Update ch 33
The ballroom was buzzing with the sounds of gossip as Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy entered. Lady Catherine quietly moved to the side of the ballroom for a good view. The gossip grew as they stood near the end of the line of dancers. They attempted not to look at Lady Catherine as they moved, for her sour countenance bespoke her disfavor. This was no hard task, for they preferred to look at each other to the ignorance of the room. Everyone else avoided her as well.
The musicians began, and Mr. Darcy happily waited for their turn by watching Elizabeth and imagining her at Pemberley. When they came together, he asked her if she would mind gaining yet another sister.
"Of course, I shall adore her, for I have heard her spoken of so well by yourself and the colonel that she must be a charming creature. If I am to leave my sisters in Hertfordshire, I shall be glad not to be without female companionship. Otherwise, I might have needed to bring Mary with me to Pemberley."
"You may bring Miss Mary with you if you like. My sister spends much of her day practicing the pianoforte. She might not be the companion you hope for."
They paused as they parted for the dance. When they came together again, Elizabeth declared, "Or I might distract her from her practice as she learns female companionship. You might regret introducing us if she abandons her practice for more social endeavors."
Mr. Darcy smiled. "I would be delighted. She has been too serious, ever since -."
"Oh, let us not speak of it here. We understand one another, and that is enough. She shall have a sister who needs company, and I shall draw her out. Perhaps she will teach me how to play the pianoforte so well that even Caroline Bingley will call me accomplished. I am certain Lady Catherine never would, so I shall not attempt such a feat."
The dance parted them again. When they came back, Mr. Darcy was ready with, "I doubt Miss Bingley will accept any of your accomplishments, and that is not because of your talents. Your ability to gain my attention alienated her from looking at your merits. Her approbation need not be sought, for it cannot be gained. It is no loss to us."
Elizabeth could not respond before they parted again, so she merely watched as Mr. Darcy struck up a conversation with the gentleman beside him by saying, "Is not my intended the prettiest lady here?"
Elizabeth blushed as the London gentleman looked her over and approved of Mr. Darcy's statement. As a distraction, Elizabeth looked to the lady beside her only to find herself being appraised by her as well. "Do I pass your inspection, do you think?" She said, undaunted.
The lady nodded, blushing at being found out. After a few seconds of silence, the lady stated, "Mr. Darcy is one of the most eligible bachelors in London, and he has been for nearly a decade. Most despaired that he would ever choose a wife, for he never seemed to ever look at a lady more than once. I have not thought of him for the past three years at least, for I was determined not to attempt the impossible." She paused to avoid seeming jealous or petty. "Your engagement was very sudden."
Elizabeth smiled slightly. "Perhaps it may seem that way to you, but it has been coming so gradually that it seemed like it took forever for us to come to an understanding. I am so happy to be able to announce our engagement, Lady Susan." She followed her statement with an even brighter smile. "My intended is so handsome."
Lady Susan nodded her head and turned to her dance partner. The dance moved them away from Darcy and Elizabeth, who discussed their conversations. "Is all of London rife with this much gossip? I shall infinitely prefer to remain at Pemberley, if that is the case." Elizabeth declared.
Mr. Darcy beamed at her response. "You shall have no complaint from me. However, it would not be fair to Georgiana to leave her coming out to Lady Matlock and Colonel Fitzwilliam. I believe we must bear with London society for the next few years."
"I suppose that is true. Perhaps we shall even have a chance to attend a dance once per week, just to see if one can tire of dancing. You endure society every year, if Lady Susan is to be believed, and I shall likely enjoy it more than you seemed to enjoy Hertfordshire society." Elizabeth smiled indulgently, hoping to take the sting out of her words.
"I suspect Hertfordshire society will be more tolerable to me in the future. I anticipate my next foray into the county with great eagerness."
Elizabeth chuckled slightly. "I suppose your important business in Hertfordshire is the reason for your anticipation. When that is complete, how shall you behave?"
"If you are in Hertfordshire, then I shall be too. I should have spent more time getting to know your neighbors, and I intend to do so when we return you to Longbourn. If I can spare a moment away from you, that is."
