Chapter 35

As the time to leave for the Assembly drew closer, Lady Catherine decided to do what she considered herself best at, arranging matters as she wished. She was quick to command Darcy's carriage for herself and Anne. Instructing Darcy that him and Georgiana would ride in it and he would attend to Anne's comfort. She furthermore informed Issac he would be riding with them because she had some knowledge to share with him regarding his sermons to improve them. Mrs. Jenkinson was naturally expected to attend Anne and assist Darcy in seeing to her comfort, so would ride with them.

To the Matlock carriage she sent Elizabeth and her parents along with James and Henry. She than informed Bingley that his carriage would follow last and transport him, his sister and Miss Bennet as well as Richard and David. In a carrying voice she said, "Being military men you are of course used to finding yourselves in close quarters with lower classes. I am sure you shall bear up under such circumstances with ease. And Miss Bingley hardly has her eye on either of you, so you should not be needlessly imposed upon. I caught her attempting to hang off Darcy's arm yet again this afternoon. The woman has no sense of rank. It is most deplorable. "

While Darcy stoically took the commendering of his coach by Lady Catherine, she found him less transient regarding other aspects of the evening. He refused to give up his first set with Elizabeth in favor of one of his cousins when she suggested it. She argued he could dance with Elizabeth later, but if Anne became fatigued she would be ubable to dance later so he should induldge his cousin at the beginning. When he would not budge and Anne stated she planned on sitting out and watching the first set before standing up, Lady Catherine claimed his second set. He told her that while he looked forward to dancing with Anne, he was already engaged to dance the second set with his sister and would have to foego the pleasure of Anne's company until a different set.

...

"Is this not a familiar scence?" Miss Bingley said in a coy manner as she clasped Darcy's arm as they entered the Assembly Rooms in Newmarket. Darcy pressed his lips together, his face stoic, but said nothing, knowing she would take any words from him as encouragement of her pursuit of him, regradless of his sentiments. Leaning across him she declared to Georgiana on his other arm, "Don't be intimidated by the company. Your brother and I shall stay close to your side and shield you from some of the more objectional populace. You are quite lucky, this assembly is not the worst your brother and I have attended together. While he does his duty to his cousin, I shall forgo the first set so that I may keep an eye on you."

"That won't be necessary, Miss Bingley," Richard cut in. "I am perfectly capable of seeing to my ward's wellfare while we dance. You need not stay by her side as if you were her paid companion. My family would not wish to demean you in such a way, I am sure," he said with a smirk. "You are more than welcome to mingle. Perhaps among the locals you will find your perfect match.

"There are quite a few gentlemen present who would not object to your antecedents," Henry interjected. "I would be happy to provide introductions for you."

"I could not possibly offended your family by abanding them-" Miss Bingley started to say, but was cut off.

"Miss Bingley, our family would not be offended at all. It is quite understandable that you would wish to stick to socializing with those of your sphere rather than our own," Richard saidsmoothly.

"Yes, and Aunt Catherine would certianly be pleased to see you taking her advice," Henry said with amusement, remebering how the great dame had advised Miss Bingley to stick to her sphere and not attempt to rise above her station more than once since Miss. Bingley's arrival.

"Aunt Catherine does like to be of use," mummered Issac.

...

"Come let us seek partners for the first set," Henry said to David and Issac. "There is Miss Longtoon. Her fiance is a devouted follower of the turf and her friend Miss Clark is agreeable as well."

...

"You are an in demand partner Lady Elizabeth," one of the local young ladies, Miss Clark observed.

"Yet thus far all of my dance partners have bee my relations," Elizabeth said laughing.

"With so many brothers you must rarely find yourself in want of a partner when they are present," another, Miss Longtoon, observed.

"Yes, but as long as Lady Elizabeth is engaged with her brothers as partners, she does not have the opportunity to dance with other gentlemen, making it difficult for her to make a suitable match. She would do better to obstain from dancing with her brothers and allowing them to monopolize her rather company than dance with other ladies," another observed with a sniff.

"It is not my intent to monopolize my brothers," Elizabeth said archly. "I am sure if they wish to dance with other partners they will seek them out, as they did with Miss Clark and Miss Longtoon," she added smiley ng at the two ladies she mentioned.

"I am sure you will find your brothers most vexing when tie up over half of your dances in town," Miss Bingley said joining the group. "Not that my brother will mind seeing half of your dances tied up by them," she added coyly.

"Mr. Bingley appears to favor your friend Miss Bennet," Miss Clark observed.

"Yes," Elizabeth said smiling. "And a more charming pair I cannot think of. Is that not right Georgiana?" Elizabeth asked including her shy cousin into the conversation.

"They are a charming pair," Georgiana said softly.

"As charming as Miss de Bourgh and Mr. Darcy?" inquired another. "Lady Catherine was pleased to see them dancing."

"Yes, my aunt was quite vocal about it," Elizabeth said dryly.

"So congratulations are in order for Miss de Bourgh and Mr. Darcy?" asked Miss Longtoon skeptically.

"Mr. Darcy does not intend to marry his cousin," Miss Bingley said tightly.

"My brother and my cousin Anne share a cousinly fondness," Georgiana said quietly.

"Yes, dear Mr. Darcy has a cousinly fondness for both of his cousins," Miss Bingley declared. "He has been kind enough to favor both of them with a dance, despite his disinclination for the activity."

"Elizabeth," Darcy greeted her as with Anne on his arm as he joined the group.

"I thought mother would never let us depart," Anne exclaimed.

"Can I persuade you to favor your poor cousin with another set, Elizabeth?" Darcy asked.

"Do go on, Elizabeth," Anne encouraged her. "I shall stay with Georgiana and nothing would be more entertaining than for us to watch you and our cousin stand up for another set. Is that not so, Georgiana?"

"Yes," Georgiana agreed firmly and with more volume than any of her previous statements.