Darcy eagerly awaited Georgiana’s coming out, perhaps even more so than she. There were many places he wanted to take Elizabeth and things he wanted to show her. However, until Georgiana was officially out, the entertainment options for the three of them were few.
Darcy accompanied Georgiana and Elizabeth to the modiste as planned. For the sake of decorum, he did not stay. He gave Madame Lanchester detailed instructions on what he expected. With Georgiana’s coming out, Darcy thought it likely that she might be obliged to wear up to five or six outfits a day. While he did not expect Elizabeth’s wardrobe to be as extensive nor as elegant as Georgiana’s, he knew she would need far more than the gowns she had received from his sister. Little did he know or even care of women’s fashions. However, he knew that perception was everything amongst the ton. He did not want Elizabeth disparaged as she had been in Hertfordshire, by the Caroline Bingleys of society.
That evening, Darcy had the pleasure of escorting Georgiana and Elizabeth to Matlock House. Lady Matlock was anxious to complete the final preparations for Georgiana’s coming out ball, as well as her presentation at court. She had only arrived in London the day before from her country home in Matlock. Though this was their first meeting, she felt she knew Elizabeth already, based upon Georgiana’s letters. It did not take long for Lady Matlock to discern the changes in Georgiana. She appeared more composed and self-assured. Her ladyship attributed the improvements to Elizabeth’s influence.
Lady Matlock epitomised elegance and social grace. Her standing and reputation amongst the ton was impeccable. She was as intolerable of those outside her circle as was Darcy. She barely tolerated the Bingleys. She often berated Darcy on his association with the young man and especially his sisters. Darcy was no more forthcoming with his aunt than he was with anyone else in explaining his friendship. As regarded Elizabeth, Lady Matlock decided she would accept her as more than Georgiana’s paid companion, but as Georgiana’s friend. Lady Matlock suspected the two young women would probably be inseparable over the coming months, and she would give her support of Elizabeth amongst the ton, to the extent it was necessary.
Lady Matlock, affectionately addressed as Lady Ellen by those closest to her, loved that Darcy entrusted to her the undertaking of Georgiana’s coming out. She had been like a mother to Darcy and Georgiana over the years following the death of their mother. She cared for them as much as she cared for her own two sons, Lord Robert and Richard. It seemed her highest priority up to that point had been to promote a suitable match for Darcy from amongst the most eligible and beautiful young ladies of the ton. After four years with no success, she was determined that this year would be the one to see a new mistress at Pemberley.
While it was widely known throughout the family that her sister-in-law Lady Catherine de Bourgh and her late sister-in-law and Darcy’s mother, Lady Anne Darcy, desired a match between Darcy and Catherine’s daughter Anne, Lady Matlock did not support that notion. Neither did her husband, the Earl of Matlock. To their way of thinking, Anne was a poor choice for Darcy. If they had their way, a union between the two would never come about. Luckily, Darcy gave no indication he would honour his late mother’s wish that he and his cousin marry. On the other hand, he gave Lady Catherine no cause to believe he would not.
Lady Matlock hosted a dinner party that evening, to which she invited the Ruperts, along with their beautiful nineteen-year-old daughter, Miss Theresa, in keeping with her intention to promote a match between Darcy and a fair lady of the ton. She was a stunning young lady beaming with grace and charm, who, like so many others in the highest circle, had her heart set on one eligible man, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley.
Theresa’s coming out had been during the previous Season. Although she had many aspiring suitors, she spurned all advances. She longed to capture the one man who sought most not to be captured. With her eye on the prize, she decided it best to bide her time. Though they were of the same sphere, she had yet to find herself in the path of the incomparable Mr. Darcy. Other than events hosted by Lord and Lady Matlock, he rarely attended social gatherings.
Moreover, for any lady to stand a chance of garnering his notice, she must be in his esteemed aunt’s favour. If Lady Matlock approved of the young lady, she would make every attempt to promote a match with Mr. Darcy. During Theresa’s first Season, she was not among Lady Matlock’s choices. Steadfastly, Theresa had endeavoured to gain favour with her ladyship over the past months. Her efforts appeared to have paid off; hence, the inclusion of her family at dinner that night.
