Falling for Mr. Darcy (5 page)

Mary had just reentered the room with a blanket for Elizabeth’s legs, and Kitty and Lydia were interrogating Elizabeth, huddling their shoulders together as they covered their mouths when they giggled. “Did he rescue you, Lizzy?” Lydia asked saucily and with definite implications. Her feet stamped excitedly on the carpet in her amusement and imagination. “His arms look very strong. I am sure you were very scared, Lizzy. Did he comfort you?” A fresh burst of giggles erupted from Lydia at this last inquiry, and Elizabeth colored in mortification as she tried to shush her sisters. She flicked her eyes towards Mr. Darcy and was thankful he seemed distracted by the prospect through the window.

Mr. Bennet observed both Lizzy and Mr. Darcy throughout it all with amusement at their discomfort. He had noticed Lizzy’s tension and fear when she was on the horse and how Darcy’s arm would occasionally brush her legs as he held the horse in check. He also noticed that both held their breath when Mr. Darcy lifted her from the horse, and he did not miss that Elizabeth tried to hide her smile by biting her lip. He had seen the humor in her eyes. Something was different there, and he was going to find it out. For now, he contented himself by smiling inwardly at the obvious disquiet in the previously impenetrable façade of Mr. Darcy.
If anyone could crack that shell, it would be my Lizzy. I wonder whether she is handsome enough to tempt him now?
That thought, though, turned Mr. Bennet’s brows down in contemplation. He was not sure he wanted Lizzy capturing this great man’s interest. He would miss her when she married, and although he knew she would someday, he did not welcome it.

Mrs. Bennet, having secured her daughter’s comfort, began her own machinations. She sauntered over to Mr. Darcy at the window, swaying her matronly hips and skirts as she moved, and began spewing out her gratitude for him. “Oh, Mr. Darcy! You are so kind to come to my Lizzy’s aid. She has the most patient of spirits and would have endured well, but we are so grateful that you came along and brought her safely back to our house.”

Mr. Darcy bowed to Mrs. Bennet and stiffly replied, “It is nothing, madam. Your gratitude is not necessary.” With that, he turned to the window again in hopes she would desist and return to her daughter. She did not.

“Oh, but Mr. Darcy, I am sure that it is! My Lizzy often walks out alone, although I swear she does it to tempt my nerves. As you know, I am a most doting mother, and I constantly worry about the comfort of all my children. Anyhow, she walks out often alone and is so headstrong sometimes.” Mrs. Bennet’s fluttering hands froze as she realized her words might not please a great man like Mr. Darcy, who would not be interested in a woman who would not bend to his every wish. She hastened to add, “That is to say, although she is headstrong at times, she has the most sweet, conforming nature, and I am sure when she marries, she will be the most proper and obedient wife.”

Mr. Darcy drew from his years of practice and held himself back from dropping his jaw in appall at this woman’s audacity. She was really quite insufferable. He knew she was trying to sell him on her daughter. For a moment, humor colored his disgusted thoughts as he thought of the reaction Mrs. Bennet would have if he replied, “
Mrs. Bennet, I am glad to hear it, as I was just considering what a lovely wife Miss Elizabeth would make
.” He schooled his expression and merely nodded. From the corner of his eye, he could see that Elizabeth had observed the interchange and was now squeezing her eyes shut as she lowered her head in shame. Seeing Elizabeth so mortified made his anger towards her ridiculous mother simmer, and he turned from her, bowing slightly, and went to Elizabeth.

“Miss Elizabeth, I hope that you are feeling comfortable now that you are home.”
Stupid, stupid, stupid,
thought Darcy, cringing inwardly at the banality of his statement, but he smiled politely and awaited her reply.

Elizabeth drew in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders as she raised her chin and replied, “I am, sir. Thank you once again for your kind attentions to me.” With this, her younger sisters burst into laughter and Elizabeth winced.

