Chapter Fifteen #2
Robbie’s mouth snapped shut, but then he declared, “You are all so beautiful. Maybe it is not safe for any of you to go to the dance tonight. I do not want any gentleman to steal you away.”
Robbie’s serious tone caused Mr. Bennet to chuckle at his comment.
Mary asked, what seemed to her, a pertinent question. “Robbie, why are you still up? Should you not be in bed?”
Robbie threw out his chest and stood as tall as his height allowed. “Papa said I could see you off.” He then turned to his father. “Are you sure you want my sisters to go to a dance with so many gentlemen present. I don’t want any of them to marry and leave home. I like having them here.”
Mr. Bennet rubbed the top of his son’s head. “Do not worry. It will take more than a dance to win your sisters’ affections. Now, you have seen your sisters, and it is time for you to go to bed.” Addressing Tiddle, he said, “I expect you to see young Master Robbie safely to his room.”
Tiddle just nodded, grasped Robbie’s hand, and led him up the stairs.
All three of his sisters smiled at him as he left, and Robbie returned their smiles.
“Come,” Mr. Bennet said, “we do not wish to be late.”
The hall was filled with Lizzy’s friends and neighbors.
Before long, Lizzy heard the fiddlers indicating the start of the first dance.
She then saw Jamie Lucas approaching her for the first dance.
She quickly whispered to Charlotte, “Maybe our new neighbors have decided we were not high enough in society for them to attend this evening.”
“Hush, Eliza,” Charlotte retorted with a smile.
Jamie Lucas held out his hand. “Miss Elizabeth?”
Lizzy smiled, took his hand, and allowed him to lead her out onto the floor.
As always, Lizzy enjoyed her time with Jamie.
He knew she only enjoyed intellectual conversations, so he never talked down to her.
Just as the dance ended, she noticed the main doors opening and a young man with an attractive lady on his arm walked into the hall.
Behind him trailed another couple, slightly older than him, and finally a third much taller gentleman.
It took only a moment for Lizzy to realize she knew the last gentleman, and that if she was not careful, he might reveal information about her that only a select the elder landowners knew.
To avoid being seen by the gentleman, Lizzy turned her steps away from him and toward the farthest side of the hall from the front door.
Jamie never questioned her actions; he just allowed her to lead the way.
Thinking quickly, Lizzy realized she would have to find a way to stop the gentleman from showing marked recognition of her.
Lizzy first thought was to use power to stop him from saying anything; however, her familiarity with the skill was still new.
She had used it only once before to stop Lydia from making a comment about Lizzy’s skill with wards.
Of all her sisters, Lydia seemed the least able to keep secrets; that was until Lizzy learned a useful way to weave silence around Lydia’s conversations.
Anytime she began to say something she should not, her tongue was bound so she could not speak.
When she realized her mistake, then her tongue unbound allowing her to say only what was allowed.
‘Maybe,’ she thought, ‘I could bind Mr. Darcy’s tongue in the same manner.’
When she again looked in the gentleman’s direction, she realized she need not say anything for the gentleman was accompanied by Rowan.
His brownie would stop Mr. Darcy from revealing her secret.
As she peered closed to the area around the newcomers, Lizzy saw Butterbell whispering to Rowan, assuring her she had nothing to fear from the gentleman.
With the situation resolved, Lizzy made her way over toward her parents. Lizzy had just reached them as Sir William was bringing the newcomers over for a formal introduction to the Bennet family. Lizzy noticed even Mary stood alongside their parents.
“Mr. and Mrs. Bennet,” Sir William began, “I am pleased to introduce you to Mr. Bingley’s family and friend.
” Beginning with the young lady beside Mr. Bingley, Sir William said, “This is Miss Caroline Bingley, Mr. Bingley’s younger sister, and this is Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Hurst. Mrs. Hurst is Mr. Bingley’s older sister.
” He then turned to Mr. Darcy saying, “This gentleman is Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, Mr. Bingley’s friend.
” Sir William then indicated Mr. Bennet.
“I believe you have already met Mr. Bennet.”
“Yes. It was a pleasure meeting you, sir,” Mr. Bingley replied.
