Chapter 25: January 1816
The room was packed. Lizzy began to feel faint as she followed Jane through the crowded space. Behind her were Georgiana and Kitty, both gazing about rather timidly.
"Ah, Mrs. Darcy," said a familiar, supercilious voice.
"Miss Bingley. How nice to see you again," Lizzy returned as cheerfully as she could, given that she felt quite dizzy. Caroline looked just as she had nearly three years before. Her face had lost none of its irregular beauty, and at the same time none of its sourness.
"Are Mr. Darcy and Georgiana here?"
"Georgiana is here. Mr. Darcy will be joining us in a half hour or so. He had a business appointment and shall come straight here afterwards."
"Ah, dear Georgiana!" cried Miss Bingley in affected tones, spying the golden-haired girl behind Elizabeth. "How perfectly ravishing to see you again!"
What can she hope to gain by Georgiana's friendship now that Fitzwilliam and Charles are both married?thought Lizzy in disgust as she made her way to a chair against the wall and sat down. I suppose being intimate with Miss Darcy puts you in a good social light, but you would think she would fear the competition rather than need the help.
"And Miss Kitty Bennet," continued Caroline sneeringly. "How lovely that you can be here for the season. I don't suppose you have much hope of catching a husband right away, with your little fortune you know, although the Miss Bennets do seem to excel at that sport."
Kitty opened her mouth in angry astonishment, when a cough at her elbow made her turn and see Richard standing beside her.
"I have claimed my cousin for the first dance. Would you dance the second with me Miss Kitty?"
She gave him a bright smile and, remembering herself in time, resisted throwing a triumphant glance at Caroline. "I would be delighted Colonel Fitzwilliam."
He bowed to her and then to Caroline and walked away.
Caroline stared after him before walking away towards Georgiana, who was standing shyly against the wall. "Dear Georgiana. I so long for some pleasant female society. Men are such bores in general. And the others are so very forward. You must be very careful dear."
Georgiana shrank back still farther against the wall and looked about nervously.
Lizzy saw her and, all sickness leaving her in her desire to assist her dear little sister, walked quickly over to the two ladies.
"Excuse us, Miss Bingley. I see that the first dance will soon be starting, and Colonel Fitzwilliam is waiting. Georgiana really must go at once."
"Oh yes, of course," said Caroline, looking around desperately for a partner to nab, no one having yet asked her for the first dance. "Don't let me keep you dear."
Georgiana hurried eagerly after Elizabeth, grateful to her sister for having extracted her from a conversation she knew not how to end.
"Whatever she said to you, pay it no mind. Just enjoy yourself for this dance and after it is over your brother should be here, and woe betide the man or woman who upsets you then."
Georgiana smiled relievedly, and Elizabeth left her with Richard who bowed dramatically and led her away, already laughing.
Jane and Elizabeth would not dance the first, and Charles offered himself to Kitty, who accepted with a smile.
Richard gave her a secret mock frown as she joined the others in the line and she had to stifle a giggle.
As the dance ended, Elizabeth saw her husband's tall form coming towards her through the crowd. He was forced to stop and shake hands with various gentlemen and Elizabeth watched with amusement as several ladies sent admiring glances after him. He reached her at last and lifted both her hands and kissed them. The ladies looked disappointed and Lizzy almost laughed. She realized that this was her first time in London since her marriage and many people had not known her connections.
Now, a great many ladies and several gentlemen came up and asked to be introduced. Darcy did the honors with a slightly darkened countenance, as if daring any of the ladies to criticize or any of the gentlemen to admire Lizzy behind her back.
When they had a moment's peace Lizzy whispered, "I had no idea you knew so many of the members of the ton."
"I must confess that I was often just guessing. I don't remember half of them," he replied in the same quiet voice.
She laughed. "You must have had time to observe them all at previous gatherings since I can't imagine you danced much."
"You know I don't hate dancing, just being sought after by every partner. Now that there is less danger of that I may dance as much as four dances."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes at him and he grinned.
"Will you take the second with me? This is the second is it not?" he asked.
"I think I will," she said, smiling.
"Mr. Darcy!"
Lizzy stiffened. Why couldn't she leave well enough alone?
Darcy turned around. "Miss Bingley," He bowed to her but did not offer his hand.
"I declare it has been far too long," she said with what was meant to be an engaging smile. "And us such old acquaintances too."
"Indeed, I am sure you must have had plenty of diversion to make up for our loss," he said, a little coldly.
