Scotch and Sirens

Chapter Eighteen

 

Darcy was standing in front of his mirror and trying to tie his necktie. The task seemed all the more difficult since his hands were not as steady as usual. There was no reasonable cause for his current state. He had had a good sleep after their little escapade and he should be as good as new now. However, his morning ride with Elizabeth still bothered his mind.

As soon as he had awoken that morning, he had been impatient for their meeting. He started to premeditate their exercises already during his early breakfast and went for their appointment long before the due time. As much as he anticipated their encounter, he could not gather himself during it. In the very minute of their reunion, he had understood that he had had the most outstanding dream, which she had not shared. Every time he looked at her, or tried to set her body into a proper position on her horse, the picture of the dream Elizabeth desiring his touch returned to bother his mind. It eventually resulted in a very unwelcome situation. Not wanting to show his confusion he had avoided any conversation. He was afraid now that Elizabeth might have received his attitude as a considerable reserve on his part, and though he had repeated his wishes and assertions as to the coming evening, he was not sure if she might not have started to doubt his intentions.

Now the darned necktie was making obstacles for him, and just when Darcy was about to pledge never to travel without his valet again he heard a quiet knock, and Brougham’s man presented himself at his door.

“Mr. Darcy, Lord Brougham suggested that you might require my assistance.”

Darcy sighed heavily and exposed his neck.

 

 

The carriage ride to the Steeles was a fair five-mile journey and the gentlemen had sat themselves in the coach after a very silent drink in the library. Darcy’s indiscernible mood puzzled Brougham. After all, he was going to meet Miss Bennet, even if social occasions with new acquaintances rarely gave him pleasure.

Brougham wished he could have told Darcy what was on his mind. He could sincerely have expressed his joy at meeting Miss Bennet again and happily have talked about her and her aunt, but Darcy was silent, the perfect picture of a gentleman. All the follies of the hunting hut were forgotten. His attire mirrored his taste and position, but he was in an atypical mood even for him going out. So Brougham stayed quiet.

But when the carriage drew up in front of their destination he caught his friend’s eye and felt it expedient to utter something.

“I dare say it will be a most agreeable evening. But if you feel pressed we can leave whenever. Just tell me.”

“Thank you Brougham, I will remember that.”

 

 

Mrs. Tournier welcomed her guest into the parlour.

“Please sit down, Agnes. How very kind of you to come all this way and to let us take advantage of your carriage to attend this little ball tonight. I am afraid we must trespass on your kindness a little longer though. For having such strict opinions about men and society, my daughter and niece are taking an extraordinary amount of time preening themselves for this dinner.

“We shall give them exactly the time it takes for you to tell me all about your visit to Edinburgh and dear Henrietta, and then we will go and insist on them being unable to improve upon themselves any further and set off. I have always thought both of them rather shine on the merit of their character anyway, and there will be more shortage of that tonight than of beauty as always.”

After the allotted talk had taken place, and more than enough time had passed, Mrs. Tournier impatiently called up the stairs.

“Holly! Lizzy! It is too late to grow a smaller nose or get your hair into curls à la Greque. And if you take much more time we will have to get out your muffs and winter shawls. I cannot bother Mrs. Cotton with details of her Edinburgh trip or her daughter's confinement forever.”

 

 

Lizzy had sat immobilised on the edge of her bed, staring into the wardrobe. She could not for the life of her remember which dresses she had worn on which occasions. She could not wear one he had already seen her in. Friend or not, she did want to look her best. There were others at the party after all, and she would not want to embarrass herself by wearing something that was not just right. For some silly reason she could not make herself move until she could remember each event related to each dress.

She was still sitting there when Holly knocked on her door. Oh, it was no use, she thought, she had very few and was certain she had worn them all at one time or another in particular company. Finally standing, she went to the closet and grabbed the one she had worn to dinner at Pemberley with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. It was a pleasant memory at least. She began to hurriedly put it on when she bid Holly to enter.

She did her best to cover over her late actions in even choosing a dress by chattering about how hard it was to pick for such occasions. Holly simply stared at her while she rambled on. They each then did the other's hair with the skill of long practice and, finally surveying the results in the mirror, proclaimed great beauty for the other's fine work. They hurried down the stairs just as Mrs. Tournier aunt was calling to them.

