by Wendi Sotis
Darcy could sit still no longer. He stood and crossed the room to a side-table where refreshments had been laid out. Pouring himself a brandy, he kept his voice even as he asked, “Tell us about the neighbours you have met, Bingley, so we may know what to expect tomorrow evening.”
Bingley’s countenance brightened. “It is too bad you were not here earlier in the day so you could have met them yourself, Darcy. I must say they are all quite agreeable in their own ways and eager to make our acquaintance. As you know, we arrived yesterday morning, and the first of the visitors came as soon as the clock struck an appropriate hour today. Sir William, the gentleman I spoke of earlier, is a jolly sort and had much to say of his time spent at court at St. James—even offered to introduce me ‘round the next time we are both in Town, which I thought rather accommodating. He and Mr. Bennet came together, or at least they were shown in at the same time. Caroline, you were at the window as they came up the drive; did they arrive together?”
Bennet! It could be a different family—an uncle, perhaps. Darcy’s posture was always absolutely correct in company; therefore, the further stiffening of his spine was hardly noticeable.
Embarrassed at being caught snooping, Miss Bingley coloured slightly and nodded.
“I am especially looking forward to meeting the remainder of the Bennet family at the ball,” Bingley continued. “Sir William assured me that the five daughters of Mr. Bennet are quite beautiful—the ‘jewels of the county’ were his exact words—especially the eldest two. Since most people tend to think that their own offspring outshine all others, I daresay these Bennets must be extraordinarily handsome for Sir William to say such a thing about another family. Mr. Bennet himself was quite the gentleman and of good humour—I had the impression that he found amusement in much of what Sir William said. Mr. Bennet told me himself that he is magistrate of the area.”
Darcy sighed and feigned interest as Bingley went on to give details about his other visitors, but Darcy’s attention was no longer on the information his friend shared. Five daughters... it is the same family. Surely, Elizabeth will be in attendance tomorrow night.
~%~
October 2, 1811
Mrs. Bennet inspected her daughters’ appearances as the orchestra played the short tune that signaled the dancing would soon begin. Hesitating when she came to her second eldest, she said, “I had not noticed before, but you look remarkably well this evening, Lizzy. You have done your hair differently, I think.”
“Thank you, Mama. I attempted to imitate a style that Miss Darcy’s maid had achieved whilst I was staying with her at Ramsgate,” Elizabeth answered.
Her mother nodded. “It suits you well, dear. Do not waste it. I hear tell that the eldest son of Mrs. King will bring along a friend from London—a gentleman of two thousand a year. Perhaps you will put yourself forward for once?” Mrs. Bennet raised her eyebrows. “Take advantage of your dance with Mr. King and garner an introduction, for the sake of your sisters if not your own. You need not concern yourself with Mr. Bingley—I am certain Jane’s beauty will win Mr. Bingley’s heart instantly. Five thousand a year!”
Elizabeth smiled politely. When Mrs. Bennet moved on to speak to Lydia, Elizabeth turned to Jane and rolled her eyes.
“You did spend a great deal of time preparing for this evening,” Jane observed, cocking her head to the side.
Now that they were at the assembly rooms and with the assurance that the drawing of Jane and Mr. Bingley was safely tucked away at home, Elizabeth found she could not contain her excitement one moment longer about whom she would meet tonight. “Oh, Jane! I received a drawing that showed Mr. Dar—” She stopped abruptly when Mr. Gordon and Mr. King approached and bowed before them.
“Good evening, ladies,” Mr. Gordon stated as he held out his hand. “Miss Bennet, I believe this is our dance.”
With a look of apology directed at her sister, Jane took Mr. Gordon’s hand.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. King offered his arm. Although upon seeing the latest drawing, her fleeting hopes for actually opening the ball with Darcy had long since passed, Elizabeth glanced towards the entrance as she allowed Mr. King to lead her to the dance floor.
~%~
Darcy felt quite foolish. He had no excuse—or at least none that he cared to share—for his harsh remark to Bingley’s silly sisters after Mrs. Hurst had admitted she and her sister had purposely delayed their departure to the assembly ball due to their wish to arrive fashionably late.
