She gave a wry smile as she thought of her other sisters. Mary, Kitty and Lydia would not do her so much credit. But they were her family and she loved them. Besides, she thought they would do Georgiana good. Mary could converse with her on serious subjects whilst Lydia and Kitty would help her to be light-hearted. Georgiana spent so much time with older people that she was inclined to be serious, and Elizabeth thought it would be good for her to mix with people her own age – even if they were rather silly at times – so that she would not be in danger of missing her own youth.
As Elizabeth entered the drawing-room, she was already planning what she would say to her sisters when she saw them next. She would tell Jane all about it, and nothing more need be said there. But she would tell Kitty and Lydia to be on their best behaviour, and alert Mary to the fact that she must not lecture Georgiana, but must instead try to hold a conversation with her. Mary tended to capture her audience and then prose on to them, instead of engaging in genuine conversation!
All in all, Elizabeth was looking forward to the assembly.
The day of the assembly could not come soon enough for Georgiana. She was delighted when her brother told her she was allowed to go. It was a source of great excitement for her and she kept asking Elizabeth questions about it. Elizabeth answered them all patiently. Georgiana had led a sheltered life and did not know what to expect.
At last the day of the assembly arrived. Georgiana watched the clock and she kept asking Elizabeth if it was time to dress.
‘Not yet,’ said Elizabeth, smiling at Georgiana’s enthusiasm.
‘Will all of your sisters be there?’ asked Georgiana.
‘Yes, they will. I am looking forward to introducing them to you.’
‘How wonderful to have four sisters,’ said Georgiana wistfully. ‘You always have someone to talk to, and to share things with.’
‘That is true, but sometimes they can be annoying as well!’ said Elizabeth with a laugh. ‘My youngest sister, Lydia, in particular, can be a trial!’
‘Lydia is my age, I believe?’ asked Georgiana.
‘Yes. She is only a few months younger than you, so you see there will be some people of your own age there. You already know some of your neighbours. The Hayes have visited Netherfield, and the Wilberforces and the Montagues.’
She deliberately named families who had sons of a similar age to Georgiana. They would be at the assembly and they were sure to ask Georgiana to dance.
Georgiana blushed adorably and Elizabeth knew that she was imagining her first public dances, escorted by handsome young men.
At last it was time to dress. Elizabeth retired to her room, where she bathed and then donned her new underwear and new gown. It was simple and yet elegant. It was well cut and fit her figure to perfection. It had short, puffed sleeved and a high waist, with the bodice gathered into it. Its long skirt reached the floor and trailed a little behind her. The maid arranged her hair in a neat and yet attractive chignon, with curls around her face, then helped her to fasten a slim gold chain around her neck.
Elizabeth stood up. She pulled on her gloves, which she smoothed over her arms. The gloves were long and white. A small amount of her lightly tanned arm was visible between the top of her glove and the frilled hem of her short sleeve. It made an attractive contrast to the pure white of the glove and the gown.
Then she went to Georgiana’s room, where she found Georgiana fully dressed and eager to go downstairs.
‘You look beautiful,’ said Elizabeth.
She smiled at Georgiana’s obvious excitement, and she remembered her own first ball. How excited she had been! It had been a magical evening and she meant to do everything in her power to make it a magical evening for Georgiana.
As they went downstairs, Elizabeth hung back a little so that Georgiana could receive the compliments of her friends and family. They spoke no more than the truth when they said how lovely she looked. Her dress was of white silk. It was a grown-up dress, with a low round neck and a train. Her hair was piled high on her head and she looked elegant and refined.
Mr Bingley gave her his heartiest compliments. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst told her how grown-up she looked. Mr Hurst, when nudged by his wife, said, ‘Very pretty.’
Mr Darcy looked at his sister with great pride and admiration.
‘You look beautiful,’ he said. ‘Mama and Papa would be proud.’
Elizabeth felt a lump rise in her throat. She was so pleased for Georgiana, but in that moment she also felt a sorrow that Georgiana’s parents were not there to see her.
And she felt a sorrow that her own parents were not there, either.
