Mr Darcy's Fight for Love, page 11
“Are we elegant enough for the theatre?” Jane worried while she looked in a mirror.
Elizabeth and Sophie nodded, she was resplendent in a violet dress that accentuated the whiteness of her perfect complexion.
“Yes, my dear,” Sophie said. “You look like a princess, London will be stunned by your beauty. And believe me, all eyes will be fixed on our box.”
“All of London…yes,” Elizabeth said, “but not the viscount, I am worried he knows we will come.”
“Don’t be worried! He is cunning enough not to make any scene in front of his peers, he will pretend to be our best friend. I have a suspicion he is, in fact, a gossiper and all he wants from us are subjects to present in front of his friends.”
Elizabeth was not so sure it was the only motive. She still remembered the hateful glance the viscount threw to Darcy and feared his obsession. That fire was not extinguished and could reignite with force at the slightest incident.
But then she forgot everything in the carriage that took them to the most significant event they had ever attended in Town.
Theatre Royal was an essential place for those who spent the season in London.
“Those who venture to the theatre do not attend to simply watch a play,” Sophie said. “You will see long carriage lines as many just sit in the carriage wanting to see and be seen.”
“Odd custom,” Elizabeth commented with humour, “I hope we will exit the carriage as soon as we arrive to give a chance for our dresses…not to crease.”
They all agreed, incapable of suppressing their excitement, eager to see the play but also London society at its best.
Darcy—accompanied by Georgiana and the colonel—was already waiting in the lobby, his eyes fixed on her from the second he perceived them coming. It was difficult to cross the impressive crowd—people dressed to the nines laughing and speaking with high voices, hundreds of candles that lit the lobby making every piece of jewellery sparkle in thousands of shiny stars.
Sophie and Andrew led the party, but they often had to stop and to answer the greetings. And it seemed all London wanted to say a word to Lady Sommershire and her company. Sophie smiled and presented Elizabeth and Jane as the Duke of Sommershire’s future sisters-in-law. As the two ladies were making their first appearance at the theatre, many men in the lobby decide to pay their respects imagining that an alliance with the duke would be beneficial but also stunned by their beauty and elegance.
Bingley, just arrived, tried to keep his composure in front of his future bride’s beauty, so he whispered to his friend, “It seems this evening we will have to fight for our ladies.”
Unfortunately, he did not know how true he was.
That night meant to be for entertainment and leisure turned into a disaster at the end of the third act.
∞∞∞
The first act was delightful. Elizabeth hardly watched the auditorium as fascinated as she was by the play. She admired the luxurious decor and costumes, the masterpiece of the actor’s interpretation. While the others spoke and laughed, she could not take her eyes from the scene. She had been to the theatre before but that night’s performance was exceptional and the stage, seen from a box, looked so different—she could see every detail.
At the finish of the first act, Mr and Mrs Bennet went to the lobby to meet the Gardiners while the others walked into the spacious hall which connected the boxes. Stewards passed with sparkling wine and glasses of brandy. It was a place for gathering but what a difference from the lobby where the audience from the auditorium met.
She was at Darcy’s arm, excited by the play, dizzied by the surrounding uproar and impatient to share her feelings with him. During that first act seeing her enchantment, Darcy withheld his wish to speak but in the noise around he dared to ask, “So, Elizabeth, how shall we go further?”
Delicately he was questioning her if she wanted to pretend that nothing happened or…
“Yes,” she said. She intended to express in one single word the answers to all his questions but walking side by side he did not see her eyes nor understand the meaning of that word.
He trembled imagining she wanted to forget the kiss. He took two glasses of wine from a tray and made her stop, just wanting to see her eyes; not caring anymore about the people around.
“Yes to which question…?” he asked, offering her the glass.
His gaze was almost hurting her. People were passing by in a continuous stream, many looking at them. In the distance, he noticed the colonel with Georgiana, so he asked in haste with his heart full of fears, “The question from Rosings?”
