“We were not so poor anyways then,” Miss Bingley insisted to Mr. Darcy. “It was only that all of the income was added into the paid in capital. We really were not as poor as Mrs. Bennet makes it sound.”
“Well of course not. Mr. Bennet had the promise of Longbourn. Though your father would have been ruined had the business failed. He’d put all his capital, and all he could beg or borrow from friend or foe, or relation into it. Between them they raised more than twenty thousand pounds as working capital. The cost of those large machines, and also the wool. There was no guarantee matters would work — but I’ve bored you all sufficiently.” She rose and embraced Charlie. “Thank you, thank you! For caring for Jane and Lizzy.”
“There is nothing,” he replied fervently, “that I would rather do than care for Jane.”
Mama patted him on the arm. “I know.”
“Also, soon as Jane is better and Nicholls has made white soup enough, I shall throw a ball here.”
“Are you sure that we should have a ball?” Caroline said nervously. “There is at least one here who would consider a ball a punishment rather than a pleasure.”
“Do you mean Darcy?” Bingley exclaimed, looking at his friend and grinning. “He may go to bed if he chooses, before it begins. But to hold a ball is a settled thing.”
“Would it not be better,” Caroline replied, “if balls were carried on in a different manner? It surely would be more rational if conversation instead of dancing were made the order of the day.”
“Much more rational, my dear Caroline, I dare say, but it would not be near so much like a ball,” Mr. Bingley replied, laughing at his sister.
Mr. Darcy, for whom this display was intended, observed Caroline with what Elizabeth perceived as a detached curiosity. He said nothing.
However Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “I am convinced! Youarea singular woman. Preferring conversation to dancing! I have never met such a woman, and now, in response, I must beg, before anyone else has the opportunity, for your first two dances at the ball — except, to please you, I shall forgo the pleasure ofdancing, and we shall stand in a corner of the room, and talk to the music.”
Poor Caroline.
Elizabeth could not keep from smiling, but it was also her duty to rescue Caroline if she could.
“No, no!” She exclaimed, “Colonel Fitzwilliam — it is not my place, I know it is not my place, the man asks and all. But might you open the ball with me instead? And reserve the second two forconversationwith Caroline?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam looked at her with some surprise, but what Elizabeth chiefly noticed was that Mr. Darcy intently stared at her, his face a deep frown.
Elizabeth added, “Most unusual, of course. But allow me to explain. You see, the instant Mr. Bingley announced the ball, I had this image fill my mind: Some certainty that the cousin of Papa’s who will visit shall be a fat toed clergyman who falls in love with me the instant he sees me, and begs for the first two dances. I am afraid he shall step on my foot again and again till I’m in such pain that I must sit out the rest. ‘Tis a ridiculous worry, I know — but I need the promise of some gentleman who can dance creditably if I am to face my meeting with him when he visits.”
Darcy’s stare was as incredulous as ever.
Elizabeth flushed with embarrassment.What a ridiculous speech!She looked down.
But Colonel Fitzwilliam studied her, and then he grinned. “Of course, Miss Elizabeth. No fate could be worse than having your foot stepped on by a clergyman. I’d far rather face French grapeshot and musketry. The first two are yours — Dear Miss Bingley,” he added in an ironical tone, “I know how deeply this loss has pricked you in the heart — but please console yourself for you shall still share the second two with me. But then, I’ve no notion ofwhocould dance the first two with you? Your brother?”
“Not me,” Charlie raised his hands. “I’ve promised them to Jane.”
“Already!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“Already,” replied Bingley.
“She has no need for such consideration — you know Jane’s dance card fills every evening.”
“I was aware.” Bingley grinned rather wider than even his ordinary course. “It was for that reason that I have already secured her hand.”
“Darcy,” Colonel Fitzwilliam winked at Elizabeth, “it falls upon you. You are not engaged yet for the dance.”
“Certainly not,” he replied coldly.
“Then I insist you dance with Miss Bingley for the first two.”
The way that Mr. Darcy looked at his cousin was… intense, and not kind.
In a wholly uninflected voice Mr. Darcy said, “Miss Bingley, it would deeply honor me if you were to dance the first two with me.”
“Oh, of course. That would delight me as well,” she replied and curtsied. Caroline looked at Elizabeth with glowing eyes and pink cheeks, and she mouthed,Thank you.
