Chapter 14 - The Long Awaited Ball
Mrs Bennet was waiting for Elizabeth when she entered the house. Her mother had been at the window. "Was that Mr Darcy I saw you with just then?"
"Yes mama. I happened to see him while I was out. He was kind enough to walk me home."
"That was kind of him." Mrs Bennet said, then her expression changed slightly. "Lizzy, you must remember that you are an engaged woman. And you cannot be carrying on with another young man."
"He walked me home mama, nothing more. Believe me I have not forgotten that I am engaged to Mr Collins."
"Well mind that you don't forget it. You have a good thing going for you with him. The last thing we need right now is you upsetting Mr Collins or Mr Bingley. Mr Bingley is likely going to be asking for your sister's hand any day now. No, you stay away from Mr Darcy. I knew that man was trouble from the moment I first laid eyes on him."
"Mama, he was only being a gentleman. And I am not going to be upsetting Mr Bingley or Mr Collins." She said before she headed upstairs.
"We have come too far to lose everything now!" Mrs Bennet called after her.
Jane was waiting for her when she arrived back in their room, but she thankfully had not heard their mother. Elizabeth lost no time in sharing what Mr Darcy had told her, and Jane was more than a little surprised.
"I can hardly believe it. Surely there must be some mistake?"
"I am beginning to believe that there is only enough goodness between the two of them to make one good sort of man. And for my part I believe it is all Mr Darcy's."
Elizabeth did not tell her sister the rest of Mr Darcy's behaviour, other than that he had asked her to dance at the ball. Jane was pleased. There was something that was beginning to disturb her. She knew it was something very obvious that she should have noticed but she did not know what it was.
ooOoo
Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst returned their call on Saturday morning, however they called without their brother or the Darcys as they were engaged with the Fitzwilliams for the day.
"When will you be returning to Hertfordshire?" Miss Bingley asked them as Jane handed her her tea.
"The day after the ball." Jane replied, "I thought I understood from Mr Bingley that he would be returning soon as well to Netherfield. Will you be joining him?"
"In the spring, Louisa and I are enjoying the season in town too much." Miss Bingley said. "But we will miss you Jane. When you return home. I am not sure how much longer my brother plans on keeping the house."
"Miss Eliza, have you settled on a date yet for your wedding?" Mrs Hurst asked her sweetly.
"That is to be settled on our return to Hertfordshire. Mr Collins will be joining us in a month or two." Elizabeth replied.
"We hope that it will be soon though." Mrs Bennet said, "Mr Collins is such a fine young man."
"Indeed!" declared Miss Bingley, "and such a fine match for Miss Eliza. You must marry soon."
"Yes!" Chimed in Mrs Hurst. "There is nothing so terrible as a long engagement."
ooOoo
The next few days passed slowly, as they were all looking forward to the ball. Although their time was busy, there were any number of things Mrs Bennet simply had to do and shops to visit while they were in town. Mrs Bennet had been able to speak of little else other than the Middletons's ball. The weather continued to be cold, however it had not snowed again, but they could taste it in the air.
By Wednesday afternoon their things were packed and ready, they would be leaving for home first thing the next morning. One more night of pleasure, then they would be returning to Hertfordshire and to the real world, where Mr Bennet was slowly losing the battle for his life and where a lifetime with Mr Collins awaited Elizabeth. She saw the irony, the very event which would take away the most loved man in her world, her father, would also unite her forever with one she could not stand. But she had chosen this life. With her eyes wide open.
Elizabeth looked at herself in the mirror before they left and was a little surprised, for she had not truly looked at herself in a few weeks. Before they had left for London her eyes had been bright and slightly red from crying. But now there was a new energy, a passion for life in them again. Although it was more guarded, less trusting, fearful for the worst.
She was pleased with her appearance. She was wearing her newest gown, it was Persian green and had been Jane's suggestion. Jane had said that it would suit her dark hair and eyes very well. Jane was likewise in a new dress, her dress was white. There had been a lot of time spent on her gown, Mrs Bennet had been most particular about it. Jane had been more worried about Elizabeth than her own. At least they were both ready.
