A Peculiar Connection (22 page)

“Lizzy, did you know the Darcys were in Bath?”

“Why, yes, Aunt. I received a letter from Miss Darcy a few days before we left Longbourn.”

She looked at me curiously. “I see. Tell me, dear, does Colonel Fitzwilliam know of your true relationship with his cousins?”

“No,” I whispered, “and Georgiana does not know either, so we must not speak of it. Papá and Mr. Darcy agree that the fewer people who know the truth, the safer my reputation.”

“A wise decision. You may depend upon our discretion. Neither your uncle nor I will ever make any revelation.”

“That is why I told you. I trust you both without question.”

During the meal, Mr. Gardiner mentioned our plans to tour Bath by carriage, whereupon the colonel offered not only his carriage but also his services as our guide. I did not relish spending the afternoon in his company, but I knew he was the connection to seeing Mr. Darcy. I bestowed my brightest smile upon him as he took my elbow and ushered me out into the sunlight.

Since the morning rains had ceased, the colonel ordered his brother’s landau that he had borrowed to be opened. He proceeded to point out various sites of interest throughout the city. We rode down Bond Street and then over to the Circus area and reached the Royal Crescent at last. The beauty of the architecture and shape of the buildings proved stunning. We surveyed the impressive design for no little time. At length, Mr. Gardiner suggested we travel on to the River Avon, but Mrs. Gardiner expressed a desire for refreshment.

“I know just the place,” Colonel Fitzwilliam announced.

Within a short time, the carriage turned into Milsom Street and drew up at Molland’s, where we dined with such pleasure that my aunt declared Molland’s marzipan the best she had ever tasted. Sitting by the window, I watched the rain return. The place began to fill with people wishing to avoid the shower. I observed the door’s frequent openings with little interest until, suddenly, my heart beat faster, for I recognized a familiar face and figure. Mr. Darcy removed his hat and shook the water from it before he raised his head and looked over the room. Within moments, his gaze met mine.

If my presence surprised him, he hid it well. Naught but a quick blink of his eyes betrayed him. About the same time, Colonel Fitzwilliam looked up and noticed his cousin. He stood and beckoned to him.

“Darcy, over here.”

My hands turned icy cold as I wondered what effect my presence would merit from him. He made his way through the crowd. After speaking to Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, he bowed slightly in my direction and sat down next to my aunt. His manner was cordial as he expressed surprise at our visit to Bath. He directed every remark to either my aunt or uncle, but not one to me.

“And how did you happen upon the Gardiners and Miss Bennet, Fitzwilliam?” he asked, turning toward his cousin, who sat beside me.

The colonel explained our chance meeting, and my aunt told him of the day’s tour of the city. My uncle added that the river would be our next destination. When the colonel asked Mr. Darcy whether he might go with us, he declined, stating a former promise to his aunt laid claim to his afternoon. Light conversation ensued for a good half hour; at the conclusion of which, he rose and made his farewells. He still had not directed any word toward me or even allowed his eyes to be fixed upon me. Not only did I feel cut by his behaviour, but I was truly alarmed that he might never speak to me again. I watched him walk to the counter to purchase a package of sweets.

“Pray, excuse me, I will fetch another glass of water,” I said, quickly rising. I refused the colonel’s offer to retrieve it for me and crossed the room with great haste. Mr. Darcy had just received his change and turned to leave. I darted in front of him blocking his path to the door, and he halted abruptly.

“Miss Bennet?”

“Sir, I would ask you to extend my regards and apologies to Georgiana. I received her letter a day or so before we departed Longbourn, but I did not have time to reply.”

“Very well.”

“I wonder…shall you escort your sister to the ball in the Upper Rooms tomorrow night?”

“I had not given it much thought.”

“I would love to see her.”

“Shall I ask her to call on you? Where did you say you are staying?”

“In Pulteney Street. I shall be at home in the morning if she is able to come.”

“I shall tell her.” He bowed slightly and began walking toward the door. I found myself following him, attempting to delay his leaving.

“Georgiana wrote to me how much she enjoys watching you dance—with a Miss Simpson, is it not?”

