21. Chapter 21
E lizabeth and Mr. Darcy had drawn the attention of many in attendance.
She supposed they were all curious about her.
She was unknown to them, yet such an eligible gentleman as Mr. Darcy had singled her out by dancing not one but two sets with her.
Elizabeth had certainly not expected him to show her such attention, and with a good portion of London society watching.
Were her sisters and her aunt correct in their suspicions?
Did he have a romantic interest in her, or did he just see her as a friend?
Mr. Darcy was quite familiar with the conventions and nuances of polite society.
He knew very well what his behavior toward her implied—that he was interested, very interested.
And he wanted it known. The idea was wonderful and hard to credit all at the same time!
However, she would assume nothing before he spoke the words to her.
After they danced the supper set, she enjoyed having his undivided attention for the entire supper hour.
Elizabeth and her family were to leave after supper.
Considering their plans with the Darcys and Mr. Fitzwilliam for the following afternoon, they wanted to be as well-rested as possible.
Even now, it was the wee hours, and they still needed to take their leave and journey back to Gracechurch Street.
Earlier that evening, Mr. Darcy had told her that he and his cousin would also leave the ball when she and her family did.
So, they all went in search of their hosts to take their leave.
As her aunt and sisters were handed into the carriage, Mr. Darcy addressed Uncle. “If you have no objection, Mr. Gardiner, we will call tomorrow at Gracechurch Street so that we may all travel together."
“That will be fine.”
“How does one o’clock sound?”
“That sounds perfect,” Aunt Madeleine replied.
Mr. Darcy nodded.
“Goodnight” was then echoed all around.
“Goodnight, Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy said softly.
She smiled. “Goodnight.”
He then handed her into the carriage.
As her uncle’s carriage pulled away, Aunt Madeleine asked, “How was your evening, girls?”
“It was wonderful, Aunt!” Mary exclaimed. “This was, of course, my first private ball, but I have never had such an enjoyable time. There were so many gentlemen to dance with, and they were all very agreeable.”
“Indeed, Aunt, you and Uncle have outdone yourselves with our very first event,” Elizabeth teased. “Now, nothing else shall compare.”
Uncle Edward chuckled. “We hope that will not be the case.”
“Oh, Aunt Madeleine, Mr. Darcy extended an invitation from his sister to join them for a musicale on Monday evening. Are we free?” Elizabeth asked.
“Oh, yes,” Mary said. “I mentioned to Georgiana that I hoped to attend a musicale during our stay.”
“That was thoughtful of her. We are free on Monday. An evening musicale sounds lovely,” Aunt Madeleine replied.
After removing their outerwear, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary said goodnight to their aunt and uncle. They went upstairs and entered Jane’s bedchamber, looking at one another with matching expressions of happiness.
“This was the most wonderful night ever!” Mary exclaimed in a hushed tone, smiling from ear to ear. “I was never in want of a partner!”
Elizabeth grinned. “I was amazed at the sheer number of gentlemen present.”
Jane nodded. “Indeed.”
Mary gave her sisters a teasing look. “You both certainly had the attention of the whole room when you were dancing with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Fitzwilliam, especially the supper dance.”
Jane gave a look of discomfiture. “Yes, and it was unnerving to say the least!”
Mary laughed. “I daresay there were many ladies envious of you two having the attention of such handsome, eligible gentlemen.”
Elizabeth and Jane looked at each other with mischievous grins, then turned to Mary.
“And what about your handsome, eligible gentleman, Mary?” Jane asked.
Elizabeth sat on the bed. “Yes, dear sister, tell us all about Mr. Whitney Hadley.”
Mary smiled and shook her head. She looked down for a moment, then back at her sisters.
Jane chuckled. “Do not keep us in suspense!”
Mary hesitated, then said, “He asked if he may call on me.”
For a moment, Jane and Elizabeth simply looked at her, then they both spoke at once.
“That is wonderful, Mary!”
“And you are just now telling us?!”
“I was flattered that he asked, but I did not know if I should truly expect it. No one has ever asked to call on me before,” Mary explained shyly. “I did not want to raise my hopes if his asking did not really commit him to doing so.”
“You are correct, of course, that he is not committed, but when a gentleman asks for permission to call, it is because he means to do so,” Jane said.
“I think you like him a great deal,” Elizabeth said knowingly.
Mary grinned. “I do.”
Elizabeth and Jane shared a smile, then looked back at Mary.
“He is a very likable young man, and I enjoy our conversations,” Mary said. “I do not know what he thinks of me, but I would like the opportunity to get to know him better.”
