Page 53

A radiant Miss Goddard, costumed as a cat, said quietly, “He returned and created a scene with Georgette.”

Elizabeth looked delighted at the news. Darcy watched as they fell into a quiet conversation punctuated by giggles and sighs. He turned to Saye. “It was a happy scene, I trust?”

“Darcy, this party will be spoken of in London all Season, see if it is not! Aurelia has established herself as a noted hostess, all thanks to me, and everyone you see is leaving much improved over what sorry states they arrived in.” Saye gave a self-satisfied smirk, but behind it, Darcy perceived an unusual contentment.

“I cannot disagree.”

“Hawkridge has agreed Georgette may wed Anderson. As a connoisseur of repulsive creatures, Miss Bentley has formed an attachment to my brother, and…” He smiled, looking silly and self-conscious. “Lilly has at last succumbed to my considerable charms.”

“You finally managed it. Congratulations.” As he shook Saye’s hand, Darcy’s smile turned wry. “Fitzwilliam and Miss Bentley, eh?”

“Love is all the fashion, and my brother has at last stopped fighting it off.”

“I am pleased for him. For them.” Darcy’s smile returned, and he quickly felt himself under Saye’s scrutiny.

“And you...there is something different about you.” Saye’s eye roamed him and Darcy fought the urge to squirm. “You have tasted the pleasures of connubial bliss! In my mother’s home!”

“I have done no such thing.”

Darcy watched as Saye turned to look at Elizabeth, now halfway across the room with Miss Goddard, Lady Aurelia, Sir Phineas, and a smattering of other masked guests.

She was luminous, her joyful spirit affecting even the usually sombre man, who was actually laughing aloud, in a roomful of people half his age, many of whom he likely disdained.

Darcy’s heart soared; if he had had his wits about him, he might have questioned the possibility that his heart could grow fuller.

As the music ebbed, he caught the sound of her laugh and smiled, somehow prompting Elizabeth to turn and meet his gaze.

Darcy did not need Saye to tell him he looked like a fool in love; it was a palpable, constant warmth thrumming through him.

“You are married.”

He grinned. “Elizabeth insisted.”

“And you are a man who knows when to lose an argument.”

“Only to her.”

Suddenly Sir Phineas stood before him.

“I enjoy conviviality as much as the next man, but it is an unfortunate development if a man such as you is reduced to a silly giggling ninny. I had my doubts about the leading strings your lady had attached to your trouser snake, but I must say, you have done well. I like your Mrs Darcy.”

After it was evident her supper plate was filled to her satisfaction, Darcy bent his lips to Elizabeth’s ear and gestured across the table to Miss Goddard and Miss Bentley, the latter smiling at Elizabeth with some urgency.

“Your friends have been abandoned by their lovers and are in need of your guidance as the happiest married lady in the land.”

Laughing, she replied, “You, too, have a friend eager for conversation.” He followed her gaze, turning to find Fitzwilliam watching them with poorly disguised interest.

After carrying their plates over to empty seats by the ladies, Darcy sauntered over to his white-robed cousin. He dipped his head in greeting, but his eyes remained on Elizabeth, lighting up with pleasure as her new friends grasped her hands.

Fitzwilliam nodded. His eyes, too, were captured by the ladies. “You are returned.”

“Indeed, only to learn I am to wish you joy.” Darcy was amused by the speed of the blush that overtook his cousin’s face.

“You must think me a great fool.”

“No, I know you are a great fool.”

“Right. And you are a great master of stealing away. I have sought you out the past two days.”

“It is not my place to judge your tracking skills, but I was much occupied with Elizabeth.”

Fitzwilliam cleared his throat. “To whom I did apologise.”

“You grovelled, and rather effectively.” Darcy crossed his arms. “She is satisfied with you.”

“And are you? I owe you an apology as well.”

Darcy sighed and finally turned to face his cousin. “Accepted, but I must protest your aim. Was it necessary to strike my face—to bruise my lip—when I am in company with Elizabeth? ”

“It has been awkward, I am sure.” Fitzwilliam looked more amused than chagrined.

