The Houseguest A Pride and Prejudice Vagary (10 page)

“I saw you there last week. You had just come down the
stairs as I was saying goodbye to Darcy. I must not have made a very good
impression if you do not remember me,” he said with a warm smile as he leaned
his shoulder against the bookshelf, his arms crossed in front of him. He had a
natural easiness about him that showed confidence, but was not conceited.
“Yes, I do remember you, so do not feel too wounded.” She returned his smile.
“I was trying to place you earlier when I first saw you.” 
Somehow, knowing he was a current friend of Mr. Darcy’s made her more easy with
him. 
How strange
, she
thought.
“How long will you be staying in London?”
“I am afraid I leave right after the ball.”
“That is too bad, Miss Bennet. I had hoped for the opportunity to get to know
you better.” He looked at her sincerely and she wondered what she could say
without being flirtatious, but she didn’t want to send him off
completely. 
“There will be the ball, Sir Malcolm, so you mustn’t despair completely.” She
smiled sweetly to soften her teasing.
“Then may I take this opportunity to secure a set with you, Miss Bennet?” He
straightened formally, and she noticed his eyes had a slight gleam in them when
he grinned.
“You may, Sir Malcolm. Would you prefer a particular set?”
“The supper set, if you please. And perhaps I shall secure another when the
night arrives, if you are not too inundated with requests.”
“You may be tired of me by then, sir,” she answered.
“Somehow I doubt that, madam.” 
Elizabeth just shook her head and began perusing the books in front of her.
After Malcolm helped her choose between a history of Russia and one about the
Spanish armada, she headed for the front of the store to find Lady Matlock. She
and Georgiana were looking through the shelves of first editions, each holding
a volume.
“Ah, Miss Bennet. Perhaps you can help us; we are trying to decide. Do you
think my nephew would prefer Milton or Wordsworth?” She held up two volumes,
one older than the other, but both in good condition.
“I do not claim to know Mr. Darcy’s reading preferences, but I believe he would
likely enjoy either. He seems to like most books.”
“That is exactly the problem, my dear. It is impossible to buy a gift for a man
who has exacting tastes, and purchases everything he desires himself,” Lady
Matlock said, slightly exasperated.
“Perhaps there is a way to make it more personal. Georgiana, maybe you could
make a bookmarker or two for Mr. Darcy and place it in the book next to your
favorite selection. I believe he would like that.”
“What a good idea, Elizabeth! Now we only need to choose the book.” She looked
at the shelves in consternation as they all began picking up books and perusing
titles. Finally settling on a volume of Milton, they paid for their purchases
and headed outside.
“It has been a pleasure, ladies.” Sir Malcolm bowed.
“It had been nice meeting you, Sir Malcolm.” Elizabeth curtseyed.
“The pleasure has been all mine. Lady Matlock, I look forward to your ball with
great anticipation.” He smiled broadly and stole a glance at Elizabeth. “Miss
Darcy, until we meet again.”
“Good day, Sir Malcolm.” Lady Matlock curtseyed and headed to the carriage.
“Well, Miss Bennet, I believe the Baronet was quite taken with you.”
“Do you? He only just met me.” Despite her effort to remain calm, Elizabeth
blushed slightly.
“I have known Sir Malcolm since he was in his cradle. He was a very sweet boy,
and rather intelligent. He and Richard used to play together and his mother was
a friend of mine. I am still friendly with his aunt. I am sure she will be
asking me about you at the ball.”
“About 
me
?
Why? Surely you don’t think him interested enough to warrant his family asking
questions!” 
Georgiana let out a giggle. “This is exciting Elizabeth! Now you’ll have a
suitor that isn’t horrid!”
Lady Matlock raised a brow, but chose not to pursue the comment. “What is your
situation, Miss Bennet? I hate to be so blunt, but as you will be my guest at
the ball, and young men will be dancing with you, it only follows that their
mothers will ask me questions and I wish to be as prepared as possible. I hope
you do not mind, dear.” Her expression was kind but determined, and Elizabeth
knew it was more of a command, simply framed as a request to be polite.
“I believe I understand you, Lady Matlock. I am not engaged, neither am I
currently being courted. My affections are unattached at present.” Lady Matlock
nodded in approval.
“I come from a small estate in Hertfordshire called Longbourn where my father’s
family has resided for more than a hundred years. I have no brothers and the
estate is entailed away from the female line, so my four sisters and I are the
last generation of Bennets to be born there, as the recipient of the estate is
a man named Collins, a cousin of my father’s. I have no dowry to speak of, but
stand to inherit fifty pounds per annum upon marriage. I play the pianoforte
and sing, but I do not draw and only speak French, and not very well. I can
read some Latin, but not with ease. Does that answer your question, Lady
Matlock?” Elizabeth recited her pedigree without emotion, not wishing to over-
or under-state her circumstances. 
Elizabeth was fully cognizant of her situation in life, but she had mixed
feelings regarding the match-making gleam she recognized all too easily in Lady
Matlock’s eye. Fundamentally, she disliked the idea of having a suitor chosen
for her; she wished to make her own decision regarding something as important
as her companion in life. However, she also knew that she could not simply
wander through Hyde Park approaching gentlemen and requesting their marital
status while trying to discern whether or not they were amiable.
She did not wish to develop an interest in someone only to have it dashed once
he knew her circumstances. She also didn’t want to be at the mercy of Mr.
Collins after her father’s death, and she knew Jane wouldn’t be home forever to
soften the blow. With her beauty, she would likely be snatched up soon and
Elizabeth was not looking forward to living at Longbourn without her. 
And she did wish for love and companionship; she was human, after all. And Sir
Malcolm did seem interesting… Oh, why must everything be so complicated!
Lady Matlock looked at her kindly, with soft eyes. For the first time,
Elizabeth noticed they were green. “Yes, that answers my question perfectly, my
dear. There are some things you should know before the ball. I always invite
more gentlemen than ladies. Partially because they are more likely than ladies
to change their response and decide the day before that they’d rather be in the
country,” she rolled her eyes slightly, “but mostly because I remember being at
balls when I was your age and I hated it when the ladies outnumbered the
gentlemen.” At this she smiled a little impishly and Elizabeth let out a small
chuckle.
“I see why you presume my dance card will be full.”
“Yes, I am sure it will be. You should also know that I will choose in advance
some young men that I believe will suit you. I’ll inform you beforehand so
you’ll be sure to know who they are. They will be of good family, well bred, no
one with bad habits.” At this she raised her eyebrows and looked pointedly at
Elizabeth.
“I understand you perfectly, Lady Matlock.” 
“I believe Sir Malcolm will ask you to dance as well. He is certainly very
eligible and a good sort of man. ” Elizabeth looked out the window, feigning
interest in something in the street.
“Ah, he already asked you, didn’t he?” Elizabeth’s blush and guilty expression
was all the answer she needed. “Good. That’s very good.” Lady Matlock smiled
knowingly, and they rode the rest of the way in silence.
Elizabeth was slightly irritated at the idea of Lady Matlock arranging her life
for her, but she found it too amusing to be truly angry. Besides, it would be
entertaining if nothing else. There would be plenty of dancing, which she
always enjoyed, and from the sound of it, plenty of partners, so it was likely
she wouldn’t sit out more than a dance or two. If she tried to push any really
horrid partners on her, Elizabeth knew what to do. And she would be leaving
shortly after the ball anyway, so why not let the lady have her fun? 

