The idea that he told Aunt I am too headstrong and must be taught to bend to others’ wills? Insufferable! When did Mr. Hamilton become such a tyrant? I might be obstinate but I know my own mind. How can I be shackled to someone who believes me wanting in so many ways?
“Miss Bennet, what troubles you?”
“Pardon?”
“There appears to be something disturbing your thoughts.”
He released her arm but she remained highly aware of his hand at the small of her back as he gently guided her away from the arriving crowds. Kitty and Miss Darcy followed.
“No, sir. I assure you, I am fine.” Her voice remained calm, attempting to ignore her rising frustration as she realized her world would never be as she hoped. “Pray, lead us to your box.”
“Miss Elizabeth.” Her name on his lips was so soft she found she had to lean toward him to hear his words above the din of the crowd. Inhaling his scent, she heard him say, “I assure you, leaving the theatre would by no means suspend any pleasure of my own. As your host, I mean to ensure you are well taken care of. If you desire to leave, then we shall depart.”
She observed her young companions standing a short distance away from them. Miss Darcy looked blithely at the smartly dressed crush but Kitty was in awe of her surroundings. She had never been to the theatre and certainly not with the possibility of sitting in a private box.
“No, sir. I thank you for your concern, but I can assure you there is nowhere else I would rather be.”
He nodded and took her arm. “Then let us take our seats. The play will begin shortly.”
She smiled at the picture she imagined the four of them presented: the Darcys and their mystery guests. Lizzy had heard whispers when Mr. Darcy handed her out of the carriage, and the whispers had only continued as the four walked into the theater and up to their seats. Mr. Darcy said so only she might hear, “I imagine the hens of thetonhave already had much to speculate on.” He winked as they made their way up the stairs to the find their box.
In a matter of minutes, the lights dimmed and the curtain rose but not before Lizzy made an amusing observation.Mr. Darcy’s ivory waistcoat with blue pinstripes harmonizes so well with my own blue dress with gold ribbon, one might think his valet and my maid coordinated our attire.
* * *
Lizzy, having been so engrossed in the performance, did not discern until the final act a purring from the two girls seated in front of her. Resting back against the cushioned chair, she inclined her head toward Mr. Darcy and was immediately enveloped by his scent.A blend of woody, spice, and citrus?“It appears our sisters have been touched by Hypnos.”
He raised a brow. “Georgie has wanted to see this for weeks. I am surprised she could not stay awake.”
Elizabeth stifled a giggle. “You obviously have not been kept up sharing secrets with a sister until the wee hours of the morning, sir.”
His boyish grin made her breath catch. “Blessedly.”
She felt his whisper on her cheek and feared the audience might hear her heart beating wildly, even over the laughter.Elizabeth Bennet, you must not allow your romantic heart to rule your mind. He is an engaged man!They settled back into their seats but not before Elizabeth leaned over to her companion again. “I will, however, say I am surprised at their falling asleep during Shakespeare.”
“He is one of your favorites?” Mr. Darcy asked, his breath causing the curls to brush up against her neck.
She rubbed her arms to hide the gooseflesh before replying softly. “Yes. But I am partial to his sonnets. I have considered poetry as the food of love.”
Mr. Darcy nodded as the final scene reached its comedic climax before leaning toward her. “Of a fine, stout, healthy love it may. But if it be only a slight, thin sort of inclination, I am convinced that one good sonnet will starve it entirely away.” He leaned back and crossed his leg at his knee, carelessly nudging her own knee. Then he tipped his head back to her and whispered, “Would not all women appreciate the words of the Bard if they were dedicated to them?”
She struggled to control the quiver in her voice. “I presume it would depend on the sonnet the man chose.”
Darcy nodded a response. Moments later as she attempted to follow the production, he murmured, “My mistress’s eyes are nothing like the sun; Coral is far more red than her lips’ red.”
A mischievous smile spread across her countenance as she whispered back. “If snow be white, then her breasts are dun; if hairs be wires, black wires grow on her head.”
Much to her delight, Darcy continued the recitation. “I have seen roses damasked, red and white, but no such roses see I…in her cheeks.” He softly cleared his throat before tugging at his cravat.
Her heart beat wildly. She felt Darcy’s eyes intently on her as she whispered, “I love to hear her speak, but well I know, that music hath a far more pleasing sound.”
“Miss Bennet.” Slowly, Elizabeth turned her head to him. “I…grant I never saw a goddess go; my mistress when she walks…when she walks…” He looked down at his hands before looking back at her face. “She walks in beauty like the night, of cloudless climes and starry skies; and all that’s best of dark and light, meet in the aspect of her eyes…”
They both started at a movement from the chairs in front of them. “Oh, Wills,” Georgiana giggled, turning with Kitty to face them both. “You were both doing so well until you started quoting Lord Byron. Did you forget the rest of the sonnet? It is really one of Shakespeare’s best.”
Elizabeth could only feel her already inflamed cheeks burn at being discovered. Darcy only sat up straighter before admonishing his sister for her cheek.
Or will one good sonnet starve love entirely away?
