The remainder of the dance was very quiet. She could not help but stiffen anytime he held her in his arms. Mr Darcy had made it all too obvious that he thoroughly disapproved of her. When the song ended, they exchanged bows, and Elizabeth left as quickly as courtesy would allow. She rejoined Charlotte, but the optimism she had taken into the dance had faded entirely away.
“Whatever is the matter, Lizzy?” Charlotte asked.
“Oh, it was awful, Charlotte. He asked all sorts of questions about my family and our upbringing. I could see he disapproves. I only hope it will not thwart Jane’s chances of happiness with Mr Bingley.” She looked over at her sister and Mr Bingley, who had rejoined the Netherfield party and seemed to be having a lovely time. “He is a very proud man, I can see, and very strict. I doubt we shall ever dance again.”
“What a pity. He seemed like such a kind and generous man when I first met him,” Charlotte said. “Are you quite sure you read his feelings correctly?” Charlotte looked over at Mr Darcy, but Elizabeth could not bear to look at him.
“I have no doubt of it. But do not worry about me, Charlotte. I shall forget Mr Darcy as quickly as I can. I have not the least intention of throwing myself at the feet of a man who disapproves of me and my family.” Elizabeth whispered. Of course, her mother was likely in ecstasy, knowing that Mr Darcy had asked her to dance. The news of Elizabeth’s inheritance had not decreased Mrs Bennet’s fervour to marry off both her daughters to wealthy men. It had only increased the likelihood of her success.
Perhaps I ought not to judge my mother, for I am more ambitious still.After all, Mrs Bennet’s desire was the only sensible course of action for a mother of five daughters without dowries. Elizabeth could not claim that her dream of marrying for love was half so reasonable. It was only essential.
“Perhaps Mr Darcy will give you cause to think better of him,” Charlotte suggested.
“Perhaps,” Elizabeth said. There was no point in arguing with her dear friend. She glanced at Mr Darcy, but quickly looked away so he would not see her. “Perhaps not. I doubt we shall ever speak again.”
∞∞∞
“Poor Mr Darcy. I see you have stooped to a dance with one of the illustrious Bennet sisters.”
Caroline Bingley gave a small chuckle as Darcy joined her and her sister on the dais. He frowned. “Not at all, Miss Bingley. I have been very pleasantly engaged. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is delightfully witty and spirited.”
“It is a pity she is not as pretty as Miss Jane Bennet,” Miss Bingley replied quickly.
Darcy frowned. “To the contrary. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is a very pleasing young woman. And I do not believe I have ever seen such remarkably fine eyes.”
He regretted the words almost as soon as he had spoken them, for they were only too true. It was strange, but while he had gone to test her motives and character for his friend, he had ended by being little short of enchanted himself. Darcy could not recall ever meeting another lady with such a remarkable combination of intelligence and humour, good nature and strength. She had showed great spirit in defending her unusual upbringing to him, and great love and loyalty for her family. He thought it irregular for a landed gentleman’s daughters not to have had a governess. But it showed great fortitude that she had taught herself, and with such notable results. And she had shown such care for her sisters. Surely that was how family ought to be — always looking out for each other, seeing that the others had what they needed to flourish.
It was just the sort of family he wanted to raise when he found the right woman.
“Mr Darcy? Are you quite well?” Mrs Hurst asked, drawing him out of his reverie.
He shook his head slightly and clasped his hands behind his back. He looked toward the area where Miss Elizabeth and her sisters had congregated. They seemed to be having a lovely time together. Would that he had not been the only son of his father. He was grateful to have a sister, of course, but there were so many years between them that their relationship could never have the freedom and ease of siblings closer in age — particularly as he was now also the nearest thing Georgiana had to a father. How different everything might have been, if only Georgiana had the companionship of a sister!
“I am well,” Mr Darcy replied after a long pause. “Forgive me. I was lost in thought.”
“So we saw,” Mrs Hurst said, a sarcastic bite to her tone. “The Meryton ladies are charming indeed, if they can prove such a distraction to a gentleman who is accustomed to the drawing rooms and salons of London.”
She walked away before Darcy could say anything, taking her younger sister with her. He could not regret their absence. Miss Bingley had tried several times to commiserate with him about the evening, though Darcy had not chosen to agree. There was a wicked amusement to seeing her grow increasingly frustrated with his dissent, before finally leaving him to follow her sister.
The night had grown late before Darcy finally persuaded Bingley that they should retire, if only for the sake of Miss Bingley and the rest of the party who had travelled out from London. The carriage ride back to Netherfield was nearly silent, for they drove home in varying degrees of thoughtfulness. Noone saw much use in voicing their thoughts, and that was just as well with Darcy.
When they arrived back at Netherfield, they said their goodnights. Miss Bingley and the Hursts had already begun climbing the stairs to their rooms when Bingley forestalled him.
“Talk with me a little, my old friend — at least, if you are not too tired.”
Darcy readily agreed and followed him into the study. Bingley poured each of them a healthy glass of port, and the two friends raised their glasses to each other in a silent toast.
They settled in two of the overstuffed chairs near the hearth. “What an evening, would you not say?” Bingley exclaimed happily.
Darcy thought for a moment before speaking. “It was that,” he replied. “What do you think of your new residence? Do you think you will stay?”
“I cannot imagine what would convince me to leave!” Bingley replied, leaning forward excitedly in his chair. “It is a very pleasant neighbourhood, and I have never seen so many pretty girls in all my life.”
“Perhaps you ought to say, ‘such a pretty girl,’ for I assume you speak of Miss Jane Bennet,” Darcy returned. “You danced two sets with her this evening.”
“And I would have asked for a third, if propriety allowed it. She is the most delightful creature I have ever beheld!” Bingley leaned back in his chair, shaking his head as though he dared anyone to argue with him. He paused, looking over at Darcy. “But her sister is very agreeable as well.”
Not wishing to betray himself, Darcy only nodded. “Miss Elizabeth Bennet seems a pleasant sort. She truly was not angry about your comment comparing the two of them?”
