Chance Encounters Page 13

  Elizabeth looked at the ground. “The only gift that I will wish for is the return of your presence in my life, Mr. Darcy.” She looked up at him. “I am afraid that I will miss you terribly when we part on Saturday.”

  “Elizabeth.” He whispered. He wanted nothing more than to take her in his arms. Instead he took her hands and removed the gloves. He stroked them softly with his bare hands and raised first one, then the other to his lips, softly kissing the backs. Turning them, he trailed kisses from the palms to her wrists. Elizabeth stood mesmerized, emotions and sensations flowing through her that she had never experienced before and could hardly name. Finally, cradling both of her hands in his left; he raised his free hand to stroke her cheek with the back of his fingers, and stared deeply into her eyes. “I miss you every time that we say goodbye, though I know we will meet again soon. I miss you when you are across the room, and I can see you. I miss you when you sit beside me and I cannot touch you. The two weeks that will part us will be torture.”

  Speechless, Elizabeth tried to put everything she felt into her eyes. She stared at his lips, so soft and warm on her hands, and saw him looking down at her mouth. They moved towards each other, now tilting their heads slightly, leaning, almost touching. . .

  The sound of approaching riders startled them out of their enchanted moment. Elizabeth turned her head away in disappointment and embarrassment. Darcy closed his eyes in frustration. Seeing the flush in her face, he turned his back to her and began taking deep breaths in an attempt to regain control.

  Concerned, Elizabeth stepped up to him. “Mr. Darcy?”

  “Give me a moment please, Miss Elizabeth.”

  She stood, confused, and watched him struggle. Finally he seemed to calm, and turned to face her.

  “Did I do something. . .”

  “Forgive me, I . . .”

  They looked at each other and sighed.

  “Perhaps it is for the best.” Elizabeth said quietly.

  Incredulous, he looked at her. “How can that possibly be true?”

  “Sir, if what I think was about to happen did; I am afraid that parting from you Saturday would be even harder.”

  “I do not believe that I would have been able to let you go.”

  They sighed again and Darcy held out his arm, “Come, let us walk.”

  They walked in silence until Elizabeth looked at him. “When is your birthday?”

  He smiled. “February 25th.”

  She knit her brow. “That was the day we met!”

  “So it was.” His smile grew. “It was the greatest birthday of my life.”

  Elizabeth fought her blush. “How old are you?”

  He laughed. “Guess!”

  Eyeing him carefully, she raised her brow and tilted her head. “Hmm. You graduated from Cambridge, and your sister said that you have been managing Pemberley for five years, so that would make you . . . seven and twenty?”

  “Eight and twenty.” He corrected.

  “Ah, so you are old.” She tried to look sympathetic.

  “Too old?” He feigned sadness.

  Smiling cheekily, she replied, “No, I like mature men.” She placed her free hand on his arm and hugged it to her.

  Darcy thrilled with the wave of affection that spread through him. He attempted to control his rising passion by switching to an unpleasant subject. “I received a letter from my Aunt Catherine. She saw a note in a gossip column about us.”

  “About us? What did it say?”

  “A certain gentleman from Derbyshire was seen enjoying the company of a beautiful raven-haired siren at the theatre Friday night. It speculated if my elusive heart had finally been captured.”

  “Oh my! What did your aunt say?”

  “She knows that the claim must be ridiculous because my Uncle had already told her that I was accompanying the companions of my friend. That satisfied her but she admonished me to be more careful.”

  “She will not be happy with me?”

  “No. Remember I was surprised that my Aunt and Uncle accepted you so readily. I am afraid that Aunt Catherine will not be so kind. For that reason I think that we should keep our courtship to ourselves until I can be there with you. I do not want you to have to bear her alone.”

  “In that case, you should not be at my Uncle’s house when we depart. I am travelling with Sir William Lucas and his daughter, Maria, Mrs. Collins’ family. If they met you there, it will certainly be told to my cousin, Mr. Collins, who would undoubtedly tell your aunt.”

  “As much as I would want to spend every moment with you that I can, I agree. I doubt that your father has spoken of our attachment to anyone given his objections. Have you or your sister written to anyone about it?”

