A/N. Just in case you got an update saying I had posted a new chapter earlier, I had actually updated 3 to correct a couple of errors, thanks for pointing them out. :)
I wont write more, I'll just crack on with an update!...
Chapter 7 - Oh the joys of dancing
The Meryton assembly started off as all Meryton assemblies did. The musicians were lively, although their technical ability was not quite that of London circles. However the dancers were more than ready to enjoy the revelry even with some minor deficiencies, the enthusiasm more than made up for it.
Jane, as always, was solicited to dance within moments of entering, Lydia was not far behind. Elizabeth had a steady stream of applications but would often defer to one of the other young ladies as she did not like to see friends of hers sat back for more dances than necessary.
The Bingley party arrived after the third dance had just begun and his arrival was enough to cause the musicians to pause in surprise and the whole room hushed. Twas only a moment but it was enough to put the whole party on edge, Darcy in particular felt the weight of the eyes on him reminding him of his time in London, he stiffened imagining censure all around. Caroline chose to believe that everyone was awed by the superior personages in their midst, Louisa felt it was likely unmannerly curiosity in which opinion she was joined by Bingley, although the latter was quick to forgive this slip. Hurst barely noticed as his eyes sought the refreshment table.
Bingley was quick to talk to Sir William, who stepped forward to welcome the newcomers.
Mrs Bennet gathered her girls.
"What a fine gentlemen girls. The one speaking with Sir William is Mr Bingley, is he not handsome?"
Lizzie almost giggled at the reverence in her mother's voice.
"Do you know aught of the other members of the party?" Lizzie was not above enquiring
"Oh yes my dear. The two ladies are his sisters, or so lady Lucas tells me. I am told there is a single gentleman who is called Mr Darcy and a Mr hurst who is married to one of his sisters,"
"Do you know which one mama?" Lydia was not being very subtle in her questioning and Lizzie tried to move to block the stare of her younger sister, even though it mean she herself could no longer look.
"I believe the taller one is Mr Darcy"
"Better and better" Jane murmured for Lizzies ears only.
Lydia and Kitty were soon claimed for the next dance and Bingley took to the floor with Charlotte Lucas, which Mrs Bennet had a few words to say about. However she was mollified by his approaching their party soon after for an introduction and for immediately soliciting Jane's hand for the next set.
"How wonderful that you like to dance Mr Bingley, for we are all mighty fond of it here in Meryton"
"There is nothing I like better" declared Mr Bingley, will all appearance of good humour and happy manners.
"And your friend?" Mrs Bennet asked, none too subtly.
"Oh I am sorry, allow me to present Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire"
Darcy looked a little startled at being addressed so but bowed and murmured the usual pleasantries before moving away, pointedly not asking anyone to dance.
Mrs Bennet was just about to say something loud about the rudeness of said gentleman when Lady Lucas moved closer and lowered her voice
"Do you not recognise the name Mrs Bennet?"
Mrs Bennet shook her head
"I believe the Darcy family has lately been subject to a scandal. The younger sister has recently run off with the son of a servant, if you could believe it. Of course Mr Darcy has paid the man a sufficient sum to make him respectable but many of the ton are cutting his acquaintance"
Mrs Bennet's answer was less hushed and Lizzie wanted to be swallowed up by the floor
"I care not for how the ton may gossip or treat such an event but did you see him walk away without offering to dance Lady Lucas? I have never met with such a proud, disagreeable man. Who is he to think himself above our company!"
That Darcy heard such exclamations was likely and Lizzie did her best to usher her mother further away.
Darcy, for his part, had been shocked by such a speech. At first he had felt only the insult and poor manners of speaking so loud but after a moment the content hit him. Here was a selection of gentry, lower status granted but still gentry, that seemed more bothered about his actions than his past. He was stuck with the thought: who was he to judge them for their country manner, shouldn't he embrace the possibility of people who would overlook his families disgrace.
At a break in the set he employed Bingley to help him make amends and they approached Mrs Bennet soon after
"Mrs Bennet, forgive me for walking away earlier. I am not fond of dancing. However I would very much appreciate an introduction to your family"
Mrs Bennet was shocked but performed the introduction of the daughters who were nearby.
He bowed to each in turn then asked "Is Mr Bennet in attendance?"
"Why yes" she was still a little off balance by the application
Mr Darcy expressed a wish of being introduced and Mrs Bennet complied with alacrity.
