Chapter 13 #2
From the instant he entered the room, Darcy had been aware of where Miss Elizabeth was standing.
As he walked around the edge of the room, he saw her with a friend, Miss Lucas, if his memory was sound.
They were speaking to three of the officers.
He did not want to have his interest in the beauty with her magnificent eyes be obvious, so he stopped close to the group of five. He could hear, but he was looking away.
Elizabeth could not decide what Mr Darcy was about; he had done the same thing at Haye Park once he had turned away from the window. He stood close enough to listen while never participating. She supposed they were all too far below him to lower himself to speak to any of them.
The three officers with whom Elizabeth and Charlotte were conversing were Colonel Forster, commander of the regiment, Captain Carter, his adjutant, and Lieutenant Sanderson. There was one more lieutenant present, a Mr Denny, who was speaking to others in the room.
The three older Bennet sisters had not noticed that Lydia had turned her back to them and was close to Lieutenant Denny. She was trying her hand at flirting while keeping one eye on Lizzy, who was closest to her.
Knowing that Mr Darcy was listening, Elizabeth suggested that Colonel Forster give a ball to make his officers known to the locals. She knew that Mr Darcy disliked dancing, so it seemed the perfect thing to suggest.
The Colonel was amused. He told the young lady that his officers enjoyed society and stated he would take the suggestion under advisement.
He and his two officers moved on to speak with others.
It annoyed Elizabeth that Mr Darcy had not moved.
She was sure he was confirming his original opinion of her by listening to her discussions.
She decided to repay him, as politely as she could in a public setting.
Her preoccupation with Mr Darcy meant that she was not keeping an eye on Lydia who had approached the other lieutenant and the captain.
She turned to Charlotte. “What does Mr Darcy mean by listening to my conversation with Colonel Forster?” Like he had not at the assembly, she did not lower her voice.
“That is a question which only Mr Darcy can answer,” Charlotte opined.
“But if he does it anymore, I shall certainly let him know that I see what he is about. He has a very satirical eye, and if I do not begin by being impertinent myself, I shall soon grow afraid of him.” Elizabeth shot an impertinent look at Mr Darcy.
‘It seems I was not as subtle as I wanted,’ Darcy thought. ‘I forgot how intelligent she is; of course she would notice. I need to be far more circumspect.’
Seeing Mr Darcy approach them soon after Eliza’s speech, though without seeming to have any intention of speaking, Charlotte decided to put her friend’s bravery to the test. “Here is Mr Darcy now, why do you not ask him what you asked me?”
She gave Charlotte a ‘just you wait’ look and turned to Mr Darcy. “Did you not think, Mr Darcy, that I expressed myself uncommonly well just now when I was teasing Colonel Forster to give us a ball at Meryton?” She challenged.
“With great energy,” Darcy replied. “But then speaking of a ball and dancing is always a subject which makes a lady energetic.”
Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “You are severe on us.”
“It will be her turn soon to be teased,” Charlotte said.
“I am going to open the instrument, and Eliza, you know what follows. Before you suggest Mary, she performed at the Gouldings, so it is your turn now. Also, you know how much pleasure my father takes from your playing and singing, do you not?”
She knew that Charlotte had her as soon as she invoked Sir William’s name.
“You are a very strange creature by way of a friend! Always wanting me to play and sing before anybody and everybody! If my vanity had taken a musical turn like Mary’s, you would have been invaluable; but as it is, I would really rather not sit down before those who must be in the habit of hearing the very best performers. ” She looked directly at Mr Darcy.
“Come now, Eliza. You know I will not relent on such a weak excuse,” Charlotte insisted.
“Very well, if it must be so, it must.” And gravely glancing at Mr Darcy, Elizabeth added, “There is a fine old saying, with which everybody here is, of course, familiar: ‘Keep your breath to cool your porridge,’ and I shall keep mine to swell my song.”
Rather than be upset by her impertinence, Darcy was even more charmed than he was before. This was not a woman who would fawn over himself or any other.
As she walked to the instrument, Elizabeth did not notice Mary dragging Lydia away from the three younger officers.
“Leave me be!” Lydia hissed.
“You will come with me now, and not make a sound, unless you want me to have Papa come from Sir William’s study. You know what will happen if he does, do you not?” Mary returned softly, but firmly.
She was not happy about it, but Lydia nodded.
“Now you will sit with Kitty, Maria, and me and listen to Lizzy play. If you go near the officers again, I will tell Papa all,” Mary threatened.
Soon enough Miss Elizabeth began to play.
It was a lively air for which she did not need music.
Her playing was not quite as good as her younger sister’s had been, but it was still very good and she infused her playing with more feeling than he had ever heard.
He was standing and watching Miss Elizabeth’s fingers flash over the black and white keys when Darcy heard the rustle of a gown and smelt the overused scent Miss Bingley applied.
“I can guess the subject of your reverie,” Miss Bingley purred near Mr Darcy’s ear. She did not like how he was watching the Bennet chit, another one who was much better on the pianoforte than Miss Bingley wanted her to be.
“I should imagine not,” Darcy returned curtly.
