*This story is copyright protected
Uploading Weekly / Fortnightly.
Please enjoy!
V x
Please leave a comment, if you feel so inclined - I would like to say a special thanks to all those who are reading and following this story. Especially for all those who have left comments! I am so touched by your kind words and thank you for keeping me motivated and inspired to write more chapters !
Chapter 17
Netherfield Ball Part 3...
Plates and glasses clattered in the din, as voices spoke, and laughter carried across the supper tables. Men and women, their cheeks flushed from the expensive wine in the punch and a full evening of dancing. The candlelight flickered and danced off the jewels sequin embellishment and glasses held in gloved hands. Elizabeth and Darcy were sitting in the centre table with Sir Percy, Colonel Fitzwilliam, Jane, Mr Bingley, and Charlotte. Looking towards the table to her right she was surprised to see her mother and father sitting with Dorothea, Lady Matlock, Viscount Rothford, Lady Rothford, her uncle and Aunt Gardiner. Elizabeth had been touched to find that her Papa had come back to the ball after seeing Lydia safely home.
'Indeed Dot, exactly my point!" exclaimed her mother in a loud whisper.
Turning Elizabeth saw Mr Darcy's gaze fixed on the same table before they flickered back to her.
'Dot?' Mouthed Elizabeth to Darcy, who shrugged one side of his mouth pulling into a smile. Elizabeth had to bite her cheeks to keep from laughing.
"You find this amusing now, but you know as well as I that we may come to regret this alliance." Teased Elizabeth.
"I am not worried. We shall form such a formidable team that we shall easily be a match for them." He countered.
"How can you be so certain?"
"You do not lack courage, Miss Elizabeth. I also know myself well enough to proclaim; that you shall always have an ally in me." He said earnestly and taking a sip of his wine drawing her attention to his cufflinks.
"I see you are wearing your compasses again, Mr Darcy." She said daring to reach out a brush a fingertip lightly over them.
He looked down at them with a small shrug, "Yes, I do tend to wear these often of late."
Elizabeth noted that he spoked in a level tone but could see that his gaze was guarded.
"I like that you are wearing them tonight. It shows that this evening is worthy of them in your opinion… it is not the correct setting for me to say too much, though I would like to acknowledge that this must be difficult to not have your mother and father present when you are to marry. I hope they would approve of me, and I will do my best to be a good wife to you, Mr Darcy." She placed her hand gently over his arm in a caring gesture.
Placing his hand over hers he gave it a slight squeeze of thanks before his attention was garnered by his cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam.
She looked back to her mother and instantly wished she had not, when she saw that her mother was daringly touching a gentleman, whose name escaped her at present, while Lord James looked on in abject horror. To make matters worse, on the adjacent tables, the ladies twittered behind their fans at her mothers expense. Elizabeth had been avoiding thinking about the impression her friends and family would make to her betrothed's family.
"Miss Elizabeth how are you faring this evening?" asked Sir Percy. Elizabeth had the distinct impression he was knowingly distracting her.
"I am very well." She cleared her throat discomfited at how he always had that knack of cutting in when needed, but also never missing anything. "I have seen you dancing many sets this evening. How are your feet faring?"
"My feet are just fine, thank you, my soon to be cousin. It is my toes that are in want of rest!" he replied dryly and making Elizabeth laugh.
"Well, I am glad you have sacrificed you toes in aid of being here for Mr Darcy. I can tell that he is pleased to have you all in attendance," she said laughing.
"I see you have learned which scowl constitutes a smile already. Brava!" he said signalling for his water glass to be refilled by a passing footman.
Studying him Elizabeth could see that there was a slight change in him from the usual air of untroubled and cheerful demeanour that would describe Sir Percy's character… she could not account for what it was and unlike Mr Darcy he did not have such an openness that she would feel at ease commenting on it.
A large eruption of laughter arose across the room where she could see Sir William Lucas and his table in high spirits and clinking glasses in agreement as they continued to laugh.
"I daresay…" began Elizabeth turning back to Sir Percy, stopping short when she found his seat vacant.
Glancing about the room she caught the sight of his back as he disappeared into the ballroom.
I wonder what that is all about…?
Mary sat on the floor humming a tune to herself after having consumed almost two servings of the amber liquid she had found. She dearly wished for a little more but the effort she would need to expel in order to get it was too much.
"Why did I not think to bring the decanter to the floor with me?" she groaned in frustration.
"So, this is where you have been hiding?" came the deep rumble of Sir Percy's unmistakable voice.
"Oh, no." Mary moaned. "I should have gone home with Lydia."
Looking up she felt her breath leave her at the dark look Sir Percy gave her. Crouching on his hunches, Mary could not help but see the close fit of his breeches as they struggled to contain his muscular thighs. Gulping she watched as strong hands tugged her skirts down to cover her legs and then moved back to rest near his knees.
