Page 84 of Obligation and Redemption
Darcy found himself by the refreshment table and picked up a beverage.
So far, this evening had gone amiss. He had hoped that Elizabeth’s fine clothing and acceptance from his noble family would ameliorate her launch into society, but overhearing the women reminded him of the difficulty Elizabeth would truly face.
Add to that, he had somehow offended her while dancing.
He glanced onto the dance floor, and there before him, he saw Elizabeth’s eyes gleam as she smiled broadly.
He realised that she had never gazed at him with the same joy as she bestowed on Fitzwilliam.
Does she still despise me? Can we ever live together in harmony as I had once anticipated upon marriage?
Could Elizabeth have a strong regard for my cousin?
He had certainly seen them happily engaged in conversation and enjoying one another’s company enough times in the past for it to seem that way.
With these disturbing thoughts circulating in his mind, he decided fresh air was needed.
Moving towards the back windows that flanked the doorway to the balcony, Darcy passed others who attempted to gain his attention.
He heard, “Darcy, is that your new wife who...” or a more feminine voice cooing, “Mr. Darcy, please say we are all misinformed, and you have not been lured away by that woman...” He kept walking, ignoring the sounds around him.
He needed time away from the crush of people and their injurious insinuations.
While walking by a substantial chimneypiece, he noticed Lady Susan looking at her reflection in the large mirror over the mantle designed to diffuse more candlelight.
Instinctively, he looked to Elizabeth to see if she had noticed the same, and then remembered that she was dancing with his cousin and was unlikely to have shared the private amusement.
He chuckled as he remembered the number of times he had seen Lady Susan take a peek in a mirror and was surprised he had not noticed her quirky ways before Elizabeth had mentioned them.
Darcy slipped out of the door, hoping to avoid being followed by anyone desiring to further the supplication for more information.
He was most comfortable in the company of a small group of friends and found idle chatter irksome and the smells of a crowd noisome.
Society had always been oppressive to his sensibilities, but tonight caused him more consternation than was usual.
His sense of honour and protective instincts were imposed upon.
He was truly grateful that his family seemed to accept the marriage, all except Georgiana and perhaps Lady Susan, but that came as no surprise for Georgiana let her thoughts be known from the beginning – and would find fault with anyone whom she felt had somehow taken advantage of her brother – and Lady Susan could not be pleased with anyone.
After a few moments of quiet reverie, his sister intruded upon his solitude. “Brother, I saw you leave the ballroom. Are you quite all right? When you didn’t return, I began to worry.”
“Georgiana, my dear, sweet sister, I am well; I just needed some fresh, cool air, but come, you must be very cold out here. Let me escort you back inside.”
“I am well for now, if you need to talk. I know that you have been very unhappy as of late, due to your change in circumstances. Introducing Mrs. Darcy to society cannot be easy for you.”
Darcy smiled and reached for her cold hands. “On the contrary, she seems to be doing better than I at the moment. But we cannot remain outside. Can I have the pleasure of the next dance with my accomplished, little sister?”
“I am not so little any more, Brother, and yes you may.” The second song of the set began, so Georgiana and Darcy joined the line, providing sufficient distraction to quell Darcy’s immediate unease.
When the dance concluded, Darcy watched as his cousin led Elizabeth to the other side of the room and introduced an unfamiliar gentleman to her.
They spoke a few moments, and then the man led her to the dance floor for the next set.
Rather than dance again, Darcy decided to watch from the side of the room.
Several men, some whom Elizabeth had met previously with him and others unknown to Darcy, succeeded in taking her to the dance floor.
She smiled, laughed, and spoke in animation with them, so unlike their own dances.
Meanwhile, Darcy began to feel indignant at her overt flirtations.
She had never, before or after their marriage, been so open with him.
Elizabeth was his wife; surely she could show him such attentions.
He could tell by the smiles of the men with whom she was dancing that she had charmed them, as was her inclination.
Why must she attempt to antagonise me at every turn but enchant everyone else ?