“You are considering how insupportable it would be to pass many evenings in this manner—in such society as this; and indeed, I am quite of your opinion. I was never more annoyed! The insipidity, and yet the noise—the nothingness, and yet the self-importance of all those people! What would I give to hear your strictures on them!” Miss Bingley sneered as she looked around the room.
Darcy decided it was time to begin to disabuse the woman of her pretensions regarding himself.
“Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of fine eyes in the face of a beautiful woman can bestow.”
Miss Bingley immediately fixed her eyes on his face, sure that he meant herself. “And who, pray tell, is this attractive lady?” She preened.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” Darcy replied without delay.
“Miss Eliza Bennet!” repeated Miss Bingley with a pinched look. She schooled her features as soon as she was able. “I am all astonishment. How long has she been such a favourite? Pray, when am I to wish you joy?”
“That is exactly the question which I expected you to ask,” Darcy responded nonchalantly. He prayed she would finally get the message. “A lady’s imagination is very rapid; it jumps from admiration to love, from love to matrimony, in a moment. I knew you would be wishing me joy.”
“Nay, if you are serious about it, I shall consider the matter as being absolutely settled. You will be having a charming mother-in-law, indeed; and, of course, she will always be at Pemberley with you,” Miss Bingley managed.
She was doing everything she could not to unleash a tantrum there and then.
He ignored her as she stood there, intent on listening to Miss Elizabeth’s perfect contralto voice as she sang an aria in flawless Italian.
In a swish of skirts, Miss Bingley stormed off and threw herself down next to her sister.
When asked, she related in as hushed a voice as she was able what Mr Darcy had said and about whom he said it.
Until that moment, after his previous comments, Miss Bingley thought Mr Darcy was looking at the hoyden to confirm his opinion of her.
“Maintain your dignity; we will speak when we return to Netherfield Park,” Mrs Hurst said in sotto voce firmly brooking no opposition.
Miss Bingley nodded and sat and stewed.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
A little later, Sir William announced it was time to dance.
Even though Lydia did not see Papa, after Mary catching her flirting, she could not chance being sent home and then to the nursery.
As much as she had wanted to again approach the officers who were in attendance, Lydia was too worried Mary would do as promised and word would reach Papa.
She was relatively thankful Kitty came and collected her so they could stand up together.
As the dancing began, Darcy stood near the one side of the impromptu dance floor in silent indignation at such a mode of passing the evening, to the exclusion of all conversation. He was too much engrossed by his thoughts to perceive that the loquacious Sir William Lucas was next to him.
“What a charming amusement for young people this is, Mr Darcy! There is nothing like dancing after all. I consider it as one of the first refinements of polished society,” Sir William claimed.
“Certainly, Sir; and it has the advantage also of being in vogue amongst the less polished societies of the world. Every savage can dance,” Darcy responded somewhat churlishly.
Sir William was not deterred; in fact, he smiled. “Your friend performs delightfully,” the knight continued after a pause, on seeing Bingley join the group with Miss Bennet as his partner; “and I doubt not that you are adept in the science yourself, Mr Darcy.”
“Although I did not dance at the assembly past, I am able to, Sir,” Darcy replied.
“Most gentlemen are well-versed in dancing. I know I would receive no inconsiderable pleasure from the sight of you doing so. Do you often dance at St James’s?” Sir William enquired.
“Never, Sir,” Darcy bit out.
Sir William sensed it was not a good subject. Instead, he asked, “You have a house in town, I conclude?”
Darcy allowed it was so.
“I had once had some thought of fixing in town myself—for I am fond of superior society. I did not, however, feel quite certain that the air of London would agree with Lady Lucas.” Sir William paused in hopes of a comment, but his companion was not disposed to make any.
At that instant, Elizabeth was crossing the room and was close to the two men who had been speaking.
Sir William was struck with the action of doing a very gallant thing and called out to her, “My dear Miss Eliza, why are you not dancing? Mr Darcy, you must allow me to present this young lady to you as a very desirable partner. You cannot refuse to dance, I am sure, when so much beauty is before you.” And, taking her hand, he would have given it to Mr Darcy, who, though extremely surprised, was not unwilling to receive it, when surprisingly Miss Elizabeth instantly drew back.
With some discomposure, she addressed Sir William, “Indeed, Sir, I have not the least intention of dancing. I entreat you not to suppose that I moved this way in order to beg for a partner.”
“I would be honoured if you would stand up with me,” Mr Darcy requested, with grave propriety.
“As I said, Sir, I have no intention of dancing; it is not a tolerable exercise for me this night,” Elizabeth stated with determination.
Sir William was not at all shaken by her response to his attempt at persuasion.
“You excel so much in the dance, Miss Eliza, that it is cruel to deny me the happiness of seeing you dance. Though this gentleman dislikes the amusement in general, he has asked you to dance, so you can have no objection, I am sure, to oblige us for one half-hour.”
“As polite as Mr Darcy is to desire to give me consequence, as I have said, I will not dance tonight. If that disappoints you, Sir William, you have my apology.” Elizabeth bobbed a curtsey and was off before either man could speak again.
Once they were left alone, the knight had drifted off, and Darcy realised she had heard him. He knew he should apologise, but he could not lower himself to do it.