Mr. Darcy's Forbidden Love-kindle (3 page)

As time for the ball approached, Charles had not been able to locate either sister, so he proceeded down the stairs to take up his position as host, only to find that William was already in the foyer. Stopping midway on the stairs, he watched surreptitiously as his friend paced relentlessly, as though he expected the Prince Regent to arrive at any minute, instead of the good people of Meryton. Occasionally, he would even walk over to the large front windows to peer out at the drive.

Finally, Charles could hold his tongue no longer, and continuing his descent, he called out, “I would never have figured you to be in such a state, Darcy.”

William jerked his head around and examined Charles for a long moment before realising that he was teasing. Relaxing a bit, he tried to smile. It would not do for Charles to know just who he was anticipating.

Charles continued, “I hope you do not mind that I asked you to stand with me so I may introduce you to my new acquaintances.”

“No, not at all.”

“If I did not know better, I would think you are expecting someone.”

William decided to tell a half-truth. “I suppose I am eager for the ball to begin. This shall be a diversion for me, as I have not been in company for the last six weeks, and I must admit that I find the idea of watching an entirely different level of society quite intriguing.”

“Only you would look at it in that particular way. But you were always much more an observer than a participant.”

“Charles, you know why I cannot—”

Two hands held up in apology stopped William’s explanation. “I know, friend. Please forgive my intrusive comments on what is strictly your business. I sometimes forget your circumstances, since you are never in each other’s company. You are a better man than I to persevere as you do.”

William turned towards the window again, not willing for Charles to see the depth of his despondency. Most of the time, he preferred to pretend all was well, but Charles’ mention of his situation made the reality of it come flooding back, dampening his spirits.

Charles observed the morose expression on his friend’s face as he walked away and was about to say more, when the sounds of a carriage on the gravel drive announced that the first guests were arriving. Mercer went to stand by the entrance while William joined Charles in the receiving line. Just then, Caroline and Louisa came down the stairs as though they were in no hurry to begin the task.

“Oh, my Lord!” William whispered to Charles upon seeing the orange monstrosity that was Caroline Bingley from tip to toe.

But Charles was more concerned with the look in Caroline’s eyes when she saw William. “Come, Caroline, stand beside me,” he motioned her to his other side, effectively keeping her from planting herself next to William. As Caroline scowled at her brother, Louisa took the position next to William, and Bertram Hurst, who made it a point to sneak into Charles’ study for a sip of his expensive brandy every time he could, was the last to take his place alongside his wife. He smelled of liquor.

~~~*~~~

Later

Convinced that he had already met the entire population of Hertfordshire in little over an hour, William began to despair of seeing the woman from the bookshop as the arrivals dwindled to a sparse few. And that disappointment, along with Caroline’s constant stream of criticism of everyone after they had passed out of hearing range, was beginning to grate on his nerves.

Trying not to sound greatly disappointed, he enquired of Charles quietly, “Was your Miss Bennet invited to the ball?”

Charles chuckled without thinking, which instantly drew Caroline’s attention, annoying William. He had hoped against hope that no one would take note of his interest in a certain young woman, especially Caroline.

“According to
my
Miss Bennet, they will be among the last to arrive, as she has four sisters and her mother is always busy with last minute preparations. Rest assured that I have it on good authority that her mother will not allow a soirée to pass in Meryton without being in attendance!”

Caroline seethed at Charles’ jest, and seeing that all the current arrivals had passed on into the ball room, she murmured loud enough to be heard, “Yes, Charles, Louisa has informed me of the crassness of the entire Bennet family.”

Louisa leaned out to catch her sister’s eye and shook her head in hopes of silencing her, but Caroline ignored her and continued.

“I do hope you do not embarrass us with your attention to them.” She leaned around Charles, as if to confide to Darcy. “It is well known that the entire family is ridiculous. Their mother pushes her daughters on any man that breathes, and their father neglects his duty, preferring to laugh at his wife’s lack of decorum and indulge his three youngest daughters—one who quotes Fordyce’s sermons and others who are infatuated with redcoats. I had no idea that Charles would be so foolish as to invite them.”

Charles addressed his sister quietly with gritted teeth. “You are my guest and can very well leave if you do not like the company I keep.” Then he focused his ire on Louisa. “I would appreciate it if you would keep your opinions to yourself. You were performing competently as hostess before Caroline arrived, and I should like you to continue, but only if you can refrain from gossiping about our neighbours.”

Louisa cast another unpleasant look at Caroline. She had sworn her sister to secrecy before sharing her misgivings regarding the Bennets, and Caroline had betrayed her. Addressing Charles, she stated with little true remorse, “Forgive me.  I am sorry for being so outspoken, and from this point on I will do as you ask.” 

Caroline stiffened at her sister’s apology, but quickly recovered. After all, she reasoned, where else could Louisa and Bertram stay so comfortably without having to pay one farthing out of their own pockets?  Caroline had every intention of winning this fight, and she intended to seek Mr. Darcy’s help in doing so. He had tried to bring Charles into his circle of friends, and surely, he would know that these women were detrimental to that goal. Thus, she had resolved to hold her tongue just as the family in question arrived. Nonetheless, while she was concentrating on being silent, had Caroline listened, she might have heard the distinct drumming of one wildly beating heart standing in the line.

