Chapter 20
Darcy entered Wilson’s house a few steps behind his relatives. Even while they rode to the party, Lady Catherine—her displeasure clear on her face—expressed her opposition to the “foolishness” of attending a ball hosted by “an unknown tradesman.”
Darcy ignored everything except his desire to see Elizabeth.
Their discussion in the park had taken their relationship to a new level of depth and mutual understanding.
He knew his action was strange, and very few men—if any—would have done it.
But he readily put his heart on a plate in front of her—one more time.
Her admission that she had hoped for him to invite her to dance was further proof of her changed opinion.
Her teasing smile was directed at him, and there was no misunderstanding its meaning.
When they entered, Darcy found himself facing a view he did not recognize, and he could see the astonishment of his relatives. The first floor had been turned into an enormous, elegant ballroom, as beautiful as those at any fashionable private ball among the ton.
Bingley and Jane greeted the Fitzwilliams, who were surprised to see the Countess of Jersey and Countess of Sefton already there, surrounded by a small group of other guests. The host was also there, talking to them, but he hurried to greet the new arrivals.
Mr Wilson bowed respectfully to the group, and he was scrutinised with the greatest curiosity. He expressed his delight in making their acquaintance, thanked them for their presence, and invited them to ask for anything for their pleasure.
Darcy was oblivious to most of the discussion around him. His eyes searched for Elizabeth. The room was already crowded, but he observed her in the midst of a group in an animated conversation.
Likely drawn by his passionate admiration, she turned, and their gazes met. For a moment, he thought she might leave her companions and move towards him, but that would have been highly improper. She reluctantly returned her attention to her group then glanced at him again several times.
After their introduction, Jane and Bingley mingled among the other guests while the rest of the group moved inside the large room until they stopped near the countesses.
The Countess of Sefton said, “Lady Catherine, Lady Matlock, I wondered whether you might be here. I knew not whether you were acquainted with Mr Wilson.”
“We are not. And we were undecided about attending until the last minute,” Lady Catherine replied sharply, ignoring Mr Wilson’s looks.
“Well, we hesitated too, and I admitted to Mr Wilson that we came mostly out of curiosity. A man appearing out of nowhere and hosting a ball in the middle of the Season is rare. But we are pleased so far. I have been in this house when it belonged to the late owner, but the improvement is extraordinary,” the Countess of Jersey added.
“My youngest son and my nephew Darcy are well acquainted with Mr Wilson’s family. They met several months ago. And Mr Wilson’s eldest niece, Miss Bennet, is about to marry Bingley, one of Darcy’s closest friends.”
“Yes, I heard that. Miss Bennet is a woman of exceptional beauty; she might have been able to secure herself a husband of greater consequence, but it seems she is quite charmed by that handsome young man,” the Countess of Sefton added.
“Bingley and Miss Bennet make a perfect match,” Darcy intervened. “I trust they will be one of the happiest couples I know.”
“I cannot express my gratitude for your presence, your ladyships,” Mr Wilson addressed all the ladies. “I trust my humble first attempt at hosting a ball will not be a complete disappointment to you.”
“Well, so far you have done a reasonably good job,” the Countess of Sefton responded.
Just then, Elizabeth approached, glancing at Darcy while struggling to engage only the other guests.
She greeted Lady Catherine with polite deference, which pleased her ladyship.
The introductions to Lord and Lady Matlock and the viscount were friendly, and congratulations were offered for Jane and Bingley.
Then the two countesses complimented her appearance and asked her several questions about her family.
All conversation ceased at the arrival of the Duke of York as the attention of the whole company turned to him.
For half an hour, His Highness was the centre of attention and followed around the room by his host and many others who wished to spend a few minutes in his company.
Then His Highness chose a place in the billiard room—that remained his for the entire evening—and another one in the ballroom where he could have a reasonable view of the party and still carry on a conversation without being interrupted by the music.
The two countesses were his closest companions for a while; then port and brandy animated the guests and made them more voluble, despite their titles.
