When she saw Mr. Bingley soothing Jane, Elizabeth recalled how often the poor conduct of his own sisters reflected badly on him. Yet, he did not allow it to dampen his joy. Elizabeth would do the same. Mrs. Hammond was correct. The misconduct of her family was not hers to bear, at least not for that evening. Instead, Elizabeth would act with dignity and honor. She would have a wonderful time at the ball on her own terms.
When the set ended, Elizabeth’s next partner, John Lucas, claimed her. Then she stood up with her father’s cousin. By the time her obligatory dance with Mr. Collins was over, Mr. Darcy was engaged in conversation with Mrs. Hammond. Like the storm outside, emotions tossed and turned inside Elizabeth. Lydia’s braying laughter captured her attention as she tried to steal a sword from one of the officers, Kitty following her poor example; Elizabeth wished herself at home in the privacy of her bedchamber. Or rather, she wished something or someone would have kept Lydia and Kitty at Longbourn.
She yearned for her father to see the damage his daughters were doing to the family name. However, as was typical, he sought his own pleasure by hiding away in a room where card tables were set up for those who chose not to dance. Knowing her father, he tucked a book in his evening jacket. His nose would be buried between the pages of his latest acquisition. Inside, Elizabeth knew that even had he been in the ballroom,Thomas Bennet would have laughed at his daughters, doing nothing to stop their antics.
Recalling Mrs. Hammond’s plea, she finally sought peace by standing as far away from her mother and younger sisters as possible. Eventually, the music and movement of the dancers soothed her, strengthening Elizabeth’s resolve to be the best she could be under every circumstance. Perhaps then she would have the future of her dreams.
As capable a partner as Mr. Darcy was, how she wished Colonel Fitzwilliam were here!
CHAPTER 12
Although he tried to avoid it, Darcy watched the Bennets. It reminded him of an accident he came upon when Georgiana was with him in the carriage. He covered her eyes so she would not see the gory details. At the same time, he could not look away.
He overheard the mother and younger ones and disdained their poor conduct. In particular, the youngest. She boldly flitted from one officer to another, teasing and taunting, pressing her barely covered cleavage against their arm. If she did not immediately gain the man’s attention, she purred and petted, then played with a pendant hanging from a chain, moving it back and forth across the top of her breasts. The stupid tart was disgusting. Her next oldest sister parroted her until they were surrounded by drooling men with their tongues hanging out.Lord!If they were his responsibility, he would ship them to a convent, even if they were not Catholic.
Miss Jane Bennet stood quietly next to Bingley. Was it shame or embarrassment with her family that kept her eyes to the floor? From where he sat with Mrs. Hammond, Darcy could not glimpse Miss Bennet’s expression, but Bingley’s constant attendance upon her and his offers of comfort were visible.
Then there was Miss Elizabeth. Disapproval flashed from her eyes until Darcy feared that the younger Bennets would be scorched from the heat.
As he witnessed her struggles, Mrs. Hammond spoke. “She is powerless, you know. She fears not only for her reputation but also for her favorite sister. Even so, she loves her family despite their flaws. It may surprise you to know that on occasion, Kitty, Lydia, and even their mother can be quite gracious and polite.” The elderly woman leaned closer. “Lizzy has had limited exposure to true evil, sir. She is knowledgeable enough to know the danger but not the extent. There is no one with authority to correct them. Unfortunately, embarrassment will follow those girls, and Lizzy will feel the stain most grievously.”
He could not keep from asking, “Will her father not act?”
He could feel her eyes examining him. “You remind me of my husband. He was never one to shift responsibility to someone else. He made the hard choices by always considering the interests of the ship and its crew. If there was someone who robbed the others of peace or did not pull their weight during the long journeys to the far corners of the earth, they were punished harshly. If they did not learn from the discipline, they were put ashore at the next port. No amount of pleading that it was an inconvenience would change his mind. The captain was a fair man. It would have been unjust to give in and he would have lost the respect of the rest of his men had he done so. Was it easy? It never is, is it?”
He appreciated Mrs. Hammond’s insight. “Never.”
“Responsibility has its price,” she murmured.
“Respectfully, Mrs. Hammond, I choose not to see it that way. Responsibility has its rewards.”
She patted his arm. “Go and speak to her, Mr. Darcy. She will be diverted and feel the compliment without increasing herexpectations. Our Lizzy may be strong of opinions, but she is tender at heart. This is an evening for feeling special.”
He considered her request. Surely, it would do no harm to stand up with Miss Elizabeth for a second set. It was not a declaration of affection. Rather, it was a kindness to distract her from her family. Since pleasing the elderly woman was gentlemanly, Darcy stood to find her, knowing that he was flirting with danger. The lies ended now. Elizabeth Bennet appealed to his heart on many levels. Her quick mind and witty conversation warmed him. Yet, it was her inner strength, that same need to set things right, that resonated deeply inside him. He wanted one final chance to be close to her before he left the next day for London, never to return. His decision was made. He would feel her passion for life for a moment; then, he would let her go.
“Pardon me,” he said to Mrs. Hammond, his gaze never leaving Miss Elizabeth. “I believe it is time to find a partner.”
Elizabeth stoodacross from Mr. Darcy, waiting for the music to begin. She had witnessed him and Mrs. Hammond with their heads together. It was an easy step to realize that his request was the result of an appeal made by the elderly widow.Although she would much rather have danced with Colonel Fitzwilliam, the gentleman had still not appeared. Surprisingly, she enjoyed her earlier dance with Mr. Darcy. Perhaps they would get on well for another half an hour.
Glancing around the room, she wanted to laugh at the amazement of the few friends and neighbors observing them. The whispers. Pointing fingers. Gasps even. Elizabeth was not the only one surprised that she was again opposite the manwhose speech and manners had offended the majority living in and around the small community of Meryton in Hertfordshire. Miss Bingley glared from her post by the wall, then stifled a pretend yawn once she realized Elizabeth saw her.
Fitzwilliam Darcy was an enigma. Tall, handsome, and athletic in form, his bearing immediately attracted the attention of female eyes of any age. His wealth and status in society were far more impressive than anyone she met in her almost twenty-one years of experience. He was the grandson of an earl, the highest level of society.
She had no way of comprehending his inner feelings upon his arrival in Meryton. What Elizabeth did know was that after five weeks, even though it had lessened, she still felt the sting of his condemnation. At the same time, she marveled at his tenderness with her friend and even his kindness in escorting her back to Longbourn after the storm.Who was this man?
They stood for some time without speaking until she began to imagine their silence lasting through the two dances. At first, she resolved not to break it. He could speak first.
No!She would not behave badly. Her sisters were already causing enough talk. Elizabeth said, “I do love the simplicity of the melody for this dance.”
“I agree.”
When the music began in earnest, Elizabeth took one step forward. Although she curtsied, her eyes pierced his. Surprised to see turmoil, she momentarily wondered at its cause. For she had no doubt he saw the same in hers.
She swallowed, not quite able to draw her face away from his.What was he about?
After a lengthy pause that completely disconcerted her, she said, “Mr. Bingley is to be commended. The ball appears to be a success.”
Mr. Darcy tipped his head, acknowledging her comment. “I am pleased to see how well my friend followed through once his decision was made to hold a ball. Although he left most of the details to his sisters, who are challenging enough to deal with on any occasion, he took the planning seriously.”
