Pirates and Prejudice (26 page)

Mrs. Bennet was
dressed as a lady from the early 18
^th
century, with a dress that had
been handed down for several generations. It came complete with wide domed
hoops, which took up most of the room in the carriage every year when they rode
to the affair. Elizabeth always thought that was the main reason her father
never wished to attend, as there was always very little room, and her mother
fretted whether the hoops would get crushed. Every year the dress had to be
tailored, however, to allow for her ever expanding body, but she was still able
to wear it.

On the day of
the Masquerade Ball, Mr. Bennet could not enjoy one moment of silence as the
ladies spent all day making sure their costumes would be ready on time. Mrs.
Bennet wailed and fretted the most, as she continually asked for someone to
advise her concerning some aspect of her costume. At length she entered Mr.
Bennet’s library to seek his opinion.

After a rather
lengthy discussion about the embellishments that might be added to her dress,
he stood to his feet and pointed to the open door. “I have had enough! Oh, that
you all could have been like Mary and just worn a mask!”

“But that would
not be so much fun!” exclaimed Lydia, who ran past his library with Kitty after
picking some flowers. “I am so glad the Masquerade Ball is in the summer and
not winter, as so many others are. Flowers add so much to the costume!”

Kitty giggled,
and the two girls ran upstairs.

Elizabeth had
been standing nearby, and felt a pang of regret for her father that he did not
have a son. He had seemed to enjoy David’s level-headed conversation and steady
demeanour. The Bennet household was certainly influenced by all the feminine
sensibilities, which sometimes drove their father to his wit’s end. The day of
a ball was always the most trying for him.

She stepped into
her father’s library after her mother stomped out.

“Now what?” Mr.
Bennet asked as he glared up from his book. “Oh, Lizzy! Now you certainly look
splendid.” He gave her a brief smile and tilted his head. “What are you supposed
to be, again?” He narrowed his eyes. “I believe you were a
Parisienne
belle
,
last year, but this is certainly different.”

She shrugged her
shoulders. “I think I am a Spanish gypsy.”

She had taken a
multi-coloured dress, sewed ruffles onto the bottom, and tied a large shawl
about her waist that hung down her dress at an angle. She tied a smaller,
narrower shawl around her head and decorated it with flowers and ribbons. She
also wove flowers and ribbons through her hair, which was pulled together to
one side and over her shoulder to the front.

She fingered the
rather large necklace, which came from her mother’s jewellery box. She would
never wear something like it except to an affair such as this, as she preferred
a small chain and dainty cross or pendant. She laughingly held up her mask to
her face, which was decorated with more flowers and a few feathers.

“I cannot say I
know what a Spanish gypsy looks like, but I daresay you make a beautiful one.
Come, give your father a kiss and then be on your way.”

*~*~*

The Bennet
ladies made the short ride into Meryton in as much discomfort as they always
did. Mrs. Bennet sat in the middle of the seat to allow her hoops to extend out
on either side. Mary and Kitty had to sit on the very edge of that seat next to
her so as not to ruin the dress. Jane, Elizabeth, and Lydia sat across from
them.

When they
arrived at the Assembly Hall, they stepped out of the carriage with care so as
not to ruin any part of their costumes. There were no announcements at the
ball, as part of the fun was to try to guess the identities of the attendees.
Since their neighbourhood was small, however, it was not difficult to recognize
nearly everyone there.

They stepped in
and were amazed, as they were each year, at the array of glamorous and creative
costumes. Even though the summer days were longer and it was not yet dusk,
candles were lit about the room. Flowers decorated the hall in elaborate
arrangements and hung in garlands. A small orchestra was playing, but the first
dance would be announced shortly.

When Mr. Bingley
came up and bowed, the ladies giggled. The uniform was a little large for him
around the waist and was different from the uniforms worn now, but he certainly
looked handsome. His eyes sparkled through his mask as he gazed at his
angel
.
He spoke a few moments with the Bennet ladies, and then took Jane’s arm and
ushered her directly to the centre of the room to await the first dance.

Mary walked to
the side room where the refreshments were being served and chairs were set up
to visit. Mary preferred not to dance, but merely to observe and enter into
conversation with anyone willing to join her.

Kitty and Lydia
quickly set off in search of any new acquaintance that might be made. They
usually were good at guessing who everyone was and were excited about the
possibility of there being someone in attendance from outside their
neighbourhood.