“We are so excited for you, Mary!” Jane exclaimed.
“Yes, indeed!” Elizabeth agreed.
Mary then launched into an animated discussion of all things Whitney Hadley.
As they neared the Gardiners' home, Darcy contemplated the afternoon ahead. He hoped he would have the pleasure of Miss Elizabeth’s company on the ride to Rutherford House. He would need to ask her uncle’s permission for her to ride in his carriage.
“Georgiana, I plan to ask Mr. Gardiner if Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet can join us in our carriage. Would you like to ride with Miss Mary in the Gardiners' carriage?”
“Yes, I would,” she replied, then narrowed her eyes. “William, do you have feelings for Elizabeth?”
Fitz suddenly began coughing and laughing.
Darcy figured his sister might suspect his intentions when he asked for her cooperation with the proposed seating arrangements.
“I do,” he said, watching her reaction carefully.
An expression of joy came over her face. “That is wonderful!”
Darcy gave a quiet chuckle. “I am glad you feel that way, Georgiana, but . . .”
“But?”
“But . . . I have not yet spoken to her of my feelings, so you must not say a word . . . to anyone.”
“No, of course not! I shall not say anything, William, I promise,” Georgiana assured him, a knowing smile spreading over her face.
Fitz chuckled.
Darcy shook his head, wondering what he had gotten himself into by acknowledging his feelings for Elizabeth to his sister. Miss Elizabeth, I mean, Miss Elizabeth . . .
After Elizabeth and her sisters had come down to the drawing room and greeted everyone, they all headed out to the carriages.
Aunt Madeleine fell in step beside Jane and Elizabeth. “Girls, your uncle has given permission for you to ride with the gentlemen at Mr. Darcy’s request. Would that be agreeable?”
“Yes, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied, a thrill shooting through her.
Aunt Madeleine nodded, then walked in the direction of her carriage.
Elizabeth turned to see Mr. Darcy walking towards her. “I believe we are with you?” she asked with raised brows.
“Yes, I hope that is agreeable.”
“Of course it is,” she said, smiling.
He smiled, then escorted her and Jane to his carriage. Soon both carriages got underway.
“Colonel Fitz—” Miss Elizabeth stopped abruptly and closed her eyes a moment with a quiet chuckle. “Pardon me, Mr. Fitzwilliam.”
Fitz grinned. “Yes, Miss Elizabeth?”
“Jane was telling me you have been to many interesting places during your military career.”
“Yes, I have!” he said.
He then began regaling them with tales of his travels.
It was, of course, a version fit for feminine ears.
Darcy quietly observed Miss Elizabeth, careful not to stare or make her uneasy.
Recently, he had been giving thought to when he would speak to her of his feelings and ask her for a courtship.
Darcy wanted to speak with her as soon as possible.
He knew her aunt had plans to attend various events over the next weeks.
Gentlemen would soon begin showing interest in her and asking for permission to call on her.
That is, unless it was public knowledge that she and Darcy were courting.
Regardless, he would be afforded no opportunity to speak with her that afternoon.
He might well have to wait until the day after the musicale.
“Mr. Darcy, please tell us of Lord Rutherford. Is he a friend of your family?” Miss Bennet asked.
“Yes, he is. He was a close friend of my father’s. Lord Rutherford is an enthusiastic patron of the sciences. He often hosts private exhibitions. Scholars, philosophers, as well as the scientifically curious can often be found attending them.”
“Do you know what field of science the exhibit will focus on?” Miss Elizabeth asked.
“I believe natural sciences and applied sciences will both be represented in this exhibit. Since Lord Rutherford is closely connected with the scientific community, there will likely be members of that community taking part in the exhibit. They may give demonstrations, lectures, and simply be on hand to answer questions or explain concepts.”
Miss Elizabeth’s eyes lit up.
Fitz chuckled. “I can see by your expression, Miss Elizabeth, that Darcy’s words have excited your anticipation. Is it safe to assume that, like my cousins, you count yourself among the scientifically curious?”
Miss Elizabeth grinned. “Oh, yes, I do! The more we discover, the more apparent it becomes that we are only scratching the surface. And that is astounding!”
“Well said, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy told her, a small grin on his face.
They began speaking of the previous night’s ball.
“Did you ladies enjoy yourselves at the ball last night?” Fitz asked.
“We did indeed,” Miss Bennet replied. “What about you, gentlemen?”
“Oh, Darcy and I had a marvelous time! How many balls do you ladies have lined up for next week?”
Miss Elizabeth and Miss Bennet chuckled at Fitz’s teasing.