“Yes, well I suppose you havesomehope for the amusement tonight.” The woman’s tone was nasty. “After all, there are hordes of these officers with whom you and your sisters are so enamored. Perhaps some ofthemwill deign to stand up with you for a set.”
“Though I would not boast,” said Miss Elizabeth, appearing more amused than offended, “the only time I am required to sit out is when there are not enough gentlemen.”
“That is fortunate for you, to be certain.”
Miss Bingley sniffed with disdain and turned to Darcy, her entire demeanor changing to one she thought beguiling. Darcy, who had never seen anything in her that attracted him, remained unmoved.
“And you, Mr. Darcy? Shall you shed your customary reserve and dance?” Then Miss Bingley offered a laugh overlaid with sardonic tones and answered her own question. “Of course not. For there is no one in this room who cantemptyou.”
Darcy directed a hard glare at Miss Bingley, but she did not notice—her gaze was fixed on Miss Elizabeth. Contrary to anything he might have supposed, Miss Elizabeth appeared unconcerned with the woman’s poor behavior.
“Mr. Darcyisrather discerning.”
“He is,” said Miss Bingley in her most superior tone. “One who is accustomed to the finest in society cannot but look on this paltry amusement as anything other than a punishment. Mr. Darcy’s standards are much higher than this, I assure you.”
“That is not a faithful portrayal of me at all,” Darcy hastened to interject.
“Come now, Mr. Darcy,” interrupted Miss Bingley, appearing determined to press her point, “there is no reason to dissemble—your opinion of thissocietyhas been clear for anyone who cares to look since the first moment you arrived.”
“That is most curious, Miss Bingley,” said Miss Elizabeth, her mirth now of a dark variety, “for Mr. Darcy has mingled among us for some days now and appears to be at his leisure.”
“To say that is perhaps to overstep the mark,” said Darcy, smiling at her. “I am at heart a reticent man, and that has not changed. As I have come to know your neighbors better, however, my understanding has grown, and that has led to greater comfort.”
“What an excellent gentleman you are, Mr. Darcy!” exclaimed Miss Bingley. Darcy did not miss the glare she threw at Miss Elizabeth. “To give consequence to such people as these is a sure sign of your nobility.”
“I am not so aloof as all this,” said Darcy, wishing the woman would just go away. “After all, I am naught but a gentleman.”
“And humble too,” said Miss Elizabeth in approval.
“Do you know that Mr. Darcy is intimately connected to an earl?” asked she in an aside to Miss Elizabeth.
“Yes, I do,” replied Miss Elizabeth. “Why, I have even made the acquaintance of the earl’s second son.”
Miss Bingley did not like that, though she offered a credible attempt at astonishment. “Truly? Your cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam was in Hertfordshire?”
“For a short time, he was,” confirmed Darcy.
“Then you understand whence comes Mr. Darcy’s sense of nobility,” said Miss Bingley. “Though I shall give you a word of warning, Miss Eliza.”
“Oh?” asked Miss Elizabeth, not amused. “And what is that?”
“Just that you expect nothing more from Mr. Darcy or his cousin than this,” said Miss Bingley. “Such members of high society are not inclined to give consequence to those of your station.”
“That of the daughter of a gentleman, you mean?” asked Miss Elizabeth.
Miss Bingley’s eyes glittered. “A minor country squire of no standing.”
“Yet still a gentleman,” said Miss Elizabeth. “I shall not debate the merits of rank with you, Miss Bingley, for I consider them unimportant compared to character.”
“Of course, one of your position in society must cling to such notions.” Miss Bingley looked down her nose at Miss Elizabeth.
Then she turned to Darcy. “I believe the music for the first sets is about to begin, Mr. Darcy. Shall you stand up for them, or do you mean to hold to your practice of avoidance?”
“Perhaps the former, Miss Bingley,” said Darcy. Then, disgusted with the woman’s conceit, he turned to Miss Elizabeth. “If you please, I should like to solicit your hand for the first sets, Miss Elizabeth. Will you do me the honor?”
Chapter XI
The application so surprised Elizabeth that she could not answer for several moments. Miss Bingley’s eyes widened as if she could not believe what Mr. Darcy had done, then narrowed in fury. Unable to think of a suitable response and knowing she could not dance at all that night if she demurred, Elizabeth knew she must accept.
