Hmmmm. likely a mixed opinion to this chapter. or the end of it anyway. I'm sorreeeeee... ;)
chapter 25 - A soiree
Life at Longborn seemed surreal to Elizabeth. She could not believe the changes wrought in her mother and sister. She had, disingenuously it seemed, assumed that without Henry's firm presence, their behaviour would return to what it had heretofore been.
She was delighted to be wrong. Her mother was still nervous and would never be described as a wit, but she was more restrained and often thought things she would have previously voiced aloud. She credited her father's intervention here, and yet she acknowledged the credit for Mr Bennet's transformation lay with Henry.
Her father, having seen how much this meant to Henry and both his older daughters, had taken his wife in hand. They now spent an hour together every day discussing household matters or their children, matters that should be discussed between husband and wife but had previously been ignored or marginalised. If they had nothing of import to discuss, Mr Bennet would read to Mrs Bennet. In time her outbursts had diminished, suggesting to all that much had been a way of divining attention.
Consequently Lydia was no longer allowed to behave in whatever manner she deemed necessary for her enjoyment. She had been curtailed but had emerged the better for it. She was still lively and animated but lacked the selfishness of one who seeks pleasure and their own amusement at any cost.
Her delight and burgeoning interest in horses had occurred quite by accident, but Henry had used the promise of a new horse to his advantage and he was vastly happy with the improvements he saw in his sister.
With Jane engaged and herself subject to a gentleman's attention, it seemed to Elizabeth that everything was changing, and yet nothing seemed much different.
...
As she prepared for the evening at Lucas Lodge she was all a flutter over how the evening would progress.
Lydia had been a little morose over Mr Darcy's clear preference for Lizzie, but had accepted it sullenly. She had never had serious designs upon him, but his interest in horses and wealth combined with handsome features were enough to garner her attention. Mrs Bennet's insistence on his interest on the day before had lit a curiosity in her that was now doused.
Lizzie descended the stairs to her mother's exclamations "Oh Lizzie, you do look well. You will never be as pretty as Jane but that colour becomes you nicely."
Lydia glowered at her and snickered at their mother's words but then quickly schooled her expression. Lizzie ignored her and took a breath."Thank you mama."
When they arrived there was no sign of the party from Netherfield, but the rest of the neighbourhood was beginning to arrive. No officers were invited and Lizzie heard one of the Miss Longs lamenting their absence.
"For there will surely be dancing and now there will not be enough gentlemen. I cannot think what Sir William was thinking, leaving them out."
"I know Matty" the other replied "but at least you have the pleasure of their company in Brighton."
"Oh indeed, for I am such a favourite of Mrs Forster."
Lizzie moved past them, disliking the boastful tone in Matilda's voice. She had always felt the Miss Longs were good-sort of girls, but they had become very silly since the arrival of the militia, and once Lydia became less outrageous, they became the focus of the officers flirtations. An attention that was clearly felt more strongly than it ought.
She whispered an enquiry to Jane but it was Lydia that answered.
"Mrs Forster invited Matilda to Brighton, as her particular friend."
Lizzie waited, half expecting a statement about how she should have been invited but Lydia only said.
"Henrietta was so cross, she cried for a full day and sulked for a week."
She then flounced away to speak to Mariah, who was across the room.
Elizabeth shrugged and moved on greeting old friends, and acutely missing Charlotte, until the Netherfield party were announced.
Elizabeth could not help herself, she turned and looked to the doorway, where Bingley was standing with his sister and the Hursts. No Darcy. She felt as if an empty chasm had opened up. Why had he not come? Had she been right and his attention had waned?
She gazed, unseeing, at the window. The daylight fading to twilight casting an odd pinkish light through the western facing windows.
It was to this view that Darcy walked in, unannounced, Georgiana on his arm. He had taken a separate carriage in case Georgiana needed to leave early. The Bingley carriage would have been crowded with six. He noticed immediately Elizabeth's dejected expression and wondered at it until he saw a lady speak to her and nod in his direction. When her eyes met his her whole face lit up in a beatific smile and he could not help but smile in response. How he had longed to be the recipient of such a welcome, to cause such a reaction in her. Today was that day.
He made his way immediately to her side.
"Miss Elizabeth." He bowed.
"Mr Darcy." She curtseyed. "When your party was announced without you I feared you had been detained."
"No indeed. I merely travelled separately with my sister. As you can see, she agreed with yourself that a small gathering would be good practice for her come out."
Georgiana curtseyed "Good evening Miss Bennet" she whispered.
Elizabeth drew the girl aside and requested refreshment from Mr Darcy. Once he was out of earshot she murmured. "Do not fear. My neighbours are occasionally loud but they mean well."
"Oh!" Georgiana exclaimed "I am more afraid of what they might think of me!"
Elizabeth smiled kindly and engaged her in conversation until Darcy returned with their drinks.
When dancing was called, Darcy first partnered Georgiana as she would only be allowed to dance with him. He was quick to secure a set with Elizabeth and she felt some nervous energy as she lined up with him.
When their dancing commenced her nerves fell away, like browned leaves off an autumn tree. They moved together well, both graceful and confident in the steps. Touches in the dance becoming lingering moments of clasped hands. They barely spoke, but their eyes rarely looked away and much communication passed with nary a word.
She was breathless with anticipation by the end of their set and moved off the floor with him. They moved as one towards a set of open doors leading out on to the terrace. She wasn't certain he had invited her to, but she happily walked that way. Once outside the cool air moved over their heated skin and she shivered slightly.
"Are you cold?" His voice was pitched low, intimate and appealing.
"No." She whispered back, the warmth inside perfectly adequate in making up for the cool evening air.
"Miss Elizabeth." Darcy began, lifting her hands to rest upon his chest. She could feel the warmth of his body. Even through the layers of evening wear. "What lays beneath your fingers has long belonged to you. You own my heart and my soul, I would do anything to see you content, joyful even. You are a woman that was made to smile and laugh." He stopped, lifting her hands to his lips a moment before pressing them back against his wildly beating heart.
"I know it has not been long since my last, egregious, attempt at asking for your hand. If you need more time I will respect that. If your answer is no I will do as you bid me, whatever should make you happy. But if" he drew her closer still "if your answer has changed and you can think of me without abhorrence. I wish you to know. You are adored, revered and cherished as you deserve to be and I wish for you by my side, forever. I wish to make you laugh. If you will have me?"
The last was said as a whisper and Darcy found himself holding his breath, awaiting his fate. His mind, planning for failure, was contemplating if America would be far enough to run.