Page 42 of Sketching Mr. Darcy

“I believe they would have been displeased with the idea of our marriage at first—for all the reasons we have discussed. It was their expectation—as well as mine—to marry someone from our circle. But I have no doubt that they would have completely approved of you. I believe my mother certainly would have come to love you.”

“Thank you for being honest with me, William.”

“I admire your intelligence too much to ever attempt to deceive you, Elizabeth. Come, let us go to our rooms now. We both need some peaceful rest before the party.”

***

Elizabeth glanced at her image in the mirror and smiled.

The garnet and diamond jewels were glowing on her skin, beautifully completing the creamy, golden gown.

She was ready. From his apartment, her husband appeared, dressed as impeccably as always.

He stopped a few feet away, gazing at her until she felt her cheeks colouring.

“You look beautiful, Mrs Darcy. Truly beautiful.”

“Thank you, Mr Darcy, you look quite dashing yourself. But I confess I am overwhelmed by the beauty of these jewels. I find myself somehow clumsy in wearing them.”

He took her hands, inspecting the bracelet resting over her delicate silk gloves then gently moving a lock of her hair to expose the earrings.

Elizabeth stopped breathing the moment his fingers brushed her ear.

Then, as gently as a breeze, he caressed the necklace shining on her skin.

Although his touch was as brief and subtle as a heartbeat, she shuddered and blushed, wondering at the strange sensations she struggled with in his presence.

“The jewels are beautiful, but no doubt their brightness is increased by the person who wears them. I see no clumsiness, only your eyes shining like the diamonds. And no, I am not just complimenting you. I have noticed almost from the beginning of our acquaintance that your eyes have a special brightness, both when you are very upset or very happy.”

Elizabeth felt her cheeks and neck burning. She appreciated his kind attempt to dissipate her worries with an elegant compliment—a proper gesture for a gentleman—but his voice and eyes were so serious that she could only say, “Thank you.”

He offered his arm, and they went downstairs where Mrs Annesley and Georgiana awaited them.

Compliments were exchanged among the ladies, and Darcy helped all three to the carriage.

It was snowing, and the chilly air cut Elizabeth’s breath, but she stood a few seconds to admire the white-covered street, hoping the snowflakes would cool her florid face and conceal her constant embarrassment.

Matlock Manor was nearby, so they arrived within minutes. The building was as splendid as the Darcy townhouse, Elizabeth thought, gazing at the impressive facade.

The colonel greeted them and escorted Georgiana and Mrs Annesley into the house while Elizabeth walked with Darcy.

They arrived before the other guests, and Lord and Lady Matlock with the viscount and Lady Maryanne welcomed them warmly. The house was beautifully decorated. In the large ballroom, a few musicians prepared their instruments.

Lady Matlock expressed her approval of both Elizabeth and Georgiana and congratulated Elizabeth on her choice of jewellery.

“So, I understand this is more a private ball than a family dinner party,” Darcy observed.

“Oh, do not look so displeased, Darcy,” said Lady Matlock. “And it is a family party as all the guests are our relatives.”

Darcy rolled his eyes. “I am sure they are, Aunt, but we all know how generous you are in defining ‘family.’ Also, we know you enjoy hosting large parties, and everyone admires your proficiency in making everything perfect. Anyway, we are all very pleased to be here.”

“It is my pleasure to have you. It will be so interesting to introduce Mrs Darcy to the guests. I can only imagine how shocked they all were by the announcement. Oh, do not take that the wrong way, Elizabeth, but everyone is shocked that Darcy married. There were so many young ladies who—” Lady Matlock suddenly stopped with obvious uneasiness.

The colonel laughed.

“Yes, it will certainly be an interesting evening. At least nobody will have reason to disapprove of Elizabeth. You look truly stunning. By the way, Mrs Darcy, before things go completely wild, which sets did you reserve for me? Has your husband decided which one he is compelled to dance?”

“He has,” Darcy intervened seriously, and the colonel laughed louder. “I believe it would be fair to have the first and last sets with Elizabeth. You may have the supper set if you like.”

“Oh, how generous you are, Cousin,” the colonel replied. “It will be the greatest pleasure to have Mrs Darcy’s company during the dance and at dinner.”

“So, Darcy,” the colonel continued, “I hope you are aware that, if you dance with your wife, you must join in the other dances, too. I am sure many young ladies would be pleased to solace their disappointment in your marriage by enjoying your company for at least a set.”

