Page 55 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

When the first dance of the set ended, Mr. Darcy finally turned his head aside. Elizabeth glanced at him in time to see him inhale deeply, and she realized he had barely seemed to breathe during the entire quarter hour. As the second dance proceeded, however, he appeared to make a decision to speak. She thought he may tell her to warn Jane away from Mr. Bingley, so she was surprised by what finally escaped his rigid hauteur.

“Is Mr. Cage courting you?”

“Would you be surprised to hear he was, though he is neither a tenant farmer nor a father of small children in need of a governess?”

Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened, seemingly shocked she would be so uncouth as to remember his unforgettable words.

“Not at all.”

Had his cheeks turned pink?

Nothing required her to tell Mr. Darcy that Mr. Cage had shown interest in her and that she welcomed his company but could not presently see him as more than a friend. She need not speak to him at all, in fact.

“Bingley’s letters indicated he has rarely seen you in many months and that his sister said you were not ready to be in society for another year.”

“As that was nearly a year ago, you cannot be surprised to see me at a ball now?” she said in disbelief. “I know you have always seen me as a child, but I am not as young as your sister.”

“No, of course. I was surprised to see you tonight, but not because I think you a child⁠—”

“I see. You were surprised to find me at such an exalted event, expecting that when I came out to society, it would mean attendance at street dances and dog fights.”

Mr. Darcy gaped. If she had not been so annoyed with him, she would have laughed.

“Do not concern yourself that your pristine society will be often polluted by me. I believe my limited experience with London has shown me which invitations to accept and which are not worth my efforts.” The music was ending, and Elizabeth would be free of him within moments. “Perhaps when you next see me, I will be at a boxing match, and I will leave you to decide on which side of the circle.” She curtsied, spun, and walked away before he had fully closed his mouth.

Chapter Twenty-Six

That night, sleep eluded Darcy as he lay in bed. He had never seen anything like Elizabeth’s fiery beauty when she had lambasted him. Her dark eyes had blazed, and her cheeks had pinked to match her enticing lips. It was even better than when she had calmly threatened to bury him alive in his own boat. She was anything but that child now. He had not been able to help himself from staring at her and reveling in the feel of her as they spun with linked arms while it took an exceptionally long time to think of something to say.

In the end, it would have been better had he not spoken. Apparently, she had not forgiven him. Not that he was surprised. He needed to personally apologize. He needed to stay away from her.

He hoped she would not limit her participation in society because of him, but it was a comfort that she did not foresee them often meeting. Then he remembered: she may very well be in love with Mr. Cage. He should be happy, but instead Darcy felt ill. He now lost the one comfort he had received from their conversation. He may not have to see her around London, but that did not mean other men would not have the opportunity.

That was good, he reminded himself. She was not for him. He had convinced himself of this before allowing himself to return to town, but after the menagerie the day before, the first sight of her had shaken his resolve. Why was it again he could not have her?

Connections, fortune, birth. Connections, fortune, birth. Right. Connections, fortune, birth.

Darcy intended to remain in London through June, at the end of his sister’s school term, so it was good Elizabeth would not be everywhere.

Even as he felt shame burning in his gut, he could not help but chuckle at her quick wit. Oh, but she had been angry with him. It must have been a fury festering for the past year. Did Bingley or Miss Bennet not explain and apologize on his behalf? He sighed heavily. Should he seek her out to speak to her once more, knowing he could not be so much as her friend afterward? Attempting to ignore this heavy thought, he turned his mind to estate matters until at last, he fell asleep.

In the morning, still bleary, he sent a note to his friend. He would ask to join Bingley when he called on Miss Bennet. He would ask him to suggest they walk in a nearby park, and then he would find the words to apologize to Elizabeth. Though she could never be more than a passing acquaintance, he could not bear her despising him.

Bingley,

Kindly meet me at the club at one o’clock, before any other calls you may have planned.

FD

He thought that would convey enough to his friend without alerting Miss Bingley if she read it first. It may also help his friend remove himself from his sister’s grasp.

Elizabeth greeted Jane warmly in the Gracechurch Street drawing room. She informed her cousin she should refresh herself immediately, as Mr. Bingley had decided to call on her, rather than waiting for her to go to the Hursts’ home. It was soon obvious to Elizabeth that Jane had no sense of Miss Bingley’s schemes. She decided to wait until after Mr. Bingley’s call to tell all she had learned the night before. When Jane was ready to return downstairs, she knocked on Elizabeth’s door to invite her to join her.

“Mr. Darcy is in town, Jane, and he is as insufferable as ever. I have no wish to see him, so I do not intend to follow the Bingleys around for the coming fortnight. I hope you do not mind.”

Jane understood and was satisfied for now, except for one point.

“Will you stay with me this afternoon, though, when Mr. Bingley comes? It is only…I have not seen him in so long, and…”