Page 82 of Obligation and Redemption
The viscount leaned over several times during the performance, when the music was loud enough to conceal his words.
“Elizabeth,” he whispered close to her hear, causing her to jump, “I must tell you that you look bewitching this evening. Your dress shows you to advantage.” His eyes travelled from her eyes, down her neck and rested upon her bosom .
Elizabeth could not decide if his words were meant to vex or charm her.
Either way, he was up to no good, and if Darcy had known his intent, he would likely be displeased.
But as it was, Darcy could not overhear Langston.
Many words of cajolery were used to either tempt or repulse her.
She could not enjoy the music and longed for the day she would be at Longbourn for her sister’s wedding and then on to Pemberley, away from being the object of derision.
Elizabeth was determined not to be alone with the viscount and so remained next to her husband’s side for the entirety of the night.
This was a new experience for Elizabeth, to desire her husband’s presence, even though it was as protector, if not lover.
Darcy was pleased that this member of his family, one whom he could not have foretold to do so, made his endorsement clear to the world.
He would be forever grateful for the viscount’s kind condescension.
He hoped to make certain that Elizabeth understood her good fortune and took every opportunity over the next few days to remind her.
Elizabeth endured her husband’s ignorant but well-meaning words that were intended to alleviate her concerns, but in fact only intensified them.
THE ANTICIPATED DAY ARRIVED when Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy would make her debut into London society in earnest. Her husband anticipated the event with trepidation.
He had discovered over the previous month, that his wife had many good qualities, and that he need not blush without limitation in presenting her to the ton .
Darcy had ensured that Elizabeth possessed the proper clothing, and that she had a trained abigail to give her the style that she needed in order to contend with the other ladies who would be in attendance.
He knew that his peers had desired an opportunity to scoff at his choice of bride; he understood their perspective and their curiosity, even if he would never participate in such a display of discourtesy himself.
As Darcy’s valet prepared him for the ball hosted by Lord Matlock and Lady Estella, he considered who might be in attendance.
He had not seen Lady Annette since before Michaelmas; he had not seen her brother, Lord Wexley, since that day at his club when Wexley essentially cut him in front of their mutual friends.
If only things could have been different.
But he would try not to think on that tonight.
Elizabeth was his wife, and he would not look back.
As he had planned on Elizabeth’s wearing her new, midnight blue ball gown, he chose for himself his cream breeches, an ivory waistcoat with golden thread patterned in pin stripes and a dark blue coat.
His valet usually made all of the decisions for him concerning his wardrobe, yet tonight he had his own ideas about how he and his wife should present themselves.
He desired that they demonstrate a unity in their relationship.
He was desperately trying to curb the gossip mills by showing harmony both in his home and with his wife.
The rich colouring of the dress would show off Elizabeth’s porcelain skin and chestnut hair, and her deep green, yet sparkling eyes would communicate her charms.
Darcy had knocked on Elizabeth’s chamber door at the appointed time; however, she was not yet ready, so Janette hesitantly informed him that her mistress would meet him in the foyer within the quarter hour.
Darcy disliked being late and almost made an authoritative retort, but then thought better of it.
He wanted Elizabeth to look her best for the evening, and if a little more time achieved those results then all the better.
Elizabeth nervously prepared for the evening.
Sometime during the day, Darcy had left jewels on her vanity to match her richly coloured gown.
He had chosen a sapphire and diamond necklace with a comparatively larger stone in the shape of a teardrop in the centre.
The stones were of a darker hue than was most often seen; however, the colour perfectly matched her dress, and when paired with the diamonds, was indeed an impressive addition to her ensemble.
Elizabeth’s gown was truly a masterpiece, balancing velvet with silk upon the plunging bodice with an empire waistline, making her feel quite exposed; however, she was pleased with the effect.
The delay related to Elizabeth’s adornment for her hair.
Elizabeth was adamantly opposed to the use of quills to fashion her coif; however, Janette was equally as adamant that she should wear the feathers.
They compromised by adorning the right side of her head with a few small feathers that matched her gown and provided the perfect balancing effect to the long curl draping over her left shoulder.
Elizabeth considered that her dark locks would likely mask the feathers anyway.
Darcy stood at the bottom of the stairs anticipating Elizabeth’s descent, and to his delight discovered that he was to be richly rewarded for his patience.
Darcy was just opening his watch fob to check the time when from the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of Elizabeth making her way down the staircase.
She was smiling somewhat apprehensively.
Elizabeth knew she looked better than she had ever before, and although not as beautiful as Jane, she felt certain that she was a long way from just tolerable.
Of course, Darcy may have other views on what constituted such a description, and the remembrance of this caused Elizabeth to doubt her reception, but she could not have been prepared for his unbeguiling response.
Darcy’s eyes travelled over her form in unrestrained admiration, the look on his face full of intense wonder and esteem. After an uncomfortable full minute of scrutiny, he finally spoke, “Elizabeth, you are truly stunning. I must say that I have never seen you look finer.”
“I am tolerable, I suppose, but surely not handsome enough to tempt you.”
His brows knit together. Yet again, those words sounded familiar to him, but he could not determine from which occasion. “You are a beautiful woman, and I will be proud to escort you to the ball.” This surprising claim caused her eyebrows to shoot up in an expression of disbelief.
“Mr. Darcy, be careful what you say for you do not like deceit, and I know for certain that you cannot intend such pretty words.”
“I am sorry you think so meanly of me. You obviously judge what you say to be a faithful impression, but I cannot agree with you. I doubt not that many men will be requesting a chance to dance with you, while I must let them.”
Elizabeth immediately thought of the viscount. She would have to diligently avoid him, so as not to anger her husband or his family with a necessary refusal.
“I believe the ladies will despise me for claiming such a handsome and rich man, but nothing can be done for it. I will have to accept their looks of envy with aplomb,” Elizabeth said with merry eyes that had Darcy enthralled as he gazed upon her.
Elizabeth mistakenly took this to be a look of censure and apologised for her teasing, worried that he might think her in earnest.
Her words broke the spell that had held him, inciting him to carry on.
“Yes, well, we must be going if we are to arrive before the other guests. My aunt excused our standing in the receiving line since I promised we would appear early. And I know Georgiana is anxious for us to arrive, for she will have to leave the ball before supper.”
THE COUPLE ARRIVED AT TROMWELL HOUSE, each filled with excitement and trepidation but for different reasons.
Elizabeth had been without fault in her deportment during the previous visits with his family and at the theatre, but a ball can bring out the worst in people, and Darcy was afraid of how his peers would treat her in such a setting.
Elizabeth feared her next encounter with the viscount and hoped that he would find some other woman to mock with his advances.
They passed through the receiving line without incident, greeting Darcy’s relations.
Georgiana joined the couple as they entered the ballroom.
She wore a white silk, modest gown with gold threading.
“Georgiana, you look lovely, my dear,” said her brother as he leaned down to kiss her cheek in sincere affection that produced a blush and a smile.
“Indeed you do, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth added, receiving a cool response for her trouble. Elizabeth agreed with Mr. Wickham’s account of the girl and judged Darcy’s ignorance to her faults in keeping with his blind acceptance of her goodness as a Darcy.