Chapter 9:
Mr. Bingley had gotten to the Ball more than fashionably left. He had been at the club for longer than he expected—he had been in rut the past couple of weeks. He had met an angel but then she had spread out her wings and flew away—well, not technically but that is how he felt. He tugged at his cravat and entered the ballroom, his eyes looking around for the most beautiful angel he had ever beheld. But alas, she was with Lord Harris, talking in a corner with her mother, Mrs. Bennet. He knew a lost cause when he saw one and this was most certainly it.
Letting out a heavy sigh, he walked around the dance floor, observing the couples dancing and gathered. He noticed Darcy with Miss Elizabeth. He could not believe his friend, who was usually so reserved and shy, was very forward in his interest in Miss Elizabeth. Something about it how it began and his alacrity seemed odd, but then he looked at them, really looked at them, and they both looked besotted with each other. He was not the bitter type and felt happy for his friend but had to look away—happiness in others is a painful thing indeed.
He walked towards the refreshments and accidentally bumped into someone.
"I am sorry" he said, reaching for the lady's hand and helping her regain her balance.
"It is quite alright" said a voice he recognized, Miss Catherine Bennet was smiling at him, looking radiant from having clearly finished dancing.
"Miss Catherine" said Mr. Bingley, smiling. She looked different than he remembered her or perhaps he had never really looked.
"How is your evening, Mr. Bingley?" she asked politely.
"It is much better now" he said gallantly, "May I have a dance in your card?"
"I have the next one open" she said, looking at the small card dangling off her wrist.
"Perfect timing" he said, offering her his arm and leading her to dance floor.
"I have not seen you in some time" said Kitty, once they had started dancing.
"Yes, I stopped calling" said Mr. Bingley, looking resigned. Kitty pitied him. "I did not have a reason to call."
"Yes, my sister has disappointed many but if it is any consolation, Mr. Bingley, you are better off with someone who only has eyes for you" said Kitty sweetly.
"I believe you are correct, Miss Catherine" said Mr. Bingley, looking at her differently. She twirled and changed partners and when she came back into his arms, she took his breath away. She was not as lovely as Miss Bennet, no, no one could be that lovely, but she was very pretty. And when she smiled—there was no one else in the room but her.
Kitty could see Mr. Bingley looking at her with interest and she blushed becomingly. She had found him quite charming when they first met but he had not even glanced at her then. Mr. Bridgerton had been showing interest and Kitty really enjoyed his company but there was something about Mr. Bingley that pulled her in and so, with that thought in mind, she danced with one goal in mind: for Mr. Bingley to ask her to call on her the following morning.
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"Good evening Darcy" said Lord Sandhurst, coolly. "May I join you?" he asked politely. Mr. Darcy looked as if he rather not, but he simply nodded in agreement. He dreaded what Lord Sandhurst would want to speak him about but knew that as a gentleman he could not refuse.
Mr. Darcy had been sitting at the club, drinking with the Colonel when Lord Sandhurst approached them. He had seen him yesterday dancing with Elizabeth and the thought alone, made him make his hand into a fist.
"What are your intentions with Miss Elizabeth? he said getting straight to the point. The Colonel, who was sitting next to Darcy, hid a smirk but Mr. Darcy, having expected something on the matter, looked unmoved.
"Are you her father or guardian?" asked Mr. Darcy responding in an uninterested note. His lordship laughed.
"Oh lord no, thought I see her teasing manners have rubbed off on you" he said. He paused for a moment and then continued, "You are surely aware that there is a general expectation that you will propose" he said, taking a puff from his cigar.
Mr Darcy remained stoic and unreadable.
"As you are aware I am interested in Miss Elizabeth and have honorable intentions. If you are not interested in her and will not propose, I suggest you desist paying her special attention" finished Lord Sandhurst. Both men were looking at each other—sizing the other one up. Each controlling their demeanor.
"Are you scared of the competition?" said Mr. Darcy lifting an eyebrow.
Lord Sandhurst swallowed loudly and looked uncomfortable.
"I see" he finally muttered, stood up, bowed his head and left, his cigar donating smoke as he left the pub.
Mr Darcy felt himself sink into the leather chair at the club, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Miss Elizabeth. He had not thought of much else. He should be pleased that their ruse worked. It had been a month of outings and balls, all of which he was left alone by debutants and their mothers. Miss Elizabeth saving him from their clutches. And she was now being courted by Lord Sandhurst, a much better match than him, if he dared to admit it.
He should be pleased but he could not think of something that bothered him more than the thought of Miss Elizabeth in Lord Sandhurst's arm. Well except for the thought of Wickham alive and well, when he should be roting in jail or in the ground, he thought bitterly.
"If you squeeze any harder, you are going to burst the glass" noted Richard, looking concerned for his cousin. "I know you, Darce, I know you care for her, but I also know that whatever this was, was not real. You can fool the world but you cannot fool me. If you want her, then ask her to marry you, if you do not, then let her go. Lord Sandhurst is clearly interested, it would be a good match for her."
Mr. Darcy looked at his cousin in shock but instead of answering, simply nodded. He did not want to marry, he never had. His only love was Georgiana and having almost lost her last summer to Wickham was a pain that he did not want to ever experience again. That was the problem with love—you had everything to lose. He saw his father destroyed by his mother's death and he could not bear to do that again. When he needed to marry, he would find a respectable lady that he would never fall in love with, treat her kind, but stay as far emotionally as was possible. But Elizabeth...he could not marry her. If he lost her, he would be lost forever.
Mr. Darcy stood up, left some coins on the table for the server and left the pub, his mood as dark and reserved as always. The next morning, Lizzie was surprised to not see him at all. Instead, he sent her a bouquet of flowers with an ominous note:
"It seems our ruse has worked. You are being courted by Lord Sandhurst, I wish you joy."
"What?!" she exclaimed, in the most unrefined way when she read it. "I apologize, mama, may I retire to my room for a moment?" she asked. Mrs. Bennet looked at her daughter with a concerned eye but simply noted. Lord Harris was with them, speaking in soft tones to a blushing Jane.
"Where shall I put the flowers?" asked one of the maids, as Lizzie walked past her.
"Throw them out" she said, her voice hollow. "I do not want to seem them again." She walked past her and then ran up to her room, where she finally sunk in her bed and allowed the tears to flow.
"What mess did I get myself into?" she whispered into her tear-soaked pillow.
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…...Mr. Darcy was left looking rather tounge-tied last night. He seems to have stopped his attentions but this author does not believe his affection has ceased. No one knows why he called himself out of the running with Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It is possible Miss Elizabeth simply grew tired of waiting for that all important question.
We shall find out soon, my dear readers.
Lady Whistledown
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Hi everyone! So excited for the next chapter and what is to come but shhh can't divulge all my secrets. What did you think of the convo between Sandhurst and Darcy? What do you think Elizabeth and Darcy will do next? What about Kitty and Bingley? I happen to like that pairing.
I love writing this story but I am a bit surprised by the lackluster response, this is honestly my favorite of the stories ive written. If your liking this story, let me know :)