Chapter 14
Fourteen
Evening
Accepting Darcy's proffered arm, I stepped around Sir Sebastian as he sat there on the floor looking quite stupid.
Darcy and I made our way to the dance floor amidst a sussurant uproar.
"They are all whispering about us."
"How conceited you are," Darcy said. I was relieved to see a grin on his face. "They are all aflutter about the dance. It is to be a waltz."
"A waltz," I squeaked, sounding once again like Miss Hopkins. I had heard of the waltz of course. A scandalous Continental dance, hardly something the mild Mrs. Hamilton would allow to be danced in her home.
"Do you know how to waltz?" Darcy asked as we took our place.
"Of course not. I am a good girl."
Darcy's brow rose. "Are you?"
"Sir Sebastian's preposterous behavior was not my fault," I hissed.
"I realize that," Darcy replied patiently, "I saw him accost you. You did not appear encouraging in the least."
Somewhat mollified, I consented to let him place my left hand on his shoulder while he clasped my right hand in his own.
"How we are meant to dance whilst standing so indecently close?" I asked.
Darcy grinned, no doubt amused by my rustic conventions. "It is becoming more acceptable. I have seen it danced at other balls.
Alarmed, I asked, "You have not danced it yourself?"
"No, but I think I am equal to the task."
Wonderful, neither of us knows what we are doing.
Now I was certain we would make fools of ourselves.
And we would do so very obviously. There were fewer couples on the floor as this was certainly not a dance for unmarried ladies.
With that in mind I casted a glance toward the far side of the room.
Thankfully I found Dora and Jane respectably stowed with Mrs. Rose where I had left them.
My foot still twinged a bit from its earlier crushing and I was self-conscious of the people looking at us—for all Darcy might tease me about my conceit they were looking at us—however right as I was poised to beg off, the musicians strike the first chord.
"You will have to let me lead," Darcy said as we glided along. Glided is perhaps the wrong word as we were moving rather woodenly.
I tried to relax. Really there is a proper distance between us. And, though his arm is at my back in a sort of a cautious embrace he was wearing gloves so any suggestion by my brain that I could feel the heat searing through my gown is pure fancy. I can be near him without losing my head entirely.
To distract myself from my traitorous thoughts, I observed the dance. However scandalous it might be, the waltz did make for a beautiful display, the ladies' skirts sweeping gracefully over the floor as they whirled, their jewels sparkling as they caught the light of the candles.
"Sorry, my fault," Darcy said as I stumbled mid-step, jolting out of my reverie.
It had not been his fault at all, yet I could not stop myself from teasing him. "You are very clumsy, sir. People cannot know what I endure."
Darcy smiled. "Yes, it is a pity isn't it? I am however handsome and rich, and surely that is all that matters to ladies."
"Ladies who think that is all that matters do not consider their toes."
"Are you injured?" Darcy asked seriously. "Should we stop?"
"No, I am fine," I insisted. My foot did ache, but I had no wish to stop. The dance was exhilarating.
Almost as soon as I declared my soundness I stumbled again.
This time it was not my foot which betrayed me, rather another coupled had veered into our path necessitating I release Darcy and dodge lest I be crushed.
My maneuver would have been successful had Darcy not tried to move with me.
Instead of colliding with the other couple, I crashed bodily into Darcy, which I suppose might be considered a more desirable outcome.
I stabilized myself using him as an anchor, one hand catching the front of his coat, the other hand finding itself somehow on his derriere. Where it remained. For several seconds. After which I removed both hands from his person and made frantic, unintelligible apologies.
"If you are truly uninjured, I can only conclude this blundering is done with intent, Elizabeth," said Darcy his voice rich with amusement.
I felt my cheeks flame. "That is a most ungentlemanly insinuation."
"An honest assessment of most unladylike conduct, more like.
If you are going to paw at me you should at least wait until we are in privacy," Darcy said in a low whispered, his lips nearly touching my ear.
We had come to rest in the middle of the dance floor, the dancers still twirling dizzyingly around us.
"You should not be so cruel to me. I know where you sleep." I had intended to be foreboding, but my words had come out in a strange half-strangled whisper.
"You know where I sleep," he repeated, brow quizzical as ever.
"That was supposed to be a threat."
"Indeed?"
"I am intimating I will do some manner of violence to you when you are vulnerable. Smother you I suppose."
"Ah," he said with a smile, then lowering his lips to my ear once more, he whispered, "If attempted murder is what it takes to get you into my bed, I suppose I will have to take my chances. I am a light sleeper."
This shocking comment produced a strange sensation in my loins. Like a stomach ache only lower and rather pleasing. So not like a stomach ache at all, actually.
"We should return to the dance," I said, because what reply could I possibly make to that roguish remark?
"Are you truly steady now or should I anticipate my person being subjected to additional trespass?"
"I will not falter again," I said with irritated embarrassment.
As he led us back into the dance he whispered, so quietly it was barely audible, "A pity."
