Chapter Twelve

Elizabeth was very grateful for her new dress when they arrived at the ball and she saw all the ladies dressed in their gowns, showing off the latest fashions. She didn't normally spend much time thinking about her appearance, but she was glad to know that she wouldn't be letting her aunt and uncle down. Now she looked forward to having a dance. Her first would be with her uncle. Their cloaks and coats were taken by the footman and after greeting their hosts they made their way to the main ballroom, where the musicians were playing and one dance was already in progress. Elizabeth watched with interest. It was the quadrille, the dance she had pretended to confuse with a bird when Mr. Collins had been at Longbourn. She quickly dismissed the memory. Nothing was going to spoil her happiness.

Mr. Gardiner guided them towards some chairs as Mrs. Gardiner had declared she was too tired to dance and she would enjoy observing everyone.

"Shall we join in this dance, Lizzy?" asked her uncle.

"Are you certain you don't mind?" Elizabeth asked Mrs. Gardiner.

"Not at all, Lizzy. And it's not often I get the opportunity to see Mr. Gardiner dance."

Lizzy gratefully took her uncle's arm. As they took their places Elizabeth looked at the couple who joined the line to the left of them. She was startled by the dark-haired man, who was smiling at his partner. The man was familiar to her and she couldn't think why. She was certain she had never met him. She surreptitiously glanced at his partner, a young woman with equally dark hair that was pinned and held in place with delicate flowers. She was very pretty in her white and gold gown, but the effect was spoiled by a sullen expression on her face. Elizabeth noticed the man saying something to which she didn't respond. Elizabeth wondered why she was dancing when she was giving the impression she did not want to be there.

The music started once again and Elizabeth could ponder no more as they were soon weaving in and out of the other couples taking them further down the line away from the unhappy woman. Elizabeth enjoyed herself, though after nearly twenty minutes Mr. Gardiner was almost out of breath.

"Please, no more, Elizabeth," he said as he took her back to Mrs. Gardiner. "I think we should find you another partner for the next dance."

"Dear uncle, I will hope that someone may ask me, but if not I am quite content talking to my aunt."

"You're a good girl, Lizzy," said Mr. Gardiner, patting her arm. "I must admit I am a little out of practice. It is some time since I was at a ball."

"Well, I am grateful to have the first dance with you." Lizzy was very fond of her uncle. He really was the kindest of men.

"My dear, I think I saw Edgar Hardy leaving the room. He is an associate of Lord Roxborough and I have a business matter to discuss. Would you mind if I abandon you ladies for a moment and go and talk to him?"

"Not at all. Though you will not forget we are here, will you?"

"I would never do that," said Mr. Gardiner, kissing his wife's hand.

He smiled and bowed at Lizzy before turning away.

Elizabeth wasn't sure what happened but the next moment her uncle was apologising as he had knocked into someone coming in the opposite direction.

"Forgive me, sir," gasped Mr. Gardiner. "How careless of me. I was not watching where I was going. I hope you're not hurt."

Her uncle was talking very rapidly, trying to hide his embarrassment.

"Think no more of it, sir," said the man.

Elizabeth was shocked. The voice was instantly recognisable. She stood up and as her uncle moved aside, she found herself looking directly into the eyes of Mr. Darcy.

"Miss Bennet?" He sounded astonished.

Elizabeth dropped a curtsey. "Mr. Darcy."

Mr. Gardiner looked from one to the other and hastened to apologise again. "It was most careless of me."

Mr. Darcy appeared not to be listening. His eyes were fixed on Elizabeth and she felt a warm blush creep across her cheeks. Mr. Darcy was the last person she would have expected to meet. In their previous encounters he had made it clear that he did not enjoy socialising.

"Miss Bennet. This is a surprise."

"For me too, sir."

There was an awkward silence as the Gardiners looked at Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth continued to look at each other.

It was Mr. Darcy who suddenly seemed to remember where he was and he moved to reveal two people hovering behind him. Elizabeth recognised them immediately. They were the couple who had started off the dance beside them. The girl was still looking very surly and after an initial glance turned away. "Miss Bennet, please let me introduce you to my cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam. And this is my sister Miss Georgiana Darcy. Fitzwilliam, Georgiana—this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet."

"I'm delighted to meet you, Miss Bennet," said Colonel Fitzwilliam, smiling warmly at her.

"And I you, sir," said Elizabeth.

Georgiana nodded but failed to look in her direction.

Elizabeth quickly introduced her aunt and uncle who were watching the exchange with interest.

"Mr. Darcy, this is my uncle Mr. Gardiner and his wife."

"Uncle and Aunt, this is Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, Derbyshire."

"Delighted to meet you, sir. Derbyshire, you say. My wife comes from Derbyshire."

Elizabeth stood wishing her uncle would not be quite so effusive. It was not that she was ashamed of him, she could never be that, it was just that she knew Mr. Darcy to be a cold rather distant person. He would not be interested in anything her aunt had to say. She hoped Mr. Darcy and his party would move on.

