Falling for Mr. Darcy (32 page)

Mr. Darcy bowed over the proffered hand of Elizabeth’s aunt. “Mrs. Gardiner, a pleasure.”

Georgiana curtsied properly. “Mrs. Gardiner, a pleasure, indeed.”

The four began exchanging pleasantries about their mutual acquaintances and news from their friends in Hertfordshire, including details on the upcoming wedding of Jane and Mr. Bingley. After fifteen minutes, in which neither Mr. Darcy nor Elizabeth could remember doing much beyond memorizing each other’s features again, Mrs. Gardiner excused herself to see about their orders from the day before, leaving Elizabeth with the Darcys.

When Mrs. Gardiner returned to Elizabeth’s side, Mr. Darcy whispered something in his sister’s ear. Georgiana smiled as she nodded to him before turning to Elizabeth and her aunt.

“Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, my brother and I would like to know . . . that is, we would be honored if you would consent to have tea with us today. If you do not have any other fixed engagements that is . . . ” she stammered with a sudden lack of confidence.

Elizabeth colored and was grateful for the obvious condescension on the Darcys’ part. Her heart beat wildly at the idea.
Could he really be seeking my company?
She cautioned herself not to read too much into the idea and to keep her emotions in check. She did not need to make things more difficult for herself later on when their acquaintance remained unromantic.

Mrs. Gardiner looked to her niece to ascertain her opinion on the matter, and when it became apparent that an opinion was not forthcoming but that the suggestion was not unwelcome, she turned to Georgiana. “We would be glad to accept your invitation, Miss Darcy. We have no fixed engagements.”

Mr. Darcy’s face changed into one of complete satisfaction. “If you are finished with your purchases, would you like to accompany us back to our home now?”

Although it was obvious he was addressing Mrs. Gardiner, he was looking at Elizabeth for a reaction. He hoped the idea of spending time with him was not unpleasant to her, and he was already more than pleased with the budding friendship she had with Georgiana. Seeing her again had confirmed that he simply could not live without her.

Mrs. Gardiner smiled as she watched his obvious interest in her niece and wondered if this was the reason for Lizzy’s low moods in the past few weeks. She knew Mr. Darcy had been staying with Mr. Bingley at Netherfield when she arrived for Mary’s wedding and that he and Elizabeth had often been in company together.

“We would be happy to, Mr. Darcy. I will just call for our carriage.”

“Mrs. Gardiner, please allow me to escort you and your niece to my home, and you can dismiss your carriage. We will be happy to arrange for your transport back to your home after tea.”

“You are too kind, sir.”

Mr. Darcy bowed and left the shop to call for their carriages and dismiss the Gardiners’. When he returned, he escorted the ladies out to his carriage and handed Mrs. Gardiner and Georgiana inside. When he captured Elizabeth’s hand to assist her ascent, he felt a shock pass through him. When he released her hand, he had to open and close his own to dispel the tingling sensation before stepping into the carriage.

He sat next to his sister, directly across from Elizabeth and her aunt. Mr. Darcy offered the ladies a blanket for their legs and was happy to see Elizabeth blush beautifully when he handed her one.

Georgiana turned to her brother with a sly smile. “Brother, did you not want to visit that bookstore. I am sure I remember you saying as much this morning?”

Elizabeth quickly said, “Mr. Darcy, do not let us keep you if you have other errands to attend.”

Mr. Darcy shot his sister a warning glance. “No, indeed, Miss Bennet, I have no other errands.”

* * *

Wickham kicked at a stone in the gravel beneath his feet as he once again placed himself in the park across from Darcy House. He had watched Mr. Darcy leave that morning with Georgiana. He seemed to be in a hurry and uncharacteristically excited about something. Wickham looked up when he heard the carriage wheels over the cobblestoned street between his position and Darcy’s home.

He watched with interest as the carriage stopped and Darcy assisted first Georgiana, then an older woman he did not recognize, and then another, younger lady. Something about the younger lady struck Wickham as familiar, and he stepped around the tree to get a better look.

