The night had not progressed as Elizabeth imagined. Elizabeth envisioned an enchanting evening dancing with Mr. Wickham, laughing with Charlotte, and watching Jane revel in the feeling of young love. Within minutes of arriving at Netherfield however Elizabeth's anticipated image of the ball fell into disarray.
Mr. Darcy's presence understandably surprised Elizabeth. At seeing the man Elizabeth's mind went immediately blank. The only coherent thought she could produce was the question why.
Awoken from her comatose like state by Mr. Darcy's prompt Elizabeth hesitantly reached to accept his proffered arm. At first contact Elizabeth instantly recoiled and let an unintended gasp escape her lips. Even the smallest touch roused desire within Elizabeth. When Mr. Wickham's bare hand grasped hers at the Philips' it never produced even a tiny proportion of the electricity she just experienced.
Bravely Elizabeth moved to hold his arm once more. Impressed she didn't flinch this time Elizabeth met Mr. Darcy's gaze and blushed as he appeared to be staring at her with love in his eyes.
Assuming she must have been mistaken Elizabeth attempted to distract herself by observing the beauty of the ballroom. Thankful their journey had finished, Elizabeth released Mr. Darcy's arm. Confusingly she felt an overwhelming sense of loss now that they were no longer touching.
When Mr. Darcy asked to claim her supper set Elizabeth unconsciously bit her lip in deliberation. Elizabeth was unsure whether she wanted to spend such an elongated period with Mr. Darcy given the fact that she still detested the man. Unable to construct an excuse however Elizabeth faintly nodded in response.
As she walked away Elizabeth debated whether she truthfully despised Mr. Darcy.
He compromised her… but kept his promise to keep the kiss a secret.
He cheated Mr. Wickham... but Elizabeth doubted the accuracy of Mr. Wickham's tale.
He's arrogant…
Elizabeth couldn't recall a time when Mr. Darcy did not carry himself with an air of superiority. Therefore Elizabeth resolved to continue hating the man for his condescending manners.
While approaching her friend, Elizabeth heard whispers amongst the crowd.
"What's going on," Elizabeth asked Charlotte.
"Apparently the taciturn Mr. Darcy has been replaced with an agreeable twin. He's willingly conversing with our neighbours and my mother says she even saw him smile!"
Elizabeth silently groaned.
He's arrogant… but evidently realized the error of his ways and is now an affable gentleman.
Before Elizabeth could consider whether this fact changed her opinion of Mr. Darcy, Mr. Collins collected her for the first set.
Whilst ignoring her abhorrent cousin's babble regarding Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy accidently collided with Mr. Wickham. What happened next was utterly perplexing. Mr. Wickham appeared to wear an evil smirk while Mr. Darcy looked to be irrepressibly infuriated.
If Mr. Wickham was truly the victim - as his story suggested - then why wasn't he the irate party?
Meeting Mr. Darcy's stare Elizabeth was relieved to see him smile. She had been genuinely concerned and slightly frightened by Mr. Darcy's intense rage.
When Mr. Darcy's attention returned to Mr. Wickham Elizabeth struggled to observe the rest of their confrontation as the dance steadily moved her further away from the two men.
After the final chords of the set resonated in the ballroom and the dancers applauded, Mr. Collins escorted Elizabeth to Charlotte. Unable to see Mr. Darcy and Mr. Wickham any longer Elizabeth disappointingly turned to her friend. Recognizing she was incapable of holding an intelligent conversation in her state of confusion Elizabeth apologized to Charlotte and went searching for solitude.
Unfortunately Elizabeth was not afforded a moment of privacy as Mr. Wickham intercepted her path.
"Miss Elizabeth, you look unbelievably beautiful this evening."
Instead of feeling flattered by Mr. Wickham's compliment Elizabeth felt decidedly uncomfortable by the suggestive tone he was employing.
"Thank you Mr. Wickham. If you'll excuse me…"
"Now Miss Elizabeth you don't think I would let you leave without first securing a dance this evening, do you? How about your supper set?"
"I'm sorry Mr. Wickham but that dance has already been claimed."
"I see."
Elizabeth grew fearful at the flash of outrage that momentarily tainted Mr. Wickham's features.
"How about your final set," he asked regaining his flirtatious smile.
"Umm… well…"
Luckily Elizabeth was saved by Mr. Bingley.
"Mr. Wickham. Would you please come with me?"
Although Mr. Bingley addressed Mr. Wickham pleasantly Elizabeth could feel tension radiating from Mr. Bingley.
