Darcy & Elizabeth: A Season of Courtship (Darcy Saga Prequel Duo) (8 page)

“Knowing you, it will be an
especially long one with complex notes and high octaves.”

Further discussion was arrested by
the entrance of Mr. Hill, who announced the arrival of Mr. Bingley and Mr.
Darcy. Seconds after that the two gentlemen entered the room, and instantly
upon laying eyes on her betrothed, Lizzy forgot the cautions from concerned family
members.

He entered a step behind Bingley,
paused when just over the threshold, and bowed politely before sweeping his
gaze across the room until finding Lizzy. Warmth infused his blue eyes, his
stoic features relaxed minimally, and a small smile lifted the corners of his
firmly set mouth.

Lizzy’s heart performed a strange
fluttering dance before settling into a rapid pace. Then, in the subsequent
minute, her heartbeat slowed until she feared it would cease pumping entirely.

After that fleeting glance, Mr.
Darcy had smoothly looked away, his face once again the mask of cool
indifference she was far too familiar with. Mr. Bingley was greeting her
parents with his typical boyish hesitancy between frequent loving gazes toward
Jane. Conversely, Mr. Darcy appeared cut from stone as he stared fixedly toward
the far wall and remained silent.

Lizzy was baffled. Had she imagined
his affectionate regard? Fear tightened her lungs, and uncertainty twisted a
knot in her belly. Could he have changed his mind? Had he rethought her brazen
actions while in the garden, seeing them now as an indication of her
unworthiness? Was he here to undo the arrangements settled upon scant hours
ago? Fighting the panic, Lizzy redirected her scrutiny from his blank
expression to the rest of his body. As always he was impeccably dressed and
groomed. Even in her alarm, Lizzy noticing what a handsome figure he presented.
However, the finely cut garments did not hide the tense stillness of his
posture. How was she ever to decipher the body language of a man so skilled in
rigid control?

Provided I am allotted the
chance, that is.

Anxiety rose another level. Then
her eyes fell upon his left hand.

Two fingers curled tightly around
the edge of his jacket, the fabric being rhythmically kneaded into tiny
wrinkles, while the other two fingers and thumb twitched and tapped against his
thigh. It was a peculiar gesture she had noted a time or two before, without
consciously tying the mannerism to an emotional state. Could it be a nervous
habit? His hands involuntarily acting in defiance of the tight rein placed upon
the rest of his body?

“I pray the unexpected inclusion of
Mr. Darcy for dinner is not a burden. He insisted on paying his respects to my
future family, his desire such that he risked censure for lacking a proper
invitation. For Darcy this is a major indication of his goodwill!”

Bingley’s declaration and
accompanying laugh startled Lizzy. She lifted her eyes just in time to
encounter Mr. Darcy’s penetrating stare before he jerked and swiveled his gaze
toward Bingley and then Mrs. Bennet, when she replied with conviction, “Oh! We
were
expecting Mr. Darcy for dinner, naturally! Why, Lizzy made that clear, passing
the information to Hill as soon as she returned to the house this morning. My apologies,
Mr. Darcy, if you were not properly invited. Oh my! Lizzy can forget the proper
way of things, although I am sure she will catch on quickly as to how the
mistress of a fine manor should conduct herself in due time. Have no worries,
Mr. Darcy, in that regard. Our Lizzy is a bright girl and—”

“I believe, my dear, that Mr.
Bingley’s statement is due to his unawareness of the situation rather than Mr.
Darcy not knowing he was expected for dinner.”

Darcy cleared his throat and
visibly collected himself as he turned to address Mr. Bennet. “Indeed, I must
apologize to Mr. Bingley for misleading. As it happened, our reception at
Netherfield this afternoon was…unfavorable for imparting news of this nature.
Afterward, I confess that announcing my great fortune while amongst all of you
seemed appropriate.”

“Plus, you are enjoying Mr. Bingley’s
confusion and relish the drama of his shock when he hears our news. Is that
correct, Mr. Darcy?”

“I daresay, Miss Elizabeth, that
vision did add to my decision to remain silent. Quite astute of you to analyze
my true motives.”

“Thank you. Although perhaps I am
not astute so much as you are simply more transparent than you believe.”

“Doubtful, otherwise you would have
deciphered my sentiments some time ago, without needing outside interference.”

