Chapter 6 #2
Elizabeth folded her arms over her chest and released a slow steady breath.
“I did not think my aunt so indelicate as to discuss such matters with anyone outside our immediate family circle.” She valued her privacy.
The last thing she wanted was the entire town being privy to her personal concerns, especially if it inspired everyone to think of her as a poor relation who should be beholden to her aunt for her munificence.
“Well, you need not worry. While it is true that my mother is a social butterfly, she is no gossip. She and Lady Vanessa are the dearest of friends.” He leaned close to Elizabeth. “Surely you are aware of their grand scheme for our future.”
Elizabeth shifted a bit and shook her head. “No—I have no idea of any scheme. Perhaps you will enlighten me, my lord.”
“Perhaps I have said too much. Their plan shall unfold naturally, and I should hope you will be delighted.”
“Pardon me if I speak out of turn, my lord. As best I can tell, Miss Lancaster is very fond of you, and you, no doubt, think highly of her. I have come to consider that your futures are aligned.”
He dismissively waved his hand. “Then you must put any such notion completely out of your mind. While it is true that Miss Lancaster and I are particularly fond of each other, a factor of our having known each other most of our lives, she is destined for another. In fact, you shall meet him when he returns from the continent.”
“Are you quite certain? She has said nothing to me about being engaged.”
“I am not surprised. The engagement is of a peculiar sort. She is not entirely reconciled with the match, but it does not signify, for she has no say in the matter. It is arranged, shall we say.”
Elizabeth made no attempt to conceal her curiosity. If there existed a chance in the world that she might aid her friend in turning the viscount’s head, Elizabeth was determined to pursue it. “How do you feel about her situation?”
“I say it is just as well, for I am in grave danger of losing my heart to another.”
“Oh! Have I met her?”
He took her hand and raised it to his lips. “Indeed, you have. I believe you know her well.”
It was the night of the Avondale ball, and it being her first since her arrival in Bosley, Elizabeth looked forward to the evening with great excitement.
Soon after her arrival, her enthusiasm gave way to perturbation.
What had Lord Holland meant by requesting her hand for the opening set?
Elizabeth would much rather he had asked Lucy, who was standing next to her and whose mouth gaped over what she surely must have perceived as a slight.
As she was not inclined to deny the viscount anything that he deigned to request, Elizabeth threw her friend an apologetic look, accepted his proffered hand, and proceeded to the dance floor.
When those dances were over, she made her way to Lucy’s side. Lucy held both hands out in welcome. Elizabeth smiled in gratitude. “Forgive me for dancing with his lordship. I felt I had no choice. You must know that I would rather he had asked you.”
“Please, there is no need to apologise. I wager his lordship knows what he is about. He sees me more of a little sister, I fear—as much as I wish otherwise.”
“Oh! But you must not surrender all hope in that regard.” Elizabeth was about to offer additional words of encouragement to her friend when she found herself suddenly addressed by Mr. Darcy, who, as a consequence of his behaviour of late, took her so much by surprise in his application for her hand that without knowing what she did, she accepted him.
He walked away again immediately, and she was left to fret over her own want of presence of mind.
Her friend tried to console her. “I know you are appalled by his slight the other day, but I think you should give him another chance. Surely his asking you for the second set is his way of making amends.”
When the dancing recommenced, Darcy approached to claim her hand, and Elizabeth took her place in the set.
They stood for some time without speaking a word.
She began to imagine that their silence was to last through the two dances, and for her part, she was resolved not to break it.
Elizabeth could be equally as taciturn as her dance partner.
If they were to speak on any matter at all, then Mr. Darcy would have to be the one to initiate the discourse. He did.
“I am delighted to see you this evening, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth acknowledged his sentiment and was again silent. After a pause of some minutes, Mr. Darcy addressed her a second time. “You are quiet, Miss Bennet—uncommonly so.”
She smiled and assured him that whatever he wished her to say would be said.
“Very well, that reply will do for the present. Perhaps, by and by, I may remark on this dance. I find it quite exhilarating. Now we may be silent.”
Silent! She was livid that he had treated her as abominably as he had when last they saw each other, and she could no longer pretend otherwise. “Why did you not speak to me the other day, Mr. Darcy?”