~

Nearly six hours after they left, an exhausted Georgiana and Elizabeth walked
back into Darcy House. They had a few small packages from their immediate
purchases, and their new gowns would be delivered next week. As Elizabeth
thanked the footman who took their things, Darcy came around the corner. 
“Good afternoon. I trust your shopping trip was fruitful?” He smiled at their
exhausted expressions.
“Yes, I bought a new ball gown! It’s so pretty, I cannot wait to wear it!”
Georgiana’s eyes looked dreamy as she hummed and swayed up the stairs, Darcy
and Elizabeth following.
“And you, Miss Bennet? Did you find a pretty new ball gown?” he asked with a
smirk.
She laughed lightly. “Yes, I believe I was quite successful. We did run into
someone while we were out.”
“Oh? Who did you meet?”
“Miss Bingley, but only for a moment. We were leaving as she was arriving.”
He started slightly, but quickly composed himself. When he looked at her, his
face was a mask of civility. “Was Miss Bingley well?”
“Yes, quite well. She hadn’t known I was in town and was quite surprised to see
me with Georgiana and Lady Matlock. I asked after her brother, Mr. Bingley.”
Darcy looked straight ahead. “She said he is well and here in town.” Elizabeth
looked at Mr. Darcy, trying to discern if he knew about Caroline’s deceit, but
as usual, his countenance gave nothing away. 
“Yes, Bingley is here in town. I saw him at my club a few days ago.”
“I think I’d like to see Mr. Bingley while I’m here. Do you think I might have
the opportunity?” she asked with one raised brow.
“I cannot say for certain, Miss Bennet. He occasionally stops by; perhaps you
will see him then.”
Elizabeth nodded and let the conversation drop. It was clear he would say no
more, and pushing him on so delicate a matter would not help her cause.
Distracted with thoughts of how to alert Mr. Bingley to Jane’s presence in
town, telling him of meeting Sir Malcolm completely slipped her mind.
“Did you have a good time with Lady Matlock, Georgiana?”
“Yes, it was rather fun. I have to tell you something, Fitzwilliam.” She looked
at Darcy gravely. “Aunt Helen is sending the dancing master over tomorrow. He
will come several times before the ball next week.”
“Well then, we shall have to let Mrs. Hawkins know to open up the ballroom.”
Seeing her worried expression, he added, “I’m sure you will do very well,
Georgie.” 
“Alright, I will try not to worry! If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to rest
before dinner. Shopping is exhausting.” She sighed and headed down the hall to
her room, leaving Elizabeth alone with Darcy. 
“Are you exhausted, too, Miss Bennet?”
Not knowing if he was teasing or in earnest, she replied, “Tired, yes. I don’t
know if I’d go so far as to say exhausted.”
“Then I shall leave you to rest. Until dinner, then.” He left her in the hall
and continued down another corridor, she supposed towards the master’s
chambers.
How odd. He seemed so happy to see us, then
he became so quiet. Why can I not understand that man?
 

