Page 98 of Sketching Mr. Darcy
E lizabeth listened to Georgiana’s beautiful playing while Darcy was in the library with Mr Aldridge, his solicitor, with whom Elizabeth had the pleasure of meeting earlier in the day.
That evening would be marked by Lady Isabella’s ball, and Elizabeth expected it to be another opportunity for distress. Her preparation for the ball was more careful than ever before. She wished to receive her husband’s admiration and to make sure he was proud of her appearance on his arm.
She chose the ball gown ordered by her husband and the set of emerald jewels. Georgiana and Mrs Annesley—who were not to attend the ball—complimented her repeatedly, but no praise came close to her husband’s dark stare that enveloped her from the door.
“Mrs Darcy, you look absolutely beautiful.”
With a warm farewell from their sister and her companion, the Darcys elegantly entered the carriage, and in less than a quarter hour, they arrived in front of Lady Isabella’s house.
As Elizabeth anticipated, the number of guests surpassed that from Lady Matlock’s ball on New Year’s Eve.
It was with no surprise that Mr James Darcy was among the guests. He briefly greeted them and attempted to speak to his cousin, but Darcy answered with little encouragement .
A chorus of gasps was heard as Lord Clayton entered with two other gentlemen and three ladies, one of them being Annabelle Stafford.
Elizabeth noticed her husband’s frown, and their eyes met briefly.
She smiled, and the emeralds shining from her earrings and necklace reflected beautiful shades of green in her sparkling eyes.
Lady Isabella confronted her cousin Lord Clayton, whose serene expression dismissed any reproach with mockery and indifference.
Elizabeth watched them speaking in low voices, apparently in contention for a little while, then Lady Isabella gave up while Lord Clayton’s entire group—of which the other two pairs seemed to be French—sat on one side of the room, speaking by themselves.
Another thing that both Elizabeth and Darcy observed were Lord Clayton’s repeated glances towards them. While Elizabeth was amused, Darcy became increasingly annoyed.
“Is there anything that bothers you?” she inquired, teasingly.
“I was wondering what Clayton was thinking by bringing Annabelle here. And how could she be such a fool as to insinuate herself at a ball hosted by a woman who despises her.”
“This is scandalous!” Lady Maryanne said, outraged.
“Come dear, do not exaggerate,” her husband answered patronisingly.
“It is a silly, awkward situation but not unexpected. Besides, half of London seems to be here, so what does it matter that one more annoying person is present? And by the way, Darcy, I spotted Bingley’s sisters too,” concluded the Colonel.
“And why not?” asked Mr Hasting. “Hurst is a cousin of mine, and he is a rather pleasing fellow.”
“Speaking of annoying persons,” Darcy said sharply, as Lord Clayton approached them together with Lady Isabella, whose face was still red with anger.
Greetings were exchanged before Lord Clayton spoke. “ Mrs Darcy, what a pleasure to see you here! We were not aware that you returned to town! Such a lovely surprise you have given us all. I must say, you look exceptionally beautiful tonight.”
“I thank you, sir.” She smiled in reply. “I confess that I own my appearance to my husband, who has chosen both my dress and jewels.”
“When one has such an exceptional wife, it is easy for one to choose such finery,” the earl continued. Darcy’s face proved he was at the edge of his patience.
“True, Clayton. What is truly difficult is for one to have the wisdom to choose the correct wife.” Darcy placed Elizabeth’s hand on his arm and covered it with his hand.
“Mr and Mrs Darcy gave us a lovely surprise by attending this evening, unlike you who gave the worst one! What effrontery of that woman,” Lady Isabella commented.
“Annabelle is fond of both marquises and their wives. They are quite lonely in London without any friends, and you agreed to invite them to the ball,” Lord Clayton replied.
“You tricked me into this!” Lady Isabella struggled to keep her voice down.
“Mrs Darcy, I hope you are not disturbed by Lady Stafford’s presence,” Lord Clayton asked.
“Why should I be? I am grateful to Lady Isabella for the lovely invitation. The others present are not for me to discuss. Besides,” she said, her cheeks blushing, “I confess my husband’s company is enough for me to forget everything else.”
The others stared at her in disbelief and smiled, as they did not know what to do with such a confession. Both the gentlemen and the ladies experienced a sense of jealousy, although for different reasons.
With little propriety, Darcy brought her hand to his lips for a brief yet meaningful kiss.