"What happened?" came his clipped voice.
"I b-beg your pardon?" she hiccupped.
"Your dress? Did someone hurt you?" he asked, his eyes wide with distress.
Mary intended to answer but seeing the genuine concern on his face she felt her chin begin to tremble and the corners of her mouth pull down as a sob escaped her. Covering her mouth with the back of her hand she tried to stop her foolishness, crying women never put gentleman at ease!
"Tell me who!" demanded Sir Percy suddenly. "Mary, who did this. Tell me who he was, and I will deal with him." He said his voice chillingly low.
"What?!" she asked in confusion.
"You will tell me this instant who imposed themselves upon your person, Mary!"
"I don't see w-what you think going after Miss Bingley will achieve!" she slurred. "And you cannot c-call me Mary. I am Miss Mary. Plain and obedient Miss Mary Bennet."
A muscle twitched in Percy's jaw. "How much have you had to drink tonight?"
"Not nearly enough," she retorted stumbling to stand.
"Easy," he said reaching out a hand to steady her. "I shall go and fetch you some food to line your stomach and then you will not feel so out of sorts."
"Don't leave me, please." She sighed leaning her head upon his shoulder.
After a moment's hesitation she felt his arms embrace her and she sighed in contentment as his warm scent comforted her. The feel his chin resting on the top of her head had her pretending that she was now his wife and he loved her. When they were alone like this, she could pretend that this was one of many tender moments they would share for the rest of their lives together… "I wish I had had the chance to dance a set." She exhaled.
Then without speaking Sir Percy lowered his hands a fraction and began to hum in rich baritone as they swayed them gently in slow circles to his tune. They stayed in this fashion for some minutes, but Mary could've spent an eternity in his arms.
Clearing his throat and breaking the spell, Sir Percy stepped back from her and placed a gentle hand under her chin to force her to look up at him.
"I shall be back shortly. You really should have something to eat –" he was caught short and only just managed to move clear of Mary as she doubled over and vomited on the back of the chair she had been leaning upon when he had found her.
"Oh no!" she sobbed, wishing the floor would open up and swallow her whole.
"Shhh, its best to let it up." Soothed Sir Percy moving her to another seat beside an open window and placing a china vase in her lap.
"Please go, I do not need to embarrass myself f-further in front of you!" she gasped her throat burning as she wretched once more.
Ignoring her, he placed a glass of water in her hands. "I will go and arrange for a carriage to take you home."
Mary grabbed his hand looking up at him imploringly. "Please do not tell my Papa."
He nodded his gaze softening, "I will return to you shortly. Would you like anything else?" Sir Percy asked, his tone all politeness.
"No," she choked out past her fiery throat.
I have ruined any chance I might have had with him, but I will forever cherish this evening. How pathetic!
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and it was only when her mother patted her face with a handkerchief, did she realize how much she was crying again.
Jolting in her seat after having not heard anyone enter the room, she saw that Sir Percy was standing near the threshold and Miss Dorothea and her mother were all concern and fussing around her.
"Mama, what am I going to do?" she asked suddenly nervous.
"Shush, darling. Do not tax yourself any further. All will be well, although not tonight, and sadly tomorrow, you feel the side effects of the liquor you have imbibed." Mrs Bennet said wincing and talking in tones usually reserved for small children. "But after that you shall be right as rain."
"Come Miss Mary, you must sleep." Said Dorothea.
"Dot is correct. Sleep is the best thing for you, now." Agreed Mrs Bennet and before she realised it, she was travelling with her Mama in a carriage back to Longbourn and the comfort of her warm bed.
An irritable Darcy stood to the side of the ballroom as Elizabeth was dancing the closing dance with her father. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes when a nauseatingly sweet scent assaulted him at the approach of Mrs Hershay.
This evening the audacious and gratingly irritating woman had decided to wear a gown which was daringly low cut and looked to be two sizes too small for her figure!
"Mr Darcy, you are not dancing?" she asked.
How he hated obvious questions. "As you see." He replied curtly.
"I must say, Mr Darcy that this ball has been such a hit with local families of Hertfordshire. Tell me how we should address each other now that we are to be seeing one another more often?" she asked fluttering her eyelashes in what she must assume would be alluringly seductive.
"You may call me Mr Darcy and I shall call you Mrs Hershay." Darcy said flatly.
"Come now, sir. Do not play games!" she said swatting him with her fan and giggling. "I have been watching you all evening from across the room."
Briefly glancing at her with a look of displeasure he said, "It would be best if you go back over to your position there and maintain that distance from me." He said walking away.
Where is my Uncle Matlock?
After searching every room on the main floor of Netherfield he finally found the Earl of Matlock a small parlour drinking brandy and smoking cigars with his cousins James and Richard.
