Page 40

With that, the lady turned to the stage and raised Mrs. Darcy’s opera glasses to her eyes. Fitzwilliam watched her for some moments before remembering to turn his own forward although it was some time before he began to regard the performance again.

How was it that this young lady, grown in a small country hamlet with no formal education, could present him with such simple truths that struck him with all the éclat of a proverb?

She cut through the superficial and got at the fundamental issues.

It was not the flowery words and fine gestures that the ton was so enamored with that were important but the underlying intentions, the heart of the matter.

Poor manners could be disregarded if the intentions were honest but pretty words should not be allowed to cover malicious intent.

His mind automatically turned to Wickham, but he readily admitted that others of his acquaintance were equally guilty; Lady Catherine, Miss Bingley, even his own Uncle Fitzwilliam would often work to manipulate his sons and nephew with his offers of “advice.”

Darcy was startled when the audience began to applaud at the end of the scene.

Sternly, he reminded himself that he could ponder Elizabeth’s words at his leisure, when she was not seated beside him and expecting some informed conversation on the opera he was supposed to be watching.

Turning to the lady herself, Fitzwilliam caught her studying him with an curious look on her face.

Not quite certain what to say, he merely raised his eyebrows in question.

Elizabeth laughed softly and colored, dropping her eyes to her hands.

He dared to lean closer and whisper, “Do I have something on my face that amuses you? Perhaps a bit of spinach between my teeth?”

Elizabeth giggled again and risked a glance up at him.

Waving her hand negligently, she took note that the next scene was about to begin so leaned toward him and spoke softly, “Not at all… I was just thinking that a few months ago I would never have believed that I would be here, in such company, let alone enjoying it so.”

She straightened and turned her attention to the play. After staring at her for a few moments longer, Darcy also turned his eyes forward, although he could not restrain a contented sigh. He felt rather than heard another giggle at his side.

For the remainder of the evening, Darcy felt a warmth in his breast that was perhaps not entirely in keeping with the angst and tragedy of the plot being played out on the stage.

When the performance ended and the audience stood to clap, it was almost a surprise to Fitzwilliam that the evening had passed so quickly.

As he joined the applause, he couldn’t help leaning closer to Miss Bennet and asking, “Did you enjoy it?”

Her shining eyes told him more in a glance than a thousand words. “The music was superb and the soprano playing Elena has a magnificent voice.”

He nodded. “I must see if I can find sheet music for my sister; I believe she would enjoy it.”

“And thus you shall be given the very great pleasure of hearing her play it.”

He actually grinned at that. “Ah, you have discovered my very selfish interest in encouraging Georgiana to practice so constantly.”

Darcy could tell that Elizabeth was preparing to tease him when she was distracted by her aunt.

Soon the foursome was collecting their coats and preparing to brave the crowd exiting the theatre.

Fitzwilliam was more than happy to offer Elizabeth his arm as they followed Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner down the steps.

After fighting their way through the throng, they stepped out into the cool night air.

Mr. Darcy was pleased to see that his carriage had been maneuvered close to the door of the opera house, his staff familiar with their master’s dislike of lingering after a performance.

Fitzwilliam was just about to follow the ladies and Mr. Gardiner into the coach when a high-pitched voice cut across the crowd’s murmur with such volume that he could not pretend to have missed it.

“Oh Mr. Darcy! Yoo-hoo! Mr. Darcy!”

Barely stifling a groan, Fitzwilliam cast a last longing look at the dark privacy in his coach before squaring his shoulders and turning back toward the throng.

Bustling toward him was an overweight matron in emerald green, eligible daughter trailing in her wake.

He stilled his face and gave a very correct bow.

“Mrs. Rockwell.”

“Oh, Mr. Darcy… Forgive me for not greeting you earlier; my dear nephew only just mentioned that he had seen you at the intermission!”

Fitzwilliam caught a glimpse of Trevor’s embarrassed face approaching them.

“Oh, but where are my manners?” The matron’s hands were constantly fluttering, patting her hair, brushing her skirts, waving a handkerchief at her face.

