Update ch 44
With Mr. Bingley's arrival, Elizabeth realized that she ought to change for dinner. She looked toward Darcy, who had been observing the reaction between Jane and Bingley. She was struck by how handsome he appeared when he was happy. She had always thought him one of the most handsome of her acquaintances, but with the slight smile upon his lips and the slight slump in his shoulders indicating he was relaxed, it made his appearance breathtaking.
His smile widened when he turned to see Elizabeth watching him. He quietly moved to her side, and she asked if her trunk had been removed from the carriage.
"Yes, it has been sent on to your uncles." He said, worrying he ought to have spoken to her first. "I figured you would wish for your maid to have time to care for your dresses."
Elizabeth scrunched her eyebrows together at this news. "Oh, I had hoped to change for dinner."
Mr. Darcy nodded thoughtfully, and he took her hand and placed it on his arm as he came up with a solution. "I believe my sister can give you something to borrow. She will see that you have all that you need." Together, they moved towards Georgiana, who quickly lit up at the idea of helping Elizabeth. Anne, Georgiana, and Elizabeth quickly hurried upstairs.
Anne took the time to rest before dinner. Georgiana and Elizabeth went through Georgiana's dresses one by one, with Georgiana loving the most intricate and expensive dresses and Elizabeth wishing for simpler attire. She repeatedly had to explain that this was an informal dinner, not a ball. By the time Georgiana's maid entered to assist the ladies, they had agreed on a simple blue dress, made of a beautiful silk. It was much finer than Elizabeth had worn before, even when she had been wearing Anne's dresses.
As they dressed, Georgiana asked what it was like to borrow a gown. "It is a little discomfiting, as every person has a slightly different shape." Elizabeth looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her bosom was larger than Georgiana's, making the dress tighter and more seductive than she had ever anticipated. The maid blushed as she took in Elizabeth's appearance, but she wisely said nothing while she took measurements so she could make the dress appear to fit.
Elizabeth was pleased to remove the dress so that the maid could make the alterations, though she exclaimed that she did not wish to ruin a gown of Georgiana's for just one night.
"Think nothing of it, Lizzy. We are to be sisters. I have never had a sister."
"Then you do not know what it is like to have your favorite jewelry, dresses, and slippers disappear every time there is an assembly. Sisters learn all your hiding spots and there are no secrets." Elizabeth laughed as Georgiana paled at the thought of not having any space to herself.
"We are nearly full grown, and we have Mr. Darcy who will likely shower both of us with more than we could ever want. I do not foresee us squabbling over a necklace or other trinket. While you are gaining sisters, I doubt you will experience as much difficulty as we did when we were younger. Your secrets shall be safe. I learned long ago not to pry." Elizabeth squeezed Georgiana's hand in support.
Anne shifted in the bed, which was barely visible from the dressing room vanity. "We enjoyed sitting together on the bed at Rosings. Elizabeth shall make you a fine sister. Only the best parts of sisterhood shall be shared."
"Indeed." Elizabeth agreed. At Anne's request, she described what it was like preparing for an assembly with five sisters and only one maid to share between them. By the time the story finished, all three girls were struggling to breathe from laughing too hard.
Thankfully, the maid returned, and they grew serious as Elizabeth tried on the dress again. The maid had sewn some lace over the bosom, which Elizabeth appreciated.
Georgiana and Anne moved around, and both exclaimed on how well the dress had been adapted to Elizabeth. The maid blushed at the praise as she offered to help style their hair.
"How about you take Georgiana's hair, and I shall attempt to fix Anne's coiffure?" Elizabeth asked the maid. "It should not be too difficult as she was only on the bed for a few minutes."
Anne interrupted her. "There is no need for that. My maid shall arrive presently. She is probably fetching another maid for you."
"For one night, surely, I do not need a maid. My hairstyle is sufficient for dinner." Elizabeth exclaimed. She did not wish for the maids to feel overworked before she even became their mistress. The dinner had been planned at short notice, and it was likely many staff were assisting in the kitchen to accommodate a large party.
