by K C Kahler
Surprise flashed in her eyes again—those fine eyes. He held her gaze while a slow blush overspread her cheeks. Darcy had no desire to ever look away.
“I…I thank you,” she stammered, finally looking down.
Aside from the annoyance of Mr Collins’s continued presence, Darcy thoroughly enjoyed the ensuing conversation amongst the small group. With Miss Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, Miss Lucas, and Bingley present, Darcy realised these were the people he most favoured in Hertfordshire. The evening had taken a decidedly positive turn. He only need wait through one more dance set, a mere half hour. This may very well be the best ball he had ever attended.
Charlotte Lucas had been watching the various Bennet girls and their admirers since they arrived. It was most diverting. She must tell John about it. Unfortunately, his planned return in a fortnight did not allow him to witness all this romantic intrigue for himself.
Jane and Mr Bingley were completely absorbed in each other; it was a blessing considering the sour looks coming from his sisters. Mr Darcy watched Elizabeth like a hawk from the edge of the room, looking decidedly displeased. Mr Collins, meanwhile, showered his attentions on Lizzy. When Lizzy was not avoiding her dance partner’s missteps, she stole glances in Mr Darcy’s direction. Lydia may have been the most amusing of all. She took pleasure in her dance with Lieutenant Denny, laughing and talking, but if there was any lull in the conversation, her head would whip around in search of Mr Darcy, who, invariably, would be staring at her sister. Mary prowled the edges of the room, a female version of Mr Darcy, only lacking the glower. Then there was Kitty, who was completely oblivious to it all and therefore enjoying herself in blissful ignorance. Most diverting indeed.
The dance would soon end. Charlotte caught Elizabeth’s weary eye and nodded. Yes, Charlotte could serve her own purposes and provide some welcome relief to her friend by distracting Mr Collins tonight. Based on his obvious attentions, she predicted that Lizzy would soon be the recipient—and the rejecter—of a marriage proposal. Charlotte need only make herself helpful and available to both of them over these next few days. She again wished that she could share her aspirations with her friend, but Lizzy would only argue with her and try to convince her to be happy as a spinster. No, if Mr Collins wanted a wife so badly, Charlotte was content to fill the role.
“Good evening, Miss Lucas. I am happy to see you again.” Charlotte was suddenly addressed by Mr Darcy.
“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.”
A flash of displeasure crossed Mr Darcy’s face. Ah, perhaps Charlotte could help her friend in another way tonight. She would distract one unwanted suitor but encourage another suitor who needed a little push. Something must be done; the poor man’s staring was becoming almost indecent. Elizabeth was certainly not indifferent to him, but she was, wisely, being cautious. How could a most excellent match be made when one person was wracked with indecision and the other with wariness? Perhaps jealousy could serve as impetus for Mr Darcy to act.
Lizzy and Mr Collins had arrived. “Miss Lucas! I am delighted to meet you again.”
“And I am delighted to see you, Mr Collins. I am so pleased you were able to return to Hertfordshire for the ball,” Charlotte replied before briefly embracing Elizabeth in greeting. Her expression told Charlotte that she had news to share in private.
Jane and Mr Bingley, the very picture of a besotted couple, arrived too. More greetings were exchanged, and Charlotte attempted to give Lizzy a moment of respite. “Mr Collins, when did you arrive?”
“On Monday, and I was received with much warmth from my dear relations.” He smiled fondly at Lizzy.
Charlotte tried again. “Monday? Did you travel in all that rain? How dreadful!” This approach worked, for Mr Collins had many observations to share about the differences in weather between Kent and Hertfordshire, as well as many complaints about the muddy roads.
“Well, Mr Collins,” said Mr Bingley cheerfully, “you have arrived safely despite your troubles and can now enjoy an evening of dancing amongst the beautiful ladies here.” He never took his eyes off of Jane.
“Indeed, Mr Bingley, and I am very much looking forward to the next dance with dear Cousin Jane, if you can be persuaded to give her up for half an hour.”
Mr Bingley laughed. “Well, I suppose I must. But at least I have the consolation of Miss Elizabeth’s company for that half hour.”