"Uncle I must demand an explanation as to why you would snub my intended by not joining the party and acknowledging her!" spoke Darcy silencing the room.
"You will do well to hold your tongue and address me with the respect that I am owed." Thundered Lord Matlock.
"Then please tell me why you have not been present in the ballroom this evening." Darcy said not backing down.
"Catherine was correct! That you the great Fitzwilliam Darcy are involved with a country trollop! It is not to be borne. My nephew is not such a man to be fooled by such arts and allurements!" spat the Earl. "I did come into that ballroom and what I witnessed was vulgarity and ungenteel behaviour. Imagine my horror when I asked who the loudest of the bunch were, only to be told they were the infamous Bennet's!"
"Father, please we agreed that we would speak calmly and rationally on this." Said James intervening.
"It does not matter the nature of which you have planned for this discourse to take place. My decision has been made." Said Darcy resolutely.
"Do not be so stubborn. I have at least been kind enough to wait to see for myself before I made my decision."
"I have not the pleasure of understanding you." said Darcy his expression one of forced politeness.
"Then when making my way to this room after a short spell in the billiard room, I came across an altercation between one young lady and the youngest Miss Bennet. Scandalous!"
"That was not an invitation for you to expand on the happenings of this ball and given the parties I know you tend to favour in the more notorious parts of town, I am surprised that you could be shocked by such a mild evening." Said Darcy in bored tones.
James stood looking angrily at Darcy, Richard pinched the bridge of his nose and the Earl let out a strangled noise of affront.
"No, I was questioning why you thought your decision on whom I wed would hold any weight?" he questioned unflinchingly.
"Now Darcy, there is no need to take it there. We are only looking out for you as family should!" said James crossing his arms.
"I am afraid I come bearing further ill tidings. I have been looking into your Miss Bennet's connections and relatives and I have heard that her uncle - the one in trade - his lip curled in distaste at the word - is on the brink of ruin! He has made a great gamble which did not go in his favour and as a consequence is doing some very underhand and downright disgraceful dealings!"
Darcy held his silence and turned his full attention to his uncle with great consideration, trying not show how disturbed he was by the news that Mr Gardiner was in dire straits financially had reached his uncle. He had heard such tales from his man of business, but he had thought it was mere conjecture…
"Do not let this news distress you my boy I will protect you and Georgiana as best I can. My name and my title will not be opposed! and to be honest with you it should not reflect badly on you once this disgrace goes public."
"No."
"What?"
"No" repeated Darcy.
"How dare you?!"
"I am not marrying Miss Bennet's Uncle and I should have known that you would try to find anything to deter me, sir. I am not cross, as you say this out of care and familial love for Georgiana and I... but I beg you not to force this –"
"Nephew, perhaps I came on a little harsh initially, but you must listen to reason." Said the Earl softening his stance. "You have options… you could marry Anne. Listen to my reasoning before you dismiss me entirely. Marry Anne and she will be obedient and biddable. She will not question you and you may seek your entertainments elsewhere. Crying off from this engagement will do no real damage to a lady in this corner of the country. Who are the Bennet's? We had no knowledge of them before your sojourn here-."
"I will not cry off from this marriage and ruin the reputation of an entire family. The Bennet's have been nothing but welcoming to me and you think because they are merry at a ball that they are not to be associated with?" he asked starting to lose his patience.
"Father you are wrong here. You have said your piece and we agreed you would voice your concern but regardless, we would support Fitz's decision."
"You forget Richard that his actions reflect on this entire family!" spat the Earl.
"I am man of my own household and my own estates. My legacy is my own and tied to the Darcy name, not Matlock. You cannot lay claim to any of my achievements and must be accountable for only your own failures and success's. I am starting to find this conversation tedious. Uncle, please let us desist with this dialogue."
"How dare you insult me?! Have the favours granted by such a girl addled your brain? You are no green lad to be led on a leash by a lady's charms, though if you are horsewhipped by such behaviours then a lady is not the correct term. Mark my words a woman like that will move to make allowances to any man."
"Father!" warned both James and Richard as Darcy's face turned menacing.
All knew that Darcy was more than capable of holding his own, even being a military man Richard would not wish to pick a fight with him. True, they knew he would not attack their father, but it would not be wise not to make an enemy out of Darcy. He garnered much respect and influence through all the rungs of society.
"This conversation is at an end. I will not prevent you from attending my wedding, just know that to do so I will expect an apology and demand that you introduce yourself to Miss Elizabeth and her family with the deference you would royalty. I hope I have made myself perfectly clear as to the terms of your coming to my wedding."
"If you were a stronger man nephew. You would obey me."
"You are wrong… only a weaker man would bulk to another and not stand by his own convictions."
