His Uncle's Favorite (35 page)

He felt her hand tighten over his arm the moment Eve appeared, and then, while she spoke to him, he could sense Elizabeth’s body tensing beside him. She was still upset when they took their seats; that was obvious. He considered what he should do: ignore the situation or try to clarify it—as much as was possible in a crowded theatre box. Then he saw his sister whispering with the colonel, the earl whispering with Mrs. Gardiner, and Brightmore whispering with Selina. He hoped his gesture would not draw undue attention from the gossips, so he leaned towards her and whispered in her ear; her scent made him dizzy and he felt overwhelmed by the desire to place his lips on her skin. His struggle was almost lost when she gently turned her head and whispered back to him. That very moment, he could see her lips moving slowly a couple of inches from his. If he moved his head a little forward, his lips would actually touch hers…

The sound of the play starting brought him back from his mind-numbing thoughts, and he recollected himself while leaning back against his chair. However, that posture offered him a most torturing, enchanting view of her neck, her bare shoulders, the silky locks of hair gently touching her nape… If he moved a little forward, his eyes could easily travel down along the cleavage of her dress, which was moving with the rhythm of her breath. If he could only brush his fingers against her shoulder…

How could he allow his common sense to be defeated by such thoughts in the presence of his family? What was happening to him? He had never been in such a state, not even when he was a lad experiencing the first quivers of desire.

He was startled when the first act ended. During the interlude, their group left the box for a short walk in the hall. That time the colonel was quicker, and he immediately secured Elizabeth and Georgiana, offering each an arm. Elizabeth accepted the colonel’s company while glancing at Darcy; her smiling eyes and the mischievous twist of her lips were enough compensation for him, so he silently followed them. After all, it was perhaps better that people not see him and Elizabeth arm in arm again. Surely, anyone could see his preference for her, and most of them probably noticed his improper, intimate behaviour towards her; he should not fuel more gossip.

At the colonel’s arm, Elizabeth tried to amuse herself with his comments about the people they met during their stroll. It seemed like nobody in Town was unknown to him; many young ladies gazed and smiled at him while looking at her with curiosity. She met a few gentlemen who pretended they had known her from the January ball and danced with her; unfortunately, her memories about that ball were sparse and not entirely happy, so she tried to compensate for her oblivion with her most charming smile.

The second act of the play began shortly, and Elizabeth was pleased to resume her place.

She spoke only a few words to Darcy during the interlude, yet she felt at ease and almost comfortable in his presence. Even the nervousness caused by his closeness turned out to be pleasant in a most tormenting way.

A few minutes after the play resumed, Elizabeth felt herself shivering and wondered whether it had turned suddenly cold in the room or it was just her impression. She looked around and saw Georgiana and Lady Selina putting on their cloaks. Mrs. Gardiner was already wearing a thick but elegant shawl so Elizabeth decided to put on hers.

She slowly turned to the back of her chair, looking for her shawl, but she could not find it—surely, it had fallen down. Trying not to draw attention towards herself, she blindly searched around the chair on her left. She remembered seeing it there during the interlude, and she proved correct as she felt it immediately. The next moment she frowned—the shawl was picked up and handed to her by Darcy, so the moment she took it, her fingers touched his and remained still.

They were both seated on their chairs, apparently attentive to the scene; only their left hands were joined lower, on the shawl, waiting. His fingers moved slowly, searching for hers through the soft fabric; she did not dare move her hand—she did not dare even breathe. But her fingers, of their own will, slid along and met his and then entwined, but only for the length of a heartbeat. He withdrew his hand, together with the shawl, stretched the fabric and gently tried to place it on her bare shoulders. She leaned forward a little to allow him enough space; while arranging the shawl, his fingers briefly caressed her neck, and his touch felt softer than the fabric that finally covered her. His hands lingered on her shoulders a moment longer than needed and finally withdrew, reluctantly. She was no longer cold as every spot on her skin burned.