Lizzy finally joined the banter. “Mr Bingley, I doubt your dancing skills can live up to my sister’s glowing praises, but you will have your chance to prove yourself to me in a few moments.”
Mr Bingley looked ecstatic. “I shall put my best effort forward. Now, if we may somehow persuade Darcy to dance, I shall be completely triumphant tonight. How might we convince him?”
Mr Darcy replied, “There is no need to convince me. Miss Elizabeth has graciously promised her third set to me.”
“Excellent!” cried Mr Bingley, with an incredulous look.
“You do my dear cousin a great honour, Mr Darcy.” Mr Collins perhaps felt the distinction too strongly, apparently considering this a tribute to his importance rather than to Lizzy’s.
“On the contrary, it is my honour,” Mr Darcy said seriously. Then he added, “I hope to be honoured similarly with a dance from Miss Bennet tonight.”
Jane demurely agreed to dance the fourth set with Mr Darcy while Mr Bingley beamed with pride. The second set would soon begin. The newly re-arranged couples moved off to take their places, leaving Charlotte with Mr Darcy again. They watched the dancers lining up and then he turned to her. “Perhaps you will favour me with this dance, Miss Lucas, if you are not otherwise engaged.”
“I thank you, Mr Darcy. I am not engaged.”
He offered his arm, and they followed in the steps of the others. Charlotte glanced around at her neighbours. Most were turned in her direction with obvious curiosity, but two faces in particular stood out. Lydia, standing up with Mr Saunderson some distance away, gaped at Charlotte and her illustrious partner, and Miss Bingley looked absolutely enraged. She was paired with Augustus Goulding (known locally, rather unfortunately, as Gussy, and the only remaining eligible Goulding after Jacob’s scandalous elopement with the governess). The music began, and Miss Bingley was forced to impress the room with her fine dancing skills. As hostess, she danced first.
“I saw your sister, Miss Maria, here, but what occupies your brothers tonight?” Poor, taciturn Mr Darcy sought distraction in conversation to keep from staring at Elizabeth.
Charlotte obliged. Perhaps it was time to test out her jealousy theory. “Walter is extremely pleased to have the house to himself tonight. But Peter tried desperately to convince my parents that he should attend the ball. He even promised to fetch punch for any of us should we become thirsty from our dancing exertions.”
Mr Darcy laughed, a most pleasant sound. “I cannot imagine why he would wish to come so very badly.”
“Can you not? He knew Lizzy would be here.”
“Ah,” he managed to say as his eyes were naturally drawn again towards Elizabeth. She and Mr Bingley were just about to take their turn, following Mr Collins and a now slightly limping Jane.
“But if Peter had come tonight, he would be very distressed. I imagine it cannot be easy to watch another man pursue the woman you admire, even if the rival has no hope of success.”
“I imagine not,” he said, watching his friend move through the turns with Elizabeth.
Charlotte continued smoothly. “In fact, Walter had a similar preference for Jane Bennet just a couple of years ago. Every time she received any suitor’s interest, Walter felt it keenly. But, he has moved past those feelings. I hope Peter can do the same, for it is an inevitability that Lizzy’s charms will induce ever more suitors to pursue her.”
“I imagine so.”
“Yes, my two younger brothers are simply too young to form an alliance with any of t
he Bennet girls. I should very much like to call them my sisters. Lizzy and I in particular share an intimate relationship as if we were already sisters.” Charlotte thought she had said enough. Mr Darcy was a clever man—there was no need to belabour the point.
They were silent for some time as they went through their turns together. Charlotte felt all eyes upon them, but Mr Darcy was mindless of the attention, appearing deep in thought. He was a superior dancer despite his reluctance.
“I have heard much of your eldest brother, Miss Lucas. When will he return?” Mr Darcy asked, proving that Charlotte had indeed said quite enough, for she had never mentioned John explicitly.
“We expect John in a fortnight. He is finishing some business in Southampton and London. In fact, this is meant to be a surprise to my parents, but I suppose you are unlikely to spread the news. John is most likely buying a house in town.”
“Then he has been successful in his business ventures.”
