Chapter 8:
My dear readers, it seems I might be mistaken again. Perhaps we all assumed too quickly that Miss Jane Bennet was this season's Incomparable. Though many were vying for her hand and this author can attest that her drawing room was filled to the brim with flowers, its seems she is quite taken with Lord Gregory Harris. Lord Harris seems to have won this season's jewel—or has he? Her youngest sister, Miss Elizabeth Bennet has been seen in the arm of Mr. Darcy and Lord Sandhurst numerous times—it almost seems that they are playing a very complicated concerto. I, for one, would like to remind them that there can only be one true soloist. The question is, who will it be?
Lady Whistledown
PNPNPNPNP
Lizzie and Jane walked into the ballroom with linked arms, looking incredulously at the sight before them. As always, the ballroom had been converted into a wonderland—each hostess outdoing the other. They had arrived fashionably late, their mother and three younger sisters following behind them. All eyes turned on them as they walked in—eager gentleman ready to claim a dance.
Lord Harris found Jane within seconds, not taking any chance. He
"Miss Bennet" he said, bowing. He greeted the rest of the family with a smile and then offered Miss Bennet his hand.
"My Lord" she said, curtsying and taking his hand. The couple went off happily, with only eyes for each other. Lizzie watched them go with a smile on her face—she had never seen Jane so happy and Jane deserved to be happy, someone so good deserved to always be happy. Lizzie liked Lord Harris, he was kind, polite, and was clearly smitten with her sister. He seemed of a similar quite disposition like her sister, but with an assurance and confidence that spoke of being raise in a happy and stable home.
Mr. Darcy saw Miss Elizabeth from the moment she walked in. She looked so beautiful that she literally took his breath away—he could not believe that he had uttered such a lie that she was not handsome enough to tempt him, for if were honest, she certainly was.
He noticed Lord Harris approach them and take Miss Bennet away, both looking equally besotted with each other. He liked Anthony fair enough—he was a decent guy and would be a good husband. He almost laughed, noticing he was thinking like a brother, wanting someone who would take care of the lovely Miss Bennet and behave kindly. Darcy saw the way Lizzie looked lovingly at her sister, her face full of calm and love and he knew that that is how he would look at Georgiana when she finally found her match.
"Miss Elizabeth" he said, calling in her from her woolgathering.
"Mr. Darcy!" she exclaimed, giving him a radiant smile. "What a surprise" she said, teasing him. He smiled, bowed, and then greeted her sisters. Much to his chagrin, Lord Sandhurst likewise approached them, claiming her for the first dance, a dance when he, Darcy, had wanted. Mr. Darcy gave him to her reluctantly, his face showing equal measures of pain and displeasure. But she had promised Mr. Darcy the Waltz, and that made him a smile, for there was nothing was thrilling as dancing the Waltz with someone whom you really like.
Lizzie was enjoying her first dance with Lord Sandhurst. They had a pleasant enough conversation for the first ten minutes and then he went quiet, noticing Mr. Darcy closely watching them.
"It seems we have an audience" he teased, giving his head a swift motion towards Mr. Darcy, who was watching them from the sidelines.
"You must be very exciting, you should feel complimented" teased Lizzie, feeling a blush on her cheeks realizing Mr. Darcy looked rather displeased that she was in another man's arms.
"We both know he is taken with you, Miss Elizabeth" he said, waiting for a reaction from her, but she, in the midst of a twirl, did not give him any committing response.
"I do not believe it is proper for me to discuss another gentleman, your lordship" she said, in a teasing voice, hoping this would end the conversation.
"Miss Elizabeth, I know our acquaintance has been short but I am looking for a wife" he began.
"Are you proposing your lordship, in the middle of a dance? I took you for a bit more romantic" she teased, laughing as she spoke. He likewise smiled.
"No, Miss Elizabeth, I would not propose if I was not sure of the answer" he said, his green eyes piercing hers. She felt her breath leave her momentarily and she was thankful, she needed to change partners for just a second which was enough time for her to recuperate.
"I hope I am not being too forward, however, I very much enjoy your company and I hope that in due time if I did ask such a question, it would be received favorably" he continued, his piercing green eyes bearing into her dark brown ones, "I have also noticed, along with everyone who reads Lady Whistledown that Mr. Darcy seems to be paying you particular attention."
"I do read it occasionally" she said, noncommittally.
"Are you interested in him?" he asked.