"Of course Mr. Bingley."
With a wink Mr. Wickham followed Mr. Bingley and Elizabeth exhaled in relief.
Once again starting on her quest for isolation Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy enter the ballroom and then watched as he was immediately assaulted by Mr. Collins. Thoroughly embarrassed, Elizabeth tried to escape the crowd in case anyone should ridicule her for having mortifying relations.
Suddenly Elizabeth was stopped by the sound of a loud baritone laugh. Even from across the room Mr. Darcy's laugh was unbelievably endearing.
Elizabeth - feeling inexplicably unstable - rushed out of the ballroom and continued moving until she found an unoccupied dark room. Leaning against a wall Elizabeth took a few deep breaths. Frustrated that she had allowed Mr. Darcy to disrupt her evening Elizabeth vowed to enjoy the ball from this point onward.
Smoothing her dress Elizabeth left the deserted room to rejoin the party. Entering the ballroom Elizabeth watched as couples danced the third set. Seeing that Mr. Bingley was not dancing Elizabeth made her way to him confident that Mr. Bingley's cheerful demeanour would improve her mood.
In the middle of an entertaining story from his youth Mr. Bingley abruptly ended their conversation when Jane arrived. Shaking her head ever so slightly at the young couple Elizabeth felt a twinge of jealousy at Jane's good fortune in finding love. Luckily she was unable to dwell on those feelings for long as Mr. Darcy interrupted her thoughts.
"Miss Elizabeth might I speak with you a moment… privately?"
Elizabeth was enraged by Mr. Darcy's audacity.
"Regarding," Elizabeth asked attempting to give him the benefit of the doubt but still feeling infuriated by his question.
"Mr. Wickham."
Elizabeth felt her eyes widen in shock. Hoping she would finally have the opportunity to hear Mr. Darcy's version of the events Mr. Wickham related, Elizabeth nodded her head in agreement.
"Meet me in the library in five minutes."
The moment Mr. Darcy left Elizabeth began to doubt whether she should go.
The library was the place it all began and once again she would be alone with Mr. Darcy.
Noticing seven minutes had passed Elizabeth left the ballroom as casually as she could. Once in the hallway Elizabeth ran to the library letting curiosity overpower her apprehensions. Entering to the sight of Mr. Darcy despondently slumped in the chair by the fireplace Elizabeth decided to go into the conversation with an open mind.
"Alright Mr. Darcy. Let's hear your side of the story."
Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy slowly lifted his face from his hands. Hesitantly he turned to look at her presumably worried she was not really there. When he finally saw her he donned the brightest smile Elizabeth had ever seen. Returning the smile Elizabeth tried to ignore the butterflies that whirled in her stomach.
"Mr. Darcy we really don't have much time before the supper set…"
"Oh yes of course," Mr. Darcy said reverting to more formal behaviour, "please take a seat."
Elizabeth sat in the adjacent chair and waited for Mr. Darcy to begin.
"I assume Mr. Wickham told you of our dealings together?"
"He did."
"What did he say?"
"That you denied him the living your father promised him."
"The most convincing lies always contain a trace of truth."
With a deep breath Mr. Darcy launched fully into his story. Elizabeth was shocked to hear that Mr. Wickham had resigned claim to the living promised to him by Mr. Darcy's father in exchange for three thousand pounds. Even more astounding however was when Mr. Wickham returned three years later expecting Mr. Darcy to award him the same living he had given up.
"You will hardly blame me for refusing to comply with this entreaty, or for resisting every repetition of it. After this period, every appearance of acquaintance was dropped. How he lived I know not."
Reflecting on Mr. Darcy's account Elizabeth knew he was telling the truth. Where she felt doubt after Mr. Wickham's version, she felt certainty after hearing Mr. Darcy's.
About to suggest they return to the ballroom Elizabeth was cut off by Mr. Darcy whose tale was apparently unfinished.
"But last summer he most painfully re-entered my life. I must now mention a circumstance which I would wish to forget myself. My sister, who is more than ten years my junior, was left to the guardianship of my mother's nephew, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and myself. About a year ago, she was taken from school. Whilst residing in Ramsgate, Mr. Wickham - without my knowledge - approached Georgiana. There proved to have been a prior acquaintance between him and Mrs. Younge, in whose character we were most unhappily deceived. Since Georgiana had retained a strong impression of Mr. Wickham's kindness to her as a child, she was easily persuaded to believe herself in love. Unexpectedly I surprised Georgiana with a visit. Fortunately I arrived two days before Georgiana's consented elopement was planned to occur. You may imagine what I felt and how I acted. Regard for my sister's credit and feelings prevented any public exposure, but I wrote to Mr. Wickham, who left the place immediately, and Mrs. Younge was of course removed from her charge. Mr. Wickham's chief object was unquestionably my sister's fortune, which is thirty thousand pounds, but I do not doubt revenge was considerable inducement as well."