“Allow me to introduce may family,” Mr. Bennet began. “This is my lovely wife Mrs. Bennet, and these three charming young ladies are my eldest daughters. Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary.”
Lizzy noticed immediately that Mr. Bingley kept his eyes focused on Jane while the introductions were made. As soon as they finished, he asked, “Miss Bennet, may I secure your next available dance?”
Smiling back at the gentleman, Jane replied, “Yes, my fourth set is available.”
“Thank you,” was all the response allowed, for the next set was beginning to form.
“Miss Elizabeth,” Mr. Darcy said softly. “May I secure your next available dance?”
Lizzy smiled at the gentleman. “I believe I am free for this set, if it meets with your approval.”
“Yes,” was the gentleman’s simple reply as he held out his arm for her to take.
From the corner of her eye, Lizzy saw a frown appearing on Miss Bingley’s lips.
Walking beside the couple, Rowan looked up at Lizzy. “She want him for self. I not allow.”
Lizzy only just refrained from laughing.
As the two stood facing each other, Darcy began, “I wish to thank you on my sister’s behalf . . .”
Lizzy immediately cut him off, “Not here, Mr. Darcy. There are those unaware of certain knowledge, and I wish to keep it that way.”
“Yes, I understand,” Darcy replied just as the music started. It took some moments before the dance allowed him to ask, “Might we meet somewhere to speak privately?”
In a serious tone, Lizzy replied, “Would that not seem inappropriate?”
Lizzy managed to retain a serious expression until Darcy nodded his head, and then she let a small laugh escape.
With a look of surprise, Darcy said, “I believe you are teasing me.”
“Yes,” Lizzy laughed again, but slightly louder. “I could not help myself.” She them became a little more serious. “As to your request, I do take early morning walks, and I generally end up on Oakham Mount.”
Seeing Darcy’s questioning look just before they separated, Lizzy waited until they came back together and then added, “From Netherfield, if you look to the southwest, you will see a high rise. That is Oakham Mount.”
“I believe I can remember those directions,” Darcy replied with a smile.
“How are you finding Netherfield?”
They separated once again, but upon joining back up, Darcy replied, “Rowan informs me that Netherfield has a household of brownies.”
“Yes. When the owner of the home moved to another estate he inherited, he informed the brownies to remain at Netherfield since it has been their home for hundreds of years. The brownies have continued to serve the house even during times when the house has been leased. Of course, how they treat the tenants of the house depends upon how they are treated.”
“I fear Miss Bingley will not recognize the presence of the brownies. She has already complained about the lack of outlandish decorations in the house.”
“Outlandish?” Lizzy questioned.
“Miss Bingley believes every house she resides in should be lavishly decorated with the latest fashion preferred by the peerage in London. This means the walls would be decorated with paper that would look better if it remained in the warehouse it was purchased from, the comfort and usability of the furniture would be questionable, and the ornaments ostentatious,” Darcy explained just before moved apart again.
Darcy found the lady’s smile bright and pleasing when they once again came together.
Lizzy then offered a warning. “If I might suggest, advise Miss Bingley it could be unpleasant to offend the brownies who live in the house. I happen to know they will retaliate if they feel insulted, especially when it concerns their home and the care they provide for it.”
“I completely understand,” Darcy replied. “I remember a visitor to Pemberley telling my mother how the smell of dust offended her senses. She suggested my mother reprimand the maids for a poor job of cleaning. The lady, unbeknownst to her, left with a large stain on the back of her gown.”
Lizzy stifled her laughter before being able to reply. “Netherfield’s brownies like to take personal items and hide them in unusual places. Something you might remember if Miss Bingley complains of missing jewelry or other items.”
Just then, the dance ended, and Darcy escorted Lizzy to her sister before bowing and requesting a dance of Miss Bennet, who gladly offered him the set after Bingley.
Jane and Lizzy had only moments to comment on the gentleman’s fine behavior before their next partners came to claim them.
The rest of the evening passed quickly, and Lizzy was surprised to see Mr. Bingley requesting her sister’s last dance since it would be the second one they shared.