Page 45 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
“I am sure they would—thank you. I hope you know how much I appreciate your generous invitation. Although my father was certain you would withdraw it once you thought better of the prospect.” She laughed, and he joined her, declaring Mr Bennet was wrong this time.
They slowly turned towards the house. Darcy complained he was starving and hoped breakfast would be heartier than usual.
She replied that she did not remember having been so hungry in a long time, and he concluded that they finally felt the same way about something. She blushed and said nothing more.
Only a few moments walk from their home, they saw a carriage stop in front of them, and a mirthful voice erupted along with the unexpected appearance of its owner .
“Darcy, Mrs Darcy, what a surprise!” James Darcy jumped from the carriage and bowed to her. She smiled politely, noticing her husband’s arm tense.
“Walking in the park in such cold weather? Quite singular, I might say.”
“Not as singular as your being awake this early after a night of partying,” Darcy replied. Elizabeth felt the tension increase in his body. His countenance was dark, and he frowned, his lips narrowing in anger.
“True.” James laughed. “But I had a promise to keep, and I could not break it.”
“That is also quite singular,” Darcy replied sharply, and Elizabeth could not understand her husband’s resentful reaction towards his close relative. Her attention was soon attracted to the carriage where a woman of remarkable beauty appeared and James helped her down.
“Well, at least Mr James Darcy is a gentleman who keeps his promises,” the lady said with a charming smile. “Now, would anyone be so kind as to perform the introductions since we are freezing here? Either Mr Darcy will do as we have known each other for years.”
James happily obliged. “Mrs Darcy, may I introduce Annabelle Harwood, Lady Stafford—an old friend of ours. Annabelle, this is Mrs Darcy.”
While she tried to curtsey with politeness and conceal her curiosity, Elizabeth startled as she heard her husband’s severe voice.
“This is hardly the place to perform introductions, and we surely do not intend to make you freeze; therefore, please excuse us. My wife and I must leave now.”
“Well, I would rather have had this conversation at Lady Matlock’s ball, but it seemed my invitation was somehow lost. I am pleased to finally meet Mrs Darcy. All of London society was curious and puzzled about your marriage and your wife’s secret identity.”
Elizabeth heard herself speaking with a sharpness she had not intended.
“I hope that London society has better ways to employ its time, Lady Stafford. If not, I am sure everyone who attended the ball last night realised there was no cause for curiosity or puzzlement. It is unfortunate that your invitation was lost. I understand Lady Matlock strives for perfection, and I cannot imagine how such a thing might have occurred.”
Her stomach tightened in a cold grip, and a sense of worry enveloped her as she watched Lady Stafford’s twisted smile and her gaze upon the Mr Darcy whose arm Elizabeth was holding.
“Oh, you must not believe everything you hear about Lady Matlock—or about others in the family, Mrs Darcy. Take my word: you will have to face quite a lot of surprises. And in order to carry on a proper conversation, I would gladly accept a cup of tea at either your house or mine,” Lady Stafford concluded with a confident smile.
Elizabeth was stunned. Did this woman actually invite herself to their house?
And how dare she look in such an impertinent way at her husband while she was holding his arm?
“Unfortunately, neither proposal is acceptable,” Elizabeth said quickly. “We already have fixed engagements with our family, and we are expected at home immediately.”
Elizabeth saw an expression of displeasure on Lady Stafford’s face, and she was certain the lady would reply in an equally harsh manner. However, it was James Darcy who spoke first.
“Well, I am part of the family too, Mrs Darcy. I hope you remember that.”
“We do remember that, James,” Darcy replied with severe politeness. “You are welcome to join us without further invitation as soon as you conclude your present engagement with Lady Stafford. Now, please excuse us; we are in quite a hurry.”
They slowly resumed their walk, and Elizabeth took a last glance at Lady Stafford, whose displeasure had turned to anger.
