True to his word, Darcy spent the days leading up to the Netherfield Ball procuring a ring, refusing to answer Charles's constant questioning, instead rebutting with vague clues. He did not wish to excite his best friend - not without first obtaining Miss Elizabeth's hand. His friend would have to assume that Darcy was simply love stricken with Miss Elizabeth, giving into the soft smiles and skin of a woman after many years alone. It was easier to have his friend believe him to be in love than knowing the truth behind his proposal. While Charles knowledge of his best friends innermost nature had always been known to him, Dacy has managed to control himself, only slipping up once when they were children. At times, it would seem as if Charles had completely forgotten Darcy's secret.
With the engagement ring weighing heavily in his pocket, Darcy stood alongside the Bingley's in a show of solidarity as they welcomed their guests to Netherfield. Most of the town had been invited with little worry for the space of Netherfields ballroom, thanks largely in part to Longbournes small population. They shook hands and exchanged kind greetings with all, playing the ever accommodating hosts.
The Bennett family, larger in size than most other households, stole Charles's attention immediately as he made small talk with Jane. "I am relieved to see that you are well, Miss Jane."
"Thank you again for your generous hospitality," she replied with a curtsey. "Without it I am positive my recovery would not have been as quick or as comfortable."
Charles bristled at her words. "You are welcome to stay at Netherfield anytime you wish."
Mr and Mrs Bennett expressed their gratitude to the Bingley's at having allowed their dearest Jane to reside in comfort during her sickness. Darcy could not stand the sickly sweet words of Mrs Bennett, and he found his eyes wondering to Miss Elizabeth, standing still beside one of her younger sisters, a soft smile adorning her lips. Their eyes met ever so briefly before Darcy was pulled back into the conversation before him when Mr Bennett demanded his attention.
Soon, the family headed through the large double doors, exclaiming at the opulence that was Netherfields ballroom. The three younger sisters swiftly waltz by, barely sparing a second to greet the hosts, too caught up in their childish amazement. That left the two eldest Bennett girls remaining.
"How lovely it is to see you again, Mr Bingley." Miss Elizabeth gave him a gentle smile, true kindness behind her words, before turning to acknowledge his sister. "Miss Bingley."
Having been focused on the eldest Bennett sister, Caroline slowly drew her gaze at the woman's introduction. "The pleasure is all ours, Miss Elizabeth."
Charles took charge leading the conversation, directing his words towards Miss Elizabeth. "You left so soon after your stay that I did not have the chance to obtain your opinion of the library."
"My brother intends to redecorate the entire estate."
"Does this mean you wish to reside at Netherfield for a period of time?" Inquired Jane, glancing between the two siblings expectantly.
"Yes." Charles answered hastily. "The country has seemed to have caught me unaware, and has since grown on me."
"And will you seek to remain at Netherfield also, Mr Darcy?"
Having barely paid any heed to their conversation, glancing about the room of people as a distraction from the proximity of Miss Elizabeth standing before him, Darcy almost missed his cue to speak. "No, I will be returning to Pemberley within a week."
"He has spent too long away from his dear Georgiana," said Charles in a teasing, light hearted manner.
At the questioning gazes of both the Bennett sisters, Darcy went on to explain by stating, "My younger sister."
Miss Elizabeth's eyes widened a fraction at his words. "You have a younger sibling, Mr Darcy?"
Swooping in before he could usher an answer, Caroline said, "She is the light of his life."
"Come now, girls, there is much to see," Mrs Bennett's shrill voice rang from beyond the entrance to the ballroom. The rounded woman came into view a moment later, a drink already clutched in her hand, the added alcohol causing her volume to raise an octave. "Jane, dearest, you will get a chance to speak with Mr Bingley before the evenings end, I am sure."
Apparently deaf to the older woman's obnoxious voice, Charles nodded vigorously. "Of course."
Pairings were made rather early on in the evening, with the eligible men in the crowd setting their sights to the single ladies. Charles, of course, sought out Jane's hand for the first dance, ultimately warning away any other male from the blonde beauty. Married couples joined in on the festive dancing, though they gathered in groups as the night wore on, leaving the excitement to the young singles who continued to mingle and dance. Even the younger of the three Bennett siblings were whisked away by unknown men, their mother all but fainting at the sight of all her girls with potential matches.
Well - all but one.
Miss Elizabeth had been approached by many strapping young men - and some older - for her hand on the dance floor. Even when they seemed delighted in just having a quiet conversation, she refused by excusing herself, moving about Netherfields vast hosting rooms. Darcy spent the hours watching her, ensuring to remain just out of her sight or behaving as if he were focused on something other than Miss Elizabeth when her gaze wondered about the room.
