Hello everyone! I hope you had a happy and healthy holiday season! Our family has made it Covid free so far and we hope to keep that up until the vaccine arrives! In the meantime, it's a pleasure to write stories that take us away from the uncertainty of today and into a world of romance. I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Eight
Elizabeth spent much of the following day thinking about her encounter with Darcy. The difference in him between their first encounter and their second was so drastic that she separated the two encounters in her mind, and thought of not one but two men, the gentleman and the one who had been rather less than that.
The first man had been superior, haughty, and thoroughly unpleasant. More than that, he had been insufferably ill mannered, insulting her appearance to Bingley and refusing to dance. But the second Darcy had been not only amiable and accommodating, but also willing to throw himself into harm's way for the sake of a child! She wondered how both of these men occupied the same mind and body.
The first Darcy's behavior had been too egregious to excuse or even just forget. But considering the actions of the second Darcy outside the tea shop, she was willing to think that there might be more to the man, and to hold off deciding his character. She was looking forward to the chance to observe him further and to see which of the two men inside him would ultimately have the upper hand.
Darcy and Bingley arrived on time the following evening, and the family was in the parlor when they were announced. Darcy approached Elizabeth as soon as he had greeted her aunt, and Elizabeth saw at once that his improved manner had survived at least one day. "Miss Elizabeth," he said, bowing low.
Elizabeth performed the usual curtsy in return. "Good evening, Mr. Darcy. I trust you have suffered no ill effects from your adventure yesterday?"
Darcy smiled, a gentle smile that just made the corners of his mouth turn up. "I might ask the same of you."
"True; but I asked you first."
"None whatsoever. But if I had suffered harm, the pain would have been worth the reward."
Was he flirting with her, the way men in Paris so often did? She was still trying to think of a response to this when he added, "How is little Jules?"
Of course, she thought. Darcy was interested in the child. "Not very well, unfortunately. He scarcely speaks a word to anyone, and when we ask about his parents all he will say is that they are gone. We have no idea where his home is, or if he even has one."
Darcy frowned. "What is your uncle doing to try to assist him?"
"He has sent servants out on the streets to circulate Jules' description and to ask if anyone is missing a young boy. But I have little faith that their efforts will bear any fruit."
"If there is any way I can assist your uncle in his efforts, please let me know at once." He paused. "I can sympathize with the boy's situation. I, too, lost my mother at a young age."
No wonder Darcy was so taken with the child. "How old were you at the time?"
"Just past ten years. Fortunately I had my father, a most excellent man, to care for me and my sister, so my story had a happy ending. We must do everything in our power to ensure that Jules has a happy ending as well."
At that moment Elizabeth heard a familiar sound, faint but distinct, and looked down to see Cozette. The feline leaned against one of Darcy's legs as she mewed a plea for attention. Darcy obligingly leaned down for a moment to pat her on the head. "Cozette, for shame!" Elizabeth scolded. "What are you doing here? You should be in the kitchen, not annoying our guest!"
"She is not annoying me," Darcy said gravely, though there was a trace of merriment in his eyes. "I am used to cats. We have several in my home in Derbyshire."
"But your cats in Derbyshire no doubt behave better than Cozette does. She will not leave you alone, now that she has discovered your sympathy for her." As if to confirm her words, Cozette wrapped herself around Darcy even more and mewed again.
"I doubt it. My sister tries to control them but they show no signs of any training whatsoever. Cats by nature are independent and resist bending to anyone's will."
"You should perhaps have dogs as pets, then."
"On the contrary. I like creatures that are independent and have a mind of their own."
The Lucases were announced into the room just then, and Darcy stepped back to allow Elizabeth to greet Charlotte. She continued speaking with her until it was time to go into the dining room.
At the table they were joined by a Mr. and Mrs. Duvall, and by a Mademoiselle Fortin, a widow who was a particular friend of Mrs. Gardiner's. Bingley secured a seat next to Jane, but when it looked like Darcy would follow his friend and sit on the other side of Elizabeth, Charlotte maneuvered to take the spot instead. She spoke to Elizabeth in a low voice. "You may thank me later, Lizzy, for I know how much you dislike the man. I would not on any account leave you to his company again!" Elizabeth managed to thank her friend with a half smile, not able to make explanations in this setting. Darcy took the only seat left open, on the opposite side of the table.
The first course was well under way when Mr. Gardiner fulfilled his promise to express his appreciation to the gentlemen more fully than he had so far done. "Darcy and Bingley." He waited until he had the attention of everyone around the table. "I cannot tell you how pleased we are to welcome you to our home. We are delighted to have the opportunity to thank you thoroughly and publicly for the actions you took to be of assistance to our nieces, particularly to Elizabeth, yesterday."
The others exclaimed in surprise and wanted to know what Gardiner was talking about, and they listened to the story of the child thief, the angry storekeeper, and Elizabeth and Darcy with growing astonishment.
