20. Chapter 20
E lizabeth entered the stately townhouse with her family. She had visited here several times in the past, as her uncle and Sir Anthony were old friends. As Sir Anthony was a bachelor, his mother was acting as his hostess.
“Oh, Madeleine! The girls are lovely!” Lady Stanholdt declared.
“It is so good to see you, my lady,” Jane said with a smile.
Elizabeth and her sisters each kissed Lady Stanholdt’s cheek in greeting.
“It is good to see you girls as well! I am so happy you could come.” She then whispered conspiratorially, “There will be a good number of eligible gentlemen here this evening, so make sure to enjoy yourselves!”
They grinned at her and nodded.
“You girls let me know if you need anything at all,” Sir Anthony insisted.
“We will, Sir Anthony,” Jane replied. “Thank you.”
Elizabeth stepped around her uncle, craning her neck to see inside the ballroom.
“Will the boys be here this evening?” Uncle Edward asked Sir Anthony.
Elizabeth was unable to hear Sir Anthony’s reply because her sisters spoke to her at that exact moment.
Uncle Edward nodded to his friend in response, then moved to lead their party away from the receiving line.
Elizabeth briefly wondered who they were speaking of, but let it slip from her mind as she and her family entered the ballroom.
Chandeliers glittered overhead with crystal and candlelight, while candelabras placed throughout the room cast a glow and added to the ambiance.
Vases of fresh-cut flowers perfumed the space.
Sprays of fragrant blooms and greenery were suspended from candlelit wall sconces that twinkled along the perimeter of the room.
The floral scent in the air reminded Elizabeth of being in the countryside on a summer’s day.
While the musicians were seeing to their instruments and sheet music, ladies and gentlemen were milling about dressed in all their finery.
All around her was the murmur of voices and laughter.
The beauty and atmosphere of the ball filled Elizabeth with anticipation for the evening.
She looked down at her own gown. Her aunt had been correct.
The beautiful gown did give her more confidence.
She had chosen a seafoam-green silk. It had short, fluffy layers of white organza along a lower neckline that continued up along the thin straps at her shoulders.
Her aunt’s maid had pinned pearls in her hair.
She also wore her pearl drop earrings and her necklace with the pearl pendant.
As they followed their aunt and uncle, Elizabeth and her sisters noticed quite a few gentlemen and were noticed in return. They spoke with one another about interesting people they observed and shared opinions on the gowns some of the ladies wore.
Sir Anthony and three gentlemen joined them.
He made the introductions, and a very pleasant conversation ensued.
Eventually, the gentlemen secured dances with them, then took their leave.
Elizabeth and her sisters discussed their impressions of the gentlemen while their aunt and uncle stepped away to greet an acquaintance.
Elizabeth and Jane noticed Mary had suddenly become quiet.
Seeing that something had caught their sister’s eye, they followed the direction of her gaze to a group of people.
After a moment of observation, they realized what had caught Mary’s attention, or rather who.
There, standing among the group, was Mr. Whitney Hadley.
Mary turned to them and whispered urgently “He is here!”
“I see him,” Elizabeth said, keeping her voice low. “But he has not seen us yet, which gives you a few moments to collect yourself. Deep breaths, Mary!”
Mary nodded and took a deep breath.
“Apparently, you like him more than you let on,” Elizabeth said, smirking.
“It certainly appears that way,” Jane agreed.
“Yes, well, that does not mean he likes me, so it is of little consequence,” Mary said.
“Very well, just be calm,” Jane said.
“What if it is clear he does not wish to continue the acquaintance but simply wishes to be polite?” Mary asked worriedly.
“Then you are better off knowing so you will not regret him,” Elizabeth said with a decisive nod.
Mary nodded in response just as Mr. Hadley approached them. She turned to find him suddenly standing before her.
“Mr. Hadley!”
“Miss Mary,” he greeted her, smiling. After greeting Jane and Elizabeth, he turned again to Mary. “How do you do?”
“I am well,” Mary replied. “How are you, sir?”
“I am doing well, thank you. It is a pleasant surprise to find you here this—”
“Whit!” Uncle Edward said as he joined them.
Mr. Hadley turned toward Uncle Edward, smiled, and the two shook hands.
“Gardiner!”
“I see you have met my nieces!”
“Your nieces?” Mr. Hadley asked, a look of surprise on his face.