Familiar with his aunt’s tactics, and not at all averse to playing along for the sake of appeasing her, Darcy heaped considerable charm and attention upon Miss Theresa. That night, he had a second purpose in “wooing” her. He meant to see if he could cause Elizabeth to become jealous. As conflicted as he was over his motive, he wished to find out if she held him in any special regard.
Prior to the Ruperts’ arrival, Darcy had become incensed with the amount of attention his cousin Richard had lavished upon Elizabeth. He was silently outraged that Elizabeth had seemed to enjoy it.
Richard was enamoured of Elizabeth’s charms from the moment of their introduction. He found it unbelievable that Darcy had engaged such a beautiful young woman as Georgiana’s companion. Her uncanny resemblance to Darcy’s favourite courtesan did not go unnoticed by Richard either, and he began to suspect Darcy’s motives. No wonder I have not received an invitation to Darcy House over the past weeks. Richard wondered if Darcy might be lusting after Georgiana’s companion and using Antoinette as a substitute to satisfy his carnal desires. He decided to test the waters by flirting with Elizabeth whilst observing Darcy closely to see how he reacted.
Initially, Elizabeth was impressed with Richard, but she soon became leery of his attentions, so much so that her distress was apparent to Lady Matlock. Elizabeth’s intention was to make a favourable impression on her hosts, and here Richard was with his incessant attentions. Lady Matlock took pity on Elizabeth. She told her to overlook her charming son, and to consider him harmless. Her comments eased Elizabeth’s unrest considerably. The last thing she needed was to have anyone imagine she was aspiring to a match beyond her sphere.
Elizabeth always had been strong-willed and independent. As ever before, her courage always rose at any attempt to intimidate her. However, she had gained an altogether different perspective over the past months. She no longer thought and behaved the same as in Hertfordshire. The truth of Mr. Wickham had affected her sensibilities; she had thought he was the best of men when they first had met.
The suddenness of her family’s change in circumstances also had affected her profoundly. She now was responsible to help support her family. She would forever be a gentleman’s daughter, with all due respect, and she would always comport herself as such, but she had witnessed her family thrown out into the hedgerows, destitute. While she would have cared not how society viewed her, as Miss Elizabeth Bennet of Longbourn, the scandal brought upon her family’s honour through her late sister’s actions loomed considerably.
Meanwhile, Darcy was accomplishing both of his aims. Though he escorted Georgiana to the dining room, he sat with Miss Theresa. He spoke with her, almost exclusively, throughout the meal. After dinner, he sat with her and offered to turn the pages, as she exhibited on the pianoforte. Elizabeth was exceedingly puzzled to see Darcy engaging with a woman in such a fashion. He was charming, attentive and not at all disagreeable. Elizabeth had heard that he could be pleasing when he chose, and particularly among those who were his equals in consequence, but she never had expected to see him behave thus. She became oblivious to Richard and his attentions as she focused upon Darcy. Darcy could discern the effect of his efforts to woo Miss Theresa. Lady Matlock was ecstatic and filled with hope, and Elizabeth seemed a bit jealous. If not jealous, she was certainly affected.
Richard was baffled. Granted, though he was used to Darcy’s exhibiting such behaviour during his mother’s matchmaking dinners, he had never observed Darcy carry it to that degree. He knew Darcy was about as interested in Miss Theresa as he was in any other woman he had wooed during his mother’s dinners, but there was something different about this night. The last straw was added when Darcy stood to accompany the Ruperts to their carriage at the end of the evening, and offered Miss Theresa his arm. That was a first! Richard quickly abandoned his seat beside Elizabeth and joined the departing guests.
As soon as the carriage had driven off, and they had returned inside the house, Richard cornered Darcy and demanded an explanation. “What was that all about?”
“What do you mean?” Darcy asked as he smugly brushed invisible lint from his sleeve.
“You were all over Miss Theresa! Why, she is not even your type.”
“I was simply performing for Lady Ellen, as always. You know that,” he replied with a smirk.
“Well, she was not the only one who noticed you. Miss Elizabeth was clearly distracted. Were you trying to make her jealous?”
“Why would you suggest such a thing? And speaking of Miss Elizabeth, she is off-limits to you.”
