Chapter 8
Elizabeth dressed for the assembly without much enthusiasm, trying to force herself to enjoy the prospect of the ball as much as she used to in the past. She barely succeeded in looking like she was in good mood, but at least her sisters and mother did not notice her low disposition and they appeared highly interested in what that lovely evening potentially had to offer.
They arrived at the assembly rooms—already filled with people—and Elizabeth instantly felt it was very crowded and the air warm and heavy, although the music had not even begun.
Lydia and Kitty ran to join Maria Lucas and some other friends, Mrs. Bennet moved towards Lady Lucas, Mrs. Long and Mrs. Phillips, while Charlotte Lucas—her lifelong friend—came to greet Elizabeth.
They withdrew into a corner, a little separated from the crowd, to be able to speak with some privacy, and found two chairs next to the balcony door.
While the other ladies—Mrs. Bennet included—preferred to stay as far as possible from the chilly air of the autumn evening, for Elizabeth and her friend, it was a delight.
“Everybody is speaking of Mr. Bingley, and everybody expects to dance with him,” Charlotte said.
“If only the ball had twenty or more sets and Mr. Bingley possessed excellent feet,” Elizabeth jested.
“Well, he may benefit from the help of his friends. The rumours are that his party consists of twelve ladies and seven gentlemen, who will all come with him to the assembly.”
“Too many ladies, it seems. This fact will surely diminish the slight chance that the ladies in Meryton might have had to partner him for a set,” Elizabeth laughed.
“True. Well, some of us are already accustomed to sitting out some sets since gentlemen are scarce, so we would not be offended. But you look very pretty, Lizzy. You seemed a little tired when you returned home, I was a bit worried for you.”
“Thank you, my dear Charlotte, but you know you must not worry for me. I am enduring, resourceful, and patient.”
The music started, gradually covering the voices and laughter, and the gentlemen were already in search of their partners. But then, the riot suddenly ceased, when one gentleman, followed by another and then two ladies, entered.
He glanced around the room, and everybody was relieved when he reacted heartily with a friendly nod and a charming smile.
“That is Mr. Bingley,” Charlotte whispered to Elizabeth, from their private corner.
“So there are only two gentlemen and two ladies, after all. Quite fortunate for us,” Elizabeth replied, observing the new arrivals.
“Yes, those are his sisters and his brother-in-law. Papa saw them earlier today,” Charlotte explained.
Elizabeth watched them with curiosity and amusement.
Mr. Bingley was good-looking and gentlemanlike; he had a pleasant countenance and amiable manners.
His gestures, as well as his smile, were easy and unaffected.
His sisters were fine women, with an air of decided fashion but also with a disdainful expression, hard to conceal.
Their gowns looked elegant and stylish, but Elizabeth had easily ascertained certain details that made them seem ostentatious, as though they were trying to clearly establish their superiority to the locals.
Also, it was quite clear that the ladies did not enjoy being there.
Mr. Bingley’s brother-in-law, Mr. Hurst, was heavy-looking, with a lost expression, showing little interest in anything or anyone.
Sir William was the first to approach and greet them, as the first to have become acquainted with Mr. Bingley and the only one in the village bearing the title of knight.
He welcomed them and the group took a few steps into the room.
And only then, in the now empty doorway, did another gentleman appear.
Standing with his back to them, Elizabeth and Charlotte noticed only his height and his impressive, yet haughty posture.
He looked around briefly, his eyes never resting on any precise spot, then Sir William addressed him with much deference and he responded with a barely perceptible nod.
His brief moves allowed Elizabeth time to catch a glimpse of his face and her heart stopped, and her breathing ceased.
She looked again, doubtful, bewildered, torn between wondering if her eyes were deceiving her and hoping they were not, staring in disbelief at Mr. Darcy, the Master of Pemberley, come seemingly from nowhere to attend their assembly.
Was it possible? What was he doing there?
He was a friend of Mr. Bingley, obviously.
What a strange coincidence! Why had Georgiana not told her that he would be in the neighbourhood?
Did he not wish her to know? But surely he did not imagine he could stay only three miles from Longbourn, attend an assembly and hide his presence from her!
Thoughts were impatiently spinning in her head, she felt her cheeks burning and she lacked air, wondering if she looked well enough for such a sudden reunion.
