20. Chapter 20 #2
From the moment Darcy entered the ballroom, he had been stopped by one person or another.
The situation proved even more difficult for his cousin.
Clearly, the word was out that he was now a wealthy man.
Attention was lavished upon Fitz just as he knew it would be.
After helping Fitz escape a gaggle of women, Darcy scanned the room until his eyes fell on Miss Elizabeth standing with her aunt and sisters.
They had been speaking with some gentlemen.
Darcy had no doubt the gentlemen had solicited dances for themselves.
Thanks to Fitz inquiring about the ladies’ plans for this evening, Darcy was able to have his pick of Miss Elizabeth’s dances.
He wanted to make a statement tonight by dancing the first and supper sets with her.
Next, Darcy saw Mr. Hadley approach them.
He and Fitz were just about to walk over to greet them all when they saw Bingley approach with his sisters.
Wishing to avoid Miss Bingley, Darcy and Fitz held back.
That led to Darcy following Miss Elizabeth and greeting her at the refreshment table.
However, he and Fitz needed to greet her family as well.
Miss Bingley was still there, but there was nothing for it.
They would simply have to deal with her.
The next moment, Fitz nudged Darcy’s arm and directed his attention to Miss Elizabeth’s party. Bingley’s sisters and Hurst were walking away. Darcy grinned at his cousin and then offered to escort Miss Elizabeth to her family.
After she gave her glass to a passing servant, she took his arm, and he led her away.
As they approached her family, Elizabeth was happy to see the hateful sisters had gone and taken the drunk with them.
They all exchanged greetings, then Uncle Edward and Mr. Bingley fell into conversation with a mutual acquaintance. Elizabeth, Jane, Mr. Darcy, and Mr. Fitzwilliam moved a few feet away from the group.
“Well, ladies, I suppose your dance cards are full already,” Mr. Fitzwilliam teased. “Darcy, it is a good thing we secured those sets in advance, is it not?”
“I should say so, cousin.”
“Indeed, from the time of our arrival, we have been unable to greet your party due to the line of gentlemen queueing up to request dances!” Mr. Fitzwilliam said.
Jane and Elizabeth laughed.
“No, indeed, Colonel! Oh, forgive me!” Jane said, smiling and blushing. “I mean, no indeed, Mr. Fitzwilliam.”
He chuckled. “There is nothing to forgive, I assure you. I am not yet accustomed to the change myself.”
Elizabeth noticed Mr. Fitzwilliam’s smile fade abruptly. He looked over his shoulder, then moved to close the gap between himself and Mr. Darcy. Suddenly, Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst appeared.
“Good evening, gentlemen! How lovely to see you!” Miss Bingley declared.
Mr. Bingley’s sisters were extremely welcoming to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fitzwilliam, a marked difference from the cold way they had greeted Elizabeth’s family earlier.
“Mr. Darcy, how is your dear sister?” Miss Bingley asked. “Louisa and I were just remarking on how we have not seen her for an age!”
“She is doing quite well, thank you,” Mr. Darcy replied cooly.
“I am so glad to hear it. Is she in town?” Miss Bingley asked as she attempted to move closer to Mr. Darcy.
“Yes, she is,” Mr. Darcy said.
Elizabeth was standing next to Mr. Darcy on one side.
She watched as Miss Bingley tried to reach Mr. Darcy’s other side, but his cousin was there and refused to give an inch.
Still, she persisted in her efforts to get around Mr. Fitzwilliam and instead lost her balance!
She flailed about, but Mr. Fitzwilliam quickly steadied her before gravity took over.
“Careful, Miss Bingley! I would hate for you to take a fall when the ball has barely begun,” Mr. Fitzwilliam said solicitously.
Elizabeth had to turn and feign an interest in something behind her so that she could hide the bubble of laughter that threatened to spill forth. Did that just happen?! She met Jane’s eyes and caught the smirk her sister was trying to hide as well.
Miss Bingley was clearly embarrassed, but she was also seriously displeased at having been thwarted. Her aggravation must have warred with the need to repair her appearance. In the end, vanity won out, so she and her sister left to find the ladies' retiring room.
The theatrics now over, conversation resumed between the four of them.
Elizabeth turned to the dais at the sound of the musicians tuning their instruments.
She was looking forward to dancing with Mr. Darcy and having him as her supper companion.
Elizabeth could not believe he was singling her out in this way, but she planned to enjoy her time with him.
He looked extremely handsome tonight in his dark tailcoat, cream-colored breeches, and crisp white cravat and waistcoat.
They were clearly made for him they fit him so well.
Elizabeth would definitely be one of the oglers tonight!
Sir Anthony stood on the dais and welcomed his guests to the ball. He wished everyone a pleasant evening, then signaled for the musicians to begin the first set.