"Your Lordship, you may declare and speak of your feelings openly but you know, you surely must know, that a lady cannot do the same nor shall I even try to. I am flattered that you have shown interest in me and I am likewise flattered by Mr. Darcy's. I cannot speak of my feelings towards either of you and most certainly not with you" she said, in a sweet but definite tone. He looked surprised but then smiled.
"This is why I like you, Miss Elizabeth" he whispered, after a moment of recomposing himself. Lizzie blushed becomingly, feeling his hot breath near her ear. The first dance came to an end and they let go of each other's hands. He offered her his arm and led her back to her mother, who was watching them dance with an approving eye.
"Even if you cannot tell me if you enjoy my attentions, I see your mother is most approving" he teased, in a soft whisper.
"If your lordship needs to ask a lady if his attentions are being enjoyed then perhaps, he does not know how to bestow them" said Lizzie, teasing him, "I thank you for this dance, your lordship."
"It is always a pleasure" he answered honestly and bowed, feeling a conversation with Mr. Darcy was long overdue.
Lizzie smiled but felt uncomfortable under his gaze—she knew this is what she had wanted, for the ruse with Mr. Darcy to lead to an engagement and Lord Sandhurst was a splendid catch. He was witty, smart, good social standing, and she enjoyed his company. But something she could not place prevented her from being more explicit with him. She hoped she did not dissuade him but she could not encourage him either. Could she possibly be developing feelings for Mr. Darcy? She shook her head—that would not do. He clearly did not feel for her. And this was simply a ruse. Oh, how she hated feeling confused. She prided herself on using logic and wit to solve life and this seemed to have gotten very complicated in a matter of a first dance.
She noticed the gentleman who was currently in her thoughts across the room, being accosted by Miss Caroline Bingley, that horrible hag that had been rude to them at the modiste when they had first arrived to London. Lizzie had not seen her many times but the few times that she did, she had been rude and snobby. And so, without thinking, Lizzie walked towards Mr. Darcy who was politely speaking with Miss Bingley, though Lizzie could tell, he was eager for a way out.
Miss Elizabeth approached Mr. Darcy from behind, slipping her hand on his arm and looking at him lovingly.
"Mr. Darcy" she said, her brown eyes meeting his surprised but very pleased eyes.
"Miss Elizabeth" he said, feeling so joyous by her presence and so happy that she had sought him out on her own. They stared at each other for a minute, each lost to the world around them, when Mr. Darcy remember Miss Bingley was infront of them, fuming most likely, and introduced him.
"Have you met Miss Caroline Bingley?" asked Mr. Darcy politely, his eyes not leaving Miss Elizabeth's.
"No, not formally" she said, smiling sweetly, "How do you do?"
"Very well, I thank you" muttered Miss Bingley, clearly angry at having this good for nothing country girl come snatch her Mr. Darcy from her, quite literally.
"I am afraid, Mr. Darcy, that I have come to claim you for our dance. You had asked me when you visited me to save you the Waltz and I believe it shall begin soon" she said, in the most loving and tender voice she could conjure. She could see the steam coming out of Miss Bingley's ears and it was like music to Lizzie's ears. "Well, then, enjoy the Ball, Miss Bingley" and with a last sinister smile, her and Mr. Darcy walked away, leaving a humiliated Miss Bingley behind.
Mr. Darcy raised an eyebrow to Lizzie, as if to ask what that had been about.
"I must enjoy the benefits of this arrangement, Mr. Darcy, you may think me ungracious but I simply do not like her" said Lizzie, smiling sweetly.
"I, my dear, agree with your sentiment"
"It seems she has set her cap on you"
"Well unlikely for her, I am taken" he teased back. Lizzie blushed at his words. And he wondered what he had meant by them—for he had not thought to say that out loud. He enjoyed the spatting of words with Lizzie that it simply rolled off his tongue.
"Are you?" asked Lizzie, raising an eyebrow. She could feel her heart stopping to beat for a second—an action she hated herself for—but Mr. Darcy recovered himself and smiled.
"Well, at least to the ton, that is what they think so it is as if it were true" he said, convincing himself of the words he spoke.
"Oh" said Lizzie, in a soft voice. She put on a wide smile and gave him her hand. They each bowed to each other and Mr. Darcy pulled her close to him—closer than they had ever been before. They each felt each other's breathing, their heart beating, and the air leaving their lips. The music began behind them and for a full twenty minutes they both forgot that they were pretending and enjoyed dancing the most intimate of dances, the Waltz.