Chapter 1 Spellbound #2
An hour later, Darcy stood alone, relieved despite his worsening headache. His 'duty' dances with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst were done with. Miss Bingley persisted in circling him, hoping for another set.
You can hope as much as you'd like, but it will never happen.
Throughout their dance, Miss Bingley prattled incessantly about her disdain for this place, criticising its people as old-fashioned, discussing fashion trends in London compared to the local style, and, at last, began to disparage the Bennet family.
Darcy disregarded the majority of her diatribe, attending solely to the salient details he could glean.
It turned out the Bennets were the largest estate owners in the area, their estate yielding a fortune of three thousand pounds per year.
Unfortunately, the property was entailed, passing only through the male line.
Fate had played a cruel hand – the current master has no son, only five daughters.
The daughters were deemed the most beautiful and accomplished ladies in the locality, though Miss Bingley sneered at their comparison to London ladies.
That somehow explains the behaviour of the matron who just accosted me. And the local populace is right; Miss Jane Bennet is beautiful, and Miss Lydia, though she should be in the nursery, is also attractive.
But how did Miss Bingley gather all this information? She only arrived today. And all this while, she was fixated on me, engaging with no one else. Could she have dispatched a spy to Hertfordshire before her arrival?
His dance with Mrs. Hurst went better. Mrs. Louisa Hurst was never one for conversation, and with him, she barely talked. Darcy often wondered whether she had been like this before her marriage to Hurst, who slept for eighteen hours a day and spent the remaining six hours in his cups.
Many ladies were still seated without partners, and Darcy’s sense of duty screamed at him to offer himself as a partner to any of those ladies.
Yet, he was tired. His head was throbbing, and he wished to sit out for a time, at least for one dance.
As he made his way towards the nearest vacant chair, Bingley approached him again, this time alone. What is it now?
“Come, Darcy,” said Bingley, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance.”
Ah, Bingley, must you persist in being bothersome? Do you think I am unaware of the impropriety of not dancing when there is a shortage of gentlemen out here?
"Bingley, I am aware that I should be dancing. I have already danced with your sisters and intend to dance with more ladies tonight, provided they're beyond nursery age."
Bingley immediately caught the implication. “Forgive me, Darce. Mrs. Bennet requested an introduction to you. I knew it was improper, but I had no recourse but to comply. Moreover, I never expected her to drag Miss Lydia along.”
“Think nothing of it. I managed to find an escape route nonetheless,” Darcy replied.
"I never foresaw the day when you'd willingly choose Caroline as your escape route," Bingley remarked with a smirk.
“Indeed, desperate times call for desperate measures, my friend,” Darcy retorted with equal smugness.
“Well, enlightening as this exchange has been, you must dance. There is a shocking scarcity of gentlemen in this corner of the world. Allow me to find you a partner of suitable age,” Bingley redirected the conversation and began scanning the room.
"Come, there is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, partnerless at the moment. Allow me to introduce you," Bingley indicated a lady seated about twenty feet away.
Darcy turned, locking his gaze with the most enchanting pair of eyes he had ever encountered.
Elizabeth
Why isn’t he dancing when numerous ladies are sitting out? What kind of gentleman is this?
Elizabeth had already danced with John Lucas and young Goulding.
She hoped to allow other ladies the opportunity to partake in the ball's enjoyment by choosing to sit out a dance.
However, she refrained from questioning why she had positioned herself near her mother and aunt instead of joining the company of other partnerless ladies.
She would never admit that she chose that spot to remain within proximity to that particular gentleman.
Despite her earnest attempts, the gentleman in question remained standing, wearing a pained countenance and seemingly oblivious to her presence.
Why is he frowning like this? Does he not like the people of this country? Is he too proud to engage with us?
She had already perceived the disdain and aversion on Miss Bingley's countenance. She had also observed Miss Bingley's desperate endeavours to capture Mr. Darcy's attention. Well, they are a match, it seems.
As Mr. Bingley approached and urged Mr. Darcy to dance, Elizabeth promptly sat upright. Yet, instead of moving toward her or any other lady, the gentlemen simply commenced a conversation. She overheard words like “nursery” and “Caroline.”