“I am pleased to add to your amusement, Cousin,” Darcy concluded, thinking the opposite.

“Oh come, Darcy—let us have a glass of brandy. Hopefully, it will loosen your haughtiness a little. I am sure the ladies will do just fine by themselves for now.” Both moved towards the library with Lord Matlock and the viscount.

With delight, Elizabeth noted the entrance of a gentleman she truly admired and looked forward to meeting again: Dr. Taylor.

He immediately spotted their little group and stepped towards them.

The greetings took place with warmth and pleasure.

After he expressed his delight in seeing Georgiana and Mrs Annesley again, he bowed politely to Elizabeth.

“It is a pleasure to see you again, Miss Bennet. Forgive me, I mean ‘Mrs Darcy’! What a lovely surprise! And what a happy, swift development of our story!”

“I am very happy to see you again, Dr. Taylor, and to have the chance to thank you for—”

“Nonsense, Mrs Darcy! I am glad to see you looking beautiful, indeed,” the doctor repeated, and Elizabeth laughed and invited him to sit with them.

He accepted the invitation and spent some minutes asking Georgiana how she took the news of her brother’s marriage, and Mrs Annesley about when her daughter was due and how she was feeling.

During the next half hour, more than fifty guests filled the house as Lady Matlock introduced everyone to Elizabeth.

She easily lost track of the names and titles, but she did not miss the curiosity in their eyes or the wonder and disapproval of several raised eyebrows.

As Lady Matlock said, they all seemed to be relatives, and shortly, animated murmurs flowed throughout the ballroom.

Elizabeth returned to Georgiana, and she felt slightly uneasy.

Every pair of eyes seemed to be fixed on her.

There was no doubt about whom the assembled guests were conversing .

Lady Matlock and Lady Maryanne joined their group again while a gentleman with agreeable features and a charming smile approached them and bowed properly.

“Lady Matlock, allow me to express my gratitude for the invitation. Your party is as delightful as I expected. Georgiana, dearest, you seem prettier with every passing day. Allow me to hug you, my dear. Lady Maryanne, your appearance is a joy, as always.”

“Stop flattering us, you rascal. Elizabeth, this is James Darcy, your husband’s cousin on his father’s side. James, this is Mrs Darcy,” Lady Matlock spoke lightly.

“Mrs Darcy—what a lovely surprise! Allow me to welcome you to our family and to express my admiration for your beauty. Your marriage to Darcy was the greatest surprise of the ton this month, and I hoped I would have the pleasure to meet you tonight.”

“Mr Darcy—it is a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Elizabeth curtseyed graciously while considering the resemblance between her husband and his cousin.

“The pleasure is all mine, I assure you, and I shall take advantage of this moment to ask you to secure me a set. I am sure your card will be full soon. And perhaps we will have the chance to speak more and know each other better as we dance.”

“You are too kind, sir. I will be delighted to speak more with you,” Elizabeth said, trying to sound as friendly as possible to her husband’s cousin.

In truth, Elizabeth was pleasantly surprised by Mr James Darcy—who seemed to be an amiable gentleman, much like the colonel.

She glanced towards the corner where she knew her husband stood, and she met his stare.

Strangely, his countenance was dark and preoccupied, completely opposite to what she expected, and Elizabeth felt disconcerted.

Was something wrong? Would she never learn what pleased or displeased him?

As if responding to her thoughts, her husband approached them, followed by the colonel, while Lady Matlock and Lady Maryanne left to attend to other guests.

James Darcy greeted the gentlemen animatedly, and Darcy responded rather sternly. He moved near Elizabeth and Georgiana, and James laughed.

“Oh, you must not worry. I do not mean to steal your wife. I only asked her for a set. However, I can understand your being completely charmed and hurrying to marry within days. Not even the patience for a proper engagement—how strange of you!”

“As always, your jokes are rather improper, James. You are correct about my being completely charmed by my wife, though. With every passing moment, I congratulate myself for insisting that Elizabeth accept our sudden marriage. As for the engagement—I try to compensate for its absence. I can only hope my wife does not regret it,” Darcy said and placed her hand on his arm.

Elizabeth looked at him for a brief moment, and her cheeks coloured.

She was not certain what to believe about such a display or about his daring and barely proper comment.