Chapter 17 #5
“It was all Cassandra’s idea, of course.”
“Of course.” He laughed. “And Bingley and Miss Bennet approved of it?”
“Without hesitation. I was surprised to see Jane so willing to shock the entire neighbourhood.” Her eyes sparkled with delight. “Cassandra was our teacher, and Georgiana played for us!”
“I see…there was an entire conspiracy meant to surprise me.” He smiled. “I am very impressed, I must say.”
“Unfortunately, I have not been a very apt pupil. My dancing skills are in great need of improvement. I am sorry I embarrassed you.” Her cheeks were crimson, and she was slightly uneasy.
“Embarrassed me? My dearest, you could not be further from the truth. I would tell you what I truly feel this very moment, but I am afraid I would embarrass you with such declarations.”
She blushed even more—her neck burning as much as her cheeks—and averted her eyes from him to cast a quick glance around the room.
“Besides, you are a very good dancer; Sir William Lucas himself has declared it so, remember?” She nodded and smiled at the memory of that dance—that fight—when Sir William interrupted them to express his admiration and to congratulate them for their superior dancing.
“However, it is true your steps are not perfect yet, but as my aunt said last spring, you will never waltz truly well if you do not practice more.” She laughed and closed her eyes a moment, allowing the music to spoil her.
“On the other hand, you, sir, are truly proficient. Should I suppose you have practiced very diligently? And if so, may I wonder when and with whom?”
Her eyebrow rose and her lips twisted in reproach. Yet, he could see she was truly curious.
“You may ask, and I will answer you some day. However, we were talking about the improvement of your dancing skills. Would you allow me to tell you what I have in mind?”
“Please do, sir.” Elizabeth began to feel warmer—partially from the effort required of the dance but also from his closeness. The way he talked to her was more distracting than his hands embracing her.
“I think what you need are some private lessons, and I am more than willing to be your teacher. We will be able to practice as much as you like once we are married. While in town these next days, I will take the opportunity to order a music box—a most special one—which will play the waltz for us so we can dance any time we wish.”
She laughed with utter delight and did not dare allow her mind to imagine how their dance would be once they were married. She forced a light-hearted reply.
“Oh, there is no need for a music box. Georgiana can play for us; she plays the waltz masterfully.”
Darcy looked at her with such an intense gaze that she forgot to breathe.
“Elizabeth, if you think a private lesson would include the presence of my sister, you do not know the meaning of the word privacy. However, I will be more than willing to teach you that as well.”
Elizabeth had no reply, for she was preoccupied with the attempt to remain upright as her knees grew weak and she fought to hide a most pleasant embarrassment. She changed the topic suddenly.
“When will you leave tomorrow?”
“I plan to leave early in the morning, immediately after the ball. David will accompany me.” He seemed tense and averted his eyes from hers.
“Will you not be too tired?”
“No indeed. I will go on horseback as I want to arrive in London as soon as possible and return immediately after I conclude my business.”
They were still waltzing, and the dance floor became more animated and crowded. Several other pairs joined the first couples, and the murmurs of disapproval diminished considerably.
“I…Will you be leaving on the main path to London?”
“Most likely, yes. Why do you ask?” He seemed truly puzzled.
“I…I might take a walk in the morning and thought perhaps I would see you briefly before your departure.”
“The ball will finish at dawn…You should be home and asleep. It is cold, and you will be tired.”
“If you will not be too cold or tired to ride twenty miles to London, I will certainly not be too cold or tired to see you for a few minutes.”
Her eyes showed equal determination and entreaty, and he could do nothing but agree with her, grateful for her affection and devotion.
“Very well then. Within an hour’s time of your arrival back at Longbourn, I will wait for you in the wildish corner of your garden. That way we will have some privacy, and you still will be close to the house and able to return safely inside. But I will stay only a few minutes.”
“That is a most perfect plan, sir,” she replied with a daring smile that expressed her contentment. “And, sir, I do know the meaning of the word privacy,” she added as the last notes of the waltz directed their steps around the floor.
∞∞∞
She would faint; she was certain of it. She would faint, and thank heavens she was sitting on a chair so she would not fall to the floor.
And Hill was not there with her smelling salts.
As for her sister Gardiner, there could be little support from her as she seemed also to have lost her mind; otherwise, why would she dance the waltz?
How could she not faint? How could she bear such a flagrant breach of propriety at her daughter’s engagement ball? Waltzing in Hertfordshire! Who would believe it? What would people say?
Suddenly she cared not in the slightest about other people and very little about Jane and her Mr Bingley.
Was it possible? Could her wishes and hopes be exceeded in such a way?
Lizzy and Mr Darcy? Mr Darcy with his ten thousand a year?
Yes, she would faint; Mrs Bennet was certain of that, but there was no room for misunderstanding—not after the way they looked at each other as they danced, not after he had asked her for the first set, and not after all the times they disappeared to walk alone.
They stayed close to each other when he dined at Longbourn, and she had a close friendship with Miss Darcy.
It was all so obvious! And she had been so silly to see nothing—nothing at all!
She had neglected Mr Darcy and paid all her attention to Mr Bingley.
Oh, she had been such a fool! Would Mr Darcy ever forgive her?
She must do everything in her power to accomplish that.
The music has stopped? Oh, so much the better.
Her nerves could not stand that waltz much longer.
What was Mr Bennet doing there? It was suppertime, and he seemed determined to make a speech.
What on earth has come over the man? An announcement?
She rose from her chair, struggling to listen to her husband while trying to find a way to reach Lizzy and Mr Darcy.
Mr Bennet was just talking about them. What was he saying?
Oh yes, he said Lizzy and Mr Darcy were engaged to be married.
Oh well…she would still go and talk to them.
Mr Darcy and Lizzy engaged to be married?! Was that what her husband had just said?!
Mrs Bennet fainted—and Hill was not there with her smelling salts.