Falling for Mr. Darcy (13 page)

Elizabeth looked up gratefully at her friend for having sent Mr. Collins to retrieve lemonade. She did not know how much longer she could remain civil to the man after his abundant apologies and humiliating dancing. She was thankful, actually, that he had stepped on her foot, because even though it did not hurt, it did give her an excuse to end the dance. She looked down and sadly noticed that her shoe flower had been torn off. She looked around the floor to see if she could spot it and sighed when she was unsuccessful.
What an auspicious start to the evening!
she thought with sarcasm.

* * *

Having performed the obligatory dance with Miss Bingley in the second set, Mr. Darcy spent a short while on the terrace breathing in the fresh air. He could not give her the satisfaction of the first set of the night and, knowing that he would have to dance with her at some point during the evening, decided on sooner rather than later so that he could enjoy the rest of the evening. Seeing that Elizabeth would be sitting the set out and that he could not have the pleasure of watching her, he braced himself to dance with Miss Bingley. The warmth of the ballroom had stirred her perfume to unbelievably high levels of torture, and he was glad to escape to the cool, clean air of the night. Perhaps he should suggest to Bingley that he purchase her a new perfume for Christmas in a few weeks.

As Darcy returned to the house, he saw that Mr. Collins was headed towards him. His instinct was to turn and escape before the man could reach his location, but seeing this as a chance to make good on his personal vow to protect Elizabeth from her cousin, he waited for the man’s approach. He hoped to discover some way to accomplish the task during the conversation.

Breathless from the short walk across the room, Mr. Collins pulled out a soiled handkerchief and patted at the sweat on his brow as he gave a pretentious bow before beginning his address to Mr. Darcy.

“Mr. Darcy, sir, I have been looking for you as I wish to pay my respects. You honor the people of Hertfordshire tonight with your presence. I had the great pleasure just now to witness your dance with Miss Bingley, and I came directly to tell you personally what a fine figure you cut and how gracefully you moved about the set. It is indeed a great compliment that you would condescend to dance among such humble, country persons as you find here.”

“Mr. Collins, it is an elegant ball, held by my friend, Mr. Bingley. I never would do him the dishonor of not dancing.”

“Indeed, of course, it is as I would expect from one as generous as you. As I have had the great privilege to be many times in the company of your noble aunt Lady Catherine, for I am often in her company, having been invited to tea four times and to supper twice since the beginning of my patronage, I have found that generosity in your family is part of your nature. Her ladyship is most solicitous in her guidance and often condescends to suggest topics for my sermons that would be most beneficial to my congregation.”

“I can easily see my aunt interfere . . . that is, offer her support in that way.” Mr. Darcy was tired of the officiousness of the clergyman and, as his temper was becoming short, hoped to change the topic. “Tell me, Mr. Collins, what brings you to Hertfordshire?”

“I am glad you asked, Mr. Darcy. The reason for my visit to Hertfordshire, and more particularly Longbourn, is yet another example of the great condescension her ladyship has offered me.”

“Indeed? Do enlighten me.”

“It would be my pleasure, sir. Your aunt the honorable Lady Catherine de Bourgh was just saying to me last Tuesday sen’night, ‘Mr. Collins you must find a wife! It is the duty of a clergyman to set the example of matrimony for his congregation, and so you must find a wife.’ You see, sir, it is my intention to find a wife at Longbourn. Her ladyship said, ‘take heed to make sure she is a humble girl, mindful of the obligations of a clergyman’s wife. If you choose wisely, after you marry I will visit her.’ Such condescension, such generosity, I have never seen before!”

“Sir, am I to assume rightly that you wish to find a wife from amongst your cousins?” Mr. Darcy was beginning to see exactly how he could save Elizabeth from the attentions of this silly man and was anticipating his moment. He schooled his features into one of disinterest as he listened for the man’s response.

“Mr. Darcy, sir, you are astute as ever. You are correct. As you may know, Longbourn is entailed to me, and in the unfortunate event of Mr. Bennet’s death, I had thought to amend that poor situation by choosing one of my cousins to be my wife. In fact, I believe I have decided on a most suitable spouse, and if you can keep my secret, I will tell you I plan to pay my addresses to that lovely lady tomorrow!”

