Page 99 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Darcy would focus on Elizabeth’s amusement and ignore the on-dits he now perceived coming from another group. He swallowed. This was expected, but it was not easy. He had always hated being the object of talk even when it had been appreciative. He had done all he could to prepare himself to face scorn for his choice, but to have Elizabeth included in the mockery was more difficult than he had anticipated. Perhaps his upcoming travels to Kent would remove some of the pressure on them. If the talk was less when he returned, he would declare himself.

Chapter Forty-Two

“Are you certain you wish to stay home, Lizzy? Nothing untoward occurred at Mrs. Turling’s ball.”

“True, but I have been neglecting my painting. I have some ideas and wish to get started on a new landscape.” She had finished a series of three London society paintings for Kitty and Lydia, and now she planned to paint a series of London parks for the Gardiner nursery. Her St. James’s Park painting would feature the wooded area near the pond, complete with ducks. For Hyde Park, she would include the Serpentine River but also horses and dogs, knowing her young cousins would like the animals. She would also paint The Green Park’s fountain and some more ducks. Or perhaps instead her third piece should be of Queen’s Garden. She had not been there herself, though, so she would not yet decide.

“Lizzy? Are you listening?”

“Forgive me, Jane. I was thinking of my plans for the remainder of the day. What were you saying?”

Jane smiled indulgently.

“I hope you will show me these new paintings. Aunt said you allow nobody in your attic.”

“Oh, well…it has been my refuge. Of course you may see my paintings. I will bring some down later.”

Elizabeth had not yet moved her darker London paintings and debated covering them before inviting visitors. She feared Jane would not understand, but they likely would not concern her as much as they bothered Elizabeth, either.

“If you change your mind, I am departing at four to spend the afternoon with Caroline, and then we will dine with Mr. Bingley and the Hursts before we all go to the card party.”

“Thank you, Jane. Enjoy yourself. And you know Aunt and Uncle and I will all join you at the Hursts’ home tomorrow evening. Now, I am going to practice the pianoforte before my lesson with Bella, but I will help you dress if you alert me.”

As much as Elizabeth did not care for the opportunities card parties gave for whispers to reach her ears, she may have gone had she not known Mr. Darcy had other plans tonight. He was spending the evening with his sister and their cousin at the colonel’s parents’ home. Elizabeth knew he was concerned for his sister now that she was living away from him. She hoped seeing her tonight among family would reassure him of her well-being.

She sat at the instrument and started with a familiar song she had not played in a while, and her thoughts returned to the evening before. Her set with Mr. Darcy was the highlight of her night. She had cherished the opportunity, knowing it may be her final dance with her friend. Although she had noticed no more than Jane had, she was sure people would remember Papa Oliver soon enough and laugh about him again.

When they ate supper together after their set, Mr. Darcy had told her he would leave London the following week to visit his aunt in Kent. He would be gone for ten days. She thought he looked almost as disappointed as she felt to lose his company for so long. But surely, he was excited to spend time with the rest of his family. Miss Darcy and the colonel were also going, and they had another cousin in Kent. She knew she would miss him far more than he would even think of her.

Miss Bingley would not let her forget that. After supper, she had approached Elizabeth in good spirits. Elizabeth had asked her about her recent house party and her two suitors.

“Oh, we really should save the topic for when we have more time. I am about to dance again, or I could talk about them both for hours. But, Miss Eliza, I moved this way for another purpose.”

Elizabeth turned to face her fully.

“It is obvious you and Mr. Darcy have mended whatever broke in your friendship so long ago, but I caution you. I hope you remember he will never be more than your friend. You may not have heard, but my brother told me a year ago that Mr. Darcy is in love with someone else.”

Elizabeth smiled as best she could. “I had heard that, and I do remember. I thank you for your warning, although it is not necessary.”

“Well, that is a relief, I assure you. I know what it is to have hopes for the man, but once I knew his heart was taken, it was simple to choose another path. It is good to hear you have no illusions.”

Miss Bingley sounded almost genuine, so Elizabeth thanked her again for her concern before they both took to the dance floor.

Putting all thoughts of balls, men, friends, and cousins aside, Elizabeth began to play a new, more difficult piece she had recently discovered.

The dinner at the Hursts’ home the next day was familiar from so many years in the same company yet new because Jane and Mr. Bingley were finally engaged. His sisters resentfully acknowledged that Jane would be their sister. Elizabeth still could not understand how Miss Bingley could claim to like Jane such a great deal as a friend yet not wish her for a sister. Mrs. Hurst spoke more of the future with excitement, making plans for the married couples. Perhaps Miss Bingley was jealous to be excluded?

Mr. Hillyerd was in attendance this evening, though, and he was quite attentive indeed. He seemed besotted with her; she appeared to like him, as well.

Elizabeth sat between Mr. Hillyerd and her uncle, so she spoke with him enough to learn he had recently inherited his father’s carriage business. Mr. Hillyerd had grown up helping as his father’s clerk.

Mr. Darcy was too far from Elizabeth for conversation, but they exchanged glances throughout the meal. When a footman had been near placing sliced venison on her plate, she happened to catch Mr. Darcy’s eye, and he shook his head, so she declined the dish.

In the drawing room, once the gentlemen had joined the ladies, he slowly made his way to her side while Miss Bingley played the pianoforte with Mr. Hillyerd in rapt attention.

“Was the venison off tonight?

“It was quite delicious, actually.”