Page 38 of The Heroic Mr Darcy's Bad Manners
“Indeed, I have no objections,” he croaked in an unfamiliar voice.
“You may, but not before you have shown my friend your costume,” Mrs Bennet interjected.
The matrons exchanged knowing looks, but Elizabeth’s rigid stance showed that she ardently opposed the request. Perhaps it was a secret?
“Certainly,” she finally acquiesced and disappeared down the hall.
She returned a few minutes later carrying a red dress he recognised immediately, and all the air was ripped from his lungs. A frigid shiver ran through him as Lady Elizabeth pulled a pair of shoes from beneath the generous skirt.
“Imagine dancing in these monstrosities!” She smiled at Georgiana.
The heels were ridiculously high, and much higher than anything he had ever seen before.
“Heaven forbid!” Georgiana exclaimed with feeling.
“You managed exceedingly well,” Mrs Bennet boasted. “You did not stumble once,” she declared.
“Not true,” Lady Elizabeth corrected. “I did, but you are kind to pretend not to have noticed.”
She presented the shoes for Aunt Eudora to examine. “I cannot fathom how you managed to walk,” his aunt remarked in astonishment.
“I can attest that it was with great difficulty. I was fortunate only to stumble a couple of times, and not once did I fall.” Lady Elizabeth hummed in that deep and pleasant voice he had heard so little since the masquerade. Why had he not recognised it? Because she had avoided him at all costs and hardly spoken a word to him that was not strictly necessary. Which was perfectly understandable in view of his behaviour.
“But why would you subject yourself to such inconvenience?” his outspoken aunt enquired with her usual frankness.
“I was portraying Queen Elizabeth, and she was, as you know, tall and striking with a pale complexion and golden red hair. I had to dye my hair and painted a full face-mask porcelain white, to which I added her famous bright red lips.”
“She was a sight to behold,” Mrs Bennet gushed. “She turned the heads of several gentlemen that evening,” she added with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
“Shall we adjourn to the music room, Miss Darcy?” Lady Elizabeth suggested abruptly. She hung the dress on a chair to be admired and approached Georgiana with an extended arm.
Mrs Bennet looked in bewilderment between Darcy and Lady Elizabeth before she exchanged a concerned glance with his aunt.
Georgiana accepted her arm but looked at him for guidance. “My brother—”
“He is too polite to impose upon two young ladies with secret affairs to discuss,” Lady Elizabeth interrupted, escorting his sister out of the room.
Darcy was left awkwardly rooted to the floor, in the middle of the room, with his mind reeling. Every encounter with Miss Elizabeth Bennet played in rapid succession through his mind, including the assembly, where his cruel remarks had made her fine eyes water and spill. Her subsequent efforts to avoid him suddenly made perfect sense. He had grievously injured her and then made sport of her by following her around—effectively thwarting her efforts to escape his company—and adding insult to injury at Lucas Lodge, Netherfield, and Bingley’s ball. Miss Elizabeth Bennet was Eilís!
His eyes misted, and he bowed his head to the floor. What could be done? Nothing! It was in every way horrible, with no hope of redemption. He had lost.
“Darcy!” Aunt Eudora touched his arm and brought him out of his miserable thoughts. “What is the matter? I have called your name three times with no response.”
“Pardon me. I have a twinge of a headache,” he lied. “Please, do not allow my slight indisposition to ruin your visit.”
“Then you must at least sit,” Aunt Eudora insisted.
Darcy let himself be led listlessly to a chair and sat where he was put. Mrs Bennet ordered a cup of willow bark tea, and he drank the bitter concoction obediently, but the fuzziness made him feel wretched. He did not deserve their compassion.
An eternity later, Georgiana returned, giggling, her head bent closely to Elizabeth’s. It was just further proof of his failings. Of course Lady Elizabeth was the perfect woman to bring his reserved sister much-needed joy and companionship.
“It has been a pleasure, my dear.” Aunt Eudora rose.
Darcy hoped he had managed to thank Mrs Bennet for her hospitality as well but could not remember when he stepped out of the door. Georgiana chatted happily about her time with Lady Elizabeth whilst his aunt stared out of the window with a tight expression around her mouth. He conveyed her to her home and handed her out himself.
“We shall discuss what happened later,” Aunt Eudora announced with a quick glance at his sister. Darcy was glad she had the wherewithal to spare Georgiana the sordid story.
It was with a heavy heart that he entered his house. When he had left this morning, he had a fervent hope that his life would no longer be lonely and void of the companionship only the lady of his heart could provide. He returned with shattered aspirations. Georgiana disappeared to the music room to practise a piece of music she hoped to play with Lady Elizabeth. He did not have the heart to disabuse her. It was highly unlikely Elizabeth would have anything more to do with the sister of the most disagreeable gentleman of her acquaintance.