~~~*~~~

At the sight of Elizabeth dressed in her best gown—a white silk confection—her hair piled atop her head and interspersed with tiny white pearls, William felt his heart begin a relentless rhythm. A part of him was relieved that, in his loneliness, he had not overestimated her beauty.  She was just as perfect as he remembered. But another part, the faction that always reminded him of his duty, was not as pleased. 

What does it matter? She cannot be yours.

Reminding himself that she was the object of Charles’ affections, he schooled himself not to react as she stepped forward, the first of the Bennets to come through the receiving line. Because of the heartbeat pounding in his ears, William could not hear what Charles and she were saying or what his friend said as he introduced them. But all of a sudden, Elizabeth was standing before him looking slightly bemused. Thinking he had composed himself, he realised at that very moment that he had not. Though he could not formulate a decent sentence, she still smiled—only the smile began to fade as he continued to hesitate.

Finally, he found his tongue. “Miss Bennet, I am pleased to see you again.”

Elizabeth’s smile returned full force, and he prayed earnestly that no one recognised his discomposure as she responded, “I feared from your silence that you had already forgotten me.”

His eyes never left hers as he said very quietly, “You are unforgettable, Miss Bennet.”

“I am not Miss Bennet,” Elizabeth grinned, tilting her head towards the woman who was now talking to Charles. “My sister, Jane, is Miss Bennet.”

William cut his eyes to Charles who was in deep conversation with Jane, and it was quite obvious which
Miss Bennet
his friend was enamoured of—the blond-haired, blue-eyed
angel
whose hand he held. William felt his entire body go limp with the realisation that Elizabeth was not
Miss Bennet
.

Longing to request a dance, he knew that he should not, so instead he ventured, “I cannot wait to see if your boast is fulfilled.” Elizabeth’s eyebrow rose in question, so he added cheekily, “That your dance card will be full.”

Her eyes crinkled with a laugh. “Oh, you shall see that I was not speaking idly!”

She was gone before he could formulate a reply, and once more he found himself staring after her. It was not until Charles began to introduce another of her family that William realised he had not been paying attention.

After being introduced to the rest of the Bennets, he had to admit that Caroline was, unfortunately, mostly correct in her assessments. The mother was strictly interested in making matches for her daughters, but he would grant that she was no bolder than most mothers of the
ton.
The middle sister was boring and the youngest two were totally out of control. Only Miss Bennet seemed to be like Miss Elizabeth in her demeanour. And as for the neglectful father, it seemed to him that Mr. Bennet took an inordinate amount of time studying him when they were introduced, and from the questions he was asked, the man was certainly not neglectful of his second oldest daughter.