Darcy’s hand gripped hers more tightly. She did not need to look at him to feel his distress increasing.
They were only a few steps away when Lady Stafford called him.
“Mr Darcy, please remember that there is something of great importance we need to discuss. Any time or place would be agreeable to me.”
Elizabeth instantly looked at him while his gaze was fixed on the lady’s face. He wore an unreadable expression, one she had never seen before. “Good day, Lady Stafford,” was all he said, and his step quickened, his hand never releasing hers.
They arrived home in minutes. Georgiana appeared in the doorway, asking where they had been and insisting they hurry to the breakfast table, which they did.
Overwhelmed by a distress she could barely control, Elizabeth forced herself not to look at her husband, whose gaze on her was unrelenting.
The more she thought about the strange incident, the more certain she became that the meeting was not accidental.
A revelation struck Elizabeth and took her breath away: Lady Stafford’s carriage was the one she had seen days earlier, waiting in front of the house—the one into which her husband had entered and stayed a few minutes.
And they still had “something of great importance” to discuss.
They seemed to be old acquaintances, and considering the lady’s daring address to them and especially to him, their connection must have been a very particular one.
She was suddenly thirsty and drank some cold water, staring at her plate as she felt the strange sensation of her fingers trembling. What on earth is happening to me? Why am I being so foolish? How can I be so troubled by someone who seems to know my husband?
She reminded herself that the lady was no different from Miss Bingley, who claimed to be his intimate friend.
Then how was it possible that she was so displeased with that little exchange in the park and could think of nothing else?
The circumstances of their marriage were unusual, and she knew little about his acquaintances, be they women or men.
But she did know that most gentlemen had several special ladies among their acquaintances.
She felt her cheeks burning, and she grew furious with herself. Why would she care?
“The food was excellent,” she suddenly said, smiling at Georgiana. “Now, if you do not mind, I shall go and rest a little. I think I did not sleep enough. I feel very tired.”
Darcy hurried to open the door for her then closed it behind them. They looked at each other briefly, and she forced a smile. “Are you well?” he inquired, searching her eyes.
“Yes, perfectly…”
“Would you like to… I would like to explain to you what happened…the meeting, I mean.”
“There is no need for explanation. I only hope you did not mind that I refused Lady Stafford’s invitation. I am afraid my manners were a little harsh.”
“I assure you that there was nothing wrong with your manners, Elizabeth. In fact, I found your answer to be perfect. I must apologise that you had to stay so long in the cold to speak with James and…I can see that you are bothered by it. I know I am, and—”
“Oh, you must not apologise. You did all you could to shorten the conversation. And I am quite well. I am just tired. Perhaps, the long walk in the cold was too much after a night of dancing.” She smiled but averted her eyes.
“Then it would be better to rest. I confess I enjoyed our walk very much, Elizabeth.”
“As did I…”
“Shall I see you later? I shall be out for an hour or so, but I will return soon.”
“Very well,” she said in some haste and left the room while she wondered where he might go and where he had gone every day since they married.
Her reason scolded her for her foolishness, and she knew she should be ashamed for such thoughts, but she could not free herself from them.
Her head was spinning, and she felt as though knives were attacking her temples.
He offered to explain about the meeting, and curiosity almost overwhelmed her.
She refused out of embarrassment and distress.
What was to be explained? His own anxiety mixed with anger spoke volumes.
Would he dare to explain the particulars of his acquaintance with Lady Stafford?
Probably not. And even if he did, would she dare listen to such a thing?
It was better to pretend she was not interested.
She threw herself onto her large bed while Lucky looked at her curiously.
A few minutes later, she rose and paced the room.
The exchange with Lady Stafford, though short, reminded her of the discussion with Bingley’s sisters days before.
All of them were impertinent and offensive.
They treated her with a superiority she could no longer ignore.
And what was that remark that all of society was curious about her “secret identity”?
Was she not worth knowing before she became Mrs Darcy?