13. Chapter Thirteen
After five successive days of rain, the day of the ball dawned with clear blue skies, not a rain cloud nor an unwelcome visitor from Kent in sight. To Elizabeth’s delight, Mr. Collins had begun to spend the majority of his waking hours with the Lucas family, braving the unrelenting rain by wearing one of Papa’s large oilskin capes to keep dry and warm as he walked the half mile to Lucas Lodge. She would not be surprised if Charlotte emerged from these daily visitations with a betrothal in hand. The marriage would prove beneficial to them both. Charlotte, because she wished to have her own home and family, and Mr. Collins because he needed someone with common sense to guide him in life.
As the evening approached, there was a general sense of excitement and anticipation on the part of the Bennet women, who, along with their lady’s maid, ensured their gowns were pristine and shoe roses firmly affixed. Baths were taken, hairs were braided and interwoven with ribbons, flowers, or pearls, and perfumes were dabbed in discreet locations to present a subtle aura of femininity.
Mr. Bennet shrugged into his elegantly embroidered waistcoat, patted the pocket of his dinner jacket to ensure his favorite pipe tobacco was present, and went downstairs to await his ladies.
He did not have to tarry long, and from the smile that graced his face, Elizabeth knew her Papa was proud of them all. Kitty and Lydia had draped themselves over the balustrade and watched them gather near the door, carefully putting on their capes and outdoor shoes.
“‘Tis not fair.” Lydia lamented for what seemed the hundredth time. “I wish I could come and watch you dance the night away.”
Mamma glanced up and blew her youngest daughter a kiss.
“Your time will come, Lyddie.”
“I still have three years to wait!” she cried out in frustration.
“How old were your sisters when they came out?” Papa asked, showing no sign of impatience at his youngest’s familiar refrain of having to wait her turn. “They did not come out until they were eighteen. You shall not be allowed any favoritism, my dear girl.”
“Patience is a virtue, Lydia,” Mary admonished.
“I know. I just do not like it, not when you all look like fairy princesses.”
Jane held out her hand and beckoned both girls to come down to where they had gathered in the foyer. As usual, Lydia reached her first and took Jane’s hand in hers. Kitty trailed behind and waited silently.
Elizabeth watched as her eldest sister carefully reached up to her elegant coiffure, removing two small roses. She gave each girl a flower and kissed them on the cheek.
“Hold these close and dream of the ball. Tomorrow morning, I shall tell you everything that happened and what everybody’s dress looked like.”
“Thank you, Janie,” Kitty whispered.
“Time is marching on, ladies,” Papa called out. “If we wish to avoid a long line of carriages, we should leave now.”
He held out his arm for Mamma and escorted her into their comfortable equipage before handing up his daughters, who took the rear-facing seats. He then climbed in next to his wife, and even though it was dark, Elizabeth could see, from the full moon’s light, he was very proud of them all.
Elizabeth and Jane, alongside the viscount and Mr. Darcy, were engaged in pleasant conversation while the ballroom filled with guests. When the influx of people had dwindled substantially, Mr. Bingley was able to leave the receiving line and join them. Upon espying Jane standing next to the viscount, he approached with a wide smile on his face.
“Miss Hamilton, I am so glad you waited for me. Would you honor me with the first set of dances to open the ball?”
“My first set is already spoken for,” she replied in her soft voice.
“Oh…”
Elizabeth noted that Mr. Bingley had a perplexed look about him, as though he had not expected anyone but himself to ask her sister for one of the premiere sets.
“Dare I request your second set, or have all your dances been spoken for by the gentlemen in Meryton?”
His tone betrayed a touch of unexpected belligerence and twin flags of color rose on Jane’s cheeks, a sure sign of burgeoning anger. Elizabeth thought Mr. Bingley had better tread lightly, or he would receive a blistering set down from her normally placid sister.
“My dance card is not yet full… sir. The fourth is available.”
Mr. Bingley’s face paled at Jane’s subtle chastisement and he turned to Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, may I entreat you to open my ball with me?”
“Forgive me, Mr. Bingley, my first set is already spoken for.”
“I see,” was all he said before he gave them all a curt bow and strode across the room toward his sisters.
When the musicians began playing the opening chords of the first set, Mr. Bingley was seen escorting Miss Bingley to the head of the line. Jane and the viscount were paired next to the surly brother and pouting sister as Viscount Ashton was the highest-ranked gentleman in the room. Poor Jane, Elizabeth commiserated silently for her sister. It would be a miserable two half-hours, seeing as their primary exchange partners were disgruntled siblings. Even though she and Darcy were third down the line and part of their triple minor set, there was nothing they could do to alleviate their suffering. But she could smile at her partner, which is what she did for the entirety of their dance.
