Jane’s furrowed brow began to smooth. “Yes, go on.”
“If four of us go first, our gowns will not wrinkle like they would if we all tried to squeeze into our carriage. Do share that fact with Mama, I beg you.”
“Very well.”
“Thecoup de gracewill be reminding Mama that those of elevated rank always arrive late to social events. Being escorted on Papa’s arm along with her favorite daughter and Lydia’s shadow will draw everyone’s attention to them as the premier family in Hertfordshire.” When the ghost of a smile finally appeared on her sister’s face, Elizabeth finished with, “By the time the carriage returns for them, we will not be in their way as they preen before the entrance hall mirror here at Longbourn before departing for the ball. They will be the diamonds that will sparkle and shine rather than be rumpled and ruined.”
Jane grabbed Elizabeth’s hands. “You are brilliant. Yes, I can do this. I will do this. With the exception of Mr. Collins and even Mary, we will be dignified on our arrival, making our own first impression without the influence of others.”
“Why, Jane, I believe that is the harshest I have ever heard you speak of anyone else. Well done!”
As the valetput the finishing touches on Darcy’s cravat, Bingley burst into the room.
“I believe Caroline will faint when she sees how well turned out you are. Are you preening for someone in particular, Darcy? I’ve never seen a waistcoat woven with that shade of dark green shot with silver before. Where did you find that fabric? I have no doubt that Miss Bennet would—”
Smoothing the surface of the garment, Darcy shook his head. “You shall need to ask my tailor for he selects what I wear. I cannot be bothered.”
Bingley smirked. “Who is the lady, my friend? I need to hear her name from your own lips. Admit it!” He waved his hand. “Oh, do not bother denying it, for I took an inordinately long time trying to decide between my red velvet waistcoat and this gold silk in hopes of impressing Miss Bennet. If you were not trying to stand out, then you would not care how you looked. Nor would you be readying yourself to appear before the music begins.” He began pacing the room. “Shall I guess?”
“This is not a game, Bingley.”
His friend chuckled. “You are dressed to impress, my friend. And I sincerely doubt your efforts are for my sister, though she would be ecstatic should you turn even the slightest bit of interest her way. No, I suspect that your heart has been touched by someone else entirely.”
Darcy snapped to attention. “Of whom are you speaking?” His chest pounded as he strove to gain control of himself. If anyone had a clue that Elizabeth Bennet made inroads into his heart, the consequences would be devastating since it meantthat he had been incautious. To raise expectations of a lady he would not pursue was not the action of a gentleman.
He would be especially negligent by showing interest in a woman should his brother attend the ball. Wickham! Darcy wanted to grouse but refrained from displaying a sour expression that Bingley, with his rosy outlook, would never understand.
In the Darcy family, not showing emotion was instilled at birth. Rules were expected to be followed without explanation. Perfection in all things was the goal. Control was exerted by placing extreme restrictions on one’s diet, activities, spending, and interactions with others.
Darcy dismissed Parker. With a final glance at his mirror, he strolled past Bingley to the door. “You do not need to guess, Bingley, for it should be as obvious as the nose on your face.”
“It is not Miss Elizabeth of that I am certain.”
Darcy paused, horrified that he could not stop himself from reacting. If only Bingley knew. Determined that he would not give anything else away, he kept walking.
“Did Miss Goulding catch your eye? Or one of the Long girls? What are their names? Miss Sally and Miss Sarah?” Bingley guessed. “It is really too bad that it is not Miss Elizabeth since she is Miss Bennet’s favorite sister. They will always want to be close to each other. I could purchase an estate in Derbyshire, and we could be neighbors. After all, Miss Elizabeth is a worthy woman who is a gentleman’s daughter, and you are a gentleman. In this, you would be equal.”
Although he wanted to, Darcy again refused to show any reaction. Why was Bingley continuing to mention her? Was his friend more observant than Darcy had supposed? Or was he fishing for something to discuss with Miss Bennet as they danced? If so, then Bingley was truly hopeless.
Bingley added, “You know, Darcy, I have been thinking. I saw the way you looked at Miss Elizabeth, and it is not with anger, as Hurst suggested. Although my first inclination was that you were enemies, upon further reflection on your time together, I believe that she has you tied up in strings. Oh, not that you are romantically inclined, of course, but I do think her wit is equal to yours. What an anomaly to discover someone as quick as you here in Hertfordshire.”
Darcy stopped in the middle of the landing before descending the stairs to the main floor, where Bingley and his sister would be greeting new arrivals. “Although you are correct that Miss Elizabeth is a gentleman’s daughter, and she is a wit, you need to work on your observation skills. Your guess could not be more wrong.”
At the arch of Bingley’s brow, Darcy shot his cuffs as he stepped down the grand staircase leading to the hall.
Bingley stopped alongside him. “We could be brothers if we wed the two eldest Bennets.”
Measuring his breath, he stopped himself from inhaling sharply. Loosening his jaw, neck muscles, and hands, Darcy replied, “Do as you are inclined with any lady of your choosing. I shall be fully engaged and entertained by mine.”
Darcy wanted to laugh when the color leached from Bingley’s face. “Good lord! You have not given in to Caroline’s desperation to be the new mistress of Pemberley, have you? Perhaps the course of wisdom is for me to kidnap you and carry you north to your estate to get you away from her grasping fingers.” He grabbed Darcy’s arm, tugging him backward. Talking rapidly, he whispered over the sound of the gathering crowd, “Let’s go now, Darcy. It is not too late. She will never make you happy because there is not enough money in the Bank of England to buy the elegance that she lacks. She will use her wiles to keep you under her control, or she will badger you until you finally give in, livingas a shell of the man you are. No, Darcy! Stop this foolish course now, I beg you.”
It was about time!Not until that moment did Darcy know for certain that Bingley was not in a fog when it came to the negative attitudes and actions of others, especially his unmarried sister.
Letting him simmer in his own confusion for a bit, Darcy finally said, “I thank you for your concern. However, if you look closely, your sister is wearing bright red this evening. The lady I intend to spend time with has a soft rose gown with a darker ribbon and lace trim. She has just entered the room. If you would excuse me.”
Without looking back, Darcy strode down the stairs, his eyes not moving away from the two ladies moving through the reception line, for it was not Mrs. Hammond alone. She was accompanied by none other than Miss Elizabeth, a beautiful sight in her ivory gown with a green and silver ribbon, the perfect match for his custom-made waistcoat.
He wanted to grin like a fool. If she accepted his offer to dance, they would look good standing opposite one another.
