Chapter 12 Belles of the Ball
A couple of days later, Mrs Carleton again visited Gardiner House, this time bearing an invitation to a ball.
‘It was most fortuitous,’ she declared once she was ensconced in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea.
‘I had been shopping, and feeling absolutely parched, I stopped off at Gunter’s.
And who should be the first person I saw.
Cecilia Ashcroft. She is a cousin of Deveril’s on his father’s side.
Of course, she invited me to join her and when I told her of our lovely cousins, she invited us all to her ball on Thursday. ’
She beamed at the ladies. ‘You did say that all your dresses have been delivered and surely you had some ballgowns made up…’
Mrs Gardiner rolled her eyes at the enthusiasm of the lady. ‘Yes, we have one or two gowns.’ As a matter of fact, the girls had half a dozen gowns each. ‘And I believe that we are free on Thursday. Unlike on Friday when we will attend the opera.’
‘Oh dear. It is too bad that we already have plans for Friday, but feel free to use our box,’ said Amelia, momentarily side tracked, before she returned to the reason for her visit.
‘But can I let Cecilia know that you will attend her ball with us? That reminds me. We have room in our carriage and would be delighted to convey one of you girls to save your gowns being crushed since there is plenty of space in ours.’
The Bennet sisters and their aunt capitulated in the face of such determination.
~T~
On Thursday the servants at Gardiner House were busy heating enough water for everyone to have baths before dressing in their new finery.
The sisters were thrilled to wear their lovely new silk gowns for the first time.
The previous day Mrs Carleton had arrived to help choose the dresses.
‘While the Ashcroft Ball is important it is not the most important function of the season,’ she explained.
‘Therefore, save your best gowns for another night.’
As it was, Jane was stunning in pale blue, Elizabeth in a soft green and Mary in pale peach. Each of the gowns had accents in the same colour but darker shades.
The experiments and practice the maids had had in the previous weeks paid off when they created elegant and deceptively simple hair styles.
Once they were dressed, they gathered in Jane’s sitting room, where they were joined by their aunt and uncle.
Mr Gardiner smiled when he saw his nieces. ‘I always knew that you were beautiful, but tonight you exceeded all my expectations.’ He lifted a hand in which he carried three boxes. ‘I have brought something to add a final touch to gild the lilies.’
He passed one box each to the sisters who gasped as they opened their box. Each contained a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and a ring.
‘I cannot possibly accept this,’ gasped Jane. ‘These must have cost you a fortune.
‘They did not cost me a penny. All this jewellery belonged to Aunt Mary. I have been keeping it safe for you girls.’ He smiled apologetically at Mary. ‘Normally I would have chosen rubies to complement your outfit, but because of your age, pearls are more appropriate.’
‘I much prefer pearls. They are warmer than rubies,’ Mary replied honestly.
‘In that case, let me help you,’ offered Mrs Gardiner.
As Mr Gardiner had not bought them but only passed on Aunt Mary’s largesse, Jane and Elizabeth accepted the sapphires and emeralds respectively.
When Mrs Gardiner fastened the clasp of Elizabeth’s necklace, her niece said, ‘You knew about this, did you not? That was why you chose those hairpins for us.’
‘I could not very well let you go to your first ball with mismatched jewellery, now, could I?’
The sisters bestowed heartfelt thanks and embraces on their pleased relatives.
~T~
The residence on Portman Square was lit with a plethora of torches when the two carriages pulled to a stop. The gentlemen exited first and helped the ladies disembark.
Jane, who had been conveyed by the Carletons had been surprised to discover that James Deveril was also in the carriage. Mrs Carleton’s innocent expression notwithstanding, Jane became even more suspicious when his ensemble also featured blue accents.
There was no chance to speak privately on the short carriage ride, but Deveril did not miss the opportunity to request the first set from Jane which she was happy to grant.
Jane had enjoyed his conversation at the family dinner but was cautious about considering that he could have any interest in her.
But no matter what his intentions, she was prepared to enjoy his company.
