Page 188 of The Mistress of All & Torn

These were the first words he had addressed to her privately after more than a year. Tears burned behind her eyelashes while she clasped her hands together. Her gaze was still captured by his when she said, “Do not leave.”

He frowned in surprise, then his face lit with relief.

“I shall not unless you ask me to. But you look pale and unwell. May I do anything for your present relief?”

“I am just a little dizzy. Other than that, I am perfectly well. It is warm in here and…”

“Would you like something to drink? I could bring you some wine or some punch?”

“A glass of water would be ideal,” she replied.

“Of course. A moment,” he answered, and hurried towards the table with the refreshments. She watched him filling a glass of fresh water, then carrying it to her in haste. It was a kind gesture, but she did not dare consider it more than mere politeness. He handed her the glass but she feared to take it, as their fingers were doomed to touch. Again, he seemed to guess her hesitation, so he held the glass still, allowing her to take it. She did so with infinite care, then gulped from it greedily. She felt his stare on her face as intense as a touch, and cold shivers thrilled her skin under the heavy gown.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“Is that better?”

“Much better. I should return to my place now,” she said, moving hesitantly.

He followed her for a few steps, then bowed and departed again, while Elizabeth returned to the sofa. That was all.

“Elizabeth, has something happened?” Lady Kendal enquired. “I saw Mr Darcy bringing you water. Are you unwell? Do you want to leave?”

Only a short while ago she would have accepted such a suggestion with utter relief. Now, leaving him seemed more painful than bearing his presence.

“No, not at all. I am quite well. The conversation with Mr Darcy and the fresh water was very helpful,” she said with complete honesty.

She did feel more at ease after the brief encounter. As short as it was, it had dissipated some of her concerns about the evening. He apparently did not feel any more comfortable than her—nor did he seem any more confident in regard to that evening. In that, their feelings were equal. Had he missed her too, as much as she had missed him?

Eventually, dinner was announced. Colonel Fitzwilliam offered his wife and Lady Kendal each an arm, and out of the corner of her eye Elizabeth noticed Darcy walking towards her. Her face coloured, as she assumed he wished to accompany her to the table. Instead, she was startled as she heard Bingley’s voice, “My dear sister, may I escort you to the dining room?”

On his other arm, Jane was smiling, and Elizabeth nodded. Behind them, Caroline’s sister-in-law—Miss Abigail Pemberton—clung onto Darcy and whispered something to him.

Before the first course was served, animated conversations resumed. Elizabeth was sitting close to her sister, Georgiana, and Mrs Gardiner. Lady Kendal was several chairs away and so was Darcy—only on the opposite side of the table.

“Lady Alveston, your company is such a rare gift that we feel privileged to see you,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said ceremoniously.

“You are too kind, sir,” she replied lightly. “But I have had the pleasure of seeing your wife rather often in the last fortnight.”

“That may be. I know you have seen my mother too, but I am still entitled to feel privileged for seeing you,” the colonel jested. “You have been missed in the last months,” he added in earnest.

“You and your family’s friendship honours me, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth declared, equally serious.

“Upon my word, I still find it difficult to call the former Eliza Bennet ‘Lady Alveston’,” Caroline Pemberton interjected. “I was just talking to my husband about it. What a change it must have been for you! I am sure you never dreamed of marrying so advantageously and being so rich!”

For a moment there was silence around the table. Jane took the offence on her sister’s behalf and paled. Bingley attempted to intervene, but Elizabeth answered before he could speak.

“I confess I did not. The main advantage of my marriage was that I became the relation of a wonderful man and a wonderful lady. The wealth is an additional weight that I am willingly carrying.”

“Oh, come now Miss Bennet….excuse me, Lady Alveston. Surely you cannot claim that your present situation in life and fortune is a burden. I find it hypocritical to complain about being too rich.”

“Please allow me to call it anything I want, Miss Bingley…excuse me, Mrs Pemberton. And I am not complaining of anything. I am grateful for everything I had and I still have. But a great fortune comes with great responsibilities and with hard work.”

“Not really,” Caroline replied with a mischievous, self-important grin. “Great fortunes usually come with an old, respectable name, genteel breeding, and important connections. People of consequence, as wealthy as they may be, do not work hard.”

Sudden recollections from the past roused Elizabeth’s spirit, as well as her annoyance, and Lizzy Bennet’s temper defeated Lady Elizabeth Alveston’s proper behaviour. She slowly put her fork down on her plate and turned to Caroline Pemberton née Bingley with a smile, allowing no degree of petulance in her voice.

“It seems we are acquainted with very different people of wealth and consequence, Mrs Pemberton. Lady Kendal—whose name, connections, or breeding cannot be questioned—is certainly one of the most generous and hardworking people in all of England. And to my knowledge, although I have not had many chances to witness his actions, so is Mr Darcy. I have had the privilege of benefiting from his knowledge on several occasions, and I am still grateful for it.”