"Darcy, let us not fall out and leave things like this. We have been thicker than blood our entire lives! This would not be happening if we did not care about you." said Richard.
"Father does not act out of sinister intent. This has all happened rather fast and perhaps if you had been able to have a longer engagement, we might have been able to show the lady's many qualities…"
"Do not speak as though I am not in the room! And what of her shrew of a mother?" said the Earl puffing on his cigar. "All daughters turn into their mothers in time. You will have a hell of chore taming her -"
"Please do not turn this into a fight none of us can come back from." Warned Darcy already struggling to maintain his composure after such an onslaught of insults.
"I am saying these things out of love. You are more like a son to me, damn you!"
"I will relent a little and say that the behaviour of her relatives is not always ideal," he said, his words stumbling a little. "I will say however, that they mean well, and they know how to act when in society." He said struggling to find the right words.
"Very well, I agree things are always more relaxed in the country and I have come here with a critical eye I grant you. I understand that you do not need nor ask for my opinion, but I love you and I hope for yours and Georgiana's sake she does not fail in her position as your wife."
"She will not. I would ask that you desist with this any further. Do not fret over such things that need not take up any concern. Miss Bennet knows what is expected of her and I know that which is expected of me." Bit out Darcy, though these were the small niggling fears he still held and unfortunately only time would tell who was correct in their estimation of how this would play out.
"Come, let us have a cigar and celebrate as we should, these are the same worries for every groom." Said Richard trying to lighten the mood.
"Only those grooms marrying beneath them." Muttered James.
"Don't be git, James!" said Richard.
"Come nephew, true this was not a happy conversation and I sincerely apologise if I offended you, but I will not change my opinion so quickly. You have my assurance that I will not be anything other than cordial with your betrothed and her relatives. Whatever the outcome of this marriage should you have need of me, I will be there. Always."
Before Darcy could retaliate Richard thrust tumbler in one hand and a lit cigar in another and cried "Cheers!" Not wishing to fight anymore, Darcy allowed himself to sip it but did not join in the levity and excused himself shortly after. He would not create anymore discord before this wedding had taken place and did not wish to create further scandal. He would not be rushing to put himself in the Earl or James' company anytime soon following the wedding. He was furious!
On watery legs Elizabeth stood outside after having heard enough of the conversation to feel faint and unsteady. Walking away she found herself in state of shock. How had she not realised the Earl was openly snubbing her by not appearing tonight? The rest of the family had been so welcoming… was it all an act until the Earl could convince Mr Darcy to cry off and leave her ruined? But it hadn't work… her Mr Darcy had been staunching in his defence of her! He hadn't sounded even the slightest bit uncertain until mention of her mother.
The Earl accused her of seducing Mr Darcy into marrying her. The thought hit her, and she moved to lean on the wall for a fraction before pushing herself to move back towards the ballroom. She would do as Mr Darcy had assured them. She would be the perfect wife and to be good enough for the man who had proved he would never dessert her. Even against his family and an Earl! She outwardly cringed as she remembered asking him for kisses…
No wonder the Earl has that impression of me! But Mr Darcy would not have told anyone such things… It must have been the way she had behaved with him this evening and what was I thinking for Waltzing with him?!
"Enough Elizabeth!" she scolded herself. "Enough. You will start from tomorrow as you mean to go on and be the wife and mistress of Pemberley as would be befitting of a lady of the highest rank. I will be unimpeachable in my conduct and make sure that he does not regret choosing me for his bride." She vowed before entering the ballroom.
Looking about the now less crowded ballroom she saw groups of guests clustered into lively conversations as they finished their drinks on either side of the dance floor. The sound of her younger sister's laughter soon drew her focus to the far side of the room. But after the conversation she had just heard with Mr Darcy she felt an overwhelming fear grip her. Her blood roaring in her ears she ducked into an alcove shielded by a potted fern, gasping to calm her anguish.
All Elizabeth had wanted was to find Mr Darcy to thank him for such a wonderful evening, wish him a good night and have him escort her to her carriage for her departure. Instead her happiness had been shattered.. Elizabeth stood in distraught stillness when all she wanted to was to scream out her frustration in the middle of the ballroom. Instead, taking a few deep breaths Elizabeth and after several failed attempts to mask her distress finally emerged from the alcove and moved to where her father stood with what she hoped was a convincingly relaxed and happy countenance.
"Did you find Mr Darcy and bid him farewell my Lizzy?" he asked rosy cheeked from the wine he had been sipping all evening.
"I did not, no doubt a matter of business has distracted him. But I shall see him tomorrow anyhow. I am so fatigued and my feet are aching. Let us be off!"
"That will teach for not sitting out a single dance my dear! Come the carriage awaits!" he said guiding her under his arm.