Chapter 27
Elizabeth and Darcy took their places, both aware of the curious glances upon them and of each other’s nearness.
Darcy was lost in awe, admiring Elizabeth’s figure as well as every little detail of her enchanting image: the creamy dress embracing her alluring silhouette and leaving her neck, shoulders, and arms uncovered, exposed to his scrutiny; the lock of hair dancing on her nape, teasing him; the small white flowers entwined in her hair; the garnet cross shining on her creamy skin.
Elizabeth’s thoughts were not very different.
She found him more handsome than ever. Not only because of his flawless attire but mostly because of the bright expression in his eyes and on his face, because of the shadow of a smile that revealed his dimples, because of the admiration and affection that she — finally — dared to read in his stare.
The music started and the dance began. Following the steps, their gazes locked while they moved in harmony, soon enough oblivious to everything except for each other.
Their fingers brushing against each other through their gloves reminded them of the sensation of bare skin, and they lingered in the touch only an instant longer than they should have.
Although the dance was nothing out of the ordinary, to them it was an intimate gesture that thrilled them and stirred their senses in a way that they barely had the courage to admit.
The pleasure of the dance was so intense that it became difficult to bear, and it needed to be interrupted.
“Do you plan to remain silent for the entire half an hour, Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth asked impishly, mostly to engage her mind on something other than his touch and nearness.
His answer was delayed as they followed the pattern; only his eyes remained locked on her.
“I have no other plans except to enjoy this half an hour, Miss Bennet. I feel better than I ever have at a ball.”
Her cheeks coloured a little more.
“I am glad to hear that. But still, you must say something. It would appear strange if we do not speak for an entire set.”
“A man who felt less would surely speak more, but I assure you that everything you wish will be accomplished — including conversation.”
They were teasing each other, but both sensed the weight of the hidden meaning in the words.
“Do you speak by rule when you dance, Miss Bennet?”
“I confess I used to, Mr Darcy. But you might be right, I might have spoken more in the past because I felt less enjoyment.”
They separated momentarily, and for a while, they were silent again, enjoying the elegant moves required by the music.
“For someone who dances so rarely, you are an excellent dancer, Mr Darcy.”
“How fortunate that you are not disappointed, Miss Bennet. My lack of practice is surely compensated by my partner’s skills.”
Her lips and her eyes smiled at him. “Praising my qualities is an excellent start to the conversation, Mr Darcy.”
“If you approve of it, I shall continue in the same manner. I have many things to praise about you.”
Flushed, she let out a little laugh.
“Please do so, sir. And then we might discuss books or make remarks about the music and the number of pairs in this dance.”
“As you wish. But I would rather remain on the previous subject, as I am quite fond of it.”
His voice was light, his expression amused, so she pretended it was a joke, but still she felt chills along her bare arms, just above the edges of her gloves and shoulders.
“Very well, sir, you may praise my qualities and I shall do the same. I might comment on your fine handwriting or your riding skills.”
“Anything that you consider worthy of your praise I shall gladly accept, Miss Bennet.”
“Come, Mr Darcy, you surely do not need more praise! I am sure you hear a lot, all the time. Especially since Miss Bingley has returned and you have other ladies visiting.”
She tried to jest but feared he might read the jealousy in her voice.
“I do not care much about easy praise, Miss Bennet. But your good opinion is rarely bestowed, at least on me, and therefore more worth the earning. Especially since I trust your sincerity.”
She paused for a moment, catching her breath and calming her traitorous thoughts.
“You have already had my good opinion for a long while, Mr Darcy. I had hoped you knew that.”
Another pause, another parting, another round, another silence.
“I believed I knew, Miss Bennet. Nevertheless, your reassurance has made me more confident in my judgment.”
There was no time for more conversation as the music stopped unexpectedly.
Caught up in their conversation and their own thoughts, the time had flown faster than they had realised, and the set had come to end.
They remained in the middle of the crowd, somehow confused, disappointed, and undecided how to continue.
The pairs were slowly leaving the dance floor, and Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm to escort her to her family, where Bingley and Jane were already headed.