Once the set was finished, Mr. Darcy escorted her to the terrace doors. They did not go outside, choosing to enjoy the soft breeze wafting in through one of the opened doors.
“I wish I did not have to leave for Town on the morrow,” he said while holding her hand as they faced the room and waited for Elizabeth’s next partner to escort her to the dance floor. “I also wish I had all your dances tonight. I do not want to share you with anyone.”
“Think of it as penance for how I will feel on the tenth of this month when you will be dancing with beautiful women at Lady Kildair’s ball.”
“For you, I shall frolic about the ballroom with only ugly matrons.”
She laughed gaily at his teasing.
“If you choose that route, please ensure their dance is a pleasant one. Gentlemen do not understand the plight of women who are not handsome. They love music and dancing just as much as the pretty girls but are so often overlooked. Beauty is more than what the human eye can see.”
Darcy lifted her hand and pressed it against his mouth.
“You, my dear, are beautiful on the surface and in your soul. I shall treasure you, always.”
“I will take our cousin’s hand now.” Ashton interrupted their flirting and grinned when Darcy flushed a dull red. “Although I am exceedingly glad you make my dour cousin happy, dear Elizabeth, we are in public and he must behave the gentleman.”
Elizabeth took her fan and tapped the viscount on his forearm.
“You are not one to talk, dear Viscount. You forget that sisters talk and share secrets…”
She did not finish the sentence, satisfied that his shade of dull red, which had crept up on his cheeks was punishment enough.
“Do not cross swords with Elizabeth,” Darcy cautioned. “She is an excellent swordswoman when it comes to repartee.”
“So, I have learned,” Ashton said and tilted his head toward the dance floor while extending his arm for escort. “Shall we?”
“With pleasure, Viscount Ashton.”
Jane watched the viscount escort her sister onto the dance floor and felt a rush of pleasure at how well the two of them got along. She had much to think about, having promised to give him an answer to his question.
“Miss Hamilton, I believe this set is ours.”
Mr. Samuel Goulding stood before her and she smiled.
“It is, Mr. Goulding.”
Her next set was with Colonel Forster and then the fourth arrived along with Mr. Bingley. They stepped onto the dance floor, and as the music swelled, she felt his hand on her waist, guiding her through the elegant steps. He was a natural dancer and she could not deny he was also a charming and effortless partner. He moved with grace and always wore a pleasant smile that put everyone at ease. Yet, something held her back from fully opening up to him. Maybe it was because of his unbearable sisters, whom she could never seem to get along with. Or perhaps it was the feeling that he was hiding his true self beneath a cheerful fa?ade. Whatever the reason, she knew her decision was made and longed for the dance to end.
“Miss Hamilton, might I have a moment of your time before the next set forms?”
“Certainly, Mr. Bingley.”
Jane followed him into an adjoining room, whereupon they both took a seat on one of the many couches and chairs scattered about. Mr. Bingley took her gloved hands in his and looked confidently into her eyes.
“My attentions have been too marked to be mistaken. Almost as soon as I entered the assembly and we were introduced, I singled you out as the companion of my future life,” he began, taking a deep breath. “I want to marry and with my wealth, I could have anyone. However, I have decided on you, my dear Miss Hamilton. Caroline pushes for me to marry someone with a title. The Duke of K____ is struggling financially and while he would gladly accept an infusion of cash into his dwindling funds, I desire an attractive bride who will give me handsome children. Luckily, your beauty is unquestionable, making you the perfect choice for my wife.”
Stunned beyond belief, Jane could scarcely believe her ears. Mr. Bingley looked at her as nothing more than a beautiful broodmare. Fury, molten and hot, flowed through her veins.
“We shall, of course, remove to London for the high season—”
“Stop speaking, Mr. Bingley.”
“I have not finished my proposal.”
“Your so-called proposal was over before you even started, sir.” Jane stood and smoothed down her skirt while Bingley scrambled hastily to his feet. “Fortunately for you, there are many beautiful women who are willing to sell themselves to the highest bidder for security. I am not one of them.”
“And this is all the reply which I am to have the honor of expecting! I might, perhaps, wish to be informed why, with so little endeavor at civility, I am thus rejected.”
