by K C Kahler
“I wish you a pleasant journey then. Do take care in packing your trunk. I have told you before the best method, have I not?”
He was brought back to the present when Mrs Bennet came to sit next to him, wringing her hands. “Oh Mr Collins…”
He put his book down and saw that only Miss Mary remained in the room. It had quite escaped his notice when the others left. Mrs Bennet continued, “I hope I do not distress you, but I must inform you as soon as possible of some news. Mr Bingley and my Jane have entered into a formal courtship. Apparently, they developed tender feelings for each other during the time Jane spent at Netherfield nursing Lizzy. I hope you are not terribly disappointed. I know Jane catches many a young man’s eye, but who can ever predict these sorts of things?”
She ended her nervous speech and waited for his reply with much trepidation. Mr Collins was of course relieved that he was not honour bound to Miss Bennet. Yet he also felt a sting of bitterness that she should move on so quickly. Regardless, this was, for his purposes, very welcome intelligence.
“Have no fear, Mrs Bennet. I rejoice in my cousin’s happiness and in your good fortune. It is a very good match, and Mr Bingley is a most amiable gentleman.”
“You are too good, Mr Collins. I have been so worried that you might have been inadvertently injured in all of this.”
“Do not trouble yourself, madam,” he replied in a quiet voice. “My heart has been touched but by another of your fine daughters.” He lowered his voice to a whisper, “Miss Elizabeth.”
“Dear me! How happy I am to hear you say so! You have my complete support, Mr Collins., I do not know of any prepossessions there. The upcoming ball will be a great opportunity for romance, do you not think? Lizzy loves to dance.” She winked at him, and he had to smile despite the unseemliness of such a gesture.
“Indeed, madam, I shall not waste the occasion.”
Mrs Bennet left him alone on the settee with one last wink.
Later, after all the daughters of the house had returned to the sitting room, Mrs Bennet said, “Girls, I am afraid, with all this rain, we must send out for the shoe roses for the ball.”
This statement began an enthusiastic conversation about the ball, particularly between the youngest Miss Bennets.
After a little while, Mr Collins cleared his throat. “I shall hope to be honoured with the hands of all my fair cousins in the course of the evening, and I take this opportunity of soliciting yours, Miss Elizabeth, for the two first dances especially, a preference which I trust my cousin Jane will attribute to the right cause and not to any disrespect for her.”
Miss Elizabeth looked surprised, a testament to her modesty, but she accepted with grace.
“I wonder,” Cousin Lydia said, “how many sets Mr Darcy will dance.”
Miss Catherine snorted in a rather unladylike fashion. “I should guess only two sets, one each with Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst.”
“Certainly not! He will at least dance with me and with Jane, now that she and Mr Bingley are courting. Do you not think, Lizzy?”
“I can hardly say what Mr Darcy will do, Lydia.”
Mr Collins broke into the conversation, “I suspect the letter I carry for Mr Darcy must be delivered on the night of the ball, for the roads are far too muddy now.”
Miss Elizabeth gazed at him for a moment. “Do you carry a letter from Miss de Bourgh for her cousin?”
The question confused him. “Mr Darcy and Miss de Bourgh do not exchange letters, as far as I know. The letter is from Lady Catherine, and I promised to deliver it to her nephew personally.” Mr Collins related this with pride.
Cousin Elizabeth looked at Miss Mary. “Mr Collins, we are very curious about Miss de Bourgh. We have heard wonderful things about her and her accomplishments. Will you tell us more about her?”
Mr Collins was happy to oblige. He hoped that the future Mrs Collins and Miss de Bourgh might become friends. He told them about the daughter of his patroness for some time, and all his cousins save Miss Catherine seemed quite interested in the subject. Finally, he thought he had done Miss de Bourgh justice.
Cousin Lydia turned to Cousin Elizabeth, “Lizzy, where is the second book you have chosen for me?”
“Do you really wish to start it so soon?”
“Oh yes, I intend to finish it before the ball, as we discussed.”
“Very well, come to my room. While I search for it, I shall tell you a bit about it.”
