Page 25 of Winter of Passion (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

I t was one of the very few balls he could remember when Darcy did not feel caged, despite the prospect of dancing every set.

By suppertime, he had already danced with Miss Bingley, Miss Banfield, and the Parsons sisters.

At the supper table, he was situated between Mrs Gardiner and Mr Bennet, two people whose company he enjoyed exceedingly.

He did not even seek to be close to Elizabeth.

He was afraid that his partiality for her was too obvious and would arouse suspicion, so he preferred to practise self-control and patience for a little longer.

Darcy could not but admire Mrs Bingley; despite her nervousness and turmoil over the last fortnight, she had accomplished her duty as hostess with remarkable grace and confidence, and the party was running smoothly.

“Mr Darcy, when do you plan to return to London?” Miss Cecilia asked from across the table. “I have enquired twice already, but you did not hear me.”

“My plans are not decided yet. Does it matter? May I be of any service to you?”

“Well, my sister and I were thinking that we could all return together. It would be safer and surely more agreeable.”

“As tempting as it sounds, I cannot make any travel plans at the moment. I may leave tomorrow or in a fortnight,” Darcy said.

“I hope you stay at least another fortnight!” Bingley interjected. “Oh…and you too, of course,” he quickly addressed the other guests.

A few moments later, Darcy dared to glance at Elizabeth.

She looked amused and in excellent spirits.

She had danced every set too, which bothered him not because he did not trust her but because he envied everyone who had spent time with her.

Her smile made his heart race and challenged his patience, while he tried to respond to more questions from people he cared little for.

After supper, the music resumed and the dance continued. He danced again, but he kept glancing at Elizabeth across the room. In a pause between two sets, he put prudency aside and approached her as she spoke to Mrs Bingley, Mrs Gardiner, Miss Lucas, and Lady Lucas.

“Miss Bennet,” he said, “if you are not otherwise engaged, would you do me the honour of dancing the last set with me?”

The request seemed to surprise the entire group, and a shadow of disturbance appeared on Elizabeth’s pretty face.

A second set danced together was surely an indication of his preference for her and would reveal his intentions to those observant enough to notice it.

He was willing to take the risk, but the choice was hers. As always.

“Thank you, yes, Mr Darcy. I would like that very much,” she replied with perfect composure and more sparkles in her eyes.

He bowed and stepped away, overhearing some rumours he chose to disregard.

The ball continued for two more hours before the last set.

Darcy searched for Elizabeth with his eyes — she was waiting for him.

He walked towards her and took her hand.

He only noticed the Parsons sisters, Miss Bingley, and Mrs Hurst looking at him with bewilderment.

Other puzzled looks or rumours he chose to overlook.

The moment Elizabeth’s fingers touched his and she smiled at him with her lips and her eyes, he cared about nothing else. The music began, and the dancers took their first steps, but he barely noticed or heard anything. There was only him and her, sharing the first and the last dance.

∞∞∞

The ball ended at dawn, and it took almost an hour before the houseguests withdrew to their rooms and the others left Netherfield, facing the blizzard, which was growing stronger.

After all the bustle, the silence that suddenly fell over the manor was strange. Of the entire party, only Bingley, Darcy, and the colonel remained, and they shared one last glass before retiring for the night.

“The ball was a success,” the colonel said as they walked along the hall.

“It was. The distress has finally ended for the poor Bingleys,” Darcy replied.

“Should we talk about your distress, Darcy?”

“There is no distress, Cousin. Let us sleep now, and we may speak more in the morning after I return from Longbourn.”

“As you wish. You will certainly need all your strength for tomorrow. I cannot even imagine the responses to your announcement.”

Darcy ended the discussion by entering his room.

He felt tired but in a restless way and was certain he would not be able to sleep.

Still, he changed into his night attire and climbed into bed, listening to the blizzard rattling the windows and to the fire burning steadily until a knock at the door broke the silence.

He rose from his bed, irritated and ready to reject the unwanted visitor, assuming it was either his cousin or Bingley. Regardless, he was in no disposition for company — except for that company which was beyond important to him.

“Elizabeth? What are you doing here?” he asked, dumbfounded and alarmed.

“May I come in?” she whispered, and he pulled her inside, closing the door and leaning her back against it.

