Jane’s gentle persistence at length prevailed, and Elizabeth had agreed to attend one event each week. This assembly would be her first since her husband’s death.
At least I shall see Charlotte,she reasoned. Two years after Elizabeth had returned to Longbourn, her friend had married Mr Wilkens, who had thoroughly lost his heart to her. Her practical good sense suited him perfectly, and now with the more comfortable situation offered by Elizabeth, he had felt himself able to propose. Charlotte accepted and was very much in love with her husband. Though Mrs Wilkens called often at Longbourn, Elizabeth never found her company sufficient; she valued it too much to tire of it. Both husband and wife were to attend that evening.
Elinor’s breathing grew deep and even, proof she was fully asleep. Rising with care, Elizabeth crossed to the little bed in the corner and laid her precious child on it. She smoothed the coverlet with a fond hand before retreating softly. After a quiet word with Miss Lane, Elizabeth withdrew to her chamber to dress.
Sarah awaited her arrival and quickly assisted her in changing into an indigo-blue gown. It was a little out of fashion, but not enough to draw remark, and Elizabeth had remade it only last season. In truth, it was fartoo elegant for the country, yet as it still had ample wear remaining, she had seen no reason to purchase anything new for the assembly.
The neckline was higher than most ladies now preferred, a remnant of her late husband’s dictates. Elizabeth did not mind the modest cut. She fastened her spinel necklace—the silver chain and black stone complemented the blue gown. It was her favourite piece, and she wore it whenever she could. Most assumed it to be mourning jewellery and supposed she still pined for her husband.Let them think what they will,she thought with quiet defiance.
At length, she was ready. A shawl and a warm cloak were gathered, for the air had turned chill in the evenings, a sure sign that the bitter winter months were not far distant. Leaving her chambers, she descended the stairs with a light step. The carriage awaited, and she entered with Kane’s assistance.
Sloan and Kane had remained in her employ when she returned to Hertfordshire. Even with the threat of Burns removed, she felt more secure in their presence. They had accepted their altered duties with good humour, acting as footmen and escorting the ladies of Longbourn whenever they ventured out. She paid them handsomely, and few suspected their true purpose.
The short drive to Meryton passed in thoughtful silence. A curious anticipation rose within her at the prospect of the assembly. She wondered, half-amused, whether anyone might invite her to dance. Most in the country knew her to be a wealthy widow, yet the single gentlemen had shown little inclination to pursue her. She brushed the spinel at her throat. Perhaps their belief that she still mourned her husband was what shielded her from unwanted attentions. In truth,her trust, once misplaced, was not so easily revived.
When the carriage slowed to a halt, she accepted Kane’s steadying hand and alighted. He tipped his hat as she went inside, his polite gesture met with a grateful smile. The chill of the night gave way to the welcoming warmth of the assembly rooms, and Elizabeth stepped into the adjoining chamber to leave her cloak with the other guests’ wraps.
She entered the hall and looked about for her family. Jane was already on the floor, dancing with an unfamiliar gentleman, her countenance radiant.Mr Bingley, I presume,Elizabeth thought, attempting to suppress the swift and unjust surmises that rose unbidden in her mind.
A further glance showed he had not come alone. Two ladies accompanied him—one tall, with brown hair arranged in the latest fashion, and the other shorter, with her mousy locks dressed elegantly. The latter one leaned on the arm of a portly gentleman whose flushed cheeks and raised glass of punch betrayed a fondness for indulgence.
As the set concluded, she noticed another face that did not belong to the neighbourhood, though it was far from unknown. Her heart gave a sudden leap. Mr Darcy stood against the far wall; his expression was composed in forbidding severity. For a moment she could only look at him. He was every bit as handsome as she remembered. Drawn almost without thought, she began to move in his direction, uncertain whether he would remember her.
Mrs Goulding stopped her to exchange pleasantries, and by the time she had escaped, she had almost lost her opportunity to approach Mr Darcy. When at last she drew near to the gentleman, she saw who she presumed to be Mr. Bingley join him.
“Come, Darcy, I must have you dance. You have stood about in this stupid manner for long enough.”
“I have already danced with your sisters, Bingley.” Darcy’s air was indifferent.
“The building will not collapse if you leave the wall to its own support.” Mr Bingley jested. “There are many pretty girls here—some uncommonly so.”
“Youare dancing with the handsomest woman in the room.” He inclined his head towards Jane, who now stood with Charlotte by the refreshment table. Her cheeks were a delicate shade of pink, and her eyes sparkled.
“She is an angel!” cried Mr Bingley with warmth. “But she has another sister in attendance, seated just over there.” Elizabeth followed the direction of his pointed hand, where she saw Mrs Long gesticulating with great animation while Mary listened with quiet forbearance.
“Enough, Bingley.” The words carried the weight of finality. “I detest dancing, but it would be an added humiliation to dance at an assembly such as this. There is not a hint of refinement or suitability in the room. It would be a degradation to dance with those whose consequence is so decidedly beneath my own.”
Elizabeth’s heart sank.Degradation?she thought.Who is this man? Surely not the Mr Darcy I knew!
“I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom!” Mr Bingley cried. “Tell me, friend, what difference do you see between dancing with my sisters and with any lady here?”
Mr Darcy’s frown darkened. “I am acquainted with your sisters. Dancing with them is part of my duty as your guest.”
Mr Bingley‘s grin turned mischievous. “By singling Caroline out, you will raise her expectations. When shall I wish you joy?”
The object of his teasing scowled. “You know I shall never offer for her. Miss Bingley’s hopes are her own—and they are misplaced.”
He would raise a lady’s expectations only to abandon her?The thought pierced Elizabeth like a blade. Reason told her that she had overheard buta fragment of conversation, but her instincts clamoured a warning she could not silence.Danger,her mind shouted.Danger.Could this be the same man who had once shown such kindness and warmth in London? Had he misrepresented himself to her? Or had some alteration in his fortunes hardened him into someone unrecognisable? A chill of panic swept through her—a sensation she had not endured for four long years.
Mr Bingley laughed. “Well, I do know it. If only I could convince Caroline of the same. Very well, keep to yourself, Darcy, but do nothing to make my entrance into this neighbourhood more difficult.” Still chuckling, Mr Bingley walked away.
Elizabeth no longer wished Mr Darcy to see her. Retreating step by step, she slipped into the crowd at the edge of the room, resolved to keep her distance until she could bring some order to the tumult in her mind.
Darcy
Bingley’s teasing had lifted Darcy’s spirits, but only a little. His friend could not know how heavily his heart was burdened. Earlier that summer, his beloved sister had very nearly been lost. The blackguard Wickham had persuaded Georgiana to elope. Darcy had intercepted the scheme in time and had intended to see the miscreant shipped to Van Diemen’s Land or some other far-flung country. Unfortunately, Wickham had escaped before he could be placed aboard a ship.
Georgiana’s near ruin had caused more than pain; it left him racked with guilt over his own negligence. He scarcely knew how to be both brother and guardian to a girl so much younger than himself. Thrust into the role of parent at three-and-twenty, he had done what he could, leaning heavily on his aunt, Lady Matlock, for guidance. Yet even she could not always assist him.