Mr. Bennet, although enjoying the entertainment the morning’s turn of events had offered him, could see the discomfort of his favorite daughter and ordered the younger three girls from the room, ignoring Mary’s protests that she had just been reading and not disturbing anyone. He then turned to his wife, who was at that moment walking towards Mr. Darcy for another round of flattery, and said, “Mrs. Bennet, could you please tell Hill that we will need some wraps for Lizzy’s ankle? Some tea would be nice, too.” He said this as he guided her out of the room, ignoring her whispered objections and the constant billowing of her handkerchief over her shoulder in an attempt to turn towards Mr. Darcy. Once she was safely beyond the door, he turned and, looking at Elizabeth, smiled and winked as he closed the door behind him.

Immediately, the three remaining felt a calm settle over the room. Jane, who had remained silent until then, turned to Mr. Darcy and said, “Mr. Darcy, sir, may I thank you again on behalf of my family for being so kind to Lizzy. I am sorry for the excitement you have witnessed here today. We were indeed very worried about my sister when she did not return as expected.”

Mr. Darcy nodded. “You are welcome, of course.” He turned back to Elizabeth as he thought about how kind Miss Bennet was and noticed how calm she remained. She never fawned or became excited like the rest of her family. She was tender and solicitous of her sister’s comfort. Even then, he could see she was trying to placate his discomfort and, in a way, erase the distaste he felt for the behavior of her other family members. She would be good for Bingley. He needed someone to be a calming influence on his exuberance, but that someone needed to be kind and not commanding in doing so. It was the first time Darcy allowed himself to see the merits and good judgment in Bingley’s attentions to Miss Bennet.

“Mr. Darcy, I must also say how shocked we all were to see Lizzy on top of your horse, sir. Did she not tell you she is afraid of horses?” Jane asked.

“Dear Jane,” Elizabeth rushed in before he could answer and then paused with a glint in her eye. “I did tell him, but he was quite persuasive in his arguments and convinced me that his horse was not wild.” Her eyes twinkled with hidden laughter as she said this to Jane but looked at Mr. Darcy.

Is she flirting with me?
Mr. Darcy smiled. “Yes, Miss Bennet, I was fortunate enough to be able to help Miss Elizabeth see the merit in riding the horse, but she is being quite modest now. She did very well despite her fears, and I was quite pleased with her.” He, too, spoke to Miss Bennet, but looked daringly back at Elizabeth.

Jane smiled to herself as she turned to remove Elizabeth’s half boot and inspect her injury. “Yes, I am sure you are right, Mr. Darcy. Did she tell you why she does not like to ride horses?”

Mr. Darcy was keenly aware of the work Miss Bennet was now doing. Although he could see she was trying to obscure his view to allow Elizabeth some modesty, out of the corner of his eye, he could see as she slipped the boot off her uninjured right foot and then tucked it swiftly under the blanket. Unconsciously, he forgot all about being subtle and turned his head to get a better view. He held his breath as the left boot was unlaced and Miss Bennet began, with careful movement, to slip the boot from her sister’s foot without causing her discomfort
. Here it comes, almost there. Ahhh, yes!
He breathed out. A small smile slid onto his face. He noticed the feminine curve of her ankle, slightly swollen on the outside, leading to the soft arch of her small foot. He could not believe how petite it was
. How does she stand without falling over?
He indulgently allowed his gaze to travel further to her pink, little toes just visible through pale ivory stockings. His hand twitched as he thought about reaching out and capturing her toes between his fingers.

Elizabeth had seen his distraction when Jane began to remove her shoes. She colored at the acknowledgement of the root of his attention. Then, when he turned his head to view the scene, she was amused at his total slip in propriety.
Mr. Darcy has forgot himself!
Although she was shocked and embarrassed at his uninhibited examination of her exposure, she found that, instead of being appalled at his ungentlemanly distraction, she was enthralled. Never before had any man given her more than the briefest of pleasantries in their compliments to her person. She was always hearing about how beautiful Jane was from her mother, too.
Could Mr. Darcy find me attractive?
The idea suddenly struck her that he might indeed, especially as she now saw that his face held a pleased smile. His gaze was quite intent, and she saw his hand move slightly. She suddenly felt very warm inside to witness his complete abandon at the sight. Elizabeth smiled to herself wickedly and decided to get revenge for his impolite acknowledgement of her scrutiny of his face when he had carried her to his horse earlier that morning. She eyed him carefully as she wiggled the toes on the foot he was watching.