~

That night, and for the third time that week, Darcy had a familiar dream. He
was in the drawing room at Netherfield. It was a sunny day, the afternoon light
filling the room with a cheerful glow. Elizabeth sat in a chair near the fire,
embroidering a handkerchief. When he saw her, he was filled with a familiar
warmth and began to walk towards her. She looked up at him and smiled, reaching
out her hand to him, a welcome expression on her face. He moved near her and
took her hand. Raising it to his lips, he kissed it tenderly. 
“Elizabeth,” he whispered.
“Fitzwilliam,” she called his name so sweetly, it was almost painful.
Slowly, he pulled her closer and with his free hand, reached out and touched
her cheek. She tilted her face up to him, her eyes looking into his with
complete and total trust. As he leaned down to kiss her, he saw the
handkerchief she’d been embroidering where she had left it on the chair. The
initials ‘ED’ were nearly completed in the corner. 
Elizabeth Darcy.
His heart swelled with adoration and he kissed her, her response everything he
had hoped it would be. He held her in his arms, her head resting lightly on his
chest, her hair tickling his chin where it rested on the top of her head. 
“Elizabeth,” he spoke aloud. “My own Elizabeth.” 
Darcy drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep, and had to be woken by his valet,
a singular occurrence. 

Chapter
9

The next morning, Elizabeth donned a sky blue morning dress and hurried down to
breakfast. She found she was too hungry to wait for Georgiana and hoped to
catch Mr. Darcy in the breakfast room. Always attracted to riddles, Elizabeth
was determined to crack the enigma that was Mr. Darcy. She felt that with
enough time, she would figure him out.
 Knowing
him, he’ll change just as I get my bearings
. Oddly, the thought
made her more amused than annoyed.
She was in luck; Mr. Darcy was seated in his usual place at the head of the
table, newspaper in hand, coffee steaming in its cup. 
“Good morning, Mr. Darcy,” she greeted him cheerfully.
He lowered his paper and smiled at her warmly. “Good morning Miss Bennet. I
trust you slept well?”
“Very well, thank you. It’s rather like sleeping on a cloud. I don’t know how I
shall go back to my regular bed.” She smiled brightly, clearly in a good
mood. 
I knew she would be cheerful in
the morning,
 he thought. He felt a small sense of triumph at
this piece of evidence that he had made the right decision in choosing
her. 
“I am glad to hear you are comfortable.” He smiled, visions of Elizabeth in a
sheer nightdress, curled up sweetly next to him in his enormous bed, filling
his mind. 
Sleeping on a cloud, indeed.
“Did you sleep well?” she asked innocently.
“Better than ever.” 
Elizabeth was slightly surprised at his answer, but quickly covered her
expression with a smile and tucked into her food.
She had gotten about halfway through her meal when she was arrested by
something on the back of Darcy’s paper. Tilting her head to read it better, she
began to raise and lower her head with the motion of his paper so as not to
lose her place, causing her to duck and straighten in an odd and rather
noticeable fashion, completely unbeknownst to her.
“Miss Bennet?” His voice was soft and inquisitive.
“Yes?” She took her eyes from the paper and saw him peeking around the side of
it, looking at her with what looked like amusement in his eyes.
“Would you like the paper?”
“I do not wish to deprive you of your morning ritual, Mr. Darcy. My attention
was caught by an article, that is all. Please, continue.”
Wordlessly, he shook out the paper, removed the inner page that he was reading,
folded the outer page in half, and handed it to Elizabeth.
“Now we may both read in comfort.” His expression was kind and open.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she responded sincerely. 
An enigma indeed
.
Ten minutes later, her article complete and her breakfast nearly finished,
Elizabeth looked up to find Mr. Darcy watching her.
“Miss Bennet, I wonder if I might ask you a favor.”
“Of course, Mr. Darcy.”
“The dancing master is coming today, and Georgiana is quite nervous about it. I
wondered if you might consent to staying with her throughout the lesson? She
will have Mrs. Annesley, of course, but she has grown rather attached to you
and I believe your presence might make her more comfortable.”
She smiled sympathetically. “I will be happy to stay with her. I must confess
that I was half planning on it myself. She did seem rather nervous when Lady
Matlock mentioned it yesterday. I will try to lighten her spirits.” 
“Thank you, Miss Bennet. I appreciate it.” He looked into her eyes until
Elizabeth began to feel self-conscious.
“Not at all, Mr. Darcy,” she replied, her voice barely audible, even to her.