“Yes!” she said again, but this time as she looked at him, that word could mean only one thing,: Elizabeth wanted to be his wife. He almost dropped his glass, the colonel saved it at the last moment but did not say a word seeing their excitement. What had happened between them was obvious. He looked at Georgiana who was carelessly looking around. He was sorry for her as he knew the happy event would be a difficult one for Darcy’s little sister. However, he had confidence in Elizabeth, and for the time being, he just felt happy for his cousin.
Back in their seats, Elizabeth forgot to follow the actors in the scene; the lines came to her as from a distant fog from the moment Darcy sat behind her. Everything blurred, even the auditorium that rustled in a continuous murmur. Elizabeth could hear Jane’s voice or Andrew’s, asking Sophie if she wanted a glass of wine.
They did not talk, but their silence was full of the last word spoken between them.
It was the sweetest possible punishment, to be engaged between the first and second act—the play that went on and so they could not see each other’s face or speak…or kiss.
During the next break, it proved to be impossible to stay alone. Friends and acquaintances wanted to greet Darcy or Lady Sommershire, asked questions and did not wait for answers, drank and spoke and laughed, but Elizabeth and Darcy could not touch the ground. They still floated on a cloud where they perceived the real world as a distant echo.
He put his hand on her back to protect her from the crowd and her body answered with a quiver he could not miss. He lost his head looking at her long neck, dreaming of the moment he would kiss her.
The third act was delicious torture. At some point he bent toward her to ask a question and he kissed her neck, worried they could be seen but incapable of containing his desire.
Floating in that fabulous happy world—at the end of the third act—they heard a voice.
They both turned at the same moment, violently falling from happiness, fearing the person who entered the box. Elizabeth searched in haste for her parents, hoping that their presence would stop the viscount from any dangerous act. Still, again her parents were missing, probably with the Gardiners in the hall or lobby. She saw Georgiana who was looking at her brother with much curiosity, the colonel and Jane and Sophie with their betrotheds, still unaware of the danger.
“Lady Sommershire, allow me to greet you and your party,” the viscount said with a joyful voice as if he had have forgotten the situation of their last meeting. He was making incredible efforts to be again admitted. The sight of Darcy near Elizabeth wiped the smile from his face for an instant. But he soon recovered and after greeting everybody in the box, he turned to Elizabeth. They were standing with their backs to the theatre with many eyes fixed on their box.
“Miss Bennet,” he said bowing in front of her, utterly ignoring Darcy, “will you do me the honour to accompany you in the lobby?”
It was the very moment when everybody ended up motionless, so obvious was his desire to hurt Darcy while the colonel made a step forward to protect them. Darcy was strangely calm, for only minutes ago Elizabeth agreed to be his wife. He thought nothing could happen anymore and answered in a light, almost friendly tone, “Lord Devonshire, Miss Bennet will stay with her friends and family this evening, please join us, if you want.”
However, he was wrong to adopt such a tone, as unexpectedly ferocious the viscount said, “Will you not give Miss Bennet the right to decide for herself?”
In front of that attitude, Darcy lost his composure, he approached the viscount and said, “Miss Bennet wants to stay with us, with me! So, good evening sir!”
They all held their breath during the conversation hoping Darcy could end the conflict. But they were also wrong. The viscount turned to Georgiana, who was standing near Elizabeth and said, “Maybe Miss Darcy would like to accompany me!” There was such disdain in his words that Georgiana, ashamed, let herself fall into a chair. The viscount’s words were so injurious that Darcy took one more step, close up to the viscount. Lord Devonshire did not say ‘to accompany him to the lobby’ but just ‘to accompany him’. It was such an insult to his sister that Darcy could not take it anymore. He spoke in anger, “I will not make a scene here in front of the ladies but consider I punched you in your face, and you lie at our feet, you knave!”