Following her into another spacious wing of the Estate, this one holding scattered tables where various women were playing cards and drinking, Darcy hesitated by the window as Miss Elizabeth latched onto the arm of shorter lady. Miss Charlotte, he recalled a moment later, remembering the plain girl from Longbourns ball several weeks prior. It would seem, from the way Miss Elizabeth lit up at the sight of Miss Charlotte, that they were in close confidence.
As the two ladies spot at length, another single male seeked to entice Miss Elizabeth's attention. Darcy squared his shoulders as he noticed how attractive this man was in comparison to other eligible bachelors. He was unsure why Miss Elizabeth had turned down the interest of many suitors this evening, and he could not fault himself for thinking that perhaps she was waiting for a male of superior attractiveness. Darcy's hunches instantly rose as he watched the scene unfold.
Even Miss Charlotte paid close attention to their conversation, surprise and shock flittering across her face when her close friend turned down the advances of the attractive young man. Without explaining herself, Miss Elizabeth returned to the conversation she had been having with Miss Charlotte before the interruption.
Knowing that he would not be able to stop himself even if he tried, Darcy stalked through the room, his eyes completely captivated by the brunette lady giggling with her friend. Miss Charlotte spotted him first, drawing her friends attention to the presence now towering over them.
"Miss Elizabeth," he started, rather husky given his current feeling of apprehension, continuing by asking, "Would you accompany me in the next dance?"
"Courtesy demands I oblige," was her only reply.
Ten minutes later they stood in front of one another on the ballroom floor, circled by other couples brimming with excitement for the next dance. At first the tempo of the music was fast, but then it moved into a calmer and more natural rhythm, allowing Darcy to remain close to Miss Elizabeth. The dance style was intimate, and in knowing how she would feel if he were to place his hand on the small of her back, Darcy kept it hovering just inches from her waist as they twirled with other couples.
"Your sister - is she young?" Miss Elizabeth's tone was even, the soft movements of the dance barely causing a hitch in her breathing.
Focusing his gaze on a single curl falling free from her updo, he responded with, "She is not yet seventeen."
"Does she reside with your family when you travel?"
"No. Georgiana and I lost our parents at a young age. Why do you ask?" When she did not answer, all Darcy's mind could do was jump through multiple reasons for such a line of questioning, eventually settling on - what was in his mind - the most likely outcome. "Do you intend to conjure up a plan to notify those closest to me of what happened?" I brief pause. "What I am?"
"And what exactly are you, Mr Darcy? Misunderstood or misfortunate?" She asked in a hushed, yet firm, voice. There was conviction in her eyes and Darcy instantly knew she would not let the conversation drop easily.
Eyes flickering about the room, noticing a few scornful male eyes regarding him with distaste for his achievement in convincing Miss Elizabeth for a dance, Darcy said, "This is neither the time nor place to converse such a topic."
But Miss Elizabeth would not be deterred so easily it would seem. "Do you fear someone may overhear and make their own assumption of you? Heaven forbid anyone thinks anything more of you than what you deign to show the world. Shall I add 'mysterious' to the list of character traits that could be used to define you?"
Quickly growing irritated with her line of questioning, as soon as the music came to an end, Darcy wasted no time in firmly placing his hand against the small of Miss Elizabeth's back, ignoring the soft gasp at feeling his hands on her once more. He led them through the crowd of onlookers, receiving a few hushed murmures at their quick pace. The couple did not stop moving until Darcy had led them into a darkened alcove, the set of stairs out of sight and hearing distance from the bustling bodies of patrons.
Darcy pulled Miss Elizabeth forward until her back was against the banister of the stairs, trapping her there with his larger stature as he pitched his voice low and said, "Say what you truly wish to speak."
"Is that all you have to say to me?" Her eyes showed unease about their close proximity in such a secluded spot, though her words were laced with anger. "You degraded every virtue I held, ensured I no longer held a shred of dignity, yet I stand before you, seeking an answer despite the onslaught of emotions your very presence offers me." Chest rising and falling with each heavy breath as anger won as the dominant emotion. "I have kept quiet due to my circumstances; it would do my family no good if word spread of my lack of purity. Least you could offer me is a sincere apology, as well as an explanation of the events so I may come to understand what my mind cannot grasp."
Her statement deflated any irritation Darcy had previously felt. Everything she had said was beyond true; he had taken everything from her in a single, unforgiving moment of relapse, allowing a part of him that had been buried for years to resurface. Never has anyone attracted him so. He could never take back the horror he had caused Miss Elizabeth, but perhaps he could ease her pain. She wanted answers - a way to understand the reasoning behind his actions.