When they finally reached the ballroom, he was happy that all in attendance stopped to witness the newcomers’ arrival. If all had been in motion, it would have been much more difficult to search the crowd seeking a certain young lady.
His gaze swept the crowd until he met Elizabeth’s gaze. Even from across the room, he could see the light in her fine eyes sparkle with recognition. Her lips slowly spread into a brilliant smile that he chose to believe was in response to his presence. The relief that came over him took him by surprise—he had not realized that he had been suffocating with his longing to see her again, but now, the act of filling his lungs with air seemed to come more easily.
Is it possible that Elizabeth is even more handsome than when I last saw her, when I handed her into the carriage as she departed Darcy House? He looked away at this thought and reminded himself, I must not think along this line. Friend! She is nothing more than a friend. Like a moth to a flame, his gaze returned to Elizabeth.
The music began again, and Elizabeth turned her attention to her dance partner. Darcy tore his gaze from her when Bingley introduced him to Sir William Lucas, but he could not prevent his eyes from returning to Elizabeth’s form once he had paid his respects to the gentleman. She gracefully wended her way through the steps required of the dance.
Sir William led Bingley from one party to another, offering introductions. Darcy followed. These country gentlemen were, in a way, both different from and similar to those he met on a regular basis as magistrate in Derbyshire. By the inferior cut and quality of their coats and the lack of polish in their manner, he recognized the natives of Hertfordshire to be less wealthy than those of his home county, but the discussions he overheard as they talked amongst themselves were much the same as in any farming community.
While listening to several men speaking of a problem with irrigation, part of Darcy felt compelled to join in the conversation, but his natural reticence held him back. After running an estate the size of Pemberley, he probably knew more about planting and animals than all of these older men combined. Nevertheless, he would pass along his information in his own way, and without inconveniencing himself in the slightest, for Darcy knew that in teaching Bingley, he was teaching as many of them as would listen to the amiable gentleman. His friend would happily share all his newfound knowledge with his neighbours in time.
As the music ended, his attention returned to Elizabeth. Her partner left her at the side of an older lady, most likely her mother. The matron spoke a few words, and Darcy was surprised to see the woman publicly display annoyance with Elizabeth’s answer. Close enough to see Elizabeth’s colour deepen, somehow he knew she was about to glance his way. To save her some embarrassment at his witnessing the incident, he diverted his gaze to feign interest in Bingley’s conversation with Mr. Goulding. Darcy did not need to see her to detect that he was right; a moment later, he could feel Elizabeth’s eyes upon him.
Sir William and Bingley moved on to the next group of introductions, drawing closer to Elizabeth. The older lady’s words and the tone of her voice were clear enough now. Elizabeth was being dressed down by her mother for failing to gain an introduction to a gentleman!
Though the ladies of the ton were not nearly so bold or so obvious as this woman, he had overheard several conversations such as this in London—some even about himself.
Since he had seen no one from the first circle in attendance, he felt safe in thinking that he was probably the best catch here this evening and decided to rescue Elizabeth
from this scolding. Bowing, he excused himself from his company and walked directly towards Elizabeth.
It was plain to see that Elizabeth was mortified as her mother spoke in an increasingly vigorous tone of voice.
“I told you to beg Mr. King for an introduction to his friend. Why can you not be like your sisters, Elizabeth, and do as I say? When your father is dead, Mr. Collins will turn us all out of Longbourn to starve in the hedgerows, and it will do you no good to change your ways then. You must not expect to depend upon me for support, my dear, for I will have little enough to live on myself. You shall have to do your share to catch a husband now, Lizzy, before it is too late!”
Jane’s eyes widened as she noticed Mr. Darcy walking towards them. “Mama—”
Mrs. Bennet would not be interrupted. “Why is it you cannot understand what you must do? This headstrong attitude of yours and your wild ways must end now or—”
Jane touched her mother’s arm. In an urgent tone, she whispered, “Mama!” The matron finally stopped speaking and turned in the direction that Jane was looking.
