Darcy in Want of a Wife

Chapter 25

Galpin House

Two Days Later

Darcy removed his hat and gloves and handed them and his cane over to the male servant dealing with such paraphernalia. He had just arrived at Galpin House to attend the ball that was being held that night. Unlike many of his expeditions out into London society, he attended this ball with a cheerful goal in mind, to dance with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Despite having gotten to the house as the ball began, the receiving line was still long, so he entered the queue and allowed his thoughts to wander as he waited. He had received a message from Bingley the previous day, informing him that Bingley and his wife, as well as Miss Bennet, would be in attendance this evening. Given that he was deeply in love with Miss Bennet and had no assurance that she would accept him, Darcy wished to foster a close relationship with her in any way possible. He also knew that she loved to dance.

When he reached the front of the line, Darcy greeted his hosts, the Earl of Greystone and his wife, Lady Greystone. He was moderately surprised by the warm smile he received from the countess as he bowed to her. Darcy had been to enough balls in the past weeks to recognize when he was receiving special attention.

Despite not being nobility himself, it was possible that the Lord and Lady Greystone had singled him out as a potential husband for their daughter, the Lady Audrey, because of his wealth and connection to the Earl of Matlock. While Darcy had previously considered Lady Audrey as a bride, his heart was now firmly set on Miss Bennet, who had little interest in his money and properties.

Darcy was taller than the majority of the guests, which allowed him to gaze out over the crowds of well-dressed men and women in search of the object of his affections. At length, he spotted her in a cluster of her peers, among whom were Lady Audrey and her brother, Lord Montcalm. It was remarkable how quickly Elizabeth Bennet made friends. Indeed, that was just one of the reasons he admired her so much. She was at ease in company, and a charming friend, while he often accidentally gave offense.

Darcy crossed the ballroom towards them and bowed. “Ladies, Lord Montcalm. Good evening.”

“Good evening, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth replied courteously.

“Might I have the honor of your next available dance this evening?” he asked her, and she said, “Of course, Mr. Darcy. I have the supper dance available.”

“Thank you,” he answered, overjoyed that he would be able to spend supper together. He then turned, reluctantly, to the other ladies and asked to dance with each of them. They all agreed, just as the music struck up for the first dance of the evening.

Lord Montcalm extended his arm for Elizabeth to take, and she took it with a smile. Darcy suppressed a surge of jealousy and held out his own arm to Lady Audrey, who wore an amused look.

Darcy and Lady Audrey took their positions in the line, with Elizabeth and Lord Montcalm two places over. Darcy heard Miss Bennet’s laugh and swallowed hard. Lady Audrey, across from him, tilted her head and said, “Mr. Darcy, I understand that have been acquainted with Miss Bennet for many months?”

Darcy felt his face warm but said, with tolerable composure, “Yes. One of my closest friends, Mr. Bingley, married Miss Bennet’s elder sister earlier this spring, and I spent much of last autumn with Mr. Bingley in Hertfordshire, where he met his wife.”

“I see! Mr. Bingley is very fortunate. Mrs. Bingley is not only exquisitely handsome, but she is also kind and gentle.”

“Indeed, Mrs. Bingley is all that is charming,” Darcy said and could not help but glance to the right as Miss Bennet laughed again. Elizabeth was gazing at her partner, her dark eyes dancing, her lips curved up happily. What had Lord Montcalm said to her?

To his relief, the dance began at this juncture. He performed his steps with grace and ease and had the pleasure of observing Miss Bennet during the occasional twirl. She was not talking anymore, but her eyes sparkled with joy, and her cheeks were delicately flushed. He was long practiced at keeping his face serene, but inwardly he struggled with jealous fear. Bingley had been right to call him to task for his own assumptions regarding Miss Bennet. She was unusual, fascinating, handsome, charming and intelligent.