"My dears, you both look wonderful." Their aunt had greeted them when she saw them. "I'm sure Mr Bingley will love it." She said to Elizabeth when Jane was out of earshot. Elizabeth just smiled. Mr Gardiner was waiting for them at the door and also paid his compliments to them.
ooOoo
Georgiana was sitting in the drawing room waiting for her brother to come downstairs. The room was dark but for the flames in the fireplace. They were going this evening to the Middletons' ball. She was still worried about him. He was clearly in a lot of pain, but was not speaking to her about it. She knew she should be braver and ask him what was troubling him but she found that she could not do it.
He had come back from their walk in the park even more thoughtful and silent than he had been before. He had seemed very pleased with himself after the dinner at her uncle's, she had seen him speaking to Miss Elizabeth Bennet while she was getting tea.
Strangest of all, he had gone out one afternoon. He did not tell her where he was going, which was most unlike him. He had stayed until the evening, when he did return to the house, he was in a good mood, however he was almost frozen. But he was smiling.
She had dressed very carefully for the ball, but that had not been her only preparation. She had spent some time that afternoon going through her letters from her cousin Anne looking for any reference to Mr Collins, the man to whom Elizabeth Bennet was engaged. She knew it was none of her business but she had a funny feeling about him.
Her feelings were confirmed when she saw what Anne had written about him. Anne was sweet natured and rarely wrote an ill word of anyone, not that she met many people, as her life was even more solitary than Georgiana's. She had used words such as, "slightly ridiculous", "pompous" and in a much later letter she had mentioned how much he liked to repeat what Lady Catherine had told him. She did not know Miss Elizabeth Bennet well, nor was she a matchmaker, but she felt sure from her little experience of the world and from what her brother and Mr Bingley had said, that Miss Elizabeth Bennet would not be at all suited to Mr Collins and that any union between them would be a most unfortunate connection.
"Georgiana, are you ready?" He said from the door, making her start. She had not heard him enter the room.
"Yes, I am ready."
"Come into the light, I'd like to see how well you look?"
She stood quickly. She was excited, as she had not been to many balls yet. "Will I do?" She said, turning around so he could see her dress properly.
"You look very well indeed." He smiled at her. "Yes, I think you will do. Is Mrs Annesley not joining us tonight?"
"No, she said that as you were attending she would not be needed."
"Very well then, but you need not dance unless you want to." He warned her. "Richard will ask you, I know."
"Don't worry about me Fitzwilliam. I am looking forward to it. And I will have the Miss Bennets to talk to."
"You will indeed, if you can drag Miss Bennet away from Mr Bingley. Come let us go. The carriage is here." He said, leading her to the door.
"Are the rest of our cousins going?"
"The Colonel will be, as well as his sisters. I am not sure about Lord or Lady Milton. But I doubt that the Earl and Countess will be there."
ooOoo
Caroline Bingley was in a very good mood, a ball always put her in a good mood. She was hopeful of dancing with Mr Darcy at least once and the Bennets were returning to Hertfordshire in the morning. She could not prevent her brother from following Jane Bennet back to Hertfordshire but at least she didn't need to worry about Eliza Bennet stealing Mr Darcy from her any longer. She had had a long conversation with Mrs Bennet about her second eldest daughter's upcoming wedding to Mr Collins and it was quite a settled thing.
Charles was also in a good mood, which she put down to the prospect of seeing Miss Bennet soon. And as she reflected, it would not be the worst thing in the world if Charles married her. She was very sweet and pretty. He could marry a much worse girl.
She had spent a great deal of time and effect on her appearance that night and was very pleased with the results, her gown was the latest fashion and suited her figure well. She had even put on some of the French perfume her brother had been so good as to get for her. She was in a very good mood as she took her place in Mr Hurst's carriage.
ooOoo
As their carriage rumbled to a stop, Elizabeth leaned forward, eager for her first glimpse of the Middleton residence. The house loomed before them, a grand Georgian mansion that seemed to glow in the fading winter light. Elizabeth caught the faint strains of music drifting from an open upstairs window.
With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, Elizabeth and Jane alighted from the carriage. The cold winter air nipped at their cheeks as they made their way to the entrance, their elegant gowns rustling with each step.
Elizabeth entered the Middleton house with Jane at her side. Both sisters were very nervous, they had never been to a ball in town before. They were happy to be inside again, the evening was turning very cold and there was a light snow falling from the sky, but nothing to be worried of just yet.
