Page 25 of Through the Eyes of Love

She had been dancing in a beautiful ballroom. The chandeliers sparkled, and the air was redolent with the scent of the many flower arrangements placed about the room. The man opposite her returned her smile. He was a graceful dancer, even though it was not an activity he enjoyed. They could not take their eyes off each other. Words were not necessary to communicate the love they shared. When the set was over, he placed her hand on his arm, and they walked towards the refreshments table.

“May I say, Mrs. Darcy, you are radiant tonight. No other woman here can compare to your beauty.” He came so close to her that her heart began to race as he whispered in her ear, “I am counting the minutes until we can leave, and I can hold you in my arms all night. How I love you, my dearest Elizabeth.”

* * *

The followingday

During their walk, Elizabeth asked Mr. Darcy about a topic she could not get out of her head. “Mrs. Reynolds told me you were once betrothed. Will you tell me what happened?”

“My father and Lord Markham signed an agreement when his daughter and I were still children. It was an arranged marriage negotiated by old friends, and I was shocked when I was told about it. Because we were both so young, the contract was kept secret. I met her for the first time shortly before I started at Cambridge. This twelve-year-old child took one glimpse of me and whined to her father that she had no wish to marry me, a country nobody.”

What a terrible thing to say to a sensitive young man! He must have been desperate to leave and never return. “I cannot believe it! Why would she say such an unkind thing?”

“Her friends were all being promised to viscounts and the sons of dukes. She had no use for me, a lowly son of a gentleman. On our way home, my father attempted to assure me that her petulant behaviour would improve as she matured, and I was not to despair.”

“Was that not the case?”

“After that, I did not see her for several years. My father and I attended a ball at Lord Markham’s home, and she generously reserved a set for me.” He scoffed and shook his head. “When it was time for our set, I found her on the terrace in the arms of another man.”

“My goodness! I was not expecting you to say anything likethat. What did you do?”

“There was not much Icoulddo without causing a scandal. I led her into the ballroom and made sure our fathers saw us together. As we danced, she was quite clear when she told me she intended to live apart from me as soon as she gave birth to an heir. She was not yet sixteen.”

“How terrible to be forced to marry a young lady who was so unscrupulous.”

“Not long after the fire, Beatrice and her father visited me. At the time, I was in my cups most days and resisted any attempts Mr. Kenton made to keep me clean or dressed properly. When my betrothed saw my face, she turned away in disgust. Despite my inebriation, I could tell she was with child but said nothing until Lord Markham spoke. He told me that under the circumstances, he would release me from the engagement. I signed the papers and they left.”

“What happened to Lady Beatrice and her baby?”

“Her father paid a titled but financially strapped earl to marry her and claim the child as his own.”

“So, the black cloud of the fire had the silver lining of you never having to marry someone like her.”

“She is someone I have happily forgotten.”

“I have become used to your face and never really see your scars. But, then again, you do not bear the sign of the devil.”

They were silent for the remainder of their walk, which allowed Elizabeth time for reflection.Perhaps I should not allow myself to feel as I do, but I am glad he is no longer engaged.

* * *

In an attempt toknow him better, one day Elizabeth asked, “When you were in London, did you enjoy the Season?”

“I appreciated the theatre performances and museums, but I hated every minute of the social events I was required to attend. I never had any interest in the goings on of theton. Because no one knew of my betrothal, every fortune hunting woman and her mother paraded themselves in front of me like horses at Tattersalls. Their efforts had nothing to do with affection; rather, their desire to live as my wife in a world of what they assumed would be naught but excess and extravagance. Those empty-headedbellesexuded insincere charm and were only interested in my fortune. Theythoughtthemselves clever, but they could speak of nothing but the London weather, the parties they had attended, and the latest fashions. They falsely claimed to be accomplished yet they were incapable of having an intelligent conversation. I do not look forward to being back in that milieu any time soon.”

They frequently conversed on a variety of topics, but then again, she was most certainly not abelleof theton. She was a housemaid. This would be his impression of her no matter what happened.

* * *

“Willyou tell me what your life was like before the fire?” She enquired as they were walking the following morning.

“I have a house in London but prefer to spend as much time as possible in the country. Most mornings, I rode out with Bethel, my steward, to inspect the crops and livestock, look into any of the tenants’ concerns, and occasionally, we went shooting. Afternoons were spent at my desk going over correspondence and invoices. Georgiana and I had dinner together, after which she played for me until it was time to retire. If I was not too fatigued, I spent time playing billiards or reading in the library. It may not seem exciting to you, but my routine made me feel as though I had accomplished what I was tasked to do as master. Every day brought new challenges and responsibilities.” He turned to her and asked, “What was your life like before your father’s death?”

“I am an early riser and I enjoyed walking the fields of Longbourn every morning. I most often ended my trek at Oakham Mount, a particularly beautiful spot to watch the sun rise over the valley below. After breakfast with my family, I spent time with my father learning all the things an educated person should know. He also taught me how to handle a bit of the estate’s business and he often sent me to settle the disputes between our tenants. Sadly, he was a recluse who cared much more about his books than his family’s welfare. I was his favourite only because of my willingness to learn. My sisters and I often shopped in Meryton, the small market town a mile away from our home, or we joined Mama when we had callers. I read everything I could and played the pianoforte, though as you have heard, not very well. Perhaps if I had applied myself more to practising, I may have improved. Like you, my life sounds verydull, but every day brought various friends and neighbours to dine at Longbourn or my family with them at their homes.”

* * *

Late one afternoon,Darcy had been gazing out the drawing room windows when he spotted Elizabeth walking towards the cottage. She had removed her bonnet and was swinging it by the ribbons as the dappled sun was reflected in the golden highlights of her chestnut hair. She spun around as she looked up at the trees around her, and her smiling face had a healthy glow. He could not take his eyes off the swaying of her hips while she walked. His heart skipped a beat. What was happening? He had never before been physically attracted to any woman, and he forced himself to turn away. She must not see him watching her. He could not be in love with her! Nothing could ever come of his temptation. Miss Bennet was totally unsuitable to be his wife. Why was he even thinking this way? His relations would cut him out of their lives if he brought a servant into the family. Georgiana would be a social outcast, and he would never do anything to hurt his sister.