"Yes, but London is so dull and hot in the summer. I quite long to see Derbyshire again."
Lizzy was still angry with her for whatever she had said to make Georgiana look so frightened and she would make no reply although Darcy looked at her for help.
"Will you not be coming up with Mr. and Mrs. Bingley next summer?" he asked hesitantly.
"Oh, I suppose so. But I quite long to see Pemberley again."
Lizzy couldn't believe the lady's nerve.
"I am sure a visit will be arranged during your stay," Darcy said. "Now if you will excuse us, the next dance is beginning."
He led Elizabeth away. She, in her turn, steadfastly refused to look at Caroline.
"You handled that very nicely," Elizabeth told her husband as they began the stately dance.
"I only hope I did not just condemn Bingley and Jane to a summer with her."
There was a pause as the dance separated them. When she drew near him again Lizzy said, "She would never really come. You know how she hates the country."
"She has certainly said so often enough," he said, a little absentmindedly.
Darcy was not thinking of Caroline Bingley, except perhaps as part of a scene which he remembered so clearly that, as he looked around the ballroom became Netherfield park, and the dance, his first dance with Elizabeth.
"What are you thinking of?" she asked, observing his thoughtful look.
"Of how your eyes sparkle in the light from the chandeliers."
"But you were not looking at me a moment ago."
"I was, but I was looking at Elizabeth Bennet before she agreed to marry me, not Elizabeth Darcy."
His hand grasped hers and she smiled up at him. "I much prefer Elizabeth Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet."
"I much prefer you being Elizabeth Darcy."
Down the row of dancers, Kitty and Richard were dancing together.
"I hope you will not mind if I only claim you for two dances. I am afraid my leg is still not up to dancing the whole evening."
"Do you need to sit down?" Kitty asked concernedly.
"I would not miss this for the world."
She smiled. "Well, it would hardly be proper to dance more than two dances with you anyway."
"Speaking of propriety, I received a reply this morning to the letter I sent your father. He has given his permission to my request, and places you completely under Darcy's supervision."
Kitty smiled a little shyly. "That is wonderful news Sir."
"Richard, please."
"Richard," with another smile.
"Georgiana seems to be quite popular," commented Jane as she took the seat next to Elizabeth. The evening was drawing to a close and Georgiana had danced every dance. One of the dances succeeding her first with Richard had been with Fitzwilliam, and one with Charles, but the rest had all been with new acquaintances.
"I am very proud of her. I only hope they appreciate her for her lovely personality and not just her fortune," replied Lizzy, looking at the girl a little anxiously.
Georgina's latest partner handed her back to her group.
"Are you not tired Georgiana?" asked Darcy.
"Only a little. There are only two more dances," she said, the flush on her cheeks indicating her excitement.
Her next partner, a studious looking, middle son of an earl came up and offered her his arm.
Darcy swept him with a coldly evaluating look and the youth stepped back a pace as the icy stare chilled him to the bone. But Georgiana's light touch on his arm seemed to warm him a little. He stood a little straighter, and Darcy let her go with a faint nod.
"Really Darcy," said Charles. "She'll never get a husband if you look like you are going to challenge every one of them to a duel if they so much as speak to her."
"She doesn't need a husband yet, or ever for that matter."
Lizzy laid a hand on his arm. "I think she will know when the time is right. She has behaved with perfect propriety tonight. She knows your boundaries and will abide by them. You needn't scowl so."
"She knows I only do it because I love her Lizzy."
"Yes, but she may resent your interference someday."
He frowned and said slowly. "Lizzy, think of all the fortune hunters out there."
"And think of the few good men who will love her for who she is and who your scowl has frightened away."
"If they are so easily frightened they are not worth the trouble."
Lizzy smiled, remembering her father's words of a similar nature and let it be.
Richard watched Kitty as she danced a lively scotch reel with a young naval officer. He felt a jealous twinge as she laughed at one of the man's speeches.
For the first time he realized clearly how Kitty must have felt, thinking he loved another, and promised himself that she need never have a moment's doubt on the matter every again. But he would not prevent her from seeing other people this season, and if she chose someone else… she would be happy and what matter if he was miserable?
The dance ended, and Kitty curtsied and left her partner without a backward look. She caught Richard's eye and gave him a bright smile. He loved her smile, and he felt that he could easily endure any pain as long as it need never fade away.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Don't let Monday get you down. ;)