After several sets, he lost sight of Elizabeth but was determined to join her and shoo away any other man who attempted to approach her.
As he was making his way through the crowd, he heard the voice of Caroline Bingley.
“Mr. Darcy, you are alone, I see. Well, that is for the best. I know how you despise tedious company, almost as much as I do. So tell me, how are you? I have been so worried.” Miss Bingley was wearing a bright yellow gown, not easily missed in a crowd – which was likely by design – and tall feathers atop her head, making her look like a tall canary.
Darcy bowed, “Miss Bingley, it is a pleasure to see you again. You will be happy to know that all is well. I have no complaints about which to boast.” He was excusing himself and about to move onward, when Miss Bingley stopped him with a touch on his arm and the words, “We must talk about Charles.” She looked around to make sure they were not overheard, and continued in hushed tones, “My brother will not stop talking about Miss Bennet. He keeps lamenting the fact that he left Hertfordshire without saying goodbye to her and that wild family of hers. He says that he should attempt to apologise for his hasty removal. You must talk some sense into him!”
“Now is not the time or place.”
“But he is determined to speak with your wife, for it was her ill-humour at the theatre that spurred him on. You cannot let that happen. The truth will surely come out if he does, and then Charles will be furious with us both. He plans on requesting a set from her tonight.” Darcy tightened his jaw as he looked to where his wife was standing not five minutes earlier, but he could not determine her whereabouts.
“He is here?” At her nod, he said, “Miss Bingley, I thank you for the warning. If you will excuse me, I will try to intercede before he has a chance to approach her.”
“Oh, and one more thing. You absolutely must speak with your wife about manners. Your cousin, the viscount himself, requested that Mrs. Darcy dance with him, and do you know what she did? She refused him outright. Her behaviour was most shocking, and your cousin – a most agreeable man.”
Darcy’s eyes darkened as he bowed and left her standing there with a smirk gracing her features.
“You could have at least asked me for a dance,“ she muttered to herself.
Darcy began earnestly searching for his wife, wondering at the veracity of Miss Bingley’s claims. He knew that she would like nothing better than to cause conflict within his already precarious marriage, but if Elizabeth insulted his cousin, when he had been so kind to her, Darcy would have to confront her and insist that she apologise.
ELIZABETH HAD BEEN ASKED by several men to dance, and without her husband around to guide her, she had to accept them all; however, when the viscount approached her, she refused to play into his manipulative hands.
She just hoped that no one had been witness to her rejection.
Unfortunately, he continued to torment her with his presence, laughing at her discomfort.
Finally after several minutes of his insinuations at her expense, Darcy arrived.
Langston had seen him coming and immediately changed his tact to one of contrition and kindness.
“But Mrs. Darcy, I only want to help you. I have no desire to make myself vulnerable, for I am a married man.” She looked keenly at him trying to make out his meaning, then with relief she saw her husband.
“Mr. Darcy, there you are.”
“Elizabeth, what is the meaning of this?” Then he turned to Langston, “In what ways do you want to help my wife?”
“Darcy, I have been attempting to talk your wife into dancing with me for your sake, but she seems to think that I have some ulterior motive. You will talk some sense into her, will you not?”
Darcy spoke in susurration to her, “Elizabeth, you insult my family in your refusal. Of course you will go with Lord Langston. He is showing you a great kindness in wanting to publicly honour you with a dance.”
Elizabeth in a panic looked to her husband and whispered, “But, sir, I do not wish to dance. Please do not make me do that which will pain me. ”
Darcy than held her arm and pulled her aside, and continued to speak quietly.
“Elizabeth people are watching you. I know not why you choose to refuse Langston; he has been nothing but attentive to your needs, but you will accompany him to the dance floor.” Elizabeth wanted to feel the indignation at her husband’s imposing manner, but she could not, in light of Darcy’s ignorance to his cousin’s faults; she understood his justification.
Elizabeth felt her situation to be without hope, so she looked up and resigned herself to dance with the man.
At least she was in a public place with him, so he could do little harm.