"An account of what truly transpired - within my body and soul - will certainly cause you grief." Stepping back to give the young lady room to breath, but still standing close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her skin, he scrutinised her carefully masked expression. "I do not wish to frighten you further."
"That is not your decision to make," she told him with an air of defiance.
"If you so admittedly believe the truth will ease your mind, then I shall explain to you fully the vices which foreordain me," he told her.
Darcy reached out to gently lace his fingers with Miss Elizabeth's warm hand, silently leading her to sit on the stairs. She did so without complaint, folding her skirts under herself before glancing up at Darcy expectantly, seeming to understand her need for patience as he pondered where to begin his story.
With a barely audible sigh, Darcy began retelling his story in a soft voice. "The Darcy's used to be known for their extended travels across the seas. Much of our fortune came to be due to our trading ports; a business my father and my uncle spent their entire lives focused on, carrying the weight of that responsibility from their fathers, and so on. At a young age, when Georgiana was only two years old, my family embarked on a holiday across the Channel, to France. For a while, our stay there was adventurous, and I was able to experience just how far my father's influence reached. Everyone seemed to know his name." He was smiling softly at the memory his words recalled. His parents had truly been famous, but they carried themselves with no more importance than anyone else. Their hearts were kind to everyone they encountered despite what rank they held. "Two weeks into our stay, a tragedy befell us. Our lodging was broken into and set ablaze, leaving myself and Georgiana to escape while hoping our parents were quick enough to do the same. They did make it out of the fire, though were soon stollen away from us by a creature of the night. This monster, tall and unhindered by my scream for help, approached where I stood, drawing near enough to reach out and touch me. My sister and I would have met the same fate if I had not carried her out onto the bustling street, hiding amongst the crowd of onlookers as the fire department attempted to extinguish the blaze. A minute later I felt the unbearable pain blooming from a gash along my arm, left by the thing that had sought to end my life as it did my parents. In my haste to escape, it would seem that the creature managed to slash his nails across my flesh." A gentle pause when a hitched breath caught Darcy's attention, and he tried to ignore the wetness forming in Miss Elizabeth's eyes. "Once the morning light brought warmth to the world once more, the workers of my father's company assisted in arranging safe passage home. Our uncle and aunt met us when we arrived back in London, raising us under strict rules not to leave their sight until I was a man, responsible for Pemberley Estate and the title that came with it. The title that my father passed onto me."
It became increasingly clear as the seconds ticked by that Darcy would explain no more. The story was a recounts of the events that transpired, though he had kept it short to the point, not wishing to frighten the young lady with visuals of the excruciating pain Darcy had gone through. His body had changed into something entirely different. Years of honing his senses and pretending to be normal were the only reason he could enter society. Those few young years of being alone while feeling his body go through abnormal changes attributed to his stoic personality.
"Fitzwilliam, I-."
"Lizzie!" Miss Charlotte exclaimed upon discovering the two hidden away, quickly rushing to her friends side with barely a glance towards the male figure. "I have been searching everywhere for you, only to find you hidden from sight with a gentleman."
With a gentle bow, Darcy offered greetings to the intruder. "Good evening, Miss Lucas."
"Oh my, Mr Darcy, I did not know it was you who has occupied all of my precious Lizzie's time," she breathed, returning a small curtsy.
"What is it Charlotte?" Miss Elizabeth asked.
"Mr Collins is enquiring about you. Your mother has asked me to fetch you."
"Mr Collins?" Darcy found himself asking in a composed manner.
Her brow furrowed, Miss Elizabeth said, "A distant cousin."
"A most distinguished distant cousin who has shown a preference for you on more than one occasion," her friend explained energetically, moving to drag Miss Elizabeth from her position on the stairs.
"If a clergyman can be considered distinguished..."
Spearing her friend with an exasperated stare, Miss Lucas went on to say, "He is as good of a man as any, Lizzie."
Seeming to realise that her friend would not be deterred, she gave a final parting glance towards the male standing silently beside them. "Thank you for your... riveting company, Mr Darcy."
The two ladies disappearing to the fray of the party goers, their bodies weaving through the crowd. Darcy took it upon himself to follow behind at a safe distance. Most patrons were drunk from hours spent drinking, and so he told himself his unusual escort was simply due to his concern for the ladies safety. When the two ladies met up with their intended group, Darcy stood patiently near the wall of the room, hoping that none would notice his eavesdropping.
"There you are, Elizabeth! Mr Collins has been patiently waiting to ask for your hand to accompany him in the next song," Mrs Bennett explained in a slur of words, no doubt the effects of the now empty whiskey glass she held.
