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The balls were often convivial affairs. The local families all knew each other and had been socialising, and inter-marrying, for generations. More than one flirtation was witnessed to unfold and was a chief source of pleasure and gossip for Mrs. Bennet, and even for the Bennet boys for that matter. Mr. Bennet only attended when forced, something Mrs. Bennet was loathe to do lest it curtail her various schemes.
Whilst it was true that all the assembly balls had an air of expectation and excitement about them, it was also true to say that rarely had those emotions been as elevated as they were on this evening. The arrival of Mr. Bingley and any guests he had gathered from London was the primary source of anticipation, and Elliot had noted on entering the room that everyone had made more of an effort with their appearance than they normally would—his brothers being no exception.
It was an obvious thing with Louis, probably because he was the youngest, but he’d added significantly more lace around his collar than could be considered quite acceptable. Christian was less conspicuous in his embellishments, but they were still noticeable. Marc looked like he was in mourning given how dark his clothes were, but Elliot noted some extra ribboning around his cuffs. And Jack…he needed no additional decoration to be the most handsome male in the room but certainly Elliot could see that his older brother had taken a bit more care than he might usually have with his outfit.
As for himself—Elliot looked down at his ensemble—he eschewed lace and ribboning, always had, so his breeches, shirt and jacket were plain at best. But the shirt was crisp, and the black cravat was lined with silk so Elliot felt that should count for something. Besides, it was the best he had available, and so would have to do!
“Mama, that is an exceptionally fine necklace,” he said, more to take his mind off how unusual it was to be fretting about clothing, but Elliot wanted to do his brother proud. Bingley would find no fault with any of them if Elliot had anything to do with it.
“Rarely do I have a chance to wear it,” she said, beaming at possibly her least favourite son, and yet still much loved. “It is too fine for a simple assembly.” She sighed. “It is a London necklace. Not that I would ever be given the chance to attend a proper London ball! Not given our circumstances!”
They were gathered on the side of the room, refreshments in hand…waiting…though no one said as much. And they were not the only ones. The most prominent families were all together, ready to pounce and affect introductions the moment their esteemed guests arrived.
“You have attended plenty a ball in your youth, mama,” Jack said. He was stood right next to Mrs. Bennet, looking considered and composed though Elliot suspected he was anything but.
They had not discussed Mr. Bingley since the afternoon at the river, there had not been an opportune time to do so, possibly because Jack had not allowed such a moment to occur. Of all the Bennet brothers they were the closest and the fact that Jack sought some space meant that he needed it, and so Elliot respected it. Besides, it was early summer, and Elliot has plenty of work to be getting on with outdoors, work that, thankfully, kept him from the house most of the day given that Mr. Bingley was now Mrs. Bennet’s chief topic of conversation!
“I have been fortunate enough to attend the odd London ball,” Mrs. Bennet said now. “Though many years ago, long before I met your father in this very room! A distant memory! If only your father could have been convinced to allow me to take some of you to town…even just you, Jack…” She patted his arm affectionately. “I have no doubt you would have met your match in the first weeks of the first season!”
“Mama…”
“Not to worry now though,” she continued. “It seems London has come to us!”
And as though she had planned it—not outside the realms of reason, Elliot admitted—the assembly doors opened on Mrs. Bennet’s words, and the expected company arrived.
The room stirred.
Anticipation reached its peak.
All eyes turned to the now open doors.
The party entered the assembly room slowly, almost as if to make as dramatic an entrance as possible. It was made up of five altogether. Mr. Bingley, his two sisters, the wife of the eldest sister, and another male. Slight gasps could be heard, clearly from those who had yet to see Mr. Bingley in person. Many of them were used to Jack’s handsomeness but it was perfect truth to say that Mr. Bingley rivalled that handsomeness…if not exceeded it slightly. His hair was very fair. His features perfectly balanced. His figure was trim and muscular, and he held himself with a confidence that clearly stated his position in life.
The sisters also were very beautiful, alphas them both, and the very fashionable wife of the oldest certainly a beta. The other man though…there was no doubt that he was alpha through and through, everyone in the room felt it…even Elliot.
He was as dark as Bingley was fair.
He was taller by some inches.
His clothing impeccable.
His manner exclaiming the elevation of his station.
And yet his face…it would be wrong to compare him favourably to Bingley here, because the chasm between his and Bingley’s attractiveness could easily be compared to that of Elliot and Jack. Perhaps it was that his jaw was too square. His features too clearly defined. Or even that his eyes were exceptionally dark. Whatever it was, he could not be called handsome. And yet, there was something about him…something that made several mamas turn their attentions from Bingley to him…and he noticed…and then the madness began.
There was no delicacy to it at all. As soon as they were announced, eager mothers and fathers descended, sons and daughters in hand, introductions to be made. Elliot suspected those that remained on the edges of the room did so because the heads of their families had yet to affect an introduction, which meant they would be reliant on one of the other principal families to make one for them. That was how it worked and though Elliot happened to know that Mrs. Bennet thought it an outdated, ridiculous tradition and would be keen to see it changed, such change was unlikely. Traditions held in their society for a reason.
Elliot gave Jack a nudge as they watched their close friends the Lucases approach Mr. Bingley and his guests. Sir William Lucas had once been in trade in Meryton where he had made a tolerable fortune and risen to the honour of knighthood. He was by nature inoffensive, friendly, and obliging, his much younger husband a valuable neighbour to Mrs. Bennet, and his eldest son an intimate friend of Elliot’s. There was no surprise in the assembly room when Mr. Bingley welcomed them enthusiastically.
In fact, Mr. Bingley soon made the acquaintance of all the principal people in the room. He was lively and unreserved, and it was not long before he made his way over to the Bennets who were still to be found in the exact same spot they had been when the party had entered the assembly rooms.
Elliot had been surprised by this, convinced that Mrs. Bennet would descend the moment they arrived but as Bingley approached—the fidgeting younger boys now standing to attention—he was struck by just how clever his mama had been. Everyone else in the room had gone to them and now the whole room could see Mr. Bingley, eyes firmly on Jack, seek the Bennets out. It was a small coup, and one that would be gossiped over assiduously in the morning.
“Mrs. Bennet,” Mr. Bingley said with a small bow.
Her bow in response was much deeper. The other Bennets, Elliot included, quickly followed suit.
“I had dearly hoped to see you here this evening,” Bingley said but his eyes were not on Mrs. Bennet. “May I finally have the introductions you promised me?”
