“No, I cannot talk of books in a ballroom; my head is always full of something else.”
“The present always occupies you in such scenes, does it?” asked he, with a look of doubt as he caught her eye.
“Yes, always,” she replied, without knowing what she said, for her thoughts had wandered far from the subject once she was lost in his gaze again. Soon afterwards she suddenly exclaimed, “I remember hearing you once say, that you hardly ever forgave; that your resentment once created was unappeasable. You are very cautious, I suppose, as to its being created.”
“I am,” said he, with a firm voice.
“And never allow yourself to be blinded by prejudice?”
“I hope not.”
“It is particularly incumbent on those who never change their opinion, to be secure of judging properly.”
“May I ask to what these questions tend?”
“Merely to the illustration of your character,” said she, endeavouring to shake off the gravity of the conversation. “I continue trying to make it out.”
“And what is your success?”
She shook her head and teased, “I do not get on at all. I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly.”
“I can readily believe,” answered he gravely, “that reports vary greatly with respect to me; and I could wish, Lady Elizabeth, that you were not to sketch my character at the present moment, as there is reason to fear that the performance would reflect no credit on either.”
“But if I do not take your likeness now, when will I ever have another opportunity?” she asked with a small smile on her face.
Darcy appeared to give her question serious consideration for a moment before he replied, “I propose that we enjoy long walks around Pemberley and Mount Pleasant next summer. As we walk with Matthew, you can sketch my character as deeply as needed.”
“From Pemberley, we can take a cart into Lambton; it is but a few miles. And the village of Kympton is close to Mount Pleasant.”
“And the distance between the two houses?” she inquired.
“It is a full eight miles,” he replied. “We shall have to use the horses and carriages for such trips.”
“I wish to make Pemberley our primary home, Mr. Darcy. That is the house where our children will be born.”
“As you wish my dear, but I want Matthew to feel that Mount Pleasant is his home also. He will always know Pemberley as his home but I want him to value his patrimony.”
Smiling brilliantly, Elizabeth curtsied for the end of the set. “I shall follow my husband where ever he goes.”
As he escorted her to the side of the room, Sir William Lucas appeared close to them, meaning to pass through to the other side of the room; but on perceiving Mr. Darcy and Lady Elizabeth, he stopped with a bow of superior curtsy to compliment the gentleman’s dancing and his partner.
“I have been most highly gratified indeed, my dear sir. Such very superior dancing is not often seen. It is evident that you belong to the first circles. Allow me to say, however, that your fair partner does not disgrace you, and that I must hope to have this pleasure often repeated, especially when a certain desirable events shall take place. What congratulations will then flow in! But let me not interrupt you, sir. You will not thank me for detaining you from the bewitching conversation of that young lady, whose bright eyes are also upbraiding me.”
“Thank you, Sir William,” replied Darcy with a slight stiffness in his response that Elizabeth noticed.
“Are you well sir?” she asked laying a hand on his arm.
He nodded, “I am but there are moments when I wish to be alone with you and simply dance. When we retire to Derbyshire, I shall ask Georgiana to play for us in the ballroom at Pemberley where we may dance alone.”
“Mr. Darcy, please allow me to tell you that when we dance, there is no one else in the room. I am quite oblivious to everyone else but yourself when I dance in your arms.”
Darcy was struck by Elizabeth’s words more forcefully than he could have imagined.
“How could I have ever thought you slighted by other gentlemen, my dear?” he whispered referring to his comments at the assembly ball. “No one brightens a room more just by smiling.”
“Sir, I smile because I love you,” she replied.
++**++
In the second set, Elizabeth stood up with the Earl of Rutherford while Mr. Darcy danced with Kitty.
“My dear, I believe Mr. Darcy will be a good father for Matthew,” Rutherford told his daughter-in-law as they waited their turn to pass up the line.
“He is the best of men I believe,” she replied. “And I think he will make me happy.”
“You certainly make him smile,” the earl replied.
