She was surprised at his candor. “Why, Mr. Darcy, for shame.”
His grin matched hers when he said, “You are correct. I should have kept my comment about our hostess to myself. Nonetheless, I know you well enough that you would have known my meaning even if I left the words unsaid.”
What did he mean by that?From his posture, she knew he was complimenting her. Elizabeth peeked at him as she turned with the music. When the pattern brought them back together, she placed her hand in his. Even through their gloves, the touch of his palm on hers sent shivers up her arm. Her eyes shot to his, where the intensity of his gaze threatened to melt her bones.What foolishness is this?
Elizabeth Bennet wasan enchantress with a ready smile, a quick wit, and a happy nature that reeled him in. He needed to leave Hertfordshire and never return before he declared himself in the middle of the dance floor.
His feelings were tumultuous when it came to her. As a man used to restraining his impulses and distancing himself from anyone who might be tempted to prey on his position, he found himself repeatedly failing to ignore the young lady.
Where he had overlooked her at first, upon further acquaintance, he now appreciated her light and pleasing figure, the evenness of her smile, and the sparkling beauty of hereyes. Her countenance, despite being a daughter of a country gentleman of no account, was regal. Darcy suspected she had a spine of steel by the way she defended her errant younger sisters and a mother who were far more vulgar than circumspect.
He had watched her stand up with her father’s cousin. The man was an oaf with little skill on the ballroom floor and even less manners than the lowliest stable boy. There followed a series of gentlemen either the same age as her father or too young to appreciate her fine character who applied for a dance.
Darcy could not have imagined standing up with anyone else. In fact, had they privacy to conduct their conversation without the hearing ears of others in their set, he would have done the unthinkable—boldly flirt with an unattached lady. Unfortunately, they were surrounded by couples who paid them too much attention. Perhaps he should not have sought out Miss Elizabeth twice. To keep her from raised expectations, he would be required to dance with others for the few dances remaining. To single out an unmarried female was to proclaim his affection publicly. He was not ready to take that step, nor would he ever be. Darcy could admire her from a distance, but he would never marry someone with no connections and little to add to the Darcy fortune. She simply would not do for a man of his status.
Lord, but he sounded arrogant! Maybe he was the oaf.
She was as dignified as a queen. Her eyes reflected the flicker of hundreds of candles. Three curls were hanging over her shoulder and down her back. When they stepped close, and her gaze met his, longing for her flowed through his veins and pierced his heart.
She was stunning. If he stayed at Netherfield Park any longer, he was doomed. No more vacillating. His final decision was made. He would leave Hertfordshire in a few hours and never look back.
CHAPTER 13
Before the strains of the first song ended, a light tap on his shoulder interrupted him. It was his valet, Parker.
“Mr. Darcy, sir, your coachman is worried about the weather. It blew fiercely the past hour. At present, the wind has abated. Many of Mr. Bingley’s neighbors are already leaving the ball. Only a few families remain who have not called for their carriages. We cannot guess how long this calm will last.”
Immediately, Darcy surveyed the scene. Parker was correct. Mrs. Hammond, Lady Lucas, Mrs. Long, and Mrs. Bennet were the only matrons seated by the musicians. A few others stood by the door, already gathering their outer garments in preparation to leave. Bingley’s servants were ushering them down the grand staircase. A handful of officers loitered around the room. His mind began arranging all that needed to be done as he wondered at his not noticing the other families leaving. Had Miss Elizabeth been that much of a distraction? Apparently.
Miss Elizabeth said, “Pray tell your coachman that we appreciate his warning. I shall gather my family if our carriage could be called.”
As she hurried off, Darcy requested that his coach be made ready. Then he found Bingley. “You shall need to close the ball due to the weather.”
His shoulders drooped. “Your coachman sought me out not an hour ago to express concern about the safety of those who will be driving home. When he asked for you, I assured him I would pass the message along. I was hoping the wind would die down.”
Darcy was incensed. “And you chose to keep this information to yourself?”
Bingley’s face flushed further as his chin dipped almost to his chin. “I did not want to miss the final dance with Miss Bennet.”
“Of all the…” Darcy rubbed his hand over his jaw. “Act with expediency, Bingley, or you might have the loss of lives on your hands as well as possible damage to this property. Go! Now!”
As Bingley hurried to the musicians, Darcy informed Mrs. Hammond of the situation. Unruffled, she quickly took his arm and headed toward the door.
He heard Bingley’s voice as soon as the instruments were silenced. “Ladies and gentlemen, a storm has been raging outside while we have been making merry. Currently, the wind has quietened. For your safety, orders have been given to have your carriages made ready. Please gather by the door to be called as soon as your conveyance is at the front. If you feel unsafe driving home, you are welcome to shelter here. Do not delay in making your choice. We need to hurry, my friends.”
Panic ensued. A woman screamed.Mrs. Bennet.A few of the others looked like they would swoon out of terror, although they quickly regained their composure and pushed and shoved themselves ahead of their neighbors.
When the front doors were thrown open, Darcy was distressed to see several of the officers, followed by a young lady, run into the darkness. The girl looked like Miss Lydia, althoughhe could not be certain. He only hoped that if it were her, Mr. Bennet would take charge.
For the moment, the weather held as, one by one, carriages pulled to the front. Mrs. Hammond clutched his arm so the surge of neighbors did not separate them. He looked for Miss Elizabeth and found her attempting to reason with her mother, Miss Mary, and Miss Kitty to no avail, if the stubbornness of their posture was any indication.
By the time his conveyance arrived, twenty-three of the twenty-four families in the neighborhood were already headed down the road for the two-mile journey to Meryton and beyond.
Over the hustle and bustle, he heard Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice: “We cannot leave, Lizzy. Impossible! With this weather we might not make it home in one piece. We cannot leave the shelter of Netherfield Park and the company of Mr. Bingley. How will he ask Jane to marry him if we are gone? If you want to return to Longbourn, then go!”
Darcy ground his teeth. What a stupid, stupid woman.
Miss Elizabeth tugged at her middle sister’s arm. The girl resisted.
