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“Of course. I would be honoured if you would grant me the opening set Miss Mary. And perhaps your second Miss Elizabeth?”
Elizabeth smiled and accepted his request, Mary similarly acceding.
“Shall we walk over to the refreshment table before it gets crowded? May I get you a drink?”
Mary and Elizabeth walked to a small table beside the refreshments and Darcy arrived with the requested lemonades. He stood with them, quietly conversing.
“You seem at ease this evening Mr. Darcy.”
Neither he nor Elizabeth missed the unsaid addition to her statement ‘unlike at the Assembly’.
“The persistent rain stopped my daily rides. Although the ground was sodden and there was no pace to my riding this morning, it was still good to have the wind in my face. None of life’s problems seem so insurmountable after a good ride. And even better, I received a letter from my sister. She talked of Christmas at Pemberley, our estate, and I was filled with early Christmas cheer. So nothing substantive, just small things that have brought me pleasure. The rain must have curtailed life at Longbourn as well. How did you pass the time?”
Where was this charming gentleman eight weeks ago?
“I read extensively as you are aware, and maintain a large correspondence, so there was reading and writing as usual. We also have our cousin visiting. He is the heir to the estate and this is the first time the family have met him. He has taken up much of our free time.”
She was proud that she managed to say that without sarcasm. Mary moved the topic of conversation away from Mr. Collins.
“I enjoy playing the piano and Lizzie brought several new pieces with her when she returned from London. My free time is spent practicing at the piano.”
“My sister also plays the piano, like you she spends many hours at the piano. Do you mind my asking what were the new compositions Miss Elizabeth purchased?”
“The one that is the most complex is by Herr Beethoven. It is the arrangement of his Violin Concerto, Opus 61, for the piano. It will take me many weeks of practice to become even acceptable never mind proficient. Has your sister played this piece?”
“Not to my knowledge but she often acquires new works herself. I know that I have not bought it for her and will ask her the next time I see her. It sounds a challenging work, something that she will enjoy.”
The time before the first dance had been very pleasantly spent, for all three parties. But as Elizabeth spied the approaching Mr. Collins she knew her penance for such moments of enjoyment was upon her. Mary allowed herself to be led to the dance floor, pleased at the looks of surprise upon her neighbour’s faces, yet daunted at the same time.
“Cousin Elizabeth, I have been searching for you. It is time for our dance.”
“You clearly did not search very diligently Mr. Collins, as I have been here ever since we arrived.”
Elizabeth had not been hiding but had allowed Mr. Darcy to shield her from the gaze of most of the other attendees. She took her place opposite Mr. Collins, making little effort to appear happy. She knew that she could not get away with unhappy but there would be no smiling with this partner. The first set of two dances, each of more than 10 minutes, should have taken close to 30 minutes. As it turned out, Elizabeth lasted only seven. In addition to all his other offences, an appalling dancer could be added to the list. Mr. Collins went the wrong way and so collided with Elizabeth, in the process treading on her dress and slipper. He had not packed light dancing shoes, why would he expect to be at a ball, and so his heavy shoes crushed Elizabeth’s foot.
She wanted to drop to the ground immediately but at least managed to limp out of line and ease herself into a chair. Claire moved the useless Mr. Collins out of the way, kneeling down and gently touching the foot. Elizabeth winced at even that gentle touch.
“Come Miss Elizabeth, let us away to the retiring room where I can check to see if Mr. Collins has broken your foot.”
Throughout all this Mr. Collins had been his usual verbose yet useless self. Leaning heavily on Claire Elizabeth limped to the retiring room abandoning Mr. Collins without a backward glance.
“It is not broken, is it?”
“No, it does not appear to be, just bruised heavily. It will be at least a week before you can take any more of your brisk four mile hikes.”
“No more dancing for me this evening then?”
“Definitely not Miss Elizabeth.”
“Let us wait here until the end of the first set so that I do not have to deal with Mr. Collins. I will find a table and rest until supper.”
As the music ended Elizabeth returned to the ballroom, still with a pronounced limp, but gingerly able to place weight on her foot. Mr. Collins rushed towards her but Elizabeth took a step back behind Claire.
“Step back Mr. Collins, you have done enough damage already.”
“Cousin Elizabeth I am most dreadfully sorry. To think that I have injured you. I am desolate. Lady Catherine.”
Elizabeth interrupted him before another longwinded overblown speech started. She saw Mary and Mr. Darcy approaching and needed to warn Mary to be careful as she was his next partner. She took Mary aside.