A small man - shorter than Miss Elizabeth and clearly aged a few years ahead of herself - stepped forward and have a slight nod of the head. "If it pleases the lady, of course."
"There is no reason to object," came her monotone voice.
They made an odd pair upon approach to the dance floor, with their difference in heights causing some muttered words amongst other couples. Mrs Bennett, however, seemed delighted in watching her daughter be dotted on by Mr Collins. With five daughters, their mother did not seem to be picky in who she married them off too, so long as it was an agreeable and beneficial match.
Darcy watched on with growing restlessness as the dance called for Mr Collins to place his hands upon Miss Elizabeth. The sight made him unbearably mad and so, with very little thought or concern for civility, he stepped onto the dance floor, pausing the couple as they twirled about. Mr Collin's opened his mouth to remark on the intrusion, but Darcy did not allow him the chance to speak.
"Miss Elizabeth, a word, if you will?" He asked in a rush, making sure to keep his body positioned so that he was standing between the pair.
Surprisingly, Miss Elizabeth gave a soft nod before turning to her dance partner. "Excuse me, Mr Collins."
The small man was completely baffled by the turn of events and could not think of anything to say that could stop Darcy from whisking Miss Elizabeth away. He led her out into the open air of a secluded balcony, not wishing for anything to overhear their conversation, nor wishing to have any further interruptions. But once he turned from the closed door to witness the young lady before him, bathed in the gentle moonlight, her tanned skin unblemished, everything Darcy meant to say was forgotten.
"You are the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on," he found himself admitting.
"Mr Darcy, why did you bring me out here?" His remark on her looks seemed not to faze Miss Elizabeth.
Re-organising his thoughts, he stepped up to the balcony ledge, looking out over the well manicured gardens. "You have listened to my story - have peered deep into the parts of myself in which no-one else has seen before." He paused when he felt Miss Elizabeth's body move to stand beside him, though still keeping an arms distance between them. "I know I can never take back the pain, dishonour and torment my actions have caused you, however, I was not lying when I told you I wished to make amends.
"I -."
"Marry me, Elizabeth," he rushed out in a single breath, turning his body to face her to she could see the raw - and utmost honest - expression he wore. "I do not know how else to ease the burden I have placed on your shoulders. Allowed me to share with you my wealth and comforts in exchange for the truth of who I am, as well as the knowledge that I will never - could never - harm you in such a way again."
"Mr Darcy, I do not thin-."
When the doors to the balcony opened, Darcy almost yelled at the man who stepped through into such a personal conversation. But doing so would surely place him further into negative lighting, and he did not wish for Miss Elizabeth to see him as anything other than a gentleman who is trying to atone for his discretions. So he did not speak when Mr Collins addressed the young lady.
"I have been searching once again for you, Miss Elizabeth." His eyes flickered to Darcy, sizing him up before ultimately deciding to carry on with what he wished to say. Giving Miss Elizabeth his unbridled attention, he moved on to explain, "There is something I must ask of you and it cannot be delayed."
"What is it?"
Another glance at Darcy, who was now pretending to be intrigued by the vined flowers twirling along the balcony railing, and Mr Collins saw fit to continue. "As you know my intentions are to be close to you throughout the evening, admittedly, the reason for such behaviour is due to my feelings of attraction towards you. Now, I have spoken in length with your mother, and-."
"Mr Collins, I do not follow," her voice cut in.
"It would bring me the utmost pleasure if you were to accept my proposal of marriage," he finished in a rush.
Darcy's hand, which had been resting on the metal railing, closed tightly in reflex of Mr Collins words. Neither party noticed the thick steel bend under his strength, indentations of his fingers noticeable as he withdraw his hand. It was stupid of him to react in such a way, though Darcy would not fault the anger at hearing such a declaration.
"You're proposing?" Miss Elizabeth asked slowly, unsure of what was transpiring.
"I do not think it is improper, especially given the current standing of your family."
Her eyes narrowed at his words, and Darcy revelled in seeing the young lady's distaste and vexation pointed towards another for a change. "Excuse me?"
"As you well know, the estate in Longbourn shall fall to me once your beloved father is gone. If you accept, Miss Elizabeth, the house, the land, your siblings, will not be taken from you. They will remain where they have always, with little worry over their futures." Mr Collins, seeming to forget his audience, slid closer to Miss Elizabeth, leaving her very little room to depart if she wished. "However, I cannot guarantee the same benevolence if you were to decline my generous offer."
Once more using his greater height to intimidate the small man into stepping away from the young lady, Darcy commanded the attention of both parties. He was grateful when Miss Elizabeth remained where she was, allowing him to challenge her cousin without complaint.
