“Our Miss Elizabeth is no mortal lady, but a dryad, guardian of these oaken woods. If you were to ask her, she would tell you she walked here for the sunrise, but in truth, she inhabits the forest itself. Beware, gentlemen, or Miss Elizabeth will cast her spell, and you will wish to remain by her side among the oaks forever.”
This provoked a laugh from Elizabeth. “I had no notion, Colonel, that a man of your military experience could spin so whimsical a tale. Next, you will be whispering poetry into my left ear.”
The Colonel grinned at her. “In truth, Miss Elizabeth, reciting poetry sounds like a most agreeable way to spend my days, and I stand ready whenever you permit it.”
Again, she laughed. “I see I cannot outwit you, sir, so I shall desist.”
Darcy, displeased, interposed. “Richard, had I known you meant to flirt with the lady, I should have insisted you remain at home.”
Elizabeth replied with a smile, “But Mr. Darcy, where is the amusement in that?” Turning back to the military man, she said, “Colonel, you must not permit your cousin to restrain your charming wit, or your delightful nonsense.”
Mr. Darcy regarded the young woman before him. With her hair knotted in an informal chignon, soft tendrils curling at her temples and nape, she appeared younger, almost a girl rather than the woman she was. Her complexion was fresh, her eyes alight, and her lips a lovely shade of pink. He could not look away. Glancing at the other men, he saw they too were caught in her spell. A sharp twist gripped his gut, an unfamiliar pang of jealousy.
The little party reached Longbourn, and almost immediately Sir Lawrence moved to Elizabeth’s side and asked, “Miss Elizabeth, may I have your first dance this evening?”
Elizabeth was pleased to know that at least she would not be a wallflower for the first dance. She accepted. Colonel Fitzwilliam was quick to claim the supper dance, and Darcy, frowning at his cousin, secured her second set.
The five sisters spent the day arranging gloves, slippers, shoe roses, ribbons, and hairpins in preparation for the first ball ever given in Meryton.
Kitty was exultant. “At last, I have a new gown and new slippers of my own, and I am going to my first ball. By the time a hand-me-down reaches me, it is already frayed and much mended.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Kitty, that is the fate of any family blessed with five daughters.”
The three younger sisters giggled, but moments later, Kitty and Lydia darted across the street to where a knot of officers loitered outside the haberdashery. Their sisters’ unabashed flirting discomfited Jane and Elizabeth, for the exchange of winks and ribald comments did them no credit. Mixing with the officers had not improved their manners.
When they returned home, Elizabeth sought her father in his study.
“Papa, will you speak to Lydia and Kitty about behaving at the ball? This morning I met Sir Lawrence Pembroke…”
Before she could continue, Mr. Bennet’s eyes darkened with alarm, and then he frowned.
“He was with Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she hastened to explain. “Another gentleman, Mr. Worthington, has also arrived. Papa, Sir Lawrence asked me for my first set. If Lydia and Kitty act like hoydens, they will frighten away respectable men. Jane and I are no longer in the first flush of youth. Please, will you speak to them and send them home if they misbehave?”
Mr. Bennet studied her. “So you are resigned to the loss of young Lucas?”
She lowered her eyes. “Yes. Charlotte informed me that Miss King and her aunt Harriet were invited to dine at Lucas Lodge yesterday evening at Alexander’s request. She added that to all appearances, he seemed very well pleased with his guest. Charlotte wished me to know, so that I should not be taken by surprise at their growing attachment. It is well, Papa. She is anheiress, and I have nothing but my charms to recommend me. I must look elsewhere.”
Thomas Bennet was genuinely sorry for his daughter. “Lizzy, such is the way of life, I am saddened to say. I had truly thought young Lucas would do for you. He has loved you these many years, since you were children. As for your concerns regarding Kitty and Lydia, I shall not fail to act. For the sake of my elder daughters, I will lay down the law with the younger, who, in truth, are too young to be out.”
“Come, Lizzy, what must be done is best done at once.”
He entered the drawing room, with Elizabeth following closely behind. “Ladies…”
His words were drowned out by Lydia, who was quarreling with her sister over a bonnet.
“Lydia,” he said sharply, “if you do not conduct yourself as a gentlewoman, you shall not go to the ball tonight.”
Kitty fell silent, but Lydia snatched the bonnet from her sister’s hands. “I will take this, since it does not become you!” she cried and fled with it.
Mr. Bennet’s gaze followed her. “That is how a child behaves. “Lydia is no longer out, and she shall not attend the ball tonight, nor any other function, for she has shown herself still a child, which indeed she is. As for the rest, if I find any of you imbibing punch or behaving in an ungenteel manner, you will be sent home at once. There will be no second chance.”
Mary and Kitty only nodded. Turning to his wife, he added, “At least you will have the benefit of a daughter’s company this evening.”
Mrs. Bennet withdrew in offended silence, and Elizabeth whispered gratefully, “Thank you, Papa. Perhaps Mr. Bingley will not abandon Jane after all.”
Chapter 8: The Netherfield Ball
July 1, 1811
