A short time later, Sir William urged dancing. A servant moved aside a few chairs, and the younger members of the partyarranged themselves with cheerful readiness. Bingley sought Jane Bennet’s hand without delay. She accepted with a blush so becoming that even Darcy, distracted as he was, could not fail to notice his friend’s delight.
Darcy watched Miss Elizabeth. She stood beside Miss Lucas, apparently prepared to sit out.
Sir William approached him. “Mr. Darcy, you must dance. Allow me to present you to a partner. Miss Eliza Bennet would be an excellent choice.”
Darcy’s attention sharpened.
Miss Elizabeth heard. Her eyes widened only slightly, but her composure recovered almost instantly.
“Indeed, Sir William, I have no wish to dance.”
“Nonsense, my dear. Young people are always eager for dancing, whether they admit it or not.”
Darcy stepped forward. “Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor?”
She turned her gaze fully upon him then. The room seemed to recede, though the music had not begun.
“You are very obliging, Mr. Darcy,” she said. “But I must decline.”
Sir William laughed. “Decline? A young lady decline Mr. Darcy? Impossible.”
“Not at all,” she replied. “I find it perfectly possible.”
Bingley, having overheard the exchange, pressed his lips together against a grin while offering Darcy a measure of sympathy.
Darcy bowed. “As you wish.”Foiled again.He could not very well importune the lady, could he?
Her expression relaxed by no measurable degree. “Thank you.”
She turned away.
Sir William, undeterred, clapped Darcy upon the arm with more familiarity than Darcy preferred. “Never mind, sir, never mind. Ladies are often coy in such matters.”
Darcy’s jaw tightened. “I do not believe Miss Bennet was being coy.”
“No? Well, perhaps not. Still, a fine girl. A very fine girl. One of the jewels of the county!”
“Yes,” Darcy said before caution could intervene. “She is.”
Sir William beamed and moved away, satisfied by he knew not what.
Darcy withdrew to the edge of the room.
Miss Elizabeth spent the next set in conversation with another gentleman. She laughed during it. Her amusement had nothing to do with him and was wholly beyond his reach. The realization displeased him more than it ought.
He had never sought to be the object of general admiration. In London, he often took pains to avoid it. In Hertfordshire, he had succeeded only in ensuring that the one woman whose good opinion he most wished to recover possessed every reason to deny it.
“Mr. Darcy.” Miss Bingley had appeared at his side.
He controlled his expression before turning. “Miss Bingley.”
“You seem very entertained.”
“Do I?” It was anything but entertaining to watch Miss Elizabeth avoid him.
“Or very occupied, at least. I cannot determine which.” She offered him a simpering smile.
“There is much to observe.” And much to frustrate him.
