Chapter 13 A Ball To Remember
The Bennets were, as usual, among the late arrivals. Mr Bingley was standing on his toes to peer over the heads of his guests. A wide grin crossed his face as he lay eyes on Jane. His sentiments were written in his expression. Elizabeth could not be happier. Her sister was the most deserving lady she knew. Hopefully, her father would rein in her sisters now that he had deigned to come to the Netherfield ball. A rare happenstance when a ball was held at the Meryton Assembly rooms.
Elizabeth is on her toes, trying to locate Charlotte. It is not of much aid as she can still not peer over the heads of the crowd. Jane was hijacked by Mr Bingley and it is kind of awkward to roam around on your own, at least at the beginning of the evening. Elizabeth feels a little out of place. She has donned the new white silk gown with embroidered roses, gifted to her by her aunt but it is too extravagant compared to what she would wear to the Meryton assembly. Her hair is more elaborate than her usual chignon. Jane has assembled her curls on the top of her head and adorned it with pearls. In addition, she has one enticing long curl resting over her shoulder, down to her décolletage. It is too much, too flashy compared to her usual apparel.
Fortunately, Miss Bingley has invited some friends from town, even more ostentatiously attired than herself.
Sir William halts her tracks, complimenting her radiant looks. He is so sweet and puts Elizabeth at ease accompanied by Mrs Golding who makes similar remarks. Colonel Foster and his wife join their little party. Their spirits are high and Elizabeth taunts the Colonel about the ball he had promised to hold. Mrs Foster love the idea and Elizabeth is certain it will come to pass.
She excuses herself and wanders towards the refreshment room.
Mary King interrupted her progress by requesting the name of her dressmaker. Mary's newly inherited fortune must be burning a hole in her pocket. She is a little discouraged that the gown is made in town as her uncle is taking her to Liverpool. He was a severe gentleman and disliked the onslaught of young bucks in form of the militia currently encamped at Flynn's western field. He thought it too much of a temptation for the weaker female sex.
Lydia came running, looking for Kitty. Elizabeth made her walk serenely away lest she rips off her borrowed shoe roses. Lydia complied, at least for as long as she was within eyesight.
Elizabeth sighed and proceeded to peruse the elaborately adorned rooms. Miss Bingley may be a lot of things but she was an excellent hostess for a ball. Netherfield sparkled in candlelight and bloomed with flowers.
Denny and Carter wanted to know where Lydia was and for some strange reason informed her that Captain Wickham was delayed. Elizabeth frowned and inquired why they thought she needed to know.
"Beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth, but the Captain gave the impression you were a great friend."
"No harm done, Captain Denny. I would call it a slight acquaintance but who am I to judge." She laughed the awkwardness away and hurried along.
Where could Charlotte be hiding? She did not find out in a good while as Mr Collins caught up with her to claim the promised first set.
Elizabeth plastered a smile on her countenance it would prove difficult to maintain. Numerous of awkward turns and steps no one had invented later, the torture was over. Or so she thought until Mr Collins took a step closer and announced:
"It is my intention, to remain close to you for the rest of the evening."
Elizabeth was not aware her carefully crafted countenance had fallen away, leaving a stunned expression with wide eyes and a slightly gaping mouth.
The latter she closed abruptly as her jaws tightened and her eyes lost some of their sparkles. She could not muster a smile at such a looming threat as Mr Collins company for an entire evening.
Mr Collins kept true to his words until she found Charlotte in another parlour. Mr Collins was sent to the opposite side of the house on a hunt for a glass of punch for the two ladies. Elizabeth let out a sigh of relief as his back disappeared amongst the throng of revellers.
Charlotte grabbed both her hands and looked worriedly at her friend.
"Lizzy, what is the matter?"
"Oh, nothing really. Other than being stalked by the most odious man I have ever met, I am fine."
"Mr Collins is not a bad man, Lizzy," Charlotte admonished. "He is just in need of a little guidance from a prudent woman."
"I am not that prudent, Charlotte. In fact, my mother frequently calls me imprudent."
"I believe your mother's phrase is impudent, not imprudent, as you well know. Do you want me to relieve you from some of his company this evening?"
"I cannot ask it of you, Charlotte. It is a fate I would be reluctant to foist upon my worst enemy and not at all on my best friend."
"Nonsense, Lizzy. I assure you, it would be no trouble at all."