When she turned her head to thank Darcy, Wickham got a full view of her face. His lips turned upwards in a wicked smile when he recognized the lady. She was one of the Miss Bennets, one of the brainless chits at the house he was thrown out of by their father. He also recognized her as the one the other officers mentioned Darcy had danced with twice at the Netherfield ball.

Suddenly, Wickham realized he did not need to speak to Georgiana at all. From the way Darcy was looking moon-eyed at the other young lady, Wickham could tell he had feelings for her. All he would need to do was confirm his suspicions and get to Miss Bennet somehow.
So it seems your heart of ice has finally been captured, eh, Darce! We shall see how you like it when I ruin your happiness the way you ruined mine.

Wickham settled himself onto a bench and again took up his newspaper to wait.

* * *

Elizabeth was trembling slightly as she ascended the steps into Darcy House. She removed her outerwear and handed it to the waiting servant as she looked around the grand hall. It was the most beautiful home she had ever seen. The grey marble was elegantly presented with splendor next to the warm tones of the cherry wood walls and ornately carved wooden railing lining the wide marble staircase.

Darcy watched Elizabeth as she looked around. His lips turned into a satisfied smile as he recognized her admiration for his home. He had a sudden feeling that she belonged there, and he contented himself to think on that for a few moments.

“Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, you have a very beautiful home,” Mrs. Gardiner said.

Elizabeth could only nod her head and add, “It is truly very beautiful.”

Mr. Darcy stepped closer to Elizabeth and said, significantly, “I am glad you like it, Miss Bennet.”

Elizabeth colored, and Mrs. Gardiner’s eyebrows rose in interest at what she was seeing. Her eyes caught those of Miss Darcy, and Georgiana smiled as she raised her shoulders up in obvious excitement.

They were led into a large sitting room where Elizabeth again admired the fine taste of the owner. The furnishings were elegant and expensive but without any ostentation or false grandeur. She and her aunt sat together on a settee, and Georgiana took the chair next to Elizabeth.

Before long, Mrs. Gardiner revealed her connection to Lambton in Derbyshire and its proximity to Pemberley. An easy discussion followed as the tea things were brought in. While Mr. Darcy and Mrs. Gardiner spoke of Derbyshire, Elizabeth and Georgiana quietly got to know each other better. Elizabeth was embarrassed to hear Georgiana give her praise, especially when told it was first spoken by her brother.

Georgiana was determined to learn as much as she could about her new friend, as it was more than obvious that her brother preferred Elizabeth. She also found a great deal of pleasure at the teasing comments Elizabeth directed at her brother and was astonished at the good-natured way he received them.

Darcy was more than thrilled to have Elizabeth in his home and in his company again. Whenever he looked at his sister and Elizabeth conversing happily together, he was filled with such contentment as he had never before experienced. He marveled at the easy way Elizabeth helped to move Georgiana out of her shyness, and gratitude filled his breast at the way she brought light back into his sister’s eyes. It had been her influence all along that had begun the changes seen in Georgiana. Ever since learning about Elizabeth, Georgiana had started to become more independent, less despondent and more confident.

It was with these happy thoughts that Darcy was interrupted by the opening of the sitting room doors and the entrance of Richard and Aunt Ellen. Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner immediately stood as the new guests arrived and looked to each other.

Georgiana exclaimed, “Cousin Richard! Aunt Ellen! What a lovely surprise to see you here this afternoon!”

Darcy stepped towards his aunt and bowed after kissing her gently on her hand. He then shook his cousin’s hand, giving him a knowing smile that Richard did not understand.

