A Month to Love 2 Page 3

  Fanny was gauche, and Lizzy had accepted that a long while ago. She did not want to be embarrassed about her mother, so she endeavored to remember that though her mother lacked certain sophistications, she was a good person at heart, and she had always made Lizzy feel loved, even if she was certain her mother did not understand her.

  Bingley greeted them within seconds of them stepping into the ballroom. Ostensibly, he went straight to Mr. Bennet, but his gaze was on Jane, not Douglas, as he and her father traded pleasantries. He greeted everyone before turning to Jane. “I would like to reserve two dances on your card, Miss Bennet.”

  Jane flushed, looking pleased. “I would happily give you all the dances, Mr. Bingley.”

  “Really,” said Mary with a hint of rebuke in her tone. “You know how scandalous that would be, Jane.”

  Jane ignored Mary’s admonishment to accept the arm Mr. Bingley extended. Apparently, he intended to begin dancing right away.

  Darcy and Georgiana approached next, and they exchanged greetings. Lizzy felt shy around him, though uncertain why. They had parted seemingly on easy terms after he had walked her home last week, and it had continued when he once more came to tea, along with Georgiana.

  They had exchanged pleasantries when she had come to Netherfield for tea along with Jane yesterday, though Mr. Bingley had not been there yet. He had been expected the day before, but he had sent word he would be delayed. Jane had been disappointed but rallied upon learning from Mr. Darcy that Charles would arrive before the ball.

  She and Mr. Darcy seemed to be getting along, so why was she suddenly shy in his presence? Maybe because tonight was the night they would announce their engagement?

  “It is lovely to see you again, Miss Bennet.” He took her hand in his very briefly and kissed the back of it in an utterly French manner. She barely resisted the urge to giggle as Lydia and Kitty tittered about his greeting while Mary murmured words of shock. When she heard her mother give the girls a repressive reminder to mind their manners, her lips twitched at the irony.

  “I would like to request your first two dances, Miss Bennet.” He spoke those words as he stood up, but his hand still held hers.

  “I would like that as well.” She glanced around, conscious of the gazes avidly focused on the two of them. She had not ventured out much once the scandal had broken, since there was no official engagement yet, so them together was clearly fueling the gossip. That would no doubt surge when the two of them began dancing.

  Lizzy couldn’t say she enjoyed being the subject of gossip and speculation, with all the eyes watching them, but she was still glad she’d not accepted a hasty marriage by special license. If possible, she wanted to love her husband before she married him, and that would not have happened if they had rushed into matrimony.

  She still couldn’t be confident it would happen before their wedding, but it seemed at least tentatively possible now. She’d softened toward Darcy, though she still waited to see if he tried to interfere between Jane and Mr. Bingley again. That would be unforgivable, since he now knew Jane’s heart, and that she was shy, not unfeeling.

  “I shall be honored to dance with you, Mr. Darcy.”

  “There is no time like the present. Shall we?”

  It was good timing, since the current dance was coming to an end, and Jane and Mr. Bingley had already gotten into position for the next formation. “I do enjoy a good dance.” He was still holding her hand as they walked to the dance floor, and she was aware of giggles and whispers that followed them. Lizzy tilted her chin and straightened her shoulders, determined not to appear ashamed or embarrassed.

  As they got into formation for La Flora, she couldn’t stifle a groan when she noticed Catherine de Bourgh and Lady Anne across the ballroom. She could practically feel Lady Catherine’s gaze burning into her, and the glower of displeasure on her face left Lizzy feeling scalded. She quickly averted her gaze, focusing on Mr. Darcy instead. “I did not realize your aunt and cousin would be here.”

  He grimaced slightly. “Nor did I. She and Anne showed up yesterday, accompanying Charles when he arrived. He tells me that was why he was delayed. He was summoned to Lady de Bourgh’s and instructed he was going to accompany her and Anne to Netherfield.”

  “How bold of her.” Lizzy couldn’t keep the censure from her tone.

  “Indeed,” murmured Darcy.

  She endeavored to ignore the other woman as she and Darcy danced the first two dances. There was very little touching involved, other than their clasped hands from time to time, but she enjoyed the proximity each time they came into each other’s region as they rotated partners for the quadrille. “I am nervous,” said Lizzy as she and Darcy joined again toward the end of the second song.

  He squeezed her hand. “About the announcement?” At her nod, he said, “There is no reason to be nervous. It will be a brief announcement. There will be gossip and speculation, but that will die down. Once we are wed, there will be no more scandal.”

