Page 23 of Winter of Passion (Pride and Prejudice Variation)
T he morning of the ball was as hectic as Elizabeth had expected, and it began with the puppy waking up and demanding food and attention.
The previous day, Bingley had sent a servant to look for other puppies and their mother and to ask around among the neighbours, but the man had returned with no news.
Elizabeth decided to keep the puppy and give him a name after the ball.
The previous night, she had slept after Darcy’s visit; the intimate encounters with him might have stirred her body and mind, but they had also brought comfort to her heart and allowed her to sleep soundly — though only briefly.
She often dreamt about the life that awaited them in less than a month.
About all the hours — day and night — they would spend together without any hurry or disguise; about what she would learn from him in all aspects of their marriage.
That Colonel Fitzwilliam had discovered their engagement earlier than planned was only slightly distressing. If Darcy trusted his discretion, Elizabeth had no reason to doubt it either.
She barely exchanged a few glances with Darcy.
It was the last day of their secrecy; the torment of concealing the truth would soon turn into concern about people’s responses to their engagement.
She feared no opposition from her father; he and Darcy had become more than amiable lately, and they had come to appreciate each other.
As for her mother, it was not her disapproval but her too heartily expressed approval that was worrisome.
Elizabeth was mostly concerned about Georgiana; the girl would probably accept the engagement due to affection and respect for her brother.
She possessed such a sweet nature and kind heart that she could not hurt a soul, which only increased Elizabeth’s concern.
The scandal that might arise around the engagement and the renewed connection to George Wickham could be deeply harmful to Georgiana, and Elizabeth was as preoccupied with Darcy’s sister as she was with her own.
Elizabeth could see that Jane was agitated at breakfast. She kept repeating to Elizabeth that she feared something might happen to ruin the evening, which would be distressing for Charles considering the large number of guests expected.
Every family of consequence from Meryton was invited, and for the first time, old acquaintances would mix with the guests from London.
Bingley’s sisters offered Jane neither help nor comfort but were astute and nagging critics of all sorts of small things. To his merit, Bingley was always ready to argue with them to the benefit of his wife.
After breakfast, the guests returned to their chambers; the time before the ball was usually used for rest and extensive preparations.
Jane, however, kept visiting the kitchen to supervise the quantity of white soup, the fish, the meat, the fruit, and the sweets.
“Lizzy dear, I am desperate! Look at the weather! It is still raining — no, it is not rain but sleet! Can you imagine all those people — they will need umbrellas from the carriage to the door. And the mud on their shoes! It will be spread all over the ballroom and will dirty their ball gowns, and they will all be so upset!”
“Jane, I love you, but your worries are absurd, really!” Elizabeth tried to jest. “There are plenty of balls that have occurred in bad weather. It is not like the guests will dance in the garden. You have enough servants to wipe the floors once the guests arrive.”
With such conversation, the hours passed. Jane’s despair was impossible to soothe; whenever Elizabeth managed to calm her, she found other reasons for turmoil.
Mr Bingley was in charge of the drinks, and he possessed no more composure than his wife. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam assisted him, but the colonel mostly made sport at his expense, which amused and annoyed Elizabeth every time she heard him.
Elizabeth found a strange — and vexing — resemblance between the colonel and Mr Bennet in their tendency to mock people; just as her father was similar to Darcy in his passion for books and loathing of large gatherings, particularly balls.
Later in the afternoon, the hosts finally withdrew to their chambers to rest and prepare for the ball, with Jane calmer after having everything in place, Elizabeth returned to her room. She could not sleep, but the time for reflection was welcome.
With her heart beginning to race, she wondered about the next day and all the responses in regard to her engagement.
Her eyelashes were just becoming heavy when she was startled by a sudden knocking at the door. She opened it, and a maid curtseyed and apologised to her.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Darcy asked whether you could go to her room for a few moments. She said only if it is no trouble… Only if you are not sleeping…she said there is nothing wrong.”
“Miss Darcy?” Elizabeth repeated, confused, wondering about the reason for that invitation at that time. “Yes, of course. I shall go now.”
The maid accompanied her to the girl’s chamber, opened the door, then closed it behind her and left. Inside was Georgiana as well as Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Darcy immediately came to her, taking her hand in his and leading her to the empty chair. His smile was enough explanation.