  “I am not that close with my other sisters, and I know better than to tell Mama.”

  “Then it should be our secret until I arrive. Will you write to me?” He asked, hopefully.

  “You know I cannot.” She said, sadly.

  “You could write to Georgiana.” He suggested.

  “And how do I explain a letter addressed to Darcy House?”

  “You are finding too many excuses. You do not wish to communicate with me.” He looked away.

  She touched his face, and he looked back at her. “You know that I do. Perhaps I could get a message to you through Jane.”

  “And I could do the same?” He suggested hopefully.

  “I will speak to her about it. She will not be pleased breaking the rules of propriety, but she may be willing if my aunt does not learn of it.”

  “I could not bear the separation without hearing from you.” Elizabeth gripped his arm in support, and they silently continued their walk, simply enjoying the pleasure of being together.

  THE GENTLEMEN arrived at Gracechurch Street early and had to wait for the ladies to finish their preparations before leaving for the ball. They planned their arrival on purpose. Both wanted to have their first sight of their particular lady in the relative privacy of the Gardiner home.

  They were not disappointed. Jane appeared first, in a cream-coloured gown with a sash of sapphire blue, almost the exact shade of her eyes. She had borrowed a comb from her aunt with tiny blue stones that sparkled in her hair. Bingley was entranced, and was more convinced than ever that he was looking at seraphic beauty. He rushed to kiss her hand.

  Darcy impatiently waited for Elizabeth’s appearance. When she entered the room in her ivory gown, his eyes lit up with pleasure. This was the colour for his Elizabeth. The glow of her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes set off the warmth of the dress. Oh, to have Mother’s rubies at this moment to place around her neck! Instead, she wore a simple pendant of pearls, which he jealously noted lay just upon the swell of her breasts. There was no other word for it; he was undone.

  As he stood, shifting uncomfortably from side to side trying to calm his arousal, he felt Mr. Gardiner’s hand clasp his shoulder. He turned to see his understanding smile. “She is looking exceptionally lovely this evening, is she not, Mr. Darcy?” He nodded, transfixed. “I trust you to take good care of her, sir.” Mr. Gardiner fixed him with a stern look, and raised his brows.

  Darcy knew that he was being warned to behave. “Yes sir, I will see that she comes to no harm.”

  “Good, good, now go and enjoy your evening.”

  UPON ARRIVAL at the Carrington home, murmurs of speculation were voiced by the crowd when the butler announced their names. Darcy had donned his mask, and Elizabeth, now aware of its meaning, did her best to help him relax. She was nervous herself, being presented to a ballroom full of people from a station far above her own. She had the distinct advantage; however, of being unknown. Also, by arriving on Mr. Darcy’s arm, she automatically received begrudging respect, if not outright envy, by the other ladies of the room. They approached the receiving line and Darcy introduced her to Mr. and Mrs. Carrington, and then moved on to their son.

  “Darcy! I am so glad to see that you really came. It must be Miss Elizabeth’s influence
. I can think of little else that would entice you to attend our little ball.” He smirked sardonically at his friend. Elizabeth was once again struck by the feeling of familiarity, and caught herself studying him.

  “Alex, I am not as unsociable as you proclaim, but yes, I agree, the pleasure of dancing with Miss Elizabeth tonight was my greatest incentive to attend. It certainly was not for the speculation that I have been hearing since our names were announced.” He indicated the gossiping groups staring shamelessly at them

  “Ah, well Darcy. That is the burden you must bear for being so rich!” He turned to Elizabeth, “Miss Elizabeth, may I say that you are exceptionally lovely tonight? I think there would be whispers about you even if you were not on the arm of England’s most eligible bachelor!” Elizabeth blushed and thanked him, and looked down, but not before seeing Mr. Darcy’s uncomfortable expression. “I have my own burden to carry tonight, and that is one of host. So Miss Elizabeth, while I have the opportunity, may I ask you for a set? Before your card is completely full? I am sure that it will not be long.” He was enjoying watching his friend squirm. He had never had the chance to watch him with a lady before, and intended to do all he could to see how attached he was. It was a game to him, and besides, he still felt that strange attraction to Elizabeth that he had felt at the theatre.

