Sorry about the last 'chapter', I could not resist to add a little silliness. I think I will move that snippet to 'Remember, you wanted this' where it is actually quite appropriate.

I hope you enjoy D&E getting to know each other.

I do appreciate all your comments. Thanks.

~MoL~

Dancing and Desire

As the gentlemen took seats on either side of the ladies, Mrs Bennet gave Darcy a searching look. 'Forgive me for saying so, but you appear to be in pain.'

Darcy gave her a startled look, but replied, 'It is but a headache. Please do not concern yourself.'

Mrs Bennet was unconvinced but nodded and turned her gaze on Collins. 'Now, cousin, what has kept you at Hunsford all this time?'

Colins could not help his own pained expression as he quietly said, 'I am afraid that Mrs Hayes passed away on Monday, after delivering her daughter on Saturday. I remained behind to support her husband while he dealt with the funeral and such.'

'I am dreadfully sorry to hear that,' Elizabeth said as she placed a comforting hand on his arm. 'Please convey my most heartfelt condolences to Mr Hayes.'

'I shall inform him when next I write,' Collins said before turning to Darcy. His expression lightened as he said, 'You will be pleased to know that Lady Catherine is in her element, providing advice and assistance to the curate.'

'How badly is she interfering?' Darcy asked before he realised what he had said, and his ears again started to glow.

Elizabeth nearly laughed out loud at this proof of the accuracy of Collins' description regarding Darcy… how he was prone to say the wrong thing. While society considered Darcy rude, Collins attributed his faux pas to a natural honesty. How had Collins put it? Darcy considered disguise of every sort to be his abhorrence.

Even though she managed to stifle her laughter, Elizabeth's amusement was still obvious when she declared, 'We have heard a great many stories about Lady Catherine's munificence. Chief amongst them about her generosity towards our cousin. Although I do believe that not everyone agrees with her.'

Darcy answered her smile with one of his own, only slightly tinged with chagrin. 'I know that my aunt means well…'

During this interchange, Mrs Bennet excused herself and shortly afterwards returned with a cup which she handed to Darcy. 'Willowbark tea for your headache,' she explained briefly.

When Darcy looked dubious, Collins laughed. 'Drink it. Mrs Bennet and Lady Catherine have something in common. They brook no opposition when they have someone's best interest at heart.'

'Thank you, madam,' Darcy said with a grimace and swallowed the bitter brew.

Mrs Bennet beamed as she retrieved the cup. 'Mark my words, you will feel better in no time,' and bustled off again.

~MoL~

Mrs Bennet had barely left, when the music stopped, and Henry Fitzwilliam returned.

'I see that you decided to stop being churlish, Darcy. Although I can understand why as you are in company of an exceptionally lovely lady. So, be a good chap and kindly introduce me to your companions.'

Once Darcy performed the office, Henry beamed at Elizabeth. 'Ah, the missing sister who enjoys conversations. Can I hope that your next set is still available?'

'You can indeed hope as much as you like,' teased Elizabeth. 'Alas I must dash your hopes. I have already promised this set to another.'

'Perhaps the set afterwards?'

'Very well, Mr Fitzwilliam, that set is yours.'

'Excellent. I shall look forward to it. But please excuse me, since you are not available to dance the next with me, I must hurry to secure a dance with another lady.' Henry smiled, bowed and sauntered towards the other side of the hall and a group of young women.

Darcy had watched the interchange between his cousin and Miss Elizabeth with a sense of irritation and envy. Why could he not have Henry's easy way with strangers, particularly young ladies? Miss Elizabeth appeared to be charmed by his cousin.

But Darcy was pleased that she said that she had promised the next set to someone else and had put Henry off. It would do his cousin good not to have all ladies fall at his feet... although Darcy refused to examine too closely the relief he felt at that rejection.

Once Henry was out of earshot, Elizabeth quietly asked Collins, 'I hope your promise for one set at this assembly is still valid?'

Collins raised a quizzical brow at her but agreed. 'Having spent the day sitting down, I could do with some exercise. I hoped that you had not forgotten your promise to dance with me,' he said as they excused themselves from Darcy and joined other couples lining up on the dancefloor.

Darcy watched them leave and hoped that the tea would take away his headache soon. Perhaps Miss Elizabeth had another set available later.

