by Jane Odiwe
Miss Bingley's turn came next. She waited until everyone was silent for the greatest dramatic effect before she recited her charade by heart.
"My first has the making of honey to charm,
My second brings breakfast to bed on your arm,
My third bores a hole in leather so fine,
While united the whole breaks the heart most kind."
She looked around the table with a smirk upon her face and played with her bracelets as if she must find another amusement to keep her occupied from waiting for answers which surely would never come. Charades were her speciality, she knew, and surely this dull company did not have a clue.
Mrs Bennet piped up immediately. "Bees and honey go together rather well to my mind, Miss Bingley. I wonder if 'my first' is a bee."
"Well done, Mrs Bennet," cried Mr Darcy, hardly able to keep the astonishment from his voice. "I am sure you are right, an excellent thought."
Mrs Bennet instantly flushed as scarlet as the berries on the holly leaves adorning the portraits. She directed her best smile at her son-in-law and glanced at him in a coquettish manner when she thought he looked at her.
Kitty was next to surprise everyone as she proclaimed that the second was a tray, and before they could even worry over the third, Mr Bennet declared he knew the complete answer to the riddle.
"Miss Bingley, I have found you out," he said, raising his glass to her across the table. "Duplicity, falseness, and treachery are your game, are they not?"
Miss Bingley held his studied gaze over the table and did not flinch.
Mr Bennet smiled before delivering the solution with triumph. "The word 'betrayal' is the answer to your charade, I think."
For the first time Elizabeth felt some discomfort. She knew her father too well to imagine that his remarks were not given without his intentions being satirical. She knew exactly what he thought of Miss Bingley and of her mistreatment of Jane. But she need not have worried; Miss Bingley seemed not to notice, graciously accepting her defeat, and when Mrs Bennet declared how clever Miss Bingley was to devise such a riddle, the latter fairly glowed with pride and almost, but not quite, returned the compliment.
"I am so pleased you enjoy charades as well as we do here at Pemberley, Mrs Bennet," she said. "It is an old tradition that I believe our host started in his youth. But, in my recollection, I do not think I ever heard of a charade based on betrayal, although the very word has such connotations that I will forever associate with Pemberley. Mr Darcy, what do you think?"
Mr Darcy looked rather discomposed for a moment. "I cannot think to what you refer, madam," came his answer, and his expression, which formerly had been congenial, immediately altered to one of haughty disdain.
"You remember, Mr Darcy, I am sure," said Miss Bingley, who to all intents and purposes was smiling at him. "I can never think of that word without summoning up a picture in my mind of Christmas theatricals. Shakespeare: love and betrayal, his universal themes. You must remember Twelfth Night. You were Duke Orsini and I was Olivia. How you pined for me!"
Elizabeth was all attention. Her heart began hammering as she recollected the letter she had found in the library. So, Fitzwilliam had played Orsini, but it did not follow, she reasoned, that the Orsini implicated in the letter was her husband. There had probably been dozens of theatricals over the years, and in any case, the letter's recipient might have nothing to do with any of it. She waited to see his response.
"My dear Caroline, I can barely recall such an event, and I must admit, although I can remember being dressed up for many a part, the particulars escape me. Tell me, was I any good?"
This brought a laugh to echo round the room. Mr Darcy stood up and with a mock bow announced that, as there were scarcely two hours left before the dancing was due to begin, they might all wish to repair to their rooms for restoration and preparation.
In her dressing room Elizabeth prepared for the ball, and though the looking glass told her that she had never felt more pleased by her appearance, her feelings were in turmoil. Caroline Bingley, it had to be said, always had the power to make her think irrationally and tonight was no exception. That lady's allusions to the past, to a time before Elizabeth had known her husband, made her feel not only uncomfortable but also quite envious. It was silly, she knew, but she must admit a certain jealousy when she thought about the Christmases he must have spent in the company of Caroline Bingley and every other young woman in the vicinity.