  Elizabeth noted Mr. Darcy’s set jaw, and knew that he was unhappy with her dancing with anyone else, but she also knew that she could not refuse without foregoing dancing with him the rest of the evening. “I am available for the second set, sir, and would be happy to help you fulfil your hosting duties by accepting your kind offer.”

  “Excellent!” Alex grinned at Darcy’s discomfort. He then turned to greet Jane and Bingley. “Miss Bennet! I have just secured your sister for the second set; may I ask you for the third? I told your sister that she was exceptionally lovely, but I find you ethereally beautiful. What a joy it would be to dance with two lovely ladies tonight!” Bingley unhappily stood mute as his jaw worked.

  Jane studied Alex’s smiling face; it had a different expression than the flirting one he used on Elizabeth. He looked at her very sincerely. He was drawn to her in a way that he could not begin to describe, and she felt the same odd power coming over her. She blushed lightly, “Thank you sir, as I hope that you will enjoy dancing the second with my sister, I will leave you the third for myself.”

  Alex was thrilled. “Thank you, Miss Bennet, I look forward to it.” He nodded at Bingley, and turned to the next guests in the receiving line.

  Darcy secured Jane for the second set and Bingley secured Elizabeth for the third. They then stood together discussing what they would do to any other men who dared ask their particular sister for a dance that evening. Jane and Elizabeth took advantage of the gentleman’s disgruntlement to take in the atmosphere and comment on the attention they had attracted upon entering the room. When the couples came back together, Darcy immediately gave Elizabeth his arm, and held her to him possessively. He was about to take her across the room to offer some refreshment when the unwelcome voice of Caroline Bingley sounded in his ear.

  “Why Mr. Darcy! Charles! What a surprise to see you here! I had no idea that this was where you were going tonight, we could have come together!” Louisa and Mr. Hurst joined the group.

  “Caroline, how did you get an invitation to this ball?” Charles was upset. He was there only because he was Darcy’s friend, and had been standing with him when Carrington spoke of the ball. His sister had no such connection.

  “Oh Charles, you know that I have friends all over London!” Caroline dismissed him, and turned her gaze on Darcy.

  Resigning himself to the fact that his sister was there and bound to ruin the evening somehow, he made the introductions, “Caroline, Louisa, Hurst, do you remember our companions this evening? This is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and her sister, Miss Jane Bennet.” He turned to the sisters, “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, this is my sister Caroline Bingley, my sister Louisa Hurst, and her husband, Gilbert Hurst.” Elizabeth and Jane curtseyed, while they noticed that Charles’s sisters only nodded.

  Caroline stared possessively where Elizabeth’s hand securely grasped Darcy’s arm, “Yes, I remember meeting you at the theatre, Miss Elizabeth.” Then, looking her over, she took note of Elizabeth’s blush. “My, what a lovely shade of pink for your gown. It matches your complexion so well.”

  Elizabeth, not one to be intimidated by a shrew smiled, “Actually, the shade is ivory, as I understand that shades of white are the proper colours to be worn at a ball. I noticed that you are fond of the colour orange Miss Bingley. Is that not the same gown that you wore to the theatre?”

  Caroline coldly replied, “No, it is not.”

  Elizabeth smiled, “My mistake, the shade truly compliments your face, and the feathers are most becoming.”

  Caroline’s face turned bright red, clashing spectacularly with her gown. “Thank you. You are most kind.”

  “Not at all, Miss Bingley.” Elizabeth gave her a brilliant smile.

  Just then the music began, and Darcy indicated that they should move on to the ballroom. He had watched the exchange with great amusement and had a difficult time not laughing. He leaned down to Elizabeth and whispered, “You are wicked, Miss Elizabeth.” She grinned at him. “I believe that round one went to the Lady from Hertfordshire.”

  “Sir, I am not a pugilist.” She replied, feigning affront.

  “I would enjoy fighting with you!” He whispered roguishly. Elizabeth coloured immediately, and he laughed, “Ha! You do complement your gown!”

