Mr. Darcy shifted slightly, withdrawing his gaze just long enough to respond to something Bingley said. But the moment the exchange ended, his eyes lifted once more, straight to her. Elizabeth’s pulse fluttered wildly. Something was beginning. She felt it as surely as she felt the floor beneath her slippers.
Chapter Five
Elizabeth watched as the Netherfield party were squired around the room. With every introduction, Mr. Darcy looked slightly more impatient. Mr. Bingley stayed gregarious and welcoming while the rest of his party looked bored. In due time, Mrs. Bennet appeared with Mary, and they waited as the newcomers were finally introduced.
“Mrs. Bennet, greetings.” Sir William Lucas grinned broadly. “Mr. Bingley has requested an introduction to your lovely daughters.” The introductions commenced, with Mrs. Bennet informing the Netherfield party that she had two other daughters currently standing with her husband across the room. Elizabeth watched with some amusement as their new neighbor’s eyes widened upon beholding Jane. When he requested a set with her sister, she smirked.
“I would be pleased if you would dance a set with me, Miss Elizabeth.” Mr. Darcy’s warm tones washed over her, causing a shiver to run up her spine.
Mrs. Bennet beamed with pleasure, and Elizabeth hastened to accept the gentleman’s offer. He extended the same to Jane and Mary, both of whom accepted thankfully.
The first chords were struck, and Mr. Bingley led Charlotte to the floor with a fervent glance over his shoulder at Jane.
“Shall we?” Mr. Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm, and she felt her cheeks heat. To be so singled out—for the first dance—by such a handsome gentleman was flattering. A glance at Miss Bingley showed her displeasure. As they took their positions in the line, she leaned forward.
“I do not believe certain individuals are…pleased with your choice in dance partner.” She nodded slightly to Miss Bingley, who had taken up a position against one wall. The lady stood scowling, arms folded and nose slightly in the air.
“Miss Bingley, I am afraid, holds…proprietary feelings regarding my person.” His lips twisted up into a wry half-smile. “Her imaginings are just that—fiction.” He paused as they began the steps of the dance. When they could once again converse, he gave her a serious look. “I had hoped you would be here tonight,” he confessed. “Now that we are properly introduced, we might speak without fear of reprisal.”
“I, too, hoped you would be in residence for the assembly.” Elizabeth smiled warmly. “I assure you, sir, rarely am I impetuous enough to introduce myself to a gentleman, though I am grateful we met when we did.” The steps of the dance separated them once more, and Elizabeth struggled to regain her composure. She scolded herself for being so entranced after little more than two meetings. All the recriminations disappeared when they were once again brought together by the dance.
The music swelled, lively yet elegant, as dancers shifted forward in unison. Elizabeth extended her hand; Mr. Darcy’s fingers brushed her gloved palm lightly—too lightly—and she found herself wishing for a firmer touch. When they circledone another, his eyes remained fixed on her face, attentive and curious.
“This is a well-attended assembly,” he remarked when the figures of the dance brought them side by side once more.
“Well-attended indeed,” she replied. “I believe half the county has come to inspect your friend.”
“One might think him a rare specimen on display,” Darcy said dryly.
Elizabeth laughed. “If so, then he appears delighted by the attention.” She nodded subtly toward Mr. Bingley, who nearly tripped over his own feet trying to look past Charlotte Lucas at Jane, who danced with John Lucas at the opposite end of the line.
Darcy’s lips twitched. “Bingley is always delighted. Though in this case…” He paused, thoughtful. “Miss Bennet is exceedingly lovely.”
“She is,” Elizabeth agreed softly. “She is also good, and gentle, and everything amiable.”
The next figure in the dance separated them briefly. Elizabeth’s gaze followed Bingley again; he was smiling so broadly in Jane’s direction that Charlotte seemed entirely forgotten.
Her brow furrowed.Poor Charlotte… She deserves better attention than that.
When Darcy returned to her side, he noticed immediately. “You are troubled.”
“It is nothing,” she said lightly, though she did not quite meet his gaze.
He tilted his head, clearly unconvinced. When she made no further attempt to answer, he followed the direction of her stare.
“Ah,” he murmured, understanding dawning. “Bingley’s admiration is…rather evident. Miss Lucas is receiving but half his attention.”
“Less than half,” Elizabeth said before she could stop herself.
“Your concern is for Miss Lucas?”
“And for Mr. Bingley,” she admitted. “His enthusiasm is charming—but his neglect is not.”
Darcy considered this with surprising gravity. “You are a loyal friend, Miss Bennet. And you see more than most.”
Her cheeks warmed at the sincerity in his tone.
The dance brought them close—closer than before. For a breathless moment, Elizabeth looked up into his eyes.
