Page 72 of Penned By Mr Darcy
Their mother moved ahead, leaving Jane and Lizzy to be greeted.
“Good evening, Mr Bingley, Miss Bingley.”
“Miss Bennet,” Caroline inclined her head slightly. “Miss Elizabeth.”
“You look wonderful,” Jane said. “Truly the height of fashion.”
It was true – as was everything Jane said. Miss Bingley was something out of a fashion plate, and Elizabeth was sure she had spent a great deal of time with the modiste in Meryton to even hope to obtain something so elaborate.
“Thank you,” Caroline replied, her eyes flicking over Jane and offering no such complement in return. “I do hope you enjoy this evening, Miss Bennet.”
They departed the line and entered the ballroom.
Lizzy looked around, searching for Mr Darcy. She had been surprised not to see him in the receiving line, for he was never far from Mr Bingley’s side.
“Champagne, Lizzy?” Jane asked.
“Yes, please.”
Jane wandered away towards the refreshment table – where Mr Bingley now lingered, his guests now all arrived. Lizzy turnedaway with a knowing smile, only to flinch when she saw Mr Collins standing behind her.
“I hope you will dance the first set with me, cousin Elizabeth.”
“I…”
Lizzy wanted nothing less, but if she were to refuse Mr Collins’ invitation, etiquette dictated that she would be unable to dance with another for the entirety of the ball. Mr Darcy had not asked her for a certain set, and as she could not find him, she had little choice. She inhaled, straightening her shoulders and accepting her fate.
“Yes, of course.”
The musicians were preparing to begin, the sound of tuning instruments filling the room. There was an excited chatter in the air, and Elizabeth looked around for Charlotte. It had been some time since she had seen her last, and she was greatly looking forward to seeing her dear friend. As she moved through the room in her search, she was acutely aware of Mr Collins continuing to follow her.
She almost collided with someone, and as she looked up to make her apologies, she found herself speechless.
It was Mr Darcy, looking impossibly handsome. He bowed deeply in greeting to her. She dipped in a curtsey, her cheeks heating as she lowered her gaze. Even his boots were shined impeccably, tight to his shapely calves. Was there a part of him that was not handsome to her now? Heaven knows she had never found something as mundane as legs to be attractive before.
“Miss Elizabeth. A pleasure.”
“Mr Darcy.”
“Mr Darcy?” Mr Collins’ voice rang out from behind her, and it was all she could do not to roll her eyes. “I am Mr Collins, sir. I am in the service of your aunt, the Lady Catherine De Bourgh, as her parson.”
Mr Darcy observed him without expression. After a moment, he nodded in acknowledgement. Unfortunately, Mr Collins took this as an invitation to engage him in conversation, charging past Elizabeth and striding to Mr Darcy’s side. As they walked on, Darcy cast a look back at her – his face was near unreadable, and she could only imagine that he was thinking ‘help me’.
“Lizzy!”
At the sound of her name, she turned around. Charlotte, dressed in a very pretty white dress, smiled broadly. She held out her hands, beckoning Elizabeth to her. Elizabeth stepped closer, happy to see a friendly face. She had been so consumed in her own troubles that she had not visited Charlotte in weeks.
“There you are! I have been looking for you.”
“And I have been looking for you! Forgive me for not seeking you out sooner. Are you well?”
“Quite well.”
“I am glad. There were rumours…Maria came to me and said the woman described sounded just like you.”
“I have heard,” Lizzy said. “Did you believe them?”
“Of course not! They were vicious nonsense, Lizzy, and everyone knows it. Nobody except the young girls amongst us have paid any mind at all to them. Did you hear Mr Wickham has been cast out by Colonel Forster? It has transpired that he owes many men here a great deal of money from the card table.”
