5. Chapter 5
S oon after arriving at the assembly rooms, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy heading their way.
She also noticed how handsome Mr. Darcy looked in his tailcoat and breeches.
He filled them out well. Elizabeth tore her gaze away.
As good-looking and rich as Mr. Darcy was, he was no doubt used to women ogling him.
However, she refused to be one of the oglers tonight.
He and Mr. Bingley requested dances with each of them.
Elizabeth was surprised Mr. Darcy planned to dance at all.
He always appeared aloof and not inclined to spend time with anyone.
She supposed he did put forth some effort that morning on their walk.
Could she have misjudged him? Perhaps what she perceived as conceit was actually a reserved nature, like that of his sister.
Elizabeth and her sisters then went to greet Charlotte.
While the four of them were conversing, Mr. William Goulding walked up to their group to greet them and introduce his nephews who were visiting.
Mr. Whitney Hadley and Mr. Lindsey Hadley were twins.
They were attractive and friendly. Apparently, they had been visiting their uncle for the past week and were scheduled to leave the next day.
The gentlemen quickly solicited dances from all four of them.
As Elizabeth took her position opposite Mr. Lindsey Hadley, his brother led Mary to the floor.
She also saw that Charlotte was standing up with Mr. Bingley.
Elizabeth knew her mother would not like the fact that Mr. Bingley had distinguished Charlotte by dancing the first set with her while Jane stood without a partner.
Mr. Lindsey Hadley proved to be an excellent dancer. He was also very amusing. She laughed a great deal. After their set, they returned to her family at the same time as his brother and Mary. Both gentlemen secured sets with Kitty to her obvious delight.
As the two brothers walked away, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy approached. Jane then introduced their mother and sisters to the gentlemen.
“We are glad you both could attend our little assembly," Mama said. "And, Mr. Bingley, I want to extend a warm welcome to you. We are so pleased to have you join the neighborhood."
“Thank you, Mrs. Bennet. Indeed, everyone has been very welcoming. I feel quite fortunate.”
Elizabeth walked with Mr. Darcy to the dance floor.
“Miss Elizabeth, you look very well this evening.”
Elizabeth looked up to meet his gaze and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy.”
Once their set began, it was immediately apparent Mr. Darcy was a skilled dancer.
However, he was not a talkative one. She watched as other couples engaged in light conversation while dancing, including Jane and Mr. Bingley.
She had thought to attempt some conversation herself, but decided against it.
If he preferred to be silent, she would be silent as well.
At the end of their set, Elizabeth thanked him for the dance, and he expressed his enjoyment of partnering her.
“Would you care for some punch?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Yes, I would. Thank you.”
They walked over to the refreshment table.
Mr. Darcy handed Elizabeth a glass of punch, and she accepted gratefully.
He filled a glass for himself and was about to take a drink when he suddenly turned his head to the left.
Mr. Darcy narrowed his eyes as if he were listening to someone speaking.
His posture now stiffened, he returned his gaze to the refreshment table as he drank his punch.
What just happened? Elizabeth wondered.
“Would you like more, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Darcy asked.
Elizabeth wanted to laugh at the question. Does he think his demeanor invites lingering at the refreshment table?!
“No, thank you,” she said politely.
Mr. Darcy nodded, then offered his arm to escort her to her family. Elizabeth was not sure what had just occurred, but whatever it was caused a distinct change in his mood.
When they reached her family, he bowed to her. “Miss Elizabeth.” Then he walked away.
Elizabeth did not know quite how to take that. She did not have time to think on it, however, because Mr. Bingley came to collect her for their set.
When it was time for the supper set Elizabeth saw her sister Mary dancing again with Mr. Whitney Hadley.
That was significant! Not only was he partnering Mary for the second time this evening, but he had singled her out for the supper set.
Elizabeth was ecstatic for her sister. Mary deserved to receive some special attention from a gentleman.
Elizabeth herself was not dancing the supper set, and she noticed Charlotte was not either, so she made her way over to her friend. Charlotte was watching the couples on the dance floor when Elizabeth walked up beside her.
“So, Charlotte, what do you think of the assembly?” Elizabeth asked.
Charlotte turned to Elizabeth with a relaxed smile on her face. “I think it turned out very well. We are fortunate to have four gentlemen visiting the neighborhood and willing to partner so many ladies.”
“Yes, indeed.”