Elizabeth needed some time before she was able to breathe steadily again. She slowly looked around, but everyone seemed enchanted by the play; she wished to see what he was doing, but did not dare turn her head to him. Her head was whirling with reproaches to herself while her heart seemed overwhelmed with joy.

She allowed herself to be rapt by the music and hoped it would calm her turmoil. When the play came to an end, she was no calmer, but at least she was able to present an appearance of composure. Yet, she did not dare meet Darcy’s eyes.

However, the moment they left, without a single word, Darcy gently took Elizabeth’s hand and placed it on his arm. He briefly looked at her to search for a sign of disapproval, but she could not hold his gaze. Instead, her hand tightened the hold of his arm and a shy smile twisted her lips.

The carriages were waiting patiently; Lady Selina and her husband were the first to depart. Lord Matlock and the colonel helped Georgiana and Mrs. Gardiner into the carriage, while Darcy handed in Elizabeth.

, the bright sky filled with stars and a shining moon. The streets were silent; only a few carriages could be heard.

“What a wonderful night,” Elizabeth suddenly exclaimed.

“I was prepared to say the same thing,” said Miss Darcy. “Just look at the stars! It would be a perfect time for a long, night ride, would you not agree?”

“I cannot say; it never crossed my mind to ride at night.” Elizabeth laughed. “However, I trust your word completely.”

“It would also be the perfect time for a walk,” Mr. Darcy intervened, a small smile on his face. “For those who are not fond of riding, I mean…”

Though she felt her face colouring, Elizabeth daringly held his eyes for a moment and did not attempt to conceal her laughter.

“Thank you, sir. You are very considerate to those of us who are not fond of riding.”

“But, Elizabeth, what will you do next week?” Georgiana asked in concern. Elizabeth laughed again.

“At the hunting party, you mean? I do not hunt and I do not ride; so I have only two choices—to stay in London or to go and take care of the children as my aunt suggested.”

“Or you may learn to ride,” Miss Darcy said, and Mrs. Gardiner approved her immediately while Elizabeth laughed, a little nervous.

“Of course I may; in five days I can easily become proficient in riding.

“William could easily teach you to ride. He taught me when I was three years old.”

“I am sure Mr. Darcy could easily teach anyone anything,” Elizabeth concluded, trying to laugh, and Georgiana chuckled.

“Matlock is a beautiful estate, and perhaps the best way of enjoying its beauties is by walking,” Darcy said in earnest. “Its surroundings are exquisite in the spring.”

“This is an excellent suggestion, thank you.”

“Besides, no matter how fond we are of riding and hunting, I doubt very much that we will spend the entire ten days in such a way. I am certain you will find someone to keep you company on your walks.”

“I shall keep you company, Elizabeth. Hunting is not my favourite way of spending time, after all,” Miss Darcy said, and though the conversation was mostly in jest, Elizabeth could not be insensible to Miss Darcy’s generous offer nor to Mr. Darcy’s subtle one.

***

Jane’s arrival in London the next day was a moment of joy. Miss Bennet looked more beautiful than ever, and Elizabeth could easily see that Mr. Bingley’s presence had been beneficial for her. In addition, Mr. Bingley seemed more bewitched than ever. His adoring gazes and smiles directed at Jane, his hurry to guess her small wishes and comply with them—everything was undoubted proof that Jane could expect a happy future.

The journey began early in the morning and lasted until late afternoon.

As Georgiana had told her, the Matlock estate was one of the most beautiful places Elizabeth had ever seen. It had all the grandeur of Rosings and the same wonderful gardens, but it possessed what Rosings lacked completely: warmth, joy, and liveliness.

The moment they arrived, Lady Selina’s children climbed from the carriage and started to scamper along a path, followed closely by Mrs. Gardiner’s children. The governesses attempted to scold them, but Lord Matlock stopped them.

