Chapter Five #4
Elizabeth screwed up her face for Miss Darcy’s amusement. “True, and nobody can ever be introduced in a ballroom.”
Still quite flushed with mortification, Mr. Darcy said, “Perhaps I should have judged better and sought an introduction, but I am ill-qualified to recommend myself to strangers.”
“Shall I ask your sister why a man of sense and education, and who has lived in the world, is ill-qualified to recommend himself to strangers? You are new to society, Miss Darcy, and yet you have acquitted yourself splendidly.”
“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth. Oh, but William, are you not as lively with your friends as you are at family parties?”
“I certainly have not the talent which some people possess, of conversing easily with those I have never seen before. I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as I often see done.”
Miss Darcy now looked to Elizabeth for encouragement, and then tutted and shook her head at her brother.
“That will never do, William. I believe Miss Elizabeth is right, for if I can manage to be a pleasing new friend – as I hope that I am – then you must certainly be able to delight anybody you meet, for you are kind and intelligent, and very amusing!”
Elizabeth leaned forward, grinning at Miss Darcy, already internally laughing at what she was about to reveal of her nemesis.
“If you are on my side already, Miss Darcy, you must allow me to elaborate on this infamous assembly. I can tell you for a fact that Mr. Bingley encouraged Mr. Darcy to dance more than he did. His friend recommended one particular young lady – an utterly charming creature, possessed of every virtue, and modesty most of all – and Mr. Darcy flatly refused to stand up with her! He declared that she was tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt him.”
“William! You did not! That is neither kind nor intelligent.”
“But it was amusing,” Elizabeth said with a wry smile.
“I was out of humor after parting with you in London, dearest, and quite distracted fearing you were not past the… the malady that afflicted you over the summer.”
Miss Darcy’s entire demeanor altered for a moment, but she swiftly recovered herself. “Perhaps you may atone for yourself by dancing a great deal tomorrow.”
“I will, if it would please you, and I shall even apologize heartily for my boorishness at that assembly.” Mr. Darcy looked at Elizabeth with true contrition in his countenance, his head bowed low.
“I hardly looked at the young lady I disparaged; at such a moment, I might have responded rudely to any suggestion Bingley made me. Upon further acquaintance with that lady, I found her to be a lovely person.”
Miss Darcy appeared satisfied. “See, Miss Elizabeth? My brother really is the best of men. And you must ask her for a dance tomorrow, brother!”
Elizabeth sat still, her spine stiff, and she endeavored to conceal her astonishment at his apology.
He had found a new way to vex her, in denying her the privilege of resenting him any further.
Mr. Darcy smiled earnestly at her. “I always prefer to partner ladies with whom I am well acquainted. I shall open the ball with Georgie, but perhaps you will save me the second set, Miss Elizabeth?”
She had promised the first dance to Colonel Brandon already, and it seemed Elizabeth would begin her evening with two rather reticent partners, for she could hardly refuse Mr. Darcy. She was not wicked enough to do so in front of his sister, who was entirely agreeable.
“I will, thank you. But I must warn you, Mr. Darcy – I shall do as I did when last we danced together, and attempt to sketch your character, for you still puzzle me exceedingly.”
“Does he? Well,” Miss Darcy said, beginning to look smug in her mischief. “I am sure he will be happy to indulge you, and afford you every opportunity – perhaps the supper set, as well, may grant you further illumination.”
Mr. Darcy gave his sister a droll grin. “Georgie, why does that sound rather like a threat?”
Suddenly emboldened by his sportive banter, Elizabeth arched an eyebrow at Mr. Darcy. “It sounds like a challenge, and I accept. I hope you are prepared to amaze me, for I shall be reporting back to some of the premier gossips of Meryton.”
Miss Darcy laughed softly. “Which means that if you make another ill impression, our cousins shall certainly hear of it!”
Mr. Darcy gave a bow of his head. “I could not possibly give them the satisfaction, though I hope Miss Elizabeth shall find me a satisfactory partner.”
Elizabeth was beginning to fear that she would do just that. She was relieved when Mrs. Jennings announced that it was time for their departure, for Mr. Darcy’s civility required the ponderance afforded by the privacy of her bedchamber.
After discussing the evening with her sister, and the strong possibility that Mrs. Ferrars knew enough of Jane’s inheritance to think of her for Edward Ferrars, Jane admonished Elizabeth a little for her prickliness.
Elizabeth took her sister’s words to heart, for though she had not told Jane much of her conversation with Mr. Darcy, she laid awake in her bed for above an hour considering the wretched possibility of Mr. Darcy proving to be as agreeable a friend as his sister.