Chapter 2.5 #4
“You may laugh at me, Miss Elizabeth, but this is how I am. I do not feel comfortable dancing unless I know my partner really well. I do not appreciate that my cousins are amused at my expense, but there is little I can do about it.”
“You could exercise a little more, perhaps? I am certain there is more than one young lady in this room whom you know well enough and who would be happy to dance.”
“Perhaps… I shall try to follow your advice…in the future.”
“A very polite answer—as polite as your intervention earlier when you kindly saved me from the torture of playing before all these people. I have to thank you for that.”
“You are most welcome, Miss Elizabeth. I know how it feels when someone insists on something you do not wish to do.”
She blushed at the hidden reproach then smiled at him.
“I understand your meaning, sir, but it is not the same. I did not feel comfortable to perform because I do not play the piano as well as I would wish to, and that is precisely because I do not take the trouble to practice. But you are a skilful dancer—as I have the pleasure of knowing myself—so you have no excuse.”
“Perhaps you do not take the trouble to practice the piano, but certainly you have employed your time much better. No one admitted to the privilege of hearing you could think anything wanting. It seems neither of us performs to strangers,” he said, holding her gaze.
No word came from Elizabeth for some time. Finally, she replied. “Yes, so it seems…”
“Brother, do you think we could go for a sleigh ride tomorrow? It has snowed all day long.” Georgiana turned the conversation in a most welcome way. “It is quite a shame that I promised Miss Elizabeth and I could not keep my word.”
“It is very likely you will have a beautiful day for a cold journey around London tomorrow. I will ask Oliver to have the horses prepared in the morning.”
“Will we have your company, Mr Darcy?” asked Elizabeth, and a moment later she blushed in embarrassment. What came over me to ask such a preposterous question? What will he think of me? What will Georgiana think of me?
“Unfortunately, I have fixed plans for tomorrow morning, but I thank you for your question, Miss Elizabeth. I can only hope that another opportunity will arise soon.”
He was smiling at her with perfect amiability, and she could do nothing but smile back.
The last quarter of an hour spent in his company, their conversation, his change in manners, and his words with hidden meanings were completely new and difficult to accept.
She still anticipated any minute to see him behave as he did in Hertfordshire.
And her silly reaction, including her improper question about his joining them on the sleigh ride, made her even less comfortable.
She smiled with unconcealed pleasure and relief when the earl moved near her.
“So, dear Miss Elizabeth, are you pleased with your evening so far? What do you think of Lady Brightmore? I noticed you spending a lot of time in her company.”
“I am grateful to her ladyship and to you, sir, for this lovely evening. I am having a wonderful time, and so is Jane. As for Lady Brightmore, I cannot imagine a more pleasing or agreeable lady. I loved spending time with her.”
“Yes, I imagined you would. She was equally pleased with you, as I expected. Well, you will have more opportunities to spend your time in Town in an entertaining way. And speaking of entertainment, I noticed that Bingley’s sisters spoke with Miss Bennet.
You know, they are amusing only if one does not give much credit to what they say. ”
“I know that; thank you, sir.” She laughed.
A moment later, the earl moved a step closer to her and leaned slightly to whisper playfully. “And also speaking of entertainment…would you like a short walk in the park with an old man? The day after tomorrow, maybe?”
At her puzzled look, he confessed with a trace of guilt, “A mutual friend of ours is passing through town for a few days, and I plan to see him, but I would like to keep it secret from my sons—and from Darcy, of course. I thought you might like to meet him briefly.”
“Mr Wickham is in town?”
The earl barely had time to nod in agreement before he exclaimed cheerfully, “Darcy, you are here. May we help you with something, Nephew?”
Elizabeth hesitated a moment before she felt composed enough to turn and face Mr Darcy. He seemed somehow disconcerted, as it was obvious he had interrupted their conversation, but he stepped forward and bowed politely to Elizabeth.
“You cannot help me with anything, Uncle, but I was wondering whether Miss Elizabeth would be kind enough to help me correct one of my major faults.” Both Elizabeth and the earl stared at him, eyes wide, so he continued, clearly amused.
“Miss Elizabeth, would you do me the pleasure of dancing the next set with me? In order to improve my skills by practicing more, as you wisely advised me earlier.”
Elizabeth was certain the earl’s laughter was heard by the entire room, so, without further thought, she put her hand into Darcy’s and followed him to the dance floor.
The music finally began.