  “Mr. Darcy!”

  He was flirting shamelessly and he loved it. He had never allowed himself such freedom before, and he knew that he could only be this way with her. And, he reasoned, if he was going to be separated from her for two weeks, he was going to grab onto and enjoy every moment that he could.

  ELIZABETH LOOKED across to Mr. Darcy as they awaited the opening set. His eyes were twinkling at her; and there was a slight smile on his face. She knew him well enough by now to be sure that he was only able to relax this way with her and it gave her such a feeling of contentment. The music began and the pattern started. They grasped hands, gently moving around each other, turning, gliding, and always maintaining eye contact. They did not speak. There was no need to break the moment. They were simply lost in each other, and were alone in their own world. They were the objects of intense interest and curiosity, and for once in his life, Darcy did not care.

  He did care, however, when it was time for the second set. He stood across from Jane, his mask firmly in place, body stiff, and eyes on Elizabeth and Alex. Something about the man attracted his Elizabeth, and he did not like it at all. He listened, trying to catch their conversation, but all he heard was their laughter. He knew that she was jousting with him, he recognized the expression on her face; and from what he could tell; Alex was matching her, wit for wit. It bothered him intensely, and he almost did not hear it when Jane spoke to him.

  “Mr. Darcy, are you well?” Jane asked tentatively. She had not spoken directly to him very often. She found him to be very intimidating, and extremely complex. She could not begin to imagine a relationship with such a man.

  Darcy, startled out of his reverie, saw Jane’s concern. “I am sorry Miss Bennet. I was not attending. Yes, I am well.”

  Jane looked over to her sister. “I think that you are perhaps a little distracted?”

  Darcy followed her glance. “Yes, I am afraid I am. Your sister is oddly attracted to my friend, and I do not understand why.”

  “Mr. Darcy, you have never had the opportunity to see Lizzy in a social situation like this before. I can assure you that she is certainly entertained and curious about your friend, but he is not at all attracting her.”

  Darcy looked at her seriously. “How can you tell, Miss Bennet?”

  “Sir, you should know by now that Lizzy is always intrigued by understanding the foibles and inconsistencies of people, and takes great
pleasure in observing characters in many situations. Mr. Carrington was baiting you in the reception line, Lizzy saw it, and she is simply curious to determine what he is about.” Jane watched Darcy process what she said. “I admit that there is something about Mr. Carrington which is very intriguing to me as well. Lizzy and I spoke about it after we first met. He seems oddly familiar in a way, as if he reminds us of someone who we know very well. I think that is Lizzy’s ultimate goal, to determine who that person is.”

  “So I should relax, is that what you are saying?” Darcy asked with a note of resignation in his voice.

  “I know that you have absolutely nothing to fear, sir.” Then, taking pity on him she smiled, “I have never seen my sister as happy as I have in these past weeks in your company.”

  “Truly Miss Bennet?” He gave her a brilliant smile, his dimples on display.

  Jane’s eyes grew wide, never having witnessed the phenomenon before, and suddenly understanding the faraway look in Elizabeth’s eyes when she described Mr. Darcy’s rare smile. She nodded, “Yes Mr. Darcy, you may trust me, and you have my approval and support.”

  “Thank you, Miss Bennet, I am grateful.”

  The set ended, and Darcy walked her over to Bingley, who was not at all upset with his friend dancing with her. Alex brought Elizabeth to Darcy, and complimented him on his brilliant luck at finding such a lovely partner. “I had planned to spend the night baiting you over finally falling under a lady’s spell, but after a half-hour of lively debate with Miss Elizabeth, I can find no reason to fault you for securing this lady as fast as you could. I am jealous of your luck, Darcy, and I will quit the field.” He bowed deeply, and moved to claim Jane for the next.

  Darcy took her hand, and looked anxiously into her eyes. “Is everything well? He did not bother you?”

  Elizabeth gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. “Of course, he was charming and so combative. I was attempting to understand of whom he reminded me.”

  “That was what your sister said you were doing.”

  Elizabeth tilted her head. “Did she reassure you?”