The other tutted. “Indeed, it is. Surely her brother ought to keep her closer.”
Georgiana’s face drained of colour. Mrs Annesley patted her arm reassuringly, though she looked stricken herself.
Elizabeth stepped forward before she thought better of it. “If you have comments about Miss Darcy,” she said to the offenders, a pair of matrons who had powdered their faces too thickly in an attempt to appear younger than their age, “I suggest you speak to her brother directly. I’m sure he would welcome the opportunity to correct your misinformation.”
The matrons stiffened, then retreated with astonishing speed.
Georgiana stared at Elizabeth as though she had just slain a dragon.
“You did not have to do that,” she whispered. “They only repeat what they’ve heard elsewhere.”
“No one who knows you would speak with such cruelty,” Elizabeth said. “I’m afraid strangers must learn it.”
Mr Darcy studied her with an intensity that made Elizabeth’s pulse skip. Was he angry with her? Had she overstepped in defending Georgiana? They were new friends, but Elizabeth could not bear that anyone should belittle Georgiana, sweet and gentle as she was.
He turned from her then to devote himself to his sister, but all his earnest enquiries as to whether she wished to be taken home were returned with a decided negative. Having found her bravery to attend the event, Georgiana refused to retreat. She would rest briefly in the retiring room instead, before returning to show everyone that she would not be cowed. Though lookingsurprised at her bravery, Mr Darcy at last accepted this, and allowed Mrs Annesley to lead Georgiana away.
Once they had disappeared into the crowd, Mr Darcy looked at Elizabeth with an expression she could not quite decipher. She held his gaze, wondering if she would now receive a deferred, and perhaps deserved, scolding for her interference.
“I thank you,” he said instead. “More than you know. To hear such slander and do nothing was intolerable, but I did not think I could speak with less fury than I felt.”
“It was nothing,” Elizabeth replied, though her heart fluttered alarmingly.
The orchestra struck the opening refrain of a country dance. Darcy deposited his empty glass on a nearby tray, taking Elizabeth’s as well.
“Miss Bennet, may I have this dance?”
Elizabeth placed her hand in his without a second thought.
Anger still pulsed in her veins, but soon the world narrowed to the music, the rhythmic swirl of dancers, and the firmness of Mr Darcy’s hand guiding hers. Their steps aligned with surprising ease, and soon Elizabeth felt more calm. They did not speak, even as they broke apart and came together again, swirling between couples, but there was a comfortable companionship between them now. One that did not need to be filled with chatter. Elizabeth let the comfort of their silence and the movement of the dance soothe her.
When Mr Darcy spoke again, it came as a surprise. “I admit, your defence of Georgiana moved me, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth swallowed. “She is dear to you. And undeserving of such cruelty.”
“You see her clearly,” he said. “Many do not.”
They spun, parted, and returned. Mr Darcy’s gaze held hers with gentle steadiness, and Elizabeth felt a rush of affinity for him that unsettled her.
“I believe I misjudged you terribly, Miss Bennet,” he said, low enough that only she could hear.
The words struck her like a physical blow. Mr Darcy, admitting he had committed some fault? She faltered a step, but he steadied her at once, his fingers curling around hers with protective warmth.
She was, uncharacteristically, at a loss for words. “I — thank you.”
Before she could regain her breath, a familiar, sharp voice sliced through the air.
“My, my,” Caroline Bingley drawled from the sidelines, her silk gown gleaming like a predatory flame. “Is it not astonishing how blatant some ladies can be? One would think that a little discretion might come naturally when one has already been dragged through the gutter press.”
Elizabeth stiffened.
Miss Bingley continued, loud enough for a ring of listeners to hear. “But I suppose it is not so. And you know, I have never believed in the rumours. How could anyone believe such nonsense! Why, to suggest that Miss Elizabeth has led Mr Darcy into an entanglement he now tires of! Quite absurd. MrDarcy is too clever to be led into anything — though, of course, a gentleman can be misled through no fault of his own.”
A ripple of murmurs spread.
Mr Darcy’s jaw tightened, but he held Elizabeth’s hand firmly, refusing to release her to embarrassment.
They continued the dance, though the tension between them had loosened. As they turned through the last steps, Elizabeth found her eyes trailing over the group nearest Miss Bingley, searching for their informant.
