Chapter 1 #2
Elizabeth on the other hand had been obliged, by the scarcity of gentlemen, to sit down for the second time that evening. She spent that half hour watching her sister and her dance partner, who had very quickly become her admirer.
When the music stopped, Miss Bennet returned to her family and was met with her mother’s delighted exclamations.
Elizabeth joined them and an animated discussion started.
They were careful not to be overheard by Mr Bingley, who was talking to his haughty friend in the corner of the hall, partially hidden behind a column.
The gentlemen though were obviously unaware of the proximity of the ladies, who could hear them clearly enough, despite their low voices.
Mr Bingley was telling Mr Darcy about his pleasure in dancing with the most charming lady in the room and pressed his friend to join him.
"Darcy, I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."
"I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with."
At those words, Elizabeth smiled with amusement, while Jane blushed with embarrassment and Mrs Bennet with anger.
"You are fastidious beyond reason, Darcy. I find this to be a lovely evening with the delightful company of some truly beautiful young ladies."
"You danced with the only handsome girl in the room," Mr Darcy replied severely. Miss Bennet blushed even more and Mrs Bennet’s anger diminished slightly.
"She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But her sister, Miss Elizabeth, is also very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me introduce her to you and you will have the chance to dance after all."
"Absolutely not. I noticed her earlier. She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. Let us not continue this conversation, we are only wasting our time.”
Astonishment removed Elizabeth’s smile, as she wondered if the rudeness she had heard was real.
Jane’s face turned pale with mortification while Mrs Bennet’s eyes and mouth remained open as fury overwhelmed her.
Elizabeth quickly took her mother’s arm and gently pushed her a little farther away; she wished to avoid letting the gentlemen know they had been heard.
The amiable Mr Bingley did not deserve to bear such shame on behalf of his unworthy friend.
“This is…I cannot believe it! What a horrible man,” Mrs Bennet spoke against her handkerchief, while her daughters begged her to calm down.
“Mama, let us not give this gentleman more importance than he deserves,” Elizabeth struggled to speak in jest. “His admiration has no value and I would rather dance with a chair than with him.”
“And so you should, Lizzy! What appalling manners! Is the assembly so insupportable to him? He must know he is insupportable to us, too! It would be a punishment to him to dance? This is just…it is just…”
“Mama, please calm yourself,” Elizabeth insisted. “Come, take a seat and Jane will stay with you while I bring you something to drink.”
She quickly walked towards the table with the refreshments, stealing a glance in Mr Darcy’s direction.
He was now standing against the wall and their eyes met briefly.
She frowned and hoped he could see how much she despised him; his countenance, however, remained stern and his cold gaze betrayed no feelings.
Elizabeth offered her mother a cup of tea, and Mrs Bennet regained her composure enough to go and talk to Mrs Phillips and Lady Lucas. The music started again and both Elizabeth and Jane were asked to dance, so for the following set they were engaged agreeably enough to forget about Mr Darcy.
The evening progressed slowly. Later on, Mr Bingley introduced Jane to his sisters, then asked her for the favour of a second set. His preference was soon openly displayed and it was clear to everyone in attendance that Miss Bennet’s well-known beauty had charmed the new master of Netherfield.
Mrs Bennet’s anger was hardly diminished by the two cups of tea and several glasses of punch offered by her friends, along with their encouragement. Having her second daughter slighted in such a manner sharpened her opinion about the arrogant man into particular resentment.
∞∞∞
It must have been midnight when Darcy realised he had had enough of the noise, the heat, the lack of air, the curious looks, and the rumours.
He wished to leave, but they had all arrived in the same carriage, and he was certain the others in his party wished to remain longer.
Especially Bingley, who appeared completely bewitched by the eldest Miss Bennet.
Darcy was not surprised. He had seen his younger friend enchanted many times before.
Often, Bingley was quickly impressed by the beauty of a lady and yet equally easily he became bored with her.
It would likely happen in this case as well.
He knew perfectly well that it was his own fatigue and the torment of the last months that had left him spent and incapable of any enjoyment. Everything he had loathed before had become even harder to bear lately.
And that evening, that ball, was the worst so far.
Everything vexed him. The people, the music, the small windows that allowed no air, the floor that trembled under his feet.
One of the most distressing things was the second Miss Bennet’s repeated glances towards him, her challenging expression, her eyes narrowing with curiosity, her smile twisting as if there was something on her mind that she preferred not to divulge.
Not that he would have been interested in the slightest in her–or anyone else’s–thoughts.
He was just intrigued by the daring of a country girl who had not even danced all the sets.
One whose appearance made him ignore her and left him unwilling to make her acquaintance when requested.
Her interest and curiosity in a strange gentleman was quite improper.
But of course, such a lack of decorum was not surprising in that small town lost in the countryside.
When the music started again, Darcy found a proper moment to slip outside through the back door.
He felt even less comfortable and more restless than usual.
Something bothered him exceedingly, and he was annoyed at not knowing what.
The fresh, cold air surrounded him, and the slight relief brought him some peace.
He wished he did not have to go back into the middle of the crowd.
Perhaps he could take the carriage, return to Netherfield, and send it back for the others.
Yes, that might be the proper way of solving this insupportable situation.
He took a few steps into the muddy, slippery yard.
The night was dark, but the torches offered enough light to see.
Dogs were barking, the music carried out through the windows, and the voices of the people outside the assembly increased the din.
He could not decide where was worse, outside or inside the ballroom.
Having decided to tell Bingley about his plan, he turned abruptly to the door, colliding with someone in his haste.
A cry startled him, and he almost slipped.
He finally recovered, and with astonishment he noticed a lady of middle age, staring at him with apparent fury.
“Forgive me, madam; I did not notice you. I apologise, are you hurt?”
“I am not hurt, sir! But that is only because I am strong on my feet. You should be more careful, even if you do not consider us worthy of your attention and care.”
The reply astounded him, and for a moment he believed his ears were misleading him. He struggled to speak politely enough.
“Ma’am, I am afraid we are not even acquainted, therefore…”
The woman–obviously one of the guests from the ball–stood in front of the door, brushing her gown vigorously.
“I am Mrs Bennet; we were almost introduced earlier by Sir William before you turned and left with such a lack of grace. My eldest daughter Jane is the most beautiful young woman here, surely you noticed her since she danced twice with your friend.”
As recognition began to dawn on him, the behaviour of the woman in front of him increased his astonishment.
“Mrs Bennet…” he reluctantly said, looking for a way of escaping her distressing company.
“I am also the mother of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the one you called barely tolerable and with whom you refused to dance. I would be curious to hear your reason for behaving in such an ungentlemanlike manner, but it is of little importance.”
“Excuse me?” His shock was now complete, and he stared at the woman in disbelief.
“No excuses are necessary; only a brief answer would suffice.”
“Madam, this conversation is absurd. I had better leave now, before the situation becomes even more ridiculous.”
“Of course you will leave, since you are unable to answer a mere question.” The lady’s anger increased and Darcy felt at the edge of his self-control.
“Do you expect a gentleman to answer such improper questions, addressed so bluntly, by someone he does not even know?” His voice was sharp and disdainful.
“I expect a gentleman to behave in such a manner that these questions are not necessary, sir. Or at least not to offend a young lady who did him no harm.”
He stared at the woman in front of him, startled by her accusation. She continued with no restraint while Darcy slowly lost his temper.
“I must leave you now, since I am completely oblivious to your meaning, madam.”