Chapter Twenty-Five
Elizabeth, Jane, and Mrs. Gardiner descended the stairs to smiles and praise.
"My dears, you all look extraordinary!" said Mr. Gardiner with a wide smile. "Truly remarkable."
His wife stepped up to his side and kissed his cheek. "Especially our nieces, Mr. Gardiner, who worked tirelessly all this week to ready their gowns."
"If Lord Rowarth were not already in love with Jane, I daresay he and every man in the room would be half in love with her before the night's end," Elizabeth quipped with a grin.
Jane blushed and called her words nonsense, but Elizabeth would not be swayed from her opinion. Her sister's natural angelic beauty combined with the gown she wore would have many eyes upon her. Men would want to dance with her, and women would want to be her—at least, the ladies would wonder where she'd had her gown made and would envy the attention Jane received.
"I am glad to see that you wear your half boots, for it began to snow as we were all dressing," Mr. Gardiner was saying.
"So I noticed through the window, Mr. Gardiner," said his lady. "And I made sure to tell the girls, assuring them that such a house as the Duke of Mildenhall owns will have a room for ladies and one for gentlemen to remove boots and put on dancing slippers."
Mr. Gardiner chuckled. "Very well then, my love. Let us be readying ourselves for the cold, as the carriage will be at the door any moment."
The carriage was announced just five minutes later, and the four were on their way across town to the home of a duke. Elizabeth was amused more at her aunt and sister's excitement over the location than for her own share in it; seeing the delight in their expressions, hearing the joy in their voices, was of greater pleasure to her. All she required to make her night complete were the promised two dances with Mr. Darcy.
On arrival at Northam House on Cavendish Square, they found themselves in line behind several other carriages. Elizabeth wondered just where they would all be kept during the many hours of the ball—surely the mews could not hold a hundred carriages! She laughed to herself at the image that came into her head of carriages parked so close together their drivers had to turn sideways to pass between them.
Soon, she thought as the carriage inched forward. Soon I shall see Mr. Darcy again and we shall dance. A soft sigh escaped her, and while wishing the parade of carriages to move forward and release their occupants quickly and efficiently, that her family might then go inside from the cold themselves, her thoughts began to reflect on the last fortnight and her amazement that not only was Jane reunited with the love of her youth, but that she had herself also met a gentleman with whom she could imagine being happy.
It was almost inconceivable, considering she and Jane had been rather forward in sharing the foibles and follies of their family. Perhaps too forward. It was usually her practice to try and conceal or curtail the behavior of her mother and younger sisters in order to save herself and Jane from embarrassment, and Elizabeth could find no reason for the uncharacteristic honesty than that Mr. Darcy had thoroughly unsettled her from the first moment—before she had even admitted she liked him!
How vexing, she mused—though not with any real warmth. It was simply that she was so very used to the way things were that finding herself changed even that small bit by the presence of a man was a surprise to her. She hoped that, should their fondness for each other's company lead to more, that attaching herself to Darcy would not change her too much.
At long last the Gardiner carriage was at the head of the line. Mr. Gardiner climbed out and turned to assist his wife, then Jane and Elizabeth. The snow continued to fall in light but steady waves, making the handsome façade of the house, all lit up with lamps or braziers—Elizabeth was not sure which—an almost picturesque scene.
They proceeded into the house, showing their invitation at the door, and were directed by a handsomely liveried footman to where they could hang their cloaks, change into their dancing shoes, and receive their dance cards. Maids waited there to assist the ladies, and Elizabeth could imagine her uncle's amusement at finding more footmen in the men's changing room ready and waiting to help him change his shoes. The family reunited in the vestibule, and again showed their invitation to the caller when it was time to move into the ballroom.
The wigged man took the piece of cardstock from Mr. Gardiner and glanced at it, calling out loudly, "Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth Bennet!"
Smartly handing the invitation back, the servant bowed, then turned to the next guest. Mr. Gardiner walked confidently forward, his wife on his arm, with Elizabeth and Jane following close behind. Elizabeth, feeling curious stares on them, held her head high and smiled as she looked around, marveling quietly as Jane did at the grandeur which the wealth of the earl—if not the duke as well—had produced in the lighting and decorations. She doubted there was a single tallow candle in the place, for she could not discern the tell-tale scent, and at present, she was glad of not yet smelling the odor of too many bodies in a single space. Of course, Northam House had an exceptionally large ballroom, so chance remained that the uncountable number of flower arrangements scattered about might keep that particular fragrance at bay.
They had not gone far when they were approached by a smiling Philip—Lord Rowarth, I must remember to call him while we are here, Elizabeth mused while her uncle returned the viscount's bow. Beside Jane she curtsied, and though clearly—to her eyes—endeavoring not to pay her sister too much attention, it was evident to her that he was very much pleased by what he saw.