In the third set, Elizabeth was partnered with Viscount Lyndon and Darcy danced with his sister, Georgiana.
“Are you happy Lyndon?”
The man blushed and whispered, “Gwendolyn and I are happy but we must retire to the country to escape Lady Mary! My mother-in-law charts our every day with calls and tea with her friends. And we must attend her for supper every night.”
“Oh dear,” Elizabeth grimaced. “I have the house on Grosvenor Street that you may use to establish your own London residence.”
Lyndon’s face brightened, “Thank you sister. I believe we shall impose on your hospitality for a year or two!”
++**++
Charles Bingley led Miss Bennet to the centre of the ballroom and signalled the musicians to play a short tune to capture everyone’s attention. As conversations ceased and heads turned toward the couple as Mr. Bennet joined Mr. Bingley and his eldest daughter.
“Ladies and gentlemen, may I call your attention to my guest, Mr. Thomas Bennet, just returned from his adventures in the West Indies.”
“Neighbours! Friends!” Mr. Thomas called. “I thank you for your kind welcome upon my return. And I thank Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for providing this most enjoyable evening for everyone.”
There were polite applause from the guests and Mr. Bennet waited for a moment and silence to return to the glittering ballroom. “Mr. Bingley has allowed me to use this moment – just before the supper set – to make a few announcements.”
Glances and smiles were exchanged around the room before Mr. Bennet continued, “Mrs. Bennet and I are pleased to announce the betrothal of our eldest daughter, Jane, to our host Mr. Charles Bingley. And we are just as pleased to announce the betrothal of our daughter, Mary to Mr. John Lucas.”
The guests politely applauded the expected news.
“Wait, wait,” Mr. Bennet said. “There is another announcement.”
Silence settled once more as Lydia spoke aloud, “Can we dance, please?”
“In a moment, Lydia, in a moment,” Mr. Bennet said before he turned to the guests. “And finally, Mrs. Bennet and I are pleased to announce the betrothal of our daughter Lady Elizabeth Hamilton, the Countess of Bailey, to Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy.”
There were scattered applause and many of the guests began to talk at once as the betrothed couples moved into position to lead the supper set. Mr. and Mrs. Bennet stood to one side to watch their daughters and their intended husbands dance the supper set and receive the congratulations of their neighbours to have three daughters well settled.
++**++
When after the supper, Mr. and Mrs. Bennet rose to take their leave, Mrs. Bennet was most pressingly civil in her appreciation of Mr. Bingley and Mrs. Hurst for the most pleasant evening. Darcy and Elizabeth had located Lydia who wanted to dance one more time with Lt. Denny and Georgiana who wanted to exhibit once more on the pianoforte but they reminded the youngest members of the family that their agreement was that they would leave after supper.
“Our carriage awaits,” Mr. Bennet informed the three ladies and he directed Lydia and Georgiana to precede him as he escorted his wife.
Two couples, Bingley and Jane, as well as Darcy and Elizabeth walked with them to the front door. Lydia sighed a
nd turned to Georgiana, “There will never be another ball such as tonight at Netherfield! The evening was perfect!”
“And the music – the couples were lovely as they danced just like in the novels!” Georgiana added as they climbed into the carriage.
After the carriage left for Longbourn, the four escorts returned to the ballroom. As they walked through Netherfield’s hallway toward the music and light of the ballroom, Darcy asked Elizabeth, “Is she correct, do you think?”
“The dancing was hardly perfect – I know I had a few missteps in my dances,” Elizabeth replied.
Smiling and squeezing her hand lightly, Darcy explained. “I refer to Miss Lydia’s characterization on the perfection of the evening.”
Elizabeth seemed to consider her answer for a moment too long and Darcy stopped their progress down the hall, pulling his lovely, future wife close. “Are you well, my dear?”
“I am perfectly well, William! Yes, the evening is perfection and I do not want it to ever end.”
“Mrs. Hamilton, would you do me the honour of giving me your hand for the last dance?”