Elizabeth laughed at the thought, saying, "You shall charm all of Meryton, I am sure."
"I shall certainly try." He smiled at her delight.
"With a smile like that, you should have every woman envious of me for at least a twelvemonth." She looked around the room and laughed again. "Indeed, every woman of a marriageable age is staring daggers at me or practically drooling at your smile."
"I had not noticed." Mr. Darcy glanced around the room, but his gaze did not linger far from Elizabeth. "You are the only one worth my attention, dearest."
Elizabeth smiled at the endearment. Lady Susan scoffed beside them, and her dancing partner seemed similarly inclined. Elizabeth did not mind. She was too busy watching her betrothed smile likewise at her.
Beyond the dancing, Lady Sarah moved behind Elizabeth with a friend of hers from London. In a louder voice that was her wont, she declared, "If Lord Evansbrook looked at me half as adoringly as Mr. Darcy does Miss Bennet, I should want for nothing. I have no doubt their engagement will be short and their marriage happy."
Her friend responded with a giggle as she declared, "He seems most devoted to her now. I suppose he could not stand the rumors and chose to do the honorable thing. How likely is it that he will continue to stare so affectionately after they are married, if they even make it to the altar?"
"Surely Mr. Darcy does not waver like the majority of the ton. He is not prone to whimsy. I have known him for some time, as our fathers were friends. His nature is not so moveable. He could not keep his eyes from her even when he was dancing with me. We all change as we get older, but Mr. Darcy will be steady in his devotion to her, I think. I hope Lord Evansbrook could be as steady a character as Mr. Darcy."
Elizabeth blushed at the defense of Mr. Darcy's character, and she did not dare turn her head. Everyone on her side of the dance floor could hear the conversation. As Lady Sarah was defending her, she knew she should let them be. Mr. Darcy did not appear to hear, and she was grateful that he was spared the humiliation. Her blush deepened when the friend asked, "But I heard he had already sampled her wares, so to speak. He may not be the true gentleman you believe him to be." Elizabeth shuddered and blushed deeper in mortification.
"You accuse him of having relations with an unmarried gentlewoman in his own aunt's house! It is unlikely. I heard a different version of events from Miss de Bourgh, who heard the principal parties speak of it on different occasions. Miss Bennet thought she hated him before this week, though he admired her. Admired her so much to think of her casually, without the "miss" in front of her name. He admired her so much that he lost control when she had fallen from a window and laid unconscious, and he called her by name. He is not the villain you paint. I believe his love is steady, as is the rest of his character. Now, Prissy, shall we go have some punch? I am famished."
The dance brought Elizabeth closer to Mr. Darcy, who was now observing her with concern. "You seem out of sorts, Elizabeth. Do not tell me you have changed your mind." He winked at her, causing her to laugh.
"No, no, my mind is made up. I simply find that I detest rumors more than usual. Lady Sarah is a staunch defender of your character. Should I be concerned that you once fancied her and might do so again? She seems to know you very well." Elizabeth took a few deep breaths to calm her racing heart.
"Of course, not!" Mr. Darcy emphatically declared. "I have never loved anyone so much as I love you, my dearest Elizabeth." He paused as the dance moved them closer to the other dancers. When they were relatively alone, he continued, "She was the one who alerted me to the rumors before we moved to the balcony. She offered her support."
Elizabeth knew not how to respond, so she nodded and turned to look around the ballroom. "Lady Catherine has departed."
"Yes, she was drawn away by Lady Metcalfe, who seemed distressed. I hope they are discussing the particulars somewhere private." He looked around to ensure they were not being overheard before adding, "How did you identify the speaking tube?"
Elizabeth was surprised by his question. That part of their time in the library had completely slipped her mind. "I had seen one recently."
"How recently?" He did not allow her to change the subject or evade explanation. "I doubt there is one at Longbourn."
"No there has never been a listening tube at Longbourn." Elizabeth said slowly, glad when the dance parted them.
