Page 44 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
Chapter 17
The Beginning of the Netherfield Ball
The earl and the countess stood at the head of the receiving line. Beside them stood Bennet, his wife next to the countess, so that she could pass along to the hostess the names of their guests from Hertfordshire. The countess likewise performed the office for those who came from Town. To the other side of Bennet stood Mr. Bingley and Jane, since the man paid the lease on Netherfield Park. To the far side of them stood Elizabeth and that daughter-stealing Mr. Darcy.
Netherfield Park had never looked so glorious as it did that evening, decorated in silver, white, and dark purple. The countess, Mrs. Bennet, Mrs. Lucas, Mrs. Philips, and Mrs. Gardiner wore gowns in a deep plum silks found in the Gardiner warehouse.
Charlotte, Anne, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary were in silver gowns with plum ribbons and shoe roses. Colonel Fitzwilliam wore his scarlet uniform, and Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley were in jet. Kitty, Georgiana, Maria, and Lydia were dressed in white.
When they had gathered for a celebratory glass of wine prior to the ball, the men had declared the differences in styles of gowns to set the ladies apart by color, a masterful stroke ofgenius that the ladies planning the ball had decided upon. They remained in the sitting room closest to the ballroom so Anne might rest until the first carriages were seen on the drive.
“Well, Father, what do you make of all this?” Mary asked as Mrs. Bennet moved about the room.
“It is unfathomable to me the changes in my wife with two daughters about to be married. And Charlotte is to go to Rosings Park with Anne to aid her in running her estate. Kitty and Lydia shall soon join Miss Darcy in the seminary. It causes an equal amount of consternation as the changes in your mother surprise me. But perhaps it is you who astonishes me above all of us.”
“I have changed little, if at all,” Mary said in confusion.
“In this, you are wrong. I believe I am the one who remains unchanged. You returned from Town with a new wardrobe and have shed the tools of disguise, revealing yourself to be a near carbon copy of the beauty your mother was at your age when I fell in love with her. And Ididfall in love with her. I believe it was the day we held Jane in our arms. Whoever it is that will capture your attention will be a very fortunate young man.”
“I will wait to find one who looks at me the same way Mr. Darcy looks at Lizzy or Mr. Bingley adores Jane. I am the only daughter who never asked anything of you for myself. Now, I am making this my first request: do not push me toward every man visiting the shire.”
“On the way to Netherfield this evening, I discerned that my daughters, all my daughters, and my wife were resplendent as any ladies ofthe ton. I then knew that you would be my only daughter who might remain at home with us these next months. If you are to assist in managing the estate, we shall begin your training. My wife has accepted these changes while I, the onewho did nothing to prepare for the future, find it upon me. I am filled with guilt that my daughters will bear the cost of my failure. I believe Darcy and Bingley will aid in the care of your mother, so you will not face the challenge alone.”
“It is not so great a burden. If Mr. Collins does travel as he hinted at, it will be managed easily enough. You avoided debt, and retrenching, as well as the sale of plots, would have seen her well settled, should that have been necessary. You claim to have collected many treasures in your rare book searches. If I am ever in a bind, the sale of one or two, even to my sisters, will make certain we are able to manage.”
“The greatest treasures of Longbourn are my daughters. You are all quite dear to me, Mary,” Mr. Bennet said, rubbing his temples, unaccustomed to the emotions his middle daughter had brought forth with her pragmatic comfort.
“Go, do your duty. Escort your wife to the floor so she might enjoy dancing the opening set at a ball she helped plan.”
“I prefer not to leave you standing here alone.”
“My partner comes. Though he cannot support a wife, he is fearsome handsome,” Mary whispered behind her hand as Captain Saunderson stepped up to collect her.
The orchestra signaled the first set. The Countess and the Earl of Matlock moved to the top of the set. They were followed by their son, Viscount Dalton, who had come with his viscountess, Pauline. Other couples then flowed onto the floor. When the dancing commenced, Mrs. Bennet declared how the candles made everything look like a fairyland.
“Mrs. Bennet, may I request this dance?” Mr. Bennet asked when his wife drew near. He winced when he saw her confusion. Still, she gifted him her hand, and he led her out.
“Mr. Bennet?” Mrs. Bennet said warily as they stepped to the end of the line.
“Thank you for granting me the privilege of standing beside you, my dear Fanny. The years have separated us in ways we should not have allowed. The blame is mine, and I hope we might know one another again. Whether I ever had your love, I have no claim to it now. I look forward to falling in love with you again. Tell me I am not too late, for I, if given the chance, would do it all over again the same.”
“I once thought any chance of love beyond us, but…perhaps it is not,” Mrs. Bennet said, tears filling her eyes.
“I will not fail you again,” Bennet vowed while leading her through a turn. He chuckled ruefully at finding himself acting the lovesick pup, more so, even, than young Bingley did while gazing upon Jane.
“I dared only hope you might dislike me less, that you would be less inclined to make sport of me to our neighbors,” said his wife.
With age comes a wisdom few men can fathom. A man also comes to understand he values the opinions of those wholly unconnected to him not at all when doing what he knows must be done. Bennet did not hesitate to stop in the middle of the floor and pull his wife in to kiss her, assuring her he had never disliked her. That he would spend the rest of his days giving every evidence of his love for the woman she had become.
“Nowthatlooks like a love match,” Lady Matlock said to her husband, nodding to Mr. and Mrs. Bennet. In response, Lord Matlock kissed her, though not so they might miss a step in their dance.
Chapter 18
Mrs. Bennet Enjoys the Ball
At the start of supper, champagne flowed. The earl thanked all who attended and, in particular, those who had a hand in conceiving the full plan for their shared evening.
Bennet followed him with the news that his daughter Jane was betrothed to Mr. Bingley, and Elizabeth was betrothed to Mr. Darcy. The couples enjoyed the applause and congratulations.