"I know very little about my husband," she thought. "I know he was never in love with Caroline Bingley, but does that mean that he was never in love with anyone before he met me? I have not considered such a thing before today, but I am certain that a man does not reach the age of twenty-nine without experiencing an affection or infatuation or maybe something more."
Could the letter she found implicate her husband in some way? she considered for the first time. Lizzy did not want to think about it, but she felt sure that her mind would be put at rest with just one more enquiry. For now, she would forget about it and concentrate on the matter in hand. She scrutinised her reflection with a critical eye and was satisfied enough to smile at the young woman who stared back at her. Elizabeth's gown of white sarcenet fitted beautifully, accentuating her slight and graceful form. With her headdress of lace and feathers further emphasising her colouring, her skin glowed, setting off her sparkling eyes as they glittered with vitality.
There came a soft knock upon the door and when she called out, expecting to see her maid, she was delighted to find her husband instead. He carried her jewel boxes and before long he had assisted Elizabeth with their fastenings, performing this simple task in such a way as made her feel that she must be very precious, as he lingered over adjusting the diamonds in her ears, placing her necklace just so, and holding her hand in the gentlest manner to slide her ring onto her finger. When he had finished he stood back to look at her with such an expression of love in his eyes that Elizabeth could hardly meet them with her own.
"I love you, Mrs Darcy," he said, leaning forward to kiss her lips. "Come, let us go, it is time to open the best Christmas ball Pemberley has ever seen."
∗ ∗ ∗
Georgiana Darcy entered the ballroom on her brother's arm, conscious that the whole room of people were staring at her but knowing, to her relief, that the majority were engaged more particularly in observing her sister-in-law on the other side. It was quite mortifying to be looked at with such close study, and she hoped Elizabeth was more equal than she to the examination. There had always been times at Pemberley when she had to suffer such agonies, but this was by far the greatest challenge she had met, for this was her first ball, her coming out. She could hardly meet the eyes of those who watched her every move and was grateful for any familiar countenance she spied. There was only one face she wanted to see and when she did catch sight of him on the other side of the room standing with his mother engaged in conversation with Mr and Mrs Gardiner, she felt her heart involuntarily leap. As if he were aware of her glance, Mr Butler immediately looked up at precisely the same moment, smiling and bowing in her direction. Even though her heart was beating wildly, she managed to return his smile before Mr Darcy moved on, leading her away in quite another direction.
"Ah, Mr Calladine," pronounced Mr Darcy as a young man stepped out before them. Though not tall, Mr Calladine had a gentlemanly air and appearance, a well-cut coat, and breeches of the best silk and style.
"It is my pleasure to meet you all again. May I offer my compliments of the season, Mrs Darcy, Miss Georgiana," Mr Calladine said, bowing as he spoke and immediately turning towards Georgiana. "I do hope you will allow me the honour of the first dance, Miss Darcy, if I have not been pre-empted by another suitor."
Georgiana did not immediately know how to answer him. She must admit, if only to herself, that she was rather hoping Mr Butler might be first to ask her to dance. But even as the thought occurred to her, she knew her brother would heartily approve of Mr Calladine's offer.
"I am sure Miss Darcy would be delighted, would you not?" Mr Darcy was heard to say before Georgiana uttered a word.
She looked up at her brother's expressive countenance, which seemed to urge her to accept. Georgiana knew she could not possibly refuse and found herself nodding in agreement, her curtsey not only acknowledging but gratifying both her brother's and Mr Calladine's requests.
"I shall look forward to leading you out onto the floor, Miss Darcy," said Mr Calladine, who bowed once more and moved off, not stopping for further conversation.
"He is an excellent fellow, Georgiana," said Mr Darcy. "I like him very much."
Georgiana could not answer. She felt quite miserable at the prospect, and besides, her pulse had started to quicken once more as they headed toward the very gentleman whose presence thoroughly discomposed her. But before they had got much further their neighbours Mr and Mrs Eaton stopped to salute them. Mr Darcy immediately fell into conversation with Mr Eaton but Elizabeth could only reflect on the last discourse she had had with Mrs Eaton and the memory of observing Mrs Darcy's former maid in the church. Such misgivings and recollections must be dismissed from her mind and their conversation, Elizabeth decided, trying hard to steer the topic of conversation onto an agreeable subject.