“He has. Of course he cannot afford to buy in the most fashionable parts of town, but we Lucases shall be quite content regardless. I am very proud of my brother.”
“As you should be.”
All conversation was at an end until the conclusion of the set. Mr Darcy then offered his arm to her. They moved towards a group forming from various Bennet and Bingley siblings and their dance partners. Caroline Bingley brightened considerably when she saw Charlotte and Mr Darcy approaching.
Gussy Goulding grinned at Charlotte, revealing his missing tooth up front. “Miss Lucas! I did not see your family arrive. Pray, how do you do?”
“Very well, Mr Goulding, and you?”
“Oh, I am very well. But I am missing the antics of your brother John. I shall never forget his behaviour at our ball just before he left on his adventures. Poor Jenny worked for hours and still could not save the rug.”
Charlotte laughed. “I am very sorry for Jenny’s trouble. But do not suppose that John would behave similarly now. All those expecting the same reckless youth to return will be rather disappointed.”
“That is a pity. I was very much looking forward to livelier Christmas gatherings with his return.” Gussy winked at Charlotte. “Speaking of punch, may I fetch some for you, Miss Bingley?”
“No, thank you, Mr Goulding.”
“What about you, Miss Lucas? Would you like some punch?” Charlotte accepted his kind offer.
“I believe I would benefit from some refreshment at the moment,” said clever Elizabeth to no one in particular.
“Dearest Cousin! How negligent of your comfort I have been! Allow me to fetch you some punch this instant,” replied Mr Collins with much urgency.
The two gentlemen walked off together in search of punch, and Charlotte whispered to Mr Darcy, “Peter’s presence would have been superfluous, poor boy.”
He barked out a laugh before getting himself under regulation again, and he shot Charlotte a reproachful look. She smiled at him. Lizzy, Jane, Mr Bingley, Mrs Hurst, and Miss Bingley watched the exchange with varying expressions: curiosity, disbelief, disdain. Mr Hurst looked disappointed that he had missed his chance to visit the refreshments.
“It is wonderful for you, is it not, Miss Eliza, that Mr Collins should return to visit his dear relations so soon? Louisa and I were saying to each other how very much he belongs with you all at Longbourn.”
“We do our best to make everyone feel welcome in our house, Miss Bingley,” said Elizabeth in a guileless tone. “We Bennets have no false pretensions or affectations of superiority.”
Charlotte tried not to smirk. Miss Bingley seemed to be regrouping to land another barb when Mr Collins and Mr Goulding returned, punch in hands. Charlotte thanked Gus for his trouble.
“I apologise for the delay, dearest cousin. I ran into Miss Maria Lucas and felt the need to greet her properly.”
“I quite understand, Mr Collins. You should not neglect your friends.” Lizzy sipped her punch and said nothing more.
“Has anyone seen Miss Mary recently?” asked Mr Collins. “She promised me the third set.”
“Perhaps you had better go look for her.”
“But I hesitate to leave you, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I am perfectly well, Mr Collins. I should not wish my sister to be disappointed at missing her dance with you.”
“Of course not. You are a most caring sister. I shall find Cousin Mary now and seek you out after the third set.”
Lizzy avoided a reply by again sipping her punch, and Mr Collins made his exit with a solemn bow.
Then Kitty, Lydia, and Maria arrived with Lieutenants Denny, Saunderson, Pratt, and Chamberlayne. Kitty introduced Gus to the officers as “Gussy Goulding” and did not realise she had done so. Gussy did not seem to realise it either. After all the niceties were accomplished, Kitty and Maria fell again into giggles with the officers, but Lydia pushed her way further into the circle with purpose.
“Mr Darcy! You have played a joke on us, I think, pretending that you would not dance tonight. But I saw you and Miss Lucas dancing the last together, and I am convinced that you enjoyed it.”
“I asked Miss Lucas on the impulse of the moment, but I confess, I did enjoy our dance.”
Charlotte began to return his compliment but was cut off by Miss Bingley. “You dance superbly, Mr Darcy. It really is cruel of you to do it so rarely. I hope the impulse will strike you again tonight.”