When Mr. Darcy completed his story the library filled with silence and only Elizabeth's soft weeping disturbed the quiet.
Indisputably Mr. Darcy was telling the truth.
Elizabeth felt guilty. Although she had doubted Mr. Wickham's account from the beginning she still allowed his tale to influence her perception of Mr. Darcy.
"Miss Elizabeth the supper set is about to begin. We should rejoin the party."
While attempting to discreetly wipe away her tears Elizabeth looked up and met Mr. Darcy's gaze. His eyes conveyed a mixture of pain, sympathy, and love as he offered a hesitant smile.
Feeling like she finally caught a glimpse of the real Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth's spirits lifted.
"Of course Mr. Darcy. Let's return."
As Elizabeth turned to exit the library Mr. Darcy cleared his throat.
"I'll wait five minutes before following to avoid rousing any suspicions."
Elizabeth blushed. It seemed once again she had forgotten about societal expectations when alone with Mr. Darcy.
Shyly nodding Elizabeth left the library.
Entering the ballroom Elizabeth scanned the crowd hoping to see Jane. Noticing movement near the balcony doors Elizabeth saw her sister walk into the room.
Jane seemed different… more radiant.
Trying to decipher the reason for this change while weaving through people, Elizabeth stopped when she saw Mr. Bingley discreetly enter the ballroom from the same balcony Jane had been occupying.
Obviously Elizabeth was not the only one returning from a secret meeting.
Before she was able to resume her pursuit of Jane, Elizabeth saw that couples were lining up for the supper set. Sensing Mr. Darcy's presence Elizabeth turned around.
"Miss Elizabeth," Mr. Darcy said playfully while extending his arm.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth replied attempting to sound condescending despite the fact that her expressive eyes revealed her true mischievous intent.
After being escorted to the beginning position Elizabeth stood across from Mr. Darcy and boldly held his gaze. When the music began the electricity between the pair surged. Each time they passed each other or briefly touched hands the sensation intensified.
Realizing they had yet to speak to each other Elizabeth decided to strike up a conversation and hopefully repress some of the desire now coursing through her veins.
"I wanted to thank you Mr. Darcy for being so honest with me."
"Thank you for listening."
Following a momentary separation in the dance Elizabeth once again addressed Mr. Darcy.
"It seems you've had quite an evening Mr. Darcy. First you avoid Miss Bingley's scheme to monopolize your attention, then you are confronted by Mr. Wickham, next you are attacked by my ridiculous cousin Mr. Collins, and lastly you invited a gentlewoman to scandalously partake in a private conversation. The rest of the ball will be rather dull in comparison don't you think?"
"I hope so."
Elizabeth laughed at Mr. Darcy's cheeky response.
"So his name is Mr. Collins," Mr. Darcy said with a chuckle.
"He didn't introduce himself?"
"As he was busy generously complimenting my Aunt I do not believe Mr. Collins realized his error."
"I'm not surprised. Mr. Collins has spent every waking hour delighting us with descriptions of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. You however actually found humour in something he said. Tell me Mr. Darcy, what did my odious cousin say that was so entertaining?"
Elizabeth watched as Mr. Darcy blushed.
"He might have mentioned your upcoming nuptials and his belief that your wit and vivacity would be silenced in the presence of my Aunt and her elevated rank."
Attempting to seem unaffected by this information Elizabeth replied sedately.
"And you found that to be comical?"
"Exceedingly. But let me be the first to congratulate you on your impending engagement," Mr. Darcy said teasingly.
"Thank you," Elizabeth retorted with a sarcastic smile.
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth finished the last few steps of the dance in silent competition to see who could appear more indifferent. Both however were failing to maintain the facade as their mutual amusement shone unabashedly through their eyes.
With a bow and a curtsy to end the set Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth and extended his arm to escort her.
"Miss Elizabeth."
"Mr. Darcy."
I know I promised to finish the ball during this Chapter but it was getting so long that I decided to wait. Next Chapter Elizabeth will reflect on the rest of the festivities and then we will continue forward as many exciting things take place!
