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Before Darcy and I were allowed to quit Netherfield in peace, Mother was very insistent that we participate in the country ball, no doubt to show off her eldest daughters ‘most respectable marriage, more so then Lady Collins’; I did admonish her for that kind of thinking, as Charlotte was still a dear, close friend.
I no longer stayed in my room with Jane, as we both stayed in Netherfield and not as guests. I know the Mary had taken it over and Kitty had stayed in their old room, happy to finally be alone. Her happiness over it was funny for us. Lydia was staying in her old room with her husband, as they had meant to travel back for the weddings but had missed it on account of one of Lydia's friend getting married on the same day.
I sigh in relief as the doors to halls close, signaling the end of the banquet and the beginning of the dance. A few men head over to their instruments while giggling girls thread through the crowds. I stand next to a post, waiting for the dancing to start, and bring something of the topic 'who is dancing with whom' and if it is of any importance. A last bit of gossip, a bit of my old life. Darcy stands a bit away from me, talking with the Town Head, looking thoroughly bored.
"Miss Elizabeth?" I hear behind me and turn around, knowing the voice belonging to my dreadful brother-in-law. Wickham had not come to my wedding, the blood between him and my husband was still bad and I had no wish for it to clear up. Only an idiot would want that after everything he had done.
He walked toward me like nothing had ever happened and Darcy looks my way, but I hold him off with a hand gesture. Nothing important would pass between us and there was no reason to take Darcy from his dealings, no matter how boring the nature of them was.
"Mr. Wickham,” I nod, keeping formalites, “where is my sister?" I ask, putting on an earnest façade so that he wouldn’t get the wrong idea and try further then his bonds allowed.
"Oh, off entertaining Catherine with amusing tales of married life, I suppose." He answered and if his voice was anything to go off of, then married life was not becoming to him. "I must say, in all confidence, I came to speak to you ." He said most quietly and that was enough to catch me off guard. He took that as a sign to keep going. "It has been passed around town that Pemberly houses a Mrs. Darcy." He says in an attitude of surprise and I can’t keep the shock from my face.
Did Lydia not tell him? I know he didn’t come to the wedding and that cards had kept his attention well enough but my sister loved nothing more than gossip and talking behind people’s back. Good lord, what she must have had to say about me and my change of heart, let alone Darcy’s. I can say I'm startled, but I have no excuse for my reply: "Yes, I have heard." He nods.
"Once I remember, when we first met, we shared mutual feelings on the wretched man. Though when you quit Kent and returned, you said your feelings had changed." He paused, taking a breath, before continuing. "I wish to know now what your feelings are, and who, you think, the unfortunate women might be." He finished, looking at me inquisitively.
Did he really not know? Why was I playing along? These were the top questions in my mind but I didn’t stop, I just continued. Think of an answer that would do justice to his actions against my family, new and old. “My feelings toward Darcy are none of your business,” I reply to the first question he posed, “As for your second question, I must say that I have no judgments on the woman Darcy has married." I talk about myself but I hide it from him, truly wanting to know what the end of this game held.
I realize I’m being childish, leading him along like a horse trailing after sugar cubes and he is just to dumb to realize that the sugar is truly salt. “How can you, a Bennett, have no judgment?” He asks, incredulous at my ‘lack’ of opinion. “Do you know the lady?" He exclaims, his tone surprised. I decide that I should reveal that I am the wife in question as the music finally began around us, distracting even those in heated debates.
Darcy had had enough waiting and was trying to close the distance between us. I turn to Wickham and speak quickly. "Yes I do,” I say, checking on my husband to see how close he was.
"And will you tell me who the poor wretch is?” He asks with a gross smile on his face, “for who are we if we, at least, do not grieve for her.” He hurries with his insult and Darcy comes to join our duo.
I nod to him, a sweet smile taking over my face as I look a him. His hair slightly hanging in his eyes, needing a trim and those eyes looking at me, holding a warmth I am still not used to. He holds out his hand to me and bows his head slightly, two words falling off his tongue so naturally that I can’t fight back the slight shiver that runs along my spine. "Mrs. Darcy?"
I smiled wider and took his hand, not even looking back to spare a glance at Wickham’s face. As we joined the dance, I did catch of small glimpse of him, surrounded by teenage girls, glaring at my husband. I told Darcy about our conversation and he chuckled, amused by my game. "He must watch himself." He says in a low tone so that only I hear. I agree and we stop talking about it all together as more than one set of eyes was on us.
For all of Mama’s gossiping, more than one bloody soul was left surprised that it was Elizabeth Bennett who had married Darcy Fitzwilliam. For the rest of the night, we danced only with each other and when we weren’t, we stood side-by-side, next to Mr. and Mrs. Bingley. It was there that I broached the subject again, “I still do not understand why he came to me. Either he knew and wanted to see how I reacted to his questioning or he had no idea and thought I was of common mind.”
Darcy looks around before looking at me, keeping our conversation between us. “You know how he is. He loves his games and he is nothing more than a fool. It is best to leave him be.” He advises but I still don’t like it. No matter the satisfaction I received when Darcy had called me by his name.
“I cannot believe I have to call him brother but I never shall." I say, fuming over the man, my last statement in this conversation.
Darcy laughs again and I love the sound of it, even if it is at my thoughts given to words. "My love, we know the truth, as do those who matter. As I once said: 'For I can forgive the follies and vices of other, but my good opinion once lost, is lost forever.' and I do mean it when I say that they are not worth our time or thoughts, and we should get Kitty acquainted with my sister if you do not wish to lose her to the same.” I bow my head against his arm, the affectionate gesture causing him a little awkwardness but it calms me down.
"You always know how to calm me and for that I love you." I say, pressing my lips quickly into the fabric of his jacket, and pulling back, noticing the very, very, very small smile playing on his lips.