I don't own Pride and Prejudice
They had been in London a full week before they readied themselves for their first social event. They had decided to go to the theater so that the younger girls could join them, as the play had been going for over a week now. They had also invited Mr and Mrs Gardiner to join them in the Darcy box. Elizabeth sat before the mirror, checking to make sure she looked her best. Abigail had helped her get ready first and was now with Kitty.
She was wearing one of her new evening gowns, made of a fabric so dark it was almost navy. The neat thing about it was that when the light hit it, it would would have almost an iridescent effect, making the blue look lighter. Her uncle said he brought the silk from China, and Mme Bellows turned it into a stunning evening gown. Her hair was pinned into submission with little pearl hair pins, however Abigail made it look as though a few curls had escaped, giving it a pleasing look.
Apparently, her husband thought so too as the man froze when he entered her room, and looked her up and down before blushing at being caught. "Am I to take it you approve?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Very much so, I've never seen anyone look more handsome that you look tonight."
"So then, I just might be handsome enough to tempt you?" She teased, and he looked confused for a moment, before understanding dawned on him.
"You heard my comment at the assembly." It wasn't a question, but a statement of a fact. "Forgive me, I was in a rotten mood that night..."
"After hearing what happened this summer it is no wonder." She gave him an understanding smile.
"Would it please you to know that I regretted the moment I actually looked at you?" What she once thought to be a haughty look of pride, she now saw to be a look of pure shyness, "I was most angry with myself for denying myself the privilege of an introduction to the most handsome woman I'd ever beheld."
"I watched you in our meetings that followed, I saw how you could converse intelligently with the gentleman, as well as the ladies, and still encourage the younger members of the group. It wasn't long before I found myself imagining nights at Pemberley with you, discussing books and whatever else you wanted. I imagined you gently guiding Georgiana though her coming out, I even imagined our own children."
"And I was furious with myself for getting so caught up on a future I could never have. I'm embarrassed to say that it was your family I took fault with. I told myself your mother and younger sisters would never be accepted into high society, and that bringing you into my life would harm Georgiana. My aunt and uncle showed me how wrong I was with that regard. It turns out it is my own relatives who shame me. While I'm not saying your mother or Lydia will ever do well in our society, I've watched Kitty flourish under your guidance in just a week, and I dread the day a young man takes her from us just as I dread the day one comes for Georgiana."
"Do I think what I feel for you is love? Not yet, however I believed I am well on my way to it. I know I respect you and care for you a great deal. The care I've seen you show our servants is unprecedented. The way you care for Georgiana as if she has been your own sister since birth."
"Well, Georgiana is a dear, sweet girl, who could help but love her?" Elizabeth couldn't help but cut in. "And as you said, I do not think what I feel for you is love, but I do respect you, and care for you a great deal. I too believe I could come to love you."
"That is all I ask." He then took a step back and cleared his throat, "I came here to give you this, in the hopes that you would wear it tonight." Opening a small box in his hand she saw a necklace with a small blue stone shaped like a tear drop. "It has been in the Darcy family for years, and is yours now, along with many other pieces."
He took the necklace out of the box and motioned for her to turn around, fastening it around her neck.
Though this was not her first time visiting the theater, it was her first time sitting in a private box. When they had entered all eyes had been on them, which quickly set the younger girls on edge. She could feel her husband's arm tense up under her hand, and his posture became rigidly straight. It was a relief to see her aunt and uncle already inside, talking to one of their acquaintances.
"And here they are now," Her uncle said with a smile when he saw them approach. "The nieces we've told you so much about. Captain, allow me to introduce you to my nephew and nieces, Mr and Mrs Darcy, along with Miss Darcy and Miss Bennet. Darcy, Elizabeth, allow me to introduce you to Captain Sitwell and his wife. The captain saved one of my shipments years ago and I'm glad to say we've been friends ever since."
"It is very nice to meet you, Gardiner has bragged of the beauty of his nieces, but you all have far exceeded my expectations. I don't envy you or their fathers when the young men start calling." The captain laughed even as his wife tried to reign him in.
"I couldn't agree more." Fitzwilliam said stiffly, and Elizabeth stepped in to try and help him out.
"Would that children and younger sisters stayed young forever, so that we should never have to give them up. I for one hope that these two should not be in any hurry to marry once they are presented. I know I speak for my husband when I say we should like to keep them with us as long as possible." She smiled at the two girl, who beamed back at her.
"Quite so," she felt Fitzwilliam relax, "In fact, I was just telling Mrs Darcy tonight that I dread the day I have to relinquish one of the girls."
