"People are opportunities. The gift is in the interaction and the connection with another person, whether it lasts forever or not." ― Colleen Seifert
Chapter 31
The evening of the harvest ball had finally arrived. Elizabeth was eager to don the beautiful wine colored gown that Jane had gifted to her while they were still in London. Georgiana was keeping her company while Georgiana's own maid worked tirelessly to create an intricate arrangement of Elizabeth's hair.
"It will be so dull at home this evening with you all away." Georgiana sulked as she looked over the fashion papers she had strewn across Elizabeth's bed.
Elizabeth could only see her friend's reflection in the mirror at the dressing table where she was sat under the maid's command. A large smile covered her face as she was reminded how young Georgiana was regardless of her excellent manners.
"I must thank you, Georgiana. I was beginning to be melancholy for my younger sisters and their petulant ways but you graciously obliged with that comment." Elizabeth laughed.
Georgiana looked up quickly at the reprimand and caught Elizabeth's eye but then the friends both laughed.
"Yes, well, I am pleased that I could be of assistance." Georgiana said sarcastically.
At that moment, the maid proclaimed her masterpiece to be complete and Elizabeth and Georgiana congratulated her on the result. The maid then assisted Elizabeth with her gown.
"Oh, Elizabeth! How beautiful you look!" Georgiana exclaimed.
"Thank you, Georgiana. Perhaps people will believe that I am truly related to Jane tonight due to Greta's valiant efforts." Elizabeth said.
Georgiana just shook her head at her friend's attempt to deflect her compliment but then her eyes landed on something.
"Oh, Greta, wouldn't a few of these flowers be beautiful in Miss Bennet's hair?"
"Yes, Miss Darcy, I agree. Miss Bennet?" The maid questioned while gesturing to the bouquet beside the bed.
Elizabeth's cheeks became pink and she just nodded her head in assent.
Once the maid finished adding the flowers, Georgiana proclaimed Elizabeth complete. The two walked together to the front hall where the rest of the party was already assembled. When Elizabeth realized this, she apologized.
"I am so sorry to have kept you waiting!"
"Why, Lizzy, you look lovely. Charles and I only just arrived so do not worry yourself." Jane responded.
"Of course, I am perfectly accustomed to waiting on the ladies of my family, Lizzy. Caroline was the finest teacher of patience for me in that regard." Charles laughed and the rest joined him.
Mr. Darcy stepped forward and bowed over Elizabeth's hand. As he straightened, he said quietly, "If this is the result of waiting a few extra moments, then happily will I sacrifice. I must say, you look stunning this evening, Miss Bennet." Elizabeth only nodded her head.
Darcy turned to wish Georgiana a good evening. Georgie hugged her brother and wished him luck. When he looked at her, she just winked and said goodnight to their guests.
The carriage ride to the ball was pleasant and filled with a feeling of anticipation. They soon arrived at their destination. Once again, Elizabeth felt the full force of scrutiny surrounding her as Mr. Darcy led her into the ballroom. He performed the introductions when his guests met their hosts for the evening and then led them to meet more of his acquaintances from neighboring estates.
Elizabeth and Jane were chatting while Mr. Darcy and Charles were absorbed in a conversation with a few other gentlemen, when Elizabeth heard her name spoken in a very familiar voice. She turned quickly and could not contain her enthusiasm.
"Amelia!" Elizabeth gasped as she moved to embrace her friend. Amelia laughed lightly as she hugged her back.
"Oh, it is so wonderful to see you at last, Elizabeth!" Amelia said as she held Elizabeth's hands in her own. Elizabeth could see the toll that the past months had taken on her lively friend. She gave her hands a little squeeze.
"Why did you not tell me that you would be in the area? You were aware that I would be visiting Georgiana from my letters?" Elizabeth questioned.
"It would not be much of a surprise if I had told you of it, now would it?" Amelia teased.
Elizabeth could not resist hugging her friend once again. The ladies turned as a throat cleared from behind Amelia.
