“One of the ladies that attempted to swoon before you?” Elizabeth said it teasingly, but her husband replied in the affirmative.
“Yes. She sprained her ankle in the attempt. Mrs. Atkins was most seriously displeased.” He smiled, his eyes twinkling in good humor.
“I suppose I ought to express my pleasure that her attempt failed so spectacularly. Otherwise, I would not now be on your arm.” A few weeks prior to that moment, Elizabeth’s inner musings would have mourned that Miss Atkins had failed, but now she felt some slight relief instead.Being Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy has not been the burden I expected it to be.
The first dance was called, and Darcy escorted Elizabeth to their place on the dance floor. They spent an agreeable half an hour in each other’s company, and after their set concluded, Amelia continued to introduce Elizabeth to the other guests. Darcy hovered at her elbow, though he did leave her to dance with Charlotte. Elizabeth, too, joined that set, dancing with Viscount Bramwell, who had arrived slightly late, but eager to dance with his new cousin.
After supper, Elizabeth found a seat near an open window. She felt exceedingly hot and somewhat nauseous but attributed her state to too much food and the heat of the ballroom.
Positioned as she was behind a trio of guests, she could observe and hear much without being seen. She saw Darcy moving toward her, though he had not yet noted her exact position. She smiled, wondering how long it would take him to locate her.
He came within ten feet of her seat before another claimed his attention.
“Dear Mr. Darcy,” the lady said. Elizabeth recognized her as one of the more petulant ladies Amelia had introduced.Mrs. Timmons,she recalled.
The lady continued, placing a hand on her husband’s arm. “It is such a joy to see you, sir. I have not had the pleasure of your company in some months. Annabelle missed seeing you.”
“Yes, I have been away from London for some time. I spent the autumn in Hertfordshire and much of the spring in Derbyshire and Kent.” His stiff posture spoke of his wish to be away, and Elizabeth stood to go rescue her husband.
“Ah, yes, in the country. And in which location did your bride manage to secure you?” The implication in her words was obvious and Elizabeth waited for her husband to issue a set down.
“Elizabeth and I met in Hertfordshire and again in Kent.” His matter of fact reply did nothing to disabuse the nosy matron of her suppositions.
“It is good of you to behave so honorably.” Mrs. Timmons smiled a poisonous smile and Elizabeth bristled.
“If you will excuse me, I must find the rest of my party.” Darcy bowed and moved away, not having seen Elizabeth. She sat again, irritated at his lack of defense.Perhaps he did not realize…But, no, could she excuse his behavior? He, a man who had lived in the world, would certainly know a subtle insult, would he not?
Elizabeth overheard several more conversations while she sat, the new Mrs. Darcy the subject of every single one. Two or three conversations were complimentary, but most criticized her lack of fortune, connections, and breeding, and every single one thought she had somehow trapped her husband into matrimony.
Charlotte found Elizabeth some time later, still hiding on her settee by the window. “So, this is where you have secreted yourself,” she teased.
“It is. I find I am unequal to parrying insults and insinuations.” She told Charlotte of the overheard conversations and her husband’s paltry replies to his discussion with Mrs. Timmons.
“Can he be so obtuse?” Elizabeth asked. “The lady’s purposes were clear tome.Did he not understand? And is it so unbelievable that there were other inducements besides fortune and connections that led to my marriage?”
“For these people it is. Marriage is a business agreement for many in these circles. Mr. Darcy married so far outside their expectations; it was guaranteed that there would be some gossip surrounding his choice.”
Elizabeth nodded. Charlotte stood and she followed suit. Together, they meandered the edges of the ballroom until they found Amelia and Mr. Darcy. They were by the refreshment table speaking to the Metcalfs.
“There you are!” Amelia said. “We have been looking for you for the last half an hour.”
“I found a comfortable seat near an open window. Forgive me for disappearing.” Elizabeth smiled politely, and her husband came to her side and touched her elbow.
“You are well, are you not, Elizabeth?” he asked seriously. “You seem a little out of sorts.”
“I am well, sir. Lady Metcalf, I have been enjoying myself fully. Thank you for the gracious invitation.” Elizabeth knew her smile was not genuine, but Lady Metcalf would never know.
The evening drew to a close and they departed. Elizabeth felt exhausted; she had been required to present a pleasant façade without ceasing the entire night, and now she only wished to rest.
“Come to tea, tomorrow, my dear,” Amelia commanded as the footman helped her out of the carriage. Charlotte followed, bidding Elizabeth farewell as she went.
Elizabeth replied in the affirmative and the carriage door closed. A few moments later, they were in front of Darcy House. The footman opened the door and her husband climbed out, turning to offer his hand to Elizabeth. She took it and when her feet were firmly on the ground, she looped her arm through his and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“Did you enjoy yourself?” he asked as they climbed the steps to the front door.
“Yes,” she murmured. She spoke the truth; she had enjoyed herself—for most of the evening. Truly, it had been too crowded for her taste. What would he do if she said she did not wish to attend such extravagant, well-attended events?
They went to their respective chambers and Smith quickly divested Elizabeth of her gown, jewels, and hair pins. She braided her mistress’s hair and helped her don her nightgown. Elizabeth climbed beneath her coverlet and sank into the soft pillow, sighing in relief and appreciation.