Elizabeth quirked a questioning eyebrow at Jane on their arrival but did not have a chance to talk to her sister as Mr Carleton offered his second arm to her, while Mr Gardiner escorted his wife and Mary into the house, following the Carletons. Jane and James brought up the rear of their party.
~T~
Mr Carleton introduced the Gardiners and the Bennet sisters as his cousins to Lord and Lady Ashcroft, who reciprocated by calling two of their nephews who were hovering nearby.
Peter and Marcus Ashcroft had initially been reluctant to be pressed into service to dance with Mr Carleton’s cousins.
That reluctance evaporated the moment they laid eyes on the ladies.
The two young men were delighted to be introduced to the sisters and immediately requested the first set from Elizabeth and Mary, after one look at Deveril convinced them not to ask Jane for that particular set.
As the party moved towards the ballroom, Lady Ashcroft murmured to her husband, ‘I believe the duchess will be pleased to hear that unlike her step-son, at least her son will continue the family name.’ When Lord Ashcroft quirked his brow at her, she added, ‘I can recognise that look. The boy is hooked, and she does not even realise it.’
‘Ah, well. He can afford a gentlewoman without a title and with a small fortune. And my cousin will be only too delighted that he is thinking of settling down to worry about anything else.’
~T~
The Carletons and their guests mingled with the other guests and introduced the sisters. The Gardiners were already familiar with quite a few of the attendees since many of them invested with Gardiner.
When Mrs Carleton introduced the sisters to Lady Sefton, another of her dear friends, the lady took one look at them and exclaimed, ‘Where have you been hiding these lovely creatures. It has been years since I have seen such beauty, elegance, and poise.’ She addressed the sisters.
‘You may be sure that I will send you vouchers for Almack’s. ’
‘You are much too kind, Lady Sefton,’ demurred Jane.
Elizabeth fought hard to maintain a pleasant smile instead of grinning at Jane’s civility.
While it was a feather in their cap to be admitted to that exclusive institution, they had heard about the insipid company, as well as the bland tea and the brown bread and butter which were served at their balls.
Neither Elizabeth nor her sisters had any inclination to attend.
‘Nonsense, you shall be the brightest spark at our next ball,’ Lady Sefton insisted before moving on to speak to another friend.
Even though Jane and her sisters were not particularly interested in the festivities at Almack’s, the attention paid to them by Lady Sefton had not gone unnoticed. By the time the first set started, most of their dances were spoken for.
Deveril claimed one set with each of the other sisters; the supper set with Elizabeth and the last set with Mary.
Jane caused quite a stir when the dancing started. There were whispers of, ‘Deveril never dances the first set,’ amongst many of the onlookers. The gentleman so discussed ignored the whispers and the looks, instead he focused his most charming smile on his dance partner.
Jane did notice the attention they received and when the opportunity presented itself, she asked, ‘Why is everyone watching us?’
Deveril’s smile deepened and took on a slightly mischievous cast. ‘Because I never dance the first set. And to save you asking… it is because I have no wish to raise expectations.’
‘Are you not concerned that this departure from your usual habits will raise expectations?’
‘I certainly hope so.’
’You…’ gasped Jane before she regained her countenance. ‘But we have only just met.’
‘And I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation we shared. But now is perhaps not the best time to discuss this topic. Would you be agreeable to my calling on you tomorrow? Now that I know where to find you…’
Jane tilted her head as she considered the request and the requester.
Despite his light tone and bland smile, there was a look in his eyes which was…
pleading? Whatever it was, Jane could not resist. She wanted the opportunity to become better acquainted with this interesting and handsome man.
‘I would be pleased to have you call on me.’
~T~
By the time Elizabeth danced the supper set with Deveril, all the sisters had full dance cards.
‘This ball is very different from the assemblies at Meryton,’ she commented to her dance partner.
‘How so? In my experience balls are much the same wherever they occur.’
‘The difference is that there is a lack of gentlemen in our neighbourhood. As a consequence, unlike tonight when there appear to be more gentlemen than ladies, we ladies are forced to sit out a set or two at each function to give everyone a chance to dance.’