Georgiana was with her cousin, also smiling, though her eyes continuously looked about. Elizabeth could not help wondering why her brother was not with her. Where was Mr. Darcy?
Elizabeth could not help asking, "Is everything all right, Miss Darcy?"
After exchanging a glance with Philip, Georgiana sighed. "Our brothers are not yet here," she said. "Fitzwilliam and Theodore went out after breakfast on business for the Duke of Mildenhall, and they have not yet returned."
Pushing aside the instant disappointment that Darcy was not there to greet her, Elizabeth offered a reassuring smile. "I am sure they will come soon."
"Indeed they will, Miss Elizabeth," said Philip. "So do not despair of your dances with my cousin. Now let me see those dance cards, that I may add my name and his in the proper places."
Jane colored and Elizabeth giggled softly, but the two passed their dance cards to the viscount in turn.
"Now," said he when he had returned the cards, "allow me to escort you to the receiving line, that I may present you to His Grace, my father and mother, and my dear sisters, as well as my aunt and cousin."
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner shared a glance before each turned their eyes to Jane. The color in her cheeks increased under the scrutiny but her countenance otherwise remained unchanged from the tranquil smile she had greeted her betrothed with.
"You would present us to the duke, sir?" asked Mrs. Gardiner in a breathy tone.
Philip smiled. "Why should I not? We are in his house, after all, and you must pay your respects to your host, madam," said he in a teasing tone. "Besides, Mrs. Gardiner, His Grace is there beside my father, so even where you not required to give some small attention to the duke, the introduction can hardly be avoided."
Mr. Gardiner laughed and gave the hand of his wife, which rested on his arm, a reassuring pat; she touched her hair and brushed at her gown, though nary a hair or thread was out of place. Lord Rowarth turned around and he and Georgiana began to lead their party over to where his family and the Duke of Mildenhall were standing.
Elizabeth glanced at Jane, for the hand of her sister's that was on her arm tightened its hold. She returned the gesture with a gentle and hopefully reassuring squeeze of her own. "Do not make yourself uneasy, Jane," she whispered. "Underneath their titles and finery, they are people, like you and I."
Jane smiled briefly. "You are right, Lizzy, but I am still so very anxious. They are his parents, and in them is the power of preventing the fulfillment of my happiness."
"Your Grace, Lady Amelia, my lord and my ladies," Philip began formally as he stopped and bowed before the greeting party. "I should like very much to introduce you to some very good friends of mine."
When the duke inclined his head, and said in a surprisingly soft baritone, "By all means, Lord Rowarth," Philip turned and presented first the Gardiners, then Jane and Elizabeth herself. After, he introduced their host, Lady Amelia, his parents and sisters, and then the infamous Lady Catherine and her daughter. Elizabeth was not remiss to the audible sniff and upturn of Lady Catherine's nose, indicating her indifference.
How rude, she could not help thinking.
"So, this is the Miss Bennet I have heard so much of," said the duke.
Jane glanced at Elizabeth, then Philip, with some surprise. "You have heard of me, Your Grace? I cannot imagine how."
He chuckled and looked at his daughter. Lady Amelia smiled and said, "It was my doing, Miss Bennet. My dear friend Colonel Fitzwilliam—whom I know you have met—has talked of you to me, as Lord Rowarth has talked of you to him. And I could not help sharing the delightfully diverting story with my father."
"Story?" said Lady Catherine as Philip colored and smiled apologetically at Jane. "What story do you speak of? I must have my share in this conversation."
Elizabeth's immediate inclination was to frown at the audacity of the lady's speech, but this was quickly overshadowed by a desire to laugh when the Duke of Mildenhall glanced at Lady Catherine with one eyebrow raised as if to say, "I beg your pardon?" The almost-glare effectively silenced the overbearing lady.
He then looked back to Jane with a smile. "Permit me to say, Miss Bennet, that the description of your beauty did you no justice at all. Might I be so bold as to request a dance, if your card is not already full?"
Jane flushed, her expression one of complete astonishment. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner wore mixed expressions of delight and surprise, and though Elizabeth found herself feeling much the same, she could not help but feel immense satisfaction in the expressions of the earl and countess—especially the latter—at the attention her sister was being paid by His Grace. Lord Disley seemed surprised but pleased, and Lady Disley appeared unable to decide whether she ought to be insulted or disgusted, leading Elizabeth to surmise that the countess must wonder if the duke knew about the alleged unsuitability of the Bennet family. Lady Disley's features finally settled on a neutral expression.
Lady Catherine definitely chose to feel insulted, if her angry expression were any indication—though whether because she had not been asked or her daughter had not was difficult to tell.
"Y-your Grace, I am extraordinarily honored, sir," Jane managed. "You are much too kind, when there are surely several ladies in attendance with whom you are much better acquainted."
