Chapter Three #2
“We should return to the ballroom,” he said. “Would you do me the honor of being my partner for a set? We might become better acquainted.”
***
Miss Elizabeth Bennet was light and graceful on her feet. Darcy was pleased to discover that standing up with her was not a chore. For the beginning notes of the dance, they remained silent as they focused on the steps.
They had returned to the ballroom through the French doors at different times, and Darcy believed they garnered no particular notice. Miss Bennet’s eyes did dart about the room as if watching for someone. The viscount? Or was she hoping to attract some young man’s attention?
“I do not believe the viscount will approach you again tonight. Not while I am present,” Darcy said.
“Thank you for your concern, but I am reassured on that point.” She gave a self-conscious laugh. “In truth, I am endeavoring to avoid Mr. Collins,” she explained in a low voice. “He proposed marriage to me.”
“Apparently, you are collecting suitors,” Darcy said. She flushed.
Darcy barely knew Miss Bennet, but he could immediately perceive that her wit and liveliness would not be a good match for Mr. Collins’ stupidity and pomposity. “You did not accept him, I hope!” He sounded quite alarmed even to his own ears.
“I refused him very emphatically. But he insists on proposing whenever he encounters me.”
“That is…extraordinary. He will not believe your refusal?”
“No.” She rolled her eyes. “He is certain I will change my mind.”
“I did not credit the man with much sense, but I credited him with more sense than that. Evidently, I was too kind.”
She covered a smirk with her gloved hand.
How extraordinary that they should form a friendship on their mutual understanding that Collins was a dolt.
Darcy spied Collins nodding unceasingly to Lady Catherine’s diatribes. “I believe you are safe from his attentions tonight,” he told Miss Bennet when next they met. “My aunt appears quite displeased. He is attempting to soothe her.”
The dance separated them again. When they joined together, Darcy observed, “Apparently, everyone wants to marry you.”
“You do not.”
“Touché.”
“And two men I dislike cannot be considered everyone.”
“You have no sweetheart back in… Where do you hail from again?” He already surmised that she was not of the ton. But how far removed?
“Hertfordshire. My father is the master of Longbourn.”
“And your mother’s family?”
“Her father was a barrister.” She met his gaze as if defying him to denigrate her ancestors.
“Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“Four sisters. I am the second oldest.”
“No brothers?”
She shook her head.
“Is the estate entailed?” “Yes, it will be inherited by a cousin, in fact, by Mr. Collins.” She stated these facts straightforwardly, with little emotion, but she would not meet his eyes.
Mr. Collins owning an estate? “What a mockery,” Darcy muttered.
“Indeed.”
They separated again. Unease prickled at the back of Darcy’s neck.
He now understood that Miss Bennet’s situation was rather desperate.
If she is unmarried, then her three younger sisters are likely single as well.
The mother and daughters would have few resources after Mr. Bennet died.
No doubt they were all eager to marry wealthy men.
Was Miss Bennet hoping to parlay a false engagement into the genuine article?
She did not need to tell him that her dowry was not large, divided as it would be among five sisters. No doubt her family had saved their money so she might have a season in London, hoping that she was pretty enough to attract a wealthy man.
Yet, she had not flung herself at Viscount Harwood or Mr. Collins. Perhaps that only proved her desperation had its limits. Having refused them, was she now in search of a more desirable quarry?
Have I entangled myself? Is she the sort of woman who might scheme to entrap me? Two witnesses heard me acknowledge her as my fiancée. I could be honor-bound to marry her if she demanded it.
He always sought to avoid women who were desperate for the security his wealth could provide.
But he had not been sufficiently wary in the garden.
Would she hold him to the implicit promise?
She says she has no expectations, but can I trust her?
Will she threaten a scandal rather than agree to break off our nonexistent engagement?
A cold sweat dampened his neckcloth, and he found himself wanting to twist away from her despite the steps in the dance. How had this happened? His anger at his aunt provoked him to act impulsively. It was most unlike him.
Darcy must temper her expectations at once. “Miss Bennet, it is incumbent upon me to emphasize that you should have no expectations of me. I seek a wife from within the ton. Your family does not have the connections I require.”
Her amiable expression transformed into stony blankness. Had he offended her?
She jerked her hand from his grasp as she passed from him to another dancer. When she returned to dance with him, her body was rigid and her movements stiff. Previously, he would not have believed it was possible to dance angrily.
He reviewed his words about her family. It was nothing more than the truth. They were not bon ton. His aunt would be horrified—was already horrified—by the connection. Miss Bennet’s relations were in trade.
As they waited while other couples danced down the line, her face was pale with anger. She spoke without looking at him. “If you indeed hold me in such low esteem, we can end this farce right now.”