“Miss Bennet, shall we?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked. She offered a serene smile as she nodded and placed her hand in his.
“Miss Elizabeth, would you do me the honour?” Darcy asked, hand extended.
“Yes, thank you,” Elizabeth responded in a somewhat breathy voice.
Had anyone been privy to the state of her heart and mind in that moment, they would have found her imitation of calm admirable. His gloved fingers closed over hers as he led her to stand beside Jane. Mr. Ashley partnered with Miss Bingley, Mr. Hurst with Mrs. Ashley and Mr. Bingley with Mrs. Hurst. As the others took their places, Elizabeth, as she worked to get herself in order, looked over at Georgiana and saw that her friend was beaming at her brother. She then transferred her bright smile to Elizabeth before quickly ducking her head and beginning the tune.
Elizabeth knew there were other people in the room. A part of her was aware that a footman and a maid stood by the double doors leading to the garden. She was in some way aware of Mr. Barlow clapping along to the music and watching the dancers with a broad smile. The five other couples forming lines, executing turns and skipping along to Georgiana’s perfectly played lively Scotch air were all like the blurry background of a painting which centred something beautiful. And that something was what Elizabeth felt, saw and heard for the next fifteen minutes. After an awkward missed step, she recovered nicely and fully enjoyed the sensation of their gloved hands meeting periodically and their eyes meeting almost constantly.
“You are much more experienced than I, but ought there to be some conversation while we dance?” she asked when they met for a turn where his hand touched her waist and hers rested on his shoulder for the briefest of moments. When he answered, she did not at first remember what she had asked.
“I am at your disposal. Shall I pick the topic, or do you have something in mind?” His eyes were warm and his tone gentle.
Elizabeth was at once comforted and excited by it. But she did have questions and so her confusing responses would have to wait.
“Tell me something of your activities these past few years that I might not have heard about in Georgiana’s letters.”
Since he insisted on her sharing something about her doings for each thing he shared, they did not cover too much before the final notes rang out.
“Thank you, Georgiana, that was wonderful.” Jane’s thanks were seconded by the others, and just as they separated and caught their breath, two maids came in with trays holding cold meat, cakes and the finest fruits in season. They all gathered round filling plates and congratulating one another on their fine dancing.
When they had resumed their seats, the talk turned to plans for the following days. Mr. Bingley’s party would leave Derbyshire to travel to an aunt’s home in Yorkshire in two days. Darcy was to join them for a time. He would then go on to the Darcy estate in Scotland.
“I do wish you would consent to stay longer at our aunt’s estate, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley said. “Could you not leave whatever issues have arisen to the care of your steward?”
“While Mr. Emerson is quite capable, there are things I must handle personally.”
“But it is so far,” Miss Bingley pressed. “Is it not quite wild?”
“It is beautiful, as is the surrounding countryside. Though Pemberley will always be my favourite place in the world, Aileach is a very close second,” Georgiana insisted.
Before Miss Bingley could offer more of her opinions on a place she had never seen, Darcy turned to his sister and asked, “Would you wish to join me, Georgiana? I had not thought to ask, knowing the Miss Bennets would still be here in Derbyshire.”
“It is true I would not want to miss any time with my friends,” Georgiana said.
“And we would not want to miss any with you. However, we will be departing only a week after your brother.” Elizabeth took her friend’s hand. “I know how much you love Aileach. Jane and I will not be offended at all if you choose travel when his party goes.”
Darcy looked between the two women with obvious fondness. “We need not decide at this moment. You and I can talk further.”
Georgiana smiled at this, and the talk moved on to centre on the days before the departure of much of the group. When Mr. Ashely was sharing some insights from his upcoming sermon, Darcy drew near to speak to Elizabeth. As that lady had been focused on the vicar, she did not perceive that Darcy had moved from his chair by the fire to the empty seat beside her.
“I appreciate your generosity with Georgiana,” he said. When she looked at him in question, he went on, “In telling her she might travel to Scotland.”
“It was nothing, I assure you. My sacrifice of her company would be well recompensed with her happiness,” she responded before turning slightly to add more quietly, “You will convince her?”
Darcy looked over to where his sister sat chatting with Jane and Mrs. Gardiner. He looked both pleased and concerned. “Do you think I should?”
Elizabeth watched him watch his sister and considered her answer. The fact that he was uncertain and seeking her advice was both novel and gratifying. Although perhaps not so novel as his seeking her insight regarding his sister was the substance of their very first conversation. Even if he did go about it in a rather off-putting and arrogant manner.
“Does my question amuse you?” Darcy asked.
“Not exactly,” she answered. “I was just thinking about how very early on in our acquaintance, you humbled yourself enough to ask an impertinent young miss her opinion on what your sister needed and that, despite how difficult she made things for you, you are asking again. You are a good brother. Georgiana is lucky to have you.”
He looked at her for a long moment, his almost smile lighting his brown eyes with amusement as she imagined he was thinking back on the day they met.
“I thank you for the compliment,” he said, his lips pulling up into a half-grin. “And your thoughts on my question?”
“Although it should of course be up to Georgiana, I think if you and I both encourage her, she will be more willing to follow her own inclination, which I do believe is to go with you.”
