“Indeed, it is,” Darcy replied, though his eyes lingered on Elizabeth’s face a moment longer. “Enjoy yourself, Miss Elizabeth.”
“I shall try.”
“I cannot imagine what possessed Charles to invite so many soldiers,” Miss Bingley burst out, her ire evident. “I do so prefer gentlemen of refinement. Officers can be so… common.”
Darcy frowned severely at her as Elizabeth gaped. The colonel chuckled. “My apologies, Miss Bingley. I had not thought that the second son of an earl would demean any occasion, even if I am dressed in a red coat.”
Miss Bingley flushed a brilliant shade of red, which even Darcy could tell clashed horribly with her hair and dress.What is the woman thinking, putting such colors together?he wondered.It is a good thing Georgiana is too young to go shopping with her. I shudder to think what she would order.
“Oh no!” Miss Bingley gasped. “I did not meanyou, sir. Certainly not! No one could ever mistake you for a member of the militia! No, I merely meant that I prefer to dance with men who are more refined and gentlemanly.”
She batted her eyes furiously at Darcy as she said this, who did his best to not blanch and shrink away. Fortunately, the first strands of the music began, and he had an excuse to leave. He inclined his head with cool politeness. “My next partner awaits. If you will excuse me.”
He did not look back to see her reaction. He did not have to. The flicker of satisfaction in Elizabeth’s eyes as he turned away told him everything.
As he searched out Miss Jane Bennet, the colonel escorted Elizabeth out.
And Miss Bingley was left alone. Partnerless. And enraged.
Nearby, a commonplace officer saw her expression and smiled.
This will be all too easy.
∞∞∞
Elizabeth moved easily through the steps of the dance, grateful to have the colonel for her partner. His energy, though tempered by the room’s tension, was as lighthearted and easy as ever. But she knew better than to assume he was only here for the pleasure of conversation. His eyes swept the crowd regularly, sharp and discerning beneath his pleasant smile.
“You look as though you are waiting for someone to jump out from behind the lemonade table,” she said softly as they turned.
“Only the usual assassins and revolutionaries,” he replied with a grin, eyes flicking to the far corner where several officers were posted. “Though the scrawny fellow by the cheese tray does look like he might collapse under the weight of his own sword.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Truly, Colonel, I do not know whether I should be reassured or alarmed.”
“Perhaps a bit of both. This is a ball, after all.”
They separated and skipped around the couple next to them. As they came together again, she tilted her head. “If I did not know any better, I would say your observations were due to a watching a young lady with her partner. So, tell me, Colonel, which of our fair Hertfordshire maidens has caught your eye?”
He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “What?”
“Oh, do not pretend,” she teased. “You watched someone very closely a moment ago. It must have been for flirtation, not espionage. You blushed.”
“I did not.”
“You did.” She peered at him in genuine surprise. “Well, you perhaps not, but you are doing sonow.”
He coughed into his hand, clearly flustered, and Elizabeth laughed at the idea that her teasing had rung true. “I am sorry,” she said softly. “You do not have to say anything.”
“No,” he said after a pause, the mask sliding neatly back into place. “You were not wrong. But some things are… complicated. And some people are not yet ready to hear them.”
She understood. “Then I shall leave it be. For now.”
“Thank you.”
They moved together in companionable silence for a few moments, then Elizabeth glanced at him slyly. “So, if you will not tell me who you admire, you must at least tell me what Darcy was like growing up.”
“Oh, you wish for scandal, then.”
“Of course. Any stories of rebellion? Mischief? A youthful prank or two?”
