‘And she is his mother. Yes, I see your point.’ Elizabeth was satisfied that Jane would be safe.
~T~
Since the death of Lady Anne, Darcy often envied his friends and cousins whose mother was still alive. Today was not one of those occasions.
Fitzwilliam and Deveril came to visit him, as his house was a safe haven from their mothers.
‘I love my mother dearly, but at times she can be quite overbearing,’ complained Richard.
This sentiment which was seconded by Deveril who added worriedly, ‘I just hope she does not frighten off Jane… I mean Miss Bennet.
‘Jane, is it?’ teased Darcy with a grin.
‘You two can at least refer to your ladies by their given names, even if you prefix them with Miss… which I suspect you do not when you think of them,’ Deveril shot back and had the satisfaction of seeing his friends exchange somewhat guilty looks.
‘How did you know?’ asked Darcy.
‘I am neither blind nor deaf. I can recognise the way you look at the ladies and lately you rarely speak of anything else. Apart from that, every time I visit Miss Bennet, at least one of you if not both are there as well.’
Rather than continue with this turn of the conversation, Darcy asked, ‘While your speculation is quite interesting, what did you mean when you said that you hoped Lady Isabella has not frightened off Miss Bennet.’
‘Because at the moment she is at Gardiner House interrogating Jane. And not only that, but she also took along Lady Henrietta Chester,’ Deveril explained.
‘The Queen’s lady in waiting?’
‘The same.’
‘Perhaps we should fortify ourselves with a good lunch, and once your mothers have left, we could visit the ladies to offer whatever consolation we may.’
~T~
The timing of the gentlemen was excellent as Jane had reached the point where she wanted an opportunity to work off her nervous energy and had suggested a walk in Hyde Park to her sisters.
Deveril, Darcy and Fitzwilliam were only too happy to offer to escort the ladies. Soon the three couples were strolling in the park, trailed by Susan and John, the maid and the footman who usually accompanied Elizabeth on her walks.
It did not take long for the three couples to drift apart, providing them with the opportunity to speak privately.
After Elizabeth mentioned to Darcy the happenings of the morning, he commented, ‘You appear somewhat pensive. What has you so concerned?’
Elizabeth sighed and looked up at him. ‘When we came to London, I expected our aunt and uncle to introduce us to some pleasant people of similar station to ourselves and we would spend some weeks enjoying the company of a more varied society than we have in Meryton.’
‘Is that not what has happened? Do you object to the company you have found?’
The concerned question did manage to raise a small smile reminiscent of Elizabeth’s mischievous grin as she asked, ‘Are you fishing for compliments, Mr Darcy?’
‘Not at all. I am only concerned that you appear unhappy.’
Elizabeth was quite flustered by the sincere concern she saw in the gentleman’s expression and averted her eyes, looking at the pathinstead as she answered. ‘It is not the company, which I find surprisingly pleasant. I confess that what has me in a dither is the prospect of being presented to the Queen… in a private audience no less.’ She sighed. ‘That was not at all what I expected.’
Even though he had not been fishing for compliments, Darcy was exceedingly pleased when Elizabeth said that she enjoyed the company. Since he had come to look forward to spending time with this remarkable young woman, it was a relief that she appeared to have forgiven him their rocky start. He searched for a way to raise her spirits.
‘Did you not once say that your courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate you?’ Darcy reminded her.
Elizabeth stopped in surprise as he quoted her words back to her. After a moment, during which Darcy also stopped, Elizabeth turned to face him, and she squared her shoulders as a brilliant smile made its welcome appearance. ‘I did indeed. Thank you for reminding me, Mr Darcy. You have made me happy again.’
‘It was my pleasure, Miss Elizabeth. It will always be my pleasure to make you happy.’
That simple statement and the look which accompanied it had a most amazing effect on Elizabeth, making her blush. This blush was mirrored on Darcy’s face as he realised what he had said. Especially when he recognised that he meant every word.
