Chapter 5 Empathy #2
“Yes, Mr. Darcy. I would like to dance with you,” she replied.
She could see the relief on his face. Five minutes later, they were seen dancing. Not a word was spoken for a while. If Elizabeth found herself enjoying the feeling of Mr. Darcy's hand in hers, she was never going to admit it to anyone.
Mr. Darcy is indeed a graceful dancer, I must give him that. But why does he remain silent? Does he believe I'm not worthy of conversation?
She glanced around. Mr. Wickham was nowhere in sight. Ah, I know just the topic to discuss with Mr. Darcy. Why didn't I think of it sooner?
Yet, she held back from mentioning Mr. Wickham.
After all, Mr. Darcy had just rendered her a service by inviting her to dance, thereby sparing her from Mr. Collins.
A rare feeling of gratitude, a moment of civility towards the gentleman she disdained, prevented her from introducing a topic that would undoubtedly be uncomfortable for him.
Instead, she decided to tease him to initiate some conversation.
“Mr. Darcy, we must have some conversation,” she suggested. He suddenly glanced at her and smiled, a kind of smile that could melt a stone. Heavens.
Darcy
Darcy was both enjoying the feeling of Miss Elizabeth in his arms and dreading it at the same time.
Now I will never forget how light her figure is and how heavenly it is to hold her in my arms. Oh, it is going to be torture.
He was so overjoyed when she brought up the topic of their lack of conversation in a teasing manner, that he forgot all his objections to her. For that brief moment, he allowed the defences he had meticulously built within him to relax.
However, Sir William Lucas chose that moment to interrupt and compliment him on his dancing skills, before going on to discuss the pleasures of repeated dances when a certain desirable event occurs.
He was gesturing towards Bingley and Miss Bennet who were dancing nearby and hinting at their possible marriage.
Darcy’s elation turned into worry in a second.
So there is a general expectation now. Oh, Bingley, you've really done it this time.
Elizabeth
When Mr. Darcy's countenance darkened in response to Sir William's hint about Jane and Mr. Bingley's wedding, whatever sense of civility Elizabeth had cultivated against the gentleman vanished. It became clear to her that Mr. Darcy disapproved of that alliance.
If Mr. Bingley and Jane don't come together, I know who to blame. Oh, Jane, I pray your Mr. Bingley has the courage to fight for you.
After Sir William left, she immediately brought up Mr. Wickham. It was petty revenge, she knew. Yet, she was incensed.
His countenance turned even darker.
Darcy
So Wickham is up to his old tricks again. But why on earth did she bring him up now? What can I say to make her realise that she should keep away from the likes of Wickham?
That was the problem. He had plenty to say about Wickham, but none of it was suitable for a maiden's ears, especially in a crowded ballroom.
He just replied to her that Mr. Wickham has the ability to attain friends, but not to keep them. Thankfully, the dance ended, saving him from further conversation about that scoundrel.
His evening took a turn for the worse as he found himself obliged to dance with both Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. Miss Bingley persistently broached the subject of persuading her brother to distance himself from the Bennets.
Despite his growing concern for Bingley, Darcy held steadfast in his resolve to refrain from meddling in his friend's romantic affairs.
Later, that particular gentleman who had inadvertently injured Miss Elizabeth during their dance accosted him as well.
He introduced himself as Mr. Collins, a parson from Rosings in Kent.
The living had been bestowed upon him by none other than Lady Catherine, Darcy's aunt.
Furthermore, he happened to be Mr. Bennet's cousin, the prospective heir of Longbourn upon Mr. Bennet's passing.
Most significantly, he was the individual supposedly courting Miss Elizabeth. Darcy felt ill.
During dinner, Mrs. Bennet was in fine form.
She congratulated herself for bringing about a most advantageous match for her eldest daughter, conveniently forgetting that there was not even an official courtship.
She even insulted Darcy, in his hearing, by stating that she was not afraid of him and felt no obligation to speak only what pleased him.
After dinner, the Bennet family continued to humiliate themselves.
The younger girls ran around the officers without a care.
The middle daughter, Miss Mary, exhibited the worst performance on the Pianoforte that Darcy had ever had the misfortune to listen to.
Even Mr. Bennet, the father, displayed his lack of social skills by insulting his daughter’s performance in public.
All the while, Miss Elizabeth sat with her head down, mortified beyond measure. Darcy’s heart went out to her.
How on earth did she born into this family? What a terrible tragedy.
Elizabeth
When the Bennet family carriage finally arrived to take her home, Elizabeth was eager to get away. An evening that had promised so much fun had turned out to be the worst of her life. All she wanted was to curl up in her bed and pretend that this evening never happened.
All her problems started with Mr. Wickham, who decided not to show up and keep his promise to her. Mr. Collins made it worse by humiliating her on the dance floor, thereby forcing her to dance with Mr. Darcy. Her family completed her misery by acting like a herd of chimpanzees.
God! How can I ever forget the expression on Mr. Darcy’s face when Papa insulted Mary to stop her performance?
As she sat beside Jane in their crowded carriage, further crowded by the presence of the bulky Mr. Collins, she realized with a start that the only highlight of the day was her dance with Mr. Darcy.
Mr. Darcy is an excellent dancer.