“I knew you would wish to meet my daughter…” Like a curtain, feathers and green silk moved aside to display the prize. “Miss Clarissa Rockwell. Clarissa, greet Mr. Darcy, dear.”

Like a doll pulled forth by a puppeteer’s strings, the young lady stepped forward and curtsied perfectly, although with absolutely no emotion showing on her porcelain face.

For once feeling more sympathy for the girl than for himself, Darcy bowed very correctly to her. “Miss Rockwell.” Before either was forced to make conversation, Trevor finally broke through the crowd and stepped up to his cousin’s elbow.

“Hello again, Darcy. So glad you’ve had the chance to meet my aunt and cousin. ”

The two men greeted each other with handshakes, Trevor managing a slight eye roll that Darcy took correctly as an apology for the manners of his relation.

“Michael! You must invite Mr. Darcy to dine with us tomorrow! Surely sir, you will honor us with your presence?”

For once, Fitzwilliam was more amused than disgusted. “My God!” he thought to himself. “She is even more forward than Mrs. Bennet!” Fortunately, Trevor intervened before Darcy was forced to begin evasive maneuvers.

“Aunt, have you forgotten that I depart for Bath tomorrow morning?”

“Oh, my dear boy. Surely you can stay another day? To do your cousinly duty?” Her arguments took some minutes but the gentleman was not to be convinced.

In short order, Trevor brought the argument to a close.

“Aunt, Mama expects my return tomorrow and I do not wish to distress her by being tardy just as her health is beginning to return.” Mrs. Rockwell was unable to argue with that and he turned to his cousin.

“Clarissa, you are looking rather chilled. It’s not good for you to be standing here in the night air without your wrap—we would not want you to catch cold. ”

The thought of her pretty daughter with a red nose and sniffles in the middle of the Season was enough to propel the matron into action. “Oh no, my dearest girl. How silly to have forgotten our wraps! Come along, Clarissa, come along. Farewell, Mr. Darcy! Please do call on us soon!”

The daughter’s farewell was all that was polite but Darcy caught a flash of relief in her eyes as she turned to follow her mother.

The two gentlemen shared an understanding grin. “Sorry, old chap. She was off like a Derby winner when she caught sight of you.”

“Not to worry. Just keep it in mind if my own relations ever descend upon you thus.” Although Trevor assumed Will was speaking of his Fitzwilliam kin, Darcy was actually thinking of Mrs. Bennet, fluttering after the viscount with her unmarried daughters in tow. The vision made him smirk.

The two men shared a handshake. “Let us not become strangers again, Darce. I shall write you from Bath and I expect a detailed response!” Trevor glanced at the carriage and managed to shut his mouth before any indiscretions popped out.

After a few more words, he departed and Fitzwilliam climbed into the carriage, breathing a sigh of relief when the door was shut and fastened.

Mr. Gardiner could not resist teasing the younger man.

“Ah, such a trial to be a single man of large fortune.” Darcy rolled his eyes and slumped back into the squabs, prompting the others to laugh as the carriage jerked forward.

By the time the horses reached the corner, he had snuck a glance at Elizabeth and, seeing her dancing eyes, joined the laughter with his own deep chuckle.

When Darcy finally climbed the front steps of Derwent House, it was well past midnight but he was unsurprised to be met by his sister, looking sleepy but determined.

“Well?”

Fitzwilliam smiled, handing his coat and hat to the butler and divesting himself of his gloves before turning back to her. “It was a most enjoyable evening.”

With a squeak of pleasure, Georgiana gave her brother a hug before drawing him along toward the family sitting room.

“Come and tell me all about it! And I’ve had the most wonderful idea!

Why don’t we invite Miss Bennet and the Gardiners for a day trip to the gardens at Kew?

It is beautiful this time of year and we could have a picnic lunch…

and perhaps Uncle James might come to point out all the best plants? ”

Will laughed with pleasure to see his formerly melancholic sister bubbling over with ideas and happily resigned himself to staying up for another hour or so. He had to admit that the idea of exploring the Royal Botanic Gardens with Elizabeth on his arm was vastly appealing.