“Elizabeth, forgive me for disturbing you with this little scheme. I had the chance to talk to Georgiana privately just now, and I thought there was no use postponing our news. My sister is now the second person who knows about our engagement. I hope you approve of it.”
“Oh…” Elizabeth looked at Georgiana, whose unease was apparent.
“Elizabeth, do you mind that my brother told me before you told your father? Or Jane?”
A burden was lifted from Elizabeth’s heart, and she took the girl’s hands in hers.
“Mind? No, not at all! Your brother and I already decided to inform you. I would rather have your approval before we ask for my father’s. I hope you will grant it to us.”
“Of course I will,” the girl said tearfully. “I am so glad that you are engaged! I am truly delighted! What a joy to see my brother so happy! And I have always wanted to have a sister.”
“You will have far more than one sister, whether you want them or not,” Elizabeth teased her. “So…were you surprised to learn about our engagement?”
“Not really.” The girl smiled.
“She was far less surprised than I expected,” Darcy interjected with a large smile. “Apparently, I am not proficient at concealing my feelings from my young sister.”
“Brother, your partiality for Elizabeth has been obvious to me since we met at Pemberley. Mrs Reynolds and Mrs Annesley noticed it too.”
“Well, that means I was the only ignorant one,” the colonel declared. “I never suspected more than a new friendship.”
“Because you were not at Pemberley with us,” Georgiana replied.
“Miss Bennet, there is one thing that I am sure bothers both me and Georgiana,” the colonel uttered. “Please do not take offence, but I shall never agree to be in the same room with George Wickham. Whether he was related to you or the Prince Regent, that would never change.”
“I assure you, Colonel,” Elizabeth answered with equal gravity, “that as much as it depends on me, George Wickham will never be anywhere near either of you.”
“Good. It is settled, then. If I never saw Wickham again, it would still be too soon.”
“Let us not speak of unpleasant things at this joyful moment,” Darcy interjected.
“To me, the most important people in my family and the only ones whose approval I seek are you two. I would allow nothing and nobody to interfere in my relationship with Elizabeth, but knowing you support it makes me happy and grateful.”
With that, he took Elizabeth’s hand and placed a brief kiss on it. She blushed and smiled nervously.
“I feel thankful and honoured to have your acceptance,” Elizabeth said to Georgiana and the colonel.
“I do expect more rejection than approval and more critics than kind words from Fitzwilliam’s family and friends.
And I cannot even blame them — they hardly know me at all.
It is my duty to prove myself worthy of their good opinion. ”
“Whom you should fear the most,” the colonel responded with a laugh, “are all those young heiresses who have been chasing Darcy for years — and their mothers. Lady Catherine will certainly lead the hoard.”
“I cannot imagine Elizabeth fearing anyone,” Darcy said. “As for your worthiness,” he addressed her, “anyone with a fair mind and good heart will easily discover it. Those who refuse to see the obvious, we shall simply disregard.”
Elizabeth returned the smile, feeling his voice and daring gaze penetrating her soul. Even in company, his presence made her quiver.
“We should prepare for the ball,” she said, her hand still in his.
“Indeed. Let us do our best to get through this night as best we can. I look forward to seeing Bingley and his wife in their usual, delightful dispositions.”
∞∞∞
The conversation put Elizabeth at ease and lightened her heart. The maid helped her put on her ballgown and arranged her hair with a few small white flowers entwined in it.
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, she admired the dress again. The shade flattered her skin, and the shape fitted her flawlessly — even she could see that. Undoubtedly, Mrs Gardiner had impeccable taste.
Elizabeth hesitated briefly before deciding to wear the heart necklace. There was some risk that her parents might notice and question it. Regardless, the pleasure of wearing Darcy’s meaningful gift was stronger than the danger, so she put it on.
Elizabeth went downstairs an hour before the ball was due to begin. The gentlemen were all there, but the ladies had delayed their appearance. Jane was present, of course, still agitated.
“Lizzy, you look so beautiful!”
“Thank you, my dear Jane. And you look exquisite, as always. Just a little too flushed from nervousness. I had hoped you had calmed by now.”