very kind to indulge her. I can see why she would credit you with such elegant taste. Speak to her of fabrics and you shall have a friend for life.”

Darcy could not cease his smiling as he observed the interaction between the two women. Elizabeth had put his mother at ease so effortlessly, and even rendered her own mother, who had first struck him as vulgar and indiscreet, as simply sociable and open. It was delightfully endearing.

They were joined by Richard and Marcus, the introductions were repeated, and again Elizabeth dazzled her new neighbours. After each had given Darcy a look that bespoke their suspicions, they both solicited her for a dance. Richard was the happy first to stand up with her, and Darcy’s heart leapt in his chest when she turned and glanced back at him over her shoulder, as if she was as loath to part with him as he felt at the loss of her company.

Marcus clapped Darcy on the shoulder and let out a low whistle of appreciation. “Well done, brother. Bingley is already congratulating himself on being half in love with the loveliest lady in the county, but I daresay that triumph is truly your own.”

As Darcy sputtered some defence, Lady Anne tutted at her eldest son. “You must go and do your duty by Mr. Bingley’s sisters, for neither of them are dancing. Allow me to speak with your brother.”

Marcus did as he was bid, and Lady Anne linked her arm through Darcy’s, signalling she wished to take a turn about the room. “I find I am glad to have come to Hertfordshire after all, Fitzwilliam. I thank you for that, for I heartily approve.”

Pleased as he was to hear her say so, he could only ask, “Approve of what?”

“I can see it in all your looks. You are indeed a fair way to being in love with Elizabeth Bennet already.”

Darcy’s mouth opened and closed several times, but no words came forth. He had never been able to deceive his mother, and so he could not give voice to any denial of his affections being most astoundingly engaged.