"Or at the Gardiner's in Cheapside, or at the parsonage." He added as soon as they came together again. The song was nearing its end, so he added quickly, "Which leaves Rosings. Have you been listening to conversations? Where is it?"
"I have not, but the secret is not mine to keep." Elizabeth blushed at the interrogation.
"Anne need not worry about her secret getting out. Is it in the library?" At her nod, he continued, "When was it put in?" His mind reeled as he thought of all the conversations that had occurred in that room.
"A very long time ago, by her father." Elizabeth took a deep breath. She had not technically given away Anne's secret. "She helped him with business, and he read to her from the fireplace in the library."
"That explains a lot, now that I think of it. She knew when the ball would be in London, and I know she does not write to Lady Matlock. She…" Another thought came to him, causing him to stop abruptly. The end of the dance made it look more natural than it would have. "You were reading to her when we interrupted you in the library. I heard her giggle. I thought I was going mad." He laughed as the pieces fit together. "Come, I shall get you some punch."
He kissed her hand before setting it in the crook of his arm. They moved slowly though the crowd, as many people came to wish them joy and to see for themselves the truth behind the engagement, though Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth gave nothing away except for their obvious devotion.
The colonel interrupted them, insisting that Darcy needed to dance with other ladies, "That was your penance for losing the game, if you recall." He added when Mr. Darcy was about to complain. Elizabeth laughed, cementing the idea. "Have no fear, I shall look after her while you dance. She shall not want for company."
Mr. Darcy grumbled and moved away. On the outskirts of the ballroom, he found a young lady sitting and watching the dancers with longing. He quickly introduced himself and asked for a dance. They took the floor quietly, for he was lost in thought, and she was amazed that Mr. Darcy had asked her of all people to dance. While not usually a wallflower, she was plainer than the other ladies and had a smaller dowry.
The colonel laughed at his cousin's dreariness. "That was one of the best ways to make Darcy miserable. I hope you do not continue to torture him once you are married." He turned to Elizabeth to see that she was laughing with him.
"To be sure, he ought to mix more with society. This is a private ball room, so he need not worry about introduction. I shall certainly spare him some more of my time to make up for the sacrifice of doing his duty as a gentleman at a ball. You should be dancing too. There are more young ladies in want of a partner." She turned and moved them towards another young lady who was watching the ball with longing.
"I promised to keep you company, so I cannot dance until you are dancing." The colonel fought back, eager to choose his own partner. "Here is a good chap." He pulled her to another colonel in the regulars enjoying time on leave.
Elizabeth enjoyed her time with the colonel. As he had been in France and had no desire to catch up on gossip, he enjoyed learning of her family with no care as to who she was or whom she would marry. At the end of the dance, they talked until Mr. Darcy arrived. "Williams! Pleasure to see you looking so well. I see you have met my betrothed." He shook hands with the colonel and the colonel responded as though they were old friends.
They talked for a few minutes before the sounds of the next set began. Mr. Darcy looked to Elizabeth to see if she would demand he dance again, but he was startled by the sight of Maria Lucas in the distance speaking to an unsavory gentleman. "Forgive me, my dear, I believe I shall dance with Miss Lucas, if you do not mind my absence."
Confused, Elizabeth said, "Not at all." He was gone before she could speak.
Maria was about to put her hand in the gentleman's gloved hand when Mr. Darcy reached her and took her hand quickly. "Miss Lucas, do not tell me you have forgotten this dance. Mr. Woolsworth, you must excuse us, for we must take our place in the set."
Miss Lucas looked startled, but she chose not to remark on it. She followed Mr. Darcy to the dance floor. After a couple of movements and awkward silence, Miss Lucas said, "I suppose I should thank you for coming to my rescue."
"Indeed, you should." He replied shortly as he watched another gentleman lead Elizabeth to the dance floor. "Mr. Woolsworth is not to be trusted with young ladies."
"Even at a dance with so many people watching." Miss Lucas was even more confused. "Mr. Collins said only the best people would be in attendance."
