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Even as this thought occurred to him, Darcy noticed some women gossiping behind their fans and exchanging raised eyebrows. Clearly there was some talk about his cousin’s behavior. Darcy could understand his aunt’s insistence on avoiding further scandal at this moment, although he grimaced at the thought. He would have had no trouble complying with her wishes at another moment in time, but how long could he bear to be separated from Elizabeth?
There was a lull during which no guests arrived and Colonel Fitzwilliam, who was standing next to Darcy, took the opportunity to scrutinize his cousin. “Well, Cousin, you do not seem nearly as melancholy as before we left for France.” Darcy nodded briefly in acknowledgment, but said nothing to enlighten his cousin. “Now you have a new sprightliness in your step. Care to reveal why?”
Darcy gazed past his cousin to the ballroom door. “No.”
“I shall figure it out.” The Colonel grinned rakishly. “I would love to learn more about your escape from France. It is a thrilling story, I am certain.”
“Yes, I will have to recount it when I have time to do it justice,” Darcy said, trying to ignore Fitzwilliam’s scrutiny.
“I had planned to apologize for luring you to France and entrapping you in a war, but perhaps it is not necessary.”
Darcy gave him a sidelong glance that was full of irony. “Richard, have I thanked you recently for dragging me to France and entrapping me in a war?”
Fitzwilliam was still attempting to formulate an appropriate response when Darcy spied Elizabeth and the Gardiners enter the room. He hurried forward to make the introductions.
Elizabeth was stunning in a gown of blue silk, with a light blue ribbon woven into her dark curls. As he introduced them, Darcy could see his aunt taking the measure of the younger woman, having already dismissed the Gardiners as being unimportant. Now she pursed her lips in disapproval as she regarded Elizabeth, who, nonetheless radiated charm and confidence, smiling and talking with apparent disregard of his aunt’s mood. He wondered what the effort was costing her.
Darcy resumed his place next to Fitzwilliam as the Gardiners and Elizabeth made their way toward him. Elizabeth curtsied before the Colonel. “Miss Bennet,” he said, “I am so happy to see that you were able to escape France without harm.”
“Thank you, Colonel.”
“When did you arrive in London?”
“Only a few days ago.” Fitzwilliam raised his eyebrows at this information, but said nothing. “I did not expect to see you in London,” she added.
“Yes, I have been assigned the onerous duty of defending the capital,” Fitzwilliam replied with mock regret and Elizabeth laughed. “Actually I am currently serving as an aide to General Howell, but they may send me abroad soon. I hope I may have the pleasure of a dance tonight?”
“Yes, sir,” she smiled winningly at him. “The first dance is reserved,” Elizabeth’s gaze slid to Darcy, her eyes sparkling since he had requested the first dance yesterday. “But you may have the second if you wish.”
“Very good.” The Colonel’s eyes traveled speculatively from Elizabeth to Darcy, who returned the look blandly.
Mrs. Gardiner had been standing next to Elizabeth during this exchange. “Elizabeth, you cannot do too much dancing, remember. If you fatigue yourself too much, you might suffer a relapse.”
Annoyance flashed across Elizabeth’s face and was gone. “I will be careful. May I present Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Darcy’s cousin?”
As the Gardiners conversed with the Colonel, Elizabeth moved down the line to stand opposite Darcy and curtseying with an ironic gleam in her eye. “Mr. Darcy, so good to see you again.”
“Miss Bennet, can I say you look lovely tonight? I daresay no other lady here can compare.” He kissed her hand. It was pure torture. She was here – more beautiful than he had ever seen her – and he could not kiss her. He decided the rules of proper behavior had some serious flaws. “I look forward to our dance.”
“As do I.” Her smile was completely innocent, yet it made him want to forget every promise he had made to his Aunt – to dance every dance with her and take her into his arms and never let her go. He wanted, God help him, to announce their marriage to everyone at the ball so there would be no barriers between them.
The Gardiners greeted Darcy and, after a brief conversation, the trio moved away, Darcy watching Elizabeth until she disappeared into the crowd. Most of the guests had already arrived and the two men had no one to greet. Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to his cousin with a speculative gleam in his eye. “I had not realized Miss Bennet had been ill.”
With a sinking feeling, Darcy realized where this conversation was tending. “I believe she is mostly recovered,” Darcy allowed.
“It is quite a coincidence,” Fitzwilliam continued. “Georgiana said that your letters from France explained how your traveling companion was ill and unable to travel. She thought it a little curious that you did not mention your companion’s name, but concluded it was because she was probably not acquainted with him. Now I wonder if he was a she.” Fitzwilliam grinned at Darcy.
“Your powers of deduction are undimmed, Cousin,” Darcy said, lowering his voice. He had known he would not be able to conceal
the truth of his travels in France from his cousin for long. “Miss Bennet had no other way to leave France since her aunt and uncle were in another part of the country. When she became ill, I took her to the home of my college friend, Thomas Whitmore. Nothing improper took place, however. After all she was ill most of the time.”
Fitzwilliam waved this statement away as unnecessary. “Of course. I know you Darcy. Are you ever planning to enlighten Georgiana?”
“Eventually. She is so young and easily shocked, but I know she will be sympathetic to the necessities of the situation. I am hoping she will get to know Elizabeth better before I must lay out the full story.” Darcy sighed inwardly at the thought of how much story there was to explain. “Out of concern for Miss Bennet’s reputation, we have kept the details a secret.”
“Rest assured I will not say anything.” Fitzwilliam resumed his speculative expression. “Did I perceive a softening in her regard for you?”
Darcy could not suppress a small smile. “There has been progress. Unfortunately your brother has made it rather difficult to associate with a family touched by scandal right now. Not to mention the trouble caused by Lydia Bennet and Wickham.”
