A hand grasping his shoulder halted his involuntary movement forward. “You mustn’t appear too eager for the lady, Darcy, or she will know the power she has over you.”
He promptly shook it off. “Richard, you are a fool. I have not spoken to Elizabeth in two and a half years, and I intend to do so now, whether or not you approve. I may know nothing of ‘wooing’ a lady, as you call it, but if there is anything I do know, it is how to speak to Elizabeth.”
Leaving his cousin behind, he perfunctorily greeted first his aunt and uncle, before moving to stand in front of Elizabeth, clasping her hands in his. He found his claim that he knew how to speak to Elizabeth to be false, and it took him a moment to form the words. “You are beautiful tonight, Elizabeth,” he whisperedhuskily. He cleared his throat in an attempt to dislodge whatever was there. “I am happy to see you again; you have become a striking young woman, and I am inordinately pleased to have already arranged two dances with you tonight. My cousin over there tried to claim he had stolen your supper set from me, but I will not allow such a thing, as I already know I will enjoy dancing with you tonight.”
“What if I am a terrible dancer, Mr. Darcy?” she asked with an impish look at him.
“Then we will dance terribly together, but I will not care, because I will still be able to speak to you throughout.” He lowered his voice and whispered for her alone: “And what is this Mr. Darcy business? I thought I was William?”
“We are in London, and I am now out. Your aunt told me I should not address you so informally in public.”
He frowned slightly. “Perhaps we should not, but might I retain your permission to address you as Miss Elizabeth instead of Miss Gardiner? I would not care to treat you as a stranger now; we know each other too well for that.”
Her laughter soothed him. “You are right. When no one can hear us, I will still address you as William unless you prefer I do not.”
“No, Elizabeth, I admit that I enjoy hearing my name on your lips. Now, I have just arrived in town this afternoon with barely enough time to arrive here, and I know that I cannot claim all of your attention tonight, however much I might desire it. I brought a mount with me from Pemberley that will be suitable for you to ride, and since you told me you have practised a little, I hope to have you out riding with me in the mornings when we can. You are staying with my aunt at Matlock House?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Since she is sponsoring me, she thought it would be best. She has also taken me to her modiste and purchased far more dresses than I can imagine ever needing or wearing, but she insisted it was absolutely necessary. When will we ride?”
“The day after tomorrow,” Darcy said, before giving way to the next arrival who stood behind him, annoyed that Darcy was taking up so much of the guest of honour’s time.
Chapter Thirteen
After what felt like hours of greeting guests, it was finally time for the dancing to begin. Elizabeth moved gracefully across the dance floor, first with her uncle and then with the earl. Finally, it was time for her dance with Darcy. When he took her hands in his, a jolt of electricity seemed to pass between them, somehow marking her as his. It was a heady feeling, completely unfamiliar, and it seemed to occur only with him.
They smiled at each other as they took their places and began moving through the steps. Just as had happened when she saw him for the first time across the foyer a few hours ago, their gazes locked, and the rest of the room seemed to fade away. It was as if only the two of them moving across the dance floor, their steps in sync as though they had practised together many times before. Barely a word was spoken between them, but much was communicated regardless.
The music flowed around them, creating a perfect harmony that matched their movements. Darcy’s touch was firm yet gentle, guiding her effortlessly through the intricate patterns of the dance. Elizabeth felt a familiar sense of familiarity, one she had often felt when they rode together across the fields at Pemberley.
As the dance continued, Elizabeth could not help but marvel at how natural it felt to be in Darcy’s arms. Admittedly this was their first dance, but still, his presence was both comforting and exhilarating, and she found herself lost in the moment, completely absorbed by the man before her. The intensity of the connection was undeniable, and it left her feeling breathless.
When the music came to an end, they stood facing each other, their hands still clasped. The spell was broken when they heard the sounds of those around them clapping, but the effects of the dance lingered. Darcy’s eyes held hers, and in that moment, Elizabeth knew that something profound had shifted between them.
“Thank you for the dance, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said softly, his voice filled with genuine emotion.
“The pleasure was all mine, Mr. Darcy,” she replied, her heart pounding in her chest as she took the arm he offered her to escort her back to her aunt and uncle.
“I cannot recall if I mentioned it before, but you look lovely tonight, Miss Elizabeth, utterly captivating. You have always been lovely, but I was astounded at the change from the girl I knew into the beautiful young woman who stands before me.”
She felt her cheeks grow warm. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. You look very well also; I daresay your valet found it challenging to have you presentable so quickly after arriving from Derbyshire.”
This made Darcy laugh. “I have little doubt that he was cursing me for cutting it so close. I did at least send him ahead. He arrived yesterday as I had intended to do, but I was delayed somewhat by a letter just before we were supposed to depart. As a result, I left the day after my staff and rode most of the way so I would arrive in time.”
“You rode all the way from Derbyshire?” Elizabeth asked, surprise evident in her tone as she turned to look at him.
“I rode a bit the first two days but rode most of today. My travelling coach arrived at my townhouse just as I was leaving the house to come here, so it was fortunate I did so. I suppose Icould have still been ready, but I would have arrived at the last moment. I did not want to cause you concern.”
“I am glad you made it on time, for I would have hated to have missed our dances. However, I prefer that you remain safe and well; you took a chance riding so far, did you not?”
“I was at least as safe riding my horse as I would have been in a carriage. I was not alone since I had a groom riding the horse I brought for you keeping me company. Do you worry for me, Miss Elizabeth?”
The almost flirtatious tone surprised Elizabeth in his voice. She had heard other gentlemen attempt to flirt with ladies before, and a few had attempted the same with her, but she was astonished that her friend William was acting in such a manner towardsher. Knowing his distaste for society, she wondered what would cause him to act in such a way. “Of course I would worry for you, William. You are a dear friend.”
They arrived at the side of her relatives, so he greeted them once more. Soon, Richard came to claim Elizabeth for the next dance, leaving Darcy standing beside her uncle. Elizabeth noticed that the two men appeared to be engaged in a serious conversation, and her partner observed her inattention.
“Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?” he inquired kindly.
“William and my uncle appear to be rather deep in conversation, and I wondered what could cause them to be so serious at a ball. I suppose William is frequently this way; he has not danced with anyone tonight.”