"Oh! Forgive me, Elizabeth, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Thomas Bertram of Mansfield Park. Mr. Bertram, this is my dear friend Miss Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire."
The handsome gentleman bowed over Elizabeth's hand. Elizabeth could not help throwing Amelia a sly look and was humored when her friend blushed in response.
"It is a pleasure, Miss Bennet. Miss Waldegrave has spoken of you often." Mr. Bertram said.
Before Elizabeth could respond, another joined their party and addressed her.
"Fear not, Miss Bennet. I tempered my sister's tales with my own glowing opinion. Your reputation is safe."
Elizabeth turned and her smile grew.
"I thank you heartily for that, my lord." Elizabeth responded as she curtsied. The Earl Waldegrave bowed over Elizabeth's hand. As Jane greeted Amelia, the Earl stepped closer to Elizabeth.
"I was hoping to obtain your hand for the first dance, Miss Bennet, if you are not already engaged?" He asked.
"Oh, I am sorry sir but my first two sets are filled." She responded.
The Earl's smile grew.
"It seems that we have had this conversation in the past, Miss Bennet." He teased while Elizabeth laughed lightly.
"So, in keeping with tradition, might I secure your hand for the supper set?"
"It would be my pleasure, my lord." Elizabeth answered.
"I hope so, Miss Bennet." Earl Waldegrave responded before looking over her shoulder.
"Ah, so I see that the evening is, indeed, a repetition of London. Good evening, Darcy!"
Elizabeth turned and found that Mr. Darcy was coming to her side. His face was serious as he addressed Earl Waldegrave.
"Good evening, my lord."
"Although it has been months, I am still not accustomed to being addressed as such." He replied sadly.
Mr. Darcy's face softened.
"Before you open the ball with the beauty at your side, I wanted you to know that I greatly appreciated your letter, Darcy. It was the darkest time I have gone through in my life and your words of hope and encouragement…well, I cannot thank you enough." The Earl said sincerely.
Darcy nodded and then offered his arm to Elizabeth.
As in the past, Elizabeth felt an object of interest standing opposite of Mr. Darcy. Mr. Darcy noticed her preoccupation and questioned her when the dancing allowed.
"I find that many eyes are turned in my direction, sir. I fear that I am not a favorite of the matrons of Derbyshire, sir." She responded quietly.
Mr. Darcy smiled but did not respond while they were dancing. When the set ended, he stopped shortly before he reached their party.
"Miss Bennet, if you felt all eyes upon you during our dance, then it was only because I was dancing with the most beautiful woman in the room. And, as for the Derbyshire mamas, I hope that you care not for who they favor; however, know that you are MY favorite." He bowed and then moved to retrieve some refreshments for them.
Elizabeth stood stunned for a moment longer before Amelia took her hand.
"Oh, Elizabeth, I am so glad that we made the journey to Derbyshire. It was so good of my brother to suggest it."
This caught Elizabeth's attention.
"It was the Earl's suggestion?" Elizabeth asked.
"Why, yes, he felt that it would do us both good to leave town and see friends again." Amelia said carefully.
"He is a kind brother to you, Amelia." Elizabeth said.
Amelia only smirked but then changed the subject.
"Elizabeth, I hope that you will be free to receive me tomorrow. I cannot wait to surprise Georgiana and I have so much to discuss with you both!"
Elizabeth lowered her voice and looked in the direction of Mr. Bertram.
"Yes, you certainly do have much to tell us, Amelia!"
The friends laughed and then joined Jane and Bingley. Mr. Darcy returned and offered Elizabeth a glass of punch but then moved off so that she might continue speaking with her sister and friend. The dancing continued and soon the supper set arrived. The Earl led Elizabeth to the dance floor.
The pair spoke lightly of the ball as they danced.
"It was so good of you to bring your sister to Derbyshire, my lord." Elizabeth said.
"Yes, well, I am glad to bring any happiness back into her life that is within my power to do so. It was worth the trip to see the smile on her face when you saw each other again." He said as they both looked towards Amelia fondly. She was dancing with Mr. Bertram down the line and laughing at something he said.