That being done she left the gentlemen to converse.
Mr Darcy found himself pleasantly surprised. Mr Bennet was well read and had a dry wit which would keep any man entertained. Through him he was introduced to a Mr Goulding and his son, who both were very knowledgable about politics and a Mr long who had traveled extensively in his youth. The conversation was varied and interesting.
"Father, I am surprised you are still present in the ball room"
"Lizzie, what brings you to the gentleman's corner?"
"You know I can only talk of lace for so long"
Mr Bennet laughed, "Of course daughter, and we are monopolising and eligible gentleman are we not?"
Lizzie tilted her head in acknowledgement.
"Well young Mr Goulding and Mr Darcy, I believe if you hide here much longer you will have our wives descending on us. I believe Lizzie is trying to warn us of the imminent arrival. Maybe we should avoid such an eventuality by sending you off for a dance or two. That should be enough to defer the enemy engagement? Would you agree Lizzie?"
She nodded in agreement
The gentlemen laughed, Darcy was not terribly happy but did not wish to insult his new friends.
William Goulding cleared his throat "Miss Elizabeth, would you do me the honour?"
Lizzie smiled her acceptance and was just about to turn away when she was addressed by her father
"Mr Darcy does not like to talk of lace either Lizzie, perhaps you could suggest a few suitable ladies for him to consider?"
Lizzie looked a little startled but accepted and walked with Mr Darcy closer to the dance floor. Elizabeth was not sure what to make of the gentleman. His first impression was that of haughty disdain but he had taken her mother's ill mannered words and reacted with contrition, going so far as to spend some time talking with her mother before moving to join the gentlemen. She loved dancing and was not sure she understood a gentleman that avoided it so. It showed a conceited sort of disdain for the feelings of the ladies in a party. It was hard for a lady to observe young gentlemen choosing not to dance when they would wish to and could not ask themselves.
She was certain her father esteemed him as he had been more animated than she usually saw him at these events. She decided that he may make an interesting addition to the neighbourhood but she was not at all disposed to welcome him with enthusiasm. He would have to earn his place. She thought about what her mother had heard about a scandal, she did not read the gossip rags but was interested none the less, now that the gentleman was amongst them. She would not ask of course, and she knew it would not change how she treated the gentleman.
She realised her mind had been so busy that she had not said anything for the time it had taken her and her quiet companion to reach the edge of the dance floor.
She pointed through the crowd.
"My sister Jane, whom you see dancing there, will not talk of ribbons or lace. She is universally kind and will be happy to discuss anything you chose. Care of animals is something she is particularly fond of, our dog just had puppies and they are particularly enchanting to my sister. If you are not fond of conversation whilst dancing I would recommend my other sister Mary." Elizabet paused pointing her out at the side of the dance floor. "She would benefit from the consequence of being chosen also. I would just warn you not to bring up fordyces sermons or try to debate morality"
Darcy chuckled
"If you would rather steer clear of the Bennets, hard to do as there are so many of us, then my good friend Miss Lucas is sensible and particularly knowledgable about the tactics of our naval fleet, or she is able to debate chess tactics well"
"Would you class yourself as a suitable dance partner" Darcy was a little startled at the comment coming out of his mouth.
Elizabeth merely raised an eyebrow "oh no sir, I am far more likely to discuss lace and ribbons merely for knowing that you dislike it so"
And with a laugh she would have left him had he not stopped her and asked for an introduction to Mary. Lizzie smiled in approval at his choice and performed the introductions. Her hand was claimed by Mr Goulding and she took to the floor.
After a pleasant, albeit quiet, dance with Miss Mary Bennet, Darcy looked around for Elizabeth but could not locate her. He decided it was time to dance with Bingley's sisters and so solicited them for the next dances.
After those were over, a chore rather than a pleasure, Darcy returned to the corner to find Mr Bennet and Mr Goulding debating the merits of crop rotation. There he would have stayed if Mr Bennet had not pointed out that only dancing with one Meryton lady would likely lead to speculation.
He sighed and asked Mr Bennet whom he would recommend.
"Did my Lizzie not give you enough choices?"
"Oh that she did, but I am curious if you agree with her assessment"
"I have to say I am more likely to be less tolerant. All young ladies are silly and ignorant and so make for trying dancing partners. My eldest two are more tolerable than most. I was surprised that Lizzie introduced you to Mary."
