Lady Lucas smiled knowingly. “As spoken by a true gentleman and lady. You have been brought up well.”
After that strange exchange, it was difficult not to notice the side glances and sympathetic smiles that marked their morning. Georgiana leaned closer to Darcy. “Why is everyone looking at us as though we have been fooled by someone?”
“I have not the faintest idea.” Unless Georgiana confided her story in someone unreliable… “You have not told anyone about Ramsgate, have you?” he whispered.
Her eyes widened. “Only Elizabeth, and she would never tell anyone. Besides, if that were the case, I would have their judgment, not their pity.”
True. However, this revelation made Darcy’s stomach twist. “Did you tell her about the painting?”
Georgiana blinked. “It is part of the story. I did not explain the painting’s history in detail, only George’s role in its loss.”
“She knows I promised it to you?”
“Yes.”
Darch exhaled, the tension he had carried around for days releasing. Elizabeth knew.
It was a relief that she would realize he was not acting out of stubborn unwillingness to compromise. Were it dependent solely on him, he would agree to Mr. Bennet’s terms. He trusted Elizabeth to approach him first to purchase the painting when the sad timecame. But it did not depend on him, and now she knew it. His hands were bound, just as hers were.
He wished they would see her. Surely, Mr. Bennet could not object if their paths happened to cross. Darcy looked for her, listened for her voice.
At least he would see her at Bingley’s ball. Mr. Bennet would have to attend—his wife would see to that! And the gentleman could not object to Bingley’s guests attending.
Of course, being Bingley’s guest came with certain obligations. Darcy would have to dance. The first set was reserved for his sister—that was hardly a difficulty; Georgiana was an excellent partner. Then would be the obligatory dances with Mrs. Hurst and Miss Bingley. After that, Darcy planned to stick to Georgiana’s side and perhaps convince her to retire early so he would not have to see Elizabeth dancing without him. Or see her and be unable to approach.
Mr. Bennet’s strictures were senseless, but Darcy refused to put Elizabeth in the awkward position of having to choose between them. He had not done enough to earn her loyalty and could only expect his pride to be crushed when she chose her father.
Could he earn her loyalty? From afar? If only he could see her again!
But though Darcy lingered in the doorways and watched through the windows, he did not. He left Meryton feeling disappointed and just as disposed to madness as he had been before.
CHAPTER 32
No one called at Longbourn over the following two days besides Aunt Philips, who was family. Elizabeth was too busy ignoring Mr. Collins while stitching on her gown and those of her sisters to give the passing thought any further consideration. Not so her mother, who fretted every minute, convinced with each passing hour that everyone would call at once. Papa proclaimed it a blessing no such thing occurred, to which they all laughed in agreement and continued readying their ensembles for the grand event. Who had time for social calls and gossip when there was so much to be done?
When the time finally came to leave for the ball, Elizabeth admired her mother and sisters as they filed into the front hall. The result of their exertions had been well worth the price of their sore, swollen fingers. Her own simple cream gown had been improved with the addition of the colorful blue sash and the sunsetgold ribbon that Kitty recommended she weave into her hair. Even her father looked handsome in his neatly tied cravat and new waistcoat.
She had avoided the question since learning of the ball, but as they waited for the carriage to pull up in front of the door, Elizabeth could hold it in no longer. While Mr. Collins described the entrance hall of Rosings and the number of servants attending, Elizabeth sidled to her father’s side. “Papa?”
“Yes?”
She had his attention?now, how to phrase her question so that he would give it fair consideration… “I do not wish to cause offense by purposely avoiding any of Mr. Bingley’s guests?—”
“You are a clever girl, Lizzy. You will find a way to evade Mr. Darcy without offending anyone.”
“What if it is unavoidable?” He arched a brow. She added, “What if Sir William tries to get us to dance, as he is wont to do?” Elizabeth would hover around Sir William with the hope that he would try.
“You have managed to avoid his interference before. Why should you be unable to avoid it tonight?” Papa faced her directly, eyes narrowing. “Mr. Darcy is a threat to your future security. He must be avoided at all costs. It should not be difficult when so many from Longbourn, Meryton, and the militia have been invited. You will not want for dance partners.”
Elizabeth could not share in her father’s optimism when the only gentleman she wished to dance with that evening was the one man he denied her.
She resented the Rembrandt for the limitations it had placed upon her. For a moment, she considered telling her father about her savings. The amount she had earned could not compare to what the Rembrandt would provide, but it would help.
She opened her mouth and turned to him, the tangled words ready to jumble off the end of her tongue when Mr. Hill opened the front door for them and Lydia pushed her forward. “Come on, Lizzy! We shall be the last ones to arrive!”
Kitty giggled. “So that everyone may witness our grand entrance.”
“As they should!” Mama exclaimed. “I have never seen my girls looking as lovely as they all do this evening. Now come, before the dancing begins! I do not want Mary and Jane to keep their partners waiting.”
