Author's Note: as always I do not own, nor do I have any right or claim on any of Jane Austen's works or characters. Please enjoy and comment, however trivial you think it might be!
"The most eloquent silence; that of two mouths meeting in a kiss"
- Anonymous
"Elizabeth Bennet."
The lady looked up surprised at her Aunt; her tone commanded Lizzy's attention in a way it had not done since she was a little girl who muddied her dress in the dirt. Mrs Gardiner's expression too, spoke of some serious topic. Elizabeth blushed heavily at the thought of Mr Darcy, and then blushed again because she blushed at the thought of Mr Darcy. A tiny smile escaped her.
Mrs Gardiner noticed her niece's change in colour and sat her down at her table. "You did not think I would not mention you and Mr Darcy's isolation." Mrs Gardiner placed a steadying hand on Lizzy's when she almost collapsed from mortification. "Dearest, please I do not wish to make you uncomfortable. Not that you are incapable of handling your own affairs, but your uncle and I only intended to highlight the delicacy of spending time alone with Mr Darcy when you are not engaged."
Lizzy, though she thought it was strange, was glad that others had noticed Mr Darcy's attentions to her but Mrs Gardiner's words made her feel uneasy. "My Uncle is not here, Aunt." Elizabeth began to panic. "Where is my Uncle?"
Mrs Gardiner remembered that honesty was a virtue valued by God and replied to her niece. "He is talking with your Mr Darcy."
"What?"
"Elizabeth, please do not raise your voice." Lizzy begged an explanation. "I know what you thought of Mr Darcy and that such a violent opinion has now changed. Dearest Lizzy, you may not be aware of your own feelings, but Mr Gardiner and I can see that they do not differ from Mr Darcy's in very many ways. ." Elizabeth sat and finally felt herself to be happy. "In fact, they do not differ at all. Do with that what you will."
Elizabeth was nervous. No, she was full of anticipation. No, she was full of . . . something.
She supposed she was full of him.
Darcy was nervous, on the other hand. At least, as far as Mr Gardiner could tell. It was obvious to Mr Darcy that his nerves and anxiety about this conversation were a necessary part of his intentions towards Elizabeth, but he could not help but be guilty of having manoeuvred time alone with her.
Despite the perhaps slightly awkward nature of his purpose, Mr Gardiner could not help but admire the young man. He was proud, but not indignantly so, and he had certainly learned to use it to the benefit of his guests, though Mr Gardiner felt he had one person in particular in mind.
"Mr Darcy, I am not about to chide you. You are a gentlemen and my niece's equal. I only meant to represent my brother in this respect."
Darcy continued to compose his breathing. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate it. I am sure you are aware of how much respect I hold for Miss Bennet." His voice shook slightly when he mentioned her by name and a smile pricked his staid expression, something not missed by the other gentleman.
"I am aware." To Darcy's surprise, Mr Gardiner stood and walked to the door. "I do not intend to make this an extended conversation. I only intended to make you aware that my wife and I expect you to make your intentions towards Elizabeth clear."
When the other gentleman had left, Darcy paced in his best manner, as he was wont to do, and made a mental note to himself that Miss Bennet and her party were to leave in two days.
Across the vast Derbyshire parkland, the wind blew through the trees and the leaves brushed the walls of Pemberley House as the family and their guests were seated excitedly around the dining table, eyes darting around in an attempt to guess what surprise the Master had arranged. There was one woman in the party, however, whose eyes were fixed entirely on Mr Darcy, and his on hers.
"Do tell us Mr Darcy. We are alive with anticipation!" Miss Darcy declared with a nod to her friends. "He would not tell me."
"A surprise, my dear sister, as I think you will agree, is not a surprise if it is common knowledge." His sweet sister entreated him to be serious once more. "As we are to lose our guests this week, I have booked an evening at the opera to show off the best of Derbyshire's assets."