Half an hour later, they were ready to go down. Mr. Darcy had been speaking with the Gardiners, but he heard the ladies and moved to the stairwell to offer his arm. It was a good thing that he had moved away from the others, because Elizabeth stole his breath away. His jaw slacked as he took in her beautiful form accentuated by an exquisite dress. Her hair was perfectly styled, although there were a few curly ringlets that had been left down to taunt him.
Georgiana and Anne stopped on the stairs to give the couple a minute of relative privacy.
"Am I tempting enough to keep your interest, Mr. Darcy?"
Mr. Darcy shook his head to bring his thoughts back to the present. They had momentarily wandered to a daydream where they were married and alone. "You have always been very tempting, my dear Elizabeth, but tonight you are radiant. This dress suits you, and I hope Georgiana agrees to give you the dress, for I cannot picture her in it again."
Elizabeth chuckled lightly. She paused on the last step and looked up into his eyes. They were close to eye level, but he was still taller. With a smile, she took his arm for support and leaned in for a small kiss. With Georgiana and Anne behind them, giggling behind their fans, she dared not attempt more than a small peck on the lips. It was enough to notice Mr. Darcy's eyes darken.
"Seeing you in our house brings me great joy, Elizabeth. Shall we go in?" He knew the longer he stayed in the hall the more he would be tempted to risk impropriety. He had completely forgotten Anne and Georgiana above them, such was his concentration on Elizabeth. Anne and Georgiana did not mind the slight.
At dinner, Elizabeth and Darcy sat beside the Gardiners, and they talked pleasantly together. Mr. Darcy was clearly taking pains to get to know them, and he seemed to be perfectly at ease. She had worried how he would behave, but it appeared that he had taken her criticisms to heart and had become a better man. He was not simply putting up with her family for her sake. He was learning to like them as much as she did.
Halfway through dinner, Mrs. Gardiner mentioned their plans to travel to the Lake District in the summer. "We had invited Lizzy, but I suppose the two of you will be married by that time."
"I certainly hope so." Lizzy stated without thinking. Realizing she should not be so forward, she blushed and turned her head away. Mr. Darcy took her hand under the table and gently squeezed it. When she turned around to see his reaction, she saw that he was pleased with her response.
Mr. Darcy then turned to Mr. Gardiner. "When you travel north, you must stop at Pemberley. We can then travel with you to the Lakes. I should like to see Elizabeth's first impressions of the Lakes."
"That is a fine idea!" Elizabeth eagerly turned to her aunt, her earlier embarrassment forgotten. "You should enjoy stopping at Pemberley, for you will be close to Lambton, and you will be able to reconnect with your friends from the area."
Mrs. Gardiner laughed. "I never thought I would one day be aunt to the mistress of Pemberley. It seems unreal."
"It is very real." Mr. Darcy stated clearly, still enjoying holding Elizabeth's hand under the table. "Or at least, it shall be real very soon." He blushed as he thought of their marriage and being allowed more intimacies. He released her hand before the Gardiners could notice. Knowing he ought not to think of the joys of his marriage while he had so many guests, he asked Mrs. Gardiner about her friends in Lambton, and they had a very pleasant discussion as they shared memories.
At the end of the meal, Mr. Darcy announced that he had no intention of separating from the ladies. "We are a close group, and I imagine that we have no need for private discussions. I hope we shall have some music." Standing tall, he offered his arm to Mrs. Gardiner and his other free arm to Elizabeth and they led the way to the music room.
Georgiana, escorted by Mr. Bingley and Jane, moved toward the pianoforte uneasily. She had never played for so many people before, and she was not certain she had the courage.
Elizabeth sensed her unease and offered to sit with her to play a duet. "Your superior playing can mask my deficiencies." Without waiting for a response, she took Georgiana away from the others so they could go through the sheet music. While the others settled in to listen, they selected a piece that would cater to Elizabeth's abilities and Georgiana's shyness.
They sat down together and shared a smile before beginning to play. Mr. Darcy watched the two very carefully and was thrilled to see them getting along so well. He could envision many nights in the future ending so sweetly.
