Page 14 of Winter of Passion (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

D arcy sipped from his glass, glancing around the crowded room. All the guests had arrived, and it was the first evening with everyone in attendance.

The Gardiners, who should have arrived at the same time as Georgiana and the colonel, had delayed their journey by two days due to one of the children’s illnesses. But all those who were staying at Netherfield had arrived.

He was acquainted with everyone, but he favoured the company of very few.

The Banfields probably possessed the biggest fortune of the group, but it was half made in trade, like Bingley’s. The manners of both Banfields resembled those of Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst more than Bingley.

Mr Jeffrey Banfield’s main interest was in parties and cards, very much like Lord Langley and his brother, Mr Oliver Morton.

Mr Gilbert Fitzroy owned a house in London and an estate in Oxfordshire comparable to Netherfield.

Lord Langley’s cousins, Miss Emily Parsons and Miss Cecilia Parsons, were young ladies in search of amusement and husbands, and Darcy was rather surprised that they had chosen to spend Christmas on a small country estate.

Colonel Rutley was also a distant relative of the Hursts, in his early thirties, who had returned after serving abroad for a few years.

An interesting character was Mrs Sarah Fitzroy’s sister, Lady Laura.

She was in fact only a half-sister, as their mother had married an earl more than thirty years her senior.

When the earl had died, he had left his young widow a comfortable situation and his daughter a dowry of fifty thousand pounds, a small estate in Derbyshire, and a house in London.

Mrs Fitzroy was the youngest daughter, coming from their mother’s second marriage to an officer who was more handsome than honourable and who wasted most of their mother’s inheritance.

Lady Laura, however, had invested her fortune, ensuring her a more than generous income, which her sister and mother did not hesitate to take advantage of.

To Darcy, the entire gathering was rather annoying, as it kept him away from the only object of his interest. Since the night they had spent together, he could think of little else but her and yearned for the time when she would finally become his wife.

The pleasure of her presence was enchanting, not only for his body for also for his heart and mind.

He enjoyed her teasing, her smiles, her glances.

And yes, her taste, her scent, her touches, and her passion, which had grown with every kiss and every caress. He missed all of her.

And he had no other choice but to stay there, bear the dull conversation, and steal quick glances at her, their eyes briefly locking.

In the midst of so many strangers, Georgiana was seated on a sofa in a corner with Mrs Annesley. Mr and Mrs Bingley were mingling with the guests, making sure everyone was comfortable. Elizabeth was sitting in an armchair in the middle of the room with Colonel Fitzwilliam near her.

“Bingley, you have quite a lovely place here,” Mr Morton said.

“Indeed, I believe the same. I viewed several properties, and Darcy advised I choose this one. Little did I know that it would be the best decision of my life,” Bingley said, with an adoring glance at his wife.

“Well, I cannot argue with you. Mrs Bingley is exceptionally beautiful,” Mr Morton said, causing the lady to blush and whisper a thank you.

“Mrs Bingley, I understand your father owns an estate in the neighbourhood,” Lord Langley said.

“Yes,” the lady answered. “My family lives at Longbourn, three miles from Netherfield.”

“But the estate is entailed to a distant cousin,” Mrs Hurst interjected.

“Is it?” Miss Banfield enquired. “That is rather sad. Many women have to bear the misfortune of finding themselves homeless one day. How fortunate for you, Mrs Bingley, that you have found a husband who can offer you a comfortable life. Your family must be relieved that your marriage has secured their future.”

The remark — with obvious malicious intent — clearly affected Mrs Bingley, and she glanced at her husband as though imploring him to reply on her behalf. Bingley turned red immediately.

“My father is still a young man and in perfect health,” Elizabeth responded in a polite yet determined tone.

“We expect him to be with us for many more years. My sister would never have considered marriage in order to secure her future or a comfortable life. Nothing but affection and respect induced her into matrimony.”

Her reply caused some surprise, and all eyes turned to her.

“No, of course not,” Miss Banfield continued. “But you must admit it is fortunate to marry — even if it is for affection and respect — a man who is comfortably rich.”