"How could you dare to be so bold, Miss Bennet?" Mademoiselle Fortin cried, when the short tale was finished. "I never heard of a lady taking such a risk! And to help a mere child!"
Mrs. Gardiner lifted her chin proudly. "Elizabeth acted from the heart, and prevented a tremendous wrong from being carried out."
"But the trouble she might have created! Not only for herself, but for Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and anyone else who may have been forced to come to her rescue! I scarcely think such behavior should be encouraged by public praise. "
"You needn't worry on our account, madam," Bingley responded gallantly. "Darcy was more than equal to the occasion, and the gentleman in question only wanted to protect his property. Once his initial anger was past there was no real danger."
"I think you give the gentleman in question too much credit," Sir William said, rather dryly.
"As my wife said, we take pride in what Elizabeth did, and we have nothing but gratitude for both Darcy and Bingley," Gardiner added, nodding at the two gentlemen. Bingley smiled in return. Darcy merely inclined his head in acknowledgement, his expression sober.
Lady Lucas was looking at Elizabeth with open admiration. "Your courage reminds me of the Fleur de Lys, my dear. It would be just like him to dare to rescue someone who needed immediate assistance!"
"Precisely so!" Charlotte exclaimed. "This is something I would expect to hear of the Fleur de Lys, not my dear Lizzy! But then, knowing Lizzy as I do, I should not be surprised. This is exactly in character for her."
"The Fleur de Lys?" Darcy echoed, speaking for the first time. "Who is this you speak of?"
"Have you not heard of the man?" Sir William asked in some surprise. "But then I suppose you would not have, being new to Paris. Since late summer some unknown gentleman has taken it upon himself to rescue poor souls destined for a most unfortunate end, by utilizing a bold scheme or trickery of some kind. What his motive is, nobody knows, but without this man's work many more lives might have been lost to Madame La Guillotine."
Darcy tilted his head, considering. "He sounds more like a myth than a real person."
"A myth!" Elizabeth exclaimed. "He is quite real. I have seen him myself! In fact our whole family has seen him. Isn't that so, uncle? Two weeks ago, we saw an old woman who aided in the Baron du Lac's escape, but my uncle suspects that she was probably the Fleur de Lys in disguise."
"Oh, she may have been," her uncle answered, more carelessly than Elizabeth expected. "Then again perhaps not. You know how stories and exaggerations build up at times like these. The people need a hero. I expect half of the stories we have heard are just that- stories that people wish were true, rather than reflections of actual events."
Elizabeth nearly stared at her uncle, his about face was so unexpected. "But you were so sure of her at the time."
Lady Lucas shook her head. "Your uncle is right. The Fleur de Lys must be a myth. How could one person thwart the wishes of the entire Parisian mob, rescue prisoner after prisoner, and make his escape in broad daylight?"
"He is working with someone! Perhaps with more than one person. There were two people at the gate on the day we saw him."
"Two people would have a harder time making a clean escape," Lady Lucas pointed out. "And all the stories say that the Fleur de Lys works alone."
"But there have been many escapes since the summer," Elizabeth protested, "and they all show a certain daring, a flair, an elan if you will, that was not present before. Where was all this daring before that time? The Fleur de Lys must be real!"
Elizabeth's passionate declaration spurred debate around the table, and for several minutes there were multiple conversations taking place at once, with people speaking over each other. Sir William, sitting next to Darcy, took it upon himself to describe to him the various disguises and stratagems used by the unknown hero. Charlotte defended Elizabeth's assertion and added that she herself was convinced of the man's existence. Mademoiselle Fortin, however, said that it was impossible for any man, or even a group of men, to go against the Parisian mob when it was set on violence, and Lady Lucas agreed with her. Gardiner simply frowned, while Jane and Bingley spoke to each other in quiet tones that Elizabeth could not make out.
Mrs. Gardiner sighed heavily as she took in the different groups around the table. Finally she cast an appealing look at her husband, who understood the mute request and rose to his feet.
"We will not solve this mystery by disputing amongst ourselves." He lifted his glass and waited until the conversation around the table had ceased and every eye was on him. In the silence he pronounced, "Here's to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, for having the courage of their convictions! And more importantly, here's to the safety of all our friends and family in times like these. May better days come sooner than we can imagine!" He drank his fill and the others followed suit, effectively putting an end to the conversation.
After dinner the ladies sat together in the parlor while the men retired to Gardiner's study. After the usual amount of time Sir William entered the parlor. He was alone; neither Gardiner, Darcy nor Bingley were with him. Elizabeth continued speaking with Charlotte and Jane but her ears were attuned to any sound from the hallway. She found herself listening intently for any doors opening and shutting, or for the sound of footsteps in the hallway, that might herald the appearance of the other gentlemen. Jane's face was composed but someone who knew her well could probably tell by her frequent glances at the doorway that she, too, was waiting for the rest of the group to join them.