“A bit, although we share a talent for improvisation.”

Fitzwilliam snorted. “Well, then. She does seem quite pleased with the evening, and more than pleased in your company.” He paused and then spoke his regrets in a torrent of words.

“I was in the wrong, mean-spirited and foolhardy. She is more than content in your company, and in my own struggles to determine my path, I selfishly interfered in your courtship. From the look of things, there has been no lasting harm.”

Darcy gave him a grave look. “You are mistaken if you think your jibes at me and your ridiculous efforts to monopolise her company had no effect on us.”

“What do you mean? She—you—I see only happy looks exchanged between you both!”

Darcy’s silence prompted Fitzwilliam to speak more forcefully.

“I am the last man in the world who should make an appeal to Miss Bennet on your behalf, but if?—”

“Her name is Mrs Darcy, you dolt.” Darcy broke into a broad smile. “I did as you advised. We are wed.”

“Oho! You old dog! Congratulations!” Fitzwilliam clapped him on the shoulder. “You made off and made her your wife? I knew it!”

“Did you? ”

“I hoped,” he said, shrugging. “I did not hit you hard enough to scare you away.”

Darcy held out his hand and firmly gripped the one his cousin extended in return.

“A few blows knocked sense into both of us. And I am happy, albeit surprised, for you and Miss Bentley.” He lowered his voice as a small group of masked revellers passed by them.

“I am nearly five years younger than Saye and the first to the altar. I hope you and your lady will move with some haste so we can ruffle his fine feathers by both being first to the nursery as well.”

“Miss Elizabeth Bennet? An express has come for you.”

“Just this moment?”

Elizabeth’s breathless response appeared to startle the young footman, whose blushing cheeks indicated he had not much experience with masquerades, debauched society, or any of Saye’s eccentricities.

He stood just around the corner from the ladies’ retiring room, averting his eyes from the low bodices seen in nearly every direction.

“Yes, Miss. It was delivered not five minutes ago. I came as fast as I could, what with the crowds and such.”

He bowed and fled as soon as Elizabeth took the letter from the salver. Seeing the handwriting, she moved down the corridor to Darcy.

“Elizabeth?”

She showed him the handwriting. Mr Bennet, known to set aside the post for days or weeks, had rallied himself to reply to Elizabeth’s news.

Lizzy,

Your letter, which I hoped would bring welcome relief from dull company, has only worsened the excessive vexation I presently endure in my own home.

Your mother, you see, returned from Bletchley five days ago, in quite a state of hysteria.

Reading poetry to a cow has consequences—in this case, a pox of some kind on dear Aunt Boothe’s person.

Mrs Bennet fled, and upon her arrival at Longbourn without you, assured me of your health and safety—not amongst the pox-ridden, but at a house party in Derbyshire. How sly are the ladies of Longbourn.

Mr Darcy is in possession of a good fortune, a man whom I dared not refuse nor, it now is apparent, delay. Your expectations for felicity and understanding in marriage are higher than most; Mr Darcy is as determined in his love for you as I, and therefore I wish you joy.

I shall address you by your married name when you return to Longbourn—which you must do if only to claim your bonnets from your sisters, allow your mother the opportunity to exhibit you to the neighbours, and provide me some recompense for bearing up through these past few days of deafening joy.

Yours &c.

T Benne t

“A blessing, of sorts,” she said quietly, handing the letter to Darcy. “There is a note on the back intended for you.”

Darcy kissed her temple and held the paper where they both could read it.

Mr Darcy,

While Bingley will likely amuse me more, and Wickham will please me merely by his absence, do not set aside your hope of becoming my favourite son-in-law. After all, I have heard much of Pemberley’s library and expect to enjoy its riches.

T Bennet

He chuckled. “Your father’s disinterest in business surprises me, for he certainly understands the importance of striking a bargain agreeable to all sides.”

Elizabeth placed her hand on the black domino covering her husband’s chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart underneath the fine woven cloth. “There is nothing more agreeable than this, you and I, together as husband and wife, united by love of the deepest kind.”