Chapter 12
Chapter twelve
Mr. Collins entered the dining room the next morning with a broad smile upon his face.
Elizabeth looked up and immediately felt a sense of dread settle over her like a heavy blanket. Just a few more days. Just a few more days, and he will be gone.
Mr. Collins beamed as he announced, “I am determined to dance with all my fair cousins this evening. And of course, Miss Elizabeth, you must allow me the first set.”
Elizabeth’s expression suggested anything but pleasure. “I believe the custom is that the lady is asked, not told.”
Mr. Collins stared at her for a moment, his confusion evident.
Mr. Bennet spoke from the table. “You ask the ladies, Mr. Collins. You do not assign yourself a place upon their dance card.”
Mr. Collins turned back to Elizabeth, looking somewhat put out.
“Will you allow me the honor of the first set?”
Elizabeth inclined her head, though her expression made it clear the honor was not entirely welcome.
He then secured a set from Miss Bennet and Miss Mary before moving to the sideboard and loading his plate with breakfast.
Lydia made a remark about enjoying the schoolroom, which the others pretended not to hear.
Kitty muffled a laugh as Mrs. Tyler cast them both a dark look.
***
Caroline entered the drawing room. “The decorations look very well, and the kitchen is occupied with the preparations. The musicians from London should arrive shortly. Everything appears ready. Not that the people in this dismal little town deserve such attention.”
Charles frowned. “Really, Caroline. You should remember that many of these families are landed and have been so for several generations.”
Caroline gave a small shrug as she moved toward Mr. Darcy. “I am sure there are some who would much prefer the entire event forgotten altogether.”
Mr. Darcy looked up from his book. “If that remark was directed at me, you are mistaken. I am looking forward to the evening with a great deal of pleasure.”
Caroline tilted her head. “How very surprising. I had always understood that you disliked country balls.”
“I dislike them less when the company is agreeable.”
Caroline stepped nearer. “Perhaps there is someone in particular whose company recommends the evening to you.”
Darcy closed his book with deliberate calm. “There are several people in Hertfordshire whose company I value.”
Caroline turned away and seated herself beside her sister. “Louisa, you must agree with me.”
Mrs. Hurst did not immediately look up as she turned a page of her fashion book. “What is it that I am to agree with?”
“That there is neither fashion nor breeding in this town.”
Mrs. Hurst gave a slight shrug. “If one is determined to be dissatisfied, one will generally succeed.”
Caroline stared at her. “What a very odd remark.”
Mrs. Hurst rose, still holding her book. “I believe I shall go upstairs and rest before the ball. Pray excuse me.” She left the room without waiting for a reply.
***
As Elizabeth entered the drawing room with Jane, she found the rest of the family already assembled.
Lydia and Kitty immediately set about admiring the gowns worn by Jane, Elizabeth, Mary, and Mrs. Bennet, declaring them all exceedingly elegant.
Jane wore her new pale blue gown; her hair arranged in an intricate braid adorned with pearl-tipped pins.
Mary’s deep plum silk was trimmed with small glittering beads at the bodice, and her hair was pulled up in an abundant arrangement of curls.
Elizabeth wore her dark green dress with slightly puffed sleeves, her long white gloves already in place. Her hair was dressed in a similar style to Mary’s, though with a touch more simplicity.
Even Mr. Bennet sported a new suit.
Elizabeth crossed the room and kissed her father’s cheek. “You look quite handsome this evening.”
Mr. Bennet moved to Mrs. Bennet’s side. “You look very well, my dear. I am even resolved to ask you for a set, if you will grant me one.”
Mrs. Bennet blushed. “I am not certain I remember the steps.”
“Then we shall discover them together.”
The party soon made their way outside, where two carriages stood waiting, the horses patient and ready.
Mrs. Bennet looked at Elizabeth. “Both carriages?”
Elizabeth nodded. “I thought it would be more comfortable. Jane, Mary, will you ride with me?”
They readily agreed and followed her. Harris had already lowered the step and assisted them into the carriage.
Mr. Collins began toward Elizabeth’s carriage, and Elizabeth felt a flicker of dread.
“We shall ride in the other,” her father said calmly.
Mr. Collins hesitated. “I believe I ought to accompany Miss Elizabeth.”
Mr. Bennet calmly indicated the second carriage. “I am quite certain the ladies would prefer not to have their gowns unnecessarily crushed.”
Elizabeth did not wait to hear more but stepped into the carriage at once.
