Chapter 16: The Christmas ball
"The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him." -Chesterton
It has been many years since Pemberley's ballroom looked so divine. Everything seemed to be done precisely as they should be. Georgiana, with the help of Elizabeth's, had done everything perfect. The guests were already arriving when Elizabeth finally joined the Darcy siblings in the receiving line. It was a personal request from Georgiana herself, that Elizabeth should receive their guest;after all she belonged to the family, before even her understanding with her brother. Darcy, who observed his fiancé, who looked absolutely stunning, could obviously detect her nervousness. Indeed, she was extremely nervous because she knew that they would announce their engagement. But, what frightened her, the most was how the ton would react to that and especially his relations. She was aware that Darcy had accepted her with all her faults, but she was not sure if the ton would do the same. She knew that her connections were zero and that she had no dowry that could make her a proper lady, as proper was defined by the ton.
As they entered in, Elizabeth observed as Darcy danced with his sister the first set. She observed him closely and admired his figure as he moved across the room. She felt so lucky for accepting a man such as himself, so handsome and good. After a while, she was found next to him, discussing the number of couples that were on the dance floor. She looked at him in the eyes for a while, without saying something and when finally he realized why she looked at him so, he whispered in her eyes "Exactly after dinner, when my aunt would be here." It was only then, when a gentleman approached them and presented himself to her.
"I am so glad to make your acquaintance at last, Miss Bennet" he said with a bright smile.
"I am very pleased too, Mr. Bingley" she replied and smiled out of courtesy. "Do you enjoyyourself?"
"Yes, indeed I am."
"How was your trip Bingley?" Darcy asked with his usual cold manner.
"Pleasant I suppose, only regretting the fact that my sister and I had to share the same carriage" he laughed "you know how talkative she can be." Darcy nodded and laughed a little.
There was a small pause and since nobody decided to speak, Bingley decided to break theawkwardness and ask Elizabeth's hand for the next set. She happily agreed. Mr. Bingley was a veryagreeable young man and seemed the kindest one. He always smiled and was an easy fellow to talk to. They talked about Pemberley and he asked Elizabeth if she liked her new life in the estate, how she used to spend her time and what she thought of Derbyshire. When the dance was over, they both returned to keep company to Darcy, who seemed to be staying alone, observing them. Then, Georgiana joined them with Miss Bingley. They introduced each other and conversed a little.
Elizabeth's last dance before dinner was claimed by the colonel, who arrived late. As they danced, she found the chance to ask him why Miss Brown did not attend and he happily replied that she had gone to Paris with her family. Then, they talked about the ball and the guests and occasionally they laughed at some comments the gentleman did. Before the dance was about to end, Elizabeth's eyes caught Darcy's figure standing in front of them. He was gathered by some gentlemen that Elizabethhad a slight acquaintance with, but did not remember the names. He seemed troubled and his gaze was fixed on her and as their eyes met, she smiled brightly to him. He did not make any move or expression. Of course, he could not. Seeing her dancing, laughing and touching his cousin when she should be doing all those things with him, did not help at all, especially now. He knew his cousin's feelings. But, she was his; after all she said it herself.
After dinner, Darcy danced the first set with his sister again, as it was accustomed to and as the dance ended, the big doors of the ballroom opened, announcing that Lady Catherine de Bourgh was here. Elizabeth took a very deep breath and looked at Darcy worried. He smiled to her, hoping that his pleasant expression would calm her, but actually it did not. Elizabeth was talking with some ladies, when she saw him approaching his aunt and starting talking to her. Suddenly, she saw the old lady looking at her with piercing eyes. She did not speak; instead it seemed that Darcy kept talking the whole time. Elizabeth closed her eyes for a brief second; when she opened them again, she found Darcy in front of her. He excused himself for taking Elizabeth away and as her hand was rested at his, he led her to the centre of the room. He coughed a little and everyone stopped talking. Elizabeth could feel all the eyes upon them and as the awkward silence prevailed, she felt her heart beating faster and faster. That was it.
"Thank you for your attention" Darcy said with his serious voice, having the Master of Pemberley attitude. "I have some news that I wish to share with you." Elizabeth suddenly squeezed his hand and he turned to look at her. Her eyes were fixed on him. "I am extremely happy to tell you that I am engaged." He could see everyone's astonishment, but nevertheless he continued. "Elizabeth Bennet has accepted to be my wife."
