Page 61 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
T he night was freezing, and the sky was covered with stars. A bright moon lit the white streets. When they arrived in front of Covent Garden, the entrance as well as the street was more crowded than Elizabeth had ever seen before.
They entered the hall, his hand covered hers, and she looked around, attempting to discern a familiar face, but with little success. Her husband, though, seemed to be known by everyone, and greetings flew in from all directions.
The hall was full of people, voices, hurried steps, and laughter, and Elizabeth wondered whether there was anyone among the London ton who was not there that evening. A smile twisted her lips when she spotted Miss Bingley and the Hursts, staring at her.
A short distance away but heading towards them, Elizabeth saw James Darcy with Lady Stafford on his arm and in the close company of Lord Clayton, a gentleman whose excellent dancing skills and conversation Elizabeth remembered from the ball.
Lady Stafford wore a large smile while her eyes seemed fixed upon the elder Darcy.
In an excellent mood, Elizabeth’s reaction to this potentially distressing situation was unexpected even to herself. The first thing that crossed her mind was that such persistence, such unbreakable hope for persuasion she had only seen once: in her cousin Mr Collins.
The comparison between Lady Stafford and Mr Collins became so clear in her mind that, by the time the couple stopped in front of them, she had to bite her lips to restrain her laughter.
She glanced at Darcy and met his worried expression, which she could not clearly interpret, but her amusement did not diminish in the slightest.
Lord Clayton greeted Darcy, then bowed elegantly to Elizabeth with a friendly smile while he expressed his delight in seeing her again and complimented her appearance.
Elizabeth curtseyed and thanked him, while a glance at her husband showed her how displeased he was.
“What an extraordinary surprise to meet you twice in two days,” James Darcy exclaimed.
“Even more extraordinary,” Lady Stafford said, “since Mrs Darcy and I meet for the second time! As I said earlier at Madame Claudette’s, it must be fate that we keep happening upon each other.”
“Three times in two days seems a rather ordinary happenstance,” Elizabeth replied, trying to soften her sharpness with a proper smile. “And, considering that all of London seems to be here tonight, it is unfair to blame fate for an encounter that was likely to occur.”
She knew Lady Stafford was disconcerted by her answer and felt her husband glancing at her. Her amusement increased.
“True,” said James. “All London is here! Have you come alone? Where is Georgiana?”
“She is at home. We are supposed to meet the Fitzwilliams,” Darcy answered, and Elizabeth noticed his attempt to remain calm.
She well remembered his attitude at the Netherfield ball when Mr Collins introduced himself to him.
And there was Mr Collins again in comparison, and she could not hold back the smile that spread across her face.
“Mrs Darcy, you seem in excellent spirits, which only adds more charm to your beauty,” Lord Clayton said.
“I thank you, sir. I am in excellent spirits indeed.” She tightened her grip on Darcy’s arm .
“Then I shall take advantage of this favourable moment and beg you to favour me with at least one set at the Twelfth Night ball,” Lord Clayton continued, Elizabeth sensed her husband’s arm tensing.
Amused, she wondered whether he might be jealous, but that seemed to be an irrational presumption, so she replied with a proper smile.
“Your request flatters me, but there are still three days until the ball.”
“True—but I could not take the risk of not enjoying the pleasure of dancing with you.”
“Sir, I shall discuss it with my husband, and I can promise that I shall reserve one set for you—that is, if you do not find other ways to better amuse yourself at the ball. It is well known that unmarried young ladies should be taken care of first at such events.”
“Well, I hope your husband will not see anything unfavourable in my request.”
“I shall decide what is favourable for my wife , I assure you,” Darcy intervened seriously.
“I ask for a set too. And I should be upset that you always make family plans that exclude me,” James continued with equal seriousness and mockery. “Well, since I imagine you will not invite us to join you, I shall come later to say hello to the Fitzwilliam family.”
“Now please excuse us, we are expected.” Darcy took Elizabeth’s arm and directed her towards another side of the hall. She could feel three pairs of eyes on her back.
Ever since he received the invitation to the opera, Darcy was aware of the likelihood of meeting Annabelle Stafford again and was resigned to that event.
