Darcy turned to her, masking his displeasure with difficulty. Miss Bingley, it seemed, made lying to herself into an art form.
“Excuse me, Miss Bingley, but as I recall, you refused a request to dance. According to the custom, you must sit out the rest of the evening.”
An ugly sneer contorted Miss Bingley’s features. “If I cared for the opinions of these people, you would be correct. As it is, I do not consider myself bound by that convention in the company of such people.”
“Society and the rules of polite behavior apply wherever one goes, Miss Bingley.”
“When these people show they understand such things, perhaps I shall agree with you.”
Darcy shook his head and turned away from her, wishing she would leave him be. To wish for her absence was a fond desire, yet out of the question given her dogged determination.
“Come, Mr. Darcy, I shall partner with you and show these people how those of quality behave.”
That was Darcy’s breaking point. Annoyed, he turned to Miss Bingley with an expression that was just short of a glare. “I have had about as much incivility from you as I can tolerate, Miss Bingley. For your information, I have enjoyed this evening, and I am engaged to dance the last with Miss Elizabeth.”
Contrary to Darcy’s expectations, Miss Bingley did not gasp, cry, or give any other sign that his declaration had surprised her. The expression that adorned her face showed cold fury, though it was impotent.
“Since you have seen fit to impose yourself upon me, allow me to be perfectly clear. I shall not dance with you, tonight or ever. In truth, I do not enjoy your company and have little interest in you, and none as a potential wife. Cease this objectionable behavior and leave me be. I shall not offer for you.”
With that, Darcy stalked away. Whatever he expected, it appeared Miss Bingley was determined to watch him, which she did without approaching for the rest of the evening. When the final sets arrived, Darcy took Miss Elizabeth’s hand and led her to the line, and only then did Miss Bingley sneer at Darcy, shoot a poisoned dart at Miss Elizabeth, and stalk away straight to the entrance. Within moments, she was gone.
“Oh my,” said Miss Elizabeth, as she watched Miss Bingley retreat from the room. “It appears Miss Bingley is quite put out with you, Mr. Darcy.”
“Perhaps she understands at last.”
Miss Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Do you suppose she will desist now? Or has she retreated to marshal her forces for another foray onto the battlefield?”
“I cannot say, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Darcy. “As the last three years have demonstrated, Miss Bingley does not give up her wishes without a fight.”
Though she nodded, Miss Elizabeth showed more concern than amusement. “What do you suppose she will do next?”
“I am afraid that I cannot predict Miss Bingley’s actions.”
Miss Elizabeth watched him, and when he did not speak, she filled the silence between them. “Youwilltake care, will you not?”
A sense of warmth filled Darcy, heartening him with this evidence of her concern. “I have been careful all my adult life, Miss Elizabeth. Are Miss Bingley’s intentions now a matter of concern for you?”
“Are they not?” asked she. “Did you not all but promise to call on me?”
“Then you are not opposed?”
“Did I not agree to receive you?”
Darcy grinned, amused by her quick succession of questions. “Yes, Miss Elizabeth, I believe you did; for that I will remain grateful for the opportunity you have given me to prove myself. In answer to your question, I always take care, and from far more cunning opponents than Miss Bingley.
“I have informed Bingley that even if his sister tries something devious and succeeds in her design, I shall not bend and will not, under any circumstances, consider myself bound to restore her reputation. If she tries something, she will reap what she sows.”
Miss Elizabeth’s expression softened. “Will that not affect Mr. Bingley?”
“In this neighborhood, I doubt it would do him any harm,” replied Darcy. “If the tale makes its way to London, it will do some damage, but I doubt it will leave this neighborhood. Even if it does, Bingley understands and will retreat from London until gossip dies down, provided he obtains your sister’s consent.”
A sense of relief washed over Miss Elizabeth, and this increased Darcy’s confidence more than anything else had to that point. In displaying her concern, Miss Elizabeth had shown she was far more invested in this business than Darcy had a right to expect. She was not so distant and unreachable as he might have thought.
When the last dance ended, the assembly rooms emptied of those who had attended, though many stayed behind in conversation. Among them were both Darcy and Bingley, each in close conversation with their chosen Bennet sister. Miss Elizabeth, Darcy noted, was far more animated than she had been at any time in his acquaintance with her, further displayingthe disparity between her behavior now and how she had treated him in the autumn.
It was all the evidence of her willingness that he needed, especially after her concern for Miss Bingley’s intentions. She had given him a rare gift, that of her willingness to meet him, to allow him to make his case to her. Darcy felt he had more than enough to proceed with boldness. With any luck, he would have her consent to an engagement before the season began.
Chapter XVII