It seemed like an eternity, when the couple finally heard the congratulations. They smiled.
Elizabeth's worries even though they did not stopped, they minimized a little and that was mainly his reason. After their dance together, he introduced her to his aunt. Elizabeth's heart was beating so fast, that everything seemed to be moving so quickly. The old lady was civil enough to her, she asked her about her past and her interests and of course she did not forget to mention all these responsibilities that Elizabeth would soon have. She smiled and conversed with an agreeablemanner; for she was almost desperate for his aunt to like her. She heard from Georgiana that as a widow and childless she had turned all her attention to the Darcys and especially to the young lady, who seemed to have an overprotective attitude. She was not as disagreeable as she thought Elizabeth would be and that made it easier for her to like her. Well, not exactly, but close enough.
"I must tell you that I am impressed at my nephew's choice of wife." the old lady said with a severe voice, and Elizabeth then realized from where Darcy had taken his serious attitude.
Elizabeth smiled; for she did not completely disagree. "We cannot decide with whom we fall in love, can we?"
"I see that you are a wit." she stated. But Elizabeth made no reply or any expression that would give her the opportunity to elaborate. "Pray tell me, when is the wedding?"
"In two weeks."
"Such a short time, don't you think? I wonder what you did to him that made him so eager to marry such a woman of your station. I am quite astonishment at your schemes."
Elizabeth's mouth opened. Did she just hear those things or did she imagine them? Darcy immediately coughed; for he wanted to lighten the situation. He looked at Elizabeth, who seemed to be at loss and wanted to hug her protectively, but that could not happen. "Maybe it was that I simply did not do anything." she replied coldly and turned her look at him. Her eyes were piercing.
"Do you intend to stay, aunt?" Darcy finally spoke, trying to save Elizabeth.
"No, I have matters that I need to take care of." she paused. "You know, Miss Bennet, that from now on that you need to handle your responsibilities as a mistress of this estate as well as you can. Do not pollute the shades of Pemberley. Even though it is disgrace for him to marry you, let us hope that you are going to surprise us all and stand at his height."
He wanted to just die now. Darcy for one second closed his eyes afraid to face Elizabeth, for he knew that he would see something that would pain him. Instead, Elizabeth was calm, which was worrying considering her frankness and spontaneous opinion. He should act, fast. "I am sure she will." She turned to look at him and he smiled a little.
Elizabeth Bennet, soon Elizabeth Darcy -how perfect her name sounded every time he thought of it- was a delight. She danced with a lot of men, especially after the announcement, it seemed like everyone was so eager to meet her. Darcy, who disliked the dancing activity, staying most of the sets out, either conversing with his guests or simply stood there, but in the both cases, he always gazed at Elizabeth when he found a convenient position. He simply could not take his eyes off her, not only because she was extremely beautiful tonight, but also he felt some feelings that drove him mad. He felt possessiveness, a feeling that he had never felt before. Even though he knew she was his, nevertheless he wanted to lock her in a town and communicate only with him. It hurt that they could not spend every second of their time together, but most of all it hurt that he could not touch her or kiss her. Well, it hurt extensively sometimes when Elizabeth seemed to laugh at something a man would say. He observed her, every time when she laughs; Darcy instantly recognized her laugh across the room and always turned to look at her. He had chosen a great woman, indeed.
When the ball ended and they would be able be to retire, Georgiana escorted the colonel to his usual room. It was decided that he should say, for he was gone for too long and the young lady had missed his company. Which was true, but she wanted to leave his brother sometime alone with Elizabeth and that could not happen. So, it seemed more convenient to have someone else to keep her company, just to make her sure that she was not a burden to their relationship. The colonel was extremely quiet this evening and his non-comments about her, made Georgiana worried. He always seemed to have something to say to her and when he did not, he simply complimented her. But, tonight was different, he was quiet and isolated and the young lady assumed that the wine he drank had made him drunk a little.