“Please excuse us now, the first set is about to start, and I wish to dance with my wife. ”
“Mrs Darcy, I hope you remember that you owe me a set from the Twelfth Night ball,” Lord Clayton said. Elizabeth barely took her eyes from Darcy to glance at him.
“I do not remember owing your lordship any set, but I will be pleased to save one for you anyway. I have already received invitations from the colonel, from the viscount and from Mr Hasting. Except for those, I will happily stand with you for any other.”
She then followed her husband onto the dance floor as the music started. If there were any whispers of disapproval for Mr Darcy’s dancing with his own wife, neither of them noticed.
They moved gracefully, eyes locked, barely touching hands and speaking to each other wordlessly.
From time to time, Darcy glanced at Clayton, who continued to stare at them, and she could barely suppress her laughter. When the dance steps brought them close, she whispered, “I find your jealousy rather alluring, Mr Darcy.”
“Should I be worried that you can read my mind, Mrs Darcy?”
“Come, sir, I am certain half the room can,” she teased him.
“The idiot was right, though. You look exceptionally beautiful.”
“And, as I told ‘ the idiot ,’” she whispered, careful not to be heard, “I owe my appearance to you. Not just because of the jewels and gown but because of everything you offered me.”
Darcy had no reply to such a confession. His eyes remained on his wife as he struggled to hide his emotions and an urge to kiss her in the middle of the ballroom.
As soon as the set ended, Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst stepped towards Elizabeth and Darcy, still wearing grudging, cold expressions on their faces.
“What a surprise, Mr Darcy. Are we allowed to speak to you here, or should we also ask Mrs Darcy’s permission?” Miss Bingley asked sharply while cold greetings were exchanged.
“For anything related to me, you should ask Mrs Darcy’s permission. As for anything regarding Mrs Darcy, you should ask for mine. However, we are pleased to see you, Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst. Is there anything we might do for you? Anything you wish to discuss?”
“Surely you know what we want to discuss, sir. My brother has returned to Hertfordshire!”
“Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, I shall allow you to speak to my husband privately,” Elizabeth said graciously while she went to join Lady Maryanne. Darcy gazed after her.
“So, more precisely, what is the problem?”
“The problem is that he returned to the place from which we struggled to send him away! He said he wished to remain there, and I am afraid he will end up marrying Jane Bennet!”
“If so, that is entirely his business. He is capable of knowing his desires and behaving accordingly.”
“But you agreed that such an unequal marriage would be disastrous for him! To join such a terrible family, to marry a woman so below him! You must advise him!”
“Miss Bingley!” Darcy’s voice sharpened.
“Since I married a Bennet daughter and congratulate myself every day for doing so, how could I advise Bingley against it? Miss Bennet is an admirable woman who would make a wonderful wife. Besides, let us be honest: since the Bennet family was not a problem for me, it certainly should not be for Bingley. I do not wish to be rude, but Miss Bennet is a gentleman’s daughter while your fortune was made by your excellent father in trade. That seems unequal to me.”
Both sisters turned pale in disbelief. Darcy showed a proper, polite smile.
“May I be of assistance with anything else? If not, please excuse me. I shall seek my wife.”
***
Elizabeth had decided to leave as she imagined there would be a discussion about her family and especially Jane, and she trusted him to settle things properly. She spotted Lady Maryanne and Lady Mary across a small foyer, and she moved towards them.
Half way, she was interrupted by Lady Stafford. Elizabeth was tempted to continue walking but decided otherwise. She turned to the lady and moved near a wall to assure them some privacy.
“Lady Stafford! May I help you with anything?”
“Mrs Darcy—what a lovely surprise.”
“I beg you—do not tell me again that it is fate or coincidence that brings us together. It has become quite boring and slightly ridiculous” Elizabeth attempted a light tone.
The lady appeared disconcerted. “And yet, it is. I did not know you were to be here tonight.”
“Yes, Lord Clayton told us that. May I ask why you approach me? Is there anything you wish to discuss? Do you want me to settle that appointment with my husband to help you with your business? Do you have a letter for me about that?”
Her old self-confident impertinence seemed to elude Lady Stafford with each of Elizabeth’s words, but she continued with a mischievous smile and a most insinuating tone.
“Not exactly. I was just wondering…It is strange that you wear that dress. I have one amazingly similar that I wore at the Twelfth Night ball. People might think you copied mine. And I wish to inquire how your marriage is going so far? Are you satisfied with your position? I understand Darcy is still attending his business often, which is quite strange for a newly wedded man. Might it be that he is already bored with his married life?”