Elizabeth
watched as the dancers lined up and the music began, but she also found herself
looking about her. It was such a festive atmosphere, however, she felt anything
but. She could offer up a smile and friendly conversation, but her heart felt
heavy. Perhaps she should just join Mary, for even the thought of dancing did
not appeal to her at the moment.

As she turned to
go to Mary, she came to an abrupt stop, her heart beating wildly. She saw a man
across the room. He was facing the other way, but she could see his black
oilskin coat and tri-corn hat. She watched as he talked to those around him.
Then he slowly turned around. She held her breath.

Her heart sank.
It was not Mr. Darcy, but Mr. Goulding. Her shoulders rose and lowered as she
let out her breath in an audible sigh. She shook her head in disgust as she
recollected that he came to the ball every year as a pirate.

She suddenly felt
someone behind her, and a tremor passed through her.

“If ye are not
otherwise engaged, may I ’ave the pleasure of the next dance?”

Elizabeth stood
frozen and was unable to move. Her eyes had only a moment ago  deceived
her; had her ears just done the same?

Chapter 26

Elizabeth clasped her hands tightly together to calm
the trembling that beset her. She took in a deep breath but could not keep from
whirling about. She found herself looking up into the face of Mr. Darcy. He stood
before her, dressed as the pirate she had come to love, albeit with a few
changes. He wore his tri-corn hat, but his trimmed hair did not peek out at the
sides, and curls did not trail down his neck. His face was clean shaven, and he
wore a patch over his eye instead of the red sash. She could see the scar
peeking out at the top. The red sash had resumed its function around his waist.
His shirt, complete with white billowy sleeves, had the addition of
exceptionally large ruffles.  His baldric hung across his chest, but
without the scabbard to hold sword, dagger, or pistol. His oilskin coat hung
loosely at his sides.

She could not
trust herself to utter one word, but it was very easy for her to smile.

“You must know I
find this all infuriatingly arduous, standing in the midst of people that I do
not know.” He smiled weakly. “It would be a great help to me if you accepted my
invitation to dance.”

Elizabeth felt a
sense of euphoria at being asked to help him feel at ease, while at the same
time, the desire to enter into a bantering dialogue with him tugged at her.
“And why should you feel that way, Mr. Darcy, when you
are
acquainted
with several in this Assembly Hall.”

Mr. Darcy looked
at her sheepishly. “Because I cannot tell the difference between those I have
been introduced to and those I have not! I cannot recognize
anyone
behind these wretched masks!”

Elizabeth tilted
her head. “How, then, did you know it was me standing here? I have a mask on,
and I was facing away from you!”

He allowed a
smile. “When I entered the ballroom, ye were the only lady pirate I saw! I knew
me first dance would ’ave to be wi’ a lady pirate.”

“Lady pirate! I
beg your pardon, Mr. Darcy, but I am a Spanish gypsy!”

Darcy took a step
back and lifted a brow as he took in her attire. “’Tis me error, m’lady.” He
bowed his head briefly. “Pray, excuse me. But ye ’ave yet to answer me
question. May I ’ave the next dance if ye are not otherwise engaged?”

Elizabeth could
not keep back her giggle. She felt as though at this moment, she could giggle
all evening. “I am not otherwise engaged, and yes, you may have the next dance,
Lockerly, or Captain Smith, or Mr. Darcy. May I inquire what your name might be
tonight?”

“Who would you
prefer I be?”

Elizabeth felt
her cheeks warm just from the intensity of his gaze – even though one eye was
covered! She laughed nervously. “You know I think you are a very odd pirate and
a most excellent captain, but I should prefer to call you Mr. Darcy.”

“Then Mr. Darcy,
it is.”

She tilted her
head and fingered a single strand of hair that had fallen across her face. “I
did not know you were in Hertfordshire.”

“I only just
arrived.” He spoke in his normal voice, very mellow and smooth.

“Did your sister
come with you?” Elizabeth bit her lip. “I should very much like to see her
again.”

“And she returns
the sentiment. I hope the two of you are able to renew your acquaintance.”

Elizabeth found
it difficult to breathe. Was he merely being polite, or was there deeper meaning
to his words?