After playing together, Mr. Bingley requested something they could dance to. "It has been ages since I have had the pleasure of dancing with Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth. Nothing could bring me more joy."
Georgiana, feeling more sure of herself, agreed that she could play so Miss Elizabeth could dance. The footmen were called to move the furniture, and Elizabeth, Jane, and Anne stood up with Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, and Mr. Gardiner respectively. The song was slower than a reel, giving Anne a chance to not tire too quickly. Georgiana had played the song a few times for her cousin over the past week as they entertained themselves, and Anne enjoyed the feeling of being part of such an intimate party. She only wished her betrothed could be there.
For the next song, Anne insisted she did not yet need rest, and the party shifted so she danced with Mr. Darcy, while Mr. Gardiner danced with his wife, and Mr. Bingley danced with Elizabeth. Jane sat with Georgiana and helped turn the pages.
The song ended as tea was served, signaling the end of music for the evening. They sat around the tea set cozily until Mr. Darcy decided he wished for some alone time with Elizabeth. "If you are to tour the lakes, you ought to read about the journey. I know you would wish to be prepared. I can show you my library which has quite a few books on the subject."
While he did not specifically invite Elizabeth, it was clear Elizabeth was the only company he sought. Mr. Gardiner eyed him suspiciously for only a moment before decided a few minutes of privacy would be appropriate. When Elizabeth applied to him for his consent, he approved, saying, "Your aunt would like to depart soon, so do not dally over long."
Mr. Darcy attempted to hide his glee at winning his time alone with Elizabeth as he escorted them out of the parlor and into the library. He barely got behind the library door when he pulled her to him for a passionate kiss. His hands roamed over her borrowed dress while she reached around his neck to pull him closer to her. She moaned delightfully as he moved his kisses from her lips to her neck. Finally he pulled away from her enough to look at her lovely face in the dim candle light. "I cannot get enough of you, Elizabeth. Two more weeks seems an eternity," he stated breathlessly.
Elizabeth quickly kissed his cheek happily. "At least we shall see each other every day now. Two weeks shall pass before you know it." After another heated kiss, Elizabeth pulled them apart, "Do you have the books you promised? I doubt my uncle will wait much longer to check on us."
Mr. Darcy chuckled, "Of course, I do. I simply forgot the excuse I had made to get you alone." He pulled her close to him as he led her to the other side of the room. They selected a few books before Mr. Darcy took them and set them on a table so that he could kiss her again.
They were so entranced with each other that they did not hear the door swing open or Mr. Gardiner announce his presence until he spoke sternly, "Release her at once, Mr. Darcy!"
The couple separated reluctantly. Mr. Darcy, knowing he ought to protect Elizabeth, pulled her behind him so she could have a few moments without her uncle's stern gaze upon her. When she finished straightening her dress, she emerged into the light to see her uncle's look of horror. "Elizabeth! I would expect such behavior from Lydia or Kitty, but never from you. The carriage is ready, and your aunt is waiting." Knowing there was nothing she could say, Elizabeth thanked Mr. Darcy for the pleasant evening, even though her uncle nearly growled at her words, before she moved past her uncle and into the hall. "And you call yourself a gentleman, sir. You may call on us tomorrow and escort Jane and Elizabeth for the wedding, but a maid shall be in attendance at all times. I must remind you that you ought to be acting on your best behavior. It is one thing for two people of rank to elope, but for a mere country maiden to be caught giving her favors to one of London's most eligible bachelors without the safety of marriage would encourage people to think you are mad with lust. People would believe your aunt's foul words. You must control yourself for my niece's sake."
Mr. Darcy blushed in mortification, "You have my word sir, you shall have no cause to censure me again. I shall arrive at nine, so that we can return in time for the wedding." He bowed in greeting. Mr. Gardiner tipped his head, still fuming in embarrassment at having caught a niece he had loved for many years in a scandalous embrace.
Mr. Gardiner was the last to enter the carriage, and it did not take long for Mrs. Gardiner to deduce what had happened in the library from the embarrassed look on Elizabeth and the mortified look on Mr. Gardiner. "Husband, you must not be so hard on them. They are young and in love. You remember what we were like during our short engagement."