“We are coming, Maman!” cried Holly, as they clambered down. In a blur of rustling muslin they found their shawls, gloves and hats, and in no time they were all seated in Mrs. Cotton’s carriage and on their way to the Steeles.

 

 

Both gentlemen entered the house and were shown to the parlour. Mrs. Steele, upon seeing her guests, hurried to greet them.

“Mr. Darcy, what a pleasure! And this, I assume, is Lord Brougham?”

Darcy bowed, “Yes madam, please, let me introduce…”

“Oh, but let me introduce my daughters as well. My eldest, Miss Steele, and Miss Lucy.”

The girls, standing right behind their mother, smiled to the gentlemen.

“Miss Steele, Miss Lucy, good evening,” Darcy replied, giving them a small bow as well.

Brougham found to his amusement that the evening had started off exactly to his taste. He bowed at the ladies and found their eager little faces lit up. Since this was to be a rare evening in this circle, he decided to enjoy himself.

“Miss Steele. Miss Lucy. My compliments, Mrs. Steele. Such charming daughters in such a charming establishment. And I see you have a very lively evening planned. It was so good of you to invite us,” and since his friend looked as if he was in a hurry to go and position himself by a fireplace or a window, he hastily followed him into the room.

After Mrs. Steele had finished with the gentlemen she and her family turned to greet the newest arrivals. Lizzy looked toward Mr. Darcy as he walked away and blushed slightly when he turned around and caught her eyes on him. Quickly looking away she found herself face to face with Lucy in the receiving line.

“Good evening, Miss Lucy. You look very lovely tonight,” she said, looking at her with a friendly smile in place.

“Welcome, Miss Bennett, I am so happy you could come! We shall have most pleasant conversations, you and I. It is always most enjoyable when one knows one's guests as well as we know each other,” she responded.

“Yes!” Lizzy replied. “Most pleasant indeed!”

The amenities over, her Aunt went in one direction while she hesitantly led Holly toward Lord Brougham and Mr. Darcy, who seemed to be expecting it since both men were looking their way.

Darcy started walking in her direction and greeted them most cordially when they met halfway.

“Miss Bennet, Miss Tournier, it is a pleasure to meet you again.”

Lizzy, happy that she had not erred in her judgement, felt more secure than she had before. He had been rather quiet during their morning ride and she had wondered about it a little.

“Good evening, Mr. Darcy. Lord Brougham. The pleasure is returned in full, I assure you.”

Lord Brougham joined in the greetings. The social formalities seemed to startle Holly out of her own thoughts, which looked to be troubled by the way Lizzy had headed directly over to Mr. Darcy. She now returned their greetings with politeness.

“Lord Brougham,” Elizabeth thought to ask, “did you find your hunting trip enjoyable?" and she stopped short, panicked with the sudden realisation that there was no way she could have known about that trip if she had not seen Mr. Darcy during the riding lessons.

Holly turned to look quizzically at her cousin. “Hunting trip, Lizzy?”

Darcy interjected, “Oh, yes, I was telling Miss Bennet during the dinner at Rosefarm that my friend and I were going on a hunting trip.” He smiled to Elizabeth. “How nice of you to remember, Miss Bennet.”

Completely embarrassed, and trying not to look it, Lizzy gave him a smile of genuine relief and thanks.

Seeing Miss Tournier’s suspicious look, Darcy decided that it would be best to steer his conversation with Elizabeth to a more private one. He slightly moved aside so that the other couple would not hear his words and would turn their own conversation onto a separate course.

He gave Elizabeth a knowing smile.

“We did enjoy the hunting trip. I must admit that the countryside here is everything one might expect, if not too melancholic, but beautiful all the same.”

“Oh, that is what I love about it! There is nothing like the melancholy feeling one has when coming up a rise and suddenly seeing the wind swept world spreading out below. It is even more beautiful the further north and west you go.” She looked at him and developed a mischievous gleam in her eye. “But maybe it does not have to give one that feeling? Perhaps you are not thinking the proper thoughts. Tell me, have you considered thinking of business matters while out walking the countryside? Something droll like your accounts or the current selling price of wheat?”

Darcy’s eyes smiled upon seeing her enthusiasm.

“I must seem to you a very dull man if you suspect me of pondering business matters when there is so much beauty around me. I think my thoughts were very proper. Perhaps I was only lacking such an enthusiastic partner as yourself, Miss Bennet.”