As the two young ladies left, Mr Collins realised he must make an increased effort to compliment Miss Elizabeth’s wit and vivacity over the next few days. He would be most attentive. And on the night of the ball, his behaviour towards his dearest cousin would make his preference obvious for all to see. Then he would ask her to be his wife. It was a very good plan indeed.
Mr Collins turned to Cousin Mary. “Miss Mary, which of Fordyce’s sermons are you studying today?”
* * *
Darcy paced through the crowded rooms of Netherfield, partly out of impatience and partly out of a desire to avoid Miss Bingley. He knew she expected to dance the first set with him, though he was being most disobliging by not asking her. No, if he were to dance the first set with anyone, it would be with a certain young lady. What could be taking them so long? Despite the crush of guests already present, Darcy cared only about one who had not yet arrived. But suddenly, he knew she was there. He neither saw nor heard her, but rather heard the voice of her excited mother, and for the third time in his life, Fitzwilliam Darcy was thankful for Mrs Bennet’s appearance. Bingley, too, immediately brightened at the sound and bolted towards the door. This gave Darcy an excuse to look in that direction.
She entered on the arms of her eldest and youngest sisters, but they were merely faceless blurs to Darcy. He could see only her, looking more beautiful than any woman ought. By God, Anne must be right. This breathless euphoria, this desperate longing—how could any man withstand it? He should accompany Bingley to London in two days and stay there, fleeing like a coward. But perhaps he would not. He wondered at his wavering resolve. Perhaps he would stay here and…what, precisely? He did not know. All he knew was that he wanted to dance with Elizabeth Bennet tonight.
He began to walk towards her. Miss Elizabeth laughed at something Miss Lydia said and then beamed at the approaching Bingley. She relinquished Miss Bennet’s arm to him, watching with open pleasure at her sister’s happiness. Then her eyes glanced around the room, seemingly seeking something. In a matter of seconds, they found Darcy, and she smiled. If his step faltered just an instant, he could hardly blame himself. He continued to stride purposefully towards her, holding her gaze, but before he reached her to claim his dance, two things happened nearly simultaneously.
Miss Lydia spied him, and she began to step forward. But Miss Elizabeth held fast to her arm and spoke some low but forceful words in her ear. Miss Lydia halted in indecision, then visibly checked herself and nodded slightly. As Darcy attempted to decipher this interaction, he noticed movement at Miss Elizabeth’s other arm. Mr Collins insinuated himself where Miss Bennet had vacated and was, at that moment, elbowing Miss Elizabeth in an awkward attempt to offer his arm to her. She accepted it with clear reluctance, and he smiled at her in a way that was sickeningly familiar. Mr Collins had often directed that mawkish smile at Jane Bennet before he was dissuaded from pursuing her.
Finally arriving at the group, Darcy greeted Miss Bennet first, as Bingley proudly had her out in front of the rest of the Bennets. She curtseyed, and he bowed. “Good evening, Miss Bennet. Your arrival has been much anticipated. Mr Bingley even held up the start of the dancing, causing much agitation among the guests.”
“Oh dear! I am sorry. You have no idea how long it takes eight people to prepare for an occasion like this. Mr Bingley, you should not have altered your plans for me.”
Bingley grinned like a fool. “But I would wait all night for the opportunity to dance with you. Now that you are here, I find I do not wish to wait any longer. Let us g
o tell the musicians to begin.” Bingley led Miss Bennet away.
Darcy attempted brief polite greetings to the other Bennets, but he was interrupted by Mrs Bennet’s grating voice. “Mr Darcy! What a dashing figure you cut in your formal attire! I daresay you are even more dashing than the officers! And I thought regimentals could not be improved upon!”
An acceptable reply to such a greeting escaped him. He was saved from formulating one by the arrival of Lieutenants Denny and Saunderson. The former addressed Mrs Bennet with a gallant bow. “What is this I hear about improving upon regimentals? Who dares such blasphemy?” He kissed her gloved hand.
Mrs Bennet tittered and batted her lashes. “Oh Mr Denny! You know I meant no disrespect. In my youth, I had quite the eye for a man in regimentals, I assure you! But Mr Darcy is so very tall and his garments so well-tailored that one cannot help but notice his fine figure. My, how flattering breeches are to male legs!”