"You truly are too good for this world, Charlotte. An angel, heaven-sent to rescue my equilibrium for the evening. I will never be able to repay you but I am at your service for the rest of my life if you could give me a half-hour respite before I strangle the man."
Charlotte just laughed. Knowing Elizabeth well enough to know she was jesting. Elizabeth was not that sure herself...
XxX
The throng was as bad as expected. Besides, these people were not as accustomed to the unspoken rules of conduct to move safely from one end of the room to another without spilling the contents of their glass onto some unfortunate reveller.
Therefore, the master of Pemberley kept in the background. That and the certainty that Wickham would be there. He was not looking forward to meeting him and kept the entrance within his sight. He had not arrived yet and Georgiana fretted that he may be held up in town too long to attend.
Mr Darcy had danced the first set with his sister as her husband had not shown his face. She was currently dancing with Mr Bingley, they made a handsome couple although it was much too late for such thoughts.
Elizabeth had disappeared after the first set which was not so strange taking into account the dance partner she had been burdened with. He wondered what he had said to her that had wiped all the joy from her countenance in an instant. Perhaps he had made his intentions known?
He had been stunned when she walked into the ballroom in a magnificent and fashionable white gown. Styled like any of the ladies in the upper crust. She was breathtakingly beautiful and moved with an inherent grace that could not be taught. Worst of all, the thoughts of her gown had brought back memories of another night, another ballroom, another gown, the same petit brunette.
He could not remember the exact words he had spoken but he remembered the sorrowful expression that had followed his thoughtless statements. He had regretted his harsh words but could do nothing about it without creating an even more awkward moment. He had been relieved when Colonel Brandon had rescued the situation. He had called the next morning and expressed his opinion about Darcy's conduct. Darcy had apologised to Colonel Brandon but he was not the one he owed an apology...
It was strange seeing Elizabeth here, amongst friends and neighbours. They flocked around her, leaving her side with a wider smile than before they encountered her.
Had it happened immediately after Gretna Green, he would have been surprised she was so well liked.
Knowing her a little bit better, he knew she could make people laugh. She was perfectly able to behave with propriety and act serious when needed. Even suffusing Miss Bingley's barbs with sweet archness.
He guessed he could ask for her hand for a dance. That would save her a half-hour in the wretched parson's company. What was he thinking? Engaging the wildcat he had encountered in Gretna Green for a dance. She must have bewitched him almost as much as his dog.
Mr Darcy hurried to the sanctity of Netherfield's library. To prohibit his treacherous self, acting on his inclination.
Safely ensconced in the familiar room he mutters to himself. "What I would not give for some contented peace and quiet..."
"When you find some, will you let me know?"
Darcy startled, he had thought he was alone in the room, the voice had come from nowhere. Was he imagining it?
A slight scrape of a chair alerted him to her whereabouts. Hidden in a darkened corner, Miss Elizabeth had curled up in a chair that creaked as she righted herself and slipped her dainty feet into her discarded slippers.
"I beg you pardon my outburst, I thought I was quite alone."
"I would hardly deem your low whisper an outburst, Mr Darcy. However, I sympathise with the sentiment. It would seem we are both out of fortune as very little peace and quiet are to be had at a ball..."
"Right..."
He left it hanging in the air in hope she would render him the same service as the last time they had encountered each other in the Netherfield library.
"You should have left the door open."
"You may leave it ajar when you leave." He had settled himself nicely in front of the hearth and was reluctant to move from the enticing flames.
"I wonder if you are aware of how rude you come across sometimes? Is it in your nature or is it just me who elicits your disdain?"
He turned sharply to look at her. She made him feel comfortable, too comfortable it might seem as he did not filter what came out of his mouth in her presence.
"I beg your pardon. I somehow conjectured that you would remove yourself from my presence. You seem to be of some haste to depart when you encounter me alone."
He rose to open the door slightly ajar. Not closed yet not open enough to invite other people in. He craved solitude, Elizabeth counted as solitude. She was never invasive on his privacy and seemed able to determine when he sought quietude.
He resumed his seat and gazed at the flames licking the log.
She did not remove herself, neither did she speak. The silence lasted for a quarter of an hour and he was the one to break it.
"I owe you an apology..."
"Me! Why?"
"For the hurtful words I spoke about you at Mr Livingstone's dinner party."
"Because you uttered the words or what you pronounced."
