He studied her arm as she held it out to him and then met her eyes. “I am glad for you, Miss Elizabeth. It seems your mother’s dire prediction did not come to pass.”
“No, sir, it did not.”
“May I join you, Miss Elizabeth? I should like to ask you more of theIliad.”
She gestured to the sofa, inviting him to sit beside her.
“Gladly. I do not often find someone inclined to discuss the great poems. Only my father shares that pleasure with me,” she added.
They discussed their favorite passages until the evening drew to a close. Miss Bingley was plainly displeased, but as cards had been her own proposal, she was obliged to endure the game in silence.
Chapter 9: An Invitation to Vaux Hall Gardens
When the evening drew to a close, Mr. Bingley stood at the entrance, assisting Jane with her cloak. Mr. Darcy remained nearby, as did Mrs. Hurst.
Miss Bingley, plainly displeased, scarcely concealed her impatience for the ladies’ departure, cherishing the hope that Mr. Darcy might yet remain and allow for a more private interval. That hope was dashed, however, for Mr. Darcy had already requested his carriage.
As they waited in the entryway for the carriages to be brought round, Mr. Bingley turned to Mrs. Gardiner.
“Madam, if your nieces are not already engaged, would you permit them to join me tomorrow after two o’clock for a visit to Vauxhall Gardens? There is to be a hot air balloon ascension, and perhaps the Miss Bennets might like to witness it; indeed, they may even consent to ascend themselves.”
Elizabeth looked to Jane and saw her sister’s eyes widen, very likely in alarm. Elizabeth herself felt only a quickening thrill. She had never seen a balloon, much less imagined ascending in one.
“Mr. Bingley, my nieces have no prior engagement tomorrow, and if they wish to attend the ascension, they may do so. Though,” she added, amused, “from Jane’s expression, I suspect you will find it difficult to persuade her that ascending in a balloon is indispensable.”
Mr. Darcy spoke then. “I shall attend you, Charles. I believe Miss Elizabeth would relish the adventure. If Miss Bennet prefers to keep her feet firmly upon solid ground, I will ascend with her sister instead. In that way, both ladies may enjoy the gardens according to their own inclinations.”
He turned to Elizabeth. “I must say, Miss Elizabeth, you will never see a finer view of the city than from such a height.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened, and Mr. Darcy pressed, “What say you, Miss Elizabeth? Will you join us?”
She glanced first at her aunt, who nodded in approval, before answering. “Yes, sir. I should like it above all things.”
Mr. Bingley turned once more to Jane. “Miss Bennet, may I persuade you?”
Jane hesitated, then answered. “If I may be assured that I can observe the ascension from the safety of a nearby bench, I shall agree with pleasure.”
“Excellent,” Mr. Bingley said. “We shall call for you at two. Mrs. Gardiner, I will have your nieces home sometime after ten, and certainly before midnight.”
A few minutes later, the carriages drew up at the door. As Bingley assisted the other women, Mr. Darcy detained Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, my sister Georgiana, who is fifteen, has just come to me from Derbyshire. Might I introduce her to you? And, if you would not dislike it, perhaps I might bring her with us tomorrow and show you both the pleasure gardens. She has never been before.”
Elizabeth drew a breath, only then realizing she had been holding it.
“Mr. Darcy, I should like that very much. A new adventure is always better shared.”
“Thank you. Then until tomorrow.”
He bowed and handed her into the carriage. Moments later, they were gone.
Jane clapped her hands. “Aunt, do I imagine too much in believing that Mr. Bingley may be forming an attachment?”
Mrs. Gardiner regarded her with measured thought. “He certainly takes pleasure in your society. Yet as we do not know him well, who is to say that he does not begin in this manner with every pretty young woman he meets, only for his ardor to cool within a few weeks, when his attention is caught by someone new.”
Jane’s countenance clouded in a manner so earnest that it was comical, and both of her relations laughed.
“Mr. Bingley does like you very much, my dear, but I agree with Aunt Maddie. You should guard your heart until you know his character better. You remember Alexander Lucas, and how devoted he appeared, only to depart for university and vanish from your life entirely.”