He stopped and turned to face me. “I did not know my sister reported my dancing partners to you.”

I shook my head slightly. “Oh no, sir, she did nothing like that. She simply mentioned it in passing, and I thought you had perhaps at last found someone with whom you enjoyed dancing.”

His eyes pierced mine with their severity. “Good day, Miss Bennet.”

With dismay, I watched him walk through the door and down the sidewalk.
That did not go well
, I thought
. You made a fool of yourself, an utter fool!

][

Georgiana did call the next day, and I was thrilled to see her again. Until I saw her familiar smile, I had not realized how my affection had grown for the girl. We spent an hour in conversation, during which I am afraid my aunt did not have a chance to say more than a few words. Once more, she told me how preoccupied Mr. Darcy was in his search through his uncle’s old records. She failed to understand why they attracted his interest, but she spent little time considering the matter. We talked of Bath and the various attractions she had visited, how welcome her cousin’s company had been on several excursions, and the new dresses she had made by a seamstress in the city whom she highly recommended.

When I asked her whether she would attend the assembly that night, she replied that her brother had agreed to take her. Since she was not out yet, Georgiana explained how Mr. Darcy allowed her to go to the balls if she remained in the background and simply observed the dancing. I gently prodded her for information on whether the Simpson sisters would be in attendance, and she happily informed me that they would.

“You must meet them, Elizabeth, for I know you shall like them as I do.”

I smiled in agreement, all the while biting my tongue. I then directed the subject to their upcoming journey to Ireland. Georgiana said that the departure had been delayed a week due to some complications with the passenger ship. When I inquired as to the reason for the trip, she said only that Mr. Darcy had important business with someone in the country, and that it must be conducted as soon as possible. I thought it unusual that she should accompany her brother on a business trip, but she said Mr. Darcy thought it would be good for his young sister to see the ancestral home of their grandmother.

“Did you know my grandmother was from County Cork?” she asked.

“I did. Your brother shared a bit of family history with me when I visited Pemberley.”

“How odd. He did not tell me until we came to Bath and he determined to make this trip. I found it somewhat shocking, did you not?”

“When one examines any family’s roots, one is bound to uncover surprises.”

She smiled and rose to leave, vowing to look for Mrs. Gardiner and me that night at the Upper Rooms.

As I dressed for the evening, I thought of Georgiana’s new dresses, and I regretted not paying more attention to the wardrobe I had packed. Why had I not included the new gowns I had made in London when visiting Jane? Once again, Mr. Darcy would see me in the same gown I had worn at the Netherfield Ball.

What difference does it make? He will most likely have eyes only for Miss Emily Simpson,
I thought.

I would be fortunate to warrant a glance from him, much less a civil word. It was obvious that he was still angry with me. I simply had to make an opportunity to speak with him privately and make things right between us. I did not wish to imagine him crossing the Irish Sea with its rough currents when he still thought ill of me.

The season was full, so the room was crowded when we arrived. Mr. Gardiner repaired directly to the card-room, and my aunt and I were left to squeeze through the mob alone. She eventually spied the wife of my uncle’s business acquaintance, who claimed her attentions. I was left to fend for myself. I looked over the busy room, hoping to see Georgiana, but to no avail. I drew close to the edge of the throng to observe the dancers. I was relieved not to find Mr. Darcy among them, an emotion for which I silently scolded myself. I simply must stop caring with whom he danced.

I was about to turn back and rejoin my aunt when I looked up to see Colonel Fitzwilliam by my side. He asked me to dance, and I agreed. I preferred dancing any day to being an observer. As soon as the music began again, we took our place in the line.

“Did your cousins accompany you, sir?” I asked after the first turn.

“They did. I placed Georgiana in a suitable position to have a good view of the floor.”

“I suppose Mr. Darcy remained by her side.”

“For a while, at least. Have you met the Misses Simpson?”

I shook my head.

“The younger, Miss Maria, has become a favourite of Georgiana, and I saw her making her way through the crowd to join her. That will free Darcy from tending his sister.”

“You said the
Misses
Simpson. Thus, I assume there are two?”

