The conversation moved on to politics and the state of the economy. Much was threatened with the rise of Napoleon, but there was also gain to be had, in Mr Hurst’s opinion. Darcy heard little of his schemes. All he could seem to think about was the woman he had left, crushed, back in Meryton. And her dark eyes flaming with indignation at his treatment of her. How he wished he had been wrong about her motives in befriending his sister. If things had been different, he would have liked to know her better.
Chapter 15
The light of many candles shone out of the windows of the assembly hall, and the noise of chattering voices seemed as though it must be audible for miles around. The whole of Meryton was abuzz with excitement for the first public assembly since the militia had come to town. With all the officers in attendance, the hall was overcrowded, and for once not lacking in gentlemen. Lydia and Kitty were quite runaway with dreams of love, wishing and hoping to catch a man who would afford them the life of adventure they supposed a military wife experienced. Little did they take into consideration the heartache that could come along with being a soldier’s wife. They did not choose to hear any of Elizabeth’s warnings or pleas for caution.
Elizabeth and Jane stayed in the only quiet corner they could find as the room began to fill and the musicians tuned their instruments for the long night ahead.
“There is Miss Darcy. She looks well, does she not?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth followed her gaze toward the doors, where Miss Darcy and Mrs Younge had just entered. The crowd parted forthem as they had done during the first assembly. This time, Miss Darcy made a point to reach outward and greet her newly made friends. Among all the crowd in the long hall, only the Lucases did not seem pleased she had come. It hurt Elizabeth’s heart to think that Miss Darcy had not yet been forgiven by so affable a family. Though her friendship with Miss Darcy was severed forever by mischance and the harsh judgement of Mr Darcy, she might at least have the pleasure of seeing her happy and accepted by her neighbours.
“I should like to speak with Sir Lucas and his sons. Will you join me?” Elizabeth asked her sister.
“No, I shall stay here. Mama is expecting me to meet someone,” Jane said with a sigh. Unlike Kitty and Lydia, Jane did not propose to fall in love with any man who happened to be wearing a red coat. Her sister certainly had a heart for love, Elizabeth mused, but she coupled to it a natural good taste and delicacy that made her most unlikely to make an imprudent match. She walked away, promising to return shortly.
When Elizabeth approached Sir Lucas, she found his son, James, standing next to him. As James was the young man Georgiana had slighted, that was ideal, but that they were engaged in speaking to another gentleman was not. What she had in mind would be best communicated privately. Elizabeth therefore waited at a discrete distance. It was not long before the gentlemen bowed to each other and the stranger took his leave.
Sir Lucas smiled when he saw her. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet. What a pleasure to see you and all your family this evening. I hope you are well?”
“Perfectly well, I thank you. And you?”
They exchanged a few more pleasantries before Elizabeth judged it time to approach the delicate subject on her mind. “Sir Lucas, Mr Lucas, I know that when Miss Darcy first came to Meryton, many of us had an ill opinion of her.”
“Yes, very much so. I see she is not so haughty as she was before, and she has seemed to win some over in our little community.” Elizabeth winced. His tone was merely dismissive, but in a man as friendly and courteous as Sir Lucas, that was a harsh judgement indeed. Mr James Lucas merely nodded, looking rather unforgiving, if she were any judge.
“Sir Lucas, I have come to feel that Miss Darcy deserves our regard. She made a grave mistake on the night of the first assembly in slighting Mr Lucas, but I believe she ought to be forgiven for it, if you will forgive me for speaking so boldly. Miss Darcy’s shyness led her to refuse the dance, not any judgement against her partner. She did not mean to cause any embarrassment or offence.” Elizabeth glanced across the room at her former friend, pain shooting through her heart. “I believe that if Mr Lucas were to ask her again, Miss Darcy would count it an honour to dance with him.”
Sir Lucas raised a brow. “Do you?” he asked. Mr Lucas looked rather intrigued, glancing over at the pretty young Miss Darcy with a hopeful expression.
“Yes, I do. I have come to know her well since she came here. And she is a kind, sweet young lady. I am sure you will find the same, if you will only give her another chance.”
Mr Lucas looked to his father for permission. Sir Lucas thought for a moment, narrowing his eyes at Elizabeth. “You did me a great service in going to speak with her during that first assembly. And your father and I have been friends for a long time, Miss Bennet. I shall therefore respect your request that myson ought to try again. But if he is refused this time, I am afraid I shall lose my good opinion of your judgement.”
“Thank you, sir,” Elizabeth replied with alacrity. “I am sure Mr Lucas will not be disappointed.”
Elizabeth hurried away to rejoin Jane. Mr Lucas lost no time in making his way through the crowd to Miss Darcy’s side. She held her breath, watching as he bowed, made her a friendly greeting, and asked her to dance. Though Elizabeth could not hear what was said, the way Miss Darcy’s face lit up as she took Mr Lucas’ offered hand left no doubt of the success of his request. They were among the first couples to gain the dance floor and open the assembly.
Jane turned to her, giving her a knowing smile. “Is that your doing?” she asked with a glance towards Miss Darcy and Mr Lucas, now taking the first steps of the dance.
“It may be,” Elizabeth said with a noncommittal shrug of her shoulders. At last, she had confided in Jane about the fateful day that had severed their friendship. Jane would never give her any cause to regret it, for a more reliable confidant could not be imagined. It had been an exquisite relief to speak of it with so caring a friend as her sister.
“I wish Mr Darcy had not acted so. I liked Miss Darcy very much,” Jane said softly. It would have been impossible for anyone to overhear them in the din of the room.
“I did as well,” Elizabeth admitted. It was not only the friendship with Miss Darcy she regretted losing. She had grown strangely fond of the quiet man, despite his aloofness. Mr Darcy had shown his strong, caring nature with his devotion to Miss Darcy. He could not be all bad when he was such a good brother to her.
The assembly passed quickly for Elizabeth. She danced with neighbours and officers, talked with friends when the musicians took a break and tried to prevent her younger sisters from engaging in too great a breech of propriety. Though Elizabeth found it better not to venture too close to Miss Darcy and Mrs Younge, lest an awkward scene result, she could not avoid them entirely. When walking quickly past the dais where they stood, she suddenly heard Mrs Younge speak Mr Wickham’s name. Elizabeth’s ears instantly pricked up.
“He is a vastly charming man, do not you think? He seemed utterly taken with you, Miss Darcy,” Mrs Younge was saying. She seemed pleased.
“Do you really think so?” Miss Darcy asked. There did not seem to be an arrogant bone in the girl’s body.
“I do. If he asks you to dance again, I encourage you to accept him.”
“A second dance? Are you sure? We have already danced one set. And he has stayed close to me throughout the rest of the evening. Will it not look in poor form to accept a second set, when there are so many other gentlemen in attendance?”
“No, indeed. You have an obligation to him, since you are old friends. Do not you think?” Mrs Younge pressed.
Elizabeth thought her enthusiasm odd. True, Mr Wickham was a very pleasing gentleman. If he had grown up on the estate, Miss Darcy likely was already well acquainted with him. But why would Mrs Younge promote the acquaintance? She was in Mr Darcy’s employ, and judging by what Mr Wickham had said, Mr Darcy would likely not be happy to learn of Mr Wickham trying to rekindle a friendship with his younger sister. Elizabeth turned, catching Miss Darcy’s eyes on her. She hurriedaway, trying to make sense of it. Something seemed very wrong, but what? Perhaps it was nothing. Perhaps it was only her sadness at losing the friendship that made her look askance at Mrs Younge. Likely, there was nothing to be concerned about at all.
