“Lizzy! Show us your ring!” Lydia pushed aside those guests waiting to congratulate the happy couple. “Another sister married! I am the last, but it shall not take me so long as you.”
Lydia’s expression as she looked at the company in the room declared that she meant to have a delightful evening. The sloping bodice of her gown also declared that she would welcome the attentions of any gentleman. She was a full-grown young woman, and Colonel Fitzwilliam was holding back a laugh whilst he did not know where to look. Mr Darcy’s jaw actually hung open, and he only closed it when Elizabeth linked an arm through his and gave it a sharp tug.
“How do you like my gown? How do you like my trimming? Mamma got me new lace.”
“There is rather less of your gown than when I last saw it.”
“I had to alter it—myself—rather than have a new one. My future husband must have a few thousand a year so I can have a new ballgown whenever I need one. I suppose you will open the ball?”
“Me? No, Mary will.”
“You are the new bride, so it ought to be you.” Lydia shrugged. “I do not have a partner yet.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam immediately asked Lydia for the first, and then asked Elizabeth for the second. She had felt well in the days leading up to her marriage; her heart ought to be strong enough for four sets, and she agreed. Mr Darcy did not speak until Lydia had skipped away to welcome Maria Lucas.
“Many ladies at a ball wear their clothes scant upon their bodies, but Miss Lydia Bennet ...”
“Was my sister’s gown too full upon the bosom for your fancy?” There was so little fabric about the breasts and shoulders that when Lydia shrugged, Elizabeth feared the entire gown would fall to the floor.
Mr Darcy only exhaled, but as she returned Charlotte Lucas’s greeting,she heard him mutter to his cousin, “She literally looked like a nursing mother.”
“Some girls are not content with the hint at what nature bestows and feel the need to ... announce it.” The colonel was still laughing, and Elizabeth felt shame and vexation.
She and her husband found themselves in conference with Mr and Mrs Collins, and Sir William and Lady Lucas. Mary was well satisfied with the attention she received as hostess, and it was some time before the little party was allowed to speak of anything other than admiring her skill at doing the honours of her husband’s home. Sir William addressed Mr Darcy as soon as Mary’s vanity had been properly flattered.
“We have not seen you at the monthly balls at Meryton. Perhaps now that you are married and mixing with society, you will dance more often.”
“No, sir, certainly not.”
Sir William bore this with patience, but the others were taken aback. Elizabeth knew she turned pink. “What he means is that he finds private balls are much pleasanter than public ones.”
Mr Darcy bowed, and Elizabeth relaxed. Colonel Fitzwilliam redirected them to talk of the wedding yesterday, and how well the bride looked, and the Lucases were as eager to throw out their compliments as the Collinses were eager to remain silent.
“It has been a long time since Longbourn hosted a large party. It was gracious of you, Mrs Collins, to give this ball to do your sister honour,” said Lady Lucas.
Mary drew back. “I assure you, we, I ...” She looked at her husband, who did not have the astuteness for a quick reply. After more silence, her sister mumbled an ungracious, “We are happy for Mrs Darcy, are we not, Mr Collins?”
“Yes, indeed. A gentleman with a prospering estate such as Longbourn has the duty to pay every proper attention to a bride. These little attentions are so very important to gently bred ladies. A bride, you know, my dear Mary, is always the first in company.”
Mary’s face was a glow of contempt that went unnoticed by SirWilliam, who cried, “Yes, let the others be who they may, a bride must come first, particularly when she is the brightest jewel of the county!”
Mr Collins and Sir William appeared pleased with themselves for their courtly attentions. Elizabeth was mortified, Mr Darcy looked affronted, and the colonel once again was struggling not to laugh. It appeared to now occur to Mary that the general consensus of their friends was that the ball was given in honour of her sister’s marriage, and she gave Elizabeth a cold look before claiming an errand that, as hostess, she could no longer put off.
Soon the dancing began, and Elizabeth was happy to call a minuet. It was stately, all formal bows and curtsies, and measured paces. It may not have been as fashionable, but it was not an odd choice, and easier on her heart than a reel or Boulanger.
Elizabeth felt the notice of her gossiping neighbours who were no doubt enjoying their first long look at the reclusive man renting Netherfield Lodge. To her surprise, Mr Darcy’s dancing proved to be extremely good, and Elizabeth kept up a continual course of smiles for the sake of the attention bestowed on them.
The best that could be said for their dance was that their silence had saved her enough breath to have a pleasant conversation with Colonel Fitzwilliam when they danced the second. After that, she sat to spare her heart, and her new husband stood behind her while she received what congratulations flowed in. The only interruption to the compliments was when the entire gathering was forced to listen to Mrs Baker drunkenly call her husband’s name across the room while he pretended not to hear her.
“Mrs Darcy! Oh, Mrs Darcy.” Her mother ran across the room to sit by her side. “You look handsome! I am so happy to be rid of another one of my girls! Even if it is to such a man, but at least you will be settled near your friends. Mrs Cuthbert and Mrs Redmond are so far away.”
“I hope you often call on me, Mamma.” She heard Mr Darcy exhale, but he did not argue.
“I suppose I could on occasion call at the lodge. Most everyone seems willing to give the Darcys a good character since you aremarried to that family. He did buy a licence, after all. But, at my time of life, I would rather find comfort in staying at home.”
There was no one less likely than Mrs Bennet to find comfort in staying at home in any time of life, but Elizabeth strove to be polite, aware that Mr Darcy, and everyone within ten feet, could hear her mother. “I hope you are not obliged to go into company more than you like, ma’am.”
“Why are you not dancing?”
