Page 72 of Obligation and Redemption

“Elizabeth, you look lovely this evening.” She gave a small smile as she thanked him.

“Forgive me for intruding on your privacy, but I have come to give you something from the Darcy jewellery collection. May I?” At her nod, he opened the box and pulled out a simple yet stunning strand of diamonds.

He stood behind her while she remained sitting and placed them around her neck, clasping them in the back, causing a slight frisson to extend down Elizabeth’s back at the slight touch.

Elizabeth’s eyes widened at the sight as she instinctively raised her hand to touch the shimmering gems.

“They are exquisite,” she said softly. “I’ve never worn something so fine.”

“There is more.” Darcy then handed her the opened box where she saw the matching earrings and bracelet.

“Oh my.” Then looking at him archly, she said, “Are you sure you trust me not to lose them as I skip down the stairs of the theatre?” He just smiled at her, recognising her teasing yet again.

Darcy then watched as she placed the earrings and bracelet onto their respective places. “And how do I look? Am I tolerable?”

Darcy had long forgotten those misplaced words that had been spoken as a defence from those around him at the Meryton assembly.

He had made a habit of ending any pursuit of his person by speaking words of dissention to those within hearing.

So that particular occasion did not stand out in his mind.

He most definitely found her more than tolerable on this night.

In fact, he found her quite pretty, despite his initial inclination to think contrariwise.

If asked now, he would have to admit that her beauty exceeded that of the average lady of his acquaintance, but her temperament and singularity left her wanting in terms of his admiration.

“I daresay you are more than tolerable. You look charming.” He was then at a loss to understand the significance of Elizabeth’s arch look accompanied by her enticing upturned lips.

They arrived at the theatre before the usual fashionable hour.

Darcy wanted to avoid as much of the scrutiny as he could, so they were able to make their way to his box without interruption.

Elizabeth knew what he was about, and as she did not care a whit about meeting anyone of his acquaintance, she said not a word, even to tease.

Instead she devoted her time to watching the theatre patrons as they entered the auditorium, commenting occasionally on what she observed.

Darcy watched her in quiet amusement. Upon entering her dressing room earlier, he noticed that her usual animation had been missing; Elizabeth had seemed most despondent.

However, as she gazed upon the people below filling the seats, her radiance returned, and he wondered if she had any idea of how her delight showed forth for all to see.

He had always held his emotions hidden behind a mask of indiscernible hauteur; in so doing, he could keep those attempting to take advantage of his every action under regulation.

But here was his wife, clearly enjoying the spectacle, and the show had not yet begun.

The room filled to about half capacity when the performance began.

The lights were dimmed and Elizabeth focused on the spectacle upon the stage rather than the audience.

She was familiar with Twelfth Night , having read it more than once, but this was the first time she had actually seen it represented by professionals on a stage.

She found herself quickly absorbed into the light-hearted drama, laughing more than once out loud, quite forgetting her own melancholy from earlier in the day.

When the intermission arrived, she said, “I have always found pleasure in reading this play, but I confess that seeing it executed on the stage makes it all the more entertaining! Have you seen Twelfth Night before?”

“I have, but perhaps not with as much pleasure as this time.” He would have said, “while in your company,” but he was not quite sure that it was her company that made the difference.

Regardless, he did indeed savour this particular display over any others in the past. “Would you like some refreshment? I can get you some if you like.”

“I would enjoy some lemonade or punch.”

“I will be back in a moment then.” At this, Mr. Darcy left the box.

As a studier of character, Elizabeth had found many perplexities concerning her new husband’s personality; however, she noticed that in other ways she could read him like a familiar book.

She knew that he did not desire her attendance with him outside the box and likely hoped that no one would venture her way for an introduction.

Elizabeth also knew that her husband had not yet recovered from the blow of marrying a woman of poor means and low connections, and although her pride was bruised by the idea, she could not truly fault him, as he had been taught to value wealth and station his whole life.

So Elizabeth decided to find diversion in the idea instead and meant to tease him a bit should the opportunity arise.

While gone, Darcy encountered several of his acquaintance, who were wishing him well and seeking an invitation to return with him to his box to meet the new Mrs. Darcy.

He was always good at subverting any attempts from the society of London at ingratiating themselves into his life.

He used this same skill – that generally gave him the reputation of being arrogant for those who did not know him – in keeping away the unwelcome acquaintances of the ton on this particular night.

Due to the delays, it took him slightly longer than Elizabeth had expected, so that when he entered, she said in a voice of feigned reproach, “Mr. Darcy, I had almost given up hope that you would return. I thought this to be an unexpected means of losing a wife, simply not returning. Of course a public scandal would have ensued, but hasn’t that always been our lot? ”

“Elizabeth, you jest and are speaking opinions which are not your own.”

“Perhaps,” said she with a smile, then she looked around the auditorium and seeing many eyes fixed upon them said, “Mr. Darcy, how you must tire of always being the centre of everyone’s attention.

I do believe we are being watched by every female within purview of your box.

I have begun to wonder if I have something upon my face with all the scrutiny! You would tell me would you not?”

“You appear to great advantage, Elizabeth.” He then glanced out over the crowd and continued, “Of course they are curious about you. There has likely been great speculation about the wife of Mr. Darcy, and this is everyone’s first opportunity to take stock of you.

The women with fans over their mouths whispering to one another, while taking glances our way, are in great agony over your part in usurping their designs. ”

She looked at him and saw a slight smile on his lips and a glimmer of a sparkle in his eyes and realised that he too could tease.