What connection does Miss Bingley have with a nursery? It sounds interesting, though. Why don’t they reserve their conversations for later and invite me to dance?
All of a sudden, Mr. Darcy turned in her direction, his gaze locking onto hers, and her world ceased to spin. Heavens!
Caroline
Caroline observed her brother approaching Mr. Darcy to encourage him to dance. Good man.
While she lingered near Mr. Darcy, the words exchanged between the two men eluded her. However, snippets like ‘Mrs. Bennet’ and ‘nursery’ reached her ears.
What does that even mean? Wait! Did I hear that correctly? Did they mention my name? Could this finally be the invitation for a second dance?
She anxiously waited as their conversation persisted, accompanied by occasional smirks. Are they mocking the Bennets? Oh, I wish to be a part of it.
She began to approach them when her brother suddenly turned around and pointed to Miss Eliza. Then, she witnessed Mr. Darcy fixating his gaze on Miss Eliza and stiffening like a statue.
That was the moment she realized she might have a competitor.
Mrs. Phillips
Mrs. Phillips harboured a profound affection for her nieces, having been denied the blessing of children to lavish with maternal love.
Jane and Elizabeth held a special place in her heart, though her fondness extended to the others as well.
A close bond was also shared with her sister, Fanny, who was going on and on about Mr. Darcy’s reluctance to dance with Lydia.
What could a man of Mr. Darcy’s standing seek from a girl like Lydia? Fanny, you chose the wrong girl. Lizzy or Jane would have been more suitable choices.
It was at this moment that Mrs. Phillips noticed Elizabeth seated in front of her. Why is she seated here? Is she distancing herself from those wretched sisters of Mr. Bingley?
Whatever, I am in need of a drink, and Lizzy will fetch it for me.
“Lizzy,” she called out. Oh, it is loud here. “Lizzy.”
Mrs. Phillips saw Elizabeth startle out of some reverie before turning towards her. She promptly tasked her niece to bring her a glass of water and noticed the girl reluctantly moving towards the refreshment area.
Little did Mrs. Phillips know how untimely her interruption was for her niece and another gentleman standing just twenty feet away.
Nor did she comprehend the extent to which her interruption would impact their lives moving forward.
Had she known this, she surely would have abstained from calling out.
Alas, life rarely unfolds so predictably.
Elizabeth
Oh God, he is handsome.
Lost in Mr. Darcy's gaze, Elizabeth's reverie was abruptly shattered by the sound of her name being called.
Who is that? What a terrible time to call me?
Turning to her aunt, she was told to fetch some water. Despite rising promptly with the intention to comply, she hesitated, casting a fleeting glance back at the gentlemen who were still engrossed in conversation.
Why does a mere look from him send tingles all over? Am I becoming like Lydia?
Determined to distance herself from the vexing gentleman, Elizabeth resolved to fetch the drink for her aunt. As she made her way towards the refreshment area, she remained unaware of Miss Bingley discreetly trailing behind her.
Darcy
Wow, the Meryton populace is not blind. The Bennet ladies are beautiful. Miss Elizabeth is particularly so.
As he emerged from his reverie, Darcy noticed Miss Elizabeth making her way toward the refreshment area. One thing was certain; regardless of whatever obstacles he felt, be it fatigue or a headache, he would have asked her for a dance. Alas, that opportunity was lost.
Fortunate that she is presently engaged. I shall abstain from this dance and approach her for the next. For now, I must get Bingley off my back. It is best not to reveal my eagerness to him, lest Miss Bingley gets wind of it.
“Bingley, the lady you pointed out is heading for refreshments. Allow me to sit out this dance. When she returns, pray introduce us. I'll dance with her. I need to sit out for a while; I'm quite fatigued.”
Bingley regarded him briefly before departing. Darcy noticed Miss Bingley trailing Miss Elizabeth to the refreshment area.
So she ceased being my moon? Doesn’t she want her second dance?
Darcy sat down and it felt like heaven. God! I am tired.
Louisa