“Your family is fortunate in that respect.” Wishing to redirect the conversation in a more positive tone, Elizabeth added, “Notwithstanding his shortcomings as a landowner, I think you would enjoy Papa’s company. In addition to his love of literature, he has a rather wry sense of humour and loves a good game of chess. Do you happen to play, Mr. Darcy?”
“I do, but it has been quite some time since I have enjoyed a good match. With my responsibilities, I rarely have the chance to play.”
“Before Papa took ill, he and I played nearly every evening. Perhaps you and I might enjoy a game sometime in the future. I dearly love to win,” she boasted, causing him to laugh.
“Yes, I can imagine you are rather competitive, and I should be happy to take you up on the offer as I, too, enjoy winning.”
While there were many more things both William and Elizabeth wished to say to one another, they had shared much. Now that everyone was situated on the green and enjoying the repast provided by Lady Gwendolyn, William suggested thatthey join the others. The remainder of the afternoon proved to be quite lovely.
Note:The Great Pagoda at Kew Gardens in London was completed in 1762. It was designed by Sir William Chambers (1723-96) and was built as a gift to Princess Augusta, the founder of the Botanic Gardens.
CHAPTER FOUR
THE CHARITY BALL
Matlock House
Friday Evening
Prominently situated on George Street, in the highly-acclaimed Grosvenor Square of the Mayfair district, was the lavish townhouse residence of the Earl of Matlock and his wife, Lady Eleanor. Sporting large Greek columns at the front of the building, the walkway was lined with torches and a multitude of footmen ready to assist the many guests who were waiting to disembark from a long line of carriages. While the exterior of the house was of a newer style, the inside was ornate with lavish frescoes depicting nature on the ceilings, and the walls were covered with ancestral portraits and elaborate tapestries. The dark mahogany woodwork had been polished to perfection, and the floors were accented with rich carpets of red and gold. This dwelling spoke of old money, and it was not to be outdone by many save the Prince Regent himself.
Before proceeding to the ballroom, guests were shown into the drawing room where they were graciously greeted by theirhost and hostess for this grand event. Proceeding from there to the ballroom, the melodious strains of a string quartet greeted those who entered.
The ballroom itself was spacious and could accommodate scores of people. Like the front of the house, it was decorated in rich reds and golds and accented with the same dark mahogany wood. The perimeter of the room displayed elaborate floral arrangements and candelabras and the servants offered trays of beverages for the guests to enjoy before the dancing began. Subscriptions for the ball were costly, yet everyone who wanted to be seen with the upper crust at this particular charity event was sure to be in attendance.
Miss Caroline Bingley, not to be outdone by her betters, insisted that her brother’s party stand in a place where she might be easily noticed as the guests greeted one another. Her fashionable gown made of a shimmery gold silk complimented her fiery red hair, which was adorned with a matching headdress of ostrich feathers. Her slender arms were covered with lace gloves of the finest quality, and to all of this she proudly wore a topaz and gold pendant necklace. The exquisite necklace, gifted by her brother at the beginning of the season, was set in a textured series of gold foliate beadwork. Caroline revelled in this symbol of the Bingley wealth as brother and sister honoured their father’s last wishes by making their way in higher society.
Methodically opening and closing her feathered fan, Miss Bingley politely nodded at various acquaintances while casually conversing with her sister. In truth, she had been surreptitiously watching for Fitzwilliam Darcy. The man had been positively aloof the entire season. Why, even at her brother’s dinner party just two days ago he had been inattentive. Tonight, however, she had dressed to impress him, and as far as she was concerned, he could not help but take notice.
Everyone on the marriage mart knew that the eligible widower was in search of a wife and a new mother for his young daughter. And, like nearly every other eligible woman, Caroline Bingley thought that she would be an excellent choice for the wealthy gentleman. True, she did not particularly care for children, but that was what nannies and governesses were for. Her strengths lay in other areas, for her accomplishments as a refined woman were many. Moreover, she would have no problem keeping a good table or seeing to the proper running of his household. As for entertaining, she would be an excellent hostess where only the finest of theau tonwould attend hersoirées.
Miss Bingley was annoyed when she discovered Lady Eleanor had promised Mr. Darcy to several of her favourites for the first few sets of the ball, thus preventing him from partnering her for the opening. After all, Mr. Darcy was her brother’s particular friend, and that should count for something. Now, however, her primary objective was to speak with him before the ball officially began so that she might apprise him of vital information concerning the Bennets.