After this speech, Mr. Darcy watched his companion’s eyes eagerly rake over the dancing form of Miss Elizabeth, and a wave of possessiveness overtook him. He drew a calming breath to ready himself to carry out his plan.

“Mr. Collins, sir, your secret is safe with me, and if I may be so bold, I would like to compliment you on your fine choice as I have seen where your preference lies. I congratulate you on your excellent discernment. The lady is indeed a very superior choice for the wife of a clergyman. She is accomplished but not so much that she is not humble.”

Mr. Collins, feeling the great compliment Mr. Darcy was paying him, opened his mouth to agree but was cut off as Mr. Darcy continued.

“She is clever but not too bright as it would not be good to have a wife who questions you or your decisions. It gives evidence to your astute intellect that you would see immediately the value of such a lady in her abilities to make a good parson’s wife.”

“Mr. Darcy, sir, your approval of my choice is most gratifying, as I know it indicates that Lady Catherine de Bourgh also would approve. As it is my most fervent wish that her ladyship find my wife suitable, I find your words to be most satisfying, indeed — most satisfying.”

“Mr. Collins, sir, I can assure you my aunt will approve of your choice. The lady in question will be most honored by your attentions, and she is reverential enough to see her good fortune in receiving such addresses, especially from someone who has been as fortunate as yourself to have the patronage of the great Lady Catherine de Bourgh.” Mr. Darcy paused to allow his words to take effect on their recipient.

“Indeed, sir! She is quite perfect; I do not think there is another who would suit as well as she.”

“Well, then,” Mr. Darcy leaned in conspiratorially to Mr. Collins, and in low tones delivered the final piece of his plan. “Mr. Collins, sir, in that case, may I wish you every happiness and success in securing the hand of your lovely cousin — Miss Mary Bennet!” He gave the man a roguish smile and turned to walk away.

Mr. Collins stood stunned.
Mary Bennet?
He was sure they had been talking of the beautiful Miss Elizabeth, not plain Mary. Mr. Collins hastened to stay Mr. Darcy’s retreat and placed a hand on the man’s arm. “Mr. Darcy, sir, forgive me but you meant to say Miss Elizabeth, did you not?”

Mr. Darcy had anticipated this reaction, and he gave a jovial laugh. “Mr. Collins! I had not known you were such a wit. Miss Elizabeth, indeed!” He laughed as he shook his head and again turned to leave.

Once again Mr. Collin’s hand reached out for his arm. “Mr. Darcy, sir, I beg. I believe you misunderstand me. I thought we were talking of my choice being Miss Elizabeth.” His worried voice was exactly what Mr. Darcy had hoped for.

Schooling his features into a serious glare, Mr. Darcy looked down into the face of the nervous clergyman. “Collins, certainly you cannot be serious. Miss Elizabeth? I may have to take back my calculation of your intelligence, for you must see she would not do — would not do at all.”

“What do you mean, sir?”

“Mr. Collins, please feel free to be frank with me. Are you not happy in your position under my aunt’s patronage?”

“Oh, no, sir. That is, yes, I am very happy. It is a great honor and privilege, and I value it above everything else in this world. If I have displeased you, sir, I sincerely apologize and ask that you forgive me.”

“Surely you can see, sir, that making Miss Elizabeth your wife will make her ladyship, my Aunt Catherine, severely displeased. She is outspoken and lively. Such a person would not be humbled by the condescension of my aunt, and her liveliness would be detrimental to the health of my cousin Anne.” He shook his head as if in disbelief at the man.

“Indeed, sir, I can see that you are right.” Mr. Collins fixed his gaze at the lady in question just as she laughed at something her dancing partner said. Looking back at his companion, he meekly enquired, “Sir, you said that you presumed my choice was Miss Mary, correct?”

“Yes, for I had presumed you preferred her. She is well read on all things moral and is just the sort of wife my aunt would have chosen for you had you asked her to pick.”