“I do admit it,” Elizabeth answered. “I dare assume everybody in this room agrees with that. The misfortune begins where there is comfort and security but no affection or respect in a marriage.”

Darcy watched Elizabeth with pride and delight.

He was ready to intervene, but he knew she did not need his help.

She was perfectly capable of handling any subject, any argument, with any person.

Nobody was her match in that room. His eyes rested upon her beautiful face and on her red lips, which he had so dearly enjoyed the previous night.

“You express yourself with much confidence, Miss Bennet,” Mrs Fitzroy said. “You seem particularly familiar with the subject of marriage. Are you engaged yourself?”

“I am particularly familiar with my sister’s marriage to Mr Bingley. I know their union is one of the happiest I can imagine. There is no shadow of a doubt in that.”

“That is true,” Bingley interjected. “My greatest fortune is my extraordinary luck in being Jane’s husband.”

“Oh, come now, Charles! You must excuse my brother — he has the tendency to exaggerate,” Miss Bingley said, rolling her eyes in vexation.

“I see nothing to apologise for. He is a man speaking of his happiness in marriage,” Darcy finally interjected. “Knowing both of them for a while, I can heartily congratulate my younger friend for his wisdom and determination.”

From the other side of the room, Lady Laura intervened unexpectedly.

“I only met Mr and Mrs Bingley a few hours ago, and I can see the bond of affection between them. Our problem is that we are so interested in fortune, position, and connections that we neglect the importance of affection and respect when we speak of marriage, and we assume everybody does the same.”

“It must be because many of us do not have the luxury of waiting for affection and respect when we search for a spouse,” Mr Morton said.

“As a second son or a daughter with no dowry or connections, we must search for security and comfort since we do not possess it ourselves and must fulfil our needs.”

“Miss Bennet asked me once,” Colonel Fitzwilliam uttered, “what the second son of an earl knew about lacking comfort and security. I admitted I did not know much, and she had every reason to mock me.”

“Did she? And may I ask when you and Miss Bennet discussed such a delicate subject?” Miss Parsons enquired.

“This past April. I had the pleasure of meeting her in Kent, and I have thought of that conversation many times since.”

“I am sorry to hear that I gave you so much trouble, sir,” Elizabeth said in jest.

“Do not be sorry, Miss Bennet. Indeed, young women have very limited choices, so they may be searching for a husband for security and comfort. But we, the second sons or others with not enough income, are searching for a wife to indulge our habits and our laziness.”

Colonel Fitzwilliam’s words caused a bit of shock, and there was a momentary silence. Darcy was tempted to cheer his cousin, and he saw Elizabeth place her hand over her mouth. Mr Hurst seemed to pay sudden attention to the conversation.

Then the colonel began to laugh. “Oh, come now, you all know I am speaking the truth. We are educated men with means and connections, and we could well find a way to make a comfortable living.”

“Like what?” Mr Morton asked with apparent frustration. “Own a shop? Become a clergyman? A lawyer?”

“Would you prefer to become the husband of a woman you do not even like?” the colonel asked directly, and another awkward pause followed.

Darcy watched the scene with much interest. The conversation, which had begun due to Mrs Hurst’s rudeness and Miss Banfield’s arrogance, had turned serious and distressing precisely because it was accurate.

It affected the Hursts, as well as the Fitzroys, but nobody in the room was a stranger to the matter.

Despite the uncomfortable subject, Elizabeth seemed at ease. Georgiana, however, had not said a single word; she had only glanced at him from time to time. Darcy felt somehow guilty that he had insisted on his sister attending the party as she looked painfully uncomfortable.

“Mr Darcy, do you plan to stay at such a distance from us the entire time?” Miss Cecilia enquired.

“If we all sit together, it will certainly be too crowded,” he answered, trying to smile. “But I have a perfect view from my present position.”

He had. A perfect view of Elizabeth, he thought and saw her blush slightly.

“I believe we all know how much Darcy dislikes parties,” Lord Langley said. “I remember he dances little — if at all — even at Almack’s. Why would anyone go to Almack’s if one does not wish to dance.”

