Chapter 11 #2
The half an hour passed painfully slowly for Darcy. It was almost midnight, and he wondered how long the ball might last. Bingley and his sisters tried to engage him in conversation, but he was not in any disposition for any kind of discussion.
To his relief, the music stopped and started again and finally it was time for him to claim Elizabeth’s hand for the supper set.
Although the headache was gone, his head was spinning. He moved towards Elizabeth–she was with her family in the opposite corner. She saw him and smiled, their eyes locked.
It seemed days since he had asked for a set and she had offered one that pleased them both. She was slightly flustered and he thought it was because of the heat in the room. His own cheeks were burning.
His feet were unsteady but brought him closer to her. He was finally there, bowing to her. Her sisters and mother looked at them with puzzlement. Mrs Bennet’s eyebrow rose in wonder.
He bowed to her slightly. “Miss Elizabeth?”
“Mr Darcy…”
Elizabeth stretched her hand out to him and he took it.
They walked towards the dancefloor holding hands and their eyes met again when they faced each other.
Then the orchestra began to play, the music filled the room and they followed it with harmonious moves.
Their fingers touched each other again from time to time, their eyes met and lingered an instant too long, both astonished by the strange feelings that enveloped them–feelings that one of them had already admitted and accepted, yet the other had only just begun to struggle with, wondering about their nature and strength.
Near the wall, Mrs Bennet watched in disbelief, staring at the couple for a long while. And she was not the only one–not by far.
With the prospect of an upcoming meeting, Darcy and Elizabeth found little to speak of. But, during the second dance, Elizabeth was already troubled and found the courage to speak openly.
“Mr Darcy, forgive my boldness, but you are truly pale, sir. I admit you are one of the most skilful dancers I have had the pleasure of standing up with, but you do not look well,” she said, trying to keep a trace of a joke in her voice.
“I am sorry that you are displeased with my appearance, but I find some comfort in your compliments regarding my dancing skills,” he smiled in reply.
They continued to dance, speaking a little about the number of pairs and about the arrangements for the ball but mostly looking at each other in silence, each preparing what they had to say for the next morning.
That little secret, that small conspiracy, made them gaze at each other in a certain way, indefinable but not unnoticed by the others.
Mrs Bennet continued to talk to Mrs Phillips, never taking her eyes from her second daughter and her companion. Wickham and Bingley’s sisters were staring at the couple with equal curiosity. Mr Darcy dancing with Elizabeth Bennet–of all ladies–quickly became the talk of the ball.
As soon as the music ended, Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm and they walked towards the supper table, with all eyes still on them.
“Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth whispered, “I will tell you this and then I shall not speak another word on the subject.”
He looked at her, puzzled by her seriousness.
“Sir, your hand is very warm. You must have a high fever. I know it is not for me to give you advice, but you should rest and take some medicine.”
Their eyes met briefly. Her concern was genuine and he did not attempt to deny or to joke about it. “Thank you, Miss Bennet. I will do just that,” he answered.
Darcy was having the most pleasant time he ever remembered having at a ball.
Since the evening had started, a bond between him and Elizabeth had slowly grown.
There was no special gesture, no particular conversation, just many small things together that gave him a feeling of completion and enjoyment he had never sensed before with any other woman.
Elizabeth was in the centre of a tumult of thoughts and feelings, all spinning around Darcy.
She had come to enjoy his company exceedingly and to seek out opportunities for small conversations and meaningful glances.
He undoubtedly had singled her out, not only by dancing with her but also by talking to her in a private way, seeking to be close to her, smiling at her in a peculiar way.
Had he behaved the same before and she had missed it, or had his behaviour changed in recent days?
She was delighted by his warm, friendly manners and wished for more–without knowing what more she could hope for.
Her regret for his pending departure had turned into sorrow by the end of the ball, and she was grateful for having one more chance to talk to him, whatever reason he might have for that private encounter.
At the supper table they sat opposite one another. Looking at each other was an easy task, but conversation proved to be rather difficult. Bingley was near Elizabeth, opposite Jane, who sat between his sisters.