With increasing torment, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Bingley, together with Sir William, moving towards her mother and sister Jane. A brief conversation took place, Jane seemed to blush with pleasure, and the gentleman’s smile broadened.
Seemingly losing interest in what was happening around them, Mr. Bingley’s sisters and brother-in-law withdrew into a corner, with Lady Lucas attending them and being treated quite coldly.
But Mr. Darcy remained close to the door, leaning against the wall, at a certain distance from his party and from everyone else.
The music began again; Jane and Mr. Bingley took up their positions on the dance floor and the other couples followed them. Of her sisters, only Mary was not dancing, but she did not seem miserable about her situation.
Fortunately for her, Elizabeth received no invitation and she had a little bit of time to try to regain her composure.
But then, her mother approached her like a tornado and unceremoniously pushed Charlotte aside, whispering to her daughter, “My dear Lizzy, where have you been? We were introduced to Mr. Bingley! He is already dancing with Jane! Have I not told you?”
“Yes, I noticed, Mama! I am happy for Jane,” Elizabeth whispered back.
“Oh, but look at that gentleman there—he is his friend! Did you see how tall and handsome he is? Even more so than Mr. Bingley! And do you know what? Mrs. Long told me that Lady Lucas told her he is a very rich gentleman from Derbyshire and he is worth at least ten thousand a year! Oh dear, I can hardly breathe,” the lady fluttered in her daughter’s ear.
“Mama, please, calm down! What do we care about the gentleman’s income?”
Mrs. Bennet gazed at her, stunned, as if her daughter has suddenly lost her mind.
“What do we care? You are so much like your father that you are truly vexing me, child! I am going back to Mrs. Phillips. Try to be less bitter and smile more, otherwise you will never get to dance tonight and even less get married!”
Mrs. Bennet left in a hurry, utterly displeased with her second daughter but thrilled by her first, who was leading the dance with Mr. Bingley. Charlotte smiled understandingly, quietly resuming her place next to Elizabeth.
The rumours continued to spread and people stared more and more at Mr. Darcy, obviously speaking of him.
Elizabeth immediately recognised his increasing discomfort and his displeased expression.
More than once she had heard from both Mrs. Reynolds and Georgiana that Mr. Darcy loathed balls and avoided them as much as possible.
Then, what was he doing there, exposing himself to the scrutiny and gossip of so many strangers?
Approaching him was unthinkable—firstly because she had not already claimed to know him, secondly because he would surely have been appalled by such a breach of propriety and thirdly because, at that moment, her feet were too weak to support her.
Darcy looked around again and Elizabeth’s heart pounded as his glance moved towards her spot.
But it passed over her with no reaction at all, and she wondered whether he had not seen her in her secluded corner or if he had purposely ignored her presence there.
Surely it was impossible for him not to have seen her.
Could he have not recognised her? That was more unlikely than the notion that he did not want to acknowledge their acquaintance, or even to talk to her.
While sadness overcame her, she tried to keep her spirits up, reminding herself that she had anticipated and even expected that possibility.
She wondered what he would do if she happened to pass him and if their eyes were to meet for a moment.
Then, he would not be capable of pretending ignorance.
The music stopped, the couples separated, and only then did Elizabeth realize that she had been lost in her thoughts for so long. Mr. Bingley went straight to his friend, while Jane came to Elizabeth and sat between her and Charlotte.
Despite Jane’s apparent excitement, Elizabeth could only pay attention to the other side of the room, where Mr. Darcy was talking to Mr. Bingley. The latter spoke briefly, then they both left the ballroom.
“Truly, Lizzy, he is the most charming man I have ever met,” Jane was whispering and Elizabeth forced a smile, as she had missed her sister’s prior statement.
“Lizzy, you look very pale, my dear! Are you unwell?” Jane enquired, with instant concern.
“I am very well, dearest, do not worry. Tell me more about Mr. Bingley.”
“You look very ill indeed, Elizabeth,” Charlotte insisted.
“I assure you I am well,” she replied, a little harshly, fearing their concern would draw more attention to her, which she dreaded. “I have a sudden headache but it will pass soon, I assure you.”
“You should stand on the balcony for a moment; fresh air is always good for you,” Jane said.
Elizabeth nodded obediently, mostly to put an end to that debate before anyone else became aware of it.