A shocked stillness ensued in the drawing-room as everyone—save Mr. Collins and Mrs. Bennet, who remained in private conversation—stared at the gentleman. The man himself seemed stiff and even grim-faced despite his words, but as he shifted in place, a revelation came over the briefly stunned Elizabeth, who finally began to recognize that what some had assumed to be pride might actually be reticence. Perhaps Mr. Darcy did notdespise his company so much as the thought of being forced to speak with others when the eyes of so many strangers and brief acquaintances would always be upon him.
What then could it mean that he had taken the opportunity to ask for her first set when an entire roomful of people would be watching him? Could it be that he felt a genuine interest in—nay, attraction toward—Elizabeth?
She might once have scoffed at the idea—and perhaps even shuddered at it—but she had recently begun undergoing a revision of her opinion of Mr. Darcy, and she now found she was not opposed to the notion that the gentleman might be interested in courting her.
With a warm smile meant to soothe any anxiety that Mr. Darcy may have felt due to being the center of attention, Elizabeth said: “I would gladly give you my first two dances.”
A giggle and frantic whispers followed this statement, courtesy of Kitty and Lydia, and then Miss Bingley, who had turned white with surprise at Mr. Darcy’s question, turned red with anger.
Mr. Darcy favored Elizabeth with a smile, and she returned her own. The day suddenly seemed a lot brighter.
Longbourn’s guests left shortly after Mr. Bingley entreated Jane to give him the honor of her first set, and before long, the household was enveloped in the flurry that always ensued on the day of an assembly as the level of excitement started to rise and the preparations for attendance began.
Jane encouraged Elizabeth to wear her nicest ballgown, immensely pleased by Mr. Darcy’s desire to dance with her. Elizabeth shrugged off the attention with impertinent comments, but she agreed to don the light blue dress and to allow Jane to fuss over her once her hair had been appropriately styled by the servant.
When the Longbourn party arrived at the assembly, they spent a little time in conversation with other guests. Once it would soon be time for the first set of dances to begin, Elizabeth heard her mother whispering none-too-softly to Mr. Collins: “Mr. Collins, you must go to Lizzy! You must remember to ask for her first set!”
He bowed toward Mrs. Bennet, advising her he would attend to the issue at once, and then he strode the few steps necessary to reach Elizabeth’s side. As for Elizabeth, she was fighting the urge to jump into conversation with the others of their party in an attempt to avoid the parson.
“I would be most honored, Miss Elizabeth,” said the parson, bowing and holding out his hand in an out-of-place and oddly formal gesture, “if you would allow me to serve as your partner for your first two dances.”
Elizabeth, who had not previously realized that her mother and Mr. Collins had failed to hear Mr. Darcy make a similar request, took a moment to respond. “I am afraid that is impossible, Mr. Collins, as I am already engaged for my first set.”
“Already engaged?” cried Mrs. Bennet, striding forward. “I do not see how that could be, but regardless, I must demand that you withdraw your acceptance at once.”
“You must know that I cannot,” said Elizabeth firmly, fighting against a flare of anger.
“I believe it would behoove you listen to your most wise mother,” said Mr. Collins, “for she understands much better than you do what is best for your future. You should be dancing the first with your fiancé, not with some other young man who will one day be wholly unconnected with you. After all, once we have wed, we will be living in Hunsford, and you will have no need of any previous connections. Indeed, considering the honoryou will feel while under the watch of my most distinguished patroness—”
“Mr. Collins!” said Elizabeth sharply, cutting him off. “At the moment, I do not give two pins for any discussion of your patroness! What you must know is this: I refused your proposal once, and I will do so again. Should I need to refuse your proposal a thousand times before you understand me, I will do it. I shall never marry you, not even if you should suddenly ascend to the position of a duke!”
Mrs. Bennet stared at Elizabeth in shock, and Mr. Collins blinked stupidly at her before he opened his mouth to speak.
“Lizzy, perhaps we should retreat to the other side of the room,” said Mrs. Gardiner, starting to tug at her niece’s arm.
“Lizzy, you must not speak in such a manner to the man who will one day be your husband!” said Mrs. Bennet as she tried to gain control of the situation.
Mr. Collins, having gathered what little of his wits he had about him, began to speak: “I rather think—”
“Miss Elizabeth,” said a deep voice, causing all to turn to look at the approach of a newcomer.
It was Mr. Darcy, and judging by the sternness of his countenance, he had heard at least part of the exchange. “I believe there may be some others making your evening much less pleasant than it should be. The set you promised me shall soon commence—might I steal you away to speak with you for a few minutes before it does?”
Elizabeth could only nod, feeling a little overwhelmed by her circumstances.
Mr. Darcy turned a brittle smile on Mrs. Bennet. “I promise I shall allow no harm to come to your most beloved daughter.”
To Mr. Collins, Mr. Darcy gave only a cold look. Then he swept Elizabeth away to a different part of the room as Mrs. Bennet and Mr. Collins gaped at them.
“I must own that I am surprised to be rescued by a charging knight,” said Elizabeth. “The two dragons that assailed me seem quite stunned themselves by this turn of events.”
“It has . . . displeased me to witness Mr. Collins’s interest in you,” said the gentleman, his eyes briefly meeting hers before darting away.
“Is that so?” asked Elizabeth, feeling a glimmer of curiosity mixed with amusement.
“Indeed,” said he, clearing his throat. “I suppose now there is no need for me to seek confirmation that you are not—and have no intentions to ever be—engaged to Mr. Collins.”
“Yes, I suppose you might reach such a conclusion from the conversation that you just overheard. Of course, a young lady in my position might wonder why such a thing would be of any interest to a man in your position.”