“A third dance, Mr. Darcy? The tongues will tell the tale from here to London,” replied she with a bright smile. “But I would be honoured to stand up with my intended for the last dance of the evening.”
“Ah… there you are Mrs. Hamilton,” Colonel Fitzwilliam said as the couple returned to the ballroom. “This is our dance.”
Darcy frowned as he allowed his cousin to take Elizabeth to the dance floor. He found himself standing on the side-lines, frowning as he watched his love dance by, smiling and laughing with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
“Elizabeth will not approve of my scowl,” he knew and he looked about the room. Seeing Miss Lucas sitting alone, Darcy approached and asked her to dance.
“Yes, thank you Mr. Darcy,” Charlotte replied. They joined the couples dancing in the ballroom and shortly after they began, Charlotte said, “I understand from Mr. Fielding that you are purchasing Purvis Lodge and that we shall be your tenant.”
“Lady Elizabeth and I want an available residence in Meryton for future visits,” Darcy explained. “Your intended husband is a proven stockman and of course Lady Elizabeth endorses your capabilities. We shall keep staff at the house sufficient for all tasks and not impose upon you and your new husband.”
“It will be a suitable arrangement,” Charlotte replied. “Mr. Fielding and I shall have our own home. You and Elizabeth can return to Meryton for visits at any time of the year.”
++**++
“I cannot image a better evening, Mr. Bingley,” said Sir William as he gathered his wife and family to depart after the final dance.
“I agree,” Charles replied as he and his sister stood at the door, thanking their guests for attending the ball.
++**++
Chapter 48.
In Which Miss Bingley Returns from London
The Myers carriage was older, the horses were not fine beasts and the travellers had to ride with one truck upended inside the foot well of the carriage. Crowded with four women – Caroline, Mrs. Myers and two lady’s maids, they wrapped up in extra blankets and in just over three hours, they passed through Meryton.
“Netherfield Park is just another six miles,” Caroline assured her friend.
“The trip has passed quickly though we are truly in beastly country,” Mrs. Myers comments. “Are there any decent shops in the village we just passed?”
“None; why do you think I was so desperate to come to town when the season was over?” At the gate for the private drive to Netherfield, the carriage stopped and waited as a large carriage left the grounds.
“Who has such a fine carriage in Hertfordshire, Caroline?” asked Mrs. Myers.
“I do not recognize it.” Caroline puzzled for a moment, “It does not resemble my brother’s carriage or Mr. Darcy’s.”
“Perhaps it is the Earl of Bailey! He must be visiting with your brother!”
Both ladies imagined meeting and falling in love with a handsome man and becoming the Countess of Bailey during the short ride to the front steps of Netherfield Park. When the footman came from the house to open the coach door and assist the ladies out, Caroline saw Charles, Louisa and Mr. Hurst all gathered at the door and she enjoyed the proper greeting from her family for her friend.
“Good afternoon, Caroline,” her brother greeted her.
“Charles, Louisa, Mr. Hurst, allow me to introduce Mrs. Myers, my friend from London. She will stay with us only one night.”
“Yes, I have to continue my journey to Bedfordshire tomorrow morning.”
“I thank you for bringing my sister home, Mrs. Myers,” Charles replied. “And you are welcome for the evening.”
Louisa and Mr. Hurst exchanged glances that only Caroline noticed but they were polite and welcoming as well.
“Your arrival is timely, Mr. Hurst said. “We had just said farewell to our guests.”
“You have had guests while I was absent?” asked Caroline.
“I am not inconveniencing you am I, Mr. Bingley?”
“No, Mrs. Myers. My sister Louisa and our housekeeper Mrs. Hobbes have everything well in hand.”
“Allow me to take your upstairs to rest before supper,” Louisa said to Mrs. Myers. “We shall join you gentlemen in the parlour in one hour.”
The footmen carried Caroline’s trunks up the stairs and only one trunk for Mrs. Myers and her maid. Behind the house, the coachman saw to the horses and the stable boys pushed the carriage into the stable for the evening. Amid all the tasks, Mrs. Hobbes led maids to the linen closets for fresh bed linens for an extra bedroom.