Had Darcy not been so determined to dance with Elizabeth, he doubted he could endure the further inspection of his…person by her mother. Fortunately, Mr Bennet’s timely intervention spared him.
“Come, Mrs Bennet, leave the rapt admiration of fashions and figures to the young people. Let us examine the available libations.” He directed her away from the group. Darcy thought the consumption of spirits by Mrs Bennet would only make matters worse. However, he thanked heaven for her present removal and vowed to avoid her for the rest of the night.
Mr Denny turned to the youngest Bennets. “Miss Lydia, Miss Catherine, may we solicit the first two dances from each of you?”
Though her sister accepted with alacrity, Miss Lydia shot Darcy a pleading look before accepting in turn. That foursome engaged in lively conversation as the officers escorted the girls away, leaving Darcy’s task a much easier one. He now had only one ridiculous obstacle left to overcome.
The obstacle released the arm of a certain young lady and genuflected solemnly. Darcy could barely keep from rolling his eyes, an expression that did not go unnoticed by Miss Elizabeth. She curtseyed to him with a grin while her cousin held himself prostrate. Darcy could have quite happily stared at her for the rest of the night, but it was not to be. Mr Collins finally rose to his full height.
“Mr Darcy! I am honoured to see you again and pleased that I bring you nothing but propitious news of your dear aunt and cousin. I left both of them in excellent health only two short days ago. I have the further honour of delivering to your hands a letter from Lady Catherine.” Mr Collins produced a missive from inside his waistcoat and handed it to Darcy with a flourish.
Darcy hid the letter away in his coat. Lady Catherine never wrote anything of particular interest, and he had much more important matters to address. If only Mr Collins would suddenly disappear or, perhaps, bow again. “Thank you for relaying news of my family, Mr Collins. I had not expected to see you in Hertfordshire again so soon.”
“But how could any man stay away when he knows such inducements await him?” He again directed a mawkish grin at Elizabeth. This time she could barely keep from rolling her eyes.
“Indeed.” Darcy found himself maddeningly unable to speak the words he desperately wished to speak. The murmur of the crowd indicated that the music would soon start. Ask, you fool!
Mr Collins again offered his arm to Miss Elizabeth. “If you will excuse us, I do not wish to miss one moment of this special dance with my dearest cousin.”
With a look of resignation and a barely perceptible shrug, Miss Elizabeth accepted the proffered arm. Blast! She had already promised her first dance to this fool. Darcy could only watch helplessly as the woman he loved was led away by a buffoon.
He cursed himself for not seizing his opportunity to secure a dance the way Bingley had in the street in Meryton last week. Bingley! She had promised her second set to Bingley! Blast! All of Darcy’s nervous excitement transformed into ire. He stalked the edges of the room as the couples took their places. Miss Bingley spied him and began to approach, but the look on his face as he turned abruptly away seemed to make her abandon her pursuit.
The music began, and Darcy watched in ill humour. All four of the occupied Bennet sisters danced well, but Darcy was most attentive to a certain young lady. Miss Elizabeth moved through her turns gracefully except when interaction with Mr Collins was necessary. No partner could make him graceful. Darcy winced along with her when Mr Collins’s poor dancing skills claimed a casualty in the form of the lady’s sore toes. Blast! If only he had spared her this mortification!
“Good evening, Mr Darcy.” He turned with a scowl to behold Miss Mary Bennet standing beside him.
He attempted to control both his scowl and his shock and made an effort to be friendly. “Good evening, Miss Mary. I am sorry, I did not greet you properly in the excitement of your family’s arrival.” In truth, he had not even noticed her.
“I took no offense. I, too, was caught up in the goings-on.” She fell silent as she watched the dancers, and he could not keep himself from again watching one dancer in particular. At length, she spoke again. “All my sisters are engaged for the first two sets.”
Darcy suddenly felt some compassion for her—to be the plainest of five sisters must be a constant burden, particularly at a ball. Mary Bennet was not unattractive, but compared to her sisters, particularly the eldest, she seemed plain. “May I have the honour of the next dance?”