Mr. Collins sought out his cousin Mary and finally found her demurely sitting near the side of the ballroom. She was quite plain, and he frowned a little as he resigned himself to her. He wished her figure were more like the pleasing one of her sister. However, as he contemplated the great service Mr. Darcy did in saving him from a most imprudent marriage to his other cousin, he began to see the change as being quite fortunate.

“Thank you, Mr. Darcy, you are quite right. I believe, now, that Miss Elizabeth would be totally unsuitable to hold the position of a parson’s wife. I am indebted to you for saving me from a most imprudent choice as she would most assuredly have accepted my desirable offer, and then I would have displeased Lady Catherine —something I assure you I do not want to do. Miss Mary is the right one for me; now that I speak of it, I can see it most clearly. In fact, I believe myself to be falling quite violently in love with her already. If you will excuse me, sir?” With that, Mr. Collins bowed, turned towards Mary’s position in the room, and took the seat next to her.

Mr. Darcy bowed and nodded his good-byes to the man and, with a self-satisfied smile on his face, headed to the refreshment table for a much needed glass of wine before the next dance, his much anticipated dance with Elizabeth.

Chapter 5

Elizabeth was standing talking with Jane when Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy approached for the supper set. At his near proximity, Elizabeth found it was more difficult than she had hoped to maintain her resolve to be merely friendly and not let him see her feelings. When he stepped up to greet her, his lemony cologne washed over her, and she was shocked into the memory of his strong arms and broad chest pressed against her when he had embraced her after her fall.

Mr. Darcy was delighted finally to reach the part of the evening where he could command Miss Elizabeth’s full attention and looked forward to the half hour with great anticipation. The slight blush that overtook her cheeks upon his approach sent his thoughts flying, and he was more eager than ever to have the opportunity to dance with her.

“Miss Elizabeth, I believe this is our dance.” He held out his hand to her.

“You are correct, sir. Shall we?” She placed her hand in his and avoided his gaze as it caused a most disturbing feeling inside her.

Mr. Darcy smiled and gave her hand a gentle squeeze as he guided her to the dance floor to join the set beside Mr. Bingley and Jane. The music began, and with great ease, they began their movements. After several minutes of companionable silence, Elizabeth decided that being left to her own thoughts was not helping her keep her reserve, especially when Mr. Darcy’s hand captured and released hers, or when his hand occasionally rested on the small of her back as he guided her through the turns of the dance. She determined some conversation would help distract her from the sensations coursing through her body and so thus began.

“Mr. Darcy, I believe we must have some conversation.”

She looked at him with that arch smile he loved so much, and he smiled charmingly. “Do you speak during a dance as a rule then, Miss Bennet?”

His smile caught her off guard, and she laughed nervously and said, when they next came together, “Not as a rule, sir, but I find that a little conversation makes a dance more pleasant. But this will suffice for now.”

As they separated in a turn and came together again, Mr. Darcy had thought of something to say. “Well, Miss Bennet, if we are to have some conversation, may I say that you look very well tonight — quite handsome, indeed.”

He smiled as a blush spread across her face and down her neck and shoulders.
Oh, Elizabeth! You are so beautiful!
He tore his eyes away to continue down the set. When they next came together, he saw her eyebrow raise and her mouth twitch in that becoming way he knew indicated she was about to tease him; he happily readied himself for it.

“Well, since you kept your dance with me, I can assume, then, that I am handsome enough to tempt you.” Her eyebrow arched, waiting for his response.

Oh, yes, very tempting indeed . . . oh, wait . . .
For a moment, Mr. Darcy’s mind froze — something about the wording she used. With shocked disbelief, he realized why those words seemed familiar, and the smile on his face instantly dropped. They were the ill-chosen words he had used at the Meryton assembly when he was trying to discourage Bingley from forcing him to dance. He had barely looked at her then — glanced in her direction for only a second really — and spouted out those horrible words without thought.
She heard me!
With mortification, he considered how his proud words could have sounded to her.
It is a wonder she will even speak to me!