“Point accepted. So now, the
challenge is for me to discover where I went wrong before and why I easily
gleaned the truth this time.”

“I have never known you to fail a
challenge, Miss Elizabeth, but I promise to assist in this particular endeavor,
as it benefits me equally.”

Six pairs of eyes flipped back and
forth between Darcy and Lizzy, both of whom appeared to have forgotten they
were not alone—and standing far across the room from each other. So
focused were they that Darcy missed the drama of Bingley’s confusion rolling
into dawning enlightenment, and then the anticipated shock.

“Hold on! Is there an…understanding
between you and Miss Elizabeth, Darcy?”

“I suppose it can be referred to as
such, although I much prefer to state it plainly so as to leave no room for
doubt. Today Miss Elizabeth Bennet accepted my proposal of marriage. Now you
are in competition for who is the happiest man in Hertfordshire, Bingley.”

Moderate pandemonium erupted at
that point. Darcy said little else as he was congratulated by Bingley and
lavished with praise by Mrs. Bennet. Lizzy was freshly engulfed by delighted
sisters, all three of them—even Mary—acting as if news of her
betrothal was revealed that moment. She never made it closer than five feet to her
future husband before again being separated when called into the dining room.

Mrs. Bennet had been busy that
afternoon, despite her claims of being overwhelmed by nerves and anxiety at
Lizzy’s choice for a husband. The dining room was polished until every last
surface sparkled. Their finest china, tableware, linens, silver, and serving
implements were in use, and the candles were brand-new. Freshly cut flowers and
fragrant herbs were arranged in decorative vases strategically located around
the room. The cook, Mrs. Price, who in Lizzy’s estimation always served tasty
dishes, had outdone herself with cuisine visually pleasing when served and
divine when upon the palate.

Sitting catercorner across the
table from Mr. Darcy—purposely assigned the chair to the left of Mr.
Bennet—Lizzy covered her annoyance at being unable to easily converse
with him by using the position to observe frankly. He ate with refined
movements and precision pacing, but consumed every last morsel, as only a man
with a hearty appetite and good food can manage. He spoke sparingly, as was his
natural way Lizzy now understood, but seemed relaxed enough, even when
conversing with Kitty, who sat beside him. Often he turned his eyes toward
Lizzy. His gaze and expression were guarded in the mixed company, but he was unable
to completely hide the love that sent tingles spiraling up and down her spine.

Taken together, Lizzy felt
tremendous relief that his first dinner at Longbourn as her betrothed was not
too uncomfortable for him—or an embarrassment to her. After dining at
Pemberley, where Lizzy suspected ultra-formality was normal even if only Mr.
Darcy and Miss Darcy were present, and at Netherfield where Caroline Bingley
not only insisted on high dining style
à la Française
, but also commented
on each detail to prove her cultured superiority, Lizzy knew the Longbourn
dining experience would fall short. In this she was correct, just not as
drastically as feared. She made a point of whispering her sincere appreciation
to Mrs. Bennet.

Mary landed in the spot between
Lizzy and Mr. Bingley and was the only person at the lively table who genuinely
appeared miserable. She kept her head bowed as she ate and responded to the few
direct comments from Mr. Bingley with nods of her head or monosyllables. Before
the soup bowls were whisked away, he gave up and turned his attention to Mr.
Bennet. The older gentleman devoted his conversation primarily to Mr. Darcy.

Kitty was clearly thrilled to be
seated between Jane and Mr. Darcy. Her juvenile chatter and inane queries
caused Lizzy to cringe and stifle a few groans, but aside from a handful of
rapidly hidden surprised reactions from Mr. Darcy, he replied with serious
deliberation and respect. Once deciding to ignore the somber Mary, Mr. Bingley
became especially jolly. He laughed sunnily at Kitty’s innocent quips, and
gaily jumped in with answers to Mr. Bennet’s subtle prods for information about
Mr. Darcy. Lizzy saw through her father’s casual repose and harmless
promptings. She did not begrudge his mission, had agreed to it in fact, and was
relieved to witness it unfolding in a nonchalant manner versus an inquisition.