"Mrs Eaton, how do you do? I do hope you are ready to enjoy some dancing."
"I am ready to dance, Mrs Darcy, but whether I shall enjoy it is another matter. It has always been my belief that such physical activity ignites certain passions amongst those in whom such demonstration would be better suppressed. There is a tendency, I think, amongst the lower orders and the intellectually challenged to prefer dancing to everything else. It is an amusement that encourages profligate behaviour amongst the young and adultery amongst the happily married. I cannot approve of such exertion, but a ball calls for certain sacrifices on one's part. If I must dance, I will, however my inclination against such practices informs me."
"It is very kind of you to put yourself out quite so much," answered Elizabeth, hardly able to suppress a smile. "I find dancing exhilarating and, I confess, Mrs Eaton, to experience a certain pleasure in the activity. I met Mr Darcy for the first time at a ball in Hertfordshire, though we did not dance a step. However, it is not to say that we disliked dancing; we later found we were both prodigiously keen on the diversion so long as we were engaged with the other. It is my belief that to be fond of dancing is a certain step towards falling in love."
"Precisely, Mrs Darcy, my point exactly." She turned to Georgiana. "And how do you like dancing, Miss Darcy? I saw Mr Calladine press his request to open the ball. I daresay we'll have you married by Easter, will we not, Mrs Darcy?"
Georgiana coloured instantly and looked to Elizabeth for assistance.
"I do not think one dance ever decided anyone's future, Mrs Eaton," said Elizabeth, "and Georgiana is full young, I think, to be contemplating matrimony just yet. I hope to see her dancing with several of the young men here tonight."
"I suppose it is all very well if properly supervised, though, mark my words, Miss Georgiana, Mr Calladine will not be satisfied with one dance."
∗ ∗ ∗
Mrs Bennet surveyed the scene in wonder. She felt she had done her daughter proud by the efforts she had made with her appearance and was much gratified by the attention she received from the Darcys' acquaintances and neighbours. She simpered and smirked, saluted and smiled at them all with the dignity she felt fitting for such an auspicious occasion. Kitty stood between her parents with her sister Mary feeling equally happy, her exhilaration caused by having had Mr Lloyd ask for the first dance.
"He is handsome, I suppose," said Mrs Bennet, "but if Mr Calladine should ask you to dance, be sure to smile at him. You may not have your sisters' looks, but a man could go a long way to see good teeth like yours, my love. You have a pretty mouth when you are not sulking, so make the most of it. And if Mr Lloyd asks for another, as it is certain sure he will, tell him you are already engaged."
"I will do no such thing, Mama," Kitty declared. "In any case, why should I not dance with him more than once? Lydia and I always used to dance with whomever we liked."
"But Lydia is married and you are not and we know, do we not, just how grasping clergymen can be? Mr Lloyd wants to get his feet under Mr Darcy's table, that's for certain. He'll be after what pickings he can get. They're all the same and I daresay he's a distant relative of that other odious clergyman, your cousin Collins. I'm surprised he isn't here making the most of his connection with Mr Darcy's aunt."
"But you know Charlotte is indisposed, Mama. She is nearing her time."
"The addition of a miniature Collins would not stop him. And his hint to your father about the rectory being too small to raise a family will not bring his entailment any quicker. No doubt he spends his days praying for your father's demise. My only comfort is that at least I now have three daughters married and will be spared a life in the hedgerows. If you and Mary could just secure one of these nice, rich young men that Mr Darcy has introduced us to, my heart and my nerves would be at ease. Mary, don't slouch so, that pleasant Mr Vernon is heading this way."
