Lydia is pride personified. Her loud, impertinent speech and her indelicate comments are shameful. It is evident she needs no more punch!
Charlotte gently rested her hand on Lizzy’s arm. “No one would think any less of you or Jane because of the actions of others.” Her attempt at a smile was interrupted by the fading sound of the music as the doorway filled with four strangers.
The moment of awkward silence before the music began again conveyed so much on the faces of the unknown guests. Charlotte whispered each of their names to Lizzy. “You have already met Mrs. Hurst who is married to that shorter gentleman in the wine-colored coat.”
He looks like he’s been in his cups since this morning.
“…the smiling fellow is Mr. Bingley…”
A pleasant gentleman with a ready smile. No, Lydia will not do for him, but Jane…
“…and the taller, austere man with the blue coat is Mr. Darcy of Derbyshire.”
…who does not look as if he desires our company. But, he is just as handsome, if not more so, than when I saw him in his carriage.
With all her prejudiced notions from the words of her family set aside, she appraised his mien. His broad shoulders fit his blue coat perfectly. His brown hair was neatly styled, but a stray curl escaped and lay decidedly on his brow. His strong jaw and noble profile were such that she had never witnessed in a man before and she felt her breathing increase.
Mr. Darcy’s gaze, which had been roaming the room with indifference, alighted on her. She felt conscious of his eyes on her cream-colored gown with its gold brocade ribbon that she knew displayed her figure well and she could not help but brush one of her loose curls away from her eyes. Yet for all her discomfort, she could not look away and cursed the flush that was overtaking her cheeks.
The change in his countenance was evident as his features softened and his eyes lit up as they met hers. Her blush deepened at being caught staring at his fine person, and she turned, attempting to hide her embarrassment, as Charlotte’s sister Maria came bounding up to them.
“Charlotte, have you ever seen such a fine lady?” Her rapturous delight did not go unnoticed by Mrs. Hurst whose consequence seemed heightened by the flattery.Once again more pleased with herself than what she sees. So glad Miss Bingley is not in company this evening. But poor Miss Darcy!Lizzy was lost in her thoughts as Mrs. Bennet hurried toward her from across the room.
“Elizabeth, make haste! Your father is to introduce you and Jane to the two fine gentlemen just arrived. Although Mr. Bingley must be destined for Lydia and Mr. Hamilton has his sights set on you, Mr. Darcy is still an eligible match for dear Jane. Be pleasant and do not ruin the chances of happiness for your sisters! Come girl, make haste. Make haste!”
Lizzy colored once again and lowered her head at the volume of her mother’s speech. Surely not only did those in close proximity but also those at the door must have heard her pronouncement. She looked up to see the once friendly smile of Mr. Darcy now replaced by disgust at her mother’s humiliating performance. Her shame was great but as she was familiar with such exploits at the hands of her mother, she defiantly raised her head and met Mr. Darcy’s eyes.
Lizzy drew herself to her full height to show she was not intimidated by this man as her mother marched her daughters toward the party from Netherfield.
“Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, you have already met my wife, and may I present my two eldest daughters, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Elizabeth? My younger daughters you see about the room in varying degrees of entertainment.”
Lizzy glanced sideways to see Mary reading her sheet music, Lydia chasing an officer, and Kitty speaking with Maria Lucas. She curtsied deeply as Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy both bowed.
“Mr. Bennet, what a pleasure to see you again. And the Miss Bennets. How lovely to finally meet you,” Mr. Bingley said, not taking his eyes from Jane. “Our sisters told us of the pleasure they had in making your acquaintance this morning in Meryton. We quite anticipated making ourselves known to you this evening.”
“Thank you, sir.” Jane lowered her eyes from his gaze before looking back up through her dark lashes.
“Is Miss Bingley not in attendance this evening?”
“No.” Mr. Darcy stepped forward. “She stayed at Netherfield to keep my sister company.”
“Ah, yes. That is very generous of her.” Lizzy curtseyed to Mrs. Hurst and her husband as they retreated to the punch bowl without a word of welcome. Not to be deterred by their lack of manners, she turned back to her party. Mr. Bingley was smiling unabashedly at Jane who did her best to disguise her own pleasure. Mr. Darcy seemed to notice it as well and cleared his throat to break Bingley from his spell. However, that was unnecessary as Mrs. Bennet likely felt that she could no longer leave her daughters to their own devices if she were to obtain a wealthy son-in-law.
“Mr. Bingley, what a lovely coat you have. It is obviously made at one of the best shops in London. We are not used to seeing such fine, young men in Meryton, and we thank you for your attentions to our girls.”
Mr. Bingley stumbled over what to say at such a speech but should not have worried as Mrs. Bennet continued to fill the awkward silence. “Jane, thank Mr. Bingley for his attentions.”
“Mama,” Lizzy said under her breath as Jane looked away mortified.
Mr. Darcy froze and Mr. Bingley awkwardly smiled at such demands as Jane was seemingly reduced to a child. “I said, thank him for his kind attentions, dear!”
Her father enjoyed observing the follies of his wife unless it brought obvious pain to his two favorite daughters. To Lizzy’s relief, he reached for her mother’s arm and excused them to the other side of the room. “Let us go and thank Lady Lucas for the invitation to her party.”
“I already did,” cried her mother, struggling to release her arm as she walked through the crowd.
After another awkward moment, Mr. Bingley cleared his throat and asked if they enjoyed their tea the previous day with Miss Lucas.
“It was lovely, thank you.” Jane breathed deeply, steadying the flutter in her voice. “We were only disappointed to have missed the opportunity to make your acquaintance.”