The viscount’s face was scarlet, distorted by anger and hatred when he spoke, “Consider then receiving my ‘second’, in the morning.”
As he ran out he almost hit Mr and Mrs Bennet who were returning to the box. The happy people they left behind only ten minutes earlier were in a state of shock. They witnessed a dramatic scene, but only the colonel and Lord Montrose really understood what had happened.
Lady Sommershire was the first to recover. She took Georgiana by her hand and said, “Sit, please sit, Miss Darcy, please wave at your friends in the auditorium.” She was doing the same, smiling and waving. “We will stay for another act and only at the first break we will leave.”
It was a smart decision. Elizabeth tried to smile and speak to Georgiana, but she failed, so she raised the opera glasses to her eyes only to hide her tears.
It was the longest half an hour ever. For the first time that evening Darcy was happy Elizabeth could not see his face or that of the colonel’s. They silently decided to step out in the hall and only there, Darcy murmured, “What do you think all this is about?”
From his cousin’s face he understood more than the words could tell, “He is out of his mind!”
Darcy concurred.
“I am afraid he meant what he said,” continued the colonel. “But let us wait for the morning and see if he really sends his ‘second’. But they,” and he indicated the box, “did not fully understand what happened.”
“Excepting for Lord Montrose,” Darcy replied. “What shall we tell the others?”
“The truth.”
Darcy silently agreed and they went back to find Elizabeth standing near the door waiting for them. The colonel took her place in the front row while they sat in the second row, side by side. Darcy took Elizabeth’s hand, he could not do more because the theatre was amply lighted and almost every move was seen from the auditorium.
Darcy kissed her hand and said, “Please, my love, we will talk at home.”
Chapter 22
Lady Sommershire’s supper, meant to be a joyous reunion after the theatre, became a time of anguish and questions. Finally, everyone understood that something serious had happened. While in the carriage Jane and Bingley told Mr and Mrs Bennet about the incident. Once seated at the table they waited for Darcy and the colonel to speak.
“Let us wait for Lady Sommershire,” Darcy said, glad to gain a little more time before exposing the dire enterprise.
As soon as they arrived, Lady Sommershire went to discuss the situation with the duke. The duke and Mary had been invited to meet the Regent who wanted to know his godson’s future wife. Lady Sommershire was worried that some rumours may precede their arrival at the palace. She knew how fast gossip travelled among the Ton and in the viscount’s case gossip spread even faster as he was the one to spread it. They became aware of more and more information about the viscount. He was a womanizer and vile character, but the Ton tended to protect its scoundrels. Lady Sommershire blamed herself for receiving the viscount without knowing what he really was.
As soon as she arrived, she rang for Thomas’s butler. “Is His Grace asleep?” she asked the servant.
“No, madam, His Grace and Miss Bennet are in the library.” And he led her to the library where she found her nephew.
She was anxious, even scared, not knowing what his reaction might be. They had lived a retired life for so long that the outside world appeared complicated and even mad—filled with strange chaos challenging to understand and get used to its rules.
“What is it, Sophie?” the duke exclaimed, seeing her worried face.
Near him was Mary. They were examining a huge map of the world and if it had not been such a tragic situation, she would have smiled at the quiet and serious air around them.
“Sit down, dear Sophie,” Mary said with a sweet and serene voice.
Sophie shook her head, it was not the time for small talk; she was determined not to lie but to avoid the whole truth as she still wanted to protect Thomas.
“You remember that odd personage Viscount Devonshire, who disturbed us the other day?”
Thomas nodded, “The one that I kicked out.”
“Yes,” Sophie said, happy that Thomas was making her task easier.
“He came into our box at the theatre and made a horrible scene, he offended Miss Elizabeth and Mr Darcy’s sister, Georgiana.”
“Georgiana Darcy?” he asked with much interest.
“Yes, do you remember her?”