Darcy stopped before Elizabeth and bowed. The sisters curtsied, but Elizabeth did not raise her gaze from the floorboards.
Jane addressed him, “Mr. Darcy! How pleasant to find you in Hertfordshire, sir. May I introduce my mother, Mrs. Bennet. Mama, this is Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire.”
Darcy bowed his head at the same time he sensed Bingley come up beside him.
Mrs. Bennet curtsied. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Darcy. I have heard much about my daughters’ friend, Miss Darcy. Is she your sister, perhaps?”
Darcy’s mind was so busy attempting to contain his discomfort in associating with a lady who would act in such a boorish manner in public that he did not reply. Had she not been Elizabeth’s mother, he would have set her down for embarrassing his friend, or he would have simply avoided her altogether.
Elizabeth looked up and searched his gaze. Darcy was comforted to see that she had recovered most of her usual colouring, and his anger faded.
Jane cleared her throat as the silence between them became uncomfortable.
After determining that his lack of reply might insult, he answered, “Yes, Mrs. Bennet, Miss Darcy is my sister.” He turned to Bingley, who was now staring at Jane and sporting a ridiculously wide smile. Already, he is smitten! At least I may take comfort that he is taken with Miss Bennet and not Elizabeth. “May I present my friend, recently installed at Netherfield Park, Mr. Charles Bingley.”
The moment propriety was satisfied in the way of greetings, Bingley wasted no time in asking, “Miss Bennet, are you engaged for the next dance?”
Although part of him realized that the minor alteration in Jane’s countenance in response to Bingley’s request could easily have been overlooked, having been in her company several times in the past, Darcy recognized her expression as one of true pleasure as she accepted Bingley’s offer.
Darcy’s opinion of Mrs. Bennet lowered a notch when she asked, “And you, Mr. Darcy? Have you not come to dance this evening?”
“I have good information that Mr. Darcy finds little pleasure in that particular amusement, Mama,” Elizabeth answered, flashing him a teasing smile.
My manners would be thought appalling if I did not ask Georgiana’s friends to dance. “This evening is an exception to that rule, Miss Elizabeth. May I have the privilege of your hand for the next set?”
Elizabeth’s expression changed to one of unease. “Please do not feel obligated to make such an offer, Mr. Darcy. Georgiana explained your distaste for dancing.”
As usual, Elizabeth’s reaction to his suggestion was refreshingly unlike those of the women with whom Darcy usually associated, as was her concern for the comfort of those around her.
“Lizzy!” Mrs. Bennet admonished. “I cannot think a daughter of mine would refuse Mr. Darcy—” She had the decency to stop herself from voicing the remainder of her thought, although he could read the mercenary motives in her eyes. Mrs. Bennet quickly stumbled into the next phrase, “...your particular friend’s brother.”
Darcy raised both eyebrows, asking with smiling eyes, “Do you refuse to dance with me, Miss Elizabeth?”
Flustered with embarrassment over her mother’s behaviour and confusion over Darcy’s, Elizabeth replied, “Indeed, I would be honoured to accept, Mr. Darcy, but I shall have to disappoint you.” She looked down at her dance card. “You see, I am engaged to dance the next with our neighbour, Mr. Talwin.”
A pang of something he had never before experienced tightened his throat. The label jealousy sprang to mind, but he pushed it away. Protectiveness, perhaps? She is my sister’s friend, and that is all. Of course, Elizabeth would be admired and highly sought after as a dance partner. He swallowed hard to clear the uncomfortable sensation and held out his hand.
She raised one eyebrow and then, seeming to understand at last, she handed him her dance card and pencil.
The feeling of triumph that came over him puzzled him as he took the program from her. Finding an opening two sets hence, he penciled in his name. “I see I shall have to wait an hour for satisfaction, Miss Elizabeth.” He bowed slightly as he returned her dance card.
“I thank you, sir.”
