Mrs. Bennet lingered beside him. “Do they not all look lovely?”
Mr. Bennet smiled, patting her hand. “They do indeed.”
Darcy’s gaze rested wholly upon Elizabeth as she approached. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said quietly, “you look exceedingly beautiful.”
Before she could reply, Lady Catherine entered from the drawing room and surveyed the party with a measured glance, giving a single approving nod. The servants brought forward cloaks and hats, assisting the ladies with practiced ease. Within moments, they were ushered out and settled into Darcy’s carriage, which soon set off for the evening’s entertainment.
***
Elizabeth observed that their carriage remained in line longer than the drive had required. The house blazed with light, every window ablaze with candlelight. After Darcy assisted the ladies from the carriage, they ascended the steps together.
The door was opened before Darcy could knock, and they were immediately admitted. A small but efficient group of servants relieved them of their cloaks and wraps.
After a short wait, they were welcomed by Lady Harcourt and her nephew, Mr. Henry Harcourt, a pleasant young man with easy manners. He promptly solicited dances from the ladies of their party. Lady Catherine declined with dignity, declaring her dancing days long past, but Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, and Anne each allowed him a place upon their cards.
When they entered the ballroom, Elizabeth was struck at once by its size, easily twice that of Netherfield’s. It seemed to contain three times as many people.
Mr. Bingley soon joined them and secured dances from all the ladies, though from Jane he had already claimed the first, the supper set, and the last.
Colonel Fitzwilliam followed not long after and, with cheerful efficiency, filled several remaining spaces upon their cards.
Darcy introduced a number of his friends, and Elizabeth noted with some amusement that gentlemen were far less scarce here than they had ever been in Meryton.
By the time Miss Bingley at last located him, he was already escorting Elizabeth to the floor for the first dance.
As the set began, Elizabeth observed that Jane and Mr. Bingley stood nearby, as did Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne. Mary was partnered with Mr. Harcourt. After that, she was aware of little beyond Darcy.
Darcy, for his part, appeared entirely satisfied. He had secured three dances with Miss Elizabeth, several more with her sisters and Anne, and had taken care that no opportunity remained for Miss Bingley to claim his attention.
Elizabeth danced the second set with Mr. Bingley and the third with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
When the supper set was called, Darcy came to escort her, his expression warm. Elizabeth’s thoughts were so fully engaged with him that she scarcely noticed the disposition of the others.
At the conclusion of the dance, he led her to the supper room and found places at a table already occupied by Mr. Bingley and Jane. Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam soon joined them.
“May I bring you something?” Darcy asked.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied.
She leaned toward Mary. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Mary smiled with evident pleasure. “Very much indeed. I believe I shall remember this evening for a long time. The remainder of my card is filled with Mr. Darcy’s friends.”
Darcy returned with their plates and resumed his seat beside Elizabeth. “I trust you are enjoying yourself.”
She met his gaze. “I am enjoying it exceedingly.”
When the next set was called, Elizabeth was partnered with one of Darcy’s friends, Mr. Philip Denham, who entertained her with several light, teasing recollections of his time at Cambridge.
As Darcy made his way toward Anne, he was intercepted by Miss Bingley.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, how delightful to see you. What a crush this ball has become.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “My apologies, I must attend my next partner.”
Without further pause, he moved past her and continued on to Anne.
Miss Bingley watched him go, her expression tightening. She turned to her sister. “Those Bennet girls appear to have danced every set.”