Lizzy doubted Mr. Darcy was fooled
by the carefree attitude from his future father-in-law. He replied succinctly
and with traces of humor, although the bulk of the time he remained silent
while Bingley and Kitty chattered on. The glances shared with Lizzy hinted of
his comprehension and tolerance for Mr. Bennet’s investigation. How long his
good humor and forbearance would last was another matter entirely.

“Why, Mr. Bennet! I have had the
most amazing idea!”

“If it is
amazing
, Mrs.
Bennet, then by all means, do share it with the rest of us immediately.”

“Jane and I have been discussing
plans for the wedding, Lizzy too when she can remove her eyes from Mr. Darcy
and pay attention”—Lizzy blushed and ducked her head—“and we were
considering the practical benefits, as well as the romantic notion and delight
to the community, if Jane and Lizzy were to be married in a joint ceremony. Is
that not a fabulous idea? I think it best to avoid a date too close to Guy
Fawkes Day, but shortly thereafter will give us plenty of time to prepare and
announce the banns—”

“I see no reason to discuss the
specifics at this point, Mrs. Bennet. There is no need to be hasty when Lizzy
and Mr. Darcy have been betrothed for less than a day. Mr. Bingley has been
promised to our Jane for over a week, and has yet to place demands upon
wresting her away from the family. I am sure Mr. Darcy possesses the same
patience and understanding of parental hesitation. And now”—Mr. Bennet
stood, having not looked at either daughter or future son-in-law to verify
their thoughts on the subject—“the gentlemen shall join me for a glass of
port in my study while the ladies enjoy a respite from male conversation. I
know it is fruitless to command you not to talk wedding folderol, so will
merely caution against establishing concrete details as of yet.”

Bingley and Darcy rose from the
table after a slight hesitation, performed proper bows and expressions of
thanks for the meal, smiled warmly at each fiancée, and moved to join Mr.
Bennet where he had paused in the doorway.

“I promise not to keep them long,
girls. Lizzy, if you can delay your ritual after-dinner stroll in the garden, I
bet Mr. Darcy can be enticed to join you. With Jane and Mr. Bingley, of course.”

* *
*

Mr. Bennet’s study dually served as
the Longbourn library. Open-shelf cases jammed with books covered three of the
four walls, and encompassed the large desk sitting near the lone window. A
narrow commode, overstuffed sofa, small wood-burning stove, and two worn chairs
occupied the remaining area. Every inch of space was filled with a book or
stack of papers. Odd personal items were strewn on top of or in between the
books, adding to the impression of cramped disorder.

The room where Lizzy’s father
frequently retreated was a third the size of Mr. Darcy’s spacious business
chamber at Pemberley. In fact, the Derbyshire manor’s library was so massive
that a size comparison was ludicrous. Amazingly, while Mr. Bennet’s study
lacked the sophistication of expensive furnishings arranged with consideration
for organization and pleasing presentation that Darcy’s office possessed, the
room was functional and well appointed.

Earlier that day, upon his first ever
visit to Mr. Bennet’s private sanctuary, Darcy’s frazzled nerves prevented him
from paying attention to his surroundings. On this night, with his happiness
and inner calm at a supreme level, he was free to gaze with interest at a room
he suspected Elizabeth passed substantial amounts of time in. In sharp contrast
to what he might have surmised, based on his previous state of anxiety, Darcy
realized with a start that the cluttered chamber was homey in an elemental way.
Mismatched furnishings, many of which were worn and scraped, somehow blended to
convey a sensation of comfort. The impressive volume of dog-eared books added
to the ambience. Even the cluttered desk was soothing, but that was more due to
familiarity since Darcy, despite his obsessive need for order, kept a cluttered
desktop as well.

The biggest surprise, however, was
the eclectic assortment of books. And, as Darcy discovered when he crossed the
room to investigate—rather than sitting, as Mr. Bennet invited he and
Bingley to do—a large number were rare publications. It was enlightening,
and sobering, to recognize a kindred spirit in the elderly gentleman he had
once dismissed as foolish and minimally educated. Clearly Mr. Bennet was a man
who appreciated fine literature as well as educational books spanning a wide
range of topics. Presuming he had read many of the books in his library—a
logical conclusion based on the bent pages, finger smudges, and frayed bindings
noted on nearly each book—and that Elizabeth had probably read a goodly
number of them as well, Darcy’s opinion of his future father-in-law started to
shift.

Better yet, the information helped
him formulate a plan.