Darcy turned to Miss Elizabeth with a smile and offered his hand. “Shall we?”
She nodded and put her hand in his. As they walked towards the other couples, Darcy noticed his cousin leading her sister to the dance floor as well.
“I must apologize for taking so long to reach you this evening. Fitz and I were delayed by multiple acquaintances from our first entering the ballroom. When we managed to get free of them, you and your aunt and sisters were visiting with various ladies and gentlemen. We did not wish to intrude. However, a few lingered in your company until the very end, so I suppose we should not have waited.”
Miss Elizabeth smiled, then looked up at him. “Thank you for being so considerate of my feelings. I do understand, and all is well. Truly.”
She had promised him the first set. He should have greeted her as soon as possible to assure her that he was indeed present at the ball and looking forward to dancing with her. Darcy was relieved she was not offended. He gave her a nod, then took his place opposite her.
His eyes never left her as he waited for the dance to begin.
They drank her in and traveled over the gown she wore.
It was lovely, and she was lovely in it.
Darcy was glad she had fitting gowns for London society.
He had heard Aunt Sophia say more than once to Georgiana that a beautiful gown was armor for a young lady.
Of course, he thought Miss Elizabeth looked perfect in whatever she wore.
Still, it relieved him that she would not give the appearance of being easy prey for vicious and petty women eager to sink their claws into her.
When the music began, he took her hand, and they moved through the steps.
“Have you been enjoying yourself this evening?” he asked.
Her surprise was evident, but the reason for it was not.
“Miss Elizabeth?”
“I apologize. You just . . . surprised me with your attempt at conversation. The last time we danced together, you said not a word. I thought you preferred it that way.”
He sighed. “It is I who should apologize. Besides being cautious, I am not very adept at conversing with people I do not know well. I am sure you thought me quite rude.”
“I did, but I was happy to be proven wrong . . . eventually,” she said with a teasing grin.
Darcy grinned as well.
She continued. “In answer to your question, yes, I am enjoying myself this evening. I hope you are as well.”
“I certainly am—thanks to the privilege of dancing with you.”
She blushed prettily at his words, and Darcy grinned again. He enjoyed being the cause of her blushes. He also enjoyed being able to hold her hand, gaze into those fine eyes, and be near her each time the dance brought them together.
When they finished the set, Darcy led her over to her family.
“I enjoyed our dance, Miss Elizabeth.” They shared a smile, then Darcy said, “I almost forgot, my sister wished me to invite you to a musicale that will take place on Monday evening.”
“That sounds lovely,” she said excitedly. “I know Mary was hoping to attend at least one during our stay.”
“I believe Georgiana said as much. She wanted to invite you all herself, but since she will not see you until tomorrow afternoon, she did not want to risk you making other plans by then.”
“Oh, of course! I believe that evening is free, but I will speak with my aunt to be sure.”
Darcy gave her a smile, then excused himself.
He stepped over to Miss Mary and issued Georgiana’s invitation to the musicale.
She was very excited at the prospect of going, and Darcy smiled at her enthusiasm.
He confirmed she was ready for their set and led her to the dance floor.
As they danced, they discussed music and their favorite composers.
Darcy spoke about what she could expect at the evening musicale, and she again became excited, making him chuckle.
When their set was over, Darcy thanked her and returned Miss Mary to her family.
He headed to the refreshment table, then spent some time alone drinking punch and watching the crowd.
He noticed Fitz walking in his direction, so he waited for him.
Darcy looked away for a moment. When he looked back, he saw his cousin had been waylaid.
Darcy shook his head. The group of ladies surrounding his cousin was made up of matchmaking mamas and debutantes.
He knew their tactics well. Fortunately for Darcy, they had pulled back in their intensity toward him a few years ago.
Fitz, however, was fresh meat. There would be dogged attempts made to catch his eye.
After several minutes, Darcy moved towards Fitz in order to free him from his latest group of admirers.
“How lovely it is to see you, Colonel! Oh! Are you still a colonel?” Lady Chesney asked.
“No, my lady,” Fitz replied.
“It is Mr. Fitzwilliam now?” Lady Daphne asked, smiling as she curled her hand around his arm.
Fitz gave her a charming smile. “That is correct.”
Miss Simmons cornered him on his other side.
“What a surprise to find you here this evening,” she said, fluttering her lashes at him. “It is a wonderful evening for dancing and enjoying society, is it not?”
“Indeed, we are delighted to have you with us, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” Mrs. Simmons added. “I do hope we shall see you more often now that you shall have fewer demands on your time.”
Darcy felt the situation had gone on long enough.
“Pardon me, ladies—Fitz, I have located our party. Shall we?”
“Yes, cousin!” he answered, then gave a polite bow to the ladies.
When they had walked a safe distance away, Fitz sighed. “Thank you!”