And now it occurred to him, far too late, that other eligible young men might be interested in the dark-haired beauty from Longbourn. His personal relationship with Elizabeth had been fraught with challenges, starting with his stupid insult at the Meryton assembly, followed by his own determination to avoid showing any attention to the lady who had captured his interest. Then, the very day after the Netherfield ball, he had followed Bingley to Town and encouraged his friend to stay away from Miss Bennet.

From Miss Bennet’s perspective, he must be a proud and annoying nuisance!

The dance came to an end, and Darcy clapped along with everyone else. He then held out his arm to his partner, who took it, and said, “Thank you for a most enjoyable dance.”

Lady Audrey smiled. “I enjoyed it as well. Thank you.”

“Would you care for some ratafia, or punch, or lemonade?” he continued.

“Not now, thank you. Would you escort me to my mother’s side, near the doors?”

He glanced around and spotted the turbaned head of Lady Greystone in a seat by the door. “Of course.”

The pair made their slow way across the ball room, with Lady Audrey bestowing nods and greetings with a fair number of young ladies and gentlemen in attendance. When they were some fifteen feet from the countess, Lady Audrey stopped and turned toward Darcy, who halted as well.

“Mr. Darcy,” the lady said, softly enough that her words would not be heard above the cacophony of the crowd, “my brother likes Miss Bennet very well, but he cannot afford to wed a penniless lady.”

Darcy stared at her in surprise and relief and then found himself grinning ruefully. “Am I so obvious, Lady Audrey?”

“Not to everyone, but I have always been observant, and I have not missed the way you stare at Miss Bennet. I approve, of course; Miss Bennet is a wonderful, clever young woman.”

“She is,” Darcy said in a thoroughly lovelorn way, and then turned as the countess of Greystone appeared at his elbow, her lips curved in a gracious smile.

“Mr. Darcy,” she said, “I hope you enjoyed your dance with my daughter?”

“Very much,” he replied, pulling his normal reserved manner around himself like a cloak. “But I must seek out the partner for my next dance. Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful ball, Lady Greystone.”

“It is our pleasure, of course!”

Darcy turned and strode away, with mother and daughter watching him. The countess waited until he was most definitely out of earshot and then said, “Audrey, my dear, you could do far worse than Darcy of Pemberley.”

Lady Audrey opened her mouth and then closed it. She was certain that Mr. Darcy was in love with her new friend, Miss Bennet, but it would be unkind to mention such a thing to her mother. The countess was a kindly woman, but she was also a great gossip.

“He is a good man,” she merely said and smiled secretly to herself. It would be glorious if Elizabeth Bennet became Mrs. Darcy; there were not enough intelligent young women in London society.

/

Later

There were at least half a dozen couples involved in the cotillion, twirling and spinning gaily in circles as they took pleasure in the lively music and joyful atmosphere. The women were dressed in their finest ball gowns, and the men in their evening attire, but Darcy had eyes only for Elizabeth. He did not speak to his partner as he twirled her around, merely enjoyed the feeling of her small hands in his and admired her beauty.

Elizabeth’s dress was plainer than those of her peers, and it was one that Darcy had seen before, a pale blue gown that matched the ribbons in her hair. Darcy had never cared much for the intricacies of fashion, and all he could think was that if she were to accept his hand in marriage, he would buy her all the gowns and ribbons she could ever want. Her cheeks were rosy with exertion, her eyes bright and happy as he twirled her around. The sight of her smiling made Darcy’s heart beat quickly in his chest, and he was not sure he would have the breath to speak to her even if he could think of what to say.

He was eager for the supper to come after this dance, but at the same time, he was afraid. Afraid that Elizabeth had fallen in love with another man, afraid that he would be unable to climb out of the hole he had dug for himself. He wished he could be agreeable like Bingley was, but he had always been awkward in company. Moreover, as the wealthy, well-connected master of a great estate, he had learned to speak carefully, and sometimes curtly, to the ladies of high society, fearful of encouraging a lady unwittingly. Now he needed to charm the lady he loved and naturally worried that he would fail miserably in his attempts.