“Who are you to dictate?”
“She is under my protection. She is not to be toyed with by the likes of you.”
“Under your protection, you say. Pray, is she quite safe from the likes of you?” Richard hurled the insult back at Darcy. More than just cousins, the two men were as close as brothers, as well as the closest of friends. In essentials, they were cut from the same cloth, although somehow, one always thought of the other as the worse of the two.
Darcy declared, “She certainly is. Miss Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter. Still, she has no fortune and no connections, nothing to tempt you. And unlike you, I know not to offer false hope and raise expectations in penniless young women.”
“You are one to talk. Merely bringing her into your life, your intimate circle, and your home, is likely to raise her expectations.”
“Nonsense.”
“As for her safety in your home, tell me you have not noticed her striking resemblance to your latest courtesan.”
Darcy chose to ignore his cousin’s assertion. Rather, he declared, “Miss Elizabeth is perfectly safe with me. I assure you. Just make certain you do not cross any lines with her.” With that, Darcy walked away from his cousin and returned to the drawing room to gather Georgiana and Elizabeth for their departure.
Darcy had ambivalent feelings about his discovery that Elizabeth was not indifferent towards him. He was in love with her after all, but it was destined to be an unrequited love. Darcy was ever aware of his duty to his family, to Pemberley, and to his legacy. He further resolved that though he could not share his life with Elizabeth as his wife, he certainly would not dishonour his love for her by offering to make her his mistress. However, as Georgiana’s companion, he would share his life and his home with her. That would be enough for the time being. He knew he was selfish and self-centred, but it did not matter. His greatest fear was that Elizabeth would meet and fall in love with someone else. He did not wish to think about it at that time, but rather deal with it when and if that day ever came.
Elizabeth was particularly troubled by her reaction to Darcy’s display. What had happened to the arrogant, haughty, and disdainful man she had so despised in Hertfordshire? This Mr. Darcy was charming, handsome, and desirable. She was well on her way to finding him even less repulsive, perhaps even somewhat attractive. She knew nothing beneficial would come from an attraction to her employer. She also knew not to concern herself ever much. Despite his newly exhibited charms, he was still Mr. Darcy, arrogant and self-absorbed.
Very few words passed between the occupants of the Darcy carriage on the way home from Matlock House that night.
Elizabeth arose long before sunrise the following morning. She longed for her solitary rambles, as was her habit in Hertfordshire. That morning in particular, she desperately needed her freedom. She had awakened abruptly from a dream of Darcy a couple of hours earlier, and she had been unable to return to sleep. In her dream, Darcy was charming, amiable, and considerably attentive; but instead of devoting his efforts towards Miss Theresa, he lavished all his attentions on her.
Elizabeth dressed quickly, hoping to escape the house before anyone else stirred. Hyde Park was a short distance away. She was sure she could enjoy a short stroll and return undetected. She almost ran into Darcy on her way out the door.
“I say, are you going somewhere, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Yes, I need a walk in the fresh morning air. I am on my way to Hyde Park,” she replied, as a matter of fact without a hint of remorse at being caught leaving.
“At this hour? Unescorted, I must add. It simply is not proper,” Darcy condescended.
“Sir, you are hardly one to talk about propriety,” she sharply retorted, observing his clothes as the very same as the night before.
“I... well... I seem to have lost track of time... my club,” Darcy fumbled for a reasonable explanation. While it was true that Darcy had begun the evening at his club, that was not where he had come from. Elizabeth did not need to know that.
After giving him a look of disbelief, Elizabeth said, “No disrespect intended; I simply need to go out for a few moments of solitude.”
“You thought to go out at this hour of the morning without an escort, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Going out with an escort hardly allows for solitude.”
“I said you are to be accompanied always when outside my home.”
“I will not be dictated to!” she insisted as she balled her tiny fist and stamped her dainty foot.
Resisting the urge to chuckle at the petite young woman on the verge of a tantrum, Darcy said, “Indeed, you will be. You, young lady, will do as I say. Wait for me in my study. I will escort you myself.”
