Chapter 37
Mr Darcy approached her as soon as she had completed her welcome at the greeting line. Lady Arlington, a great friend of Lady Matlock had extended the invitation to the three Bennet sisters who were out, with their parents to attend the ball. Exclaiming that the ton were chomping at the bit to meet these much-lauded beautiful daughters of the new Earl of Meryton.
Elizabeth had been glad of the invitation. Firstly, because she dearly loved to dance. And secondly, due to the most luxurious new ballgowns hanging in her wardrobe begging to be worn. She was dressed in an exquisite satin dress in Pomona green and she had never felt more beautiful. Mary looked nothing like her old self. Her cerulean gown brought out her eyes in a way the white or light grey dresses she had worn in Meryton never had. And Jane was as stunning as always in a white dress with the barest hint of pink. Their mother did not let the family down. Her scarlet dress and cap were the height of elegance.
“Pardon my importuning you, before you even have time get a refreshment,” Mr Darcy said. “You are the most beautiful lady at the ball,” he said, and Elizabeth blushed at the extravagant compliment. “And I feared,” Mr Darcy continued, “if I did not get my name on your card immediately it would be too late.”
Elizabeth gave him a serious look, drawing her card up and her pencil into her hand. “I am quite at liberty,” she said, flashing him her unmarked card. “You may therefore have any dance you wish,” she said.
“Thank you,” he said with a bow. “May I,” he asked, and paused, appearing to wait for her full attention. “May I,” he repeated and continued. “Request the first set?” he asked.
Elizabeth gave him a sweet smile. Such as she had never bestowed on him before. And his own face lit up most becomingly on receiving it. “I have marked you for the first set sir,” she confirmed, writing in his name. Elizabeth was most pleased with this request for a dance. And she knew it was a declaration of his interest in her. A declaration he was making not just to her, but to the entire ton.
Miss Bingley had once, during her time at Netherfield remarked that Mr Darcy never danced the first. She had told Elizabeth this for her to understand what attentions Miss Bingley had received from him, by his dancing the second with her at the Meryton assembly. That he was therefore dancing the first with her was most gratifying.
“If,” Mr Darcy to continued. “It is not too much of an imposition. Would you consent to dance the supper set with me as well?” he asked. His eyes expectant but open to her consent or refusal without rancour. This would be a most open statement of intent. It would be equivalent of a declaration of his intention to seek a courtship.
If not for the two conversations she had had with both Jane and her father. Elizabeth might have declined the request for the supper set. But, the conversation with her father particularly had helped her to understand her own feelings. So she looked into his eyes and agreed. She had never seen such a look on his face before. But she was sure her own held the same look of happiness as his.
His cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam then sought the second from her. Having asked Jane for the first. Elizabeth was most disconcerted by him asking Jane and not Mary for the first. She was also confused as his elder brother, the Viscount Winsdale had asked Mary for the first. But she soon understood as the Colonel asked Mary for the super set and the Viscount asked Jane for the same set. Dancing the supper set meant that they would escort their partners to dinner and be their companion for same. The Viscount then proceeded to ask her for the second. The gentlemen all offered to get the ladies refreshments, much to Elizabeth delight.
“What do you find so amusing Lizzy?” Jane asked. Elizabeth realised she needed to answer quickly. For she saw some of the gentlemen they had been introduced to in Hyde Park approaching.
“Don’t you see Jane?” she asked. “Mr Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam and the Viscount Winsdale have us all committed for the first, second and supper sets between them. It is clear that they have agreed the plan beforehand.” Jane and Mary both gave her a look of astonishment. But there was no time for further comment before they were surrounded by admirers looking dances.