“The other day?”
“Yes, you could not have missed seeing me.”
“Well, you were with Lord Holland.”
“When has my being with your friend ever been a deterrent?”
“I suppose it was the manner in which the two of you were speaking.” They were soon separated by the dance. Once reunited, Darcy said, “You might say I was jealous.”
“Jealous? By your manner, you surely fooled me.”
“Surely you do not suppose I am incapable of such a sentiment.”
“No, I suppose we all have it in us to feel jealous from time to time, although I do not know why you would have been jealous of seeing me with Lord Holland any more than I would feel jealous to see you with Lucy. It does not signify. Are we not all friends?”
“It may not signify. It may seem entirely unreasonable, but it is what it is. I did not like seeing you with him, and I am not ashamed of admitting it. What I am ashamed of is that my behaviour gave you cause for concern. How can I make amends?”
“It is simple. You must promise never to behave that way again.”
“Is that all?”
“Do I have your promise?”
“I shall do my best not to become jealous when I see you with other men. I value your good opinion—more than you know.”
“And I yours, although I hardly know why that is the case. Your manner from one moment to the next is so varying as to frustrate me exceedingly. How am I truly to sketch your character when your demeanour fluctuates from warm and amiable to cold and aloof in the blink of an eye?”
“I would by no means suspend any pleasure of yours,” he replied.
She said no more, and they went down the other dance in silence.
They were soon to part when Darcy delayed Elizabeth with an invitation to escort her to the beverage table.
It was more of a demand than a request, and when Elizabeth glanced around to determine what might have prompted him to do as he did, she espied Miss Bingley hurrying their way.
For a moment, Elizabeth was tempted to leave him to Caroline’s devices, but she decided nothing he had done warranted such a fate.
After handing her a glass of punch, Mr. Darcy persuaded Elizabeth to accompany him to the balcony.
Once outside, Elizabeth breathed in deeply.
The balmy air, the muted sounds of the orchestra, and the clouds dancing across the bright full moon conspired to make it the perfect night.
Elizabeth was happy to spend time with Mr. Darcy.
She felt a certain calm when in his presence, despite her firm resolution at the start of the evening not to be upset should the haughty and aloof Mr. Darcy from the earliest days of her acquaintance be the one who made an appearance at the ball that evening.
This Mr. Darcy was very agreeable even if he was silent.
She felt as though she were the only woman in the room when the two of them danced, for his eyes were only for her.
His wonderfully brilliant eyes.
Elizabeth turned away and fought mightily to keep from smiling in recollection of Betsy’s pronouncement that if one were not careful, one might easily drown in Mr. Darcy’s eyes.
She was inclined to agree, and it was for that reason that she always found herself tempted to look deeply into his alluring eyes whenever she was afforded a chance.
Everything about this beautiful man tempted her, which explained her even being alone with him at that moment. However, if she were to remain with him, then some conversation needed to be had.
“I find that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones,” said Elizabeth.
“I agree.”
“Lady Clarissa seems very much in her element. I should imagine she welcomes any opportunity to entertain guests here at Avondale.”
“Holland has always said the same of his mother.”
“She is so fortunate as to have a house full of guests here at Bosley during a time when one would expect so many to be in London, what with this being the start of the Season.”
Darcy said nothing. He turned away and leaned over the balustrade.
“Are you planning to set off for London soon, Mr. Darcy?”
“No.” Assuming a more welcoming posture, he motioned for Elizabeth to stand closer to him. “At least, I do not intend to unless I am given a reason.”
“Ah, and what reason would compel you to change your plans?”
“Are you planning to spend the Season in Town?”
She shrugged. “I am not. I suspect Lady Vanessa does not like Town even though she has not said as much, which suits me just fine. I am perfectly content to remain here in Bosley.”
A hint of a smile played across his face, and Elizabeth concluded that he was pleased by her disclosure. “I suppose matters of business keep you here in Bosley, sir. What else might tempt you to forego the chance to partake in the Season?”
“I have several reasons for remaining here—some of them relating to breeding and training and some of them being of a more personal nature.”