  She smiled slightly. “I believe you are correct, but that is not why I am nervous. I suppose I am worried to be acknowledging that we are betrothed. It seems quite permanent.”

  He scowled. “It is permanent. I am sorry that it fills you with tension to contemplate being forced to wed me.”

  Her tone softened, and she squeezed his hand lightly as he turned to her due to the dance steps. “I do not feel forced, Mr. Darcy. I am nervous about our ability to coexist, but I no longer fear it will necessarily be an unpleasant match.”

  “How can I assuage any concerns you have and prove it could be a most pleasant match?” He arched a brow.

  The music was ending, but she was not yet done talking to him. “Will you dance with me again, Mr. Darcy?”

  His eyes widened in shock. “We have not yet made the engagement announcement. It will stoke the fires of gossip.”

  “I find myself quite uncaring about that. I would like to continue our conversation. I understand if it would be too uncomfortable for you though.” She started to pull away as the music ended, and they stopped the dance.

  Darcy’s hand tightened around hers, and he pulled her seamlessly with him into the next dance as the music began again. She heard gasps and whispers around them, but she tuned it out she focused on Darcy. This was a waltz and quite scandalous, at least to the older people around the room. Lizzy figured she was currently ruined anyway, so what difference did it make if she had a third dance with Darcy, even if it was something as intimate as the waltz? Having his hand on her waist, with her hand on his shoulder, increased their ability to touch, and it left her feeling slightly feverish and a little jittery.

  “Is there anything I can do to ease your fears, Lizzy?” He lowered his head slightly, so he could whisper near her ear, though there was no inappropriate touching. “I only want to make you happy.”

  She glanced over his shoulder, not surprised to see Mr. Bingley and her father talking on the edge of the dance floor. Mr. Bingley appeared animated, and Jane was nearby, chewing on her lower lip with obvious concern. She grinned, considering the possible reasons that might be. “Mr. Bingley has wasted no time.”

  Darcy stiffened slightly. “What are you talking about?”

  “That.” She waited until his gaze fell on her father and Mr. Bingley talking after they rotated enough for him to do so. “I suspect Mr. Bingley is asking for my sister’s hand.” She held her breath as she waited to see what his response would be.

  Darcy stiffened slightly, but then he relaxed. “If Jane makes him happy, and he makes her happy, I have no objections. As I have stated in the past, I was acting out of the need to protect my friend, not to injure your sister.”

  She let go of the breath she hadn’t been aware of holding. “That goes a long way toward soothing my fears, Will.” She barely whispered his name, knowing it would simply add fuel to the fire of gossip if people heard her talking to him in such a familiar way.

  “In that case, I should like to make the announcement as
soon as possible.”

  Lizzy nodded. “I suppose we should give them a dance or two before we do. I am sure the gossipers’ tongues are wagging and could certainly use a respite for a few minutes.”

  Darcy laughed heartily. “I suppose I can wait a couple of dances. I would like to dance with you again, but I fear those gossipers’ heads might spin around and send smoke escaping their ears if we indulge in the fourth dance.”

  She nodded her agreement as the music came to an end. Darcy stepped back, bowing to her, and she curtsied at him before they separated. She would like to remain at his side, but she didn’t want to add ammunition for those who were currently talking about them.

  They would soon have little to discuss once they realized she and Darcy were about to get married. After the engagement and the wedding, and several months passed with no little Darcy heirs arriving prematurely, any remaining gossip would cease. If not, Lizzy found herself not quite caring. Of course, it was easy to be brave at Netherfield, where there were only perhaps two hundred people in attendance versus London or Pemberley, where she would have to face larger crowds and new faces.

  Lizzy went to the punch bowl, serving herself a glass. She saw Jane approaching, and her sister was flushed with excitement. She was about to greet her sister when a cold hand fell on her upper arm, between where her sleeve ended and her glove began. Fingernails dug into her skin, jerking her around. She barely avoided spilling punch on her lavender gown as she set down the cup and turned to face the person who was tugging on her.

  She was unsurprised to find Lady de Bourgh’s beady eyes drilling into hers. She kept her tone polite when she said, “How lovely to see you again, Lady de Bourgh.”

  “I wish to speak with you.”

  There seemed little reason to resist. She knew Lady de Bourgh would register her objections, but there was nothing she could say to convince Lizzy and Darcy not to marry.