Darcy continued.
“She will be arriving on the morrow. I rode on horseback, and she is taking the
carriage.”

“On horseback?
With your pirate costume in hand?” Elizabeth felt she needed to keep things
lively between them, or she might declare her ardent love for him right there!

He gave his head
a shake. “What makes ye think I didn’t wear it as I rode?”

Elizabeth
laughed gaily. “Certainly you did not!”

“And why should
I not?” He smiled and shrugged his shoulders. “I brought it along in a satchel.
A rather large satchel.”

Elizabeth
wondered if he knew he was alternating speaking like Captain Smith and then
like himself. “Has your pirate attire now become a standard part of your
wardrobe? Do you carry it along with you in case you are required to
impersonate one at a moment’s notice?”

Darcy laughed.
“Bingley informed me of the Masquerade Ball.”

“So Mr. Bingley
has forgiven you? I understood he was quite angry.”

Darcy nodded. “I
believe your sister had a good deal of influence over his decision to accept my
apology.”

“I am glad.”

“I am, as well.
I deeply regretted the possibility that I might lose his friendship over my
actions. I know that it…” He took in a breath and looked away, then returned
his gaze to Elizabeth. “I know that it cost me the loss of something of even
greater value earlier this year.”

Elizabeth felt
her face flush, and tears began to sting her eyes. “I…”

At that moment
the music came to an end, and the next dance was announced. “Come, Miss Bennet,
let us take our place.”

As they walked
over to join the other dancers, Elizabeth had time to think how to respond.
Before they took their place in the line of dancers, Elizabeth said, “I have
long ago forgiven you, Mr. Darcy. Your letter helped me understand where I had
been seriously mistaken.”

“But I was in
error, as well.” They separated to stand opposite each other in the line.

The couple
stared at each other in silence as they waited for the music to begin. After a short
introduction, the couples on the dance floor stepped towards each other,
grasping hands. As they began to promenade around another couple, Mr. Darcy
looked about the room. “I do not see Mr. Adams here. His disguise must be quite
good.”

Elizabeth smiled.
“Well, unless he is dressed as an invisible man, he is not here. You see, he
returned to St. Mary’s.”

Mr. Darcy’s
started. “He… returned?”

The dance
required them to separate and join hands with their neighbouring partners.

As they passed each
other, Elizabeth nodded and said, “There was an unfortunate death…”

Darcy turned
sharply, but he was too far from her to say anything.

When she
returned to his side, his face was grave. “Your father’s sister, of course.
Pray, accept my condolences.”

“No, no!”
Elizabeth shook her head. The flowers in her long locks were tossed about. “It
was a young man our other cousin, Melanie, had a strong attachment to. He was
in the navy, and she had hoped to become engaged when he returned.
Unfortunately, he was killed while at sea.”

“I am sorry. Was
Mr. Adams acquainted with him?”

“No, but he and
Melanie were very close.”

Darcy looked at
her with questions in his eyes but was prevented from asking those questions
when they turned in opposite directions.

When they came
back together, he took her hand in a tender, but firm grip. “What do you mean
they were very close?”

She looked down
at their joined hands and then stole a peek up at him. “They have known each
other all their lives, and he has always been very much in love with her.”

Darcy almost
stopped in the middle of the dance, and his jaw dropped. “He is… I thought…”

Elizabeth
prodded him along with a gentle tug. “To the right now, Mr. Darcy.”

They had to
separate again, and Elizabeth felt the release of Mr. Darcy’s grasp at the very
last moment. Her hand felt cold at the loss of his touch, but she felt a great
deal of warmth inside. When they came back around, Mr. Darcy looked at her
earnestly.

“But I was under
the impression that he had a… a strong affection for
you
.” His voice
cracked and hinted at a sense of urgency.

She smiled
warmly as they parted again. Her heart pounded with the hope that Mr. Darcy
still cared deeply for her.

They came back
together for one final promenade down the line of dancers. Their hands reached
out for each other, and they began walking. “I believe,” Elizabeth said softly,
“that David and I both esteemed one another, but it was not love.”

When Darcy took
her hand this time, he did not simply hold it. He cradled it in his hand in a
warm grasp. His fingers softly caressed it, and his thumb stroked the inside of
her palm. Although no one would be able to notice it but her, she felt as
though everyone in the room must have been able to see the clamour of emotions
that were pulsing through her at his touch.

