Once I was seated he knelt down before me.
"What are you doing? It is not broken," I exclaimed as Darcy removed my slipper and began gently pressing upon my toes. It was too ridiculous that I should have two different gentlemen kneeling before me in one evening.
"It does not feel broken," he said.
"I told you it was not."
"Shall we leave?"
I nearly assented before I spotted Mr. Bingley moving our way. Thinking of Jane and my yet to be realized plans, I replied, "No, I can stay a little longer."
"What has happened to Miss Elizabeth?" Mr. Bingley asked upon reaching us.
"Mrs. Darcy's foot was trod on," Darcy replied.
"Well done, Darcy."
Darcy narrowed his eyes but his annoyance was false, he had been more put out by his friend's mistaken use of my maiden name than by the implication he had injured me himself.
Returning his attention to me he asked, "Can I get you something? A drink?"
Mr. Bingley immediately offered to go in his stead.
"No, Darcy, can do it," I said, "He needs to make amends for being so clumsy on the dance floor."
That remark earned me a Lizzy Specific Glare. I grinned madly back at him. He rolled his eyes. A Glare and an eye roll! I am glorious indeed. I realize I am flirting with him again, but this will be remedied later I am certain. Surely one of us will do something to reverse any fond feelings that might develop during this peaceful interlude.
Darcy made an offer to fetch drinks for the other ladies as well then went off in search of refreshment. Against all my hopes, Bingley spent the entirety of Darcy's absence speaking to myself and Mrs. Rose, making just one perfunctory comment to Jane.
Upon his return Darcy gave me reason to regret my earlier flirtation. He started looking at me like I was cake. Husband or not, it was inappropriate that he should be watching me with that hungry, blazing intensity in so public a place. However, enormous deformity notwithstanding, I was beginning to wonder if visiting his bedchamber with non-murderous intentions might be enjoyable. The waltz was a dangerous dance indeed.
I nervously sipped my drink, barely tasting the sweetness of the wine.
"Another?" Darcy asked when I had finished.
"No, I have had two this evening. I should stop."
"Two or Two?" he asked teasingly, holding up three fingers. At first I did not know what he was referring to, then I recalled our wedding night.
"Two."
He chuckled at my irritation. At the sound of his rich, deep laugh I felt that loin warming ache-that-was-not-an-ache I had experienced earlier. It should be illegal for a gentleman who could be so infuriating to also be so appealing.
The set came to an end and a country dance was called next.
"Jane, should not you be dancing?" I asked, a cunning idea suddenly coming to mind.
"I do not have a partner for this set," then realizing my intentions too late she added, "Oh, Lizzy".
Ignoring her chiding expression, I announced, casually as if to our group in general though it was meant for one gentleman in particular, "Jane hasn't had much opportunity to dance. There are not enough young men here tonight."
The desired response was immediate.
"Would you care to dance, Miss Bennet?"
Unfortunately it was asked by the entirely wrong gentleman. What was Darcy playing at? He must know what I was trying to accomplish. Oh, yes, I realized coming to my senses, of course he knew. Remember what I said earlier about one of us doing something to reverse fond feelings? Well, here it was.
"Do you wish to invalid her as you have me?" I asked.