  Stiffening her resolve, she followed behind the older woman as Lady de Bourgh led her out of the ballroom and into the hallway. She could still see the ball, but it gave them a semblance of privacy. “What may I do for you, Lady de Bourgh?”

  “You may retract your claws from my dear nephew. I do not know what game you play, but he is engaged to my daughter. You are simply sullying yourself and your reputation. Do you want your family to be completely dishonored? You are already a laughingstock and a model of low standards. If I were you, I would be ashamed of my behavior.”

  “Luckily, you are not me, and I am not you.” She shuddered at the thought, unable to imagine being as malicious and manipulative as Lady de Bourgh. She also had no need for sycophants as the other woman did. “What happens between Will and me is not your business.”

  The other woman’s mouth gaped open. “How dare you address him so familiarly? You are a trollop.”

  “I am not a trollop. I am…” She trailed off as she saw her father standing with Charles and Jane. Darcy was looking around, clearly searching for her as he moved toward her father as well. Knowing her time with Lady de Bourgh was coming to an end, she turned her attention to her again. “I do not seek your counsel. Lady Anne and your nephew are not engaged, at least not formally or in anyone’s mind but yours—and perhaps hers. You must accept the future you want is not what you will get.” She kept her voice kind, her tone gentle even, but her words were firm.

  “Lies. I shall see you ruined.”

  She ignored Lady de Bourgh’s harsh words as she stepped back into the ballroom, shaking off the other woman’s clawed hand when the lady reached for her. She made her way toward her father, where Darcy stood at his side while Jane and Charles stood on his other side.

  Mr. Bennet had started without her. “May I have your attention?” It was hardly necessary, since the ballroom had gradually fallen silent, now with all eyes pointed toward the unfolding drama. “It is with great pleasure I announce the betrothment of my daughter Jane to Mr. Charles Bingley.”

  The energy of the room changed, with gasps of delight and immediate sounds of applause around them. Several people called out their best wishes, and Lizzy realized staff were circulating with glasses of champagne for the forthcoming toast.

  “That is not all,” said Mr. Bennet, after giving the crowd a moment to quiet on its own. When it didn’t, he simply raised his voice. “I have another—”

  There was another round of gasps, but this time was different. Lizzy looked in the direction where they seemed to emanate, gasping herself when she saw Lady Anne slumping to the floor in a sound faint. She looked around for Lady de Bourgh, but Anne’s mother was across the room. She’d had no influence on Anne’s faint, but that didn’t mean Anne had not instigated it herself. Surely, she realized Lizzy and Darcy’s engagement was about to be announced, so it seemed perfectly reasonable that she would have orchestrated a faint to prevent its occurrence.

  The crowd gathered around Anne as Lizzy moved closer, though she made no attempt to go to the woman’s assistance. Darcy had surged forward, and now he lifted his cousin into his arms and carried her to nearby chaise lounge lining the edge of the ballroom.

  As he laid her down, Lady de Bourgh’s voice permeated the room. “I too should like to announce an engagement. My nephew, Fitzwilliam Darcy, will be wedding my sweet daughter Anne once the banns are called.”

  The crowd was clearly torn between concern for Anne and congratulating Catherine’s announcement, along with shooting furtive glances at Lizzy. They would have much gossip on which to gorge themselves after this evening.

  Lizzy was not torn at all. She was only upset as she waited for Darcy to counter the announcement. As the silence lengthened, her confidence in him doing so grew shaky. When it was obvious he was not going to correct Lady de Bourgh’s statement, she slipped away from the ballroom, breaking into a run and darting from the entrance of Netherfield and into the night beyond.

  Tears slipped down her cheeks as she rushed in the direction of Longbourn. She had traversed the path many times, though not in the dark with tears blurring her eyes. It was a miracle when she arrived home nearly an hour later uninjured, except for her heart and her pride.

  Darcy had not refuted Lady de Bourgh’s announcement, so what did that mean for them? Had she flaunted her ruination by dancing with him a third time on the false belief there would be an engagement? Had her trust in Darcy been misplaced? It seemed that it had, and she was far more devastated than she would have believed to contemplate she was not going to marry Darcy after all.

  * * *

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  About the Author

  Abbey is a diehard Jane Austen fan and has loved Fitzwilliam since the first time she “met” him at age thirteen upon borrowing the book from the school library. He is the ideal man, though Abbey’s husband is a close second. Abbey enjoys writing various steamy Jane Austen variations, but “Pride & Prejudice” (and Mr. Darcy) will always be her favorite.