As they entered the grand foyer, Elizabeth's eyes widened, taking in the splendour around them. The house was alive with the bustle of arriving guests and the soft glow of countless candles.
Mr and Mrs Middleton greeted them, both very pleased to see them. There were a great many people, more than Elizabeth would have thought and all of them very finely dressed. Music was drifting through the open doors which lead to the ballroom. People were beginning to walk into the ballroom in groups.
As Elizabeth and Jane hesitated, unsure of where to go next, a familiar face approached them.
Lady Rowena greeted them warmly, enquiring briefly about their journey. Elizabeth responded politely, her eyes scanning the room for familiar faces.
Colonel Fitzwilliam joined them, his easy manner a stark contrast to Mr Darcy's reserve. "Miss Elizabeth," he said warmly. "I understand you'll be leaving us soon?"
"Yes, we return to Hertfordshire tomorrow," Elizabeth replied.
"Then we must make the most of this evening," he said with a smile. "I hope you'll save a dance for me later?"
They were joined then by Lady Henrietta, who ignored both Elizabeth and Jane. "Rowena there you are, I have been looking for you. Did you see that the Granges are here?"
"Yes Henrietta, I did."
"Miss Bennet I believe I see Miss Darcy over there." Colonel Fitzwilliam pointed to where Miss Darcy stood and behind her stood her brother. "I know she would be more eager to speak to you."
Her gaze soon fell upon two figures she recognized immediately, causing her heart to quicken its pace. Elizabeth was pleased by the attention from the Colonel and Lady Rowena. She thanked him, before leading Jane over. Jane was still looking around for Mr Bingley. Miss Darcy smiled when she saw them and greeted them very kindly. Mr Darcy bowed to them, but allowed his sister to do the talking. Before Elizabeth could engage them in conversation, another voice joined their small group.
"What an agreeable evening this is for a ball. Just cool enough that we shall be dancing all night." Mr Bingley grinned broadly.
Elizabeth watched as Jane's eyes lit up at Mr Bingley's approach. Her sister's usual serenity was tinged with a subtle urgency, her smiles more deliberate. It was as if Jane had awakened to the precariousness of their situation and was resolved to secure not just her own future, but Elizabeth's as well.
They entered the ballroom, Jane on Mr Bingley's arm, Elizabeth and Miss Darcy on Mr Darcy's.
As Elizabeth observed Jane and Mr Bingley, she noted a marked change from their interactions at Netherfield. Gone was Jane's careful reserve; now, her sister seemed to lean into every word Mr Bingley uttered, her usual composure replaced by an almost palpable eagerness. Elizabeth watched with pleasure as her sister spoke to Mr Bingley, her mother was right. All he was waiting for was a chance to speak to her alone. If he did not get the chance tonight, then she was sure he would when they had all returned to Hertfordshire.
The music began, Mr and Mrs Middleton took to the floor to open the ball, waiting for the other couples to join them. Mr Bingley led Jane out onto the floor as Mr Darcy led Elizabeth, leaving Miss Darcy to Lady Rowena's care. Both the ladies were smiling at them. Elizabeth noticed, however, that they were not the only young ladies taking an interest in them. Both Miss Bingley and Lady Henrietta were frowning at them.
They danced in silence for a while, both remembering the last time that they had danced and how differently things seem now. She had been mortified after her dance with Mr Collins.
"I would like to thank you, Miss Bennet," He said after a while.
"Whatever for?" She asked.
"For being as kind as you are to my sister," he glanced at Miss Darcy. "And for listening to me the other afternoon."
"I had misjudged you, allowed what others said to cloud my judgement. You do not need to thank me."
"And agreeing to dance with me this evening." He paused. "I know that it cannot be more than a dance, although-" he stopped speaking suddenly, his eyes on the door. "Lady Catherine? Why is she here?"
Elizabeth turned her head slightly to look, but her attention was caught not by the woman who stood by the door, but by Mr Collins who stood slightly behind her. Elizabeth felt her stomach lurch, a mix of surprise and dismay flooding through her. Her fingers tightened reflexively on Mr Darcy's arm as she struggled to maintain her composure.