Unwilling to be left standing alone with Mrs. Bennet when her daughters’ dance partners came to claim them, he bowed again and returned to his party.
Do any of the names listed on her card belong to those boys—now men—she spent so much time chasing after as a child? His chest tightened. Do any belong to a man preferred by the woman Elizabeth has become?
Caroline Bingley stepped into his line of sight, blocking his view of Elizabeth. Hopeful anticipation was written across her features as many of those around them began to move towards the dance floor. Darcy stifled a sigh and bowed. “Do you care to dance, Miss Bingley?”
He imagined the expression she graced him with as she acquiesced might have been attractive to other men, just as all her machinations would have been perfectly acceptable to those within the ton, but he could not help but feel revulsion to Miss Bingley’s tactics.
Resigned, he offered his arm to Miss Bingley and led her to the floor.
~
As the movement of the dance allowed, Caroline sought to garner information—and attract his attention away from the dark-haired country miss, whom he could not seem to take his eyes off for long. “Mr. Darcy, I would never have predicted you would know anyone in this part of the country, and yet, it seems you do,” Caroline Bingley glanced towards Mrs. Bennet, who was now animatedly speaking to another matron and pointing towards the dance floor. “My brother, it seems, is dancing with one of the young ladies of your acquaintance. Are they related to anyone I know in Town?”
Darcy involuntarily looked down the line at Elizabeth instead of at his partner as he passed Miss Bingley in the dance. “They are of the family Bennet. The two eldest daughters are friends to Georgiana.”
“Well, then, I must beg you for an introduction when this set is done, sir. If these ladies are even one quarter as sweet as my dear friend, Georgiana, I am certain I will enjoy their company.”
“Miss Bingley, I am sure your brother has every intention of introducing you as soon as he is able. After all, the Bennets are now your neighbours; it is only natural that you shall become acquainted.”
Miss Bingley smiled sweetly, but her eyes gleamed with cold-hearted disdain.
When the music ended, Caroline joined Mrs. Hurst, and Darcy went to fetch some punch for the ladies.
“Charles is at it again, I see,” Mrs. Hurst nodded at Bingley, who was now speaking to Jane and Mrs. Bennet. “She is a pretty girl, I will admit, and she dances well—but her gown!”
“The style is from last season for certain, but look around you, Louisa. Hers is the most recent design in the room.”
“Do you know who she is?”
“You remember Charles telling us of Sir William’s ‘jewels of the county’? She is one of them. Miss Bennet
, I believe.” Caroline tightened her eyes. “I am looking forward to meeting the family.”
Mrs. Hurst’s eyes widened. “You shock me, Caroline,” she whispered. “You wish to become acquainted with one of this rabble?”
Caroline lowered her voice to be sure that she could be heard only by her sister. “You know very well that Charles falls in love wherever we go, but he is so quickly distracted by another pretty face that we seldom think twice about his choice. Contrarily, you also know that Mr. Darcy’s head is not at all easily turned. Louisa, I do not like the way his eyes follow that dark-haired Bennet. You remember the saying ‘Keep friends close and enemies closer’?” At Mrs. Hurst’s nod, she continued. “You and I will become the best of friends with the lady who has caught Mr. Darcy’s eye, so that we may turn her head in a different direction.”
Mrs. Hurst chuckled. “I apologize for underestimating you, Sister.”
Chapter 12
“My Jane has certainly caught Mr. Bingley’s eye, just as I knew she would,” Mrs. Bennet declared to Lady Lucas.
“Mama, please!” Elizabeth whispered. “People will hear you.”
“Oh, pish-posh, Lizzy. I have said nothing that anyone with eyes could not see for themselves. Even as he danced with his next partner, Mr. Bingley’s attention was diverted by being in the same set with Jane. Although I do wish Mr. Darcy would show an interest—he has the advantage of knowing Jane longer, not to mention ten thousand a year! Although Mr. Bingley seems the more amiable gentleman of the two, he has only five thousand. A little competition would do them both some good, I think. Men enjoy contests, and what better prize can there be than winning the affections of such a beautiful lady?”