Several more minutes passed before their uncle, Bingley and Darcy came into the room, speaking closely together. They paused in the doorway while Mrs. Gardiner rearranged the chairs in order to accommodate them. The seats closest to Elizabeth were moved away, and Elizabeth found herself more or less in a corner, separated from Jane and Charlotte. She was not alone for long, however. Darcy crossed the room directly to her. "Good evening once again, Miss Elizabeth."
Elizabeth glanced at Jane and Charlotte and saw that they were speaking with Bingley. "What a strange thing to say, Mr. Darcy! We were in this very room once already tonight, and ate at the same table for above an hour; therefore a formal greeting should be unnecessary."
Darcy's lips twitched. "I enjoyed listening to your conversation over dinner. Are all dinners at your uncle's house so," he hesitated, "spirited?"
Elizabeth flushed. "My mother would say that I need to learn to keep my opinions to myself."
"But you do not follow her instructions."
"I have been blessed, or perhaps cursed, to be a woman of strong opinions. My mother would say that it is not lady like to state them so firmly, but I am not so certain that I agree with her."
He looked at her with warm interest in his dark eyes. "This unknown man, this Fleur de Lis . . . you admire him." It was more of a statement than a question.
"Who that knows his heroic deeds does not? And if others were to see him in person, the way I have, they would admire him as well."
Darcy cocked his head to one side, considering. "Do you really think he is heroic?"
"I am sure he would describe himself that way."
"I disagree."
"Why?"
"May I sit with you?"
She gave her permission, and Darcy moved a chair to her side before answering her question. "I have known many men whom others would describe as heroic, but they almost always decline that title for themselves. I have a cousin, for example, a Colonel Fitzwilliam, who has seen action many times on the continent. Any number of men owe their lives to him, yet he abhors being called a hero. He says he was merely doing his duty."
"He is overly modest, then."
"Do you consider yourself heroic for stepping in to save Jules yesterday?"
"That does not signify! I only saw something that needed to be done, and did it, without stopping to think of the consequences. In fact my actions might fairly be called reckless, not heroic."
His eyes glowed. "I feel certain that the Fleur de Lis would describe himself in exactly the same way."
Their conversation was interrupted by Mrs. Gardiner calling their names, asking them if they would join in a game of loo. Elizabeth agreed reluctantly, for she had enjoyed the short conversation with Mr. Darcy more than she had anticipated.
She and Darcy did not have a chance to speak to each other again until nearly the end of the evening, when Elizabeth was helping her aunt by breaking up the tables and directing the servants. Mademoiselle Fortin had already departed, and the Duvalls were putting on their things and calling for their carriage. Bingley and Jane were speaking with Sir William and Lady Lucas. Darcy approached Elizabeth quietly.
"Miss Bennet, I have a favor to ask of you."
"What is that, Mr. Darcy?" she responded, wondering what if he perhaps wanted to see Jules before he left.
"I would like to call on you again."
"I see no reason why you should not. Perhaps you can call at an earlier hour, when Jules will still be awake. You may be able to reach him better than we have so far."
Darcy took a step closer to her. "I see that I have not made my intentions clear. Little Jules matters to me, and I would like to keep an eye on him. But surely you must know by now that he is not my only concern. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to spend more time with you."
Elizabeth stood stock still, astonished at his bold statement. How had she drawn the interest of Mr. Darcy, of all people? "You wish to call on me?"
"Very much so."
She did not know what to think. "You would have to ask my uncle first."
"I did, earlier this evening."
"What did he say?"
"That I might ask you."
Elizabeth flushed. She had been put on the spot and had no ready excuse to avoid Darcy's attentions. And yet, did she want to avoid them?
She looked at him from under her lashes, taking in his tall form and strong shoulders. He was gazing at her steadily and oh so hopefully. What harm could it be to allow him to call? His company this evening had not been at all disagreeable. In fact, she had to admit to herself, if she had met this Darcy first, she would not have believed the other Darcy had ever existed. If the old Darcy, the disagreeable version, returned, she could always turn him away.
Past Darcy's shoulder she saw Bingley and Jane standing together. Bingley was speaking earnestly while Jane looked down at the floor, a soft flush on her cheeks. A small smile played on her lips. Elizabeth had been so caught up with watching Darcy that she had neglected to observe her sister. If she allowed Darcy to call on her, would it not be more likely to bring Jane and Bingley together?
Cozette was back, once again entwining herself around Darcy, then leaning against Elizabeth's skirt and purring. Elizabeth brought her attention back to the man before her. "If Cozette approves of you then who am I to object? I trust her opinion more than that of most people I know."
A broad smile broke across Darcy's face, making him even more handsome than she had thought before. "You and Jules- and Cozette- may count on seeing me very soon."
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