“I did not mean to imply that you did think only of business,” she replied in earnest. “On the contrary, if you had a melancholy experience then you would not be thinking of that at all. It was only advice to change your experience if you wished it.

“But pray tell, what directions would your thoughts take if you had an enthusiastic partner walking by your side?" she asked.

Darcy looked at her glittering eyes and answered playfully. ”In that case my thoughts would centre on appreciating the most stunning sight, which is the heartfelt enthusiasm in my partner’s eyes.”

"Well, I can see then why you are of the opinion that the feelings of the recipient matters most where poetry is concerned. You have no personal need of a particular poet, Mr. Darcy. You do quite well writing your own verse."

“Thank you for your kind words, Miss Bennet. No, indeed, I would not care about any particular poet in the company of a partner who could be my muse.”

She smiled brightly at his response. “We seem to talk often on such subjects, Mr. Darcy. May I ask you to describe your perfect partner? Since you have expressed a wish for my friendship the other night, I feel that a friend would know this much about you at least. But you need not answer if the question is too impertinent.”

Lucy, had observed them for long enough to see that Miss Bennet was not going take her warning about staying away from Mr. Darcy seriously. In fact Lizzy had practically run to him once she had entered the room. So she herself walked over, coming to stand beside them.

“And what are you two talking about so earnestly, may I ask?”

Darcy smiled to Miss Lucy and looked back to Elizabeth. “Miss Bennet wanted me to describe my perfect partner, which I find a bit surprising, since, as my close acquaintance, she should know the answer better than anyone else. But her interest flatters me all the same, of course.”

“Oh, what an interesting question to be asking at the moment, Miss Bennet,” Lucy commented, emphasising her words with a careful, yet direct look at Lizzy.

Turning her smile on Mr. Darcy, she asked, “And may I ask for details, Sir? What would your perfect partner be like?”

Darcy smiled sheepishly. “What Miss Bennet already knows, I am sure. She would ask many impertinent questions and keep myself at the receiving end of her remarkable wit produced in a mind highly improved by constant reading.”

He smiled to Miss Lucy and looked at Elizabeth again. “What she may be not aware of, is that she would entirely enchant me with her beautiful eyes.”

Lizzy blushed, and for a moment she was at a loss for words. But then she realised he was only playing a part since Lucy was now present. If only it could be so, she thought – that he really found enchantment there, in her own eyes. She said nothing, for there was nothing to be said, but she could not help herself smiling at him.

Lucy was unhappy with his response, and she was silently berating herself for having asked for details. How very stupid, and how very foolish of her to have given that one to Lizzy on a platter! She thought it might be time to set Miss Bennet in her place with Mr. Darcy.

“I see.” She smiled sweetly. “It seems that Miss Bennett is quite knowledgeable about your tastes then. In fact, she was sharing some of them with me the other night,” and she let the statement hang there, waiting for him to inquire further.

Darcy, hardly being able to detach himself from Elizabeth’s enchanting eyes, answered, “Then Miss Bennet was very kind to you in sharing her opinions, as she still owes me an answer about her willingness to offer me her hand for the upcoming dance.”

Still looking only at him, but not saying a word, Elizabeth held out her hand. “You will excuse us, Miss Lucy,” he murmured, and taking her hand in his own, he led her away to join the dance.

 

 

Lucy was not left standing alone for long. She felt someone's breath near her ear and heard Mr. Tidwell say, “It does not seem things are faring as well as you would like. I may have some information that might prove helpful to you in your quest for that gentlemen, but it will come at a price.”

She looked up at him. “If the information gains me my objective, then you shall name it. If it does not, then you get nothing. Deal?”

He laughed and agreed. “My sister goes to school where Miss Tournier used to work. While visiting there recently, I chanced to overhear some rather interesting things about her cousin, Miss Bennet, turning down a marriage proposal, and something even better about an errant sister,” and he leaned in close to whisper all of the details.

 

 

While the dance progressed, Elizabeth had remained very quiet. Darcy was not sure how to understand it. She had not looked displeased by what he had said; yet her silence was so unusual that he wished to examine her thoughts.

“Miss Bennet, I have had no opportunity thus far, but I would like to apologise for my morning reserve now. I was not quite myself. I hope you did not think me rude. I… I hope it will not discourage you from further lessons.”