“I could not help overhearing my Elizabeth mention that she had met you before, Mr. Darcy. How is it that a man newly arrived in Meryton knows my daughter?” 

William noted the raised brow that accompanied his question, and it brought to mind Elizabeth, as she had the same mannerisms. He almost smiled at the realization before it dawned on him that Elizabeth’s father did not seem amused in the least. So instead, taking on an air of indifference he replied, “I met your daughter when I stopped at the bookshop in Meryton on my way to Netherfield. She was most helpful in pointing out the section of new editions.”

Mr. Bennet’s expression relaxed just a bit, and he nodded in understanding. “Yes, my daughter is a great reader and spends many hours going through Mr. Grant’s merchandise.”

“She is an intelligent young woman. I was impressed with her conversation regarding the authors and works she admires.”

Mr. Bennet chuckled though his eyes did not join the merriment. “Most men would be wary instead of impressed.”

“I am not most men.”

Elizabeth’s father studied William with a sombre expression for a long moment. “I shall remember that.”

William was not sure if that was a compliment or a warning, but from the look in the man’s eyes before he walked away, he was inclined to believe it was the latter. And he did not blame him in the least.

If I had such a daughter, I would be protective of her, too.

~~~*~~~

As he stood against the wall watching Elizabeth dance, it dawned on William that she was not only one of the loveliest women he had ever seen, but the most unaffected. Not afraid to show emotion, she openly enjoyed the gaiety and even laughed aloud at something her partner said. William was mesmerized—so much so, that he did not see Caroline approaching. Often, he managed to avoid her by circling the room and keeping a few steps ahead of her every machination. Thus, when she spoke from just behind him, he was startled.

“I did not mean to surprise you!” She affected a laugh. Then following his line of sight to see what he found so engaging, she saw Elizabeth. Her face instantly fell into a frown, her voice spiteful as she lashed out, “Oh, you have noticed the spectacle that Miss Eliza is making of herself, too. It is little wonder that one so vulgar is popular with the men.”

William turned to study Caroline now, who seemed uncomfortable as his withering glare stayed fixed on her. Before she could make some excuse to leave, he declared, “I have come to the conclusion that Miss Elizabeth Bennet is simply an honest woman without guile. And, I do not believe laughter is evidence of trying to garner attention. I believe it is evidence of a sincere disposition.”

Caroline was incensed and remarked, “In any case, I do not see why a married man, such as yourself, should take any interest in her.”

William, who had turned back to follow Elizabeth through the next dance, did not bother to look at Caroline as he replied, “Just as I do not understand why you have always concerned yourself with my affairs, especially since I am married.”

The rustle of orange silk skirts was the only answer William was to receive as Caroline quickly removed herself from his presence. At that very moment, he met Charles’ eyes as he and Jane made another round on the dance floor. As he shrugged, Charles shook his head in understanding. Insulting Caroline was never William’s objective, but it always seemed to work out that way.

With nothing to occupy his time, he turned his full attention back to Elizabeth. It was evident as he watched her dance with first one man and then another, that she was a very popular young woman. Strangely it caused his heart to ache.

He had long since accepted that he was never to fall in love, being trapped in this nightmare of a marriage with Gisela. And, never the type to disregard propriety or selfish enough to fulfil his own needs, he had resisted every offer made by the widows and wives in the
ton
who preyed upon dissatisfied men. Nor had he resorted to trifling with single young women’s affections or raising their expectations. It went against his very nature, as he had a sister that he loved and whom he would not want to be treated in such a manner.

Until coming to Meryton, William believed that he had subjugated his desires. He had resisted temptation so efficiently and so often that he had begun to think his heart was untouchable. Thus, these unbidden feelings for Elizabeth Bennet perplexed him. What was so different about her that made it painful to contemplate ending their association? Apparently, a force had gripped his heart the moment he first laid eyes on her, and it would not let go. And while he truly desired not to hurt her, he desired to be in her presence even more.