Chapter 13
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
December 1813, Hertfordshire
L ater in the week, a large party assembled at Lucas Lodge for cards, music, and conversation. Upon entering the front hall of the comfortable and familiar home, Elizabeth saw that Mr Bingley’s party were already present. To her amusement, the Bingley sisters had finally arrived for their brother’s approaching nuptials. They put off having to come into Hertfordshire society as long as they possibly could.
Elizabeth had no good opinion of the two; Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley were silly women, better impressed by themselves than anything they saw in Hertfordshire, and their behaviour often led her to exchange an amused, knowing look with her father. However, they soon would be Jane’s sisters too, so Elizabeth would be kind to them. Happily, she did not imagine she would see them often. Though Jane had made it clear that they were welcome to come to Netherfield Park at any time, the two ladies had made it abundantly obvious they did not plan to accept the invitation often.
Elizabeth, at Jane’s beckoning, walked across the room to where the Bingleys stood with Mr Darcy. Miss Bingley was the picture of high fashion, with a feather in her hair and a boldly coloured silk dress adorned with intricate lace. She was outshone only by Mr Darcy, wearing a velvet tailcoat and boots so shiny they could blind . I would wager all I have that he polishes them with Champagne. They were both dressed too overly fine for a neighbourhood gathering. Some would be impressed at their excessive attire but she could only scoff, certain they dressed as they did in an effort to make all of Hertfordshire society feel inferior to them.
After the usual curtseys and bows had been made, Miss Bingley drew closer to Mr Darcy. She pulled out an ornate fan and concealed her mouth as she began speaking under her breath to him. The gentleman did not reply to her but maintained his usual haughtily silent demeanour. This time Elizabeth did not stop herself from rolling her eyes even if she did turn away so they would not see her. She had never known two people who were so similar in their pretensions.
As she turned away, her eyes rested on her father engaging in conversation with Sir William. Wishing to be away from Mr Darcy and the Bingley sisters, she excused herself and gracefully glided towards them through the clusters of guests. As she joined the pair, Mr Bennet turned towards her and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
“Elizabeth! Do join our conversation. It is riveting,” he said as he gave his daughter a barely perceptible wink. “Sir William was suggesting I adopt new drainage practices for the fields. ”
“Ah,” she said, instantly wondering if she should have found a more engaging group to talk with.
“Indeed,” Sir William responded, “Mr Wesley educated me about his new drainage channels and the remarkable improvement in his soil’s health. I think your father should follow suit.”
As the conversation continued, Elizabeth found herself nodding and smiling absently in response to their long discussion of agricultural practices. She was vaguely aware of the topics they covered, but ultimately more grateful for the relief they provided from certain guests in attendance. As their chatter grew duller, she gazed about the room and wondered of Royce’s whereabouts.
She was about to turn to Sir William and ask about her friend when a sudden burst of loud laughter diverted her gaze. Across the room, Lydia and Kitty had gathered a small group together and persuaded Mary to play music for them to dance. Kitty quickly paired off with John Lucas and per usual, Mr Andrews wasted little time in asking Lydia to dance. As Elizabeth watched Lydia and Mr Andrews glide up and down the line, giggling amidst their easy conversation, she could not help but grin. Though she knew the group was being a touch too loud, she felt reminded of herself at a younger age and the excitement she once felt at any opportunity to dance.
Her attention was drawn to the doorway closest to the dancers where a striking figure appeared. It was Royce, finally about to make his entrance, looking as handsome as ever. Elizabeth felt a small tingle of excitement at the sight. She smiled at him from across the room, watching as he navigated past dancers and mingling guests in his walk towards her. She curtseyed as he approached .
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said with some exasperation after he bowed. “I regret that I am so late. Not ten minutes before the party, I was out for a ramble with Elijah when he became heavily soiled in mud and proceeded to jump on me.”
Elizabeth could not stifle a giggle. “How terrible! He has always been a misbehaved dog.”
Royce chuckled in agreement, rubbing behind his ear absentmindedly. “I would have to agree.”
His eyes wandered across the room to where the group was dancing. “Would you do me the honour of the next dance?”
He rubbed behind his ear again as he waited for her reply; it did not escape Elizabeth’s notice that a small blush came over his face.
“It would be an honour,” she replied warmly.
“Wonderful!” Royce beamed, though he paused momentarily. “This is rather embarrassing, but I believe some mud remains behind my ears, and I can only imagine where else. If you will excuse me, I must go endeavour to clean up again.”
Elizabeth chuckled softly. “I understand, sir. Please go do so, and I look forward to our dance when you return.”
