Jane and Mr. Bingley moved to the entrance to greet the guests as they arrived for the ball. Mrs. Gardiner excused herself to seek out Kitty and Georgiana.
Elizabeth remained where she was, watching her neighbors as they entered the room, when Mr. Balfour approached.
“Miss Bennet, may I request your first available set?”
“The cotillion is open, sir.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He bowed and withdrew. As she wrote his name upon her card, Mr. Griffen, the third of Mr. Bingley’s guests, came forward and asked her for a dance. He remained at her side conversing until Mr. Allen approached.
“I have come to claim your hand for my dance, Miss Bennet.”
“I am ready, sir.” She allowed him to lead her onto the floor.
He turned to catch her eyes and asked, “Is there an understanding between you and Mr. Darcy, ma’am?”
She looked at him in surprise. “An understanding, sir?”
“Is he courting you, Miss Bennet?”
Her expression relaxed. “No, sir. Mr. Darcy takes pleasure in vexing me. He is not courting me. We have known one another for several months, and I assure you that he has no such intention.” He led her into the line. “His sister is a close friend of mine, and I believe he sometimes treats me as though I were another sister.” She said this with a laugh.
“Mr. Allen, you do not appear convinced.”
“I must admit that I am not convinced. Yet I shall not pursue the matter further, for I would not risk placing ideas in your mind that are not already there, nor would I chance to drive you into his arms.”
She laughed at his tease. “Sir, you need not fear such a result. As far as Mr. Darcy is concerned, I can do nothing correctly.”
The music began, and the dance commenced. Once again, Elizabeth kept Mr. Allen amused, and when the set ended, he said, “I regret that I may dance with you only twice this evening, or I would request another.”
“I would be willing to sit out a dance with you, sir, if you truly wish it.”
His eyes brightened. “Would you? I had supposed that every young lady desired to dance through the night.”
“This young lady also enjoys conversation, sir. Though you have kept me well entertained, you have also touched upon matters that concern me regarding the war, and I should welcome the opportunity to speak with you further.”
“If that is so, Miss Bennet, which dance will you sit out with me?”
She opened her card. “The third set is open, sir.”
He took the pencil from her hand and wrote his initials upon the card. Then he looked at her with a playful expression.
“As Mr. Darcy has said, a gentleman must secure his own interests.”
Her eyes widened at the remark, yet at that moment Mr. Balfour approached and claimed her hand, and she went with him.
When she raised her eyes, she saw Mr. Darcy’s gaze upon her, his expression dark. She very nearly huffed aloud in frustration. How had she come to form an attachment to so ill-tempered a gentleman?
If she were fortunate, Mr. Allen might build upon his promising beginning and seek further acquaintance with her. He was amiable and intelligent, and she believed she would come to love him in time.
Her dance with Mr. Balfour began, and she was pleased to learn that he also possessed a lively manner. Before the set concluded, he laughed at her remarks almost as readily as Mr. Allen had done, but she did not find herself drawn to him as she was to Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Allen met Elizabeth and her partner as the dance concluded.
“Come, Miss Bennet. I have obtained a cup of punch for both of us, and I have secured a comfortable sofa where you may rest your feet.”
He led her to the sofa and took a cup from a table that stood nearby. He handed it to her and seated himself beside her.
“Tell me, Miss Bennet, what did you wish to ask regarding the war?”
