Darcy looked across the assembly hall and watched the dancers as they wound their way through the steps of a country dance. His eyes followed Elizabeth for a few moments before he pulled his attention back to the rest of the people standing around him.
Just to his left, Mrs. Bennet fidgeted and fussed with Kitty’s dress. “Stand up straight, Kitty,” she scolded. “No man wants a woman who is all bent and crumpled.”
“Yes, Mama,” said Kitty.
Darcy suppressed a chuckle as he watched Kitty roll her eyes before she pulled herself up, squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. It reminded him of Georgiana. How often had he, when watching Miss Kitty, noticed similarities between the two young ladies? Both shared an exuberance for life that was infectious, and neither appreciated the reminder to carry themselves in what society deemed a ladylike fashion. Miss Kitty was a bit silly, but she was a sweet and caring young lady. She was the sort of young lady with whom Darcy did not mind having his sister associate.
Having seen to her daughter’s lack of posture, Mrs. Bennet had moved on to discussing with several local ladies her very good fortune of having “three daughters so agreeably attached.” Mr. Bennet was attempting to calm his wife’s happy nerves in order to keep her voice at an acceptable volume. Darcy shook his head slightly and smiled. How a man as intelligent as Mr. Bennet could abide such a fluttering wife was beyond his comprehension.
But he knew it to be true that Mr. Bennet did not just abide his wife, he loved her and showed it through his solicitous attentions and patience. Although some might only see the man who teased and laughed at his wife’s silliness, Darcy had observed the soft glow of his eyes and an occasional touch that accompanied such teasing. Mrs. Bennet often responded in a huff of emotions but there was always a twinkle in her eye, a little wink, or a slight upturn of her mouth which let him know she was not truly put out by her husband’s comments. It was a dance of words and actions, a game they played, a game he was just beginning to learn to play with his beloved Elizabeth. He allowed himself the pleasure of once again watching her dance.
“Never thought I would see the day that you would be enjoying a country assembly, Darcy.” Richard Fitzwilliam offered his cousin a glass of lemonade. “Began to question if I would ever see you attached to any young lady for that matter. Yet, here you stand, engaged and smiling in a crowded assembly hall. Will miracles never cease?”
Darcy took the proffered beverage. “It is good to see you, too, Richard,” he said flatly. “It surprises me that nearly the whole house of Matlock finds it necessary to come to a country assembly to watch me enjoy myself.”
“Ah, but we did not just come to see you, Darcy. Mother insisted we needed to make sure you were treating Miss Elizabeth properly. You know how Mother can be when it comes to those upon whom she dotes.”
“Your mother insisted that you, a well-respected colonel in his majesties forces; your brother, Viscount Brantworth, heir to the house of Matlock; and your father, the well-respected and rather powerful Lord Matlock attend a dance in the country to make sure that I, the well-respected and trusted master of Pemberley, am treating my betrothed properly?” Sarcasm coloured Darcy’s tone, and he raised an eyebrow in disbelief. “Seems a bit farfetched to me.”
Richard laughed. “Perhaps it is a stretch.”
“So what really brings you to Meryton, Richard?” Darcy eyed his cousin.
“I am not at liberty to say. Wish I were.”
“Ah, working on something?”
Richard nodded. “Was going to hole up at a local inn, but when I heard Father had procured an invitation to stay at Netherfield, I decided such accommodations would be far preferable. So, here I am feigning interest in my cousin’s life.”
Darcy snorted. “Feigning interest? Admit it, Richard. You were too curious to stay away.”
Richard shrugged.
“And why is Brantworth here? Curiosity?”
Richard nodded.
“I have to say I was surprised to learn that Miss Elizabeth was so intimately acquainted with your family.” He tipped his head and cocked an inquisitive brow at his cousin.
“Our fathers attended Oxford with Bennet and Phillips. It was also when Father started doing business with Gardiner.”
Darcy nodded and took a sip of his drink. “Yes, Mr. Bennet mentioned having met my father and uncle at Oxford, but I thought it was just a trifling acquaintance. It appears I was wrong.”
“The four of them—Father, Gardiner, Bennet, and Phillips—meet for a monthly card game near here at a place called the Blue Thistle. They also correspond regularly and are all heavily invested with Gardiner. There is much more I could tell you, but this is not the time or place. Too many ears.”
Darcy’s eyebrows rose in question.
“Nothing to fret about, Darcy. Just not the sort of thing to discuss in public.”
Darcy narrowed his eyes and gave Richard a hard look.
“Seriously, Darcy. Trifling stuff really.”
Satisfied his cousin was not bluffing, Darcy relaxed.
“I see Bingley’s sister is here.”
“Miss Bingley came two days ago. Bingley was in need of a hostess while he entertained my overly curious family.” Darcy gave Richard a pointed look. “Thankfully, she seems resigned to the fact that I am engaged.”
Richard chuckled. “You are keeping your bedroom locked? And Miss Elizabeth away from her?”
“Indeed. Though I doubt she would do anything too dreadful, and now with such illustrious guests as Lord and Lady Matlock, not to mention an unwed viscount, I am sure I am quite safe from her machinations. Your brother may not be so fortunate.” Darcy nodded to where Caroline stood talking and giggling with Viscount Brantworth.
“He should be safe as long as we keep him from becoming foxed.” Richard laughed.
Darcy furrowed his brow. “What do you mean?”
“One of the many things I could tell you, but not here,” Richard replied rather cryptically.
“I feel a need for a private conversation soon, Richard,” said Darcy.
“Soon, Darcy. If I could keep you away from the lovely Miss Elizabeth for about an hour tomorrow, perhaps we could take a ride and have that conversation.”