She wore a robe over her nightgown, her hair falling loose over her shoulders, slippers on her bare feet.

“My love, what are you doing here?” he repeated.

“I came to see you only for a moment. I missed you, and we shall not be alone again for a while. I needed a little time with you…just the two of us.”

“You should not have come…but I am so happy you did, my dearest, loveliest Elizabeth.” His arms embraced her, and his lips brushed her face with countless kisses while her arms encircled his waist.

“My darling, it is too imprudent to be in my room. You should leave… I shall come to you if you wish — the risk would be less.”

Contrary to his words, he lifted her and placed her on his bed. Her feet were cold, and he warmed them in his palms, pleased to hear her moans. He pushed her against the pillow, covering her body with his and her face with kisses.

“I would love to have your scent in my bed,” he said as his insatiable mouth tantalised her.

He knew he should stop, but his will was weak, easily defeated by desire.

A few long moments passed until he finally controlled himself enough to cease his caresses, observing her flushed face and moist lips still parted.

“I shall go back to my room now,” she said, caressing his face.

“Should I come to you?”

“No…this should be enough of a memory to satisfy me until next time,” she whispered.

“Next time we meet in this way, you will not be Miss Bennet but Mrs Darcy.”

“I look forward to that, Mr Darcy.”

He helped her stand and walked her to the door, keeping her close against him.

“I was so happy that you asked me for the last set too,” she confessed. “We began the ball together and ended it together.”

“The first set and the last — and all the longing in between them,” he declared, kissing her hands and placing them upon his heart.

Then he opened the door carefully, looked out to be sure there was nobody around, and she slipped back into her chamber.

With Elizabeth’s taste on his lips and her scent on his pillow, the night was another sleepless one for Darcy. He listened to the wind, opened the window slightly and closed it hastily, then poured himself another glass of brandy and returned to bed.

At some point, sleep overcame him, and he woke up hours later. It was still too early for breakfast, and despite the snow that now covered the grounds, he took the long-planned and long-awaited ride to Longbourn.

∞∞∞

Riding against the wind, with the snow creaking under his horse’s hoofs, Darcy realised his impatience was unreasonable; he should have waited to call at Longbourn until after breakfast. Since the ball had ended so late, it was possible that Mr Bennet was not even awake yet.

For a moment, he was tempted to return, but Longbourn appeared in his sight, and he reluctantly continued with his plan.

The servant who opened the door looked surprised to see him, and Mr Bennet — who was already in his library — was obviously stunned.

“Mr Darcy? What has happened, sir? Is something wrong? Is somebody ill?”

“Oh no, no. Please do not trouble yourself — all is well. I beg your forgiveness for intruding at such an improper time. There is a matter of great importance that I wish to discuss with you.”

“Please do. May I offer you a drink? Something to eat?”

“No, thank you. I must return to Netherfield for breakfast.”

He paced the room for a few moments with Mr Bennet watching him.

“Sir, it might sound surprising but…I have asked for Miss Bennet’s hand in marriage, and she has accepted me. I came here to ask for your approval and your blessing.”

Mr Bennet looked at him with a frown, then took off his glasses, scrutinising him.

“It does sound surprising, Mr Darcy,” the gentleman said with unexpected calm. “However, not as surprising as it would have been yesterday, before the ball.”

Mr Bennet paused, and Darcy said nothing, allowing him to continue.

“Dancing two sets with my daughter was not something I would have anticipated, considering your declared dislike for balls. Sir William mentioned it to me, and I was rather puzzled.”

“I see…”

“I have reflected upon it, wondering what happened at Netherfield in my absence. I intended to speak to my daughter today, but not for a moment did I imagine you coming here this morning with such a request.”

“May I ask, are you displeased, Mr Bennet?”

“Mr Darcy, you are undoubtedly one of the best men I have ever met. I am honoured by your company, and I would never refuse you anything you may ask. I am certainly not displeased, only worried. Your request is somehow frightening, as I fear that you and my Lizzy have decided to wed in haste, for reasons I cannot understand and am scared to speculate on.”

As Mr Bennet was still in his chair, Darcy sat too.

“Mr Bennet, I understand your concern, and I am ready to answer any questions that you may have. I assure you that our decision was not made in haste, and there were no worrisome reasons behind it.”