Chapter 42
Elizabeth awaited Lady Matlock’s ball with trepidation, rather than excitement.
She both wished to see Mr Darcy and wished not to see him in almost equal parts.
She knew that she owed him an apology, but she had no idea as to how she was to open such a discussion with him.
She would be in a ballroom so she needed to be careful what she said, for it could be overheard or misinterpreted.
She also knew deep down that with Lydia’s information, she needed to reexamine every interaction she’d had with that gentleman.
Had she misunderstood him from the start?
Surely that could not be so; everyone in Meryton agreed that he was a proud, disagreeable man.
But would a proud man have undergone such degradation to save her sister, and indeed her whole family?
Music streamed from Lady Matlock's house, as the Bennet family pulled up outside. Lady Matlock greeted them with warmth as they entered, and Elizabeth’s eyes scanned the ballroom, looking for any sign of Mr Darcy.
When she did not immediately see him, she was not concerned, as she was sure that he would not miss his aunt’s ball.
Elizabeth was especially sure of his arrival when she spotted Mr Bingley and his sisters.
Jane saw Mr Bingley before he saw her, and she grabbed Elizabeth’s hand seeking comfort and reassurance.
Miss Bingley saw them before Mr Bingley did, and Elizabeth saw her trying to draw her brother in the opposite direction.
How long did Miss Bingley think she could hide Jane and Elizabeth from Mr Bingley while attending the same exclusive ball?
Elizabeth was proven right in this when not minutes later, Mr Bingley saw Jane and Elizabeth.
His astonishment at seeing them was complete, but he rallied tolerably and moved immediately in their direction.
He greeted Jane, his voice breathless, yet only barely remembered to greet Elizabeth.
“How nice to see you again, Mr Bingley,” came the voice of their mother, coming up behind Jane and giving him a look which made it very clear that it was not nice at all. Before Mr Bingley could respond to this not very amiable welcome, Miss Bingley arrived at his side and spoke first.
“I wonder at you being at Lady Matlock’s ball, have one of you married some old friend of hers, perhaps?
For I cannot think of any other reason you would be invited to such a ball?
” The implication was clear, not merely that they were beneath such company but that they would marry a man old enough to be their father to gain entrance to such an event.
It was meant as a pure insult, but Miss Bingley had failed to take account of who might overhear her.
Lady Palmer, one of the older patronesses of Almack’s, overhead and interceded.
“Many a successful ton marriage has been between a young lady and a man who might be considered rather more mature in years,” she said.
“I, for one, see no problem with such a marriage, so long as both parties are of similar stations.”
Miss Bingley had no immediate reply to this, mainly, Elizabeth thought, because she was doing a very convincing impression of a fish... She did not need to reply as Lady Palmer continued.
“No lady invited to this event would be of a station that one would need to be concerned about.” And this seemed to be the end of it, but then she looked Miss Bingley up and down.
“Although,” she said, speaking to Mrs Bennet, “I have heard that Lady Matlock invited some friends of her nephews who are part of the nouveau riche,” and shaking her head, she moved on.
Miss Bingley remained completely silent to the relief of her brother.
He took the moment of silence to beseech Jane for a dance, to which she acceded.
Elizabeth watched as Mr Bingley led Jane to the dance floor for their set.
She could see that Jane was happy, but cautious in her interactions with Mr Bingley.
He had let her down once, and Jane was not silly and would not allow her affections to be easily engaged twice.
The evening progressed, and there was no sign of Mr Darcy.
Elizabeth had to admit that he had not come.
Jane showed every sign of enjoying the ball, and Elizabeth believed that she had also convinced everyone of her own enjoyment, but Jane had not been fooled.
The evening ended without any sign of Mr Darcy, and when she, Jane, and their mother entered their carriage to go home, Elizabeth had to admit that she was disappointed.