~MoL~

Elizabeth and Collins danced in silence for a few minutes, both enjoying the company of the other. Since Elizabeth's epiphany about her father, the two had formed a strong familial bond as she felt that Collins was the brother which she and all her sisters had hoped for.

Elizabeth was therefore not surprised when Collins asked, 'Why did I get the impression that you did not wish to dance with Mr Fitzwilliam?'

Not quite certain how to answer, she prevaricated. 'Surely you must be mistaken. You know full well that I love to dance.'

'Indeed, I do. But you do not usually clamour to dance with me.' Collins grinned at her slightly embarrassed expression.

'I do not know if I can explain it, but there is something about Mr Fitzwilliam which makes me feel uncomfortable.'

'Perhaps his manners are too polished?' offered William.

Elizabeth tilted her head as she thought about the suggestion. 'Perhaps that is it. His flattery is too polished to feel sincere.'

'I have to confess that Darcy has on occasion mentioned that he something of a ladies' man.'

'In other words, I should not trust him as far as I can throw him.'

'And since propriety forbids you even touching him…'

'Thank you for the warning. I shall ensure that my sisters are aware of this.'

They finished the set, chatting comfortably.

~MoL~

Elizabeth thoroughly enjoyed the dances with Henry.

Forewarned about his character, she accepted his pretty compliments and laughed at his jokes but did not allow any of it to affect her in the slightest.

She had to admit that he was a pretty dancer and could carry a conversation about nothing for half an hour complete. In other words, he was an ideal companion for a dance, but they exchanged not a single word of substance the whole time, leaving her feeling that his company was not desirable.

Henry on the other hand was confused.

He had noticed the lady with the sparkling eyes earlier, while he was dancing with Miss Bennet. Even though everyone claimed that the lady was the most beautiful women hereabouts, he had been bored by the beauty's calm demeanour. Henry therefore set his sights on the pretty brunette.

Earlier, when he badgered Darcy, he had ensured that the lady had heard his cousin's words. After all, that had been the point of his request to his cousin.

Darcy was unaware that on any number of occasions, Henry had used his cousin's unsociable attitude to show himself in a better light when he had apologised to a lady after Darcy had unwittingly insulted her.

The contrast of his own open admiration of the lady was then received with much greater enthusiasm than if he had approached her without the leading insult.

Unfortunately, it appeared that tonight Darcy had already apologised, therefore denying Henry the opportunity to do so on his behalf.

But despite that, Henry still expected that the contrast in his manners, compared to his cousin, should have been better received than the lukewarm response he experienced from Miss Elizabeth.

But instead of being put off by her attitude, it inflamed his own hunting instincts. He would win the loveliest lady in this community… and if all went well, sample her charms.

~MoL~

After the penultimate set, Elizabeth was standing with Charlotte, when they were approached by two men.

Collins was smiling at the ladies and announced, 'It appears Darcy's headache has gone.'

'I am happy for you,' said Elizabeth, startled at the non-sequitur.

'Not as happy as I am,' declared Darcy as he bowed to Elizabeth and requested, 'Would you do me the honour of standing up with me for the last set, if you have not yet promised it to another.'

'I would be delighted to dance with you, Mr Darcy,' Elizabeth replied with a smile and an inclination of her head.

While Darcy beamed at Elizabeth, Collins made the same request of Charlotte.

Unnoticed by them, Henry veered off, as he had been on his way to request a second set from the lovely Miss Elizabeth, to ensure she was certain of his interest. While he was not happy that Darcy was going to dance the last set with the lady, at least he knew that his cousin was no competition.

~MoL~

The dance started and suddenly Darcy found himself tongue-tied yet again, unknowingly supporting his cousin's confidence.

Internally cursing himself for his continued inability to converse easily with ladies, a glimpse of Collins further down the line gave him an idea.

Applying his friend's advice, he blurted out, 'On your estate, do you perchance use the four-course crop rotation system?'

The question startled Elizabeth and she answered, 'Yes, we do, but what makes you ask such a question during a dance?'

'I could not think of anything else to say,' Darcy admitted sheepishly.

Elizabeth was stunned that a man of Mr Darcy's consequence would admit to such a failing. 'If you had trouble thinking of a topic of polite conversation, why would you settle on such an unusual subject?'

