“I do not think such a list would be impressive to most or very long at all, but I thank you for the compliment.” She smiled at her friend before turning to Darcy. “You, sir, introduced this topic in order to expose me?”
“Certainly not,” Darcy said with some indignation. “I suggested a subject about which I had reason to believe you possessed some expertise so that you could educate the rest of us. It is, as Miss Bingley intimated, an accomplishment to be proud of. I had not before and have not since seen anyone get higher in that tree.”
Elizabeth laughed at his earnestness. She could see he meant it. Darcy had intended to tease her, perhaps not accounting for the way in which some of the guests might react to the idea of a girl climbing trees. For herself, despite clearly sinking her in the estimation of the Bingley sisters, she was glad to see this return to form for herself and Darcy and responded in kind.
“I see that now.” She smiled at him. “And to answer your original question, I think chestnut trees are particularly suited for climbing.”
“I thank you for sharing your expert knowledge, and I would suggest chestnut trees are also good places for bringing strangers together,” Darcy answered. He looked at her directly as he spoke but then looked away.
Elizabeth did not quite understand her reaction to both his words and that look. It was the same kind of teasing they had engaged in before. And the heady mix of excitement and confusion was familiar. But this felt like more, like something else.
Shortly after this exchange, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner returned from a visit with their daughters before their nurse put them to bed.
“Might we prevail upon you to play for us, Miss Bingley?” Mrs. Gardiner asked. That lady moved to the instrument with alacrity before remembering to demur. When the company insisted on hearing her, she sat down and immediately began playing. She played with skill and feeling and received sincere and hearty applause upon completion of her first piece. As she began her second, Mr. Gardiner suggested Miss Darcy might follow her to the instrument.
“I would be happy to play, but instead of another concerto, would you object to some Scotch reels that the party might dance to?”
“What a wonderful idea,” Mrs. Gardiner declared. “But if your brother has no objection, allow me to play that you might join the dancing.”
“You are kind,” Miss Darcy answered before Darcy could venture his decision. “However, if you will allow it. I prefer to play and watch the dancing.”
“Then of course you shall,” Mrs. Gardiner agreed. “Now, will you gentlemen move a few of these pieces to give us plenty of room to jump about?”
Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam rose to immediately comply. Jane stood and they moved the settee away from the centre of the room. Darcy and Mr. Ashley each took a chair to the side while Mr. Gardiner rolled up the carpet. Miss Bingley finished her concerto with a flourish and then allowed Georgiana to take her place, moving with a sedate kind of eagerness to where the others stood, taking a place by Mr. Darcy’s side.
“Shall I turn the pages for you?” Elizabeth asked her friend, stepping away from the others towards the instrument.
“No,” Mrs. Gardiner intercepted her. “I would be happy to do so.” She took her place beside Georgiana, and the two began to sort through various pieces of music.
“And I will keep Mr. Barlow company so the numbers will be even,” Mr. Gardiner said cheerfully.
“I do not mind getting us started, then,” Bingley said. “Miss Bennet, will you do me the honour?”
“Of course,” Jane answered.
Elizabeth caught her sister’s quick look to Colonel Fitzwilliam before she took Bingley’s hand, and she thought the colonel did as well judging by his small smile.
“I hope no one will think me terribly unfashionable, but Mrs. Ashley, will you partner me?” her husband asked.
“I would be delighted,” she laughed.
“That means we might partner, Mrs. Hurst.” This was offered and received with what appeared to be perfect indifference but could have been complete marital accord. No one was certain.
Elizabeth was still watching the colonel when he turned to look over her shoulder, brow lifted. She followed his gaze and saw Darcy was its object. After a moment where the two men seemed to be having a silent conversation, the colonel spoke.
“Miss Elizabeth, might I have the honour?” He moved to her side and held out a hand. She took it with a smile.
“Miss Bingley, would you partner me?” Darcy asked. With a regal nod she accepted, and the couples began to form the set.
Though accosted with a stab of jealousy as she watched Darcy take Miss Bingley’s hand, Elizabeth soon found herself too lost in the enjoyment of the dance. Her partner was quite capable.
After a quarter of an hour of leaping and twirling to the lively tune, the group clapped and caught their breath as Georgiana’s final notes rang out.
“You all performed quite well,” Mrs. Gardiner declared. “We need not be formal here—I suggest everyone switch partners for the second set.”
“A lovely idea,” Georgiana agreed. “And perhaps you would wish to join in, Mrs. Gardiner. I know this next tune by heart.”
Mrs. Gardiner took Georgiana up on her offer and moved to where her husband sat. He gallantly requested her hand, and they moved to form the start of the lines for the next set. The other couples settled more quickly this time.
