Chapter Three
October 15, 1811
Meryton Assembly
Elizabeth
“Whatthinkyouofthe new neighbors, Eliza?” asked Charlotte.
“’Tis hard to form an opinion after such a short meeting,” Elizabeth chided. “First impressions are rarely correct.”
“Yours are,” Charlotte disagreed. “Come now, I wish to know.” Her friend took Elizabeth’s hand pleadingly.
Elizabeth laughed. “Very well. I shall do my best. Let us begin with the Hursts. Your father introduced him and Miss Bingley to us while you were dancing with Mr. Bingley. Mrs. Hurst’s introduction came after the set. The gentleman seems a man of fashion. I believe he was already in his cups when he arrived. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst give every appearance ofhigh-born, fashionable ladies, despite it being known that their fortune came from trade. Both seem to place themselves above others, which does not bode well for their future in Meryton.”
Elizabeth paused for breath, her gaze going to Mr. Bingley and Jane, who were now dancing. “Mr. Bingley seems eager to please and be pleased. His attraction to Jane is hardly surprising. I would have doubted his sanity if he had not liked her at once. As for Mr. Darcy…” She trailed off. The man had barely said two words. He was nowhere near as attractive as his friend. Mr. Darcy had a wine stain birth mark covering most of one side of his face. It was dark red—one could hardly miss it. A long scar ran down one side of his plain, unremarkable face. It looked recent, for it was still red and raised. His nose, likewise, appeared to have been broken at some point. Lydia would call the gentleman ‘ugly,’ but Elizabeth did not think his appearance warranted such a harsh description. Beneath the birth mark and scar, she could tell he was a handsome man.
“What of him?” Charlotte sounded very eager. Elizabeth understood her friend’s excitement. As a lady with little physical beauty, she thought her best chance of marrying at all was to find someone equally ill-favored. Elizabeth thought her friend did herself a disservice. Charlotte would find someone who looked beyond her appearance and saw the good that lay within.
“He is exceptional,” she finally replied. “I detect deep, hidden pain. Did you see how my mama overlooked him? It was as though he were not there.”
“’Tis very surprising,” Charlotte agreed. “He is from the North and has a fortune of ten thousand a year. Can you believe it?”
“Yes, Mama ought to have been falling all over herself.” Elizabeth laughed. “I think I should like to know him better.”
Charlotte’s face fell.
“Oh.” She sounded so dejected. “He will not look at me if you show him interest.”
“I have not staked a claim in his heart, Charlotte. I merely wish to know him better so I might understand his character. If you wish to befriend him with hope of marriage, I shall not stand in your way.”
Her friend’s expression brightened, and with a nod, Charlotte departed. Lady Lucas waved from across the room, and she hastened to see what her mother needed.
The set ended, and Elizabeth moved to a chair to watch the next one. She did not usually sit out two in a row, but she wished to observe for a time. Lydia and Kitty were speaking animatedly with the Goulding brothers, and Mary conversed with Mrs. Long in the corner.
Voices behind her drew her attention, and Elizabeth turned slightly to see Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy speaking.
“Come, Darcy, you must cease standing about in this stupid manner. I must have you dance. There are many lovely, agreeable ladies here! Surely, someone—”
“There is not a lady here who would not find it a punishment to stand up with me,” came the curt reply.
Elizabeth’s heart seized.Surely, he did not feel that way about himself!
“That is ridiculous. Any lady you asked would accept—”
“Yes, they would,” Mr. Darcy interrupted. “It does not follow that they would not find it a punishment to do so. Bingley, I have been through this with you many times.”
“You have, and I maintain you cannot predict every lady’s motives. Not every woman is mercenary, and not every woman looks only to find fault. Miss Bennet, for example, is an angel! Never have I met a kinder, softer-spoken lady. I am certain she would not object to dancing with you.”
Mr. Darcy sighed deeply. “I shall find a partner if it pleases you, my friend. Forgive my dismal mood.”
Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Darcy push away from the wall. Mr. Bingley pointed directly ather,then folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. Nodding once, Mr. Darcy came towards her.
“Miss Elizabeth, I believe,” he said kindly. “Would you do me the great honor of dancing the next set…with me?” He trailed off awkwardly and looked away.
He is nervous,Elizabeth thought. Smiling kindly, she nodded her acceptance. “Would you care to join me as we wait? The musicians are taking a respite.”
He looked relieved and nodded, taking a seat beside her.