***
Miss Bingley noticed the Bennets coming through the receiving line. They were warmly greeted by Mr. Bingley, while Mrs. Hurst was polite and very complimentary of the ladies’ gowns.
Miss Bingley gave them a frosty smile and was about to speak when she truly noticed their dresses. For a moment, she was unaccountably annoyed to find herself wondering who had made them and was obliged to check the question before it betrayed an interest, she had no wish to display.
Mr. Collins followed behind the Bennets, and, upon being introduced, immediately began a lengthy account of his patroness, to which no one appeared to listen.
***
Elizabeth quickly slipped into the ballroom.
Elizabeth paused, taking in the elegance of the room.
Elaborate chalk designs decorated the floor.
Silver fabric had been draped along the walls, catching the candlelight and giving the room a shimmering effect.
Large vases of flowers stood upon pedestals before each silver panel. The effect was striking.
As she admired the scene, she noticed Charlotte and began walking toward her. “Good evening, Charlotte, Colonel Foster. I hope you are both well.”
Charlotte stepped forward and embraced Elizabeth carefully so as not to wrinkle her gown. “We are very well, thank you. Elizabeth, you look absolutely stunning. I love your dress.”
“Thank you. I must admit I am very fond of it. I almost feel as though I have stepped into a fairy tale.”
A deep masculine voice behind her said, “I agree. You look very beautiful.”
Elizabeth turned, blushing as she looked up at Mr. Darcy. “Good evening, sir.”
Mr. Darcy smiled. “Good evening, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Lucas, Colonel Foster.”
He turned to Colonel Foster. “Will Lieutenant Wickham be attending?”
Colonel Foster shook his head. “No, you may be easy. He is on duty with the regiment this evening.”
Mr. Darcy offered his hand. “I appreciate that very much, sir.”
Colonel Foster shook it. “My pleasure to assist, especially after what he did to you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
The musicians began tuning their instruments. Darcy looked toward Elizabeth. “I ought to have asked you for the first set as well. Am I too late?”
Elizabeth’s face fell slightly. “Mr. Collins has already asked me for the first set. I could not refuse him, or I should have had to sit out the remainder of the evening.”
Darcy nodded. “Then I wonder if I might have the last set.”
Elizabeth smiled. “It is yours, sir.”
Darcy turned to Charlotte. “May I have one of your sets?”
Charlotte smiled. “Of course. My second set is open.”
“Thank you.” Darcy looked again to Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, might we find some of your sisters? I should like to ask them as well.”
“Yes, of course.”
They walked around the edge of the room and soon found Mary with Jane and Mr. Bingley. Darcy secured sets with both of them.
Elizabeth looked at him with amusement. “I must confess I am very surprised, sir. You had given me the impression that you did not care to dance at balls.”
Darcy took her hand gently. “I have decided that under certain circumstances it may be very agreeable.”
“I am glad to hear it, sir.”
Darcy smiled. “I have also formed a new plan. Instead of walking about the room in hopes of avoiding certain partners, I intend to fill my dance card with more desirable ones.”
Elizabeth nodded. “A very strategic plan indeed. If only I had thought to fill mine before Mr. Collins requested his set. I see he is making his way toward me now.”
Darcy squeezed her hand lightly before releasing it.
Mr. Collins approached, already slightly out of breath. “Ah, Miss Elizabeth, I believe the dance is about to begin.” He reached for her hand.
Elizabeth glanced once at Darcy before placing her hand in Mr. Collins’s. As he led her toward the floor she looked back over her shoulder at Darcy for a moment before turning forward again.
Darcy walked over to Mary. “The set is forming,” he said with a smile.
They joined the line of couples a few places down from Elizabeth and Mr. Collins, with Bingley and Jane beside them. The musicians began the first country dance, the fiddles lively and bright.
At the opening figure the gentlemen stepped forward together, with the exception of Mr. Collins, who hesitated in visible uncertainty before stepping forward a moment too late. Elizabeth suspected at once that the evening would prove difficult.
As the dance progressed, her fears were fully confirmed. Mr. Collins appeared unfamiliar with nearly every step. He advanced when he ought to retire, turned when he ought to bow, and once very nearly collided with a neighbouring couple.
“Pray forgive me,” he said with great earnestness after one such misstep. “I find the variations of these dances remarkably intricate.”
Elizabeth murmured something polite while attempting to guide him discreetly into the proper place. Her efforts proved only partially successful. Within moments he trod heavily upon her foot. Elizabeth started despite herself, the pain sharp but quickly contained.