"You could visit me," I said, after a long silence. Why I mentioned it I do not know. I have no wish to do . . . that with a man who has (probably) actively interfered with my sister's happiness. Also I still do not know if he hates kittens and/or sunshine.
"You know where I sleep as well," I explain, in response to his bemusement.
"I do, but after the last time I did not wish to frighten you."
"I was not frightened."
"Forgive me, I meant I did not wish to further disgust you with my enormous deformity."
I laughed, then winced. My foot had once again given out.
"You must sit down," Darcy insisted.
I did not argue this time. I could not help but limp slightly as he led me back to Jane and Dora.
Once I was seated he knelt down before me.
"What are you doing? It is not broken," I exclaimed as Darcy removed my slipper and began gently pressing upon my toes. It was too ridiculous that I should have two different gentlemen kneeling before me in one evening.
"It does not feel broken," he said.
"I told you it was not."
"Shall we leave?"
I nearly assented before I spotted Mr. Bingley moving our way. Thinking of Jane and my yet to be realized plans, I replied, "No, I can stay a little longer."
"What has happened to Miss Elizabeth?" Mr. Bingley asked upon reaching us.
"Mrs. Darcy's foot was trod on," Darcy replied.
"Well done, Darcy."
Darcy narrowed his eyes but his annoyance was false, he had been more put out by his friend's mistaken use of my maiden name than by the implication he had injured me himself.
Returning his attention to me he asked, "Can I get you something? A drink?"
Mr. Bingley immediately offered to go in his stead.
"No, Darcy, can do it," I said, "He needs to make amends for being so clumsy on the dance floor."
That remark earned me a Lizzy Specific Glare.
I grinned madly back at him. He rolled his eyes.
A Glare and an eye roll! I am glorious indeed.
I realize I am flirting with him again, but this will be remedied later I am certain.
Surely one of us will do something to reverse any fond feelings that might develop during this peaceful interlude.
Darcy made an offer to fetch drinks for the other ladies as well then went off in search of refreshment. Against all my hopes, Bingley spent the entirety of Darcy's absence speaking to myself and Mrs. Rose, making just one perfunctory comment to Jane.
Upon his return Darcy gave me reason to regret my earlier flirtation.
He started looking at me like I was cake.
Husband or not, it was inappropriate that he should be watching me with that hungry, blazing intensity in so public a place.
However, enormous deformity notwithstanding, I was beginning to wonder if visiting his bedchamber with non-murderous intentions might be enjoyable. The waltz was a dangerous dance indeed.
I nervously sipped my drink, barely tasting the sweetness of the wine.
"Another?" Darcy asked when I had finished.
"No, I have had two this evening. I should stop."
"Two or Two?" he asked teasingly, holding up three fingers. At first I did not know what he was referring to, then I recalled our wedding night.
"Two."
He chuckled at my irritation. At the sound of his rich, deep laugh I felt that loin warming ache-that-was-not-an-ache I had experienced earlier. It should be illegal for a gentleman who could be so infuriating to also be so appealing.
The set came to an end and a country dance was called next.
"Jane, should not you be dancing?" I asked, a cunning idea suddenly coming to mind.
"I do not have a partner for this set," then realizing my intentions too late she added, "Oh, Lizzy".
Ignoring her chiding expression, I announced, casually as if to our group in general though it was meant for one gentleman in particular, "Jane hasn't had much opportunity to dance. There are not enough young men here tonight."
The desired response was immediate.
"Would you care to dance, Miss Bennet?"
Unfortunately it was asked by the entirely wrong gentleman. What was Darcy playing at? He must know what I was trying to accomplish. Oh, yes, I realized coming to my senses, of course he knew. Remember what I said earlier about one of us doing something to reverse fond feelings? Well, here it was.
"Do you wish to invalid her as you have me?" I asked.
Darcy's eyes narrowed, this time his irritation was not false, there was not the slightest indication of good humor in his gaze.
"No, I cannot think Jane would wish to dance with you," I continued heedless of his growing ire, "Mr. Bingley should dance with her if he does not have a partner for this set."
Mr. Bingley sputtered. "I—well—yes. Miss Bennet would you do me the honor?"
"No!" Jane said far too fervently, "I mean to say, I should stay with you Lizzy."
"Absolutely not. I have Dora and Mrs. Rose and Darcy to keep me company I shall not perish from loneliness in the half hour you are away dancing."
I, however, might perish from the Glare Darcy was giving me. This was the worst one yet.
Mr. Bingley offered his arm, Jane hesitated for a moment.
"Go," I urged.
Finally she took his arm and he led her off to join the dancing.
Defiantly I turned to meet the glare I knew Darcy must be throwing my way. However he was not looking my way, most intentionally. He pushed himself away from the wall and with a bow to Mrs. Rose and Dora (but notably not to me) he said, "Please excuse me." Then he stalked off.
I had just received the cut direct from my own husband.
Oh bloody hell.