Chapter Two

This same "young girl," actually a young woman of nineteen, had more difficulty trying to stop thinking of her first dance partner. He was quite handsome, that much was true. Mr. Kensington was fairly tall with dark, curly hair. As was the style, he had a clean-shaven face which revealed a strong jaw, and a sligth oddity in the for of a little scar above his upper lip. But most importantly, Harriet could not seem to forget his eyes — those unusually coloured, grey-green eyes which seemed fixated on her, flickering with some sort of secret. It unnerved her for the rest of the evening. What right did that man — a complete stranger — have to look at her like that, as if she was something to possess?

Harriet found an empty chair and sat down, feeling tired and uneasy after only one dance. Harriet couldn't bring herself to search for another dancing partner and much preferred to sit and observe the dancers in their oblivious delight. She saw Charles and Steven both dancing, which rendered a little smile as she reflected that they never had any ado securing a pretty girl with whom to dance. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley also shared a dance, but Harriet noticed that her mother could not entice her father to join in. Instead, he came over and sat with Harriet, and the two of them enjoyed each others company outside of the noisy gaiety.

"I see you are not dancing, my dear," Mr. Darcy said as he came over to her. Harriet smiled a mute greeting.

"No, Papa," she replied. "You know I am not one to enjoy this sort of entertainment quite so much as other ladies." She and Mr. Darcy shared a look, both understanding the other completely. There was a short pause before Harriet continued in asking, "Did you hear why Christine is not present?"

"Are you implying that you are unsatisfied with the company of your dear father?" Mr. Darcy asked in a teasing manner.

"Of course not!" Harriet eagerly replied, taking her father's hand and giving it a squeeze, a playful smile on her lips. "I am only surprised that I have not seen her, though the rest of her family is accounted for."

"I'm afraid Miss Bingley is not quite well, and the last thing a young lady should do is exert herself with a ball when she is not in full health."

Harriet was quite sad to hear it and dearly wished her cousin could be there with her: as both were the only daughter in her family, the two had grown up as sisters and the closest confidantes. The Bingleys and Darcys were extremely close, and Harriet — an only child — loved her cousins as her own siblings. Harriet loved her Christine especially dearly, and always appreciated her "easy temper" and "affectionate heart." Were she only present to aid Harriet in her worries!

Of course, Harriet was glad to have her father's company; her father, who shared her quiet nature, and would not strongly encourage her to join in the usual activities of a grand ball. Sometimes it could be extremely taxing to live up to the expectations of agreeable society without exhausting oneself, and both father and daughter felt the desire to remain to oneself now and then.

Mr. Darcy and Harriet remained silent, simply observing the people around them, when they were joined by a young gentleman. He was fairly good looking, but in a plain sort of way, and he quickly greeted them with a bow. Harriet and her father returned the greeting with a mute nod.

"Good evening, Sir, Miss Darcy," he said, his eyes on Harriet. She was glad to see such familiar brown eyes; a complete contrast to the previous pair which had earlier made her so uncomfortable. "I was hoping to have the pleasure of a dance with your daughter." His eyes remained on Harriet, and he gave a little smile.

"Certainly, Mr. Lockwood," Mr. Darcy replied. He liked this gentleman well enough, and had no objections to the match, should Harriet find her affections falling on him. She stood up and gratefully accepted his offer, following him towards the other dancers. Harriet tried to focus on Mr. Lockwood but found her attention slowly slip away and onto another man she found not half so agreeable. It made her angry that such a little dance should affect her so, and she did all she could to lift her spirits and find enjoyment in the dances. She found herself dancing quite a bit with Mr. Lockwood, as well as with other partners, including her cousin Steven. After a time, Harriet returned to her seat, accompanied by Mr. Lockwood, who stayed by her side the rest of the evening.

Harriet's mind wandered and again found itself resting on Mr. Kensington, frustrating herself and causing a slight headache. Even Mr. Lockwood noticed that something was different. He, who usually found such an attentive listener in Miss Darcy, saw her to be quite distracted and somewhat nervous.

"Miss Darcy? Did you hear what I just said?"

"Hmmm? Oh!" Harriet started. "Of course! Oh, dear Mr. Lockwood, I'm so sorry! I'm afraid I have not quite been feeling myself tonight."

"Perhaps you should retire to your apartment," the young man suggested with a hint of worry in his voice.

Being quite late, many of the guests had already left Pemberley, and Harriet was feeling very tired and ready to follow Mr. Lockwood's suggestion. After bidding goodnight to him, and explaining herself to her parents with a quick kiss, she made her way back up the grand staircase she had descended at the beginning of the evening. At that time, her thoughts were of an indifferent tone to the whole affair. Now, with her gown slightly crumpled, her thoughts whirled around with such a lack of control that she felt her head beginning to ache and was quite shaken. Harriet could not believe how much such an evening had unsettled her.