"Yes," said Lady Lucas, watching the floor.
They took their places as the music began, and when the first figure brought them close he said, low enough that it reached only her, “How are you.”
“Quite well,” she said, which was not entirely true and they both knew it. “And you?”
“Better,” he said, “for this.”
The figure separated them. She moved through the next sequence with her expression composed and her pulse rather less so, and when the dance brought them close again he said, barely above a breath, “Collins.”
“I know,” she said.
“Are you—”
“I will manage,” she said. “I always do.”
The figure separated them again. Darcy crossed briefly to Jane as the dance required, while Elizabeth found herself opposite Bingley. Jane’s attention lingered upon them for a moment before Bingley said something that drew a smile from her and turned her thoughts elsewhere.
When the dance brought them together again, Elizabeth said at once, in a tone properly suited to public conversation, “Come, Mr. Darcy, we must speak a little, or the room will think us quarrelling. You may remark upon the size of the assembly, if you can think of nothing else.”
A hint of amusement touched his expression.
“It is a very tolerable room,” he said. “Though perhaps somewhat warmer than usual.”
“The crowd is considerable this evening,” Elizabeth replied.
“Indeed,” he said. Then, lower, close enough for her alone, “Your uncle. Have you had word?”
“Nothing yet,” she said quietly. Then, aloud, “I believe the musicians are very good this evening.”
“Remarkably so,” he replied. “Though I suspect they improve in proportion to one’s partner.”
Elizabeth lowered her eyes for a moment in an effort to conceal a smile the room would certainly have misunderstood.
The dance carried them apart once more before bringing them together again in the next figure. “I have written again,” he said quietly. “To my uncle. I expect a reply within the week.”
“Good,” she answered softly. Then, with proper steadiness, “Do you often attend assemblies of this kind, Mr. Darcy?”
“When occasion permits.” His expression steadied into something more formal as the figure turned them again before the room. “The company is generally agreeable.”
“And Meryton compares favourably with other assemblies?”
“I find myself very well satisfied with it this evening.”
The music drew gradually toward its conclusion. The final figures brought them together one last time, and he said, very low, “Do not lose heart.” Darcy bowed over her hand.
"Never have I seen a couple dance so well together," Lady Lucas observed, watching Mr. Darcy escort Elizabeth from the floor.
"Elizabeth," Mrs. Bennet replied, "dances well enough, I suppose. Though she will never have Jane's elegance."
"She is very lively," said Mrs. Philips.
"She is forward," said Mrs. Bennet, "but it will all come to nothing. He is engaged, and she has her duties."
"Her duties," said Mrs. Hayes. "Last I checked, those were a matron's responsibilities. But then, we are better off with her. I shall be sorry the day she leaves."
Mrs. Bennet stiffened. "You may get your wish sooner than you think."
"And what does that mean?"