Darcy smiled "I believe she rightfully understood that I prefer to converse but a little on the dance floor and she felt miss Mary would meet that expectation.
"Ah yes, that she would. Well I suggest you go in to the fray yourself, I see my wife looking this way and she will likely partner you with one of my younger daughters who are neither sensible nor silent"
Darcy was a little surprised at Mr Bennet disparaging his daughters so, but was grateful for the warning for Mrs Bennet was indeed making her way over, a very young girl in tow.
Darcy hurried to the other side of the dance floor where Bingley was talking to the eldest Miss Bennet, whom Darcy had to agree was very pretty although she did seem to smile an awful lot. As he walked he was caught by the dancing eyes of Miss Elizabeth, who was laughing at something her partner said as he led her from the dance that was just ending. The brightness and intelligence in those eyes rendered her face uncommonly interesting and she walked with a grace that was not often met with. He altered his path deciding that she would make an excellent dance partner, despite her threat of discussing lace.
"Miss Elizabeth, might I have the honour of the next set?"
Elizabeth turned her eyes upon him
"Why Mr Darcy, I had thought I had explained why that was unlikely to be a pleasant experience"
"I believe I shall take my chances"
Elizabeth smiled "If you insist sir, I should be delighted."
He took her hand and led her to the dance floor.
"I have just acquired this new ribbon that becomes me rather well, do you not think?"
Darcy smiled "you were being serious then?"
"When it comes to ribbon, I am always serious sir"
That actually elicited a chuckle and Elizabeth could not hold her expression and laughed herself.
"I am happy to oblige you with any opinion you desire on ribbons or other " he paused "ummm items that decorate a ladies dress"
Elizabeth smiled again
"Fear not sir, I am afraid one sentence on ribbons is all I can tolerate. How long have you been in Hertfordshire?"
"But one day"
"And Mr Bingley insisted on attendance at an assembly? Oh my, I hope you had not travelled far?"
"Only from London"
"A very easy distance"
"Indeed"
The dance separated them for a moment and when they came back together Darcy had not thought of anything more to say, usually he would lapse in to silence, too much talking in a set always set tongues wagging. He found himself inexplicably wanting to make a good impression on this lady though.
"I understand you are from Derbyshire" he stiffened slightly, expecting her to start asking after the size of his house or property, a conversation many young ladies seems interested in.
"My aunt hails from Derbyshire also, she tells me it is one of the finest counties in England, what have you to say on the matter?"
Darcy was a little confused, was this a round about way of asking after his property holdings?
"Derbyshire is a very fine county, much more wild than hereabouts"
"Ah, then I am certain she is correct for we both share a fondness for wild nature. I am hopeful they might take me on a pleasure trip to the lakes when they decide to go. Have you seen the lakes sir?"
Darcy was all the more confused, was that all she was to say about Derbyshire, no mention of his home at all.
"I have but once, when I was a younger lad. It is certainly wild, which you would appreciate, but the horses often do not. One would have to be an excellent walker to truly appreciate the district"
Elizabeth smiled, as if enjoying a private joke, and made no answer.
If one was watching the couple they would not have said that the conversation was animated but neither participant seemed to mind. The topics were varied and Darcy in particular was surprised when the half hour was over. His opinion of Miss Elizabeth was certainly improving, on close inspection her face was becoming more intriguing to him. Her dancing was graceful and complimented his own style and they had made a handsome couple, a fact that had likely not escaped Mrs Bennet.
He was about to make his way back to the gentlemen in the corner but he could see they were no longer there. He escorted Elizabeth back to a friend and on being introduced recognised the name of one of the young ladies who made a sensible dance partner. He dutifully asked her to dance and found it was not as bad as he had hoped.
She talked a little of the local county and then seemed content to be silent. Darcy tried to remember what Elizabeth had said about Miss Lucas and at last recollected she had an interest in the naval fleet and so enquired about any news in that quarter. He was concerned that she would be solely interested in the winnings and promotions but she was remarkably insightful about the tactics of the fleet and, although he knew little of the matter, he was not adverse to learning more.
Once that dance was over he felt he had done his duty and retired to the card room for the last few dances, overhearing a few positive comments about his involvement as he made his way. Of course, compared to Bingley he was referred to as reticent, but that he did not mind. He heard no more gossip of his sister and he could not help but feel grateful towards this small town.