On the previous evening the Bingleys and the Hursts had been invited to a dinner party at Deming House, an evening which she had been looking forward to, considering Lady Deming’s standing in society. Unknown to Miss Bingley, the dinner was being held to welcome Lady Deming’s Hertfordshire relations who had recently come to Town−specifically Mrs. Bennet and her two youngest daughters, Miss Catherine and Miss Lydia. The Bingley party had not been in the house more than fifteen minutes when it became apparent to Caroline that her family had been invited because of her brother’s interest in Miss Jane Bennet.
Heavens! What could Charles be thinking? Mrs. Bennet was positively vulgar and her youngest daughter, Lydia, even moreso! To be tied to such a family would be unconscionable! I must find some way to stop him from marrying that penniless nobody. Once Mr. Darcy knows all of the particulars, surely he will help.
At the Demings’ dinner party, Mrs. Bennet had managed to rearrange the place cards so that she was seated next to Charles. As far as Caroline was concerned, the woman was nothing more than a nervous twit, speaking louder and louder with each glass of wine she consumed and carrying on about her dear Jane, who was not to be so beautiful for nothing.
Dear Jane, indeed! The poor girl and her sister Miss Elizabeth were embarrassed beyond the pale as their mother prodded Charles with an endless flow of questions. Why, she even insisted on knowing if he was planning to take up residence in the country and had several properties to recommend in her neighbourhood. Meryton! Ha! How could she possibly think he might be interested in some backward market town?
To make matters worse, at the other end of the table Miss Lydia had flirted shamelessly with her cousin, Nicholas Deming, a perfect gentleman who was obviously not impressed by her manners or even that of his own sister, Eliza. Miss Eliza was every bit as brazen as her two younger cousins. Insisting that the footman continue to fill their wine glasses, it was not long before all three women had consumed far too much wine and had become equally as loud as Mrs. Bennet. Caroline could not fathom how a refined woman of thetonsuch as Lady Deming, patron of the arts and close friend to Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam, could be related to such people, her own daughter included. True, Jane Bennet was a sweet girl and perhaps Miss Elizabeth was tolerable, but it made little difference to Caroline. Despite their connections to thetonthrough the Deming family, the Bennets were not ones she wanted to be related to shouldCharles be foolish enough to continue his pursuit of Miss Bennet.
“Where in Heaven’s name is Mr. Darcy?” she muttered to no one in particular. Ten minutes later, he finally entered the Ballroom, but to her great displeasure, it was with Lady Gwendolyn. She had tried her best to garner his attention so that they might speak privately, but her efforts were futile. The couple paused only briefly to exchange pleasantries, and then continued on to greet other guests. Annoyed, she knew there would be no chance to inform him of her displeasure until they shared their dance later in the evening. Perhaps it was of no matter, for Mr. Darcy was an observant man and by the time they had their set, he should be well aware of her predicament.
When William and Lady Gwendolyn arrived, there was yet a half an hour before the ball was to begin. He had hoped to see Elizabeth and meet the rest of her family before that time. Although William had escorted Lady Gwendolyn to the ball, his mind was solely focused on one woman. Not even Caroline and her obvious desire to speak privately could be a distraction. Since parting with Elizabeth on Tuesday, he could scarcely think of anyone or anything else. Each time he had been in her company she had appeared lovelier than before: whether it was the turn of her head, the sparkle in her eyes or the gaiety of her laughter. Elizabeth was not only beautiful, but she had the kind of intelligence that called to him. It mattered not what they talked about, for with Elizabeth Bennet he enjoyed every exchange. With her, he could be himself. With her, he could see a future.
As William and Lady Gwendolyn greeted various acquaintances, he quickly scanned the area for Elizabeth. There she stood, talking with the Gardiners. When she happened to turn her head in his direction, his heart soared. One smile and she took his breath away. Excusing himself from LadyGwendolyn, who was now conversing with close friends, he eagerly made his way to where Elizabeth was standing. She was everything that was perfection, and he could scarcely take his eyes away as he greeted her and the Gardiners.
“Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Gardiner, Mr. Gardiner. Good Evening.”
“Good Evening,” the three echoed in tandem, the women curtseying and Mr. Gardiner offering his handshake.
“Mr. Darcy,” spoke Elizabeth, her eyes twinkling. “I was hoping we would see you before the start of the ball. Your aunt has been very diligent in filling up my dance card, but I wanted you to know that I was able to save you the supper set, as we discussed on Tuesday.”
He smiled broadly. “I shall look forward to it, and Mrs. Gardiner, if your time permits, I should like to engage you for a set as well.”
“I thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am aware of Lady Eleanor’s mandates for her nephews as well as my nieces tonight. However, when you find yourself at leisure, I should be happy to oblige you if I am not otherwise engaged.”