Lydia and Miss Bingley hung on his every word. “I daresay it will.” This reply left much to be desired. Elizabeth stared intently at her punch.
The musicians readied their instruments for the next set. Lydia asked in desperation, “Will the impulse not strike you right now, Mr Darcy?”
“It already has.” He turned towards Lizzy. “This is our dance, Miss Elizabeth.”
Lydia gasped and Miss Bingley glared. Elizabeth shared a strange look with Lydia for a moment, but then accepted Mr Darcy’s arm. “Indeed, it is. I only hope I shall do you credit and not put you off dancing for the rest of the night. I should not wish to be blamed for depriving everyone else of the privilege of seeing you dance.”
“You can have no fear of that, Miss Elizabeth.”
They walked away together, and the group that remained sorted itself into couples for the dance. Charlotte wound up promising her next two sets to Mr Denny and Mr Chamberlayne, respectively. But she was most anxious to speak with Elizabeth, hopefully privately.
As she walked towards the dance floor on the arm of Mr Darcy, Elizabeth was preoccupied with the task at hand. Prior to the ball, she and Lydia had agreed that Elizabeth would be the one to warn Mr Darcy about Mr Wickham’s falsehoods. Lydia had reluctantly conceded that she might become too agitated to carry out the task discreetly herself, and in exchange for this concession, Elizabeth unequivocally promised to explain how Lydia had defended Mr Darcy and his sister against Mr Wickham’s insults. Lydia remembered all this, surely, but her countenance revealed wounded feelings nonetheless when she discovered Mr Darcy had asked Elizabeth to dance. There was nothing Elizabeth could do about it except keep her promise.
It was a delicate subject to broach under any circumstances, let alone in her current nervous state. They took their places and stood for some time without speaking a word. Elizabeth began to imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances.
“I am afraid we must have some conversation, Mr Darcy. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together.”
He smiled slightly. “Indeed. I had hoped you would start the conversation. Your talent for it certainly exceeds mine.”
“I suppose you are much better at listening, particularly through open windows.” She could not resist the chance to tease him again.
He took it well, laughing quietly. This exchange eased Elizabeth’s tension considerably as they began their turn, and she felt an odd sort of calm, a strange rightness, in dancing with him, even in silence. They moved through the steps in perfect harmony with each other. When their hands met, his g
rasp was firm and warm through her glove. When their eyes met, she wondered that she did not miss a step, for everything but those gold-flecked dark eyes would fall away from her awareness, including the movement of her own limbs.
When they had gone down the dance, he asked her whether she and her sisters often walked to Meryton. This was the opening she needed. She answered in the affirmative and added, “When you met us there the other day, we had just been forming a new acquaintance.”
His jaw clenched, but he said not a word. Elizabeth knew she must go on. “Mr Wickham is blessed with such happy manners as may ensure his making friends quickly, but after a long conversation with him, I find I do not wish to remain friends.”
“I am relieved to hear it. I speak from personal experience when I say that he is not the sort of friend one wishes to keep. I hope…” He paused until she met his eyes, his expression so very earnest. “I hope you were not subjected to anything untoward during the course of your conversation.”
“I confess that his choice of subject matter—and the liberty with which he spoke about it to a new acquaintance—shocked me.” Elizabeth feared they would never reach the heart of the matter if they continued to speak in such veiled, cautious language. “I shall come directly to the point, for Lydia and I agreed you must be warned. His chief topic of interest was you, and he had no shortage of uncomplimentary things to say.”
“I thank you and Miss Lydia for your concern. I am well aware of his grievances against me.”
“I must also tell you that Lydia was your staunchest defender against what she termed ‘horrible lies.’” His jaw unclenched a bit. “She took particular umbrage to some unflattering statements about Miss Darcy.”
The effect of her last statement was profound; if Elizabeth had ever thought Mr Darcy’s countenance foreboding before, she had been gravely mistaken. “He dares to malign Georgiana!” he hissed.
She stepped towards him, placing her fingers on his sleeve, and spoke softly but urgently, “Please, sir, I should not have mentioned it in so public a setting. He said only that she is too proud. Nothing more, I promise you.”