"Oh Hurrah, this is wonderful news!" Mrs Gardiner cried. "How wonderful, you have a mind for the arts Mr Darcy and I am pleased to hear it." Mrs Gardiner stole a look at Lizzy, and quite rightly guessed that she was beaming at this news and had prevented herself from staring any more at Mr Darcy, lest someone should notice her fawning. Mrs Gardiner rebuked herself here: her niece would never behave in such a way, and perhaps it would be less surprising for the rest of the party if she and Mr Darcy did appear to have some more intimate connection.
Mrs Gardiner was correct, but the intimate connection was not pleasurable to everyone. Miss Bingley watched her brother and even occasionally her sister make efforts to know Miss Bennet in a way they may not have otherwise done had Mr Darcy not been so attentive to her. Caroline saw that sharp and cold manners towards the Hertfordshire party would be noticed and unwelcome here, and she did not wish to attract the attention of her brother or his friend in this matter. She only knew that she would be no kinder than the politeness of her station required.
Mr Bingley joined in the discussions following the news of the opera emphatically: dear Miss Darcy was granted permission to buy new clothes and instructed to take Miss Bennet with her and they were engrossed in one another's conversation, Miss Darcy's eyes often alight with laughter as her companion made a startling remark. Mr Bingley looked, though he did not have to for he knew Mr Darcy well, to see the gentlemen watching his sister and Miss Bennet. It was clear he harboured precious feelings for her and Mr Bingley's nature was not one to hold grudges or wish misfortunes on others and he knew that it was because of Miss Bennet's influence that he had been informed of Darcy's concealment. Although Mr Bingley wished that he had been enough of a man to realise his mistake himself.
Elizabeth was unaware that she was the subject of so many people's thoughts but she knew from the smiles directed at her by Mr Darcy that he at least thought of her. Her heart whispered that he had intended this trip for her but she did not allow fancy to take flight and settled for returning her thanks for his gesture. She did not let herself forget however, that Mr Bingley appeared to have forgiven Darcy, but his elder sister most certainly had not forgiven her.
Nothing the woman could have comprehended was sufficient preparation for the next thing Elizabeth was to hear. Mr Darcy cleared his voice, addressing the room, spoke thus. "I have also been informed that Miss Bennet's sojourn here has caused her family undue stress and I am sure it would be unchristian of me to cause harm where I might prevent it. To that end, I have invited Mr Bennet and Jane Bennet to stay the remaining two days and join us at the opera."
If Elizabeth had been surprised at his invitation to the opera, she was overwhelmed at this gesture. Many reasons ran through her mind as to why this invitation had been made. She considered his offered reason and thought it a plausible one, but knew him too well too doubt that his reasons were numerous. Perhaps it was for her, but she never allowed her fancy to take her senses away and she more likely thought, on watching Mr Bingley's reaction that Mr Darcy wished to observe him with her sister.
At the appointed time later in the evening, Mr Bennet and his eldest daughter were greeted at the steps of Pemberley by an eager party. Miss Bennet was immensely pleased to see her sister so recovered, and their father took visible pleasure in the company of his two favourite daughters. For Elizabeth's part, she was anxious to see her sister with Mr Bingley, and began by making introductions. "Miss Darcy, I would like to introduce you to my elder sister, Jane. Jane this is Georgiana Darcy."
The women curtsied. "I very pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet. I have heard some wonderful things about you."
Jane smiled angelically. "I am sure Lizzy is too kind to me."
Miss Darcy returned the smile and shook her head timidly. "No, indeed, for it was from quite another source I heard you praised. Mr Bingley has told me about the recent stay in Hertfordshire: he was quite impressed with the company there."
Not wishing to startle her eldest sister further, Elizabeth suggested they immediately rest after such a long journey. The guests were given rooms near their own families and Jane and Elizabeth particularly favoured by being given rooms adjoining one another. Mr Bennet was impressed with Pemberley and thought it no less perfect than that which suited Mr Darcy, but was concerned as to the situation between his Elizabeth and the young gentleman. He did not fear reproach from Mr Darcy, and would have asked him himself, had he not thought it more prudent on this occasion to first discuss it with Mr Gardiner.
Upon discovery of the knowledge that the young couple were courting, Mr Bennet demanded and was granted a full explanation of the events up to the moment of his arrival. Mr Gardiner obliged his brother-in-law and defended the actions of the young man and woman. "Really, they are in love."