“I must admit that I did entertain the thought for a few moments that you may regret your offer to be my instructor and that perhaps you would rather spend your mornings in another way. But since you have made me promise to only choose the better option when a choice is before me about your thinking, I decided that you were only in a contemplative mood instead.”

She gazed at him, looking for signs of his wanting to escape the lessons. Seeing nothing in his face that she could read, she continued, “However, I would understand if you wished to end them or to have less frequent ones. You might soon tire of helping me cover my mistakes when I claim to know things I simply could not,” she said shyly. “I thank you for that by the way. You were most gallant, but I am afraid I put you in a rather complicated position by extracting that promise of secrecy. It is clear I have no practice at such things. I confess that I am quite hopeless at keeping it all straight!”

Darcy smiled genuinely. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. Your trust means a lot to me. But please, you cannot seriously think that I would wish to end the lessons. Since you have accepted my offer, mornings are my favourite part of the day, and I was only sorry that I was not able to keep our appointment yesterday. I would have told Lord Brougham, of course, that I had a former engagement, but I could not come up with a proper excuse. I am very sorry for my behaviour this morning, and I can only ask your forgiveness.”

“Mr. Darcy, everyone is entitled to an off day or a quiet mood. No apology is required or necessary, I assure you. But you must not feel that you need ever behave in a way that would go against your character on my account, please. You may find it easier to share the knowledge of our lessons with your friend. I leave it up to your judgement. You have my permission to tell him if you wish.”

The smile that barely reached his lips was detectable in the tenderness that glinted behind his eyes while he pondered how to subtly explain that he would not share with another anything what could be shared between them, and them only. He would not rob himself of that unique intimacy.

Just then the music ended and Lord Brougham, fresh from dancing with Miss Tournier, approached Darcy and gave him a wink as he sidled up to him. “Be a good sport and ask Miss Tournier to dance, would you?”

Darcy paid Brougham a studious look, and perhaps a bit of hesitation might have been sensed in his governed countenance when his eyes slightly wandered to Miss Tournier standing on the outskirts of the dance floor and then back to Elizabeth. Torn between duty towards a friend’s request and his own craving need of prolonging, stretching, stealing every moment with Elizabeth, he was in fact spared the need of a reply as Brougham immediately claimed her for the next two. Darcy’s eyes saw her off to the parquet, and he approached Miss Tournier and solemnly engaged her for the dance as well. She accepted and they took to the floor. The musicians gave the signal, the bows and curtsies were performed, and the music set the first couple on their way down the room.

“Miss Tournier,” Darcy began, “I hope my friend is proving to be pleasant company this evening. After your last encounter he was praising your works for Sir John Leslie, I hope I will be privileged to see them as well.”

“Yes, he has been very pleasant company indeed. I am sure he was too kind in his praise, but if you promise not to expect too much I would be happy to show my illustrations to you. Perhaps you could come by for tea later this week. You and your friend.”

“Thank you for your kind offer. It would be a pleasure to visit you again. I hope I will be able to see your new works then. However, I would warn you, Miss Tournier, against any hasty judgment of Lord Brougham’s tastes.” Darcy gave her a genuine smile. “You see, my friend has practiced his ostensibly careless attitude toward the world until it has reached perfection, while in fact it only covers his discerning mind and sympathising heart.”

Holly smiled, “Yes, I think I am beginning to see that there is more to him than meets the eye.”

Then, remembering to whom she was speaking and her determination to look after her cousin, she turned the conversation toward him.

“You seem to be enjoying yourself very much this evening, Mr. Darcy. Have you found the Steeles to be satisfactory hosts?”

“As satisfactory as I had expected to find them. Miss Lucy seems particularly concerned about the comfort of her guests. Do you know each other well?”

Holly laughingly repeated his words, “As satisfactory as you had expected to find them? That is a careful answer if ever I heard one.”

“Thank you, Miss Tournier,” he replied. “Since I am not always a diplomat, the bigger success is in your appreciation.”

“Our families have been acquainted for many years – and Lucy and I know each other well enough to know that we do not wish to know one another any better than we already do. In other words, Mr. Darcy, we are indifferent acquaintances and we are both satisfied to leave it at that.”

Darcy passed closely by Miss Bennet in his movements with the dance and caught her eye as his sleeve brushed against her.