“To that point, I suppose not only has Mr. Bingley ended up earning points in your book for gallantry tonight, but the other gentlemen have as well. They certainly have each danced several sets.”
“You are right, Charlotte,” Elizabeth said, pretending a serious mien, “I must take out my pen and bestow high marks on all of them, for many a young lady has twirled about the dance floor tonight. No doubt, many more will do so thanks to these good gentlemen.”
Elizabeth and Charlotte both laughed at their silliness.
“Do you know much about the Mr. Hadleys?” Elizabeth asked her.
“I do not. They seem very agreeable,” Charlotte said.
“Yes, they do.”
At that moment, two matrons walked in their direction, speaking rather loudly.
“Mr. Bingley’s 5,000 a year is nothing to Mr. Darcy. He has 10,000 a year at least! Would that my Abigail could catch his eye!”
“Oh yes, indeed, that would be wonderful!”
The women walked away, fanning themselves rapidly.
Elizabeth and Charlotte stood there in shock, then turned to each other.
“Oh my,” Charlotte said, eyes wide.
“This must be what Mr. Darcy overheard after we danced our set, or something similar, perhaps,” Elizabeth said, looking to where the matrons were now standing on the other side of the room.
“He overheard them?” Charlotte asked.
“He overheard someone. I am not sure who. I am also not sure what he heard, but his demeanor changed instantly. He was clearly offended by something,” Elizabeth explained.
“Yes, and now we see his and Mr. Bingley’s incomes are likely being bandied about the room.” Charlotte looked around with an expression of irritation.
“Where is Mr. Darcy?” asked Elizabeth, also looking around the room.
“There he is. He is standing in the corner.”
“I feel compelled to apologize to him on behalf of everyone here who is being so offensive,” Elizabeth said.
“I see nothing wrong with doing so. It is the polite thing to do in any case.”
“Very well, I will do it, but I want you to come rescue me if you see my fingers snap,” Elizabeth said, looking pointedly at Charlotte. “That is your signal to come to my aid and remind me we are to go visit with . . . Mrs. Whomever."
Charlotte grinned. “Understood.”
Elizabeth took a deep breath and blew it out. She turned and walked in the direction of Mr. Darcy. When she reached him, he looked surprised to see her standing there.
“Mr. Darcy, I neglected to inquire how Miss Darcy is getting on with her new sheet music. Has she made much progress with it?” Elizabeth asked, a friendly smile on her face.
For a moment, he looked as if he did not know what to make of her, then replied, “Yes, I believe she has.”
Elizabeth looked at Mr. Darcy, waiting for him to make some effort at polite conversation. He did not.
“Good,” she said, nodding and looking anywhere other than at Mr. Darcy.
Realizing this was all she was likely to get from him, Elizabeth turned to look at Charlotte.
Making sure her friend could see her fingers behind her back, she started snapping them repeatedly in a silent fashion.
Charlotte recognized her cue and quickly put down her punch. She stood and walked towards Elizabeth.
Turning back to face him, Elizabeth said, “Mr. Darcy, I wanted to apologize on behalf of my neighbors . . . Charlotte and I overheard your income as well as Mr. Bingley’s being bandied about.
Unfortunately, I am sure much more is being said and speculated on.
Such behavior is reprehensible, and I can only imagine the offense it has caused you.
I hope you will give my apologies to Mr. Bingley as well. ”
Mr. Darcy looked at her closely, then nodded. “Thank you for your concern, Miss Elizabeth. I will pass on your sentiments to Bingley.”
Charlotte walked up at just that moment, bless her!
“Excuse me, Mr. Darcy, but Elizabeth and I were to go spend a few minutes visiting with Mrs. Clark.” She turned raised brows to Elizabeth and said, “You know she will probably leave after supper.”
“Indeed. Thank you, Charlotte,” Elizabeth said.
Charlotte smiled graciously.
Elizabeth met Mr. Darcy’s gaze and said, “Please excuse us, Mr. Darcy.”
“Of course,” he said, bowing.
Elizabeth was grateful to her friend for coming to her aid. She was sorry for Mr. Darcy that he had obviously been insulted, but did he have to be so grumpy and antisocial? Were none of the mere mortals in attendance this evening worthy of pleasantness from him?
Supper passed pleasantly. Elizabeth and Charlotte sat together and spoke on a number of things, as good friends so often do.
