Chapter 4 #2
The drive from Gracechurch Street to Lady Cassandra’s home seemed to Elizabeth longer than a trip from London to Longbourn. She had always loved balls; however, this particular ball caused her to feel uncomfortable and distressed.
Until that moment, Elizabeth had always felt at ease among people and never allowed herself to be intimidated, no matter the illustrious company in which she might find herself.
Suddenly, the thought that she would be viewed as a last-minute addition to the elegant ball was overwhelming.
That Mr Darcy would also be present only added to her bewilderment.
The gowns Mrs Gardiner procured for both of them were exquisite.
While examining her hair and dress in the mirror, she knew she had never looked better.
Nevertheless, with great effort did she finally admit to herself that the true cause of her distress was not what she thought about her appearance but what Mr Darcy’s opinion might be.
Lady Cassandra’s house was everything Elizabeth had expected in terms of beauty and greatness.
It spoke eloquently of its mistress’s wealth and situation in life—as Mr Darcy’s home revealed the same about him.
Elizabeth busied herself with an examination of the home; at the same time, she perceived the inquisitive gaze of several guests examining her.
Elizabeth’s worries about their reception vanished as Lady Cassandra greeted them with obvious pleasure and warm politeness the first moment they entered.
The friendly and joyful presence of Colonel Fitzwilliam was a blessing to Elizabeth, and she smiled openly at him as he hurried toward them and offered to accompany her into the ballroom.
Mr Darcy, however, was nowhere to be seen, and Elizabeth did not dare inquire after him.
“Miss Bennet, I shall take this opportunity to ask for the first set if you are not otherwise engaged.”
“I am not engaged, Colonel,” she answered, and then she leaned toward him slightly, whispering, “In fact sir, I am quite grateful for your invitation. I do not know anyone else in the room; therefore, I am quite sure my dance card will remain empty until the end of the evening.”
“Oh, I should not be so certain about that, Miss Bennet. I dare say that more than one gentleman cast admiring glances in our direction as we entered, and I doubt the admiration was meant for me. I think I was wise to secure myself a set at the beginning of the evening.” She could not help laughing again, feeling much of her uneasiness dissipating.
A moment later, Mr Gardiner asked after Mr Darcy; the colonel explained that he had already arrived but some urgent business regarding Lady Cassandra’s estate needed his attention.
“He is in the study, but I anticipate he will appear soon. He asked after you a few times, and I promised I would send a servant to inform him when you arrived.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks coloured, and her heart skipped a beat. He asked to be informed when we arrived? His interest was difficult to believe but flattering, and she was torn between excitement and distress.
Colonel Fitzwilliam remained in their company and introduced them to some of the guests.
To Elizabeth’s surprise, less than half an hour later, she found herself engaged for another three sets.
Colonel Fitzwilliam immediately began to tease her about her popularity, but Elizabeth was certain that her “success” was due in large part to the other guests’ curiosity about her and her relatives rather than an indication of her charm.
Why is he so late? Of course, once Mr Darcy made his appearance, she could not expect the same friendly manners he had shown during their private meetings. But would he at least speak to her or ask for a dance?
Her thoughts were interrupted as a gentleman stopped near them, bowing politely to her as he also greeted the colonel.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam! It is a pleasure to see you again. I hope I am not intruding.” As he spoke, his eyes never left Elizabeth’s face, and she blushed at his insistent stare.
“Lord Markham, what a surprise! I did not expect to see you here.” The colonel’s voice was cold and stern; however, the gentleman seemed to take no offence.
“Well, apparently Lady Cassandra forgot to invite me as I was out of town, but my cousins asked me to escort them, and I could not refuse the request of two lovely ladies.”
“I see. Well then, do not allow us to detain you from your escort duties. I am sure your cousins are missing you.” Elizabeth startled at this open rudeness and gazed in surprise at the colonel. He was frowning, and he made no attempt to hide his displeasure.
The other gentleman, however, laughed shortly but did not leave, his eyes fixed intently on Elizabeth. “I am sure they will do very well without me for a while. Would you do me the honour of introducing me to the loveliest lady in the room, Colonel?”
