Page 91 of Her Whole Heart
“He hopes to impress upon your sister that he means to place his wife first in all things. To do that, he needed to separate himself from his sisters.”
Elizabeth leaned back and straightened. “Well done, Mr. Bingley. Will he approach her here, do you think?”
“Would that be prudent?”
“Perhaps, if he does not attempt to catch her alone. If he speaks with her in Lady Carlisle’s presence, she will be more receptive.” She paused as the colonel and Jane passed by on their way up the line, then they separated to skip behind the other dancers. Jane was smiling, enjoying herself, and yet the smile she offered the colonel was not the same as the one she had for Mr. Bingley.
“I cannot promise anything, you understand,” she said to Mr. Darcy. “But I do believe that is the best approach if he wishes to speak with her this evening.”
Mr. Darcy nodded. “Thank you. I will relay the information to my friend.”
Jane and Colonel Fitzwilliam returned to their place, again below Elizabeth and Darcy while Mr. Grey and Amelia began their turn.
Elizabeth glanced at her sister, but Jane was watching Amelia dance. She hoped Mr. Bingley could hold to his principles and be his own man. It was the only way he would have any chance at all with Jane.
“I have been rather remiss this evening,” she said to Mr. Darcy now that she suspected Jane would be listening.
“I cannot see how,” he responded.
“Ah, but I have not yet inquired about Georgiana,” she said with a smile. “How is she?”
“Very well, and very insistent that I memorize every detail of the ball to relate to her tomorrow. I am sure to disappoint.”
“Well, she shall have all her friends to fill in any of the important news that you neglect to recall.”
“You were right.”
“Right?”
“Saving Darcysisyour specialty. I hate to think what Georgiana would do to me if I cannot recall what sort of lace Miss Loughty wore on her gown or whether Miss Torrington danced every dance.”
It was only as the fifth and final couple began their allemandes that Elizabeth noted the whispers circulating and the eyes of others upon her and Mr. Darcy. The rumours of his attentions to her were sure to be revived after this evening—they were dancing the first and would dance the supper set. But she found that this time, she did not care.
Then she caught the look in the eyes of some of the gawkers—and it was not romance they were gossiping about. Lady Penelope was having some luck with her vicious lies.
After the set was over, Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam led the Bennet ladies to their friends.
“Colonel, you know Miss Torrington, but I do not believe you have met my friend Miss Loughty,” Elizabeth said.
The colonel made a handsome bow and secured dances from each of the ladies before walking off to locate his partner for the next set.
Mr. Darcy leaned down to say softly, “Shall I find Bingley?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Lady Carlisle is just by the punch bowl with Lady Morgan.”
He bowed to all of them and set off in search of his friend, leaving Jane, Elizabeth, Diana, and Cordelia together. A moment later, Mr. Grey escorted Amelia to them, was introduced, bowed, and left them.
“None of the young men can bear to remain with us,” Cordelia said, opening her fan with a practiced flip of her wrist.
“At least Colonel Fitzwilliam has asked for a dance.” Diana pulled out her own fan. “It is already becoming quite warm in here.”
“Oh, yes, the colonel will dance with me as well,” Amelia added. “But I think he is just trying to remain in my uncle and aunt’s good graces. Because Lord Matlock needs my uncle’s vote on something or other.”
“Is he a good dancer, Jane?” Cordelia inquired as she watched him cross the floor.
That was interesting.
Jane smiled faintly. “He is a very good dancer, and an amiable partner.”