“Let them play—there is nothing more lovely than children’s laughter. Just keep your eyes on them; the grounds are extensive, and you could easily lose them,” he said, entering the house and giving specific orders to the servants.

“And please keep them out of our way,” Lady Sinclair said harshly. “I do not remember joining my parents at hunting parties when I was an infant.”

“Indeed, I have to agree with you, Lady Sinclair,” said Miss Bingley, casting a reproachful glance at the children who were rolling on the grass, in the small, front garden. “Children are nice as long as they can be seen but not heard.”

“Seen, but not too much,” Mrs. Hurst intervened with a meaningful look to her sister.

Elizabeth looked at her aunt who was only a few steps away from their exchange and was positively pale—then to Lady Selina, who turned red. Lady Selina stepped towards the other ladies. When she spoke, her voice admitted no contradiction.

“Eve, please remember that this estate is my children’s home. They may do whatever they please, together with their friends and with their parents’ permission. My family will do everything to ensure that you all have an excellent time, but we shall not keep our children locked away to gratify your inane sensibilities. If there is anything that bothers you—or you,” she said, turning to Bingley’s sisters, “this would be the perfect time to alter your plans for attending our party. The carriages await your pleasure.”

Elizabeth could see Lady Sinclair colour with anger, while Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst seemed unable to breathe. Mrs. Gardiner tried to maintain her usual, elegant temper, while Jane and Georgiana became pale with embarrassment.

“So, ladies, shall we enter?” The colonel was the first of the horsemen to approach, a happy expression on his face. A moment later, he noticed the tension on their faces.

“Are you well? You seem preoccupied and too serious for my taste.”

“We are perfectly well, Brother. We were just discussing the children.”

The gentlemen turned to watch the noisy, laughing children, who were playing carelessly, closely watched by their governesses.

“I just love my boys,” Lord Brightmore declared, with a loving smile at his wife. “In fact, I love all children, but then again, it is easy for me to say that as long as my wife is the one who takes care of them. And I love my wife, too,” he whispered, while he placed a soft kiss on his wife’s hand, and was rewarded with a loving glance.

The servants arrived and invited them to their chambers, so the discussion ceased, but Elizabeth continued to think of it even after she entered her splendid room.

She admired the furniture for some time, then opened the balcony and stepped out to enjoy the view. Yes, Mr. Darcy had been right once more: Matlock was a wonderful property, and the gardens, the groves, the hills deserved—nay demanded—to be known on foot, step by step.

She unpacked and lay on the bed a moment; it was established that they would all meet downstairs for dinner, so she had time to rest, but she did not feel tired at all.

She wondered what her aunt was doing and was tempted to search for her then changed her mind. Most likely she was resting. She went to the balcony again and looked along the outside wall. There were a few windows open, but she could not spot where the others’ rooms were. The Manor seemed to have countless rooms all around.

Her attention was drawn by a mix of voices in front of the house. She looked down and stood still, her sight held by the image in front of her. There was her aunt, walking around the yard with Lord Matlock, Lady Selina and Georgiana; in a near garden, all four children were laughing and clapping. Near them, two ponies waited, and a few steps away stood Lord Brightmore and Mr. Darcy. Each of the gentlemen took two children and put them together on a pony, then held the reins and walked them around. Thomas Brightmore, the eldest, who was riding with Edward Gardner, demanded that his father release the reins, as they were grown enough to ride alone. His father refused to listen, and the boy insisted until his mother stepped away and whispered a few words to him and the boy became silent immediately, enjoying the peaceful and safe ride.

From the balcony, Elizabeth covered her lips with her hand to stem her laughter. Mr. Darcy lifted his eyes and saw her. He waved to her with a small gesture, and she waved back. It was all that was needed for Georgiana and Lord Matlock to spot her. After a brief hesitation, Elizabeth took her spencer and left the room.

The joyful party in the yard welcomed her. Edward and Eleanor, her little cousins, barely had time to breathe while they told her everything they saw since they arrived.