The dance came to an end, and Darcy bowed to Elizabeth, and she curtsied in return, and they clapped. He held out his arm to her, and she took it, and the pair made their slow way toward the dining room adjacent to the ball room.

It was full of tables, with flowers in vases and crystal glasses and elegant silverware and china plates with roses on them. Servants rushed to and fro, assisting the guests as needed, and keeping the buffet well stocked with delectable dishes.

“Oh, there are Jane and Charles!” Miss Bennet exclaimed. “Would you be willing to sit with them?”

“Of course,” Darcy said immediately. He was not inclined to deny his love anything at all, and he could think of no better situation than to share a table for four with the Bingleys.

They made their way past occupied tables, and Darcy was startled at how many of the ladies and gentlemen nodded at Miss Bennet; she had, in her short time in London, made a surprising number of friends.

“Elizabeth, Mr. Darcy,” Jane Bingley said cheerfully. “I hope you are planning to join us?”

“We are,” Darcy said, gallantly pulling the chair out for Miss Bennet. The lady took it with a smile, and after she was settled, he said, “May I collect a plate for you from the buffet?”

“Elizabeth is rather particular about her food,” Mrs. Bingley said, standing up. “I will fetch something for her.”

“And I will get something for you, Darcy,” Bingley said hastily. “I have hosted you enough to know what you like!”

Darcy stared at the couple in wonder as they hurried away and then looked down at Elizabeth, who smiled mischievously.

“Will you not sit down, Mr. Darcy?” she suggested, gesturing to the chair next to her own.

He lowered himself carefully into the chair and then reached forward to take a nervous sip of dinner wine.

Elizabeth was regarding him with a half smile on her beautiful face, and as soon as he put down the glass, she leaned toward him and said, “I understand that you wish to marry me, Mr. Darcy.”

Darcy was so startled that the wine sloshed, fortunately onto his plate, and he found himself wiping up the purple liquid with the snowy white napkin adjacent to the china plate.

“I do, yes,” he said, not looking at the lady he adored.

“That is very kind of you,” Miss Bennet said gently, and this caused him to look up at her hastily.

“But you are not interested?” he asked anxiously.

“I did not say that,” Miss Bennet replied, causing his heart to leap with relief. “I am not in love with you, Mr. Darcy, but I think perhaps someday I might be. I do admire and respect you very much, and such feelings may grow into love. You must realize that I had no idea at all that you even admired me, much less loved me.”

“My stupid words at the assembly,” Darcy said unhappily.

Elizabeth smiled and took a sip of her own wine.

“They were rather stupid,” she teased.

“They were utterly and completely ridiculous, and rude, and demonstrably wrong. You are the most handsome woman of my acquaintance.”

This caused his love to laugh aloud. “My dear sir, you need not shift to another extreme. Anyone who sees Jane must know that she is the beauty of the family.”

“Mrs. Bingley is very handsome,” he said, “and I have no doubt that she and Bingley are well suited, but you are livelier and cleverer than your sister, as estimable as she is.”

This provoked a blush from Elizabeth, who said, “Mr. Darcy, I am most honored by your regard, and based on what I know of your character, we might be happy together. I cannot commit to an engagement, or even a formal courtship, but I would be pleased to spend more time with you in the coming days and weeks.”

He grinned in delight and said, “I can ask for nothing more, Miss Bennet. Thank you. May I call on you tomorrow morning?”

“I would be honored.”

“I have another request. My younger sister will soon be arriving in Town from Pemberley, and she is very dear to me. Will you allow me to introduce my sister to your acquaintance, or do I ask too much?”

Elizabeth looked surprised and then pleased. “Of course. I would be delighted to meet Miss Darcy.”

“Thank you.”

At this moment, the Bingleys returned with plates of food, and the conversation shifted from the personal to the general. Darcy, never loquacious, found himself even quieter than usual, as he struggled to remain calm in the midst of a maelstrom of hopes and fears. Miss Bennet was giving him a chance, but could he succeed in winning her heart?