Chapter 29

From the moment Darcy helped Elizabeth from the carriage, the evening was one that Elizabeth would never forget. When she stepped into Mr. Darcy's home, she was not surprised to see that it was grand and stately; nonetheless, it was startlingly to her to see how well suited to him all of the furnishings and décor seemed. It was almost as though seeing his home was a confirmation of his character. Because of this, she was made much less uncomfortable by their disparity in income. Elizabeth also could not help but wonder more about Pemberley, since that was the place he considered his true home. After being escorted into the drawing room, Elizabeth saw Colonel Fitzwilliam and was seated near him. He inquired after her health and her travel from the day before. Then he brought up discussion of the ball.

"I assume you will be able to attend the ball my parents are hosting tomorrow night?"

"Yes, indeed, though I admit I feel a little like I am imposing myself upon them to be attending their dance when I have not made their acquaintance."

"Never fear, you shall make their acquaintance very soon, for they are attending tonight."

"I shall be glad to meet them. It shall also make me slightly less nervous to be attending their ball."

"Perhaps it would also make you less nervous if you had some dances spoken for before you arrived?"

"Perhaps."

"I might ask you for the first set, but I think my cousin might consider me a usurper. Instead, would you give me the second set."

"I would be delighted. May I suggest that you ask Miss Lucas for the first set, for I am convinced that she is far more nervous than I."

Just as Colonel Fitzwilliam approached Miss Lucas to follow Miss Elizabeth's advice, the rest of the Fitzwilliams were announced. The Earl, Countess, and Viscount came and joined the group in the drawing room. The Viscount, Lord James Fitzwilliam immediately came and seated himself beside Miss Elizabeth Bennet and began a conversation.

"I understand, Miss Elizabeth, that my brother and cousin recently made you acquaintance in Kent."

"Yes, that is so." Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy who was sitting within hearing distance, "Yes sir, I enjoyed my stay there very much." Mr. Darcy smiled on her.

"I see that I should have traveled with them. On my last visit to Rosings, the parsonage did not seem so promising. Its only resident was Mr. Collins. He is a most singular individual."

"That is an apt description, I suppose. However, he is my cousin and his wife is my dearest friend, so I suggest you refrain from saying anything negative of him."

"It seems implausible that such a lovely creature as yourself could be related to Mr. Collins."

"If you do not judge me by my relations, I will not judge you by yours. I am afraid I do not have the tenderest of feelings for your aunt, Lady Catherine."

"By all means, do not judge me by my aunt. I do not understand what she could have held against you, though. You seem very amiable." Elizabeth looked to Darcy at the comment, the gentleman took this as an invitation to join the discourse.

"Cousin James, I fear I must warn you, if you offer Miss Elizabeth too much flattery, she will believe you insincere and think that it proceeds from a weak mind. Indeed, she may press you to discuss the writings of Aristotle to prove that you have a well-informed mind."

"But sir," Elizabeth smiled, "I am not much in the mood for Aristotle tonight. Could we not discuss some other philosopher instead?"

"Would you discuss Descartes? His writings, you must confess, are vastly different from those of Aristotle?"

"Cogito Ergo Sum? I think therefore I am. I do not disagree with this statement, but I wonder at the significance of it? Why would one spend so much time trying to prove one's existence."

"I admit that phrase always makes me think of Moses at the burning bush."

"As God reveals that he is the I AM? That comparison seems aptly fitting."

"Yes, scripture teaches that we have our being through Christ. Christ is referred to as logos, the word. The same root from which we derive logic, the process which yields us all rational thought."

"Descartes did indeed propose that the pursuit of science and the pursuit of wisdom were the same, did he not?"

"I see that you are familiar with Discourse on the Method, Miss Elizabeth, are you also familiar with Passions of the Soul?" Elizabeth smiled softly.

"I am not sure now is the best time to speak of the Passions of the Soul, Mr. Darcy. I am afraid I am causing you to neglect your other company. I assure you that I would enjoy such discourse at a later time. Perhaps when there are fewer people to entertain"

After Darcy and Elizabeth began this discussion, Colonel Fitzwilliam turned to his brother and spoke, "I do believe that was your most disastrous attempt at flirtation yet, James."

"That is very unlike my cousin, to come in and interrupt my conversation and completely distract my companion."

"What else could you expect? You were attempting to flirt with his lady."

"His lady? You do not mean to say that they are engaged?"

"Not that I am aware of. I would not be surprised at all if they have some form of understanding. He has been smitten with her since almost the beginning of their acquaintance."

"She is why Darcy asked my mother to host a ball?"

"Yes. So please try not to flirt with her."

"I do not think she is much interested in my attentions anyway." James looked pointedly back to the couple who still seemed oblivious to everything around them.

During dinner, Elizabeth was seated near Darcy's aunt and uncle. Elizabeth knew that these relationships were important to Darcy, so she made every effort at polite conversation. She found Lady Helena a very good companion for discourse. The two began by speaking of the ball, but then moved on to speak of many of the subjects which interest young ladies. The Earl, who was quietly listening found himself most impressed that the young lady could speak of philosophy with the same alacrity she spoke of bonnet trimming. Though he would certainly not have suggested so at dinner, he thought the lady was probably not suitable. He figured on warning his nephew at some later time.

At the other end of the table, Miss Darcy was having happy conversations with Miss Lucas. The young ladies were both quiet, but they obviously enjoyed one another's company. They mostly spoke of trivial matters, though as time passed Maria became more confident and she began to chatter with Georgiana just as she always had with the Bennet sisters.

Mr. Darcy smiled to see his sister forming another friendship. Miss Elizabeth smiled to see Darcy smile. She had been conversing happily with Lady Helena, but all of her previous thoughts were lost, and she could think of nothing but Mr. Darcy. When she noticed her blunder she tried to place herself back in conversation with the Countess, but could not focus. Soon she stopped all pretense of trying to converse and merely observed Mr. Darcy.

She noticed once again that he was eating a rather large quantity of bread; here in his home it must only me that he truly liked to eat bread. This realization pleased Elizabeth, not so much for his liking bread, but for her knowledge of it. It made her happy to know this peculiar aspect of Mr. Darcy, and it made her realize that she wanted to know all of his quirks and peculiarities. She wanted to know all that was to be known of him. Elizabeth knew then that she wanted to truly know Mr. Darcy. She wanted to be the cause of his happiness, but even more she simply wanted him to be happy. His comfort and happiness suddenly meant more to her than her own. Simply put, Elizabeth knew at that moment that she was in love with Mr. Darcy.

Elizabeth's awareness of this fact startled her a little, yet as she reflected on her heart it made sense. She had known almost immediately that he was a handsome man. She learned soon after that he had a well-formed mind and strong principles. Then she had seen that he was a man of action and heart. He was well suited to her in personality and temperament. It was natural that she should have given her heart to him. She only hoped that he would offer his in return. Her hopes were bolstered later in the evening when Mr. Darcy approached her to ask for her first set of dances at tomorrow's ball.