They observed Mary, who seemed to be enjoying her supper companion, Mr. Whitney Hadley.
Jane was dining with Mr. Lindsey Hadley, who was definitely keeping her well-entertained.
Elizabeth danced two more sets after supper.
It had been one of the most enjoyable assemblies she had attended in some time.
Elizabeth had just finished speaking to Mrs. Long when she realized she had not seen Lydia in a while.
She scanned the room and eventually spotted her standing behind a column with a young man.
Elizabeth immediately headed in their direction.
As she drew nearer, she happened to see Mr. Darcy standing not very far away from them, his eyes trained on Lydia and the young man.
Elizabeth quickened her step, dreading what she would find.
When Elizabeth approached them, she found Lydia standing inappropriately close to the young man, her fingers moving up and down the lapels of his coat as she spoke to him. When he noticed Elizabeth standing there, his eyes grew wide. He muttered an apology and quickly took his leave.
“Lydia, what do you think you are doing?!” Elizabeth demanded.
“Lizzy! You ran him off!” Lydia complained.
“I did not run him off. Guilt ran him off! Yet, you stand here without an ounce of it!”
“You are just jealous!”
Elizabeth felt her face and neck flush red and hot. “Lydia, I will only say this once. If you behave inappropriately again, I will go find Uncle Phillips and have him take you home. You know very well I do not make idle threats.”
“Oh, fine, Lizzy!” Lydia spat.
Elizabeth did a quick sweep of the immediate area to see if anyone other than Mr. Darcy had noticed her sister's behavior.
When she was fairly certain they were in the clear, she gave Lydia a stern look, then walked away.
Elizabeth was angry and ashamed. Would their father never take this girl in hand before she ruined them all?
And, why oh why did Mr. Darcy have to witness it?
! She found Jane and apprised her of the situation.
“Goodness gracious!” Jane exclaimed. “At least Mr. Darcy is a gentleman and will probably not mention it to anyone other than his friend. But if the wrong person had seen her—”
“I know!” Elizabeth said, looking around to ensure they were not being overheard.
“I do not think we should let this go, Lizzy. For her to disregard propriety and behave so brazenly right here in public! It is as if she has no care at all for the respectability of our family! No, it shall not stand. We should tell Papa when we return home,” Jane insisted.
“I agree, but will he do anything about it?” Elizabeth replied skeptically.
Jane looked at her and sighed in frustration.
For the rest of the assembly, Elizabeth and Jane both kept an eye on Lydia.
On the ride home, the carriage was full of female chatter.
“I have never danced so much in one night!” Kitty exclaimed. “I wish there could be as many gentlemen at every assembly!”
“Yes, it was a welcome change from what we are used to,” Elizabeth agreed.
“Not one of the gentlemen visiting asked me for a dance,” Lydia complained, “and I do not understand why. I am very pretty, and I am a very good dancer! I only danced with the same few gentlemen we always dance with.”
“I suspect they learned how young you are,” Mary suggested.
“What does that have to do with it?” Lydia demanded.
“Gentlemen usually prefer to dance with young women who are full grown,” Mary said.
“I am full-grown!” Lydia protested.
“Perhaps physically, but your mind, your emotions, and your sense of judgement still have much growing to do,” Elizabeth said bluntly.
“They are telling you the truth, Lydia,” Jane said.
“While there are a few families around here who feel comfortable allowing their daughters to come out in our small society at your age, it is not usually done, especially not in London. The most common age is eighteen, but no younger than seventeen for sure. You are only fifteen.”
Though it was dark in the carriage, they did not need light in order to know Lydia was not happy. She was not happy with the circumstances of the evening, nor was she happy with the facts as they were presented to her.
“There, there, Lydia,” Mama cooed.
“Mama, when are we to go to London? I am sure the balls and parties will be much more enjoyable there!” Lydia said, clearly not accepting the words of her elder sisters.
“As it happens, I intend to move up our departure," Mama said.
"I heard Mr. Bingley tell Sir William that he will go to London at the end of next week.
He will be gone for several days, so I figured we may as well go away ourselves.
I cannot encourage a match between him and Jane if he is not here.
By the time he returns, we shall not be more than a day behind him. "
"Are we to go next week, then?" Lydia asked excitedly.
"Yes, we can leave on Wednesday."
“Oh, thank you, Mama! In London, there will be so many gentlemen wishing to dance with me, I just know it!”