She realised that she had something in common with Georgiana, and with Mr Darcy. They had all lost their parents young.
Georgiana moved down the stairs and joined Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst. Elizabeth thought mischievously that Georgiana looked like Cinderella sandwiched between the two ugly sisters! Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were both dressed magnificently Miss Bingley in amber satin and Mrs Hurst in purple silk. But they had a dissatisfied air. Miss Bingley looked as though she were just waiting to find a target for her spiteful wit, and Mrs Hurst looked as though she could not wait to criticise someone’s clothes or hair.
Then they put on their cloaks and went out on to the drive.
It had been arranged that the Bingleys and the Hursts should take Mr Bingley’s carriage, whilst Elizabeth would accompany the Darcys in Mr Darcy’s carriage.
As the Darcys walked across the crunching gravel to their own equipage, Georgiana ran ahead.
Mr Darcy, walking behind with Elizabeth, found himself thinking how beautiful she looked. He could not say so. It was not the kind of thing a gentleman said to his sister’s companion. But he wanted to say something.
‘I am glad your gown was ready in time,’ he said. ‘The dressmaker seems to know her trade.’
‘Yes,’ said Elizabeth. ‘My family have always used her services. The gown does not have the London stamp of fashion, but I believe it is just as well made as those from town.’
They had reached the carriage. Georgiana was already inside, having been handed in by one of the footmen. The footman was about to hand Elizabeth in, but Mr Darcy offered her his hand instead. Elizabeth hesitated for a second and then took it. As she did so, she felt a tingling sensation in her hand which was most pleasant. She wondered what had occasioned it, and she wondered if he had felt it, too. If so, he gave no sign of it. She took her place in the carriage. Mr Darcy followed them in and the footman shut the door.
Then they were on their way to the Meryton assembly.
There was a bright moon, and the carriage lights added their radiance to the night as the carriage rolled through the countryside. At last it arrived outside the Meryton assembly rooms. There was the sound of music coming from the long room upstairs, and light was coming from the windows. There was a festive atmosphere and Elizabeth saw Georgiana’s obvious delight.
Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst rolled their eyes at each other as they went inside. The inn which housed the assembly rooms was rather shabby and the two elegant ladies made a point of lifting the hem of their skirts, as though they feared contamination from the wooden floor.
Once upstairs, all the ladies went into the room set aside for cloaks. They removed their outer garments and changed into their dancing slippers, then they joined the gentlemen and the whole party entered the room together.
Elizabeth was immediately greeted by all her friends and neighbours. She was a very popular young lady and they made haste to welcome her.
Elizabeth returned their greetings, glad to have so many friends. But she knew that the speed with which she was greeted had something to do with her companions, as well. All of Meryton was eager to see the new tenants of Netherfield Park, and as yet only a select few families had met them.
Everyone looked, whilst at the same time pretending they were not looking. It was not many minutes before a whisper ran round the room: five thousand a year and then ten
thousand a year.
Elizabeth was embarrassed. Mr Bingley’s income was five thousand a year and it was an impressive sum, but not as impressive a sum as Mr Darcy’s ten thousand a year.
Elizabeth hoped the gentlemen in question had not heard the whisper. They were being greeted by Sir William Lucas, who was welcoming them with stately grandeur and asking if they had ever been to St James’s, so she thought they had been too busy to take any notice of the gossip.
Georgiana had not heard, for she was looking around her as though in a dream.
‘There are so many people,’ she said.
To Elizabeth’s relief, she saw her sister Jane coming forward to greet her.
The two sisters greeted each other warmly and then Elizabeth introduced Jane to Georgiana, and then to the rest of the party.
There were curtsies and bows.
Young Mr Montague appeared, going bright red as he approached and nervously fiddled with his frilled cuffs. He tugged his tailcoat down at the front and made a low bow. His family had already visited Netherfield, and the parties were acquainted.
‘Miss Darcy, might I have the pleasure of this dance?’ he asked.
Georgiana looked towards her brother, who gave a brief nod.
Georgiana went quite as red as Mr Montague, and the two of them went out on to the floor.
