Page 63 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
“Indeed, Mrs Darcy, your elegant sharpness in dealing with that certain person was astonishing and quite singular. We all have to face such particular behaviours from some women regarding our husbands, I believe, but I could never be so courageous and composed,” Lady Mary Hasting added.
“I find it astonishing that a woman can trick an old man like my uncle to marry her, and after she inherits his entire fortune, she now dares to chase Darcy around Town.”
“However,” Lady Maryanne said, leaning towards Elizabeth, “did Darcy really tell you about her? How extraordinary. Most men never speak to their wives about such matters. I know Thomas would never do so—even if I dared ask him. And I am no fool. I noticed he is sometimes very late coming home, But I do not care since his behaviour towards me is beyond reproach. One can hardly find as perfect a husband as Thomas.”
“A woman should never ask her husband about such things unless she wants to face an upsetting answer,” Lady Mary added.
“Forgive my boldness, but I also noticed that Mr Darcy is very affectionate with you,” Lady Isabella said. “I confess we always believed him to be a rather cold man. I was astounded to see him dancing with his own wife at Lady Matlock’s ball. We never expected a breach of propriety from him.”
Elizabeth blushed. “Mr Darcy is an excellent man, though not very easy to read from afar.”
“We all presume he possesses many qualities. It seems we in fact know very little of him.”
Elizabeth became uncomfortable with the subject yet not at all displeased. Joy warmed her as she found that others also observed his solicitous behaviour towards her.
Just in time to interrupt the conversation, the heavy curtains that covered the entryway to the box were pulled aside, and the smiling faces of Lord Clayton and James Darcy appeared. They greeted the ladies then took seats, expressing their pleasure in continuing their previous conversation.
“Well, it was your friend that interrupted us. But that is no surprise. She is always ill-mannered.”
“Isabella, you are rather ill-mannered too. What will Mrs Darcy think of you and of us?”
“Well, she surely cannot think well of a man in your position who is in the close company of a woman with questionable manners.”
“Oh come now, Annabelle Stafford is a lady—just like you.” Lord Clayton laughed.
Lady Isabella cut him off with severity. “Do not even joke like that. Being a lady is not a matter of title or means but of breeding, education and character!”
“Based on your standards, half of the peers’ titles should be withdrawn.”
Elizabeth could not decide whether she was amused or annoyed by the conversation but she noticed that she missed her husband and glanced around in the hope of spotting him. Instead, her eyes saw Lady Stafford and Bingley’s sisters once more, and she was content to feel no worry about either.
She startled when Lady Isabella called her name. “You must join us at Madame Claudette’s the day after tomorrow, Mrs Darcy. We are going to fetch our dresses for the ball and to chat a little. You cannot refuse us; it will be a very enchanting day!”
“I would like very much to keep you company,” Elizabeth replied, considering it would be a good move for Mrs Darcy to strengthen the acquaintance with three illustrious members of the ton who were near her age. They seemed pleasant enough and not at all standoffish.
“I look forward to the ball,” Lady Mary Hasting declared.
“I too, especially that I shall have the pleasure of dancing with some exceptional ladies,” Lord Clayton said, looking pointedly at Elizabeth.
Shortly afterwards, Darcy and the others returned, and Elizabeth immediately observed his displeasure at her talking to Lord Clayton. He resumed his seat near her.
“Clayton, James, what are doing here? Do you chase after our ladies? Were you infected with the bug from your female friend?” the colonel asked with sharp mockery.
“The interlude will end soon,” Darcy said coldly, and the gentlemen finally left.
The opera started, yet Elizabeth felt restless as she could still sense her husband’s tension. She turned her head over her shoulder. He noticed and leant towards her.
“Are you well?” he inquired.
“I am…I wished to know whether you are well…and to tell you your company was missed. ”
There was a little pause, then she felt his touch on her shoulder. “Thank you. Enjoy the performance.”
The rest of the evening passed uneventfully. When the spectacle came to an end, Elizabeth was enchanted yet relieved.
In front of the theatre, waiting for their carriage, it had begun to snow again slowly, and while the other ladies remained inside protected from the cold, Elizabeth and Darcy moved out, taking a friendly farewell from their party with the promise of seeing them again soon.