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Miss de Bourgh’s presence raised many questions since most of the guests barely recognized her.
However, the main subject of discussion was the host: his secret past and his wealthy present.
Nobody knew much about him except for brief interactions at Brooks’s and Boodle’s gentlemen’s clubs.
It was obvious he had connections in the highest circles and was involved in many enterprises, but nothing was clear.
Most of the participants who accepted his invitation to the ball were merely inquisitive and attracted by the well-known list of guests.
On one subject regarding Mr Wilson, many of the gentlemen and even several fair-minded ladies agreed: his two nieces—Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth—were among the most beautiful young ladies to be seen that Season in Town.
Together with Jane, Elizabeth spent some time with the Fitzwilliam group. Mr, Wilson also passed by, inquiring whether they had any concerns or desires.
“Do not worry, sir,” said the colonel. “Darcy, Bingley, and I shall take good care of our families. If anything is wrong, we shall surely let you know. We are a rather outspoken lot.” The colonel laughed, drawing a reproachful glare from his mother and aunt.
Elizabeth spoke only briefly with Darcy. Although in close proximity, both awaited the supper set with the same frustrated eagerness. Nevertheless, they were both light-hearted, knowing there was no misunderstanding left between them and many opportunities to speak lay ahead.
Music for the first set began, and couples filled the dance floor. The colonel was as enjoyable a partner as he was a skilful dancer. For the second set, a Mr Huntington, grandson of the Earl of Montagu partnered Elizabeth, followed by Lord Seton and Mr Graham.
Darcy danced the third set with Jane then returned to his cousin Anne; later, he asked Caroline Bingley for a set but no one else. The colonel danced every time his cousin did not.
Two, three, four hours passed with the guests becoming more at ease and the conversation flowing. The billiard and card tables were animated, drinks were savoured, and dances enjoyed.
The Matlocks and Lady Catherine stood together, having little interaction with others.
Caroline and Louisa remained slightly apart, speaking mostly to each other as they could not find their place or a group to join.
In a room full of titled people, the Gardiners slowly became accustomed to such elegant company.
Bingley’s sisters, however—too proud to admit their inferior origins, too arrogant to make themselves pleasant, and too fearful to attempt any sort of interaction with those beyond them—remained isolated and lonely.
Caroline danced several times, but she could not enjoy her time alone as she was too resentful and indignant in the shadow of Elizabeth and Jane’s success.
Then, at midnight, for the first and only time that night, Darcy stepped decidedly towards Elizabeth and claimed her hand. Though several gazes turned towards them, only Anne’s was accompanied by a friendly smile.
As they took their place in the set, Elizabeth’s excitement made her uneasy.
She had stood up with him before, but tonight things were completely different.
They faced each other for some time without speaking a word, only holding each other’s eyes.
She suddenly smiled, recollecting their previous dance.
After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him. “You allowed your cousin plenty of time to dance, I noticed. The arrangement seemed to suit both of you very well.”
“Indeed.” He smiled then turned silent again, looking at her with an intensity that made her blush.
Another pause followed until she broke it again. “It is your turn to say something now, Mr Darcy. You ought to make some remark on the size of the room or the number of couples.”
His smile widened, and his expression warmed as he remembered the last time they had the same conversation.
“Whatever you wish me to say will be said, Miss Bennet. I assure you.”
“Very well. That reply will do for the present. Private balls are much pleasanter than public ones, do you not agree?”
“I do agree. Especially this one. Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing, Miss Bennet? We have not danced together enough for me to know your habits.”
“I do speak sometimes. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together.”
“Perhaps. But at times, silence is more powerful and eloquent than words,” he said.
She blushed. “True. I have noticed a great similarity in the turn of our minds on several matters.”
“As have I. So let us speak for the others’ sake, and be silent and eloquent for ours.”
“That will do perfectly well,” she admitted with thrilling pleasure while an agreeable warmth grew inside her.
They moved together to the rhythm of the music, touched gloved hands, held gazes, and exchanged opinions, jokes, and smiles until the set ended.