"There are indeed, Miss Bennet," said the duke. "And I am sure I shall dance with them all. But I have no partner for the first set—as our belles of the ball are already engaged to Lord Disley and Lord Rowarth, my daughter to the Earl of Torrington, and Miss de Bourgh to the Duke of Lansbury—and I should like very much to open the ball with one of the most beautiful young ladies these old eyes of mine have seen since last I looked at my daughter."
Lady Amelia laughed softly and tapped his arm with her fan. "Oh, Father, do not speak so foolishly."
"Your Grace," spoke up Lady Disley sweetly. "I am certain that my son would not be unwilling to forfeit his claim to his sister for the first set."
Jane's blush deepened and she looked away in embarrassment. A frown descended over Philip's face only slightly stronger than the one Elizabeth struggled to conceal from her own. It was obvious that Jane was being blatantly slighted by his mother—Lady Disley was as aware as the rest of their party not only of the extraordinary honor of Jane's having been asked for a dance by the Duke of Mildenhall, but also of the attention they would receive from the other guests, especially as Jane was a complete unknown to their circle.
"Mother," said the viscount in a firm voice that bespoke of his disapprobation.
The duke proved himself an astute observer, for he held up his hand to stave off Philip's speech and said, "Fear not that I shall usurp your place, Lord Rowarth. The honor of the first dance of any young lady's debut ball is the right of her father or brother, if she has any. Besides, you know I have already claimed a dance each with Lady Cecilia and Lady Olivia. Now, what say you, Miss Bennet?"
Jane, her attention now solely focused on the duke, thanked him before she offered the dance card about her wrist so he could apply his name to it. Elizabeth's card was also asked for; His Grace was quick to comment that she was equally as beautiful as her sister, and that such pretty girls as they deserved to be noticed. As he was handing Elizabeth's card back to her, the duke also smoothly complimented Lady Cecilia and Lady Olivia, as well as Miss de Bourgh.
Elizabeth's astonishment increased when the Earl of Disley also asked to be added to their list of partners, his choice no less a surprise to his wife and sister. Elizabeth thought perhaps it was his way of showing his support of Philip and Jane but realized he might also intend it as a means of learning more about them both.
"Come," said Philip when it was done, "a line is forming and there are many waiting to pay their respects to the guests of honor. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, do allow me to introduce you to some of my acquaintance whom you have not met."
Georgiana moved from the side of the viscount to stand by her twin cousins. Philip then turned to lead them away, though as Elizabeth and Jane were passing his sisters, the darker haired of the two—Lady Cecilia—reached out and touched Jane's arm.
"My dear Miss Bennet, pray let me tell you that I think your gown exceptionally pretty," said she.
"Oh indeed, Cessy!" cried Lady Olivia. "Is it not divine how that silver lace catches the light when she moves?"
"You are very kind, my ladies," replied Jane. "And may I return the compliments to you both? Truly, the gold accents and embroidery on your gowns highlight your coloring so very well!"
The sisters smiled and giggled and thanked her, but then their attention was drawn away by their mother and the next person waiting to pay their respects. Elizabeth leaned over to her sister and said as they walked to where their aunt and uncle waited, "You know, Jane, I think their remarks genuine admiration."
"I believe you are right, and I am much gratified by it," Jane replied. "And Lizzy, to be asked to dance by the duke and Philip's father!"
"My dear Miss Bennet," Philip greeted her, holding out his hand. When Jane had placed hers into it, he bowed and lightly pressed his lips to the back of her glove. "I have been remiss to compliment your looks—may I now remark how extraordinarily lovely you appear this evening? Pray let me not be outdone by an old duke."
Jane laughed softly. "My lord, that would be impossible," said she. "Though I hope you are not affronted at his asking me to dance."
"No, indeed," said Philip. "You and Miss Elizabeth must both of you have someone to open the dance with."
"Though you wish it were you and not another, I daresay," quipped Elizabeth with a grin.
"Of course. I will not deny that I would prefer to be the first of Miss Bennet's partners," Philip replied. "But I would not deny her the pleasure of dancing before we are able—only don't enjoy yourself too much, my dear lady."
Jane grinned. "I will endeavor to be utterly bored with each of my partners until the supper set."
"You do understand, of course, that you will be scrutinized by every single person here," Philip pointed out, before turning to offer his arm to Jane. "In fact, I shall have to make a point of thanking His Grace—that he has chosen you as his first partner is rather a statement, in more ways than one. Beyond it being an extraordinary honor to have his notice, his asking you to dance will make people wonder who you are, and it tells my mother that so far as he knows you, he approves of you. And if a duke does not object to you, surely she cannot."
"That is if he knows the whole of the story," Elizabeth pointed out as she fell into step beside her aunt and uncle.