"That is because he believes Lady Metcalfe and Lady Catherine to be the best judge of characters because they have rank. It takes more than a title to make a gentleman. Mr. Woolsworth has been in society three years, and each year a woman falls from grace. Most do not invite him to dances anymore, but Lady Metcalfe does not listen to wisdom in selecting her invitations."
Miss Lucas missed a step as she recovered from her shock. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy, for coming to my rescue."
Mr. Darcy blushed slightly, not wishing to accept thanks for something he thought he was duty bound to do. "You probably would have been safe enough without my interference. He has not asked another to dance all evening, for most ladies have been warned to keep their distance. It is not your fault we did not prepare you for this."
They continued the dance in silence for a short time. Mr. Darcy danced expertly while watching Elizabeth more than his own partner. Miss Lucas, having spent so much time in his presence, did not feel this was unusual. She was, however, startled when a gentleman interrupted them to wish Mr. Darcy joy. Mr. Darcy only entertained the man for a moment before returning his attention to Miss Lucas.
When they came close enough to speak, Miss Lucas asked if she had heard correctly.
"You have. I am engaged. Miss Bennet has done me the great honor of accepting my hand." Mr. Darcy's chest expanded as he pridefully announced his happiness.
Miss Lucas' worries evaporated as her countenance filled with joy. "Oh, she must be so happy. She and my sister have spoken of it for some time. I believe she was very unsure of your regard, but you must love her very much, for you always look at her."
"Indeed, I do." He had not mentioned his feelings so often for some time, though it did not bother him as he was too overjoyed to be marrying Elizabeth.
The dance ended shortly after, and Elizabeth declared she was tired and would like to leave, if they did not mind.
Mr. Darcy agreed and moved to ensure their carriage had returned from Rosings before seeking out the colonel. Half an hour later, the party were taking their leave of their hosts.
Lady Metcalfe pulled Mr. Darcy aside to explain that they would meet again in London on Monday, hopefully having found the wayward pair. "We are linked in our desire to see them wed, Mr. Darcy. I trust you will do everything in your power to find them."
Mr. Darcy nodded, and she allowed him to pass. Once they were all seated in the carriage, Mr. Darcy explained to Mrs. Collins and Maria about Anne and Mr. Warden eloping. The discussion was so serious that Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth could barely enjoy the fact that they were sitting side by side. It might be improper, but no one else seemed to mind.
Plans were discussed, mostly by Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy, who would be going to London in the morning. Elizabeth interrupted occasionally with suggestions, which were listened to and considered, but Mrs. Collins and Maria felt out of place in the conversation and let the others speak uninterrupted.
When they left the carriage, Mr. Darcy escorted Elizabeth inside while Colonel Fitzwilliam led Mrs. Collins and a barely awake Maria. Mr. Darcy ensured they were slower, though it was difficult with how often Miss Lucas swayed as they climbed the stairs. At least they were so preoccupied that they did not notice Mr. Darcy pull Elizabeth into a shadowed alcove and kiss her senseless.
They only returned to the candlelit hall when they heard Mr. Collins clearing his throat. As soon as they were in the open, Mr. Collins scolded them with, "Mr. Darcy, you are attempting to convince people you did not seduce my cousin. While Miss de Bourgh has scandalized the family, it is my responsibility as a member of the clergy to remind you that you ought to be on your best behavior."
"You speak sense. That must mean it is quite late." Mr. Darcy agreed, turning to Elizabeth. "Sleep well, my dear. I shall see you before I depart for London, should you wish to write a letter to your sister."
"As though you would have time to visit. You must find Miss de Bourgh. Lady Catherine is counting on you." Mr. Collins declared.
"There is plenty of time for that." Elizabeth shot back. She would have continued berating him, but she instead turned to Mr. Darcy. "I shall sleep well, Fitzwilliam, and I look forward to a small walk tomorrow before you set off. Dream of me." She raised up on her toes so that she could kiss his cheek.
Mr. Darcy chuckled as he watched her walk down the hallway. When he heard Mr. Collins prepare to speak again, he cut him off by simply turning and walking away. He wanted Elizabeth's words to be the last he heard before sleeping.