Page 22 of Lord Lonbourn’s Daughter

Elizabeth did not fare any better. She mustered some levity to appear gay and content.

Snide remarks reached her ears about the brevity of her courtship and hasty marriage.

She chose to pretend she had not heard as they approached the middle of the music room where Angelica Catalina was holding court for a cluster of slobbering young bucks.

She really was beautiful, though time had drawn lines around her eyes.

It was not strange that her husband had appeared so utterly besotted.

“Signorina Catalina! You simply must let me introduce you to Lady Elizabeth, wed but three days ago to the esteemed Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire.”

“Oh yes, I remember Mr Darcy. Who would not? Such a handsome gentleman. Oh my, do you not think that there is a striking resemblance between us, Lady Jersey? We could be mistaken for sisters.”

Signorina Catalina grabbed Elizabeth’s elbow and pulled her to her side to let her admirers and Lady Jersey compare the two.

Elizabeth felt uncomfortable. There might be a slight resemblance in hair colour, and both had dark eyes, but Elizabeth’s were green while Signorina Catalina’s were hazel.

The uncharitable thought that they resembled mother and daughter more than sisters was quickly dismissed.

It was unlike her to feel contrary towards another lady, but Signorina Catalina immediately vexed her.

Besides, she could be of no interest to the famous opera singer.

Unless it was not her in which the lady was interested.

Her husband had been enthralled when the lady entered the stage, and she had just admitted that he was previously known to her.

They must have been introduced as she remembered him without even laying her eyes on his person.

A deeper connection between them seemed unlikely; she was certain that Mr Darcy had entered their marriage as innocent as herself albeit more enlightened.

They might have kissed. Could they? No, Elizabeth was not going to think of that.

She would not allow her imagination to run wild and conjecture ghosts in broad daylight.

She was an indifferent acquaintance. Well, perhaps not indifferent but certainly not close or Darcy would not have brought his wife here.

Or would he? Was he angry with her for speaking her mind earlier?

He had not been pleased when she had valiantly argued that Jane’s engagement to Mr Bingley should be announced in the papers.

It would bring respectability to the hasty nuptials if they were declared openly in advance.

He had not offered any explanation for withholding the announcement but pronounced that he had his reasons.

Could he have held hopes that the amiable Mr Bingley might marry his sister when she came out next year?

The thought did not sound implausible in her mind; it could be true.

What other reasons could he have? Jane was all goodness of heart and beauty of countenance, combined with excellent connections and dowry.

Her fortune was not among the largest of the ton, but she had an estate that yielded five thousand a year.

With the interest from her assets combined with Mr Bingley’s fortune they would be just as well off as Mr Darcy.

Could he resent Mr Bingley’s elevation in society?

No, she could not picture him as petty towards his friend.

It must be in regard to his sister. Would she be broken-hearted?

She had heard nothing about any deeper connection between them, but that did not infer there had been none.

She had not even seen them in the same room together and therefore had no way of knowing.

“Lady Elizabeth?”

Elizabeth startled out of her thoughts. “Excuse me, I am a little fatigued.”

“Say no more, Lady Elizabeth, we perfectly comprehend what those early days of marriage are like.” Lady Jersey smirked, making Elizabeth blush profusely.

It was an assertion she could neither deny nor confirm without revealing what she would not and could not. Keeping up the pretence of happiness was exhausting, hiding the concerns for her sister and Miss Darcy.

Elizabeth was utterly relieved when she espied her husband coming in determined strides towards her.

It was to be hoped he was coming to take her home as he had mentioned half an hour ago.

He had been flitting about town all day; not that she had any idea where he had been or what he had done, but he must be tired.

“Lady Jersey, thank you for a lovely evening. Signorina Catalina, I have rarely heard anything that brought me more pleasure. Elizabeth?”

He held out his arm as if she were a dog he was calling for.

Not a word was mentioned, nor did he ask her whether she wanted to go home.

She understood that it was his intent, but he could not know her wishes.

Had he not been about to remove her from her current situation, she might have rejected his offered arm, but as it was, she was desirous to go home.

She let her hand rest as lightly as possible on the proffered limb before thanking Lady Jersey for her hospitality and Signorina Catalina for her excellent performance.

The carriage ride home was silent. Elizabeth gazed out onto the dimly lit street, illuminated by the crumbs of light cast from the windows of the passing houses and the lamps on their carriage.

She looked up to see whether it was a starry night, but it was impossible to tell; the window was too opaque.

The carriage pulled up in front of the steps to Bennet House. Mr Darcy handed her down himself, escorted her inside, and walked her to the foot of the stairs.

“Good night, Elizabeth.” Her husband bowed and turned to leave.

“Are you not retiring?” she called after him.

He halted his steps and faced her. “No, not yet. I have business that needs to be addressed.”

“Can it not wait until tomorrow?” she suggested.

“No, I am afraid not,” he replied gruffly.

“Well then…good night, Mr Darcy.” Elizabeth curtsied and ascended the stairs.

#

He stood and watched her leave, afraid to let her out of his sight until she was safely ensconced in her chamber.

Her lady’s maid must have been waiting for her because he heard her remote voice greet someone as she opened the door, and the voice answering was female.

He could relax and get to the last task of the day.

He knew there was a tome in his library, a medical treatise that included females and reproductive problems. He slipped out of Bennet House to his own home next door, in search of enlightenment.

A movement in the periphery of his vision made him look up at his wife’s window, but it was empty.