"Hopefully your sisters will take it easy on you then and wait till you have some daughters of your own to soothe that pain." The captain laughed, "Sadly, Mrs Sitwell and myself were not so lucky as to be blessed with children, but my friend Gardiner is happy to let me live vicariously through him. What delightful children he and Maddie have."
"I have heard many stories of the young Gardiner children, but should always like to hear more. Captain Sitwell, if you and your wife are not expected elsewhere, would you please join us in our box with the Gardiners." Fitzwilliam offered with a smile, and Elizabeth could see he'd taken a liking to the man.
"Oh, we wouldn't want to impose. The gallery is just fine for us." Mrs Sitwell started, and Elizabeth thought she seemed like a kind and down to earth woman.
"Nonsense, my husband tells me our box can comfortably sit more than our party tonight, we should be happy to have you join us." Elizabeth smiled happily when the couple accepted.
They made their way to their box, stopping a few times to meet some of Fitzwilliam's acquaintances. Elizabeth could feel the men and women the met judging her, and likely finding her wanting. She didn't let it bother her though, holding her head high, and meeting them glance for glance.
Finally, they made it to their box, and Elizabeth was looking forward to a bit more privacy to enjoy the company of their companions, but it was not to be. Lord and Lady Matlock were already seated in the box, an older couple and a young lady along with them.
She was not surprised to see the theater staff scurry to bring in a few more chairs, and though the box could comfortably sit ten people, thirteen was pushing it a bit. "Darcy my boy, we were not expecting you tonight." His uncles stood, and her husband went rigid, though he masked his anger well.
"So it would seem." Was all he said, as he started to direct her to one of the chairs at the front of the box.
"My dear, perhaps we should allow the girls to sit up front, they would have a better perspective to enjoy the show." She said, it also had the added benefit of making the two of them less of a spectacle. He nodded, and moved to guide Kitty and Georgiana to the seats, the girls practically bouncing with excitement.
"It is a bit cramped in here, son, why don't you and Georgiana join us, and the rest can go sit in the gallery. I'm sure they would feel less out of place there." Said the Earl, the members of his group all agreeing with him.
"Considering this is my box, and they are my family and guests, I should say they would not feel so out of place here." There was fire in his eyes, and Elizabeth wondered if this would come to blows, he was holding himself so tense. "If you have an issue with it perhaps you should move to your own box."
"Not at all, we would much rather have this time to catch up with you now that you are returned from the wilds if Hertfordshire." His aunt cut in, laying a hand on her husband's arm to stall any further arguments
Elizabeth allowed her husband to guide her to her seat, her aunt and uncle sitting up by Kitty and Georgiana, captain and Mrs Sitwell sitting next to her and Fitzwilliam.
"Fitzwilliam, darling, you remember Lady Margaret don't you?" Elizabeth took a moment to check out the woman her husband aunt and uncle preferred him to wed over her, while he exchanged pleasantries. She appeared to be a few years older than Elizabeth herself, and was heavily rouged. Her hair was a dark blond, and her eyes brown. She was not handsome, but nor was she ugly.
"I would much rather they preform something that wasn't written by The Bard, I find his work quite tedious, do you not agree Miss Bennet?" Lady Margaret addressed the question to Elizabeth, but Kitty did try to answer as she was technically Miss Bennet.
"Well, I've only read this play, as Lizzy ready it with me and Georgiana this week before coming to see it, but I enjoyed it." Kitty looked to her for approval, and she smiled to show her sister she'd answered well.
"I actually enjoy the Bard's work, and feel there are many lessons that could be learned in them." She answered.
"Oh really, do enlighten us." The older gentleman with the Earl, she was assuming him to be Lady Margaret's father, challenged her.
"Well, take this play for example, Much Ado About Nothing shows us that deceit is not inherently evil, but can sometimes be used as a means to good or bad ends." Elizabeth responded.
"Like when Beatrice and Benedict are fooled into thinking the other one loves them." Georgiana spoke up shyly, but eager to participate.
"Exactly, while it was deceitful, the two eventually fell in love, the it was deceit used for a good end." Aunt Gardiner spoke in agreement, causing a beautiful smile to spread across the young girls face.
"Where as the deception of Claudio and Don Pedro by Don Jon, leads Hero being accused of something she didn't do, and her reputation ruined." Kitty added, just as unsure of herself as Georgiana was.
"That is correct, and it did not even get Don Jon his intended goal. His deception was for a bad ends, and hurt more than one innocent person." Fitzwilliam's resolve made Kitty beam and sit up straighter. She knew her sister was frightened of her husband, but also yearning for fatherly approval. To think that one statement from her husband gave more approval than their father ever did was quite disheartening.