"It appears I am not the only one who makes her smile." Elizabeth teased.
He only smiled in response and they continued to dance. When the dance was done, the Earl escorted Elizabeth into the dining hall. Amelia and Mr. Bertram as well as Jane and Charles joined them at their table. Elizabeth glanced around and caught Jane's eye. Her sister knew right away her concern.
"Charles, where has Mr. Darcy gone?" Jane asked lightly.
"Oh, Darcy went to speak to a friend of his mother's. I believe he is sitting at her table down the line. Elizabeth glanced quickly in the direction Charles indicated and did see Mr. Darcy sitting with a kind looking elderly woman. She smiled before her attention was drawn back to Amelia as she told of their journey into Derbyshire.
Throughout the meal, Elizabeth noticed how solicitous Mr. Bertram was towards Amelia. She could not account for this sudden change of character given what Amelia's opinion had been of the gentlemen last season. She hoped for her friend's sake that his regard was sincere.
When dinner was finished, the guests returned to the ballroom so that the dancing could recommence. Mr. Darcy made his way to Elizabeth's side just as the Earl and Amelia began taking their leave.
"I am sorry to leave your company so soon, Miss Bennet; however, Amelia and I are still quite fatigued from our journey here and thought it best to cut the evening short." The Earl said.
"I perfectly understand, my lord. Thank you again for the dance and conversation at dinner." Elizabeth said kindly.
"I believe my sister has designs to visit with you again tomorrow. I hope that the addition of my company will not be unwelcome?" The Earl asked quietly.
"Of course not, my lord. A visit from friends is never unwelcome." Elizabeth responded.
The Early bowed over her hand and the said, "Until tomorrow then, Miss Bennet."
Amelia hugged Elizabeth goodbye with promises to see each other again the next day. The Earl, Amelia and Mr. Bertram wished the entire party from Pemberley a good evening and then departed from the ball. No sooner had they left, then Mr. Darcy petitioned Elizabeth for her hand for the last dance of the evening. Elizabeth agreed readily feeling Jane looking at her.
During the last dance, Elizabeth and Darcy were both quieter than at the beginning of the ball. Although they spoke little, Elizabeth felt aware of each time they touched throughout the dance. Every time she looked at Mr. Darcy, he was looking back at her already. The dance ended and Mr. Darcy offered her his arm and did not relinquish it until they donned their coats and wraps. Elizabeth was thoughtful during the carriage ride back to Pemberley as the conversation continued between Jane and Charles and occasionally Mr. Darcy.
"Are you well, Lizzy? You are very quiet after such an evening." Jane questioned.
"Oh yes, I am quite well, Jane. Perhaps a bit tired." Elizabeth answered.
When they arrived at Pemberley, the party agreed that they would forgo any further refreshments and retire to their bedchambers. Charles and Jane wished them a goodnight before turning towards the guest wing.
"Before we retire, I must ask if your curiosity was satisfied this evening, Miss Bennet?" Mr. Darcy asked.
Elizabeth looked at him confused until he clarified, "Do all men prefer staring out windows to dancing at a ball?"
Elizabeth laughed at his teasing and then saw that he was waiting for her response.
"Well, Mr. Darcy, I am afraid that I cannot speak with any certainty on the subject. Although there were many gentlemen dancing this evening, it can be assumed that many were from areas outside of Derbyshire." She said with mock seriousness.
"Tis true." He said.
"Yet, I can only attest that one gentleman from Derbyshire was so very gracious as to dance with me twice this evening and I cannot recall seeing him staring out the window even once!"
They both laughed and Elizabeth asked, "Is that answer satisfactory, Mr. Darcy?"
"Quite so, Miss Bennet, for it tells me that you noticed this gentleman from Derbyshire. Good evening, Miss Bennet."
Elizabeth, once again stunned by his candidness, only barely curtsied before hurrying away towards the guest wing.
A/N: Two more chapters left for this tale. Thanks in advance for your reviews!