“Of course I do, she was here a few times with Lady Anne and Mr Darcy. You said that person offended Miss Elizabeth and Miss Georgiana?”
“Yes, yes, my dears,” she answered.
Before her eyes, the happy smile on Mary’s face vanished, cast off by fear, “What does he want from Elizabeth?” she asked.
“Apparently he wanted to court her, but in fact, he just wants to get close to us.”
“But Elizabeth prefers Mr Darcy,” Mary said.
“Exactly! And here comes the horrible part, the viscount challenged Darcy to a duel in front of us all…and by now in front of all England as the viscount is one of the most ferocious gossipers in the Ton.”
“My God, and what does it mean?” cried Mary.
“I know only what Andrew could whisper during our way home from the theatre, but I assure you that Andrew is distraught. Everybody is in the dining room, we planned a supper, but this evening will not be a very pleasant reunion.”
They looked at the duke who seemed deep in reflection, “Come, my dears,” he finally said, “I want to hear everything and discuss this with Mr Darcy and the other men.”
While they walked the distance up to the dining room, Sophie could hear Thomas recounting his meeting with Georgiana; they may have been only five years old, yet his memories were fresh. And again she wondered in admiration about the relationship between Mary and Thomas. Any other girl in Mary’s situation would have felt insecure while she was delighted Thomas recalled a friend from childhood. She encouraged him to remember his former life and his previous experiences and friends. They were two children in paradise and Sophie feared that their golden age could soon be shattered by the villainy of the outside world.
Lady Sommerville did not need to introduce them. Georgiana and Thomas recognised each other and for just an instant the pleasure of meeting again lighted the atmosphere. But it did not last long. Thomas saw the anxious faces and spoke in haste, “Please sit Georgiana; we will have time for memories when all this is over.” He approached Darcy, who introduced the colonel.
“I need to know everything. I am not accustomed to such a situation!” The people around the table admired his composure and the real interest on his face.
It was the colonel to tell every detail of the scene, how the viscount entered their box with the intent to stay and when refused, he offended Miss Elizabeth and Georgiana.
“I admit,” Darcy said, visibly distressed, “I was extremely angered.”
“No, Mr Darcy, it was a gentleman’s reaction in such a situation…only…” Lady Sommershire said.
“Only it did not end well,” the colonel said, “Darcy was angry, and his words enraged the viscount who reacted in the worst possible way…at the end he told Darcy he will send his ‘second’.”
“And what exactly does it mean that he will send his ‘second’? I know what it means but how seriously do you think he is about this course of action?”
“The ‘second’ is the witness to a duel…and I am sure he is determined to pursue his threat,” the colonel spoke with much pain for all who did not know what a ‘second’ was.
At this moment all the gathering understood the gravity of the situation.
As if awakened from sleep, Elizabeth grew pale and stood up watching Darcy with intensity while he came near her.
“What is this nonsense?” she asked.
Georgiana looked at them desperately, unlike the others she was well aware what a duel was, and how dangerous it might be.
“No, you cannot do that,” she said to her brother coming up to him. Darcy just took her into his arms while whispering, “Please, do not be worried.” But his tone was not enough to calm her.
Mrs Bennet approached Elizabeth; on her face, one could see all the pain of a mother for her child in need. “We just got engaged, Mama!” Elizabeth said and a murmur filled the room. Instead of smiles and congratulations, the newly betrotheds received fear and concern.
“The ‘second’ will come in the morning to decide the details, the arms will probably be pistols,” the colonel spoke those tragic words with a mild tone.
“No!” Elizabeth cried, looking at him from her mother’s arms.
“Duelling is forbidden!” Bingley said with a hint of hope.
The colonel honestly answered, “Yes, Charles, it is forbidden by law. But for a man like the viscount, a duel is an exciting experience.”
Georgiana sat down near Mrs Bennet, who took her hand in such a protective gesture that the young girl started to cry, there were no sighs just tears pouring on her face.