“A morning ride? Before we break our fast?” Darcy handed his empty glass to Richard and straightened his coat as Elizabeth made her way toward him so that he might claim the final dance of the evening.
Richard nodded though he was certain his cousin did not notice.
~*~*~*~*~*~
“Papa,” said Elizabeth as Mr. Bennet began to close the carriage door without getting in. “Are you not going to ride with us?”
“The air in the assembly room was most close tonight, and I find I am in need of an airing out before I am forced to listen to your mother and younger sisters go on about the events of the evening. I shall ride on the box, my dear,” replied Mr. Bennet.
“But, Papa, it is most improper…”
“Yes, I do believe if anyone were to find out that you had spent three whole minutes alone inside the carriage with Mr. Darcy, I may have to force you to marry the gentleman to avoid a scandal.” Mr. Bennet chuckled briefly before becoming more serious. “The distance we are to travel is not so far as to give time for anything of a serious nature to occur.” Mr. Bennet gave Mr. Darcy, who was seated next to Elizabeth, a pointed look. “I believe I can trust this gentleman to be just that–a gentleman. From where I stand, I see this as no different than if I were to allow you a few moments for a private conversation in the drawing room at Longbourn while I sat outside the door.”
Noting that Elizabeth still wore a look of concern, he continued in a soft, soothing tone. “All will be well, Lizzy. I have given you and your young man permission for a few moments of privacy. ” With that, he closed the door and climbed up to take his seat on the box.
Inside the carriage, Darcy, thankful for the privilege Mr. Bennet had given him, pulled Elizabeth closer enjoying having her soft form against him for the short time it would take to travel from the assembly hall to the home of Mr. Phillips. Then, he would relinquish his position to his sister and sit across from his beloved as propriety demanded.
“I have never enjoyed an assembly before, and I have you to thank, my dear. I cannot imagine finding a more tempting partner with whom to dance.”
“And, I had the best man in all of England on my arm. I am indeed most fortunate.” Elizabeth kissed him lightly on the cheek. “Do you suppose Georgiana had a good time at my aunt and uncles? Aunt Phillips is known for her parties.”
“Georgie adapts to new surroundings more easily than I, so I am sure she enjoyed herself almost as much as I did, but I do not wish to discuss my sister at present.” Darcy placed a finger under Elizabeth’s chin and tilted her face so he could look into her eyes.
“And what do you wish to discuss, Mr. Darcy?”
“Nothing. I can think of something far better than talking for your lips to be doing.” Darcy leaned down and brushed his lips softly across hers.
“It seems I approve of your way of thinking, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth whispered against his lips as she entwined her fingers behind his neck.
Darcy smiled. “I am very happy you approve, Elizabeth.” He pressed his lips against hers gently at first but deepened the kiss as a powerful yearning began to grow deep within his soul—a longing to keep her here by his side, protected and loved, for all time. She sighed softly and returned his kisses. It was only when they felt the carriage beginning to slow and heard a tap from without–mostly likely as a warning from Mr. Bennet– that they broke away from each other, allowing their breathing and heart rate to return to normal before they arrived at the Phillips’ house.
Georgiana had had a lovely time at the party. She rattled on about the games and the people for the entire time the carriage travelled from Meryton to Oxford Cottage.
Darcy’s ears were fairly ringing by the time he handed his sister from the carriage. Reaching in to assist Elizabeth, he said, “She is excited. It may take her a while to go to sleep tonight.”
“A cup of tea and perhaps a stroll about the back garden, and she will drift right off. Do not worry, Fitzwilliam. I will take care of her.”
“I will worry, not because I doubt your ability to care for her, but because I always worry when those I love are not within my sight. However, I happily leave her to your care.” Darcy watched as Georgiana entered the cottage. Assured that he and Elizabeth were alone save for his driver who was dutifully watching only the horses, Darcy placed a kiss on the back of each of her hands.
“Until the morrow, my love.” With one last squeeze of her hands, he relinquished them and climbed back into the carriage.
Elizabeth watched as his carriage turned from the path onto the road that led away from Oxford Cottage and towards Netherfield.
“Elizabeth, are you coming inside?” asked Georgiana from the door to the cottage.
“I had thought to take my tea out to the bench in the back garden. Would you care to join me? I can ask Jeremiah to hang a lantern for us.”
“That sounds lovely, Elizabeth. Mrs. Younge has the tea waiting for us in the kitchen.”
With a cup of tea in her hand, Elizabeth sat on the stone bench and answered Georgiana’s questions about the dance. One by one, the lights in the windows of the upper floor rooms dimmed and went out. Soon the garden was only lit by the moon, the small bit of light coming from the one room which remained lit, and the lantern swinging gently on its post. Elizabeth yawn. She shook her head to try to clear the tired fog that was trying to overtake her mind. She stretched her limbs which were beginning to feel heavy.
“Georgie, dearest, I think it is time to be sleeping.”
Georgiana stood slowly and stretched. From the back of the garden, she heard what she thought was the movement of an animal as it made its way through the bushes. She turned toward Elizabeth.
“Do you think that was a…” Her question was cut off as a hand clamped over her mouth. She looked at Elizabeth who was also being held by a large man.
“No noises or you will end up like him.” The men turned their prisoners so that they could see the beaten and bleeding form of Jeremiah being dragged through the garden.
“Pick ‘im up. Don’t be leavin’ a trail. Do you want ‘em to find us?” The man holding Elizabeth ordered the others. Elizabeth glanced toward the almost darkened house. Only one light remained lit. The curtain in the room moved away from the window slightly as someone peered out. Then, it fell back in place and the last lamp was extinguished. Elizabeth waited to hear a cry of alarm but none came. Whoever it was at the window must not have seen them in the dark garden, or, Elizabeth shuddered, they saw them and turned away.