Page 85 of Obligation and Redemption

Elizabeth allowed herself to be led to the line of dancers that was just forming. She was determined to speak as little as possible to the man. Elizabeth could not see Lady Susan watching from across the room, malice in her heart for the woman who induced her husband’s inconstancy.

The second dance of the set began, and Langston took the lead, holding her hand longer than necessary and leering at her décolletage as he would make a pass.

Finally, he spoke, “Mrs. Darcy, you seem to think that you will somehow escape my notice. I am not in the habit of being denied.” She did not respond and schooled her features so that they could not be read.

He continued, “But you must not think on any attentions that you might give me as faithlessness. You are aware that our society, the one that you reached for, does not view marriage as the lower classes might. Indeed, you must be very well acquainted with the idea of a marriage being akin to a business arrangement. No one is exclusively bound to his own spouse. I know Darcy is no different, and you do not have any special regard for the man; I see this in the way you look at him.” Elizabeth imagined a retort, but kept her mouth closed; she refused to become ensnared in his traps.

Instead, she concentrated on schooling her features to appear pleased with her partner and was able to hide her distaste for the man, despite his continued references to inconstancy and betrayal within the confines of her own marriage.

When Elizabeth was led back to Darcy, she saw that he was speaking to a striking woman of about Elizabeth’s age, maybe younger, wearing a fine gown of the lightest pink silk in the current fashion; her neck was adorned with diamonds that reflected the candlelight making her whole countenance seem to sparkle.

Her hair resembled the colour of honey, her smile graceful and enhanced by her pink lips.

Elizabeth saw the two of them alone in close conference and felt distinctly odd interrupting them, as if she were intruding upon a private moment.

Lord Langston sniggered and said, “Oh, this will be good.” Elizabeth crinkled her brow, as her apprehension mounted.

If Langston was pleased, there could be nothing good.

Lord Langston was the first to speak, “Lady Annette, how delightful. I vow you get lovelier each time I see you, does she not, Darcy?”

“Yes, she is quite beautiful.”

“Mrs. Darcy and I were just talking about the many allurements around us, and may I be so bold as to say that you are one of them.” His audience was not quite sure how to take his remark, excepting Elizabeth, but she would not let him or the others see her discomfort .

Darcy at length found his voice, “Lady Annette, may I present my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy? And Elizabeth meet Lady Annette Croxley, daughter of the Earl of Cunningham.” Langston held an amused expression upon his face as he took in the scene.

Lady Annette’s open condescension demonstrated her feelings on the matter.

Darcy’s face had drained of colour, and he looked as though he might become ill.

Elizabeth smiled sweetly, and after curtseying as was proper, she began to ask Lady Annette about her home county, which she discovered to be in the North of England.

The answers were curt, revealing to anyone listening that Lady Annette had no desire to further the acquaintance.

This could in no way pain Elizabeth, for although beautiful, she found Lady Annette to be supercilious and discourteous.

What she did not understand was the woman’s relationship to her husband, especially in light of the viscount’s offhand remark.

And why is Darcy so fidgety? – So unlike himself.

After about five minutes of stilted conversation, Lady Annette turned to Darcy, while taking his arm, and said, “I believe this is our set, Darcy.” He glanced over to Elizabeth and allowed himself to be led by the mysterious woman to the dance floor.

Elizabeth had almost forgotten with whom she was standing when his salacious voice interrupted her thoughts, “You know, of course, that Darcy would likely be engaged, if not married, to that woman had it not been for your interference in his plans.” She looked up sharply and told herself to walk away from the man.

Langston wanted nothing more than to upset her and her marriage.

But then her curiosity held her feet in place.

“Perhaps you don’t know. Darcy had all but declared himself when he left for Hertfordshire to visit his friend, Bingley, the only thing keeping him from staking his claim being her father’s absence from town.

But neither of them doubted his intentions.