“I guess then for your advantage, I should not do something obscene or to cause ridicule.” She then imagined the idea of waving in an uncouth manner to two particular ladies, deep in conversation who were boldly staring at her in disdain, and laughed.

Elizabeth had always been the model of propriety and would never do something so ridiculous, but the thought did give her some diversion.

Her laugh earned a questioning look from her partner.

“Just my own variety of droll humour. I find little ways to amuse myself within the confines of my mind; some things are best left unsaid, you see.”

“I do see. I have made great effort to avoid saying things that might cause offence or might give the wrong impression when in public.”

“Indeed?” She said, one brow raised. Then she laughed despite her desire to keep a straight face.

“Are you finding something else about which to laugh? Do I perhaps have something on my face?”

“Oh, no. Remember, you are a man without fault. You can have nothing about you that would cause me to make light.” He had the distinct impression that she was in fact making fun of him in the privacy of her mind, and not liking to be the focus of a jest, he was about to change the subject when a knock was heard on the doorway into his private box.

Darcy opened the entrance and saw a most unwelcome sight.

“Bingley, I had no idea you were to attend the theatre tonight,” said a flustered Darcy, who had a very distinct memory of the unpleasant conversation with Elizabeth concerning this same gentleman but three days previously.

“We saw you and Mrs. Darcy from across the way and decided to come pay our respects.” With him were Miss Bingley and Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. Elizabeth could not pretend to find pleasure in seeing him or his family, so she curtseyed, spoke a few words, and then attempted to continue her observation of the seating below.

Mr. Bingley, who had always been a great favourite amongst men and women alike, found this new and uncivil response quite puzzling, especially coming from such an amiable woman as Elizabeth.

Miss Bingley had come with her brother searching for ways to disconcert Mr. Darcy’s new bride and found Elizabeth’s cut a perfect opportunity to show her brother how uncouth the Bennets were in actuality.

“Mrs. Darcy, how do you enjoy your first performance at a grand theatre? Twelfth Night seems an appropriate initiation into the London culture. ”

“You are mistaken, Miss Bingley. I have been to the theatre on many occasions in the past, although this is the first time I have seen this particular play. Though I cannot say I understand your meaning about its being an appropriate initiation.”

“I just thought you might appreciate the art of deception in order to make a match.”

Darcy himself meant to make a show of defending his wife, but before he could, Elizabeth spoke for herself.

“Of course. I understand you, Miss Bingley. I realise that you know all too well how to ensnare a husband and would now be in my place enjoying Mr. Darcy’s private box for yourself if not for the intervention of Mr. Darcy’s own valet.

I must say that your stratagem was a good one.

Your creativity truly should do your brother proud and matches perfectly in the expectations provided by your education.

” Miss Bingley gave Elizabeth an insolent scowl.

Apparently Elizabeth had heard about her noble endeavours to free Mr. Darcy from his now wife, whose laughing eyes told her that she also knew of Mr. Darcy’s indelicate response onto her person.

Mr. Bingley’s eyes widened in shock, while Mr. Darcy worked very hard to hold in the laugh that almost unceremoniously escaped his mouth.

Touché, Elizabeth. As Mr. Darcy looked on in wicked amusement, Mr. Bingley realised that his family had somehow offended Elizabeth.

However, as they had made the curtain call, he could not explore how until another time and so departed in dispirited contrition, for he had the distinct impression that it was not just his sister from whom Elizabeth had found offence.

Elizabeth’s glance to her husband communicated more than any words.

She remembered their heated argument to be sure and meant to punish poor Bingley who was unaware of the malice that had arisen as a result of Darcy’s own deceptive words.

Darcy felt the guilt imposed upon his friend most keenly and would have disabused Elizabeth of her notion of Bingley’s transgressions had he not known that he was doing his duty to protect his friend.

Instead, he tried to make light of the interruption, “So, news must travel quite propitiously in Meryton.”

“This you knew.” Then she nonchalantly said, while looking towards the crowd, “And I thank you for providing my family with no small amount of diversion when we heard of the unfortunate event.

But it would seem Miss Bingley recovered, and I thank you for persisting in your obligation to me in the face of such a scheme.

“ Darcy inclined his head in acknowledgement.

The lights were dimmed and the second half of the play began.

Overall the evening went quite well for the Darcys.

They each felt that their first public appearance was a success.

They had slipped out before the majority of the crowd by leaving five minutes before the conclusion of the play, and the carriage was waiting, as Darcy had previously specified.

Elizabeth was disappointed to miss the very end, but understood that Darcy had no wish to face the onslaught of the crowd in the theatre’s lobby.

She had never been an object of scrutiny and could not say that she enjoyed the prospect of being in close quarters with a relentless group of people vying for Mr. Darcy’s attention and her acquaintance, especially for the purpose of finding fault.

She began to realise that her husband indeed lived a life of close observation by others and that perhaps his impassive mien held a productive purpose after all.

She determined not to judge him too harshly in the future for this perplexing part of his character.

Darcy enjoyed his evening more than he had anticipated.

He had almost cancelled the outing, especially in light of the disagreement from a few days previously, but was glad that he had not.

Mrs. Darcy performed remarkably well in her new role when the few who did boldly approach them received an introduction.

She was self-assured and affable, showing no signs of discomfort.

Perhaps she would be ready in a week’s time to meet his family.