Page 15 of Her Whole Heart
“I am not offended,” she said, and it was true. Amused, rather. “But you must see that a woman prefers to have the attention of the man who has asked her to dance.”
“Of course,” he said.
“Now,” she said, “what do you think of the cold weather? Shall we have a late spring, do you think?”
They passed the rest of their set amiably enough. She even had the man laughing over some nonsense about losing her way in Carlisle House her first day there. Fortunately, she had bumbled her way to the drawing room where the family was gathering for dinner, and she had been able to pretend she had never been lost at all.
“Mr. Bingley,” she said suddenly, as the music trailed away, and he offered his arm.
“Yes?”
“I am about to say something a bit forward, I am afraid. If you would rather not hear it, you need only say.”
Mr. Bingley was startled but shook his head. “I cannot imagine you would say anything untoward, Miss Elizabeth. Please continue.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth took a breath to steady herself. “Please understand that I have no expectations as regards you and my sister. I only offer some friendly advice.”
“Please do.”
“Jane is a very proper woman, and you have tonight been . . . effusive, let us say.”
The man’s cheeks flushed for the second time.
“If you show hertoomuch attention before she knows you well, it will make her uncomfortable. That is all.”
Mr. Bingley did not appear pleased by this, but eventually he nodded. “Very well.”
“And one more thing.”
“Yes?”
“How do you intend to make amends to me for your inattention earlier?” Elizabeth asked teasingly.
“Oh dear,” Mr. Bingley said, relief on his features as he realised the serious portion of their conversation was over. “Are you to punish me?”
“Not at all. I would like you to ask Miss Loughty to dance.”
“Miss Loughty?”
“The young lady I was sitting with.”
It was clear that Mr. Bingley did not recall her. “Ah. Well, if you would like it, I am at your service.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Please do not ask her immediately upon our return. Mingle for a time before you allow others to see you approaching her to ask.”
“Why?”
Mr. Bingley truly did seem bemused by her scheme.
“I have two reasons. First, because I do not want her to think I told you to ask her. Second, a lady sitting in the corner at a ball may as well be invisible.If she has a dance with a young, handsome, and eligible man, others may realise she is here and ask her as well. And if not, at least she has had the pleasure of not sitting out every set.”
Mr. Bingley turned an assessing gaze upon her. It was the most thoughtful he had been with her, and it offered Elizabeth hope that he was more than a besotted fool with little substance. “Your sister sings your praises, you know.”
Jane was the best person of Elizabeth’s acquaintance. “I do.”
“I can see now that she was not exaggerating.”
They had reached Miss Loughty then, and Mr. Bingley bowed. “Thank you for the dance, Miss Elizabeth.”
