Page 88 of Obligation and Redemption
Speaking quietly, Lady Annette then said, “Darcy, do not show your anger to me. I have done nothing wrong concerning you. I could have any man I desire, and I had chosen you, but you were the one to marry another. You humiliated me in front of my friends. How could you be so cruel? If Mrs. Darcy feels some embarrassment regarding the two of us sharing a dance and a meal, she should consider it as a small penance.”
Darcy had been disturbed by her words, but chose to change the subject and hope for the meal to end quickly.
He knew Lady Annette would be justifiably angry, but he also felt a sense of obligation to his wife.
His protective instincts had awakened and his only desire was to provide support for Elizabeth.
The meal slowly crept by, and Darcy began to think that perhaps he was saved from a most unhappy alliance with the woman beside him.
She was beautiful, elegant and accomplished and came with a significant dowry; however, he now saw that she had a biting tongue and condescending tone that he had never seen in his wife, even at his own expense.
Although he and Elizabeth had argued, and although she had offended him countless times, she was ready with an apology for losing her temper and was never malicious; instead she would tease.
She always seemed to have those less fortunate than she on her heart.
Even when she left him to Lady Annette, she planned to join someone less prosperous in her circumstances than herself, rather than attempt to improve her own standing through seeking out more illustrious connections.
Elizabeth laughed at the follies of those around her, but she was not cruel or pernicious.
Darcy watched Elizabeth as she spoke with Miss Darling’s companion.
Even her expressions from across the room spoke of her benevolence and consideration for the woman’s comfort.
Darcy smiled to himself as he contentedly pondered his wife.
Elizabeth’s beauty approached that of Lady Annette and in some ways exceeded it, for her smiles were sincere and her eyes the window into her soul.
Although of shorter stature than Lady Annette, her shapely figure and active pursuits made her most alluring.
As his reflections ran their course, he realised that the physical consequences of such thoughts were beginning to intrude.
The past month had been torturous, and so to offset the embarrassing effects of letting his thoughts run away with him, Darcy endeavoured to control his reflections by turning to Langston; however, his cousin only seemed to find diversion in Darcy’s discomposure.
When supper had concluded, Darcy could not get to his wife quickly enough.
He had to make his apologies and hope that Elizabeth’s kindness would overcome her justifiable anger.
And then she teased him. How was it that she could exert so much control over his equilibrium?
Did she know what she was doing? Was she purposely playing him like a marionette?
He did not know whether to curse her or make love to her but was leaning towards the latter.
Elizabeth then danced with five more gentlemen who were not her husband.
She smiled, laughed, and flirted with them all.
His desire for her was mounting as each set came to a conclusion.
Will she allow me the next dance? he kept asking himself.
Even though she showed attentions to all of those men, he could not justifiably get angry, for did he not show untoward attention to Lady Annette, even if it were not at his initiation?
Lady Annette did approach him again and attempted to garner his full attention, but he sensed that her goal was to disconcert his wife rather than to appease him, so he put on his mask of indifference, which signalled to her, as it had so many other women, that he had no further interest.
Finally the last dance of the evening had arrived, and he uncharacteristically hoped that she would grant him the pleasure of joining her on the dance floor.
It was true, he could have insisted she stop dancing with the other men and only dance with himself, but he hoped that she would come willingly to him.
And finally, she did. “Mr. Darcy, you look very despondent over here in the corner alone. I have decided that I may dance the last with you, but I must insist that you request as a man ought, or I will be pleased to accept another partner.”
“Mrs. Darcy, may I have the pleasure of the next set?” he requested as he performed a formal bow, unnerved at the novel experiences of meditating upon her delightful charms and hoping, but not altogether certain, she would accept.
She looked as though she were considering his request and then finally said, “Yes, you may, though we must limit our conversation to the weather this time, for I am in no mood to quarrel over the innuendos and misunderstandings we are prone to cherish.” Happy to oblige, he offered his arm as he led her to the line up.
They danced with nary a word spoken. Instead, Darcy’s eyes explored her sonsy figure, her smooth complexion, her sparkling eyes, her elegant swing, her shiny curls and her pouty lips that on occasion gave him a warm smile.
He could not have known that his scrutiny deeply disturbed her, for he himself had no idea of the detailed perusal, as he had been strangely and unknowingly bewitched through the entirety of the set.
All Elizabeth could think on was Langston and Bingley carelessly playing callous games with women and how her new friend, Miss Grey, was fortunate in her position, for many others came with the price of a woman’s virtue.
She also thought on Lady Annette and what she could still mean for her husband.
She did notice Darcy’s salacious scrutiny of her person and hoped that his hunger for her would not be satisfied on this night, for how could she know if he desired her or perhaps Lady Annette?
Was she to be a surrogate lover? Was she to be the one he touched while he thought of another?
The thought made her feel ill, but she was determined to hide her unrest. Mr. Darcy had always maintained that he could read her expressions, but she would not let him into her mind today.
She would not show her vulnerability, so she smiled from time to time and concentrated on the dance while she attempted to think on happy thoughts of Longbourn.
THE TIME FINALLY CAME FOR THE DARCYS TO DEPART.
Elizabeth was emotionally and physically exhausted, having hardly eaten a bite owing to her solicitude.
They entered the carriage, sitting across from one another.
Elizabeth did not realise that she was sitting in the direct line of the moonlight as it beamed into the carriage.
Her skin fairly glowed and Darcy was enchanted.
Elizabeth could not see how his eyes drank in her beauty, for if she had, she might have felt a foreboding for the night ahead.
Darcy was unable to control his thoughts as his mind went to places yet to be explored.
His body was responding to the salacity that was building with each moment.
Tonight was the night. He refused to wait any longer.
Surely, she feels the need as I do. How could she not?
He walked her to her room and opened the door for her.
She was somewhat surprised, as they usually parted between their rooms. Darcy seemed to hesitate, then picked up her hand and kissed it, a slow, lingering gesture that unnerved her.
He then looked into her eyes, then her mouth and then lower still.
Then he stepped aside and went to his own room.
Janette had been able to get some sleep before Elizabeth returned home and was ready to assist in the removal of her gown.
She quietly worked as Elizabeth gazed, as if in a daze, into the looking glass of her dressing room.
After the removal of her petticoat and corset, her maid began taking down her hair and brushing out each curl before plaiting it for the night.
Elizabeth felt exhausted and anticipated her slumber.
It was while Janette was brushing her locks when Mr. Darcy made his presence known within the doorway to her chamber.
He was in his shirtsleeves and breeches.
His shirt was open at the top, so that his upper chest was bare.
This was the first time since the day of the storm that Elizabeth had actually seen him in anything other than full dress, for on their wedding night, she had clamped her eyes shut for the duration.
Her breaths came quickly as she realised his intentions.
She wanted to shout, “No!” to please desist and let her be, but she knew her duty and she knew that he had needs.
She briefly wondered how he had met his needs up to this point but decided to think on it no more.
Janette made her escape; Elizabeth wanted to insist she not leave but bit her lip to keep from intervening.