I don’t know if Darcy was more despondent to lose Lady Annette for her dowry of thirty thousand, her title of daughter to an earl – as was his mother – or for her exceptional and unparalleled beauty. Likely all three.”

Elizabeth watched her husband with the graceful and alluring Lady Annette and could not help but let a pang of alarm creep up her spine and enter her heart.

She was the most beautiful woman Elizabeth had ever beheld next to her dear Jane, and may have been even more so, if not for her condescension, which to Elizabeth would deprive any person of the beauty that had been God-given.

Elizabeth began to feel sick and needed to get away from this man, who in a little over a week’s time had become her biggest affliction.

Not wanting the viscount to know of his success in disconcerting her, she turned to him and said, “Like a viper, your words are poison, but they cannot sting me.” Then she held her head high and walked towards the other side of the room.

“Mrs. Darcy,” said an unfamiliar voice. When Elizabeth turned to see who had spoken to her, she saw a group of three young ladies, about Elizabeth’s age or slightly older, standing nearby motioning for her to join them.

She recognised two of them and the third was soon introduced to be a friend of Lady Susan’s.

“Come join us. It is not often that we have the pleasure of meeting someone new to London society. ”

Then another spoke, “We seldom see a man of Mr. Darcy’s wealth and superiority lower himself as he did in marrying a nobody and then put her on display as Mr. Darcy has done.

You must have him hoodwinked. I never thought I would see the man in such a state.

Do tell us your secrets.” Then laughter reigned for the next few moments.

Elizabeth, in no mood for such frivolous drivel, said, “Oh, yes. But I am sure you ladies know how it is to be done. My mother sent me out on my morning walks every day at dawn, always within the confines of my father’s estate, with the hope and expectation that I would find success in obtaining a husband.

She had anticipated that I might ensnare a lord, but instead was resigned to accept a man who was just handsome and rich.

Her solace for my not meeting her expectations is that I am now mistress of Pemberley, which I hear is a majestic estate, where my sisters can visit often, so that I can send them out on long walks for the same purpose.

We hope to have better luck there since we hear Pemberley has more rich neighbours than Longbourn.

” At their look of shock and confusion, she smiled and excused herself in order to remove to the same balcony where Darcy had just been not three hours before.

She was finally able to escape for a few moments of fresh air.

It was bitterly cold out, but this neither bothered her nor induced her to quit this place of respite away from eyes of scrutiny.

Elizabeth had enjoyed the attentions she received throughout the evening.

She loved to dance, and there was an abundance of gentlemen willing to give her the pleasure, but she felt as though each man was like Lord Langston, just not as overt in communicating his wishes.

The gown that Mr. Darcy had chosen for her revealed her assets to be in abundance, and she felt as though each man was taking notice.

Then her mind naturally went to the beautiful woman now dancing with her husband.

Can the viscount be in earnest, or is he just trying to disconcert me?

As these thoughts were beginning to play out in her mind, she heard a strong male voice behind her speaking her name.

This startled her as she thought that perhaps Lord Langston had followed in order to take advantage of the seclusion of the balcony.

However, she was most surprised to see Mr. Bingley.

“Forgive me for frightening you. I had no intention of making you jump at my voice.” Elizabeth recollected herself and responded that she was not afraid and that she just did not expect to see anyone.

“I am glad to hear that. It is quite cold outside, is it not?” She nodded that it was so, and he continued, “Tell me, how is your family? Are they all still in Hertfordshire?”

Elizabeth considered how her family, and most especially her beloved sister, had been offended and hurt by this man, and yet he presumed to approach her to ask about them.

Did he hope to continue his deceit, so that he might return to Netherfield and continue taking advantage of Jane’s kind heart?

She was determined not to speak of Jane.

“My family remains in Hertfordshire, but one of my sisters is to be married, as you know, within the fortnight. After that is accomplished, they will be able to return to the usual state of affairs, which I am sure will please my father exceedingly.”

“Your sister, Mary, is to be wed to Mr. Collins, if I remember correctly.”

“You do.”