"Sorry, my fault," Darcy said as I stumbled mid-step, jolting out of my reverie.
It had not been his fault at all, yet I could not stop myself from teasing him. "You are very clumsy, sir. People cannot know what I endure."
Darcy smiled. "Yes, it is a pity isn't it? I am however handsome and rich, and surely that is all that matters to ladies."
"Ladies who think that is all that matters do not consider their toes."
"Are you injured?" Darcy asked seriously. "Should we stop?"
"No, I am fine," I insisted. My foot did ache, but I had no wish to stop. The dance was exhilarating.
Almost as soon as I declared my soundness I stumbled again. This time it was not my foot which betrayed me, rather another coupled had veered into our path necessitating I release Darcy and dodge lest I be crushed. My maneuver would have been successful had Darcy not tried to move with me. Instead of colliding with the other couple, I crashed bodily into Darcy, which I suppose might be considered a more desirable outcome.
I stabilized myself using him as an anchor, one hand catching the front of his coat, the other hand finding itself somehow on his derriere. Where it remained. For several seconds. After which I removed both hands from his person and made frantic, unintelligible apologies.
"If you are truly uninjured, I can only conclude this blundering is done with intent, Elizabeth," said Darcy his voice rich with amusement.
I felt my cheeks flame. "That is a most ungentlemanly insinuation."
"An honest assessment of most unladylike conduct, more like. If you are going to paw at me you should at least wait until we are in privacy," Darcy said in a low whispered, his lips nearly touching my ear. We had come to rest in the middle of the dance floor, the dancers still twirling dizzyingly around us.
"You should not be so cruel to me. I know where you sleep." I had intended to be foreboding, but my words had come out in a strange half-strangled whisper.
"You know where I sleep," he repeated, brow quizzical as ever.
"That was supposed to be a threat."
"Indeed?"
"I am intimating I will do some manner of violence to you when you are vulnerable. Smother you I suppose."
"Ah," he said with a smile, then lowering his lips to my ear once more, he whispered, "If attempted murder is what it takes to get you into my bed, I suppose I will have to take my chances. I am a light sleeper."
This shocking comment produced a strange sensation in my loins. Like a stomach ache only lower and rather pleasing. So not like a stomach ache at all, actually.
"We should return to the dance," I said, because what reply could I possibly make to that roguish remark?
"Are you truly steady now or should I anticipate my person being subjected to additional trespass?"
"I will not falter again," I said with irritated embarrassment.
As he led us back into the dance he whispered, so quietly it was barely audible, "A pity."
"You could visit me," I said, after a long silence. Why I mentioned it I do not know. I have no wish to do . . .thatwith a man who has (probably) actively interfered with my sister's happiness. Also I still do not know if he hates kittens and/or sunshine.
"You know where I sleep as well," I explain, in response to his bemusement.
"I do, but after the last time I did not wish to frighten you."
"I was not frightened."
"Forgive me, I meant I did not wish to further disgust you with my enormous deformity."
I laughed, then winced. My foot had once again given out.
"You must sit down," Darcy insisted.
I did not argue this time. I could not help but limp slightly as he led me back to Jane and Dora.
