Miss Elizabeth curtsied to Georgiana, giving her a warm smile. But when she turned her gaze back on Darcy, her eyes were cold. “Mr Darcy and I met in Hertfordshire, some weeks past.”
To Georgiana and Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth was her usual charming self, but there was no mistaking her displeasure at seeing him. Could Elizabeth have overheard his conversation with Mr Bingley about her family being unsuitable to intermarry with? It hardly seemed possible. But then what could account for her coldness?
“Ah, well, I suppose I should have put two and two together. I forgot you had just come from Netherfield. Is it quite close to your ancestral home?” Fitzwilliam went to stand beside her, and she stared daggers at Darcy.
“It is,” Elizabeth replied.
It was almost as if she were saying it wastoo close. What had he done to elicit such a greeting? There was no accounting for it. He racked his brain as Georgiana and Elizabeth spoke for a few minutes. But all the while, he could feel annoyance, even dislike, rolling toward him whenever Elizabeth glanced his way. And always she tore her gaze from his as soon as she could. What had happened to make her treat him thus?
Chapter 18
The moment she saw him, she was furious. How dare he break in on her charmed London experience and cast a rain cloud over her life? His behaviour in Hertfordshire was bad enough — he had made no secret of his arrogance and contempt — but what she now knew he had done to Mr Wickham was far worse.
“Are you well, Miss Bennet?” Mr Darcy asked.
“I am, thank you,” she replied coolly, and fell silent. Elizabeth had not the slightest intention of encouraging him in conversation.
Colonel Fitzwilliam stepped forward then, looking confused. “Miss Bennet, Georgiana is quite the proponent of the arts. She is a musician, just like yourself.”
Elizabeth gave a small laugh. “I would hardly call myself a musician, Colonel. You will give Miss Darcy an entirely exaggerated idea of my proficiency.” She had only mentioned that she played the pianoforte a little. “But I hear you are quite the proficient, Miss Darcy.”
“I enjoy playing the pianoforte, Miss Bennet.” Miss Darcy said shyly.
Elizabeth smiled. She suspected, like herself, that Miss Darcy did not enjoy being the centre of attention. Unlike her brother, she did not seem to have an arrogant bone in her body. “My sister Mary is the musician in our family. I learned a little, but I am nowhere as capable as she is. Although I do enjoy music.” She glanced at Mr Darcy. “Which reminds me, we should all probably take our seats. The performance will start soon, will it not?”
“Indeed. You are right, of course. However, before you go, Miss Bennet,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said. “I wonder if you might enjoy coming to a showing of watercolours that my mother has arranged in a few days?”
The invitation was a flattering one. A man who had no serious interest would not have invited her to an event hosted by his mother. Did this mean something more than a simple outing? Did he intend to introduce her to his mother as well? She felt her face flush at the thought and quickly nodded her acquiescence. “I would be delighted to attend. Thank you.”
“Oh, how wonderful it will be to have you there, Miss Bennet,” Miss Darcy said. Mr Darcy looked at her, seemingly surprised. Was he truly so arrogant that he was dismayed to see his sister speak to her? Doubtless, he would do his best to keep his cousin from seeing her again as well.
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s face brightened. “Very good. I will send the carriage for you that afternoon, if you like?”
“Yes, please,” Elizabeth replied. “I believe my aunt would enjoy the show as well. She is prodigiously fond of watercolours. I think her a very fine artist in her own right.”
“Yes, please, you must invite her — and your uncle as well, if he’s a mind. I will send the official invitation tomorrowmorning.” The colonel pressed her hand, then quickly let her go. “Shall I walk you to your box?”
“We are on the main floor, but I thank you,” Elizabeth replied. Though she would have enjoyed being in the boxes, Elizabeth could no longer regret their less luxurious seats. In the anonymity of the many rows, she would disappear from Mr Darcy’s sight entirely. Poor Colonel Fitzwilliam and Miss Darcy could bear the man’s judgment better, for no doubt they were accustomed to it. “Good evening.”
Elizabeth hurried away, eager to return to her party. It would be a relief to see three smiling faces, to know herself safe from Mr Darcy’s judgemental stares. All around her was a jumble of voices and people, all of them seemingly more interested in what others were wearing or the latest gossip they had heard, rather than the concert that was about to begin.For a moment, Elizabeth wished for the greater privacy and seclusion of a box, before chiding herself for ingratitude. It had been very generous of Mr Wickham to invite them all to the theatre, and she ought to be grateful to him.
“What kept you so long, my dear?” Her aunt gave her a concerned look as she leaned forward to speak to her. “I was about to send Mr Gardiner out to the foyer to find you.”
“I was delayed speaking to Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth replied. She hesitated a moment, dreading Mr Wickham’s reaction to what she must say next, but could hardly do otherwise. “Mr Darcy and his sister were with him, and Colonel Fitzwilliam wished to introduce me.”
“Mr Darcy is here? And Miss Georgiana Darcy?” Mr Wickham asked. His face turned a shade of pale white that she had never seen on him before.
Elizabeth frowned. It was very odd. Mr Wickham looked almost frightened, but surely that could not be. She would have expected him to feel anger or disdain at the mention of the man who had treated him so badly, but not fear. “Yes. Is there a reason they should not be here?” she asked.
“No, not at all,” Mr Wickham said. “Did you mention that I was here tonight?”
“No,” she replied slowly. It was very odd that he would be worried about his presence being revealed. “I was introduced to Miss Darcy. She is a very pleasant girl, if a little shy. It was kind of Colonel Fitzwilliam to wish to introduce us.”
Mr Wickham shook his head, his expression grave. “I would caution you against Colonel Fitzwilliam, Miss Bennet. He may seem charming, but I know for a fact that he is a dangerous man — with a capacity for violence.”
Elizabeth took in a breath and lowered her voice. “That is a very serious allegation, sir. Are you certain?” she asked.
She glanced at her aunt. Mrs Gardiner looked as shocked as herself that Mr Wickham would make such a claim in so public a place. Anyone might overhear them and spread the rumour, of which he had yet to give the slightest proof.
