For one moment longer they simply looked at each other, caught in a hush of their own while the assembly room carried on in waves of noise and colour around them.
Then Darcy inclined his head with measured formality, stepping back just enough to sever the connection between them. “Thank you for the honour.”
Elizabeth swept a curtsey that was both practiced and sincere. “The honour was mine, Mr. Darcy.”
He offered his arm briefly, out of the same scrupulous courtesy that had marked their entire encounter, guiding her through the slight press of bodies so she would not be jostled. She rested her fingers on his sleeve for those few paces and found the warmth of it unsettlingly reassuring.
When they reached the edge of the floor, he released her with grave precision.
Mrs. Bennet was there at once, like a hawk descending on prey. She clapped her hands and nearly squeaked with excitement. “Lizzy! Mr. Darcy! What a set! I have never seen anything so elegant. Such fine dancing!”
Elizabeth coloured, trying to suppress a sigh. “Mama, please—”
But Mrs. Bennet was unstoppable. She turned those wide, hungry eyes on Darcy. “Sir, you have quite made our evening. I hope you will join us at Longbourn very soon. We should all be so delighted!”
Darcy inclined his head again, his earlier warmth now tucked carefully away. “Madam.”
Elizabeth felt it like a door quietly closing.
She wished she could stop her mother from babbling on, but Mrs. Bennet was beyond mortal intervention.
Mr. Bennet, who had drifted closer, intervened at last, voice calm and dry. “My dear, let the good man breathe. He has only just completed two dances.”
Mrs. Bennet huffed but quieted—a little.
Elizabeth seized the moment to slip away, turning to Darcy with her most composed curtsey. “Mr. Darcy, you honour me.”
He bowed low, eyes meeting hers with quiet intensity. “Miss Elizabeth, the honour is mine entirely. Might I hope you will stand up with me for another of the upcoming sets?”
She felt the corners of her mouth curve despite her best efforts. “I should be very pleased, sir.”
His answering smile was subtle but unmistakable. “You do me a great kindness, Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Darcy turned away to rejoin Bingley, whose grin was wide enough to split his face.
Elizabeth watched him go. She felt oddly bereft.
Mrs. Bennet tugged at her sleeve, triumphant. “Did I not say you would take well to him? Oh, Lizzy, two full dances! Mark me, this is most promising.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes just enough for Jane to see, who covered her mouth to hide a laugh. Then she straightenedher shoulders and exhaled slowly. Two dances, she reminded herself. Just two dances.
But her heart would not quite behave.
***
Elizabeth eventually freed herself from her mother's enthusiastic remarks and drew Jane softly to a more secluded corner by the windows. The candles flickered in the draught, muting the noise of chatter and laughter from the main floor.
They settled side by side on a narrow bench, their skirts brushing. For a moment they simply sat in silence, breathing out the tension of being so thoroughly on display.
Jane was the first to speak, voice low and warm. “Lizzy, you danced beautifully. I could see how well he attended to you. You looked... so at ease.”
Elizabeth snorted softly, though the sound held no real scorn. “At ease? I felt like the main attraction at a fair. After dancing with Cousin Collins I half expected someone to sell tickets to the performance.”
Jane covered a giggle with her hand. “That is not how it seemed on the second set. You looked very well together with Mr. Darcy. He did not take his eyes off you.”
Elizabeth sighed and tilted her head back against the wall. “Yes. How you always see the bright side of things, Jane.”
Jane frowned lightly. “Lizzy. Don’t start again.”
