Assumed Engagement (30 page)

"Where did you find it?" she asked, while very conscious of the strength of his arm that her fingers were moulded against.

"By my pillow the morning I awoke." His hand around hers tightened.

She darted a glance at him, and he looked back. "Keep smiling, Miss
Bennet
; everyone is now looking upon you." They walked past the smiling faces of the guests in the church, but
Elizabeth
did not see them. They approached the open doors of the back of the church and a breeze soon washed over them, but
Elizabeth
did not feel it. The very happy newly married couple was at the back doors beaming widely, but she was not aware of them. All she was aware of was Darcy’s gently caressing hand.

When they reached the back doors, Darcy released her hand and gave Bingley a fervent hand shake and a sincere, "Congratulations!" He then turned to Jane and kissed her on the cheek.
Elizabeth
quickly composed herself and congratulated the couple also. They needed to quickly get to Longbourn, so Darcy hurriedly led
Elizabeth
to the waiting carriage and they climbed in. How she wanted him to take her hand again!

Darcy looked over the crowd of people exiting the church and searched for Georgiana, but he could not see her. When after a few moments she still did not appear, he made the decision that they should be on their way, as people were starting to head out for Longbourn.

"I wonder where she can be?" asked
Elizabeth
. "She knew she was to ride over with us!"

As Darcy looked back toward the church, he astutely shook his head at his conniving sister. He had a pretty good idea she never had any intention to join them, giving them another chance to be alone. And now with this handkerchief episode, he knew he would have some explaining to do to
Elizabeth
.

"Winston, I think we must be off. We are to greet the guests at Longbourn as they arrive, and some are already departing. Georgiana will have to find her way with someone else." He turned back to
Elizabeth
and shrugged his shoulders as if to indicate he did not know where his sister was and why she had not come out.

As they set off,
Elizabeth
turned to him and asked, "May I please have my handkerchief back now?"

Darcy looked at her and smiled a sheepish grin. "I think not. Let me have it cleaned first." He felt a little anxious now. He knew he would be able to make up some excuse for having her handkerchief on him, but it was the scent that would be more difficult to explain.

"I can do that just as easily, Sir. If you please." She held out her open hand.

Darcy took in a deep breath. He had already made a fool of himself in front of her, and now it was about to become worse. A small voice deep within his heart called out to him,
If I cannot be a fool in front of Elizabeth, who can I be a fool in front of?

He slowly pulled out the handkerchief and handed it to her. She looked up at him and smiled, "Thank you. Now was that so hard?" When she took it, however, she at once noticed something, and brought the handkerchief up to her face and inhaled. "Oh my!" The scent was very overpowering, and very obviously the scent of gardenia.

Her look told him of her bewilderment, but she lightly teased him. "Tell me, Mr. Darcy. Is this some new
London
fashion for a man to carry a lady's embroidered handkerchief, scented at that, as part of his formal attire?" She brought it up to her face again and sniffed. "How could my handkerchief still have my fragrance on it? It has been two months! And it is so strong!"

Darcy began again nervously rubbing his thumbs and fingers together.
Do I tell her everything or try to come up with something that sounds relatively reasonable?
She looked at him with big beguiling eyes and he felt himself slowly being pulled in to her charm.

"No, it is not a new
London
fashion."

She began to formulate a teasing retort to him, but held herself back. His countenance suddenly changed, turning rather serious and reflective. Rather than speak what was on her mind, she decided to let him continue.

He reached over and took her hand. It was a few moments before he could summon the nerve to continue. "It has been my way of holding on to you these past two months."

Elizabeth
's eyes opened wider and her heart raced wildly. She carefully listened to each word he said; afraid she did not fully comprehend his meaning.

"I found it the morning I awoke, underneath my pillow. I placed it in my pocket and it has been with me ever since."

Elizabeth
studied his face as he spoke. Was he possibly feeling only gratitude? Was he still thinking only of
Elizabeth
as a close friend for his sister? No, she believed he was speaking out of a sustaining love and admiration for her.

She could not bring any sort of sensible response to her lips. She was finally able to barely mutter, "But the scent…"

"Yes, the scent." He squeezed her hand, and he again began kneading it with his thumb. "It is indeed your gardenia scent. In those first few days after you left, I found myself drawing out your handkerchief and inhaling this fragrance that was so very much a part of you. As it began to fade, I…"

As he looked at
Elizabeth
return his gaze, he found himself struggling with the desire to lean over and kiss her. His gaze dropped to her lips, which were slightly parted in awe at his words.

Taking in a deep breath, he continued. "I purchased some gardenia scented toilet water to keep the scent refreshed. He brought his arm up and put it behind her, taking one of her loose curls between his fingers and began twisting it.
Elizabeth
responded by arching her head against his fingers, feeling warmth permeate throughout her body as his hand occasionally brushed against her neck.

Her response to him unnerved him and prompted him to slowly pull her closer. With eyes locked on each other, he began to lower his face toward
Elizabeth
. She shook her head suddenly and brought up her hands to stop him.