"Does it matter?"
"Yes!"
"Please instruct me of what you would most like to hear and I will comply. I admit that I do not remember exactly what I said that night. I only remember the hurt in your eyes before you turned away."
He had said too much, spoken to candidly. She would surely reject his offer of a truce on that offence alone.
"One should not remember what is best forgotten, Mr Darcy. I, myself, have decided not to give it another thought. Your pardon is accepted."
Another period of silence ensued while Darcy tried to remember what he had uttered on the aforementioned evening when another conundrum he had trouble figuring out, entered his mind.
"Bingley is heading to town on the morrow."
"Yes, I know. He mentioned it to Jane when they met in Meryton. He held some reservations towards making his dinner engagement at Longbourn on Thursday."
"Caroline wants us to follow, Georgiana does not. I am at a loss of what to do."
"That depends on who is in the greatest danger, Georgiana or Mr Bingley. Does town hold much danger for a gentleman such as Mr Bingley?"
Elizabeth could have cut off her tongue. Did she not want Mr Darcy to leave? She should encourage his sojourn to London, not speak against it.
"No, he is in far greater danger in Meryton which is why I am contemplating following him."
"Pray, tell me what great dangers he may encounter in Meryton apart from the rabbit holes in the forest and a few talkative matrons?"
He had momentarily forgotten she was Jane's sister. She had that effect on his defences, they crumbled at her feet. How honest could he be?
"I am concerned he will enter into a marriage of unequal affection."
"He does not care for Jane?"
"More than I have thought him capable of."
"What is that supposed to mean? I do not perceive Mr Bingley as unfeeling...
Oh! It is Jane, is it not? That has you in jitters."
Elizabeth rose from her chair and approached his seat. She halted a foot from his person. Standing up, she was a little taller than his seated self and was currently glaring at him with her hands on her hips.
"I do not get jitters."
"One would think that one reserved person would recognise another."
Mr Darcy's head snapped up to meet her eyes.
"No one is that good in hiding their emotions. I have watched them carefully. While she is all smiles towards Mr Bingley, I perceive no difference in how she acts towards him compared to any of her other acquaintances."
"She is shy, Mr Darcy. Afraid to enlist my mother's expectations. Do you remember when we left Netherfield, my mother brought up a beau she had expected to propose to Jane after a poorly written poem?
Jane was five and ten, her admirer was six and ten. Hardly marriageable age...
She still brings it up, seven years later. Jane is guarded in company but if you ask Mr Bingley himself I am certain he has perceived her interest."
"Bingley is modest to a fault. I am not as sure as you that he is secure in your sister's regard but I have to bow to your greater knowledge of your sister."
"How magnanimous of you."
"I wish you had rendered me the same leniency."
She gasped, the Gretna Green debacle was entirely forgotten until this moment. How could she forget?
She had offered him her apology, there was nothing more she could declare nor perform that would ever make amends.
"I will leave you now, Mr Darcy, with this thought. My sister cares deeply but conceals it well."
She curtsied and hastened to the door.
"Wait!"
She paused with her hand on the door handle but did not turn.
"I beg your pardon. You have apologised and I have forgiven you. I should not have brought it up."
"I doubt that, Mr Darcy."
"Doubt what?"
"That you have forgiven me what is unforgivable..."
"I admit that my good opinion once lost is lost forever but you did not have it to begin with. In fact, I did not know you at all. My opinion of you has since then improved by our interactions and me understanding you better. I recognise that you had no malicious intent towards my sister. Just ignorance about the world that I cannot fault a sheltered country maiden. I wonder if it is wise to keep young girls in oblivion until they are married. Perhaps they would have been better equipped to choose rightly if they were well informed."
Finally, she let go of the handle and faced him.
"I do not know what level of ignorance you accuse me of but I assure you, I am not unaware of the depravity in the world in general. Especially in the upper crust where you belong."
"Not all of the upper éclat is unprincipled but I see your point. This is not a subject I would like to have to shout across the room though. Please, have a seat. I have something I want to ask you."
Elizabeth looked down at the floor for a moment before she decided to acquiesce to his proposition. She took a chair on the other side of the table, facing the fire as he was.
"It was not my intention to insult you, Miss Elizabeth. My experience with my sister has made me ponder certain aspects of society in general. I wonder what I should have done to prevent it. What could be done now..."