Chapter 12
Georgiana and Mr Calladine opened the ball with Mr and Mrs Darcy, to great applause from their guests. Mr Calladine was pleasant and attentive, but talked too much to Miss Darcy's mind, and was rather too familiar holding her hand for longer than she liked, pressing her fingers with too much insistence. His lack of height made her feel too significant and ungainly; she felt as if she were towering over him. Relieved when the dance came to a close, she was looking around the room before it had finished to see if she could catch sight of Mr Butler. But Mr Calladine had other ideas when Georgiana tried to affect her escape.
"You cannot leave me now, Miss Darcy, you will break my heart. The entire ballroom is watching you and they will all be disappointed if you do not dance a second with me."
Georgiana could see Mr Butler in the distance making his way toward her. She tried to release her hand without any success and, on looking up, saw her brother standing a little apart smiling encouragingly, clearly delighted by Mr Calladine's repeated request to dance. She did not feel she had any choice but to accept, and was made more forlorn when she witnessed Tom's expression when he saw her being led onto the dance floor again.
"He will never ask me to dance now," she thought as he turned away, their eyes having met across the room. "Mr Butler will think that I prefer Hugh Calladine's company and there could be nothing further from the truth."
At the same time, Charles Bingley had taken Elizabeth's hand and Jane was to dance with Mr Darcy. Such friends rejoiced in their partners; Mr Darcy and Jane looked very elegant, each complimenting the other by their grace. Lizzy and Mr Bingley appeared most relaxed and happy in one another's company, as close a brother and sister as they could be.
"May I compliment you, Mrs Darcy, on a most excellent ball?" began Mr Bingley.
"You may, indeed, Mr Bingley," answered Elizabeth brightly. "I am having such a lovely time and have to keep pinching myself that I am not dreaming. But I admit I am very nervous about the whole affair and can only hope that this Christmas ball will live up to the expectations of all our guests."
"I do not think Pemberley has ever seen such a magnificent or happy day," entreated Bingley. "You must not worry. Look around for yourself; everyone is enjoying themselves immensely."
"But the talk of Christmases past and the fond memories you all share have made me realise that I could not hope to supply such an entertainment to equal those festivities."
"All exaggerated, I assure you, Mrs Darcy. I think this by far the best ball I have ever attended in my life."
"I always knew you'd be my favourite brother-in-law," Elizabeth said with a laugh. Their conversation paused as they moved down the set and Elizabeth wondered if she could pluck up the courage to ask him the question which plagued her most. "Perhaps we should put on a play next year," she began when they met up again.
/> "And you would have us all acting again, I suppose, Mrs Darcy. Well, I don't know. Not that I wouldn't mind resurrecting the old theatricals, but Darcy always said he would never do another after the last one."
"Was that Twelfth Night?"
Bingley looked puzzled for a moment, trying to remember. "Yes, I believe it was, but why he was against another, I cannot recall now."
"I should have loved to have seen Darcy as Orsini. Whom did you play?"
"The fool, of course, I played the fool," Bingley repeated, laughing at the memory and at his own joke. "That was one part Darcy would not consider."
It was Elizabeth's turn to be amused. "I daresay Darcy was far too proud at the time to play anything but a nobleman, but, between you and me, I've always considered that Feste the fool was the wisest character of them all." She took a deep breath. "So Caroline played Olivia, did she not? Tell me, who played Viola?"
Bingley scratched his head in a thoughtful manner. "For the life of me," he said at last, "I can't remember."
Elizabeth watched him, trying to decide whether he simply could not recollect or whether there was another reason, some design involved by hiding the truth. After all, there must have been a reason why Fitzwilliam did not want to continue with the plays. The moment the thought was in her head, she realised she was being ridiculous and she also knew as she observed him that Charles was far too open and honest a creature to be capable of concealing such a thing.
"No, it's completely gone," he said, as the dance came to a close. "You'll have to ask Caroline."
Kitty had enjoyed dancing with Mr Lloyd and was rather hoping that he would ask her for another, but no such request came, to her great sorrow. He was very polite, thanking her profusely, but he moved away quickly as soon as he returned her to Mrs Bennet's charge. Her eyes followed his progress across the room and she saw him stop to talk in a kindly way to a young woman who had a most melancholy air about her.