“Yes, Your Ladyship.”
Lady Matlock linked arms with Miss Bingley and walked briskly out of the room. “Oscar” —she called to the footman— “Miss Bingley is feeling ill. Please have her brother’s carriage called for immediately.”
“Of course, my lady.”
Darcy took a deep breath and collapsed on the settee. Massaging his temples, he said, “Richard, I thank you for your timely entrance.” He reached out and extended his hand to his cousin, who stepped forward to take it.
Richard said, “Think nothing of it. You would have done the same.”
“I would.”
“But, the real thanks should go to Miss Bennet.” He turned to Miss Elizabeth who blushed slightly at the praise. “She discovered Miss Bingley’s plan and alerted me.”
Standing immediately, he said, “Miss Elizabeth. How can I thank you? You have rescued me again. You have just witnessed the basest of characters and behavior. I apologize that your delicate sensibilities might have been affected.” His heart raced as he gently clasped her hand. “It would seem without you I would have entered into the worst type of prison imaginable. I am now indebted to you for the freedom of both my sister and myself. How can I ever repay you?”
Miss Elizabeth raised her eyes to meet his, and softly whispered, “I am only grateful I could help a friend in need.”
He observed her comely face and could not help but raise her hand to his lips reverently. “Your friendship means more to me than you know.”
“You shall always have it, sir,” she said quietly.
Richard coughed, breaking the moment. “We must allow Miss Elizabeth return to the ballroom.”
“Yes, yes. Of course.” Darcy released her hand and felt the loss instantly.
As Miss Elizabeth stepped toward the door, Richard said, “Darcy, before she goes, you might wish Miss Elizabeth joy.”
Darcy quickly snapped to attention and cocked his head. “Is this true, Miss Elizabeth? Has Mr. Hamilton made you an offer?”
Pausing in the doorway, she nodded. “He has asked for a courtship, sir, and I…I have accepted.”
He felt his heart squeeze and his stomach roil but he managed to say, “Then, I wish you joy. He is a fortunate man to have won your heart.”
“Yes…well…I thank you.” She stepped out of the library but not before Richard called out. “Miss Bennet, you should save a dance for Darcy so he can tell you a story.”
Darcy’s eyes flashed to his cousin but Richard only smirked.
“A story?” she asked, stepping back inside the library and seemed to quiz them both with one arched brow.
He had no notion of Richard’s intent but he could not deny himself this opportunity. “Miss Bennet, will you do me the honor of the supper set?”
She nodded her acquiescence but looked at Richard expectantly. “Oh, Miss Bennet. Darcy must tell you about his favorite gift. You know, Darce,” he said turning to his cousin and grinning widely, “your watch.”
She did not havelong to wait before the colonel and Mr. Darcy returned to the ballroom. He sought her out with his eyes, just as he had done the first time she saw him at the Meryton assembly a little over a month before. And just as at the assembly, they ceased their search when they found her. Her breath caught at the intensity of his gaze. She held his look for minutes, hours, seconds—she knew not but was startled from her reverie when she heard Jane’s companion say, “My brother Bertram is quite taken with Miss Bingley. I have not seen much of her since school, but by her actions tonight, I am expecting to see her often hereafter.”
“Your brother appears to be quite an amiable young man,” said Jane.
“He is. He only needs someone with a little fire to liven him up.”
Caroline has that in spades!Elizabeth grimaced at the deception Caroline had played on this gentleman and his family and all she could think to say was, “I had heard Miss Bingley was planning a trip abroad…”
As the orchestra began to play the supper set, Elizabeth looked up to find Colonel Thompson walking toward her.
“Miss Elizabeth, if you are not already spoken for, might I have this dance?”
“Sir, I…”
“I hope you were not planning to give my dance away to the colonel,” a voice behind her said.