"Mr. Darcy, today is Charles and Jane's wedding day. This is
their
day and I do not want to do anything that will take attention away from them."

He straightened up and turned forward, acknowledging her words and her request. Keeping the day set apart for Charles and Jane was something he had considered himself the other night.
Elizabeth
's request ensured he would abide by it. He decided to take another bold step of faith. The trembling of his voice betrayed the resolve he was about to make to her. "Would you allow me, Miss
Bennet
… would it be asking too much for me to call on you tomorrow, then, at Longbourn after morning services?"

With heart and head whirling, she answered, "I should like that very much."

As their eyes locked together, Darcy was just about to throw away his resolve. Every fibre of his body was screaming out to him to pull her into an embrace and kiss her. He was grateful, therefore, to see that the carriage had just pulled up in front of Longbourn. The elation he felt, knowing that she had accepted his request to call tomorrow, was enough to give him such great joy that would linger with him through the day and evening.

Chapter 19

     D
arcy helped
Elizabeth
out of the carriage, and the two walked up the front steps at Longbourn. They walked closely, occasionally brushing up against the other. Whereas before they would have kept a cautious distance between them, they seemed now to relish any close contact they could procure.

They situated themselves just inside the front door, waiting to greet those who arrived.
Elizabeth
made introductions when needed.

When Georgiana walked in with Bingley’s sisters, Darcy noticed his sister smirking. He gave her a reprimanding smile, while
Elizabeth
asked her, "What happened to you Georgiana? We did not feel as though we could wait for you any longer as guests were already beginning to leave."

"I am so sorry,
Elizabeth
." She cast a sly glance at Darcy. "I was unavoidably detained. I hope it did not cause you any concern."

"Oh no, not at all," answered
Elizabeth
.

As she walked by, Georgiana whispered to her brother that she would see him later at the breakfast and then allowed a playful giggle to escape.

Once all the guests had arrived and were gathered for the wedding breakfast, Georgiana sought out her brother.
Elizabeth
had stepped away to visit with some friends. "Well?" she asked pointedly.

"Well what?" he responded.

"How was your carriage ride?"

Darcy looked at her through narrowing eyes and shook his head. "You are a mischievous little one." His voice was in a whisper so no one would hear.

"I believe it did get her attention! What happened on the way over here? Did the two of you have a nice ride? It was just the two of you, was it not?"

"As if you did not know!" He tried to appear serious, but the crinkle at the corner of his eyes gave him away.

"Did you talk? Did you tell her how you feel?"

Before he could answer,
Elizabeth
turned her attention back to Darcy and Georgiana. He looked at his sister and raised one eyebrow, giving her a smiling wink. Georgiana was not sure what this was supposed to mean, but she was sure it was good. In addition to his wink, she watched the two continually and found them to be very agreeably interacting together. She was also admittedly pleased with herself that her brother appeared to be behaving quite well in this crowd of country folk!

As the breakfast proceeded,
Elizabeth
watched Jane and Charles as they visited with those who had come. As much as
Elizabeth
wished to spend the whole time with Mr. Darcy, she knew she had obligations to the guests.

She noticed that
Charlotte
had come in with her husband, but they had not walked past her and Mr. Darcy as they greeted the guests.
Charlotte
was off by herself, so
Elizabeth
thought it would be a good time to go up to her.

"
Charlotte
! I am so glad to see you! I hope you are feeling better!" She gave her a conspiratorial look.

"Yes, well, I am sorry about leaving the other night."

"Is Mr. Collins any more appeased by the situation?"

"Considering he insisted we circumvent around you so we would not be greeted by Mr. Darcy, I think not. He will most likely harbour these feelings as long as Lady Catherine does. That is all there is to it."

"I am sorry to hear that."

"And how are things with you,
Lizzy
?"

Unexpectedly,
Elizabeth
blushed. Knowing that she did so caused her to look away.

"
Lizzy
, is there something you would like to talk about with me?"

"All I will say now is you had better get your husband's feelings about Mr. Darcy changed, or he may soon not let you ever visit me again."

"Tell me what has happened?"

"He asked to pay me a call tomorrow."

Charlotte
grabbed her friend's hands tightly and smiled. "I just knew it. I knew it ever since the ball at
Netherfield
. You two were meant to be together!"

"
Charlotte
, nothing has happened. He merely asked…"

"
Lizzy
,"
Charlotte
stopped her from proceeding any further.
Elizabeth
turned and was suddenly face to face with Mr. Collins.

"Mr. Collins,"
Elizabeth
muttered politely.

"Cousin Elizabeth." He briefly bowed. "I cannot tell you how beautiful you and your sister look! It gives me such great honour to be a cousin to such charming ladies." With that he bowed again and took
Charlotte
's hand.