With a nod and a grateful smile, Royce excused himself, leaving Elizabeth to watch fondly as he disappeared through the doors. The room buzzed with laughter and music, and her pulse quickened as she wondered what their first dance together might portend. Could this be it? Could he be the one with whom I share my future? Why do I feel so nervous all of a sudden? No—calm down. Enjoy the dance and becoming reacquainted with him. She took a deep breath and turned round to seek out Jane and share the news of her impending dance.
As her eye wandered, she spotted Jane standing alone on the far side of the room, gazing serenely out the window. Knowing her calming presence would put her at ease, she set off towards her, passing by Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy as they engaged in an animated conversation. Despite her best efforts to remain uninterested in any of Mr Darcy’s affairs, she could not help but overhear snippets of their exchange as she walked by.
“Darcy, why must you always lurk in the background at these events?”
“I am not lurking. I am merely observing,” Mr Darcy replied coolly.
Elizabeth quickly looked away, not wanting to seem as if she were listening, but their conversation continued to drift to her ears.
“You look miserable,” Mr Bingley pressed.
“I assure you, I am not.”
“Come now, let us find you a dance partner. It would lift your spirits to partake in some activity, and I am certain it would significantly improve your opinion of the evening.”
“That is entirely unnecessary.”
Quickening her steps to avoid further overhearing, Elizabeth had just passed them when she heard her name spoken.
“Miss Elizabeth!” Mr Bingley called out.
She sighed inwardly before turning back. “Yes?” she responded politely as she reluctantly stepped towards them.
“My good friend here,” Mr Bingley said, clapping Mr Darcy on the back, “was looking about the room and expressing a desire to dance.”
Mr Darcy looked sharply at his friend as all the colour drained out of his face.
“I know you enjoy the activity immensely and I know he would find pleasure in dancing with such a partner. ”
Mr Darcy’s eyes widened as he seemed stunned into silence by his friend’s strange behaviour.
Elizabeth let out a humourless laugh. “You need not force your friend to dance, sir. In any case, if he truly does desire to partake in the activity, I am certain he is perfectly capable of finding his own partner.”
“I am not forcing him,” Mr Bingley insisted in a jovial tone. “I am certain he was just about to ask you.”
Mr Darcy’s look of discomfort turned to one of puzzlement as Mr Bingley pressed on. “And how could you deny him? I know you love to dance, and not partaking now must be disappointing.”
Mr Darcy’s eyes remained on his friend as he tugged at his cravat.
“Mr Bingley, you are all kindness,” Elizabeth said through gritted teeth, as she tucked a stray piece of hair behind her ear. “But, alas, I cannot. I am claimed for the next set with Mr Royce.”
At this, Mr Darcy unexpectedly jerked his head in her direction and gave her a curious look. After taking a deep breath he said, “Bingley is correct, Miss Elizabeth. I had planned on asking you. Would you please do me the honour of dancing the following set with me?”
Her stomach dropped, and she furrowed her brow. What? Why ever would he ask me this? I gave him a way out of this awkward situation, and he did not take it.
She hesitated, but knowing she would have to sit out the next dance with Royce if she refused Mr Darcy, begrudgingly agreed. “I would be honoured, sir,” she said coolly.
Mr Darcy nodded and responded gravely, “I look forward to it.”
She excused herself to seek out Jane again, angry that she had even come to that side of the room at all. When she reached her sister, she quickly grabbed her arm, and tugged her towards the corner of the room. “Come quickly please.”
“What is it? Are you well?”
“A terrible thing has happened.”
Jane gasped. “What? What is it?”
“I agreed to dance with Mr Darcy.”
“Oh, Lizzy.” Jane smiled at her younger sister in a half-amused, half-exasperated manner. “I daresay you will find him amiable. Charles really does insist that he is a wonderful man. He is a most loyal friend, and is kinder than he appears.”
“That hardly seems possible.”
“I cannot understand the way you are determined to hate him. It is not like you to take such an ardent dislike to someone so wholly unrelated to you!”
So wholly unrelated . Of course, Jane could not know how, even after all this time, such a phrase still could sting her. “I would not expect you to understand,” Elizabeth mumbled, lowering her eyes.
Jane furrowed her brow. “Well, I would like to understand it, if you would tell me?—”
“I beg your pardon, ladies.” Royce had returned and found them in their corner. “Miss Elizabeth, do you still wish to dance? I can surely understand if sisterly?—”
“I am positively mad for the dance.” Elizabeth grinned up at him, secretly relieved. Jane was getting too close to home truths for her comfort.