 

 

“Are you enjoying your evening so far, Lord Brougham?” Lizzy asked. “It seems a lovely party if I do say so myself. Quiet, lacking great dramas, but yet not great pleasures. I should think that the Steeles will be rather pleased with themselves and congratulate each other on a night well orchestrated if it should continue in this manner.”

Brougham hoped he did not look as scornful as he felt. His perception of this evening could not have been more different from hers, and it would come as a great surprise if sincerely felt pleasure would be found by him among the actors on a pretentious social stage, but then he reminded himself of how those fine eyes had sparkled when he had caught a glimpse of her talking to Darcy earlier, and he smiled.

“Yes, I could not agree more. The Steeles certainly will congratulate themselves. Although I must own that I have hardly met anyone yet. I think I shall quite depend upon you to introduce me at some point. As you know, I do not go out into society much when I am up at Clyne, and I badly need some introductions. I already missed one dinner I heard much praise on, and I would not wish to be left out from another.”

“Then I shall make a point to further your social circle by introducing you to anyone who catches your interest. However, are you quite sure you wish to break your solitude at Clyne? For if you meet very many of these people I am sure you will find you will soon have many visitors there. Perhaps I should make sure to introduce you only to those who do not venture from their homes except for parties?” She smiled, and then moved with the proper steps of the dance.

“That is a risk indeed,” he impishly said as they met up again. “I do not suppose you could introduce me under a false name and give me a glorious occupation as a pirate or something? I should enjoy being a pirate for an evening, I am sure.”

Lizzy laughed at that and answered him, “Oh yes, a pirate would be a possibility, but I am afraid that would only draw the curious visitors all the more. They would be on a secret hunt for your pirate treasure, and expect surly language in the bargain. You might be better off if we chose something else. A travelling gypsy perhaps, or a circus performer might suffice? Better yet, a spy. Yes, a spy it shall be! You would be safe then, for everyone would stay away to avoid guilt by association,” she laughed. “But what shall we name you? Something mysterious and dark would be good.”

“A spy, Miss Bennet? I think you overestimate my deviousness and underestimate my honour. And since it must be a role that suits all my secret youthful aspirations for adventure, I think I shall insist on the pirate after all. I leave the rest up to you. I am certain you could phrase the introduction to cause as much fascination and fame, and as little curiosity and inquiry, as possible.”

He smiled at her, “And how are you enjoying your stay in Scotland so far, Miss Bennet? Unexpected pleasures or the comfort of routine?”

“Both I should think. There is always the comfort of routine to be found in some way every day, and unexpected pleasures can crop up at almost anytime or anywhere. How are you finding your stay, Lord Brougham?”

“Extremely eventful,” he grinned as he let her go to pass around the second row.

“Eventful like a pirate adventure, or eventful as in just very busy?” she asked as she took her place across from him, having just finished coming down the line. “I do hope you have had some good adventures and not just the mundane occurrences that everyday living can dictate. Perhaps you caught some rather large fish in your river and now have a tale to tell of their size or capture? That would be an adventure indeed. Other fisherman love to hear of such tales around a fire, although I have often been told that they always assume the other exaggerates somewhat,” and the glint of contained laughter in her eyes was unmistakable.

“The fish I have caught in my stream lately defy description, Miss Bennet”, he said in mock earnest. “The adventures emanating from their capture, and the transportation to my home of the catch, have been hazardous and threatening to say the least. Some of the fish that swim around in this very stream here tonight have been ridiculous, and some of them…well, some of them I find swim in quite different waters than I first thought. I confess I take pride in my angling, and I do indulge in many forms of the pursuit, but perhaps it is safe to say that since my friend came to visit me I feel as if I live on the shores of different ocean.”

She wondered how Mr. Darcy's visit had changed things for Lord Brougham. It was obvious that the social invitations he was now subjected to may have something to do with it. She had heard that he always kept to himself on previous visits.

“Well, it seems you may have met some fish that I have not had the pleasure of running across as of yet. I had hoped to avoid all unpleasant fish this evening, I must say, but I know that to be impossible already. It seems your excursion in this stream may not have been completely pleasant thus far though, if you have run into ridiculous fish. I hope we can remedy that. Perhaps you should try another pole, or different bait?”

They talked on in such a manner until the dance ended.

 

 

This story is written by Laura and Sylwia, and they own full © copyrights to it.

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