"I have it on good authority that Mr Darcy has never looked at a woman except to see a blemish, and especially paid no attention to Elizabeth." Mr Bennet paced, causing amusement to the other gentleman.
"Your authority is misguided, and your judgement clouded in almost exactly the same way as was your own daughter's. He had wounded her pride, and his faults therefore were much greater and his finer attributes non-existent. He has proven himself a worthy young man: honourable, generous considering he has no obligation to us, and good-humoured when he is around Elizabeth, and she shall bring it out more in him."
Mr Bennet shook his head in disbelief, resolving not to talk to his daughter until he had observed her behaviour, as he still could not comprehend the truth of the matter. "I cannot imagine it."
Jane Bennet was more easily convinced, although not at first. Upon entering her own room and then her sister's, she was wildly curious as to what had happened to Elizabeth that she should be showered such attention from a man whom she had claimed wanted nothing more to do with her.
"I am in earnest, my dear sister. I understand your difficulty, but only watch him, and you will know he is a much altered man. He has been very attentive." Elizabeth could not help but smile slightly at the thought of Mr Darcy and she recalled all the small things he had done for her: little gestures that she sits near him; he would often touch her fingers when he could be sure there was no-one watching them, which was not often, she admitted; each time he directed a smile towards her; and when he kissed her.
Thinking of him in that way, her eyes wandered and Jane watched her smile grow and her cheeks turn pink. Her sister had never acted in this way, and especially not concerning Mr Darcy. Lizzy had convinced her that he was very firmly at the back of her mind, but seeing her younger sister shiver with delight, and her eyes sparkle, Jane knew more had happened in Derbyshire than Elizabeth had been brave enough to communicate both in her letters and even now, when they were face to face.
"Elizabeth, tell me." Jane spoke earnestly, and her look captured Lizzy as she could see some topic of import concerned her sweet face. "Do you think he is still in love with you?"
Lizzy stopped; her sister's question perfectly matched her own, but Elizabeth did not know the answer and this she told her sister. "I do not know what he was two days ago." She laughed as she said this, but now frowned, as though her words came as a surprise. "All I know is that now he . . . he is . . . I . . . I am in love with him."
Jane's eyebrows shot up and she laughed. "Lizzy! You are in love with him? I am surprised."
Lizzy shook her head. "No, indeed you are not. You cannot be. I have spent a night with my Aunt Gardiner fending off suggestions of my having an intimate understanding with Mr Darcy. She is convinced he will propose to me."
"Then she thinks he loves you?" Elizabeth replied that she did not wish to say either way, but that it was probable her Aunt thought so, as she had noticed their behaviour to one another. "Then he must, Lizzy." Jane paused. "But has he told you? Has he told you he cares for you?"
Elizabeth, for a moment, debated whether to relate to her sister this next piece of information, but she could not bear the thought of her dearest Jane doubting Mr Darcy's affections for her. "There was no need for him to tell me anything." Jane expressed confusion. "We kissed."
Jane was aghast, but a slight smirk played at the corner of her lips. "What?" She said, as delicately as she could manage.
"He asked to court me, and I said yes. Then he sat next to me, and he kissed me . . . and then we kissed . . ." Lizzy paused thinking that she was losing the memory of his lips on hers, ". . . there was no need for words . . . it was the most eloquent silence."
Having survived her sister's searching interview on a considerable high note, Elizabeth felt in more of a state when she laid eyes on Mr Darcy than ever before, as she knew when she looked at him, or talked to him that she conversing with a man with whom she was very deeply in love.
Fortunately, the evening was quiet, and required no particular effort on anyone's part. They had spent the evening in quiet pursuits, the ladies occasionally requested to perform, and Elizabeth was glad of the opportunity to talk alone with Mr Darcy when she saw him smile at her as he joined her on the balcony.
The lady spoke first, testing her nervous voice and finding it to be quite undetectable. Thinking quickly, she decided to focus on a subject with which neither of them would feel uncomfortable. "Miss Darcy is a remarkable performer."
