We ascended the sweeping staircase that led to the grand entrance hall, where we were met by the liveried footmen who relieved us of our cloaks and directed us toward the ballroom. The moment we crossed the threshold, I was struck by the sheer opulence on display—it seemed as though every surface had been adorned with gilded flourishes and festooned with garlands of holly and ivy. A magnificent chandelier, ablaze with a hundred twinkling candles, cast its warm glow over the assembled guests, who mingled and danced to the strains of a lively country reel.
“Good heavens,” Charlotte murmured, her gaze sweeping across the room in wide-eyed wonder. “This is even more lavish than his last party! I never imagined it would be so grand.”
“Nor I,” Jane whispered. “It is truly a sight to behold.”
“Indeed,” I agreed. “Your Mr. Van der Meer is a wealthy man, Charlotte.”
“Oh, fie, Lizzy!” she huffed. “He is notmyMr. Van der Meer.”
“I think he very soon will be. And stop using my name. You’ll give me away.”
My eyes swept the crowds—all with masques shielding their faces, most of them laughing or dancing. A few, I recognized instantly—for instance, there was Caroline Bingley, swirling about the floor in a gown as green as mine. And her masque was festooned with a curiously… large, green feather. I squinted for a moment, watching her, and apparently, I was not the only one.
“Oh, my goodness.” Jane choked back a laugh. “Miss Bingley is wearing the quill Miss Darcy gave her!”
I shrugged. “I told you it was no good as a pen.”
Charlotte snickered. “I imagine she just wanted to make a way for Mr. Darcy to recognize her.”
“What, to avoid her? I doubt she needed the feather for that. Ah, Jane? You should wanderthatway. Right now.”
“Hmm?” Jane looked where I was pointing, and her gaze fell on a sandy-haired gentleman with a blue masque. “How do you know it is… Just because he is also wearing blue, Lizzy?”
“Just go that way and find out. Charlotte, you should…” I turned around. “You should go fetch yourself some punch.”
Charlotte’s brows lifted, then her mouth curved in a sly smile. “Oh, how very thirsty I am. Dear me, I shall die without a drink of something right now.”
“That’s the spirit! Make haste, though, because there is a golden creature headed straight for him, but for now, you are still closer.”
Jane was turning back from watching Mr. Bingley and she looked at me curiously. “And what are you going to do, Lizzy?”
“I?” I craned my neck, and my eyes landed on the figure to my left, across the room, who made my spine shiver and my toes curl. “I’m going to the right. I shall see you both in a few hours.”
Frommycarefullychosenspot nestled in the corner of the grand ballroom, I felt hidden from the masses, concealed behind a strategically placed pillar. The subtle flickering of candles casting long, wavering shadows that danced along with the music was oddly comforting, and in that concealment, I watched, hoping to remain unseen.
Mr. Darcy’s tall, commanding presence was immediately recognizable, even wearing a rich red masque and surrounded by people. His usual brooding aura was made all the more prominent by the gentleman and lady on either side of him. I didn’t recognize them, but from the ease of their conversation and their shared laughter, it was apparent they knew each other well. The gentleman was slightly shorter than him, but teased him freely as if they were brothers.
And the lady was nearly as forward with him. He fetched her a drink, she swatted playfully at the air and laughed at something he said. Then, in a move that made my heart lurch, she placed her dainty hand on the crook of Mr. Darcy’s arm as he led her to the dance floor. A seemingly simple gesture, but one that caused an unwarranted rush of envy within me. I tried to rationalize with myself; after all, many danced and socialized without any deeper meaning attached. But when they took to the floor together, moving with such grace and harmony, the green-eyed monster within me refused to be silenced.
Their dance ended, and they returned to the sidelines. I found myself scrutinizing the lady, searching for any imperfections. It was petulant of me, and deep down I knew it. She was beautiful, elegant, and seemed to hold Mr. Darcy’s attention with ease. Why wouldn’t she? Mr. Darcy was a catch, and any lady in the room would be honored to have him as a dance partner… and any other kind of partner. Yet, the thought of him paying court to another was almost more than I could bear.
But that was preposterous! He’d made no promises to me, no declarations of affection. But in every stolen glance, in every sporting conversation, I’d felt a connection that was impossible to deny. And now, seeing him with another, I felt foolish for ever believing he could have feelings for me.
As I watched him, I saw him scan the room, and for a brief moment, our eyes met. There was an intensity in his gaze, a question, perhaps even a hint of desire. It was fleeting, gone before I could truly process it, but it was there. Could it be that hedidfeel something between us? Or was I merely seeing what I wanted to see?
I had my answer a moment later, for he made his excuses to his companions and started straight for me. And I almost died.
The floor… oh, no, it refused to swallow me up. The pillar was too narrow, and the refreshment table too short. I was still darting about, looking anywhere but up, when his feet stopped before me.
“Miss Elizabeth?” There was no mistaking that deep voice. I would know it from the grave and beyond.
I looked up, my mask pressed tightly against my face. “I beg your pardon? I know no such person. And you are?”
He huffed. “Very well, if you will have it that way.Madame Mystery,if you please, would you favor me with a dance?”
“Who, me? Oh, no, no, I cannot possibly. For you see, my, ah… my ankle is twisted.”
His brows drew together above his masque. “You were walking perfectly well when you ducked behind that pillar a moment ago. Something troubling you, Miss Elizabeth?”