‘It is very gracious of you and your sisters to relinquish those dances to other ladies.’
‘You do not think that we are being slighted by men?’
‘Indeed not. I cannot imagine any man preferring to dance with other ladies when you are present.’
‘I thank you, sir, for this flattery, although I think you were speaking about my sister.’
‘I will admit to a certain partiality but that does not detract that you and Miss Mary are equally as beautiful. But more important in my opinion are your characters.’
‘In that case you are a most unusual gentleman.’ Elizabeth gave him her most impertinent smile. She was exceedingly pleased that Mr Deveril appeared more interested in Jane’s kindness and character than her outward beauty.
Her estimate was confirmed when he said, ‘I believe that outward beauty fades whereas inner beauty not only remains but grows with the years. While I think that Miss Bennet is one of the most exquisitely beautiful ladies I have ever met, I find her conversation to be even more attractive.’
’If you find her conversation stimulating, I am surprised that you did not request her supper set.’
‘I did not wish to make her uncomfortable by requesting two sets, but I did wish to dance the first with her.’ He gave her a mischievous smile. ‘I also thought that there was a good chance that you would wish to sit near your sister during supper…’
‘So, asking me for the supper set was simply a means to an end,’ huffed Elizabeth in mock indignation, while inwardly cheering for her sister that this interesting man was showing a marked preference for her, yet also considered Jane’s comfort.
‘I should punish you for using me so poorly and sit as far away from Jane as possible.’
‘Would you truly be so cruel? I had thought you to be all kindness and compassion,’ Deveril said mournfully even though a smile tugged at his lips.
‘Oh, well. Since you appeal to my better nature…’
~T~
Deveril was not the only admirer of the sisters. Elizabeth and Mary also had their fair share of gentlemen who requested permission to call on them.
While neither Elizabeth nor Mary felt any particular regard for any of them, they were prepared to become better acquainted with them with a view towards potential friendships.
By the end of the ball several sets of parents were starting to make enquiries about the newcomers who had taken the interest of so many of the available gentlemen.
Invitations would soon be forthcoming for the Gardiners and the Bennet sisters.
~T~
The following day Deveril did call on Jane.
Mrs Gardiner, Elizabeth, and Mary were content to converse amongst themselves and allow Jane and Deveril just enough privacy for their own discussion.
After several minutes of general but still enjoyable conversation, Deveril told Jane, ‘I must confess that my reason for visiting today is partly to deliver an apology.’
‘An apology? I cannot recall anything which would require my forgiveness.’
He sighed and gave a small shrug. ‘My apology is for what I am about to do. You see, I received a letter this morning which obliges me to leave town for a week or so to deal with some family business. But I was afraid that unless I let you know that I am seriously interested in getting to know you better, you would think me inconstant. While I of course respect that you have many options and are free to make your own choices, I hoped that you would be willing to become better acquainted with myself when I return.’
‘You did not know about this yesterday, before you raised the expectations of your friends?’
‘I swear that if I had known about this business yesterday, I would have been more subtle. But that ship has sailed. The only option now is to be even more obvious. Therefore, if you are agreeable to seeing me again, I plan to stop at my club and bemoan the need to leave town just when I had met a lady whose interest and good opinion I would like to gain.’
Jane had spent much of the time since the ball thinking about Deveril and wondering how she could have become so enamoured with him on such short acquaintance, as well as hoping that the feeling and interest was not one-sided.
While she would have liked to keep this circumstance more private, she understood that it was necessary to forgo that privacy to stop any rumours about her being jilted.
‘What if I do not agree?’
‘Then I will go to my club and bemoan the fact that you have no interest in me and the only reason you danced the first set with me was because you did not wish to sit out the rest of the evening.’
‘You would do that?’
‘Since I was the one who has put you into this uncomfortable position, it is only right that I should do everything in my power to ensure that no censure falls to you.’
‘Well, Mr Deveril, in that case, I wish you have a successful journey, and I hope to see you immediately upon your return.’
Jane was rewarded with a brilliant smile. ‘Thank you. I shall hasten back.’
~T~