Mr. Darcy stiffened when he saw her toes move and then heard a small chuckle come from Elizabeth. He quickly turned towards her, realized she had seen his lapse in manners, and colored deep red with embarrassment. She laughed this time, causing Jane to turn her head in question. Mr. Darcy allowed himself to laugh, too. He slowly raised his gaze and met her eyes, which were soft and tender and excessively amused. He breathed a sigh of relief that she was not upset with him as he returned a smile and mouthed, “I’m sorry.”

Elizabeth adjusted in her seat and, sitting upright a bit more, smiled her acceptance of his apology before turning to Jane to say, “No Jane, I had not the chance to share with Mr. Darcy my most embarrassing reason for being afraid of horses. Thank you for bringing it up. I am sure Mr. Darcy is too much of a
gentleman
to ask me to tell the story though.”

“Indeed, no! Miss Elizabeth, this story sounds too good to miss, and I am not so much the gentleman as you might think, so please — do enlighten me.” He smiled cheekily at her jibe.

Elizabeth and Jane laughed together, and Elizabeth thought that she was not sure she knew this man at all.
He is so charming and playful. Who would have guessed stuffy Mr. Darcy had it in him to lighten up this way?
Her breathing quickened as she contemplated how she might be falling for him.
How absurd! After one morning? It cannot be; we are nothing alike.
The thought struck her with a bit of sadness. They were very different. He was rich and from circles in society that she could never touch, even if she cared to. She was an insignificant country gentleman’s daughter. He was probably expected to marry an heiress or someone with impressive ancestry.
I have nothing to tempt him. He is out of my reach, and I cannot believe I am thinking about it at all. It cannot be.
She was surprised at how the realization of the difference in status, and the impossibility of a match between them, struck her with a pang in her heart. Unconsciously, her face drooped a bit in momentary sadness.

Mr. Darcy watched the play of emotions dance across her face. She had been happy — exuberant really — and then she seemed to be struck with something. When her face turned down with worry and sadness, he jumped in, “Miss Elizabeth, if it gives you discomfort to share the story, please do not. I was only teasing and would never wish to cause you distress. It was very impolite of me; please accept my apology.”

Elizabeth glanced at her sister, who saw the change in her as well and asked about it with only an upturn of her eyebrow, the way only a sister familiar enough with her could do. She gave a silent promise to talk later and turned to deflect Mr. Darcy’s concern.

“Mr. Darcy, it is nothing. I would be happy to tell you the story as it does not really distress me at all. I was only briefly distracted by an unpleasant thought. Please forgive me.”

Mr. Darcy was relieved at her words, but his interest was captured by her reference to an unpleasant thought. He felt a wave of protectiveness flood him as he never wanted to see her face turn down so in sadness. He wished he could know that terrible thought and keep it from disturbing her ever again, so that her eyes would sparkle at him.

He nodded to her and, in hopes of making her eyes light up in laughter, displayed an uncharacteristic silliness as he found a chair and, moving it right up to her at the couch, sat down and leaned forward in eager anticipation of her story. His face expressed serious consideration for the tragic tale, and he brought his hand up to grip his chin in ready concentration. “Do begin then, Miss Elizabeth. I am ready for this terrifying narrative.”

She sat back in delight at his mock seriousness and laughed, touched at his attempt to cheer her.
Oh, if you only knew, Mr. Darcy, how attractive you are right now, you would not continue in such a way.
She smiled and, taking a deep breath, forced her face into a solemn gaze as if to begin an account very tragic, indeed.

“It is a simple story, really, sir. My father had taken me out on my horse when I was nine, and we had ridden together to the far reaches of the estate.”

“He used to take her occasionally on his inspections of the farms and tenant homes,” Jane added.

“At one point, a particularly protective dog belonging to one of the tenants came to feel threatened by our approach and began barking excitedly at my pony’s feet. Penny, my normally tame pony, became agitated and reared up. I was not an experienced horsewoman and did not know how to calm her. I flew off and landed very near Penny’s excited hooves as they pranced around me.”