Mr. Gardiner blushed deeper than Elizabeth. Jane looked between the occupants with confusion. "I treated you with honor."
"So has Mr. Darcy, I am willing to bet." Mrs. Gardiner turned to Elizabeth to change the subject. "That gown suits you very well, even if you are a little short for it. We shall have to remember that cut as we prepare your wedding trousseau. I suppose Monday will be a busy day of shopping."
Elizabeth sighed with resignation. She had felt uncomfortable in the low cut gown that was currently the fashion, according to Georgiana and Anne. Then she remembered how Mr. Darcy had behaved, and she could not help the blush as she hoped he would act that way again should they find themselves alone. She dared not look anywhere but out the dark window, lest her uncle see she was not the least bit perturbed at being discovered.
When the carriage arrived at the Gardiner's home, Mr. Gardiner asked to speak to Elizabeth before they all retired for the night. Mrs. Gardiner led Jane upstairs while Elizabeth followed her uncle to his study. She sat in a seat by the fire while he paced near the mantle to gather his thoughts.
"Lizzy, I do not scold you because of notions of propriety, but because there are real dangers for women. If you fall with child before marriage, you risk everything."
Elizabeth tilted her chin up defiantly. "We kissed, that is all. I cannot fall with child from a kiss."
"No, you cannot, but if I had not arrived, would the two of you have broken apart before any real damage was done. Were either of you capable of thought, or had your passion completely taken over your senses?"
Elizabeth blushed and could not respond, except to say, "I have no fear that Mr. Darcy will not marry me. He is honorable and does not trifle with emotions or contracts."
"Yes, I agree, but what if something occurs outside of his control? I have no fear that he will do everything in his power to ensure you and he marry as soon as the banns are read, but accidents can and do happen. If he were to die in an accident, you would have no protection from any improprieties without the benefit of marriage. His behavior today showed me how he desires you and how you… desire him." The words were painful to him as he remembered how she looked the first time she had come to stay with him at the age of seven. "You must strive to keep that passion under control until you are officially married. Do I have your agreement?"
Elizabeth was silent, not knowing how much her uncle suffered from such a speech. When she was sure of her emotion, she declared, "Though I do not like to dwell on matters beyond my control, I do see your point. I shall strive to make you proud of me."
Mr. Gardiner chuckled slightly. "I am very proud of you already, my little Lizzy, and I am very pleased that you are to marry a man worthy of you who will allow us to visit frequently. I could not have borne it if your husband despised the lower classes to the exclusion of your family. The Mr. Darcy you described in December was not deserving of you."
"I was wrong to think so poorly of him then, and I am not that person from December anymore either. We have both improved as we have grown closer together."
"You ought to hurry to bed. Your future family will not like to see you with tired eyes in the morning, and I daresay, Jane is eager to share some news with you."
Elizabeth almost missed the last line as she rose and moved toward the door. Before she opened the door, she turned back to her uncle. "Jane has news!" Her face was brightened into pure joy.
"I shall not suspend her joy another minute by delaying you. Hurry to her."
Elizabeth squealed and ran up the stairs, barely pausing enough to keep her hem out of the way of her feet. She made it to her room in one piece and threw the door open eagerly to see Jane hugging her aunt, both beaming with happiness.
AN: What can I say? School started. I am working about 11 hours a day, and a few hours each weekend, and I am still not keeping up with school work. My evaluation happened this week, and I hope I did well (I don't think I am all that worried). I also just signed my amended contract with the new pay for this year. I don't know any other occupation that makes you sign a contract and start working months before they tell you how much you will make (the contract we signed last March was only for the same amount as the previous year). My mother in law has declined in health. Her COPD has brought on congestive heart failure, and she is not reacting well to the meds. I think she is recovering, though she needs more care than I can give. It is hard, as I am not ready for this decline. I know it is a terminal illness, but I am not ready for it. But enough about me. I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and that your reviews inspire me to write Anne's wedding.