The officers were seated at one end of the table, around Colonel Forster. Closest to them were Mr Bennet and his youngest daughters. Conversations carried on across the table became rather chaotic. Above it all, Mr Collins’ voice could be heard from time to time, as well as Mrs Bennet’s.
The rest of the evening passed with little excitement. Some of the ladies sang for the guests–including Mary–some card games were played by several gentlemen and officers, and more dancing was performed.
Elizabeth barely spoke to Darcy at all. He refused to retire early, but he remained silent and did not dance again. She danced a couple more sets but her attention and interest did not reside with her dancing partners.
Late in the night the ball ended and the guests left after expressing much praise and gratitude for such a wonderful evening.
The Bennets–together with Mr Collins–were among the last to leave. Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy both took a formal farewell, as they planned to travel to London immediately after breakfast. Wishes for a safe journey and hopes for a speedy return were expressed and finally they separated.
In the carriage, Mrs Bennet voiced her approval for the evening repeatedly and insistently, mentioning Mr Darcy singling out Elizabeth.
She was certain it had been his way of apologising for offending her at the previous assembly, his consideration for the family, and his support for his friend’s upcoming engagement to Jane.
An hour later, silence fell over Longbourn.
It was already time for the servants to wake up, and tiredness should have defeated Jane and Elizabeth but they remained awake, talking under the sheets, exchanging opinions.
As always, Elizabeth was more voluble than her sister, but she was careful with her words, worrying she might say more than she wished to.
“Lizzy, I am afraid Mr Bingley will not return,” Jane suddenly said and Elizabeth startled, dumbfounded.
“What do you mean, Jane? Why would you say that when Mr Bingley mentioned even at the end that he planned to return in a fortnight?”
Unexpectedly, Jane began to sob, much to Elizabeth’s despair. “Dearest, look at me! Why would you say that? What happened?”
“Oh, Lizzy…Caroline told me they have some important business in town but they are also eager to see Miss Darcy. She suggested Mr Bingley is very fond of her and he misses her dearly. Even he told me as much–he said he planned to spend much time with her and with Mr Darcy while he is in town. He said Miss Darcy is one of the most accomplished ladies he has ever met. He even said I would surely like her. And Caroline said the entire family hopes and prays for such a union to take place and that it would have surely occurred by now if Miss Darcy was not so young!”
Jane spoke through gulping sobs and her suffering was so deep that it broke Elizabeth’s heart.
Caressing Jane’s hair, she thought of everything that had happened that night, of her discussions with Darcy, of the small things he had mentioned or shared with her.
“Lizzy, please believe me that I am happy for him. I wish him to find the woman who is best suited to him and who will make him happy. And I am sure Miss Darcy is a perfect choice. I cannot blame him or his family for preferring her. But it hurts so much, it is so hard to bear the pain.”
Elizabeth held Jane tightly while her sister cried in her arms. Hurt on her sister’s behalf, angry at anyone who could harm Jane, Elizabeth needed a while to see reason. Eventually, she managed to calm herself enough to comfort her sister.
“My dear, let us be reasonable. Please think carefully if Mr Bingley said or did anything to suggest that he would prefer another over you. He is an honest man and would never deceive you on purpose. Why would he host such a ball without Miss Darcy, if she is his choice?”
“I do not know, Lizzy. I cannot understand it. He was so kind, so gentle…he said he would call on us as soon as he returns and that he wishes to speak to me about something important. Maybe he intends to tell me about his engagement to Miss Darcy…Maybe…I do not know.”
“Or maybe this is all just Miss Bingley’s attempt to separate her brother from you! I have no doubt that she wishes him to marry Miss Darcy, but I cannot believe she will succeed. Everybody who sees you together can testify to his affection for you!”
Elizabeth struggled to calm Jane and help her find some rest. She would soon discover the truth and all this torment would be gone.
In a few hours, she would meet Darcy and would ask him directly, even if he took it as an offence and breach of propriety.
She refused to allow her sister to suffer out of consideration for him or his sister.