'I confess it was your cousin who suggested that if I could not think of anything else, I should raise a subject with which I am comfortable.'

'Cousin William suggested that you should discuss crop rotation with me?'

'Not with you specifically, as he made that suggestion several years ago. He knows that I always struggle to converse with ladies, as I know nothing about fashion and similar topics.'

The absurdity of his confession caused Elizabeth to laugh merrily. 'In that case, Mr Darcy, I shall be delighted to discuss crop rotation with you.'

It was Darcy's turn to be surprised by her easy acceptance of such an unconventional topic. 'I do not mean to be rude, but do you actually know anything about the subject?'

Before Elizabeth could bristle at the question, she was reminded of a comment by Collins that Darcy was honest… to a fault. She assumed that as a result he also suffered from a lack of tact. Therefore, she answered civilly, 'I know enough to know that we use a variation of the usual system. Instead of clover, we plant beans.'

'Why would you do that?'

'Because we have very little livestock. It would therefore be a waste to plant two fields of animal feed. At least with beans we have a crop which keeps well and comes in very useful in winter, feeding the tenants. Yet it is equally as good in preparing the soil for wheat.'

Darcy listened in astonishment that this lovely lady could speak so knowledgeably about farming techniques until he suddenly remembered a conversation with Collins two years earlier. 'You are the young lady who administered the estate for five years before Collins took over, are you not?' he exclaimed.

'I am indeed. Does that surprise you?' The question was accompanied by an impish smile which also held a hint of challenge.

'It did when your cousin mentioned it. Now that I have met you, I have no trouble with that concept.'

Just as Collins had predicted, now that they had broken the conversational ice, Darcy found it easy to converse with Elizabeth about a range of topics.

By the time the set finished, Darcy had much to consider.

~MoL~

While the gentlemen of the Netherfield party had a pleasant evening, the ladies were less pleasurably engaged.

Mrs Hurst was resigned to the abandonment by her husband in favour of food, drink and the company of gentlemen in the cardroom, although not necessarily in that order of preference.

Miss Caroline Bingley decided immediately upon entering the assembly hall that none here were worth the effort of her attention. To that end she had eschewed introductions after Sir William Lucas had presented his family.

To that end, she and her sister collected a glass of wine each from the refreshment table and settled nearby at a small table with two chairs to watch the dancing.

As they watched Henry dancing with Jane Bennet, Miss Bingley addressed her sister, 'What do you bet that Charles will fall in love with Mr Fitzwilliam's current partner?'

Mrs Hurst observed the couple for only a moment before she declared, 'Not a farthing. She is exactly the type of angel he favours… until he meets the next one.'

'That is exactly what I am afraid of. I just hope he does not go too far again. While it is bad enough cleaning up his messes in town, I understand that country people take things more seriously.'

'Indeed. And it will not improve your own chances at an advantageous match if Charles is forced to marry a country nobody,' agreed Mrs Hurst. 'But speaking of advantageous marriages, what do you think of Mr Darcy?'

'He is everything a gentleman should be… wealthy, well-connected, unencumbered by parents and even young and handsome.'

'Aside from the obvious attractions, what do you think of him and your chances?'

'I am uncertain. I have only met him a few times and he has proven quite elusive on each occasion. It is fortunate that he has agreed to teach Charles and will reside with us for several weeks. Perhaps if he gets to know me, he will decide that I would be the perfect mistress for his homes, especially if I can master the duties of the mistress of an estate while we are here. In theory, it would be no hardship at all to marry such a man.'

'What about Mr Fitzwilliam?'

'I like him quite well, but he is still too young to settle down and he has no way to support a wife in the manner which I would like.'

'Charles was saying that his parents are granting him a couple of years of freedom, since a grand tour is out of the question at present, due to the war. But next year they expect him to apply himself to studying law. If he becomes a barrister, he would be quite the catch.'

'It is certainly something to consider if I do not manage to attract Mr Darcy. But in the meantime, we have to ensure that Charles survives unscathed.'

The ladies continued their conversation in a desultory manner until the gentlemen were ready to leave.

~MoL~

~MoL~

Master of Longbourn (working title) by Sydney Salier, Copyright © 2023