“Right you are. My young cousin has the wild idea that her brother is smitten with Miss Emily Simpson. I have yet to meet her, but I hear she is quite the beauty.”

“Ah.” I could think of nothing further to say, but evidently, my dissatisfaction was reflected in my expression.

“Why the frown, Miss Bennet? Does this air displease you?”

I instantly placed a smile upon my face. “Oh no, sir, simply a momentary pang. I am quite enjoying myself.”

At the conclusion of the reel, Colonel Fitzwilliam introduced me to Captain Allen, a fellow officer from his unit who was brother to Miss Julia Allen, soon to become the colonel’s sister-in-law. He promptly asked for my hand, and we spent the next half hour on the dance floor. When the music ended and we bowed in closing, the captain escorted me to the punch bowl, where he secured a cup for both of us. I had taken but a sip when I looked up to see Mr. Darcy approaching with a woman on his arm who was surely one of the most beautiful God ever made.

He introduced Miss Emily Simpson, and I, in turn, presented Captain Allen. My former partner immediately asked Miss Simpson for the next, and she smiled sweetly and accepted. We passed a few moments in light conversation until the instruments sounded. I watched Mr. Darcy’s eyes follow the couple as they proceeded to the floor.

“Miss Simpson is a handsome woman,” I said.

“She is.” He continued to gaze at her, watching her graceful movements in the dance.

Of a sudden, the heat in the room became oppressive, and I opened my fan and began to use it.

“Pardon me, sir.” I curtseyed briefly and turned to make my exit.

“Where do you go?”

“To join my aunt.”

“Would you not rather step outside for some fresh air? I find it much too close in here.”

“As you wish.” I allowed him to lead me through the crowd toward the open doorway. Once we found a quiet area away from the others enjoying the breeze on the balcony, he turned directly toward me.

“It is time we talked. Do you agree?”

“Yes, sir, I do. I most certainly do.”

Silently, I prayed,
Oh, God, temper my words with discretion. Do not let Mr. Darcy leave for Ireland if we remain at cross-purposes.

Chapter Twelve

The moon was but a sliver that night. The stars, however, littered the dark sky in a profusion of light. I closed my fan, basking in the cool air as it gently ruffled my curls. I might have given myself up to the wonder of that beautiful night had not a pressing task beset me. I knew I must swallow my pride and apologize to Mr. Darcy. Taking a deep breath, I turned to face him.

“Sir, when we parted in Hertfordshire, I fear I spoke in anger. I did not mean to give offence.”

“And I meant no slur upon your mother. You must believe me.”

“You used the term ‘degradation.’ Surely, you know that I am somewhat sensitive because of the circumstances of my birth.”

“Of course, I understand. Truly, I do. But you must perceive that I did not refer to your mother.”

“Then to whom?”

“I referred to my father’s behaviour—how a gentleman of his character could take advantage of a young girl. I consider
his
conduct degrading—degrading toward my mother, toward your mother, and toward himself. I cannot conceive of the father I knew acting in such a manner.”

He braced his hands on the railing and raised his face to the sky as though the answer lay hidden somewhere in the heavens.

“I have not told you of the visit Miss Eleanor Willoughby paid me.”

“Willoughby?” Mr. Darcy took a step closer. “Elizabeth, did she come to abuse you as her brother did?”

I raised my hand in protest. “No, no, nothing of the sort. She was entirely the opposite: compassionate, gentle, and caring. She told me of my mother—the kind of girl she was, her interests, her joys, and—”

“And what?”

“Oh, I do not know…other things. When our visit ended, I felt as though I had a glimpse of my mother’s spirit.”

“Of what other things did she speak?” he insisted. “Did she tell you of her relationship with my father?”

I met his gaze. He had turned just enough that the starlight revealed the concern in his eyes. “She told me of how they met in the wood, how they spent much time together, and how Miss Willoughby kept watch to warn them if anyone approached.”

Mr. Darcy slammed his fist down on the railing and let forth an oath. He then asked my forgiveness for his language.

“Are you telling me my father not only seduced a young girl, but he used her child of a sister to shield him from discovery? That is utterly reprehensible!”