Her gaze snapped to him. “Oh! Do not think I mentioned it in order to beg for a partner. You are very kind, and I thank you, but like you, I prefer not to dance. I have already promised Mr Collins and Mr Bingley each a set, and that is more than enough dancing for one night for my tastes. Will you be horribly offended if I decline your gracious offer?”
“No, not at all. I understand better than you realise. In this we are kindred spirits.”
“Indeed, we are. I see that you take great interest in observing people, as I do. I only mentioned my sisters’ dance cards because…well, because two of my sisters in particular are eager to discuss a matter of some import with you, and the subject will require the modicum of privacy that is afforded by a dance.”
He stared at her, dumbstruck.
“Forgive my forwardness. As an avid observer, I see and hear many things, but I am no gossip, I assure you. The important matter I mentioned involves the gentleman whose acquaintance we made in Meryton just last week, on the day you and Mr Bingley met us unexpectedly.”
His scowl returned along with a seething rage. Wickham.
“You obviously know which gentleman I mean.” Miss Mary did not seem offended by Darcy’s change in demeanour. “We met him again at my Aunt Philips’s house the following night. He had some conversation with Lydia and, especially, with Elizabeth.”
His stomach lurched with the knowledge that Wickham had spent any time at all with Elizabeth. He could only imagine what had been said. His eyes again found her on the dance floor, confirming that she was well and unharmed (aside from the aforementioned toes of course).
“Both my sisters are eager to share the particulars with you, but I would recommend you seek the story from Elizabeth. She heard more than Lydia and is less prone to fits of melodrama. In such a public setting, I think you will appreciate Lizzy’s poise and discretion.”
He turned to really look at Mary Bennet for the first time. “I thank you for the information. I shall seek to secure a dance with Miss Elizabeth at her earliest convenience.” He knew not why he added, “I had planned on it already.”
She inclined her head and began to move away, but he halted her with one last statement. “If you should change your mind and wish to dance more than two sets, I shall be honoured to be your partner, Miss Mary.”
She smiled as he bowed to her. “I shall keep your generous offer in mind. Now I suggest you seek out either Mr Collins or Mr Bingley, for they will trade partners for the next set.”
“Thank you,” he called again to her retreating form. Most extraordinary! But he had no time to contemplate Mi
ss Mary Bennet, not when he must intercept her sister as soon as possible.
Darcy closed in on the dancers for the final notes. The room erupted into applause. He easily found Miss Elizabeth among the crowd, for she was most eager to escape, though Mr Collins insisted on escorting her from the dance floor. She pointed and fixed her eyes on something in particular as they made their way through the throng. Darcy followed her gaze to Miss Lucas, who stood not too far from him. He seized the opportunity and greeted the young lady first.
“Good evening, Miss Lucas. I am happy to see you again.” Darcy really was happy to see her. He knew her to be a sensible and considerate young lady based on their unconventional discussion in Netherfield’s garden.
“Good evening, Mr Darcy. Oh look, Elizabeth is coming this way too.” She smiled at him and then at the approaching couple. “With Mr Collins,” she added.
Darcy had almost forgotten how perceptive she was. He had apparently lost his ability to conceal any of his thoughts and emotions. Or perhaps he had only lost that ability where Elizabeth Bennet was concerned.
“Miss Lucas!” exclaimed Mr Collins when he arrived. “I am delighted to see you again.”
Bingley and Miss Bennet arrived at the small group as well, and a few moments of enthusiastic greetings followed. Darcy took advantage of the confusion to position himself as close to his object as possible. As Mr Collins held forth on the horrors of muddy roads, Darcy took his chance. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said quietly, “I hope to have the pleasure of dancing with you this evening.”
She looked surprised. “Indeed, Mr Darcy? I had thought dancing was a punishment to you. However, my third set is yours. I should hardly dream of refusing you for fear of discouraging your uncharacteristic desire to dance.”
Success! At last he had secured his dance. “I believe you know that I am not entirely opposed to dancing, merely that I dislike dancing with strangers. I should very much enjoy dancing with you. I look forward to it.”
