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Darcy tried to make a discreet entrance but it was not to be. It felt like three quarters of the room stared at him in shock. He could do this. If he kept telling himself that then he would get through the evening. His plan was simple in design. He had bitterly offended Miss Goulding in public at the Michaelmas Assembly and it was known that he had apologised to her and the whole family the next day. But then he had left the neighbourhood and was expected never to be seen again in Meryton. He had resolved to face the whole neighbourhood at the mid-winter Assembly and apologise again, but this time in public.

The last three months had been a trial for Darcy. A bout of introspection had left him horrified at himself. If Miss Goulding had internalised her upset rather than rush to her mother, then heaven knows how long he would have continued to play the boor. He knew the evening ahead would be daunting and he would be embarrassed several times. But it would still be far fewer times than he had embarrassed himself. He approached Mr. Goulding, who looked thoroughly confused as to why Darcy had suddenly and unexpectedly appeared.

“Good evening, Mr. Goulding.”

Darcy had to stifle a small smile. Goulding had bowed by rote, his mind clearly working on other things.

“Good evening Darcy. Your attendance is unexpected.”

It was time to cut to the meat of the matter.

“I insulted your daughter in public, I am going to apologise to her, and to you, in public.”

Goulding was silent for a moment, aware that the eyes of most of the Assembly were upon them. He made a decision and beckoned his daughter over.

“Miss Goulding, in this very hall three months ago, I insulted you. In public and without cause. I wish to attempt to redeem my honour as a gentleman and so I apologise to you now, in public, at the scene of my disgrace.”

Darcy gave a deep bow and another smile had to be stilled. Miss Goulding’s curtsey was also the product of a distracted mind.

“Is your first dance taken, my dear?”

At the shake of her head Goulding looked expectantly at Darcy.

“Miss Goulding, will you grant me the honour of the first?”

Three minutes later Darcy led her onto the dance floor. It was evident by several minor collisions that they were still the focus of most of the attention.

“You did not have to do this Mr. Darcy.”

“I have spent the last three months in reflection Miss Goulding. I have come to realise that this is, in fact, long overdue. I do not say this to be cruel but I am glad of your reaction. It forced me to look at myself and realise that I was deluding myself. This very public penance is necessary, not just to you, but to many others as well. I might not get the chance with them so I must make sure I do a good job this evening.”

They separated as part of the dance and it was a moment before they were able to converse again.

“There are many men who would have vowed to change their behaviour without this public display of contrition. I recognise the strength of that vow by your taking the more difficult course.”

With that they danced the rest in companionable silence. With a bow and curtsey it was over.

“Darcy, what are you doing here?”

He had looked for Bingley when he arrived but there had been no sign. Apparently, it was not just his sister that was incapable of arriving on time.

“I came to publically apologise to the Gouldings, and to Miss Goulding in particular. But enough of that. Will you not introduce me to your companion? I recognise her from Michaelmas but her name escapes me.”

Even as Bingley started to speak, Darcy caught sight of the ring on the lady’s finger.

“Darcy, this lovely lady is my fiancé, Miss Charlotte Lucas. Charlotte my dear, this is one of my oldest friends, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy. We met at Cambridge nearly ten years ago.”

Charlotte knew all this, they had talked at length about the disastrous house party. But the formalities still had to be observed. They curtsied and bowed.

“Where are you staying Darcy?”

“I have a room at the Inn.”

“That will never do. Send a note to your man and have him take your carriage out to Netherfield Park. There is a guest suite always ready in case of an unexpected guest. You can return there with me.”

Darcy danced all eight dances. Only one young lady was hesitant but that was not because of his previous behaviour, rather it was just she did not often dance. But Mary Bennet allowed herself to be persuaded. She even sat with the gentleman at supper, given that he was also in the company of Charlotte and Mr. Bingley.

By the end of the night Darcy was no longer an unmitigated villain. He was not immediately transformed into a boon companion but he had redeemed his reputation, as he intended. It also solved Bingley’s problem for him. They were in the library, Darcy conscious that Bingley poured a brandy for him this time.