“Aunt Ellen, Richard. I have the pleasure today to introduce an acquaintance of mine from Hertfordshire. May I introduce to you, Miss
Elizabeth
Bennet, and her aunt, Mrs. Gardiner. Miss Bennet and I met during my stay with Bingley this fall.” He turned to wink at his cousin’s astonished face as he continued with the introductions. He turned to Elizabeth and her aunt, and said, “Miss Bennet, Mrs. Gardiner, this is my aunt Lady Matlock and her son Colonel Fitzwilliam.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam gave Darcy a hardy slap on the back and spoke under his breath, “Tallyho, Darcy!” before taking a few steps towards the ladies and bowing properly to them. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. Miss Bennet, my cousin has spoken most highly of you and his time in Hertfordshire. I am very pleased to finally meet you.”

Elizabeth smiled sincerely at his easy manners and engaging address. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, you are most kind.”

Lady Matlock, who had come with her son with the express purpose of speaking to Darcy regarding his affections towards Miss Bennet, was more than astonished to find herself in company with that very lady. When she had sequestered her son the evening before to manipulate him into sharing the reason for Darcy’s recent reticence, she had not anticipated hearing that her nephew was in love with a girl from Hertfordshire. Richard had related Darcy’s fears about the girl’s lack of connections and her acceptance by society.

Lady Matlock was only concerned that Darcy did not fall in love with a fortune hunter. She determined, then, to speak with him immediately and decide for herself that the lady was not merely interested in his wealth. If she found that to be the case, then she would give her nephew a good peel over his head for his ridiculous and pompous notions of familial duty. Therefore, she listened with interest to her son’s conversation with Miss Bennet.

“Miss Bennet, I pity you for having to put up with my cousin’s presence for so long in Hertfordshire.” Colonel Fitzwilliam chuckled and shot Darcy a teasing smile.

“Indeed, Colonel, he was most dreadful in the beginning.” She also gave a teasing smile to Darcy and lifted her eyebrow in challenge, the way he loved.

“Do tell, Miss Bennet, I should like to know how my cousin behaves amongst strangers.”

Elizabeth smiled at Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Darcy found he did not like seeing her smile at another man. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair as Elizabeth responded.

“Prepare yourself for something dreadful, then, sir. When I first saw your cousin, it was at an assembly in Meryton where he danced only two sets though gentlemen were scarce. I suppose he did not want to give consequence to women who were ‘slighted by other men’.”

Mr. Darcy clenched his jaw and heard his cousin say, “Now
that
I can easily see, and it surprises me not at all. My cousin does not like to dance.”

Elizabeth smiled at the colonel again and continued. “But I believe your cousin improves upon further acquaintance.” She directed a smaller, more serene smile at Darcy.

Darcy’s eyebrows rose in challenge, and he surprised her with his address. “However true that may be, further acquaintance did not prevent
you
, Miss Bennet, from refusing my hand to dance on two separate occasions thereafter.”

Elizabeth sat back in astonishment. “I do not know what you mean, Mr. Darcy. I cannot recollect these two instances.”

Darcy smiled as he folded his hands together at his chest. “As I recall, I asked you to dance at Sir William Lucas’s house shortly after that assembly.”

Elizabeth bit her lip enchantingly as she thought back to the occasion to which he referred and began to laugh. “I stand corrected.” She chuckled as she turned to the rest of the group. “I did refuse him then.” Turning back to Darcy with a saucy smile, she said, “However, sir, I believe that is only
one
instance. You spoke of two.”

At that moment, Darcy wanted nothing more than to stand up, march over to Elizabeth and kiss that smug smile off her face. She was so delightful, and he knew he was making a fool of himself by displaying his feelings for her openly to her family and his, but he did not care.

“The second time you refused me was at Netherfield when you came to care for your sister Jane when she was ill. I asked you one evening if you would care to dance while Miss Bingley was playing a lively tune on the pianoforte.” He watched as recollection of the evening dawned on her, and her smug expression turned into one of disbelief.

“Mr. Darcy, your memory, I see, is better than mine. However, in my defense, I am sure at the time I thought you to be insincere in your request.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed heartily at the exchange along with Georgiana and his mother. “To have refused him twice! I wish I could have been there to witness the phenomenon. I do not believe I have ever known any lady to refuse Darcy’s request for a dance.”