“I desire Miss Bennet’s dance card to lack vacancies.”
“What do you need me for? Simply wait half an hour, and both your cards will be full.”
“I desire hers to be fullnow.”
No novice in strategy and tactics, the general could not help laughing before he set to work.
“Are we looking for marriageable men, old men, or handsome youths who can fill her card?”
Jane quite liked the grandfatherly general, with his thick moustache and grey whiskers. He regarded Jane carefully, and she was gratified to see that here was a man, a leader among men, who not only asked for her opinion but sounded like he might even listen. It was a question about her own life, but she was accustomed to men assuming things and making decisions based on their own judgement (or whims). She felt both happy to be asked—and saddened that her standards for manly behaviour were so abysmally low.
“I would like about half of each, General, but I am not particular.”
The general was accustomed to battle scenes and fully aware that the ballroom was little different. “Am I to assume I have your trust, Miss Bennet?”
“Miss de Bourgh has my trust.”
The general seemed satisfied. “May I have your card? Would you object terribly to a mix of married and single gentlemen?”
“I believe that would be ideal, and I thank you, sir.”
“Is this your first foray into London society?”
“Is it so obvious?”
“Not at all, I am simply laying down the order of battle.”
Jane was enjoying herself immensely with the older gentleman and gave him a radiant smile.
The general chuckled. “It would be best for you to open with a married man. I believe my eldest son-in-law should suffice?”
“I place myself in your hands, sir.”
The general’s wife, a lady of sixty who had all the grace and manners of Aunt Gardiner, arrived at that moment to kindly look after the ladies for a few minutes. The general left at a brisk walk and returned a mere ten minutes later with two full dance cards.
“I have not had this much fun in ages. I must point out that none of the men I volunteered were the least bit reluctant. Now I believe I must bring you around for introductions.”
With that, he introduced them to his eldest daughter’s husband, a bookish and interesting-looking man of forty, then led them about to be introduced to everyone they met, with emphasis on the men who had indirectly asked both ladies to dance.
In all the bustle of meeting new acquaintances, trying to remember some small few of the names, being sure to attend to one another, and everything else involved in the operation; Jane completely forgot about Mr Bingley—until she walked around acolumn enroute to the punch table and almost ran headlong into him.
“Miss Bennet, what an unexpected pleasure!” he said with his typical jovial smile.
Miss Bingley stood beside him, scowling sweetly as usual. “What a surprise. I did not expect to see you here in town, at this sort of ball.”
Jane could see from the corner of her eye that Anne was preparing to emulate Lady Catherine and decided that creating a scene at her first ball was not the ideal outcome. A little amusement was more to her liking… or at least it would be more to Lizzy’s, and emulating her sister had proven efficacious in the past.
“You surprise me, Miss Bingley. You well know I have been in town these four months. You must remember when I called on you in January. As your brother is so engaged withMiss Darcy, I understand you have not had the opportunity to call again. Your desire to sever the acquaintance was not particularly subtle. I might as well see this ‘superior society’ you are so enamoured with for myself, along of course with my good friend.”
She tried her best to keep the ordinary serene countenance she was famous for, but it was difficult, considering Miss Caroline Bingley was turning red and puffing her mouth like a trout caught on the line, and Mr Bingley was regarding his sister with a look that could easily be interpreted as the closest thing to murderous intent he could muster—which frankly looked less fierce than Mr Darcy in his best mood.
It was finally the brother who got himself under regulation at least enough to speak. “Would you grant me the honour of an introduction to your friend?”
Jane really wished Lizzy were there. She really-really wished Lizzy was present, because her sister would enjoy what was coming as much as Jane was about to.
“Oh! I assumed you were acquainted. Miss Anne de Bourgh, may I introduce to your acquaintance Mr and Miss Bingley? Miss de Bourgh is heir to Rosings in Kent. I assumed you knew her, being so well acquainted with her cousin Mr. Darcy or her mother, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
Miss Bingley replied with as much sweetness as five spoons of sugar along with a dollop of poison, “Oh, Miss de Bourgh, it is so lovely to make your acquaintance. I have long desired to meet you.”