It was in the middle of the night, an hour later after they retired, Elizabeth heard a loud knock on her door. She quickly fixed herself and answered the door. It was Georgiana. The young lady quickly grabbed Elizabeth's hands and led her out of the room. She seemed extremely worried, but soon Elizabeth realized why. She could hear loud voices, male voices. Elizabeth's mouth opened and without saying anything further, she led Georgiana down, where she assumed the gentlemen would be. She was right. The ladies stood outside of Darcy's study and looked at each other worried, not knowing what to do. Suddenly they heard, things falling and a little pause. Suddenly, the door opened and they came out, but not as they were expected. The colonel was holding Darcy's cravat and he punched him once in his stomach. Darcy made a loud noise, as he touched the place where he was hit. Then, he looked at his cousin, who was still holding his cravat and said "Are you mad?"
"No, you are mad. How could you Darce, eh?" The colonel drew Darcy closer to him and held his coat now, as he was ready to hit him again. "Tell me" He yelled.
Darcy opened his mouth, but closed it again, not knowing what to say. He looked at Elizabeth then, who had her hand covering her mouth in distress. He could see her worry and distress, as well as Georgiana's. The two ladies were holding each other, terrified. "You are drunk Richard!"
The man laughed and said "I can still hit you." and he did, repeatedly. He kept punching Darcy, who at first seemed to choose not to fight back but his patience was over. It was time to defend himself. They kept punching each other, until Elizabeth was found almost between them, trying to stop them. It was unsuccessful. Georgiana screamed and said "Elizabeth, do something!" She froze; she did not know what to do and it seemed that things were getting bad, because the gentlemen now kept hurting really each other badly. Elizabeth then, grabbed the colonel from his arm and stood in front of him, making him stop. He looked at Darcy angrily and then at Elizabeth and when he did, he calmed a little. Elizabeth smiled to him and said "Let us calm down." He turned to look at Darcy, who was staring at her for a second and then he moved quickly towards them, ready to fight again. But, before he was about to and had trouble to keep the colonel calm, Elizabeth yelled "Georgiana take Darcy away!"
A minute after, Elizabeth was seated in the drawing room with colonel when Georgiana with her brother at his study. Neither of them spoke. Georgiana simply hugged Darcy and he rested his head in her embrace. Elizabeth on the other hand, who could not do that, she had her hand on colonel's hand and he had hidden his face with his hands.
"Do you feel better?" she asked. He only nodded.
Colonel Fitzwilliam quickly turned to look at her and said "He does not love you, Elizabeth, he does not." He seemed vulnerable and distressed.
"Do not say things you may regret."
"I will not" he replied and brushed his hair with his hands.
"You are drunk and hurt; you do not mean what you say."
Quickly, the colonel excused himself and left, claiming that he wanted to rest. Elizabeth then, found the chance to knock on Darcy's study, where she knew that his sister and he would be. She entered silently and looked at Georgiana; the young lady smiled at her and excused herself. Darcy and Elizabeth were left alone. He was looking down and Elizabeth could not clearly see his face, so she approached him slowly and with her hand, she touched his face, making him looking at her. When their eyes met, Elizabeth's mouth opened.
"Oh my god, Darcy!" She cried out in distress when she saw his black eyes. "That must hurt enormously!"
Darcy took her hand and brought it close to his cheek, just to feel her closer to him. She was his only remedy after all. "I am sorry for seeing such a non-gentlemanly scene."
Elizabeth smiled to him. "How are you?"
"Fine" he simply said. "Did you speak with him?" Elizabeth nodded. "Did he tell you anything?" Elizabeth did not speak, but he could see her uneasiness. If Colonel Fitzwilliam had decided to tell what he told him before, Elizabeth would certainly not be here. But if he did not, then what did they discussed? "Tell me"
"He told me that you do not love me."
Darcy's eyes widen. "But, you know I do, don't you?"
She smiled and blushed a little. "I believe so"
"Believe or are you sure? There is a major difference."
"Whatever is the matter with you?" She said and took a step even closer to him.
"Nothing. Let us not speak of this anymore" She agreed.
I need to thank first my lovely beta, Soph, who is beyond perfection. Then, I need to tell you. Wow! Thank you so much for everything, I never believed that you would be interested in my story. I do not know what to say. The next one is some moments of the couple and a sneak peek of the wedding. I hope you do not hate me for what is coming.
You know what you have to do, tell me your opinion.