A short time later, Darcy returned to join Elizabeth. He was freshly bathed, clean-shaven, and dressed in more casual attire. He appeared so youthful and innocent that Elizabeth almost forgot how riled she was over his heavy-handed treatment.
As they walked along in silence, Elizabeth continued to fume. She refused the offer of his arm and gave her best effort to outpacing his long strides. Darcy slowed his pace considerably to let her walk comfortably ahead of him and enjoy a leisurely stroll. What a woman! Darcy thought. Amid the quieting blend of crisp air and peaceful, early morning sounds, her ire gradually melted away. She relaxed her pace and allowed him to walk beside her. She glanced up to study his striking profile as they walked along, and she allowed herself consciously to consider that he was an extraordinarily handsome man.
She finally ended their silence. “Sir, I do not mean to challenge you, but why do you always insist upon having things your way?”
Here, Darcy considered his words carefully. “As master of Pemberley, I am responsible for hundreds of people. I have been my own master for many years. I find it easier to follow my own counsel than to rely upon the opinion of others. I know you are fiercely independent, but you will accustom yourself to it.”
“What makes you think I want to do that?” she asked defiantly.
“Miss Elizabeth, I admire you very much. Georgiana is as happy as I ever recall having you here, and so am I. I want you to be happy, as well. You are under my protection. I am responsible for your safety, and I take my responsibility very seriously. I could not forgive myself if something happened to you while you were out and about in London on your own.”
“Mr. Darcy, I am all grown up. I can take care of myself.”
“I think not. This is not Meryton, Miss Elizabeth. Believe me when I say that London, even Grosvenor Square, can be a perilous place for a gentlewoman. Please trust me and do as I ask.”
“You mean, do as you say,” she challenged.
“Of course, is that not what I said?”
Endeavouring to turn the tables on her smug escort, Elizabeth asked, “Might I ask, do you often stay out all night... at your club?”
Darcy could not believe she had the audacity to ask him such a question. He silently chastised himself for his carelessness; he never had expected Elizabeth or Georgiana to be awake at that hour. He had forgotten Elizabeth was such an early riser. Though caught, he was not about to discuss his late-night activities with her. He simply replied, “No. Any other questions?”
“Yes, what does one do all night in a club?” she implored. She could not resist baiting him.
“A gentleman might do any number of things in his club all night.”
“Come now, Mr. Darcy. You must attempt to be more forthcoming than that.”
“For Heaven’s sake, Miss Elizabeth, as a man of eight and twenty, this is hardly a proper conversation to have with a young lady.”
“Please humour me,” she urged.
“Only if you promise never again to attempt to leave our home unescorted.” Darcy reckoned he might as well get some reward for the uncomfortable discourse.
“I promise. Now tell me at once, for I am a very curious creature,” she persisted.
“Gambling... high-stakes. It is not unusual for games to last all night.”
“So Mr. Darcy, is that what you were doing... high-stakes gambling?” she probed further.
“That is enough questions, young lady.”
Impulsively linking her delicate hands through Darcy’s accommodating arm, prompting him quickly to cover them with his own, she asked, “Then, what shall we talk about? We must have some conversation. I am so enjoying this early morning stroll in the park.”
“Far be it from me to suspend any pleasure of yours. Since we are not in a ballroom, what say you we discuss books? I trust you are taking full advantage of the library in Darcy House,” he said, recalling how she had refused to discuss the topic of books during their dance at the Netherfield ball.
“Truly, I am. Still, I imagine it is nothing to the library at Pemberley.”
“You are quite right. I cannot wait to show it to you.”
“I can hardly wait to see it. When will that be?” she asked enthusiastically.
“Once the Season ends—we will spend the summertime at Pemberley. I trust that meets with your approval, madam.”
“Far be it from me to question any decision of yours, Mr. Darcy,” she mocked, giving rise to Darcy to laugh aloud.
“Wonderful,” he cheerfully expressed, “and when we are at Pemberley, I give you leave to walk as far as your legs will carry you, unescorted.”
“I shall hold you to that.”
The conversation quickly turned to books of philosophy. Darcy guided Elizabeth to a spot where they could enjoy the sunrise as they chatted amiably. They were so engrossed in their conversation that it continued as they returned home and well into breakfast, when Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley joined them.