"She is proficient and I encourage her." Mr Darcy turned to Elizabeth and saw her shiver. "I am sorry. You must be cold, shall we go back?"
"No, no, thank you. I was warm inside." He nodded and turned back to face the park, now covered in shadows and the forests almost invisible.
"I hope you look forward to the opera, Miss Bennet."
"I do, indeed. I . . . have never been."
He was visibly surprised by this and turned completely to her. "Mrs Gardiner informed me you were a regular patron of the theatre when you lived with them in Gracechurch Street." She replied this was true, but only to plays and recitals, never the opera. "Then you do not know the story of Fidelio?"
Elizabeth smiled wryly. "I must confess I do not, nor do I speak German. I am afraid I do not compare to the standards of your six accomplished women." To her surprise, she was relieved when he laughed, something she had heard much more of since their impromptu meeting.
"Indeed you do not." He stated flippantly, making her eyes widen in shock. "You are above them."
As the date for the theatre had been set for the next evening, Miss Darcy took her close friend to her seamstress in Lambton in the morning, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Gardiner who had promised their nieces new gloves. Mr Bennet insisted on accompanying them, as both the young gentlemen had come into town with them. It was not that Mr Bennet did not trust them, but he was wildly fascinated to see his daughters and their future husbands.
"I must say, Mr Darcy, I appreciate your gesture, but I feel I am taking advantage of your kindness." Elizabeth smiled at Mr Darcy and he placed his hand on hers.
"Miss Bennet," He whispered, the reverberations in his throat sending tingles down her spine, "I understand your discomfort, but please, look what you have done with my sister. I have never seen her quite so confident, nor half so happy." They watched Georgiana on the arm of Mr Gardiner, talking away happily and smiling back at them. "I am sure it is all your own doing and I cannot thank you enough."
"I assure you, then, the theatre is all the thanks I require. It will be a wonderful evening."
"Miss Darcy, how lovely to see you . . . and you have brought friends?" They were greeted outside a shop by an older woman, who led the ladies inside. Elizabeth immediately liked this woman: she was stout and her frame was upright and matched her pleasant expression. Elizabeth felt that she might make any bad news seem less unfortunate simply with a wink. They were introduced and taken further into the room to choose their items.
The building had given Elizabeth an image of a small dark area inside. There were, however, several beautiful rooms light in colour and atmosphere and it had the comforting sense of a library. "Madame, I have never seen such a collection. How do you manage such business yourself?" The Lady gave Elizabeth a wink, which made her smile.
"Madame has very talented women on her staff." Miss Darcy said softly as they fondled the soft fabrics of silk, muslin, satin, lace and velvet, to name a few. "They are her daughters." Elizabeth raised her brow in surprise but was distracted by the Jane's entreaties to choose a style and cut.
Meanwhile, at the entrance to the shop, Bingley had managed to gain a moment of privacy with Darcy, away from the prying and curious eyes of Mr Bennet. "You are showering attention on Miss Bennet, Darcy." His friend laughed. "I assume you also confessed to her: she returns your attentions."
Darcy looked up sheepishly, but Bingley noticed a slight redness in his face. "I did. You are not angry?" Bingley shook his head. "I would not consider pursuing her to Longbourn if I had not made her aware that I had attempted to make amends in the areas with which she found fault."
Bingley was surprised. "And how, may I ask, do you know the areas of your character with which she finds fault?"
"She told me herself."
"You did not ask her?"
"Indeed, no." Darcy paused, considering for a moment whether Bingley should know the reasons pertaining to his having gained such knowledge. "I proposed to her in April. Rather pathetically and with no idea as to the impropriety of my requests. She told me in no uncertain terms and with a manner that rivalled my own the whys and wherefores of her refusal."
Aghast, Bingley struggled to keep his voice down. "She refused you? I thought you were about to tell me that you had been engaged all this time." Darcy chuckled and secretly wondered to himself what might have happened had that been the case. "But I can imagine your behaviour to her and her reaction. You both have passionate natures and she seems very pleased to see the changes in you."
Darcy was glad to hear this and smiled gratefully. "Thank you. There is a very fine line between love and hate: they are both passionate feelings themselves." Bingley nodded. "I love her."
