“A series of sad events drew us south. I cannot repine Providence’s hand in our lives, however. My girls were raised as daughters of an estate just as they ought to have been, and my son will inherit Longbourn and all that is his father’s. Idomiss the North.” Mrs. Bennet kept her gaze on the dance floor, watching her daughters as they danced a Scottish reel. “How time passes. I can scarcely believe it has been twelve years.” Her voice held a wistful tone and was touched by something more—something he could not name.
“Your daughters are very lovely,” he said sincerely. And they were. Whilst Miss Bennet’s fair looks were everything fashionable, it was Miss Elizabeth’s darker coloring that drew him in. Her dark curls glistened in the candlelight, strands of red shimmering with every dance step. Her eyes were laughing, and her wide smile held no malice or deceit.
He remained with Mrs. Bennet for the better part of an hour, escorting her to the dance floor for the third set. After that, she crossed the room to visit another matron, leaving Darcy brooding against one wall.
Despite his best efforts, he could not keep his attention from settling on Miss Elizabeth. He found her attractive; that much he could allow. But she was the insignificant daughter of a country gentleman and not at all suitable to be mistress of Pemberley.
Mistress of—what am I thinking? How very rapid is the imagination, jumping from admiration to matrimony in but a moment.I am no love-struck fool.
“Come, Darcy, I must have you dance!” Bingley appeared at his side. “You have been standing here in this stupid manner long enough.”
“I have danced two sets, Bingley. I shall dance two more before the night is through.” Darcy kept his gaze on Miss Elizabeth, watching her as she made her way to seating arranged very near his present position.
“I have never met with prettier or more amiable ladies in my life,” Bingley said fervently.
“You are dancing with the handsomest woman in the room,” he reminded his friend.
Bingley beamed. “She is an angel!” he cried enthusiastically. “But look, there is her sister sitting there.” He faltered, that strange look crossing his face again. Bingley shook his head. “She is very pretty and an agreeable companion. If you recall, I asked her to dance myself.”
Darcy glanced at Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She sat near enough to hear their conversation; he felt certain. Annoyed as he was at Bingley’s probing, he bit back the vitriolic reply that threatened to burst forth. “I shall ask her, Bingley, but she may not have a set left.”
“If she does not, you will have to look elsewhere for a partner.” Bingley nudged him. “Go on.”
Sighing with restraint, Darcy approached the young lady. “Miss Elizabeth, I recall. Have you a set that I might claim?” His smile felt more like a grimace. It must have looked the same, for Miss Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and appraised him.
“My last is free, sir. Feel free to withdraw your offer if that set will discompose you.” Her lips quirked.
She is laughing at me,he realized. He did not know whether to be impressed or dismayed. He cleared his throat and glanced away. “No, I do not believe I shall. Withdraw my offer, that is.”
“Then the last set is yours, Mr. Darcy.” Miss Elizabeth nodded and returned her attention to the dance floor.
Intrigued, he lingered for a moment longer before retreating to the safety of his wall. He stayed but a moment before resigning himself to find one more dance partner. Noting another wallflower, he prevailed upon Sir William for an introduction. The lady in question, Miss Victoria Bates accepted his offer to dance enthusiastically, beaming from ear to ear at his attention. Instead of puttinghim off, her genuine pleasure warmed his heart. They danced the fifth together, and whilst the lady did not seem to know the steps very well, her constant chatter spared him the need to search for conversation.
He strolled around the room as he waited for the last set. If he were honest with himself, he greatly anticipated those dances. Miss Elizabeth’s liveliness drew him in. He watched her dancing, strange feelings of jealousy rising as she bestowed her attention upon other gentlemen.
At some point, he noted that Bingley, too, could not keep his eyes off the lady. His friend’s attention drifted from his partner to Miss Elizabeth frequently. With each distracted glance, Bingley’s confused expression reemerged.
Miss Elizabeth noted his friend’s behavior and asked Darcy about it as they began their set.
“I cannot begin to explain what has got into my friend,” he replied when she posed her query.
“I do apologize for being forward,” she said haltingly. “It is only that I find his intensity somewhat disconcerting. I wondered if you knew the cause.”
“Bingley is typically a happy fellow, eager to please and be pleased by all he meets. His manner tonight goes against everything I have ever known of him.” Darcy glanced down the line of dancers. Bingley smiled at his partner. The same smile stayed in place until Darcy and Miss Elizabeth passed under the raised arms of Bingley and his partner. The former’s gaze fell to Elizabeth’s face and at once his smile vanished.
When they were safely away, Darcy turned to Miss Elizabeth and said, “I must apologize for my friend.”
“His behavior is not your fault,” she murmured. “Perhaps I remind him of someone.”
They spoke of other subjects throughout the rest of the set. Darcy learned that Miss Elizabeth loved books and had read widely. She teasingly said she could not discuss books in a ballroom.
Smirking, he replied, “Then I shall have to call upon Longbourn to pursue the subject.” His boldness surprised even him, and he found that whilst he spoke in haste, he meant every word.
The set ended, and they parted ways. Bingley’s carriage was one of the first to be called, and the exhausted gentlemen clambered aboard. They sank back into the squabs as the conveyance lurched forward.
“You cannot tell me you did not enjoy the evening, Darcy,” Bingley said after some minutes of silence.
“I confess, I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.” Darcy grinned in the dark. Images of Miss Elizabeth and her fine eyes danced in his mind. “You seemed pleased with Miss Bennet.”
