Unfortunately for her, the duke had old fashioned ideas and considered punctuality to be the courtesy of princes. Therefore, the siblings wereunfashionablylate and no one of consequence was there to receive them and be astonished at Miss Bingley’s spectacular entrance.
They were fortunate that the footman on duty was grudgingly prepared to admit them after carefully examining their invitation.
In the empty foyer they could hear the strains of music emanating from the ballroom.
‘First you are cross with me for only arriving today after a rushed journey from Yorkshire, arriving in plenty of time to be ready for the ball, and then you make us late because of your idiotic ideas about fashion,’ grumbled Bingley.
‘How was I to know that everyone else would be so unfashionably early,’ Caroline defended herself.
‘As a matter of fact, they were courteously punctual. Something which you have never learnt,’ muttered Bingley as he led his sister to the ballroom.
The siblings almost immediately spotted Jane Bennet dancing with Deveril.
Bingley stopped, completely enraptured by the lady’s grace.
Caroline also noticed Jane and while she was somewhat put out that Miss Bennet had received an invitation to this ball as well, she decided that it was fortuitous since her brother could now claim his beloved.
Looking around to see if there were any other familiar faces, Miss Bingley was horror-struck when she saw Darcy dance with none other than Elizabeth Bennet.
That was a situation which had never occurred to her could happen. Had not Mr Darcy claimed that Eliza was only tolerable but not handsome enough to tempt him to dance? That comment had assured her that the chit was no competition for herself, so that even if Jane should marry Charles, Darcy would give his friend’s sister-in-law nary a second glance.
But now, here he was dancing with that chit. Not only that but he was dancing the first set with her. Mr Darcy never danced the first set… with anyone.
Suddenly, any ideas Caroline had had about renewing the friendship with Jane and encouraging her brother to make a match with her went out the window. She could not permit any Bennet girl anywhere nearherMr Darcy, which would surely happen if Charles married Jane.
~T~
As soon as the music finished, Bingley headed towards Jane while his sister was holding onto his arm for grim death. It would not do for Charles to reach the chit before her.
Deveril was leading Jane to the edge of the dancefloor where her sisters and their partners were converging as the three couples were changing partners for the second set.
Moments later they were joined by Mr and Miss Bingley. Since Bingley knew everyone in the group, he assumed that his sister did as well. He therefore gave an absentminded greeting to all without bothering to introduce Deveril, as he focused his attention on Jane. ‘Miss Bennet, it is an absolute delight to see you tonight. I confess I had not expected to encounter you here.’
‘Indeed, Miss Bennet, I too was not expecting to see you tonight. I thought that you might be at home keeping your…unclecompany. How is your dear…uncletoday?’ purred Miss Bingley, ensuring that her brother was reminded of Jane’s supposedly loose behaviour.
‘Thank you for asking, Miss Bingley. As it happens, there was no need for us to remain at home as our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner are here as well.’ Jane smiled sweetly, but there was an edge to her voice.
Bingley was almost bouncing on the balls of his feet while he was waiting for the ladies to stop speaking for a moment so that he could make his request. ‘Miss Bennet, would you honour me with your next set?’
‘I am sorry, Mr Bingley,’ Jane said politely but mendaciously, ‘I am engaged to dance the next set with Colonel Fitzwilliam.’
Bingley turned his head in the gentleman’s direction. ‘Fitzwilliam, be a good chap and release the lady to dance with me.’
The Colonel considered his options for a moment before he said, ‘Certainly, if Miss Bennet wishes to be released.’
‘Excellent, thank you,’ Bingley replied and held out his hand to Jane. ‘Shall we, my dear Miss Bennet?’
Before Caroline had a chance to object, Jane saved her the trouble.
‘Certainly not, Mr Bingley. Did you not hear the Colonel say that it is my choice?’
‘Surely you would choose to dance with me?’
‘You presume too much. I have been looking forward to my dances with the good Colonel.’
Bingley was taken aback but recovered. ‘My apologies, Miss Bennet, if in my eagerness to dance with you at the earliest opportunity, I have overstepped,’ Bingley said contritely. ‘Will you honour me with your next available set?’
‘I am afraid that all my dances for tonight are already spoken for.’
