Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
T here was an assembly the following Tuesday, and with it the usual number of preparations and expectations of amusement at Longbourn, although Lydia was not quite as enthusiastic as she usually was.
“I long to go to a private ball!” she complained that afternoon. “I have never been to one, and it would be so elegant. Jane, when is Mr Bingley going to propose? Once you are married, you must have a ball at Netherfield!”
Elizabeth reprimanded her while comforting Jane, who blushed and, in her stoic silence, showed how much she was affected by the question. Elizabeth then took Jane by the hand and led her from the parlour to her bedchamber.
Sitting together on the bed, Elizabeth enveloped her sister’s hand in her own. “I am sorry.”
Jane gave her a soft smile. “You did nothing wrong.”
“The events in my life have intruded on the progress of your romance with Mr Bingley. We are doing everything we can to bring about some sense of peace. It is working, and I am confident Darcy and I shall soon set a wedding date. I anticipate Mr Bingley will then lose all patience and decide he cannot wait to secure his own future happiness.”
As earlier, Jane blushed, this time her cheeks becoming almost red. “We have spoken of it, and he says he and Mr Darcy have as well. Mr Bingley and I understand each other, and I am in complete agreement with his feelings about… that matter. I am so sad for Mr Darcy and his sister, and for you, my dearest Lizzy, that you have had this disruption to your happiness. I pray the worst of it will be behind you soon.”
By coincidence, the Bennets arrived at the assembly rooms at the same time as the Netherfield party did, which meant they were able to enter together, with Darcy escorting Elizabeth, and Jane with her hand on Mr Bingley’s arm.
“Tell me again why this is the first I am seeing of you today?” Darcy whispered to her.
She looked at his handsome face and sighed. “Something to do with other people and not a wish to be apart.”
“Never that!” Darcy glanced over his shoulder, and Elizabeth did likewise. Mr Wickham and Georgiana were not far behind them. “We sat together quite comfortably for most of the afternoon. Georgiana spoke more freely than she has in weeks, Wickham added a few words, and I do not believe he scowled once. My cousin played his part perfectly. He has moved on to being merely suspicious.”
“Not with your sister, I hope?”
Darcy shook his head. “But let us forget about them for now, shall we? Which sets have you saved for me? ”
“The first and fourth. I thought we might speak to my father for a few minutes. Just before dinner, he told me that he wanted to”—she lowered her voice in imitation of Mr Bennet—“‘have a conversation with that young man of yours’. I believe he is finally prepared?—”
“Where is he?” Darcy began to look about the room eagerly. “I see him. Make haste, my love, lest he change his mind again!”
Elizabeth laughed, and Darcy led her towards her father.
“Ah, Mr Darcy,” Mr Bennet said when they reached him. “Dare I guess why you and my daughter have rushed over to me?”
Elizabeth shook her head, giving him a fond expression; her previous vexation with him was at an end, because her fondest wish was about to come true. “You know why. Please, may we dispense with the teasing for long enough for you to admit you have no objections—” She stopped speaking when he patted her arm and shook his head.
“Sir,” Darcy said, “while I acknowledge this might not be the best place for this discussion, I have provided you with?—”
“All the necessary documents to assure me you will take good care of Lizzy,” Mr Bennet interjected. To her, he added, “I know I told you earlier that I thought he and I should have a conversation, but I have changed my mind.”
Beside her, she felt Darcy stiffen, but she knew her father well enough to see that he had not changed his mind—not about what truly mattered to her. She fixed him with a look and said, “You only wish to avoid talking about it here. Let us be done with it. Then we shall leave you to enjoy the assembly as best you can.”
“If you promise not to speak to your mother of it until tomorrow.” She nodded, and he continued. “You may make arrangements to wed. I assume we all expect Mr Bingley to come to the point with Jane at last and you will want to share the day. I believe the week after Christmas would be suitable.”
Elizabeth clasped Darcy’s hand and smiled at him. She was certain her joy was visible to everyone about them—and if not hers, then Darcy’s was. He grinned, and his eyes were full of love; he was seldom willing to show his feelings so much unless they were alone.
He glanced at her father and said, “Thank you, Mr Bennet.”
“I trust you will continue to manage that situation with the utmost care.” He surreptitiously gestured to where Georgiana and Mr Wickham stood, the latter apparently observing them closely.
“I certainly shall,” Darcy said.
“Good. Well, off with you. Take what gaiety you can from this evening’s entertainment. Let us hope none of our relations contributes to it inappropriately.” Mr Bennet nodded and wandered towards his friends.
Alone, Darcy grasped both of Elizabeth’s hands, and she tilted her head upwards to look into his beloved visage. “Suddenly, I hardly notice that anyone else is here. Would that we were alone!”
“The music for the first set is starting. When a moment arises, you must tell Mr Bingley.” Softening her tone, she added, “I love you.”
He mouthed the words in return.
“You seem particularly pleased. Whatever could be the meaning of it?” Mr Wickham said harshly.
Both she and Darcy started and turned to confront him. Elizabeth had not noticed him approaching. Georgiana was still at his side; her chin was lowered .
“Ask Darcy tomorrow, and he will tell you,” Elizabeth said. She linked her arm with his. “We are going to dance.”
Mr Wickham made a noise that sounded both exasperated and annoyed. The fingers of one hand drummed against his leg. “Perhaps you would be so good as to save a set for me?” he asked Elizabeth.
How I wish I could say no! “Thank you. My third set is free.”
“Georgiana, will you dance?” Darcy said.
“My wife has no intention of dancing tonight,” Mr Wickham said sharply.
“Georgiana?”
“I said—” Wickham began, only for his wife to interject.
“I-I could not. Not in front of all these people. Fitzwilliam asked me, as did Mr Bingley, and I told them the same.”
“Very well,” Darcy said. “If you like, we can spend that time together. You are aware of how little I like to dance, other than with those I know well. I would much rather keep you company.”
“But you will ask at least one or two other ladies, will you not?” Elizabeth gave him a teasing smile, hoping to further ease the awkwardness Mr Wickham had created.
“Yes, my love,” Darcy said in an exaggeratedly henpecked tone.
Georgiana giggled softly. Elizabeth did not look at Mr Wickham to see what he made of the exchange. Instead, she encouraged the couple to have fun and led Darcy to the lines.