Chapter 1.26 #2
With comments and compliments for all three ladies, the gentlemen escorted them to Darcy’s spacious carriage. Remaining a little behind, he bent his head to whisper in her ear.
“Elizabeth, it is not the gown. I have never seen anyone more beautiful than you.”
The warmth of his closeness against her skin made her blush, and she turned to him, smiling in delight.
“I am glad you approve. Your opinion is all that matters to me.”
“Then I shall try to make my opinion as clear as possible throughout the night, my dear.”
She stared at him in surprise but had no time to ask for more as they had reached the carriage; he handed her in, placing himself beside her.
Elizabeth’s emotions reached an alarming state as they neared the Matlocks’ residence.
It would be her first time in their house, and though her first and only meeting with the earl had been rather pleasant and had given her no reason to worry, still she never had met the colonel’s brother and his wife and did not know what to expect from them.
Even more alarming, Lady Catherine was still in the house as her daughter was not fully recovered.
Elizabeth felt cold shivers of fear at the mere thought of a public confrontation, though Mr Darcy assured her that Lady Catherine was being hosted in the opposite wing of the house and would not be present at the ball.
The earl himself had assured him of that.
Above everything, however, Elizabeth’s distress was generated by the knowledge that she would have to face members of the ton, and it was probable that many of them did not hold her in any regard.
She looked at her aunt and her sister, happy and a little relieved to have them so close, not realising that they were experiencing their own fears at being in such exclusive company under the scrutiny of so many eyes.
Their position as relatives of Mr Darcy’s future wife would undoubtedly make them the centre of everyone’s curiosity, and their major concern was to be at their best—in appearance and behaviour—for Elizabeth’s sake.
Unlike the ladies, neither of the gentlemen was occupied with such worrisome thoughts as they gave little importance to anything except the charming ladies at their sides. Society’s opinion was of little consequence to either of them.
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The house had the same impressive elegance as Lady Matlock, and Elizabeth tightened her grip on Mr Darcy’s arm to avoid their being separated.
He smiled at her, covering her hand with his in protection and comfort.
Her courage rose a little and then fell again as she entered the enormous ballroom, already filled with people who instantly turned their eyes to her as every attempt at conversation ceased.
However, in spite of any fears she might have experienced, her countenance expressed nothing of the kind, the sparkle of her eyes and the slight blush of her cheeks only increasing her beauty.
As the butler formally announced their entrance, Lord and Lady Matlock greeted them warmly and left no doubt about their approval of their nephew’s choice.
Any rumours of opposition on the earl’s part vanished in an instant along with the hopes of some attendees who were anxious to see Darcy embarrassed by his unworthy bride-to-be.
In truth, many young heiresses and their mothers took it as a personal affront that the man who had paid little attention to any of them had chosen the unknown daughter of a country gentleman to be his wife.
Mr Darcy had been declared either to have poor taste in women or simply to be foolish enough to let himself be trapped by a fortune hunter.
His future fate had been considered unfortunate, as it was easy to predict that the Matlocks, not to mention Darcy’s other relatives, never would accept someone so beneath their position.
Therefore, the news that Lady Matlock was in fact hosting a ball for the couple had come as a great surprise and had caused more vexation among the former aspirants to Mr Darcy’s hand than ever had been occasioned before.
Of course, none of them would miss the opportunity to see with their own eyes the lady who had spoiled their hopes, or to enumerate her faults as the basis for at least several months’ discussions over tea.
Consequently, preparations for the ball had far exceeded what was usual, and the dressmakers in town had been paid handsomely to have the most fashionable gowns ready in a short time.
The entrance into the ballroom of Mr Darcy’s intended had rendered pointless all of their hard work and preparation.
The gentlemen present immediately noticed and approved Miss Elizabeth’s complexion, the admirable line of her neck and bare shoulders, and her exceedingly pleasant features, as well as the lines of her curves, masterfully covered and simultaneously revealed by her gown.
The ladies, however, needed considerably more time to notice her figure, so consumed were they by thoughts of the exceedingly fine gown Miss Elizabeth wore.