"I assume then, that you intend to propose?" Bingley reproached Darcy for the surprise in his expression: he could not deny his intention. "I would propose to Miss Bennet if she were here."
Darcy logged his comment mentally, to later tell Elizabeth. "As yet, I have only asked her if I might call on her at Longbourn, as you will her sister."
"I certainly shall."
Darcy and Bingley both were startled at the Miss Bennets' and Miss Darcy's return. "There is a beautiful collection here, Aunt." Jane addressed Mrs Gardiner as they were led out of the shop. "And Miss Darcy has exquisite taste."
The young woman blushed politely. "Miss Bennet will look stunning this evening. Madame was very helpful."
Darcy nodded. "I am pleased to hear it." Further along, when they had begun to walk in pairs, the party began to stride at their own paces and Darcy slowed their pace. "Miss Bennet?" She turned to him; her eyebrows rose in a mischievous way, because she was feeling playful and felt he had been too serious again. "I should like to request the honour of accompanying you this evening."
She laughed to herself. "Indeed, we all hoped very much that you would be there as we cannot very well go without our host." He looked flushed and embarrassed at this and she took pity on him. "I am only teasing you, sir. I should very much enjoy your arm tonight." He smiled at her and she felt very strongly that had they not been in public, he would have kissed her hand. "Although I do not think I can rival the beauties of your society."
"Nonsense," He chuckled in a way she had never heard before. "Miss Bingley knows naught of which she speaks." She was amused that he should mention Miss Bingley in such a way to her and they each continued to tease until the hour came when they were to return home.
The evening light cast magnificent shadows over the polished floors of Pemberley and Elizabeth sat excitedly at her dressing-table, for once allowing herself to think that she did look beautiful.
The maids had bustled about her head for fifteen minutes in the soft candlelight, brushing, plaiting, twisting, pinning and curling to achieve for whatever reason, this particular style. They took from the fashion plates in Paris and London apparently and despite Elizabeth's violent protests that she did not want to be made up, they ignored her and carried on.
Now, looking in the mirror she was silently glad that they had made such an effort because tonight, Mr Darcy could be glad that he had a lady on his arm that rivalled the best of his class. She supposed that was her maids' intentions.
"Miss, should you like to put on your dress now?" Elizabeth responded that she would, and smiled at the young woman's colloquial accent: it reminded her of Hertfordshire. "It's pretty Miss, you'll look lovely."
"Thank you." Carefully, she stepped in, and her back was fastened. Then turning to the light, she knew she would never question the seamstresses' decision to put her in a darker colour again. She'd chosen Indian ivory lace and a shorter cut of the cuff than Elizabeth was used to, but it complemented her. "Thank you."
She smiled. "I think it is your own doing, Miss, but you're welcome." Elizabeth then turned to her bedside table and plucked a yellow flower from its stem, placing it in her hair. Affectionately touching the accompanying note again, she put on her coat and left.
In the music room, the gentlemen waited on their ladies in the archetypal manner: several of them checking their watches anxiously before being reminded that the ladies were in fact not late at all. Mr Bingley in particular was excited to have the chance to sit next to his own lady, and since his frank conversation with Darcy he felt himself entirely secure in his affections, and had only to win back her own.
After some time, however, Mr Hurst could no longer stay his tongue and grunted to Darcy: "I hope you do not intend to allow Miss Darcy a new gown every time she goes to the theatre otherwise we shall be here for a fortnight."
Despite being highly embarrassed and angry at the suggestions in Mr Hurst's statement, Darcy did not let it show and spoke in a calm and reasonable tone. "I should like to point out that you spent two hours choosing a new coat." He laughed and knew Mr Hurst would not mention it again, considering he preferred to fall asleep at the theatre.
Distant voices from the stairs called grateful attention from the gentlemen, who rose and waited to greet the ladies, each of whom was appropriately well-dressed and complimented accordingly. Elizabeth was, momentarily, disheartened that Mr Darcy made no particular compliment to her, but took comfort from the remembrance that he was not a loquacious man and from the weight of her arm on his.