They spoke briefly, and then
Elizabeth
excused herself to go find Jane. Apart from their greeting at the back of the church and small greeting as they came in, she really had not had any time to visit with her. She looked around the room, and finally found her and Bingley in conversation with a small group of friends.

Elizabeth
came and stood outside the group, waiting for Jane to finish and notice her. As the party of well wishers finally dispersed, Jane came up to
Elizabeth
and hugged her. "Oh,
Lizzy
, there are just so many people. I am so weary of smiling that my mouth hurts, and yet every time I look at my husband, it causes me to smile even more!"

"And that is the way it should be, Jane."

The two sisters hugged, very much aware that a significant change had occurred in their lives.

Mrs.
Bennet
need not have worried about any of the preparations for the wedding breakfast, as everyone enjoyed the food and lively celebrations. By early afternoon, everyone had departed to ready themselves for the wedding ball that would take place at
Netherfield
later that evening.

Darcy had behaved admirably at the breakfast, keeping his promise to
Elizabeth
that he would do nothing that would take away from Jane and Charles’ special day. But as he prepared to leave, he came up alongside
Elizabeth
, looking down intently at her. "Would you save me a dance tonight at the ball, Miss
Bennet
?"

Elizabeth
felt her heart flutter as she answered, "I would be most pleased to."

With that promise, Darcy was able to depart Longbourn with a joyful anticipation.

Jane and Charles lingered at Longbourn until all the guests had departed. They returned to
Netherfield
where they visited with friends and family for the remainder of the afternoon.
Elizabeth
knew it was going to be a long day for her sister, but she knew that her contentment at being married to Charles would keep her spirits high. And
Elizabeth
’s spirits could not be higher as she contemplated all that had transpired that day.

*~*~*

The Wedding Ball at
Netherfield

The summer day had cooled slightly and the setting sun promised an exquisite splashing of colours on the horizon. As the
Bennets
pulled up to
Netherfield
,
Elizabeth
thought about how much she missed Jane’s calming presence already. The two of them had always done everything together, and now her husband would have that role.

She shook her head, reminding herself how happy she was for Jane, and she could not wait to see her, as well as Mr. Darcy.

They stepped in to an array of flowers everywhere, an abundance of candles glowing, and soft music coming from the ballroom.

They were greeted by Charles and Jane, and when
Elizabeth
came up to her, Jane wrapped her arms around her and whispered in her ear, "Do you think we could sneak away upstairs a little later? I want to show you a few of the wedding gifts that were given to me, and also to talk with you about something."

Elizabeth
nodded. "You know I would love to. Come and find me when you are ready."

Elizabeth and her family walked into the ballroom and
Elizabeth
looked about her, but did not immediately see Mr. Darcy. When she finally saw him, he was speaking with several gentlemen. His glance happened her way and he sent a smile in her direction.

Elizabeth
was content to see that he was making a concerted effort to be amiable with people in the neighbourhood.

Charles and Jane finally stepped into the ballroom, signalling it was time for the dancing to begin. Charles eagerly brought his new bride out to the dance floor as others joined them.

Darcy looked at
Elizabeth
, and suddenly recalled the last time they had danced together at
Netherfield
. Actually it was the only time they had ever danced together. It had not been good. He looked at Elizabeth who was in an animated discussion with Georgiana. As he started walking toward them, he was stopped in his movement by the appearance of Mr. Collins, who had, it seemed, come from nowhere to stand at
Elizabeth
’s side.

He turned, frustrated, not wanting a confrontation with him in front of
Elizabeth
. Georgiana excused herself from
Elizabeth
and went to her brother, noticing his dilemma. He saw her come up and asked, "Would I be so fortunate as to dance the next dance with you Georgiana?"

"Are you sure it is me with whom you wish to dance?"

"There is someone else I would like to dance with, but right now you are the only one I would like to ask." He looked back at
Elizabeth
and said, "If I were to walk over to her now and ask her, it might cause a scene!"

Georgiana laughed. "Dance with me this one, and if he is still talking with her at the next, I fear I will again have to resort to some trickery to remove him!"

As they fell in line to dance, Darcy confronted her, "Georgiana, that was not very nice of you to make a fool of me today!"

"But I believe it did get you and Elizabeth talking. You two seem to be getting along very nicely now, whereas before, you barely tolerated each other." She smiled up at him, waiting for his affirmation of her successful scheme.

"Georgiana, I had planned all along to talk to Miss
Bennet
of my feelings."

"Yes, but when? You have had so many opportunities and were not taking any! I just helped things along."

"But how did you know I would even pull out my handkerchief at the wedding?"

"I could not be sure. However, as often as you used one at the rehearsal, I thought there was a pretty good chance you would. Besides, if you did not, I would have joined you and Elizabeth in the carriage after the wedding and asked to borrow one."

"So you had it all figured out."

She merely smiled.

He finally decided he would give in and agree that what she did certainly had an influence on the way things now appeared to be between him and Elizabeth. "But, I would not make it a habit of trying this form of match making on a regular basis. It will not always work!"