“Indeed! I had hoped to introduce you this evening.”
“Actually, I recently met your nieces when Lin and I were in Hertfordshire.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes, we met at a public assembly,” Mr. Hadley explained.
“Ah, I see!”
“What do you see?” Aunt Madeleine asked as she and another woman approached.
“Whit and Lin made the acquaintance of our nieces in Hertfordshire recently.”
“That was serendipitous!” Aunt Madeleine said enthusiastically. “Evelyn, please meet my nieces, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth and Miss Mary of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Girls, this is Mr. Hadley’s mother, Mrs. Hadley.”
Elizabeth and her sisters curtsied and expressed their pleasure at making her acquaintance.
“Where is Lin?” Uncle Edward inquired.
“He had another engagement this evening,” Mr. Hadley replied.
“Ah!”
Turning again to Mary, Mr. Hadley asked, “Is your supper set available?”
“It is.”
“I shall claim it, if I may?”
“Yes, of course, thank you,” Mary said with a smile.
Mr. Hadley and his mother excused themselves just as Mr. Bingley approached them. Two women and a gentleman accompanied him.
“This is a delightful surprise!” Mr. Bingley said, smiling.
“Good evening, Mr. Bingley,” Jane said. “Aunt, Uncle, this is Mr. Charles Bingley. Mr. Bingley, please meet Mr. and Mrs. Edward Gardiner.
“I am very pleased to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.”
“A pleasure, Mr. Bingley,” Uncle Edward replied.
“Please allow me to introduce my sisters and brother-in-law. This is Mr. Bertram Hurst, my elder sister Mrs. Louisa Hurst, and my younger sister Miss Caroline Bingley. Hurst, Louisa, Caroline, please meet Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner of London and their nieces—Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary of Longbourn in Hertfordshire.”
“We are pleased to make your acquaintance,” Aunt Madeleine said.
Several seconds passed before Mrs. Hurst forced a very brief and insincere smile to her face and reluctantly replied, “Likewise.”
His younger sister looked at each of them with thinly veiled contempt. Mr. Hurst, who was already in his cups, made no attempt at civility either. All the while, Mr. Bingley was his usual amiable self. After several minutes of this, Elizabeth had had enough.
“Please excuse me,” she said and turned to leave.
“Ah, Miss Elizabeth?” Mr. Bingley called. “I was just about to request dances with you ladies. May I secure a set with you?” he asked.
“Of course. Is there a particular set you would like?”
“Is your second set available?”
She smiled at him. “Yes, it is yours.”
Elizabeth then walked in the direction of the refreshment table, hoping Mr. Bingley’s hateful sisters would be gone when she returned.
Elizabeth poured herself some punch, then walked over to the side of the room to drink it and observe the guests.
She also kept an eye on Mr. Bingley’s party so she would see when they took their leave.
A few short weeks ago, Elizabeth had been excited at the prospect of meeting new people and perhaps making the acquaintance of some gentlemen.
Tonight, she had already been introduced to several people, including a few gentlemen.
Yet, Elizabeth could not seem to manage any excitement over it.
Her mind was completely preoccupied with thoughts of someone else.
She took another sip of her punch, then looked toward the dais.
The musicians were taking their seats. It would not be long now before the dancing would begin. Where is Mr. Darcy?
“Good evening, Miss Elizabeth.”
She inhaled sharply. Elizabeth would know that warm, deep voice anywhere. She turned to see the object of her thoughts smiling at her, and she smiled back at him.
“Good evening, Mr. Darcy.”
His eyes never leaving hers, he took her hand, raised it to his lips, and kissed it.
“May I say how very beautiful you look tonight?”
Elizabeth felt such tingles and warmth in her cheeks. This compliment of her looks was very different from the one he gave her at the assembly in Meryton. Extremely flattered by his words and actions, she flushed with pleasure.
“Thank you,” she said, unable to tear her eyes away from his.
Another voice intruded on the moment, “Indeed, you look lovely—”
Elizabeth startled.
“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Fitzwilliam said. “I did not mean to startle you.”
Smiling self-consciously, she said, “Thank you for the compliment.”
She noticed Mr. Fitzwilliam draw Mr. Darcy’s attention to another part of the room. Mr. Darcy then looked around before bringing his eyes back to hers.
“I believe the dancing will begin soon. May I escort you to your party?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you. I just need a moment to hand my glass to a servant.”