“I would surely do so if you tell me of whom you are speaking,” answered the colonel blankly, and Elizabeth did not know whether to chuckle or feel offended.
“Colonel, I am pleased to see your sense of humour is unaltered; however, I cannot believe you missed my meaning. I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Bennet last week at the theatre, and since then, I have wished for a formal introduction.” Lord Markham bowed to her.
Though intrigued by the exchange, Elizabeth trusted that the colonel would not treat another gentleman rudely without good reason.
She used all her civility to answer as politely as she could, but it was not an easy task.
The viscount’s manners, pleasant features and warm voice suddenly struck her as being similar to those of Mr Wickham.
Lord Markham remained in their company for a few minutes, showing no restraint in expressing his admiration for her.
His stare and his compliments made Elizabeth slightly uncomfortable; she was relieved when the viscount suddenly excused himself and left, but not before repeating to Elizabeth his pleasure at the prospect of dancing with her later.
Immediately following his departure, Elizabeth’s eyes turned to the colonel, who displayed a preoccupied gaze. “Miss Bennet, I must beg your forgiveness. I acted most improperly in your presence. However, Lord Markham has often tested my patience in the past. “
“Yes, I imagined you were not the best of friends.” Elizabeth forced a smile.
“Yes—not the best of friends, indeed. In fact, I dare say there are few people in London who are less friendly than we are.”
“Sir, I hope his presence will not ruin your disposition for tonight. I was counting on you to help me rid myself of my anxiety and distress.”
“Have no worry, Miss Bennet! Lord Markham is not capable of ruining anything for me and certainly not tonight. I intend to enjoy myself as much as possible. However, I am sorry I could not think of a way to avoid introducing him to you. Now you will have to dance with him.”
“Colonel, you make him sound quite frightening. There was no way you could have avoided such an insistent demand for an introduction. But he seemed a pleasant sort of gentlemen, and I hope he is not unskilful when we dance. I think I can manage to bear him for half an hour.”
“Yes, he seemed pleasant. As for dancing, I think he is not completely unskilful. I most assuredly have never danced with him.”
“You never danced with whom, Colonel?” Lady Cassandra’s voice startled Elizabeth; she had not noticed her ladyship approaching them and, apparently, neither had the colonel.
“We were talking about Lord Markham. Unfortunately, he managed to gain access to your ball by way of his cousins.”
“Ah, yes. His impertinence is unlimited, but I hope you will not allow him to disturb you in any way. What on earth did he have to say?”
“He demanded an introduction to Miss Bennet and asked her for a set.”
“I see. Well, Miss Bennet, at least he is not a poor dancer. And speaking of dancing, I hope Darcy will appear soon as the music is about to start, and I surely would not want to be without a partner for the first set.”
I should have known they were engaged for the first set, thought Elizabeth with bitterness, but a moment later, she censured her childish reaction.
The Gardiners joined them, expressing their admiration for the house and the exquisite arrangement of the ballroom.
Lady Cassandra smiled and whispered to them that the credit should go to her companion who was the “author from the shadow” of all the preparations.
“I am very pleased I invited you,” her ladyship addressed the Gardiners, “though I have to confess my reasons are mostly selfish! Except for the colonel, Darcy and probably another ten people who truly came out of consideration for me and my family, yours are the only friendly faces in the room.”
The conversation flowed easily until Mr Darcy appeared in the ballroom.
At first, Elizabeth did not see him enter, but her eyes were drawn toward his direction, and she stopped breathing for a moment.
He was staring at her as he had so many times before—the same stare she noticed the night of the Netherfield ball.
Now she knew the true meaning of his stare, and cold shivers gripped her.
Darcy remained near the entrance, watching Elizabeth.
There she was—in the middle of their little group—talking to the colonel and her relatives, smiling, and looking perfectly at ease in a room filled with strangers, most of whom were staring at her.
She was so beautiful in her pale yellow dress, with no other jewels accept her small garnet cross—which of course he could not see from a distance but knew was there nonetheless.
A few flowers adorned her hair, and those two rebellious locks, which were always dancing on her neck, were ever present.