"Very little, I suspect. The deed is done and Georgiana seems happy with her choice. If she will remain so in the future is unlikely but she is a woman possessed, Mr Darcy, or rather a girl. In my experience, nothing will persuade her to part with him. I believe she is very much in love and will follow the drum with him if necessary. The pull of such emotions is difficult to resist for a woman fully grown. I would think it impossible to a more immature mind. You have the means to make it easier for them, Mr Darcy. At this juncture, I believe it is the best you can do."
"Are you saying I should release her dowry?"
"I cannot say but what will happen when you all remove to town? Will she be camping in the tents on Flynn's field? You have the means to make her life easier if you have the inclination."
"You believe I have abandoned my sister?"
"No, not at all but you need to look towards the future. If you want to have your sister in your life, you will have to learn to tolerate Captain Wickham."
Darcy groaned and rested his head in his hands.
"It will be difficult, I loathe the man."
"Yes but you love your sister. In Captain Wickham's defence, he does seem to care for your sister and treat her well. I know you do not want to hear it."
Mr Darcy looked at her with an incredulous expression gracing his countenance.
"How can you say he is treating her well when they do not even have a house to live in. Oh, I forgot, they have a tent."
He practically spat the last few words at her. Elizabeth felt only calm, it was an emotional topic.
"I believe I would personally prefer to live in a tent with a caring man to a palace with a man that beat me into submission."
"I guess it is a matter of perception, forgive me if I do not share your view."
"You are a strong man, few are your physical superior, Mr Darcy. It is not strange you would not perceive violence as a great threat but to Georgiana, it is not insignificant."
"I would have found her a husband who did not feel the need to beat his wife. Not all men are ogres, Miss Elizabeth."
"I did not say so. I was trying to make you see that it could have been worse. It was farfetched, I know but it usually helps me when I am troubled, to try to see the merit in every situation I must endure. It is rarely all bad although I do admit that there are instances that make it difficult to find anything good.
Your sister and her husband seem to share love and affection which is good."
"Love," he scoffed.
"Love conquers all or so they say. Do you not feel comfort in knowing that she has someone by her side that care for her on a personal level? A partner who is doing his best to better his situation although compared to what you wanted for her would not be much. She does have someone to lean on. She appears content albeit guilt-ridden."
"Guilt-ridden?"
"Yes, she came after me on her first evening at Netherfield when I was on my way up the stairs to see to Jane. She worried that I was judging her which in the past might have been accurate. I believe she is judging herself and by her own thoughts, believe others to harbour the same sentiments."
"While you have given me some food for thought... May I have the honour of your next dance, Miss Elizabeth?"
She did not jump at the request as he had envisioned. Usually, ladies showed their profuse gratitude when he asked for their hand but Elizabeth turned her lovely eyes to licking flames before she bowed her head and answered: "You may."
"I have a question though before we join the others in the ballroom. How could Mrs Young need employment when she owns a boarding house on Edward Street? I understand it is not well kept but still..."
"I have not thought about it. She may have taken the position to remove herself from associations with trade while she hunted for a husband. I guess she has a male relative who manages her affairs at the boarding house. It certainly needs looking after."
Mr Darcy had been given something to contemplate for later. At the moment he was eager to dance which was an uncommon state of affairs.
The hallway was filled with people, no one paid them any notice exiting from their seclusion in the library. Too much punch had been consumed. They proceeded towards the ballroom where a set was coming to its conclusion but their progress was slow. It seemed like every other person had something to ask Miss Elizabeth. Had she seen he or she, where was the restroom, were they to have any supper soon? Mr Darcy stood silently at her side until she had answered and could take a few step forward until the next person wanted something from her. Elizabeth had patience in abundance and met everyone with smiling confidence.
The applause rang from the ballroom, the previous set had ended, they needed to hurry if they were to join the next set.
The next person who stepped in their direction he just glared at which efficiently halted their tracks. Elizabeth noticed and looked between himself and Miss Maria with a frown but let herself be guided to the dancefloor.
Miss Elizabeth was an excellent dancer. Perhaps it was all the walking in different terrains that made her so agile but she had an inherent elegance suited for dancing. She moved her light and pleasing figure around the circle with ease and grace.
Darcy was not so bad himself, years of practice had made him proficient and rigorous exercise kept him fit.