"And where is that, madam?"

"Lambton, sir,"

"Indeed. Lambton is not five miles from Pemberley. I used to run there nearly every day as a child."

Mrs. Gardiner, who was very fond of Derbyshire, smiled warmly. "I believe it to be one of the nicest places in the country," she said loyally.

"I agree with you, madam. "

"Fitzwilliam." The young lady touched his arm and Elizabeth noticed how Mr. Darcy seemed to be embarrassed. Georgiana Darcy did not wish to become better acquainted with the Gardiners or herself.

Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet, I was wondering whether you would do me the pleasure of partnering me in the next dance."

Elizabeth was shocked. It was the last thing she expected. Her heart ran cold when she considered the last time she had been at a dance with Mr. Darcy. "Yes, sir."

Mr. Darcy nodded, and then led his little party away.

"What a delightful young man," said Mrs. Gardiner. "Lizzy, I don't remember you mentioning Mr. Darcy in any of your letters."

"There was nothing to mention. I have only met him twice. He is best friends with Mr. Bingley."

Mrs. Gardiner suddenly looked excited and Elizabeth was immediately alarmed. "Do not be deceived by appearances, dear aunt. Mr. Darcy has no great fondness for me or any of the other Bennets. He has wealth which we do not."

"Are you certain?" Her aunt looked a little disappointed. "He seems a perfectly amiable young man. And he has asked you to dance."

"And I do not know why," said Elizabeth quite truthfully.

It was not long before Mr. Darcy appeared to lead Elizabeth onto the dance floor. He nodded at both the Gardiners before offering Elizabeth his arm. He felt unaccountably nervous. It had been such a shock to see her again and his first thought had been to spend a few moments alone with her. A dance was the only way he could do it, but now she was with him, he had no idea what to say to her. His only thought was how beautiful she looked.

"You do know, Mr. Darcy, that you have no obligation to dance with me, don't you?" asked Elizabeth slyly as they took their places.

Mr. Darcy was puzzled. "Miss Bennet, pleased be assured obligation was not in my mind when I asked you to dance. "

"I am not sure whether you are being entirely frank with me, sir. I believe you once said at Meryton that there was not a single woman in the room who it would not be a punishment to stand up with."

Mr. Darcy inwardly cursed her good memory. He didn't know that she had overheard him. "I have no excuse for my ungallant behaviour," he said, looking desperately at the musicians who were tuning their instruments, wishing they would save him from his discomfort.

"And then I believe you went on to say that your friend was dancing with the only pretty woman in the room and I was tolerable."

Mr. Darcy did not know what to say. Not only had he been indiscreet, he had not been telling the truth. He had found Miss Bennet very attractive indeed but he had not wanted to admit so to his good friend Charles Bingley.

Mr. Darcy was relieved as the dancing commenced making conversation a little more difficult. He hoped that Elizabeth would speak of other matters, but she did not.

"Come, Mr. Darcy. Have you nothing to say?"

Mr. Darcy was inwardly squirming. It was not an experience he was accustomed to. "I believe I expressed myself rather badly," he said as they clasped hands and moved on to twirl with the couple nearest to them.

Elizabeth looked at him as they passed each other again. "But now I am deemed a suitable partner?"

Mr. Darcy was rather beginning to wish that he had not invited Miss Bennet to dance.

"If I upset you, Miss Bennet, then please accept my apologies."

He had a two minute respite as they danced with the couple next to them, but as they joined together and weaved in and out of the other dancers she continued the conversation.

"Is that really an apology, Mr. Darcy. I do remember once hearing you say that you never apologised."

Damn the woman. They had only met on four occasions and yet she seemed to remember every detail of their encounters. He had not expected it.

"I try never to put myself in a position where an apology has to be offered," he said, looking at Elizabeth.

Elizabeth gave a small smile and Mr. Darcy suddenly realised that she was goading him quite deliberately. Part of him was furious at being made to feel so ashamed, but part of him could not help feeling amused that she dared to do such a thing. He knew there were not many people in his life who were willing to challenge his opinions.

Few more words passed between them as they continued to dance. Darcy gave himself up to the pleasure of partnering one of the most beautiful people in the room, who had an elegance few could match.

They were nearing the end of the dance, when there was a slight disturbance near the end of the dance line. Darcy looked around. It was Georgiana. She had agreed to dance with Lord Roxborough's eldest son. The colonel was now beside her trying to calm her down, speaking quietly, but he could see that Georgiana was not to be appeased.

"This is your fault. I never wanted to come," she cried out and the next moment was running from the room.

Darcy stopped. "Miss Bennet. I am sorry. I must return you to your aunt and uncle. My sister is in distress."

"Of course, sir."

Mr. Darcy hurried her from the dance floor and returned her to the Gardiners. "Please forgive me for cutting our dance short." He gave a swift bow and disappeared before any of them could say anything.