The heavy, cream-coloured silk fabric—embroidered with small, satin roses of the same colour as the incredible ruby jewels she wore—fell in waves around her body, creating an astonishing effect of elegance and grace.
It was undoubtedly quite expensive, as all the ladies noticed.
Her entire appearance was far beyond what they had expected and beyond what they themselves were wearing.
After that bitter realisation, their eyes focused on Elizabeth’s face, only to meet her bright smile and scrutinising gaze.
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Lady Matlock made it her personal responsibility to introduce Elizabeth to the other guests, allowing Colonel Fitzwilliam to take proper care of the Gardiners, Miss Bennet, and Mr Bingley.
Soon after their arrival, Mr Bingley and the Gracechurch party were joined by the Hursts and Miss Bingley, whose efforts at politeness towards Elizabeth were under tight regulation.
Her cold reception from the Matlocks and Mr Darcy, as well as the iciness of her brother’s manners, made Caroline more indignant, and the bitterness in her tone and expression became unpleasantly obvious.
Her previous dislike of Eliza Bennet was painfully supplemented by the sense of her own position—beneath that of everyone else present.
To the famous members of the ton, she was no more than an unknown young lady, unworthy of notice.
She previously had been introduced to a few of them, but none showed any sign of remembering her or any willingness to renew the acquaintance.
She had prepared with special care for the evening, not only to prove to Mr Darcy that she had not been crushed by his poor choice, but also with the hope of gaining the interest of other worthy gentlemen.
However, neither Mr Darcy nor any other young man seemed to have any interest in her, at least for the moment.
Fortunately, the evening was only beginning, and she could still hope.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was in quite a good mood and enchanted by Elizabeth’s appearance and amiability.
Despite her evident emotion—which made her face slightly and charmingly flushed—and her hand clenching Darcy’s arm, she displayed a pleasant self-confidence and admirably proper but unpretentious manners.
A few moments before, she had been introduced to the colonel’s elder brother—who had been polite and seemed delighted to make her acquaintance—and his wife, the Lady Beatrice, who barely spoke.
She made it clear to Elizabeth and to everyone that she did not intend to bridge the gap between the daughter of an earl and that of a small country gentleman.
Still, not for a moment did Elizabeth lose her smile and her amiable tone.
Her only little revenge—which brought a barely hidden grin to the lips of Mr Darcy, the colonel, and Lady Matlock—was in addressing the latter with a familiar, “Lady Ellen,” making the face of Lady Beatrice turn white as, with an even sterner expression, she hurriedly excused herself and departed, dragging her husband with her.
My poor brother must do something with that wife of his! Oh—but this night is going to be exceedingly entertaining, thought the colonel, turning to his cousin.
“Darcy, pray tell me, which sets did you fix with Miss Elizabeth? I want to secure at least one for myself.”
“Of what are you speaking, cousin? There is nothing for you to secure, as I intend to claim all the sets for myself.” Darcy’s countenance was serious and his tone firm, which made the colonel burst into laughter.
“Oh, very amusing, Darcy! You are quite diverting, I grant you that. Now let us be serious, as I want to ask Miss Bennet to dance as well, and I have no time to waste.”
“Cousin, you missed my meaning. I was speaking absolutely seriously. I would love to allow you a set with Elizabeth, but then there will be others who will demand the same favour, and I have not the slightest intention of being separated from her for so long.”
“Oh, come, Darcy! You are making yourself ridiculous,” Lady Matlock spoke up while Elizabeth laughed softly, smiling gratefully at the colonel.
“Sir, I am sure Mr Darcy is only teasing you. I would be pleased to stand up with you for any set except the first and the last.”
Though they had not previously discussed what sets they were to dance together, she saved those two for him without hesitation.
Instantly, Darcy’s delighted eyes met hers, silently sharing the happy memories of their last ball, when they had stood face to face for the first and last set.
For a moment, they forgot about anyone and anything else in the room.
The colonel cleared his throat to draw their attention, smiling ironically at his cousin.
“Now, to resume our conversation, may I have the supper set then? And after it, I shall return Miss Elizabeth to you safely so you can enjoy your meal. Would that be acceptable, Darcy?”