Page 7 of The Wager
“It would be my pleasure, Lord Ashton.”
The two of them immediately made their way to the dance floor and joined the others, who were lining up in preparation for the Quadrille. Left facing the remaining sister, Darcy had no choice but to ask if she would partner with him for the same set.
“Please do not feel you must ask me to dance, Mr. Darcy. Your cousin left you in an untenable situation and I will not be offended if you take your leave.”
Surprised by her gentility and calm manner of speaking, Darcy decided her company was not something to dread. The second time he requested her company for the dance, he looked her in the eye and smiled. A genuine smile.
“Miss Dashwood, it would be my honor if you stood with me for this dance. Even though I am in dire need of someone who is not afraid to turn me down, I beg it not be you.”
Her ensuing laugh was soft and light.
“I believe there is a story behind this request, which you can tell me in full while we dine – after our set.”
He crooked his elbow and Miss Dashwood laid her gloved hand lightly on his forearm and they took their place next to Ashton and Miss Marianne.
Thenextmorning,aslight noise alerted Elizabeth that her aunt had entered her bedchamber while she and the maid finished up the last of her packing. Her papa’s carriage would arrive in less than three hours to take her back home to Hertfordshire. Aunt Sarah picked up one of her shawls and carefully folded it before laying it in one of the trunks.
“I am so sorry your last evening in town was ruined by our mutual cousin.”
A wry grin twisted Elizabeth’s lip upon remembering her first encounter with the two men. If she had known they were distant relations, she might have said something that may have altered the trajectory of their evening. Alas, that did not happen.
“Do not apologize, Aunt Sarah. It is not your fault. He is a man fully grown and accountable for his behavior. You have done nothing wrong.”
With her packing nearly done, Elizabeth left her maid to finish the job and, threading her arm around her aunt’s, walked with her down to the family parlor.
“Truly, I do not know what has gotten into him. He is a fine young man, at least he was.” Her aunt sighed heavily. “Since his father died, the mantle of responsibility has been heavy on his shoulders, but John and I thought he was handling himself very well, considering the circumstance.”
“What circumstance was that?” Elizabeth found herself asking, immediately regretful about showing any interest in the haughty man.
“He has a sister. She is nearly twelve years his junior and was only ten when Mr. George Darcy died.” At Elizabeth’s questioning glance, her aunt expanded the explanation. “Their mother died when Georgiana was very young. She has almost no memory of her mother. Regardless, at the age of two and twenty, Fitzwilliam had to take over the running of the Darcy estates as well as care for his little sister.”
“Estates?”
“The Darcy landholdings are vast, my dear. I dare say, Darcy’s wealth is comparable to the Duke of Devonshire, although he does not like this information bandied about. He is quite happy with people thinking he has only ten thousand a year.”
“Even that sum is staggering.”
“Despite all this, Fitzwilliam has remained polite if a bit aloof. I believe the constant attention and ploys of desperate mammas and their equally frantic daughters have finally pierced the veil of his good temper and you, unfortunately, bore the brunt of his displeasure.”
“While I appreciate you informing me of his goodness, I can only judge on what I experienced and, frankly, I am not impressed. However, I shall not see the gentleman ever again so I can wipe this unpleasant memory from my mind and go home with a clean conscience and treasure all the other memories I gathered while staying with you and Uncle John.”
“We have enjoyed having you, and Jane for the short period she graced us with earlier before your mamma had one of her spells and your sister hastened home to take care of her.”
“I would have gladly gone home with Jane, but my sister insisted I stay and meet some young man.”
Aunt Sarah smiled and said, “You did meet a young man, and did not like him.”
“Forgive me if I do not tell her that. She will gently chastise me for not overlooking his bad manners. If Mamma finds out, she might blame me for not exciting his interest enough for a dance.”
“Your mother is not that bad, Lizzy.”
“She is not, but she truly worries about all our futures. There are five of us to find husbands for. At least Kitty and Lydia will not come out for another few years.”
“I am glad your parents did not stand by that old notion that the younger cannot come out until the eldest is married. Can you imagine you and Mary still in the schoolroom?”
“Mary would not mind. She does not like balls and would rather spend her time either reading or playing the pianoforte.”
“And yourself?”
