The colonel put a hand to his chest. “And his hair did not catch fire?”
Mr. Darcy scowled at his cousin. “You paint a very pretty picture of me, Richard.”
“I think you have already done so, Darcy. Miss Bennet, you seem to be charmed somehow, for I have never in my life seen Darcy tolerate being teased so well. I must learn how it is done.”
“Not so very difficult, Colonel,” I replied. My gaze shifted beyond his head toward Charlotte and Mr. Van der Meer across the room. Deep in conversation… but no kiss yet. I returned my attention to the colonel. “I do not give him the choice. If he chooses to speak with me, impertinence is sure to follow.”
Mr. Darcy’s laugh rumbled in his chest. “Be cautious, Miss Bennet. Retribution can be a rather sweet dish.”
“I will remember that, Mr. Darcy.” I drew a sip of my wine and my attention wandered across the room once more. Mr. Bingley and Jane needed no help whatsoever. They were practically standing in each other’s shoes. But Charlotte and Mr. Van der Meer… he had not left her side for half an hour, which was encouraging, but the berries on the mistletoe bough were vanishing, and neither of them seemed inclined to move from their spot by the refreshment table.Hmm.
“I say, Miss Elizabeth, might I have the honor of a dance?” Colonel Fitzwilliam asked, extending his hand toward me. “Darcy, you don’t mind, do you, old chap?”
I glanced at Mr. Darcy, who looked perfectly contented with the arrangement.Hehad not led me to the floor tonight, but he did not seem to mind if his cousin did. I sighed. “Of course, Colonel,” I replied, placing my hand in his. As we glided into the dance, his steps were smooth and refined, making it easy to follow along. But all the while, my awareness was all on Darcy’s every move, every glance. I am quite sure I looked at him far more than my partner, and I could almost hear his voice in my ear when he smiled. No man in the world could engage in a full conversation with a mere look… no man, save Fitzwilliam Darcy.
However, as we reached the end of our line in the dance, something over the colonel’s shoulder caught my attention. Charlotte and Mr. Van der Meer… hand in hand… giggling, with him tugging her across the room. Toward Destiny. My heart thundered, each beat echoing a growing mix of anticipation and elation. Was it possible? Were they going to…?
A held breath, a suspended moment, and then—with deliberate slowness—he plucked a white berry and gently drew her closer. My fingers clenched the colonel’s sleeve, the world narrowing to the scene before me. “Oh, Charlotte!“ I whispered. And when he finally tilted her chin up and draped her playfully over his arm, meeting her lips with his, a torrent of joy flooded me.
Without thinking, I squealed in delight and clapped joyously. “Bravo!”
The colonel yelped and stumbled in the dance. “My word, Miss Elizabeth! What is this?”
“Oh, excuse me, sir. It was only…” But the colonel could not possibly understand what that silly little moment meant. Mr. Darcy would, though. I looked around for him, wondering if he had seen. But to my disappointment, his gaze was directed elsewhere, seemingly lost in conversation or thought. That warmth, that connection I’d felt throughout the evening seemed to vanish in that instant.
The dance ended, and Colonel Fitzwilliam, still puzzled by my outburst, led me off the floor. But even as the music continued and the evening wore on, a sense of longing settled in me. Charlotte and Jane had their romantic moments. My task was done. I should have felt victorious.
Instead… I felt a little forgotten.
Yes, it was silly. I’d never asked for anyone to arrange… that… for me. Never expressed that desire for myself. But longing is a fickle thing, raising its head whenever it pleases. And what I longed for… well, it did not seem very likely.
Mr. Darcy was nowhere to be seen, now. Even Colonel Fitzwilliam had made his excuses, leaving me with my aunt and uncle. Where had they all gone? I supposed it didn’t matter. I would do better to remind myself that Mr. Darcy was just a friend—a friend who had helped me secure the happiness of two people dear to me. For that alone, I would always be grateful to him. But grateful did not begin to describe the feelings that had begun to flood my soul when I thought of him.
“MissElizabeth!”Mr.Bingleycalled out, a broad grin on his face as he approached, extending his hand. “Would you do me the honor of a dance? I do have it right, do I not?” He lowered his masque. “One cannot be too careful with these blasted things.”
I couldn’t help but smile, and I lowered my own masque. “Of course, Mr. Bingley,” I replied, placing my hand in his.
As we took to the dance floor, he twirled me around with a kind of boyish glee. “You look especially radiant tonight. More so than you did back at Netherfield.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley. It seems the festivities have put you in a particularly cheerful mood this evening,” I teased.
He chuckled heartily. “Indeed they have, but I have another reason for my elevated spirits.” With that, he leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially, “I have decided to ask your sister Jane to be my wife.”
I gasped. “Mr. Bingley! That’s wonderful news! Oh, Jane will be so pleased!”
He nodded eagerly, but then his expression turned a tad serious. “Before I head to Hertfordshire to seek your father’s blessing, there’s another I find myself in need of.”
Confused, I furrowed my brow. “Oh! Surely, you mean Uncle Gardiner. He is our guardian at present. I can find him for you. I believe he is wearing a silver masque…”
He shook his head, his earnest eyes never leaving mine. “No, Miss Elizabeth. It isyourblessing I seek. Jane has always looked to you for guidance and support. It’s clear she values your opinion above all else. I couldn’t possibly imagine asking her to marry me without knowing you were in favor.”
I felt a warmth rise to my cheeks, touched by his unexpected sentiment. With a soft smile, I responded, “Mr. Bingley, you honor me with your request. And you have my wholehearted blessing.”
His joy was palpable. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth!” he said, spinning me once again. “I say, this calls for a bit of celebration!” he said as our set drew to a close. “You would not favor your future brother, would you?”
Laughing, I let him drag me by the hand. “With what?”
“You shall see.”