However, after the night of confession and Elizabeth’s repeated assurance that she was comfortable, he expected things to go well.
When they spotted Annabelle in the main hall, he had glanced at his wife, and he became puzzled by Elizabeth’s obvious yet strange amusement.
Her reply to Annabelle was so spirited and well aimed that his heart filled with pride in her.
And then—his distress increased and turned to another object, as Lord Clayton’s insistence and his impertinent attempt to secure at least a set from his wife irritated him.
The effrontery of that man—to compliment his wife in such an obvious and improper manner and with such familiarity!
Suddenly Annabelle became less of a problem than Clayton, and he considered whether he should approve Elizabeth’s dancing with him or not.
Would Elizabeth be displeased if he did not agree to the set?
She seems at ease with that man’s compliments.
Oh, that was truly ridiculous— he was truly ridiculous to think such things!
“Lord Clayton is right—you seem in excellent spirits,” he whispered to her.
“I am indeed, and—unlike Lord Clayton—you should know the reason.” She smiled meaningfully. “And speaking of Lord Clayton—you seem not very pleased to meet him.”
“I was not. He is not a man to be trusted. He is five years James’s senior, but he is not wiser or more accountable in the slightest. And he is much too easy with the ladies.”
He is jealous , she suddenly realised, and her smile widened.
“I can see that you are rather amused. Which one of the three is the reason?”
“Lady Stafford. Her insistence, her lack of reason, and her persistence in hearing only what pleases her reminded me of my cousin and his marriage proposal. I have rarely seen such a resemblance, I assure you. My father would enjoy this exceedingly.”
Darcy stared at her in shock: such an explanation he would never have guessed. He glanced at Annabelle—who was still staring at them—then back to his wife.
“I must beg you to share with me more details about that event and help me see your point. However, the comparison of Annabelle and Mr Collins is deeply disturbing from a certain point of view,” he said, and she pressed her hand over her lips to suppress her laugh .
Darcy looked at his wife, bewitched. “You are never as beautiful as when your eyes are laughing, Mrs Darcy. I would be a fool if I do not give you reasons for happiness every day.”
They continued to walk, Darcy searching for their party and Elizabeth glancing around.
A moment later, they were unceremoniously stopped by Miss Bingley and the Hursts. While Elizabeth’s amusement remained, Darcy’s vexation increased dangerously as he recollected his fight with Elizabeth, caused by those women.
“Mr Darcy, Miss Eliza, what a surprise to see you here!” Miss Bingley exclaimed.
“Of what ‘Miss Eliza’ are you speaking, Miss Bingley? I would surely be offended if you refer to my wife as ‘Miss’ anything .” Darcy’s response left the sisters speechless.
“We apologise. I believe the surprise of seeing you distressed my sister.” Mrs Hurst recovered first.
“And pray tell me, why would you be so surprised? Is attending the opera an activity you believe to be unsuited for me or Mrs Darcy?”
His harsh inquiry surprised not only the sisters but also Elizabeth. The former two needed another moment of silence to recover, and Elizabeth intervened with a polite smile.
“It is nice to see you again, although not quite a surprise. I am only sorry to see Mr Bingley is still not with you. I would guess he has not returned to Town yet.”
“No, he has not, and we do not expect him anytime soon. And what about dear Georgiana? Did she rather stay home and miss such an important spectacle?”
“Yes,” Darcy said. “She decided to allow us an evening alone. Very thoughtful of her—I am proud to see how wise she is at such a young age.”
Although she sympathised with Darcy and was amused by his subtle offences towards his old and intimate friends , Elizabeth chose to end the discussion properly.
“When Mr Bingley returns, we will be pleased to have dinner together one evening.”
“We do not expect my brother soon. However, I will come to see dear Georgiana one of these days.”
Caroline Bingley’s rudeness and conceited voice instantly repealed Elizabeth’s good intention of a truce.
“That would be lovely, Miss Bingley, but please remember to send a card first. As I am in charge of everything regarding the household, it is my decision which visits I allow or not. I would not want you to come to the door and be forced to return with not even a cup of tea.”
Miss Bingley’s expression of repressed rage and her mouth gaping in disbelief were enough compensation for Elizabeth, and her gratification enhanced when her husband continued.