Any thought as
to what she might say evaporated. She glanced up at him and smiled, hoping that
would be enough to convey everything she was feeling.

When the dance
ended, they walked over to a refreshment table, Darcy still holding her hand.

“Have you, Miss
Elizabeth, ever successfully completed your sketch of my character?”

Elizabeth
laughed while at the same time shaking her head. “I fear that is an impossible
task, sir. There are too many layers of contrasts and hidden hues, and ever-changing
properties that appear and disappear depending on the light. I fear it has
proven quite impossible to sketch a true likeness.”

“Mmm,” Darcy
grimaced. “It makes me sound perfectly monstrous!”

Elizabeth smiled
and glanced down at their hands. “On the contrary, it makes you an excellent
study.”

Darcy raised a
brow and leaned in, tilting his head as he said, “Perhaps one that might take a
lifetime to complete?”

Elizabeth felt
her heart jump into her throat at his words. Her mouth was suddenly dry, and she
moistened her lips with her tongue. She cast her eyes down, as if that would
prevent him from seeing her flushed cheeks. When she looked up at him again,
she saw him take in a deep breath.

“Pray, forgive
me, Miss Bennet. Would you care for something to drink?”

“Thank you, no.
But I fear that word is currently being circulated that Mr. Bingley’s friend,
Mr. Darcy, is the pirate who danced one dance with me and has continued to hold
my hand since that dance.” She looked down at their hands.

Darcy winced. “I
am sorry. Again. I clearly need to work on my manners. Pray, forgive me for my
unpardonable conduct.” He released her hand.

“Have no fear,
Mr. Darcy. I did not back then on the island nor do I now find it
unpardonable.”

She glanced out
and noticed more and more people watching them. “Now, Mr. Darcy, I would make a
gentle request that perhaps you dance a few more dances with some of the other
ladies who are here.”

“But who?” he
asked, a crease appearing in his brow.

“Well, you certainly
can ask Jane to dance, and any of my sisters. Perhaps even Mary would consent.
And then, of course, there is my mother.”

“Your mother?”

“Oh, yes. You
will find her quite the dancer.”

“Truly?”

Elizabeth
curtseyed. “Thank you very much for the dance, Mr. Darcy. Perhaps I shall see
you later?”

Darcy leaned in
and whispered, “Will you promise to have one more dance with me?”

Elizabeth
curtseyed slightly as she nodded. “If you insist!”

*~*~*

Darcy walked away
from Elizabeth determined to make an effort to dance. He first asked Jane to
dance with him, and when he did, Bingley took the opportunity to dance with
Elizabeth.

“You must tell
me, Miss Elizabeth,” Bingley asked as they took their place in line, “how my
good friend behaved as a pirate. I am completely flummoxed by his behaviour of
late, and I cannot reconcile the man I know and this…” he pointed over to
Darcy, “
this
man!”

“Well, I only
believed him to be a pirate for a very short while, but even when I believed
him to be Captain Smith, he was very polite and honourable.” Elizabeth laughed
gaily and met Darcy’s eye, as he stole glances at her occasionally from where
he and Jane stood. “He did speak quite oddly, however. I think that is why I
did not readily recognize him.”

The music began,
and Bingley stepped forward and bowed. Elizabeth returned it with a curtsey,
and then he took her hands.

Bingley let out
a huff. “He is so different. He has said nothing to me, but my angel… my Jane…
has informed me that he once asked for your hand in marriage.”

Elizabeth let
out a long breath. “Yes, but I would not mention it to him. Let him be the one
to tell you what happened. I assume she told you I refused him?”

Bingley’s eyes
grew wide. “Yes! Confound it all! These things completely baffle me, but I
shall not pry into your private affairs.” He smiled and looked down at her. “I
am now very glad my friend and I have sorted out our differences. He is a good
man, you know. Very good. No one like him.”

Elizabeth pursed
her lips together to suppress a smile. “Yes, Mr. Bingley, I am quite certain he
is.”

Elizabeth
changed the subject and directed Mr. Bingley to talk about the wedding, or
Jane, which he did, with great enthusiasm. Every once in a while, however,
praise for Mr. Darcy poured forth from him, and Elizabeth believed he felt it
incumbent on him to convince her of his great worth.