“I might as well enquire,” Jane replied. “What evidence was there of you courting me? Not once, in the entire time since you first made my acquaintance, have you graced Longbourn with your presence for the sole purpose of seeking my company. I cannot recall a single instance where you attended to request a courtship, nor any attempt to nurture my good opinion. So please, Mr. Bingley, enlighten me again as to why you thought I anxiously awaited your proposal?”
“Suitors do not hang from the trees in this part of Hertfordshire, Miss Hamilton. You should take into consideration that despite your unparalleled beauty, it is by no means certain another offer of marriage may ever be made to you. Even with your tenuous connections to the Fitzwilliam family name, few suitors will bother to look past the fact your father was Longbourn’s rector. All of these circumstances undo the effects of your loveliness and amiable qualifications.” Bingley took a step toward her. “We are quite alone, Miss Hamilton, with no chaperone in sight. I have compromised you and we shall have to marry.”
“I can weather the gossip, Mr. Bingley. Can you? Also, we have never been alone.”
At the gentleman’s look of confusion, Jane tilted her head in the direction of the drawing room’s entrance. In the doorframe stood her guard, who glared at her erstwhile suitor.
“Brooks, will you please escort this gentleman back to his sister.”
Mr. Bingley looked as though he had something more to say, then shut his mouth so hard, that his teeth clacked. Surprisingly, he gave Jane a very polite half-bow before turning to walk out of the room, followed by the hulking footman.
“Good riddance,” came from the darkened corner of the room.
Jane swung around at the sound of a familiar voice.
“Viscount Ashton!”
That gentleman shifted in his seat and peered around the back of a chair that faced the fireplace.
“You have been here this whole time and did not once think to offer aid?” she scolded in a teasing manner as he unfolded his lanky form from the stiff wingback chair. “I was at the mercy of a licentious rake while you napped.”
“My dear Lady Jane, you were never at risk.” With each word, he advanced a step closer until he stopped directly in front of her. “Even if your faithful guard or I had not been in attendance, you would have eviscerated the pup and then calmly called for someone to clean up the mess.”
“You think so little of me?”
“I admire you more than words can express. You always comport yourself with grace and good manners. Bingley has no idea how lucky he is that you spared what little feelings he possesses.”
“I admit I was tempted to channel Elizabeth and flay him with words before sending him back to his sisters.”
Ashton chuckled softly then his face took on a somber hue.
“Darcy and I must cut our connection with Bingley.”
“Must you? He did not compromise me.”
The viscount took her hand in his and raised it to his lips. As the two of them slowly exited the drawing room, he explained what Bingley bragged about the night prior while playing billiards.
“It is the main reason I quit the ballroom during your set with Bingley. I hoped to receive a positive answer to my proposal but was riddled with doubt that you might care more for him than me. I could not bear to watch you dance with him.”
By this time, they had reached the entrance to the ballroom and instinctively paused.
“Dare I hope you will gift me the pleasure of your company for the supper set?” he asked.
“Dare I hope you will gift me the pleasure of your company for the rest of my life?” she answered and held her breath for his reply.
He spun her around to face him properly, not caring if anyone saw them in the doorway.
“Are you saying what I think?”
“Yes,” she whispered and nodded at the same time, her eyes welling with tears of joy.
He snagged her small hand in his and pulled her back into the drawingroom they had so recently vacated.
“I know I asked this question before, but will happily repeat it for the fact I wish for us to have no misunderstanding.” Still in possession of her hand, he brought it up to his chest and placed it over his heart. “Jane Amelia Hamilton Bennet, will you be the caretaker of my heart? Will you be my wife, my lover, and the mother of my children?”
“Yes,” was all she said, and gave a small squeal when he picked her up and twirled around. The second her feet touched the ground he gathered her in his arms and kissed her properly.
“I love you, Jane. You have made me the happiest of men.”
Within the warm circle of his arms, she rested her head against his chest and listened to the beat of her love’s heart.
“I love you as well, Edmund. I should not have put off giving my answer.”
He gently lifted her chin with his finger, guiding her gaze upwards to meet his own.
“You did nothing wrong. Marriage is a serious business, not something to rush into. If you had chosen Bingley…” He drew her in close when she tried to lean back in protest. “I would have let you go and tried to be happy for your sake alone.”
Now she did pull away and frowned.
“You would have let me go and tried to be happy?”
He held her gaze for only a few seconds.
“I lied,” he finally whispered. “I would have stalked you to the ends of the earth and back. You are mine, Jane Hamilton. Bingley can go to the devil.”