1
26 November
Inmydefense,Charlottekicked me.
Oh, very well, perhaps it was not a kick. Charlotte is too civilized for that, but it was a very firm nudge. The sort of nudge that will probably leave a bruise.
I recovered myself somewhat and blurted out the first words to tumble into my mouth. “I thank you, yes.” And then I died a little.
Mr. Darcy bowed. “I look forward to it, Miss Elizabeth.”
As the gentleman walked away, I groaned and rolled my eyes to the ceiling. “Why did you do that?” I whispered to Charlotte.
Charlotte smothered a smug little grin. “I daresay you will find him very agreeable, Lizzy.”
“More would be the pity! Tragic indeed to be forced to admit that I enjoyed dancing with a man I swore to despise.”
“Despise! Do not let your fondness for Mr. Wickham let you make yourself disagreeable to a man of ten times his consequence. Every lady in the room is pining for a set with Mr. Darcy.”
“Well, how unfortunate for him that he chose to ask the one woman who is not.” I sighed and drew back my shoulders. “I require a little more punch before I stand up with him. Charlotte, are you well? You are looking somewhat out of breath.”
She fanned her face, and indeed, she did seem paler than usual. “Oh, ‘tis nothing, Lizzy. I should like to sit for a few moments, though. You know, I do not dance as often as I used to, and I suppose the exertion…”
Movement just beyond Charlotte caught my eye, and I gave her a tug at the elbow. “Yes, yes, keep on with that. You are frightfully out of breath, and your feet hurt and you require some time in the ladies’ retiring room. Repeat after me.”
She gave me a quizzical look as I rushed her toward the door. “But Lizzy, I said nothing about my feet hurting. It is only that I feel rather faint just now, and—”
“Faint, yes, that is very good. Say something about feeling feverish, too. Oh!” We stopped short as my cousin, Mr. Collins, deposited himself in our path. “Excuse us, cousin. I was just escorting Miss Lucas out for a respite.”
He bowed deeply, sweeping his hand from his chest to the air in a ridiculous flourish. “Forgive me, fair cousin. I had hoped to beg a set of Miss Lucas, and, dare I hope, another from you before the evening is complete?”
Charlotte opened her mouth, but I gave her a little push in the shoulder, propelling her forward. “I fear now is not an opportune time, Mr. Collins. My friend is feeling unwell, and I have only a few moments before I must return for my set with Mr. Darcy. Some other time, I hope.”
His disappointment was keen, and he was still lamenting about it as I dragged Charlotte from the room. “Lizzy, I would have said yes,” she chided me.
“Charlotte, evenyourkindness can extend only so far. My toes are still tender from my set with him, and truly, you do not look like you can sustain half an hour of his conversation.” I dragged her away. “There are far more agreeable men.”
“But Lizzy, what if none of them mean to ask me? I do not entertain as many offers as you or Jane.”
I stopped. “Jane and I only danced with him because we had no choice.”
She put a hand on her hip. “You are purposely missing my point.”
“Indeed, I am, and I still say you ought to count yourself fortunate that you were spared the trouble. The very idea! It is not as if you would consider anything else with the man.”
“Well…”
“Come. Here is a nice seat, and let me fetch you a glass.” I swiped one from the tray of a passing footman and placed it in her hand. “There. I shall return straightaway to tell you how odious a half hour I passed.”
“Be careful not to accidentally enjoy yourself, Lizzy.”
Everyonewasstaringatme. I swallowed and lifted my chin against the aghast expressions all around—all my neighbors who either knew of my dislike of the gentleman or thought me so far beneath him that they must have assumed it all a good joke. I drew back my shoulders and hoped Mr. Darcy didn’t have sweaty palms or clammy fingers.
In point of fact, his hands were quite nice. Just what I might expect from the rogue. And he seemed to know his way about the dance floor, for which my toes blessed him. But he was excruciatingly silent all the while, and the way he stared at me did nothing to settle the flutter of nerves that suddenly tickled my stomach. Why would the man just gape blankly into my eyes, with no thought for conversation or admiration or even a jolly good row? Terribly disconcerting.
Very well, if he would not say something, I would do it. I waited until he stepped forward to lead me down the set. “Mr. Walton’s fingers have recovered admirably.”
Mr. Darcy’s face jerked down to me as we stepped apart. “What?”