He noticed that many of Elizabeth's neighbours were keeping an eye on them. He hoped it was because of the superior dancing and not their prolonged absence. They had done nothing wrong though. Just talked with the door ajar to uphold propriety.
Elizabeth's eyes were twinkling, he felt anticipation for what she would utter next. Time spent with Miss Elizabeth was never boring.
"I believe we are drawing some attention to ourselves, Mr Darcy. Perhaps you should smooth out the frown between your brows lest people will think you have been punished to stand up with me."
Darcy had not noticed he was frowning, it was not intentionally. He smiled insincerely which produced a throaty laugh from Miss Elizabeth.
"That smile fools no one, Mr Darcy. Now they will say I am pestering you into acting out of character as well. Oh my, we will be the talk of the town. Poor Mr Darcy, suffering the whims of the Longbourn harridan."
"At your service Madame, I will obey."
Another trickle of melodic laughter escaped her lips. A pleasing sound, especially because he was not used to be the source of someone's merriment. It was a nice change, to be able to make someone laugh.
"Are you certain you trust me with such power, Mr Darcy? I may take advantage in ways you had never imagined. Let me see, what mischief I could make..."
"I am not afraid of you..."
"Huge mistake, Mr Darcy. Let us start with renaming some of the magnificent features on your property, namely your waterfall Elizabeth's Cascade and the hill behind Pemberley should be Elizabeth Mount. I would like to adopt your dog, Tempest, permanently and declare you the best partner for a dance. You are hereby committed to stand up with me once at every ball and assembly where we are both present."
"Is that it!"
"No that was the beginning, I am certain I can think of something more given some time..."
Elizabeth was rudely interrupted by Sir William who came with thinly veiled suggestions about the growing expectation towards a union between Jane and Mr Bingley. Darcy's eyes followed Sir William's nod but it was not Mr Bingley who caught his attention. Behind them, Georgiana was dancing with her husband. They made a handsome couple, he had to admit, but handsomeness in itself brought little to marriage...
Elizabeth felt Mr Darcy stiffen on her arm. Following his gaze, she knew it was not Jane and Bingley who had his attention but his sister.
Mr Darcy kept with the rhythm and the steps but his attention was otherwise engaged. Elizabeth was at loss to rein him in or of it should even be attempted.
Fortunately, the set ended and they stood opposite each other, applauding the musicians when supper was announced. She had not been aware they had danced the supper set. Mr Darcy showed no outward surprise but she knew he had not been aware. He stepped forward and offered her his arm when the line dissolved and people milled towards the dining room. She took it as another man approached them.
"Cousin Elizabeth, where have you been? I have been looking all over for you..."
"I have been dancing, Mr Collins, in the middle of the ballroom."
"I will escort you to supper now."
"She has an escort, Mr Collins," a deep baritone interrupted the infuriating man.
"I am her cousin, Mr?"
Elizabeth stiffened, she had no choice but to introduce them.
"Mr Darcy, my cousin, Mr Collins. He is parson of the Hunsford parish in Kent. Mr Collins, Mr Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire."
The odious man clapped in glee for some strange reason that would soon become apparent.
"My esteemed patronesses nephew, how fortuitous to encounter a relative of the great Lady Catherine herself. I am pleased to inform you that your aunt was in excellent health when I left her, a sennight past. Your fiancée as well. A lovely lady, if I may be so bold to compliment such a delicate flower. She would suit the role of duchess with her refined manners and beauty of countenance."
"I am surprised you have met my fiancée because I have yet to encounter the future Mrs Darcy, Mr Collins. Excuse me, I have a supper to attend."
The man was left stunned speechless, a rare occurrence indeed, thought Elizabeth wryly as they weaved their way through the throng. It was such a blessing to have the tall and formidable Mr Darcy to plough the way through.
The supper became a torturous affair. Seated to close to her mother's outrageous exclamations and too far away from the soothing presence of Jane. The only advantage proved to be Mr Darcy's preoccupation with his sister and her husband. He was too distracted to pay any attention to her mother's histrionics. A blessing when she knew he had reservations towards Jane's and Mr Bingley's growing affections.
If she had alleviated some of his apprehensions by her candid description of Jane's virtues, she knew not. The next days would reveal his intentions to leave for town or prolong his stay. Elizabeth did not know which prospect she preferred. She had savoured their dance to her memory. It would sustain her on the dreary days, sure to come. It was more than she had hoped for when she had arrived at Mr Bingley's ball.