"If I did not know any better, it would see to me that in which you think to sound as a joyous proposal offer is actually a threat to the Bennett family if Miss Elizabeth were to decline your offer," Darcy told Mr Collins sternly.
"Mr Darcy, I had forgotten you standing there," the small man lied, trying to appear as equally stern. "May I ask that you provide us with privacy in this intimate moment?"
The audacity of Mr Collins words almost broke the carefully constructed facade of calm that Darcy was portraying. "I will not depart until Miss Elizabeth deigns to answer my prior question."
"Question?"
"My proposal," he replied with squared shoulders, a warning note in his voice.
The small man bristled before turning incredulous eyes to Miss Elizabeth who - up until now - had remained silent. "Is this the truth? Did Mr Darcy offer you his hand in marriage?"
"Indeed," she answered softly. There was a pause that had both men glanced towards her, however, Darcy was joyous when he found her eyes locked on his face, all but ignoring the huff of annoyance from Mr Collins. "And I accepted."
Forgetting, for the moment, the unease his presence would be causing the young lady, Darcy reached out to lace his fingers with hers. Miss Elizabeth's hand was small in comparison, but it was warm and soft - and she did not pull away from his touch. He did not dare believe she felt anything towards him. Their engagement was nothing more than an offer of apology for a heinous act. She had two proposals before her, and Miss Elizabeth was smart enough to choose the one that would benefit her family's future the most. Her love for her sisters and parents was commendable; that she would place herself with the very man who stole everything from her would be unthinkable for most other ladies.
Locking his wandering thoughts away, Darcy turned back to Mr Collins, saying, "Allow us the privacy of continuing our conversation in which you so rudely interrupted."
"I, uh, yes. Apologies for my abrupt intrusion." Giving a deeper bow than before, he backed towards the balcony doors, giving a final "Good evening" before departing, tightly closing the doors to grant them some privacy.
Once they were alone once more, Darcy turned to Miss Elizabeth, saying with a tone of amazement, "You accepted my offer?"
"It would seem so," she muttered, pronouncing each word as if she, too, did not believe it to be true.
"Given the current circumstances between us, I must admit, your answer does come as a surprise to me."
She surprised him by offering a soft smile, though it did not reach her eyes. "Yes, well, you did not threaten my entire family's livelihood, Mr Darcy."
So she had chosen to accept his offer due to the predicament she was in? Darcy stepped closer, keeping his hand firmly intertwined with her own as he lent down to brush away a loose curl with his free hand. "Know that I will ensure that your family's estate cannot be touched by Mr Collins - or anyone else. Your family will be safe and secure with myself as their patronage."
"And what of my safety and security?" She suddenly asked, removing her hands from his and stepped away to allow space between them. "Am I to assume the same comforts you extend to my family include myself?"
Her line of questioning perplexed him. "Why would they not?"
"As you said yourself, our circumstances are... peculiar," she said softly.
"Yet you accepted my hand, fully knowing what I am, and what I am not. Some part of you must believe that, despite all my laws, a future with Mr Collins is less desirable." When she did not say anything or move, he knew that more would need to be said. Darcy dug deep into his soul and gave her a response that was truer than anything he had ever previously spoke. "To answer our question - and ease your concerns - you will have every comfort your heart desires. You will also be safe, Miss Elizabeth. I will not touch you again without your permission."
"I had given you my permission last time," came her even softer words.
The memory of her laying on the bed beneath him, exposing every inch of her exquisite body, giving him the one word he had needed to hear that the time caused his heart to suddenly pick up speed. That one word confirmation was all the monster within him had needed. Although she had given consent in the moment, he knew he had gone too far - had ruined her hope.
"Yes," he started carefully, only continuing when Miss Elizabeth's eyes met his own, "but I took more from you than what was offered to me."
"And you will not do so again?" She asked hesitantly.
"You have my word," he promised.
"That shall be the only answer I require at present." Miss Elizabeth glanced pasted him, eyeing the bustling crowd inside before turning back and saying, "We should announce our arrangement quickly, lest Mr Collins speaks of it with my parents, dooming us to undoubtedly the most unpleasant scolding of my life for not including them sooner in the turn of events."
Ever the gentleman, Darcy held out an arm, ignoring the warm feeling in his chest when Miss Elizabeth hooped her arm through the crook of his elbow. They undoubtedly had a long way to go if she were to trust him, though Darcy was more than willing to be as patient as was needed until she was comfortable with being in his presence. Ensuring that she was ready to face the loud ballroom once more, Darcy opened the doors and escorted the young Miss Elizabeth into the frey.