“Ever since our parents have had a change of heart, life has become so much more pleasant at Longbourn,” Jane agreed.
“Never did I think I would see the day Lydia was sanguine about remaining home rather than attending a ball. In the short time she has been here, Mrs. Buxton has done wonders.”
“You have the right of it, Lizzy dearest. The cessation of Lydia’s caterwauling has been a blessing. We no longer need to stuff cotton fluff in our ears at night to go to sleep.”
“Come, Jane, it is almost time to join Mama, Papa, and Mary downstairs.”
“Do you think Mr. Darcy will request a set from you tonight?” Jane put her hand on her sister’s arm to stop her from opening the door.
“Only he can tell you that. He is sometimes very hard to read. At times he seems pleasant and friendly, and at others, he looks so foreboding and seems to be staring at me with a critical eye.”
“Lizzy, you are too intelligent to believe a man wastes his time looking at a woman as much as Mr. Darcy looks at you, to be critical.”
“He is so far above us in society. Even if you are correct, I cannot allow myself to think of anything between us as it will only lead to heartache when nothing comes of it. Besides which, did you forget our future brother told us he is engaged to Miss de Bourgh.”
“I forgot he told us that.” Jane hugged Elizabeth. She opened the door and made her way into the hall. After a few moments as she contemplated the motivation of the tall, dark, and handsome—extremely handsome—man from Derbyshire and his intentions towards her, Elizabeth followed her older sister.
As they reached the top step, they met Mary who was on her way up. “There you two are. Mama sent me to call you; it is time to depart,” Mary informed her older sisters.
“I cannot remember ever seeing you so pleased to attend a ball before,” Elizabeth teased her next younger sister.
“William has requested the first, supper, and final sets from me,” Mary blushed lightly with pleasure. “He told me he is not the best dancer, but I am still in anticipation of standing up with my fiancé.”
“As you should be,” Jane opined. “If dancing is too tedious for him, you can always suggest sitting out and talking.”
“That is what I plan to do, if needs be,” Mary smiled smugly.
Soon enough thesixBennets were on their way to the ball. That very morning it became official. Mary’s betrothed was now William Collin Bennet, his new middle name for his former surname.
Chapter 20
Her nose pointed high in the air; Miss Bingley descended the grand staircase as regally as she was able. She had expected the sound of a deep breath from Mr. Darcy when he beheld her magnificence, but there was silence save for the butler talking to some of his footmen.
Caroline lowered her nose and peeked towards the base of the stairs where she expected to see Mr. Darcy waiting for her. He was not there! No one was standing and waiting to admire her!
She was at a loss to understand how this could be. She had been so sure he would be waiting for his first glimpse of her in her new gown and the rest of her ensemble. Miss Bingley heard voices coming from the drawing room and relaxed somewhat.
‘I will have to admonish Charles,’ Miss Bingley told herself silently, ‘he must have invited his friend to have an aperitif before we have to welcome the nobodies to our home. Being the gentleman my Mr. Darcy is, he could not very well refuse an entreaty from his host.’
Having an answer for Mr. Darcy’s absence allowed Miss Bingley to calm herself considerably. She was able to maintain her equanimity until she entered the drawing room. Charles was there as she expected, as were Louisa and that lout of a brother-in-law of hers, Hurst.
However, no matter where she looked, there was no Mr. Darcy. How could this be? Had Charles sent him away from the drawing room? If so, why would her brother do something like that if not in order to sabotage her budding relationship with her intended.
“Where is Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley screeched.
“We have not seen him downstairs yet, Caroline,” Mrs. Hurst tried to soothe.
“You must have told him not to come and admire me,” Miss Bingley stated accusatorily to her brother.
“Caroline, how many times have you been told he does not admire you? Further, neither the Hursts nor I have seen him since he retired to dress,” Bingley stated firmly. “Do you really think Darcy would give in to my whims if I told him not to join us?”
“In that case, I must go make sure he is well. It is unlike him not to be in the drawing room with his hosts,” Miss Bingley started to turn when she felt her brother’s hand restraining her. “Let me go, he may be ill.”
“Darcy is as well as anyone else in this house,” Bingley stated in an even voice with an edge to it. “He told me he would only come downstairs just before the ball begins. You know he does not enjoy standing about with those with whom he is not familiar.”
“But he is our friend…” Miss Bingley began and stopped when her brother raised his hand.
“He is not part of the receiving line regardless of your inviting him to be. Yes, Caroline, he told me about that. It is the main reason he is remaining in his chambers for now. I tried to spare your feelings,” Bingley explained, “but I begin to worry about you, Sister. How can you be so delusional about a man who at best,toleratesyour company as the sister of his good friend.Iam his friend, not you.”