Struggling to dissipate the uneasy moment, Darcy attempted a joke.
“Miss Bennet, perhaps for the next set we should plan the subject of our conversation.”
They were close to the Bennets’ group and knew they would have to separate within a few moments.
A strange sense of loss invaded Elizabeth and, without much consideration, allowing boldness to win against reasoning, she stopped and replied impulsively, “You may decide on any subject you wish, Mr Darcy. I am most willing and eager to hear anything you have to say or to ask me.”
The statement stunned him. Dumfounded, he stared at her in silence, trying to comprehend her true meaning. They were in the middle of the crowd with many eyes upon them, yet she found the strength to continue.
“You may start with the conversation during our next set. But we may continue and conclude our discussion tomorrow…I am sure I shall very much need a walk in the fresh air as soon as I wake up in the morning.”
Incredulous and still unable to reply, Darcy was yet to utter a word.
Elizabeth noticed Jane, Bingley, Colonel Fitzwilliam, and Georgiana looking at them.
She continued to move across the room, and Darcy followed her, joining the group and their loud, animated discussion.
Her agreement with Darcy would have to wait a little — at least until their next set.
As the evening progressed, Darcy danced with Jane, then Caroline Bingley — as a sign of truce and courtesy to his friend — and then with Miss Audley and Miss Earlston.
Elizabeth stood up with Colonel Fitzwilliam and both of his friends, then she was asked for a set by Mr Denny and another militia officer.
Lydia and Kitty danced every set too, louder and less proper than Elizabeth and Jane had hoped.
Mrs Bennet was engaged in conversation with her sister and her friends with no intention of censuring her youngest daughters.
All that time, Miss Darcy sat between Mary and Mrs Gardiner, while Elizabeth and Jane joined them between dances.
After their argument with Darcy, and after noticing her friendly inclination towards the Bennets, Bingley’s sisters were less affectionate than usual with Georgiana and barely spoke to her throughout the night.
Miss Audley and Miss Earlston also preferred to sit by themselves between dances.
When they had the chance, they tried to catch Mr Darcy’s attention, but they met with little success, and they had to be content with the company of Colonel Fitzwilliam and his friends.
Mr Bennet and Mr Gardiner mingled among the other men, enjoying drinks, cigars, and discussions.
They had to listen to Sir William explaining that Mr Collins had chosen not to attend the ball as he found such amusement improper for a clergyman.
Although they knew the real reason, they allowed Sir William the small satisfaction of his deception; after all, Mr Collins’s absence in itself was a reason for joy.
Mr Bennet had another and even greater reason for joy.
He watched his favourite daughter shine throughout the evening but never more than during the set she danced with Darcy.
His perceptiveness had grasped the truth behind Mr Darcy opening the ball with Lizzy, a scene that drew everyone’s curiosity and speculations but melted his heart.
In just a little over a month since Darcy came to his library with his astonishing proposal, the relationship between him and Elizabeth had progressed significantly.
Mr Bennet was proud of his daughter for refusing a marriage of convenience with a man she did not love, despite his fortune and his excellent situation in life.
But the present thought that she might one day accept such a marriage proposal from that man, whom Mr Bennet considered remarkable and perfectly suited to his bright, spirited, independent Lizzy, made him even prouder and happier than ever before.
And watching them that night, he felt Darcy was ready to propose and Lizzy to accept — if that had not already happened.
Some sort of understanding must have passed between them since they seemed to display civil and perfectly proper but obvious attention to each other.
If Mr Bennet still had some doubts, they all vanished the moment Darcy approached Elizabeth and claimed her hand for the supper set.
Only a moment passed before they started walking towards the dance floor, which proved that Darcy had not asked her at that moment but that the set was already secured.
With even more pleasure, Mr Bennet noted Miss Darcy’s warm and approving smile at her brother’s actions and the girl’s familiar manners with Mary and Mrs Gardiner.
Mr Bennet understood he had nothing to worry about in that regard, so he hid his smile behind his glass of brandy.
“Mr Darcy is dancing a second set with Lizzy?” Mr Gardiner whispered to his brother Bennet, somehow incredulous.
“Yes, he is…”