Chapter 29
Chapter twenty-nine
The following morning, the butler brought a letter for Elizabeth. She broke the seal at once.
Longbourn Estate
My dear Miss Bennet,
I have done as you directed and have ordered the builder to cease all work and quit the premises immediately. Guards have been posted, and we have thus far had no difficulty with trespassers.
I have consulted two additional builders and requested that they inspect the work completed. Both have independently confirmed that it was neither executed according to the plans nor to an acceptable standard. I have asked each to submit estimates, which I shall forward to you as they are received.
Both gentlemen have also offered further recommendations, and those suggested appear to be of good repute.
In other matters, all proceeds well. The excavation of the new pond is complete, and planting has commenced.
The Bingleys have departed Netherfield for London, though I imagine you are already apprised of the circumstance.
Mrs. Smith has completed several intricate lace pieces, which shall be sent to Mr. Gardiner with the next delivery. Though I cannot claim expertise, they appear to be of excellent quality.
I continue to call upon Mr. MacDonald regularly. He and Patch are both in good health, and he seems content in the gatehouse.
Mr. Hawkes reports that one of the mares is expected to foal shortly.
I have also spoken with Mr. and Mrs. Clark regarding an increase in baked goods sent to London. They were most agreeable and have engaged an additional baker to assist.
I trust you are enjoying your time in London.
I remain, Miss Bennet,
Your obedient servant,
Thomas Wilmot
Elizabeth lowered the letter with a small, satisfied smile.
“I am relieved,” she said softly.
“News from Longbourn?”
She turned to find Darcy standing nearby.
“I beg your pardon. I did not realize you were there.”
He inclined his head toward the letter. “May I?”
She handed it to him.
He read it through with quiet attention before returning it.
“It would seem your decision was entirely justified. Your builder was not acting in accordance with your instructions.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Yes, and matters are already improving. I confess I am greatly relieved.”
Darcy’s expression softened. “Then you may enjoy this evening without distraction.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I believe I shall.”
He stepped a little closer. “May I hope that you will do me the honor of the first dance at Lady Harcourt’s ball?”
She met his gaze. “You may indeed.”
“And the supper set?”
Elizabeth gave a soft laugh. “That will invite a great deal of notice. Are you certain?”
“I am entirely certain.”
She inclined her head. “Then it is yours.”
Darcy took her hand, his tone quieter. “And the last set?”
Elizabeth looked at him in surprise. “Three dances, Mr. Darcy?”
“Yes.”
She held his gaze for a moment, her smile deepening. “Then I shall look forward to them all.”
***
A light knock sounded at the door.
Elizabeth opened it and stepped back. “Anne, come in.”
Georgiana and all the Bennet sisters were within, in various stages of preparation.
Anne paused just inside, her gaze moving about the room.
“You are all dressing together here?”
Georgiana smiled. “Apparently this is what sisters do. I find I have been missing a great deal.”
Anne nodded thoughtfully. “It seems I have as well.”
Elizabeth looked at her with approval. “I see you are wearing one of your new gowns from Madame Beaumont. You look exceedingly well.”
Lydia came forward at once. “Oh, Anne, that color is perfectly beautiful on you, and your hair as well! I cannot wait until I may attend balls and dance with all the most handsome gentlemen.”
She spun about the room with an imaginary partner, laughing.
Jane sat at Elizabeth’s dressing table as her maid placed the final pearl-tipped pins in her hair. The maid stepped back with satisfaction.
“There, Miss Bennet. You look very well indeed, miss.”
Jane smiled warmly. “You have done beautifully. Thank you.”
Mary turned toward Anne and Georgiana. “After the ball, we generally gather again here and relate everything of consequence.”
Georgiana brightened. “Truly? May I join you?”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “Of course. Anne, you must come as well.”
Another knock sounded. Elizabeth opened the door to admit Mrs. Bennet.
Mrs. Bennet looked from one to another, her expression full of delight. “Oh my, how very lovely you all are.”
Elizabeth glanced at her more closely. “You are not coming with us?”
Mrs. Bennet shook her head quickly. “Oh no, my dear. I should be so anxious I would scarcely know what I was about. I am much happier to remain here and hear all about it tomorrow.” Then, with a small smile, she added, “But you must come down if you are ready. Poor Mr. Darcy has been pacing below. You must not keep him waiting.”
Elizabeth’s smile deepened. “Then we must not delay. Ladies, it appears it is time.”
When Elizabeth descended, she found Mr. Darcy indeed waiting below. To her surprise, her father stood nearby as well.
Mrs. Bennet lingered beside him. “Do they not all look lovely?”
Mr. Bennet smiled, patting her hand. “They do indeed.”