‘You must not neglect our dear Georgiana, Charles,’ said Miss Bingley. ‘You must make sure you ask her to dance when she returns. You do not want her to think you are ignoring her at her first dance.’
Elizabeth turned to look at Mr Bingley, wincing as she saw Miss Bingley tapping him with her fan. In someone else it could have been a playful gesture, but Miss Bingley rapped him rather hard.
The strength of the blow surprised her, but she was even more surprised by Mr Bingley’s expression. When she looked at his face, she saw him emerging as if from a trance. The blow had awoken him as if from a dream. She followed the direction of his gaze and saw that he was looking with rapt attention at her sister, Jane. She felt a warm glow. If Mr Bingley should take a liking to Jane, and if Jane should take a liking to Mr Bingley . . .
It was too soon for such thoughts. And yet if it should happen . . .
As she thought it, a smile spread across her face. She looked at her sister, and saw that Jane found Mr Bingley attractive. Jane was not a demonstrative person and her feelings were hard for strangers to read, but to Elizabeth it was clear that she found Mr Bingley agreeable. Of course, she did not know him yet, and so it was only his person she found agreeable, but Elizabeth was particularly grateful that she had saved her sister from marrying Mr Collins. If Jane should happen to fall in love with Mr Bingley, and if Mr Bingley should happen to fall in love with Jane, then what a wonderful thing it would be indeed.
Mr Bingley, coming out of his trance, ignored his sister and bowed to Jane.
‘Miss Bennet would you care to dance?’
‘I would, thank you,’ said Jane, making him a low curtsey.
The two of them went on to the floor, where they took their places next to Georgiana and her partner.
Mrs Hurst gave her husband a nudge.
‘What? Oh. Care to dance, Caroline?’ he asked in an offhand manner.
Miss Bingley did not look pleased with the arrangement, but as Mr Darcy showed no signs of asking to dance with her, she accepted Mr Hurst’s arm.
That left Mr Darcy, Mrs Hurst and Elizabeth standing together at the side of the room.
Mr Montague, father of the young man who had asked Georgiana to dance, approached and asked Mrs Hurst to dance.
The musicians struck up the opening chords. Mr Darcy and Elizabeth stood awkwardly together and then Mr Darcy said suddenly, ‘Would you care to dance, Miss Bennet?’
Elizabeth was surprised at this public notice of her, particularly as he had said in the carriage that he did not like to dance, but she accepted his offer.
They joined the other dancers on the floor just as the dance began.
As the music started, Mr Darcy regretted his rash decision to ask Miss Elizabeth to dance. It had been done on the spur of the moment. The glow of the candles had surrounded her dark hair with a halo of light. Her kindness to his sister, together with her own evident popularity and liveliness, had overcome his pride, so that he had not been able to resist.
But now he was aware of curious eyes upon him and he knew he must be careful. Gossip in a country town spread quickly. The matchmakers would already be thinking how convenient it would be for Miss Elizabeth Bennet to become Mrs Elizabeth Darcy. With their natural partiality for their townswoman, together with their compassion over her situation, they would naturally rejoice in a match. They would turn his tiniest smile or gesture into evidence of a romantic attachment and so he retreated into a formal shell.
They began to dance in silence. He wanted to make it clear to anyone watching that he was merely being kind to his sister’s companion, and nothing more.
However, he could not hide from himself that it was more. He was enjoying the dance. The touch of Miss Elizabeth’s hand was enlivening for him, even though they both wore gloves, and her dancing did her credit. Like her music, it was not highly polished and she occasionally made a mis-step, but there was an innate beauty to her movement that rendered her an uncommonly agreeable partner.
Elizabeth broke the silence.
‘Miss Darcy is acquitting herself very well,’ said Elizabeth.
Mr Darcy was confident that his manner had by now shown the gossips there was nothing to be made of the dance. They had watched him with interest for a few minutes but when they saw his proud demeanour and his silent manner they had turned away, satisfied he was just doing his duty in dancing with Miss Elizabeth. He now therefore felt free to converse.