“Louisa, where is Mr. Darcy?” Caroline asked as her friend paid close attention to the answer.
“I do not know, my dear,” was Louisa’s simple reply. “I am certain Charles can tell you when you have rested. Supper will be only one course tonight. We are still resting after the ball on Tuesday night.”
“You attended a ball this week Mrs. Hurst?” asked Mrs. Myers.
Louisa smiled, “We hosted a ball here on Tuesday night that was well attended.”
“Caroline! You did not tell us there was a ball! We were so bored in town this week – we should have attended!” Mrs. Myers insisted.
“I am certain the ball room here was filled with farmers, shopkeepers and gossiping ladies from the neighbourhood,” Caroline said dismissively and she failed to note the twinkle in her sister’s eye.
Mrs. Myers was left in the care of Mrs. Hobbes while Louisa took Caroline to her old room. “While you were absent, we did not use your room for any of the guests that stayed overnight,”
“I should think not,” Caroline replied. “My maid will soon set everything to rights.”
“I saw that you hired a new girl. Please be kind to this one!”
“She is just a servant, Louisa.”
“And a good servant helps you maintain your gowns, hair and complexion.” Louisa stood for a moment to look her sister over. “London does not agree with your complexion at all Caroline. I would suggest a walk in the gardens tomorrow morning to return some colour to your cheeks.”
Dashing to the mirror, Caroline examined her face for a full five minutes before she resolved to ignore Louisa’s comments in the future. Then she hurried to remove her coat, hat and gloves before descending the stairs in search of her brother.
“Where will I find Mr. Bingley?” she finally asked the footman after searching in the parlour and dining room.
“Mr. Bingley is in the library, miss,” the footman replied evenly. Then he escorted the lady to the door and opened it wide to allow her to sweep into the room as a grand lady.
“Charles! How I have missed you!” she stated as the door closed behind her.
“Hello Caroline. It is surprising that you are downstairs already. I expected you to take at least two hours to rest from your journey.”
“I am quite rested and wished to see you,” she said.
“N
o.” he said to all her unasked questions.
Caroline’s face showed true surprise. “Whatever do you mean? I haven’t asked for anything.”
“No to money, the carriage, dinners or shopping. You have your allowance and it must last you until spring.”
Sitting in one of the chairs before his desk and noticing that he had rearranged several pieces of furniture in her absence, she sighed, “You are tiresome brother. I have not come to ask for money.”
“Good,” he replied. “What do you want?”
“Must I want something every time I speak to you?”
“Generally, you do and I am quite busy today.” Motioning to several papers on his desk, he explained, “These letters must be expressed to London in the morning.”
“Surely business can wait until Monday!” Caroline exclaimed. “I have a guest tonight and I hope you will help entertain her.”
“I will not be at Netherfield during supper tonight,” Charles replied.
“Not at supper!” Caroline whined. “That will be an insult to my guest!”
“If I had known you were bringing guests, I would have made other arrangements but since you invited them yourself, you shall have to entertain them tonight.”
“What of Mr. Darcy? Has he returned to Netherfield? Where is he?”
Charles sat back in his chair and said, “I imagine that Mr. Darcy is in consultation with the countess this afternoon. They have several matters concerning their adjoining estates to resolve.”
“Countess?” asked Caroline delightedly. “Do you mean the Earl of Bailey and his estate? Is the earl already married?”
“No, but I imagine the earl is just waking from his afternoon nap.”
“Charles, you say the strangest things!” Caroline retorted.
Now Mr. Bingley sat up and asked, “Caroline, what would you say if I were engaged to the sister of a countess?”
“The sister of a countess? A countess! Do you mean Lady Gwendolyn’s younger sister – Lady Grace Howell?”
“No, I have never met that lady! And I believe that Lady Gwendolyn is just the wife of a viscount, not a countess.”
Follies and Nonsense Page 38