“Because my mother insists,” Colonel Fitzwilliam answered.

“Mr Darcy is always so silent and distant and haughty,” Miss Parsons said. “I believe that is part of his appeal. Many women are tired of men who talk too much, and they like the mystery and wisdom of a more restrained gentleman.”

“That is an offence to almost all of us,” Mr Morton said, and most of them laughed.

“I thank you, Miss Parsons. It might be true for other men, but there is nothing mysterious or wise in restrained manners. It is simply my choice.”

“I can testify that Darcy can be quite animated and voluble when he wishes to be!” Bingley interjected.

“I second that,” Colonel Fitzwilliam added, still laughing.

“Then you must prove it to us, Mr Darcy!” Miss Cecilia said. “If you do not, we shall all assume that you do not find our company pleasant enough!”

“I assure you, Miss Cecilia, that I could not enjoy a party more. However, please do not expect me to perform differently. I would not wish you to be disappointed.”

The effort of keeping his calm was great. Sipping from his glass, Darcy forced a smile. He had met the Parsons sisters previously, and their insistence was always vexing, very much like Miss Bingley’s.

“Mr Darcy, I must admit that my sister and I were reluctant to come to Hertfordshire. Knowing you were here aided our decision,” Miss Cecilia declared.

Darcy took another sip. “I am sure you will have a wonderful time, Miss Cecilia, for many more reasons than my presence.”

“This is highly unfair!” Mr Morton said. “We try so hard to win the attention of ladies, and Darcy is granted it without even wanting it.”

“That might be,” Miss Cecilia said, “because you always try to win all and any lady’s attention.”

“Or because Darcy owns Pemberley and is known for his proficiency in managing his fortune and increasing his income,” Lord Langley added.

“I would gladly appreciate it if we changed the subject,” Darcy interrupted harshly. “I believe everyone is weary of talking about me.”

“We would, but the ladies seem not to have exhausted the subject,” Mr Morton said with a grin.

“I find it quite diverting,” Lady Laura interjected, “that you joke at the expense of Mr Darcy’s valuable qualities and his fondness for fulfilling his responsibilities. When one does nothing, it is easy to criticise everything.”

“You are very harsh on us, Lady Laura,” Lord Langley replied.

“Oh, do not mind my sister,” Mrs Fitzroy said. “She has a tendency to criticise everyone. That may be the reason she is a spinster.”

Lady Laura paled at such an offence, and she gulped a few times. Darcy’s irritation was stronger than his prudence, and he was ready to intervene when he heard Elizabeth speak.

“Or perhaps Lady Laura — whom I have only had the honour of meeting today — takes advantage of her excellent situation and does not accept anyone who does not fulfil all her expectations. Strangely, a young, unmarried lady of five-and-twenty is called a spinster, but a single gentleman ten years older is never named as such.”

Lady Laura smiled at Elizabeth, and she mirrored it with a smile of her own.

“Upon my word, Miss Eliza, you express your opinion too readily and too carelessly, considering that we have guests of such consequence,” Mrs Hurst said sharply.

“Upon my word, Mrs Hurst, you sound exactly like my aunt Lady Catherine!” Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed. “I held my breath for a moment, as I was afraid she was here.”

The colonel was flushed, with a joyful disposition caused by the glass of brandy that had been refilled too many times.

Mrs Hurst turned pale, then red, and Darcy could hardly repress his own laughter.

A servant entered to announce that dinner was served, and the conversation ceased.

“It is about time,” Lord Langley said. “Thank God all the conversation about marriage did not ruin my appetite.”

Bingley offered an arm to his wife and one to Elizabeth, so Darcy accompanied his sister. As he walked, he observed Lady Laura was alone, and he offered her his other arm, which she took, thanking him.

Colonel Fitzwilliam glanced at them, then turned and followed the others. Darcy breathed deeply. They still had a long evening ahead; perhaps — since most of the guests were in the other wing — he might steal a few moments with Elizabeth later that night.