‘Yes,’ he said, looking at his sister affectionately. ‘It was a good idea for her to come to the assembly. I know she was looking forward to meeting your sisters. Your sister Jane, too, dances very well,’ he added politely.
Talking of their sisters was a safe topic. It prevented him from saying anything he might regret, by complimenting Elizabeth as he wanted to do.
Elizabeth looked towards Jane, who was moving with natural elegance. That was more than could be said for Lydia, who was dancing boisterously at the far end of the room. Elizabeth was glad that her younger sister was in a different set, and had not been noticed by Mr Darcy.
When they had spoken of Jane’s prowess, they talked of the rooms and the number of couples.
Then Elizabeth said, ‘One of the most enjoyable parts of a dance is talking it over the following day. I was thinking that, if it meets with your approval, I could take Georgiana to Longbourn tomorrow, so that she can talk about it with my sisters. It would give her a chance to know them better and prolong the pleasure of the evening.’
Mr Darcy gave it his consideration, and by the end of the dance it was agreed.
The music ended. Mr Darcy bowed and Elizabeth curtsied, then they rejoined the rest of the party.
Georgiana was congratulated, and her hand was sought for the next dance.
‘La! What a monstrously delightful ball it is!’ said Lydia, running over to greet her.
Georgiana looked a little alarmed as Lydia blew into the group like an enthusiastic hurricane, and Elizabeth calmed her sister by performing the introductions. The formalities having been observed, Georgiana took Lydia’s measure and began to converse with her about the ball. The two were of an age, and although their personalities were different, they had plenty to discuss.
There was a lull between the dances as the musicians decided what to play next. Elizabeth’s other sisters joined the group and, before long, Georgiana had made four new friends.
The musicians resumed their seats and Georgiana’s hand was sought for the next dance by young Mr Haye. Mr Darcy gave his permission and the two young people went out on to the floor.
Sir William Lucas joined them and introduced another young lady, so that Mr Bingley was
obliged to ask her to dance. Miss Bingley dropped such large hints that at last Mr Darcy had no option but to offer her his hand. One by one the ladies found partners, until Elizabeth was left alone. Gentlemen were scarce, and some ladies inevitably had to sit down.
Elizabeth was not unhappy with this, for it gave her an opportunity to talk to her friend, Charlotte Lucas. The two had been friends for many years, but Elizabeth saw less of Charlotte now that she was Georgiana’s companion.
Their talk, to begin with, was of the officers who had just moved into town.
This was news to Elizabeth, who had heard nothing about it.
Charlotte had met some of them and said they seemed gentlemanlike.
‘Some of them, no doubt, will be at future entertainments as our neighbours get to know them,’ said Charlotte. Then she turned her attention to a matter of more immediate concern. ‘Jane started the ball well. Mr Bingley seems to have a partiality for her and Jane should make the most of it. If he asks her to dance a second time, which I believe he will, she must encourage him. A marriage there would be very desirable.’
‘She has only just met Mr Bingley. At the moment she knows no more about him than the rest of the room: that he is good looking and gentlemanlike with easy, unaffected manners. It is a long way from that to marriage.’
‘But you know him, Lizzy. You have been living under the same roof as him for some time now. Do you like him?’
‘Yes, I confess I do,’ said Elizabeth. ‘He is very different from his sister. She is a spiteful woman, full of her own importance. But Mr Bingley is most agreeable.’
‘Then Jane should do her best to fix him.’
‘Jane will do what she always does: behave with sweetness and gentleness. I dare say she will help him on as much as her nature allows, if they continue to like each other. But it is by no means certain and I hope you will not spread any rumours abroad. Jane has just escaped one distasteful match. I pray you will not help to push her into another one.’
‘Marriage to Mr Bingley would not be distasteful,’ said Charlotte.
‘It would be to Jane, if she did not love him. So I beg you will not encourage the idea. If Jane and Mr Bingley fall in love it would be a wonderful thing indeed, but unless that happens I do not want to see her marry him.’
A Companion For Miss Darcy: A Pride and Prejudice Variation Page 12