“Did you have a pleasant evening?” he inquired, arranging her bonnet already coated with snow.
She was flustered by the cold air and his caring gesture and wondered whether the others could see them.
“Very pleasant. But I never felt an evening at the theatre to be so tiresome although I have attended many performances with my relatives.”
To their surprise, James approached them with a slightly uneasy countenance.
“Cousin, may I call on you tomorrow? There is something I would like to discuss.”
Darcy glanced at Elizabeth. “Yes, of course. I shall wait on you around noon.”
“Excellent! Good night, Mrs Darcy. It was lovely to see you again.”
After they entered their carriage, Elizabeth breathed in relief, looking at Darcy.
“I would say we made an excellent team tonight. I think neither of the ladies who seek your attention is fully recovered yet.”
“We did—and that was to your merit. I was afraid you would disapprove my replying to Annabelle in public, but I believe it was the best approach. She certainly took it more seriously than any harsh private discussion. It might be the right way to treat her.”
He gazed at her and laughed. “Lady Isabella said you are her hero. That was true yet amusing.”
“More amusing than true. I am glad we confronted Lady Stafford rather than avoided her. As for Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst—I so sorry to say that I have rarely felt so deeply satisfied. They are just…so different from Mr Bingley.”
“Your feelings are legitimate. What of the ladies who were in our party?”
“I truly enjoyed their company. Lady Isabella seemed to favour Robert.”
“You are very perceptive. She would be a very good match for him.”
“When we were alone, the ladies expressed their astonishment that I took the situation with Lady Stafford so calmly…and that you had told me about it…and that you broke the rules by dancing with me…and that you were not as cold in manners as they believed you to be.” With each word, her eyes became brighter and his smile widened.
“I enjoy breaking the rules for you,” he replied hoarsely, and she shivered.
Both became more aware that they would soon be home, alone in their suite.
Elizabeth looked at her husband, struggling to bear his intense gaze.
She felt her lips suddenly dry, and she licked them, blushing as she noticed his eyes lowering to them.
She could almost feel his touch on her lips and averted her eyes, shivering again.
Opposite his wife, Darcy could not keep his eyes from her. The carriage seemed too small. He only needed to stretch his hand to reach her, to embrace her, to taste her moist lips.
The entire evening he had been proud of how easily she adapted to that din, admiring the elegance with which she dealt with Annabelle and Bingley’s sisters, establishing her position, and overthrowing the attacks of those who dared to defy her while showing her impeccable manners and the strength of her character.
It was obvious that several others admired Elizabeth too, especially Lord Clayton, who annoyed Darcy exceedingly.
The effrontery of the man! Returning to our box and taking advantage of the ladies being alone!
Surely, he was there to insinuate himself in Elizabeth’s company.
What did he imagine he could gain? He could not possibly hope for any special attention from her!
He immediately realised his own absurdity. He had no reason for concern. She was there in front of him, smiling and slightly nervous. During the evening, she told him he was missed, and she obviously welcomed his attentions. And now they would soon be home—alone.
He followed her eyes out of the window: it was snowing beautifully, and she seemed enchanted. On a whim, he knocked for the coachman to stop and smiled at her.
“We are a few minutes from home. Would you like to walk back?”
Her eyes brightened, and her face lit with delight. He opened the carriage and helped her out then signed to the dumbstruck coachman to drive towards the house.
The street was empty, covered in soft whiteness, a few lamps glowing through the heavy curtain.
Elizabeth clung tightly to her husband’s arm, laughing each time her shoes slipped.
Snowflakes rested on her face, her eyelashes, and her hair.
Her face was red from the cold and bright with joy.
When they were almost home, she claimed she was not cold at all and begged him to go through Hyde Park a little longer.
He was reluctant, as it was very late and cold, but incapable of refusing her, so they walked through the frozen streets for another half hour, staying in view of their house.
Elizabeth found great pleasure in touching the fresh snow, walking through it and brushing her husband’s coat at times. Darcy found great pleasure in admiring her and sharing her liveliness.
With each moment, their intimacy was enhanced in the midst of the large park.