Darcy’s gaze rested wholly upon Elizabeth as she approached. “Miss Elizabeth,” he said quietly, “you look exceedingly beautiful.”
Before she could reply, Lady Catherine entered from the drawing room and surveyed the party with a measured glance, giving a single approving nod.
The servants brought forward cloaks and hats, assisting the ladies with practiced ease.
Within moments, they were ushered out and settled into Darcy’s carriage, which soon set off for the evening’s entertainment.
***
Elizabeth observed that their carriage remained in line longer than the drive had required. The house blazed with light, every window ablaze with candlelight. After Darcy assisted the ladies from the carriage, they ascended the steps together.
The door was opened before Darcy could knock, and they were immediately admitted. A small but efficient group of servants relieved them of their cloaks and wraps.
After a short wait, they were welcomed by Lady Harcourt and her nephew, Mr. Henry Harcourt, a pleasant young man with easy manners.
He promptly solicited dances from the ladies of their party.
Lady Catherine declined with dignity, declaring her dancing days long past, but Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, and Anne each allowed him a place upon their cards.
When they entered the ballroom, Elizabeth was struck at once by its size, easily twice that of Netherfield’s. It seemed to contain three times as many people.
Mr. Bingley soon joined them and secured dances from all the ladies, though from Jane he had already claimed the first, the supper set, and the last.
Colonel Fitzwilliam followed not long after and, with cheerful efficiency, filled several remaining spaces upon their cards.
Darcy introduced a number of his friends, and Elizabeth noted with some amusement that gentlemen were far less scarce here than they had ever been in Meryton.
By the time Miss Bingley at last located him, he was already escorting Elizabeth to the floor for the first dance.
As the set began, Elizabeth observed that Jane and Mr. Bingley stood nearby, as did Colonel Fitzwilliam and Anne. Mary was partnered with Mr. Harcourt. After that, she was aware of little beyond Darcy.
Darcy, for his part, appeared entirely satisfied. He had secured three dances with Miss Elizabeth, several more with her sisters and Anne, and had taken care that no opportunity remained for Miss Bingley to claim his attention.
Elizabeth danced the second set with Mr. Bingley and the third with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
When the supper set was called, Darcy came to escort her, his expression warm. Elizabeth’s thoughts were so fully engaged with him that she scarcely noticed the disposition of the others.
At the conclusion of the dance, he led her to the supper room and found places at a table already occupied by Mr. Bingley and Jane. Mary and Colonel Fitzwilliam soon joined them.
“May I bring you something?” Darcy asked.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied.
She leaned toward Mary. “Are you enjoying yourself?”
Mary smiled with evident pleasure. “Very much indeed. I believe I shall remember this evening for a long time. The remainder of my card is filled with Mr. Darcy’s friends.”
Darcy returned with their plates and resumed his seat beside Elizabeth. “I trust you are enjoying yourself.”
She met his gaze. “I am enjoying it exceedingly.”
When the next set was called, Elizabeth was partnered with one of Darcy’s friends, Mr. Philip Denham, who entertained her with several light, teasing recollections of his time at Cambridge.
As Darcy made his way toward Anne, he was intercepted by Miss Bingley.
“Oh, Mr. Darcy, how delightful to see you. What a crush this ball has become.”
Darcy inclined his head slightly. “My apologies, I must attend my next partner.”
Without further pause, he moved past her and continued on to Anne.
Miss Bingley watched him go, her expression tightening. She turned to her sister. “Those Bennet girls appear to have danced every set.”
Mrs. Hurst gave a small shrug. “That is not unusual at a ball.”
Elizabeth observed Lady Catherine approach Miss Bingley with a gentleman. After a brief exchange, the gentleman escorted Miss Bingley to the dance floor. Lady Catherine watched with a satisfied expression.
After several more dances, the evening drew toward its close.
For the final set, Darcy found Elizabeth and led her to the floor. The music began, a waltz.
Elizabeth smiled. “Did you know it would be a waltz?”
Darcy returned her smile. “I may have suggested it to Lady Harcourt.”
They moved together with easy grace.
Leaning slightly closer, Darcy said quietly, “I know the hour will be late, but would you consider riding in Hyde Park tomorrow morning?”
Elizabeth met his gaze, her expression warm. “I should like that very much.”
When the dance concluded, they rejoined the rest of their party. Though all were tired, their spirits remained high.
Anne confessed, with some animation, that Mr. Philip Denham had requested permission to call upon her the following day.
Miss Bingley, observing their departure, frowned as they made their way toward the carriage.
Later, the ladies gathered in Elizabeth’s room, talking long into the night, though little was resolved beyond shared laughter and fatigue.