"You are a tenant," said Mrs. Bennet, "and I am not obligated to explain myself to you."
The evening continued much as assemblies generally did. Bingley obliged every lady in the room with a dance if he could manage it, and conducted himself throughout with his usual easy good humour. Jane received the attentions of the evening with placid sweetness and no visible vanity. Lydia and Kitty secured a partner for every set by whatever means were necessary and considered the night a success. Mary did not dance, but sat at the edge of the room in the hope of being asked, and was joined for more than half an hour by a gentleman who talked pleasantly and at length and never quite arrived at the invitation she was waiting for.
As for the rest of the Netherfield party, Darcy did not dance again after standing up with Elizabeth. Miss Bingley made one circuit of the room, established that there was no one present worth noting, and spent the remainder of the evening placing herself, whenever possible, near Mr. Darcy without entirely abandoning her sister. Mr. Hurst had found himself a chair near the refreshment table, and Mrs. Hurst sat beside him, alternating between attempting to moderate his enthusiasm for the refreshments and gossiping with her sister.
The final set of the evening was approaching. Elizabeth was being led from the floor by Mr. Hayes when Collins appeared at her elbow.
"Cousin Elizabeth," he said, with the proprietary confidence of a man who considers interruption his right. "I wonder if you might favour me with another dance."
"I am afraid I have promised the last dance to Mr. Lucas," she said pleasantly.
Collins's expression altered. "Perhaps he may be persuaded to give up that privilege for someone more appropriate. After all, soon all will—"
"That set is spoken for," Elizabeth said, "and I am not aware of any prior claim, nor do I think this the place to speak of such things."
"Are you not," said Collins. He moved to take her hand. Mr. Hayes, who had not moved from her side, shifted slightly, and the thing was not accomplished.
"There are arrangements in place, Cousin Elizabeth, of which you may not be fully sensible, but which confer upon me a connection to your family and to yourself that goes considerably beyond the ordinary claims of cousinship. I speak of a contract, entered into by your father on your behalf, which establishes—"
"No."
The word went further than she intended. Silence spread outward from them through the room. Collins reached for her arm but Mr. Hayes stepped into his path, and Mr. Lucas, who had come to claim his promised dance, blocked the way beyond.
She made it outside. She found the spot she knew her family would not think to look, and had barely reached it when she heard a step behind her. She turned, and in the next instant found herself in Darcy’s embrace.
“I am here,” he said quietly.
For the first time since coming home, she stopped trying to hold herself together.
Chapter Thirty
She did not know how long she remained in his arms.Hearing Mr. Collins claim her before half of Meryton, as though her consent were already settled, had shaken her more than she wished to admit.She shivered. Darcy felt it and released her, and without ceremony placed his coat around her shoulders.
"I am perfectly warm," she said.
"I know," he said.
He stepped to her side. The lane lay quiet before them, the hedgerows dark against a pale sky, and neither spoke.
"We could go now," she said. "Tonight."
"It is past ten o'clock."
"The roads are passable."
"Your father could have me arrested before we reached the county border," he said. "And would."
She knew he was right. She had known it when she said it.
"Tomorrow, then."
"Tomorrow," he said. "If you will meet me."
"I will meet you."
"At our usual hour."
"Yes." She turned slightly toward him. "And if I am not there?"
