“With your dress, your manners, your fortune, and your height, you have only to assume that expression of lofty reserve, and it is enough to make any person feel diminished.” One corner of his lips curved up slightly. “I must own even I am not always proof against it. You must find some way to appear less formidable, or you will continue to give offense without intending it.”
Looking defeated, Darcy asked, “But how?”
“You might attempt a smile, cousin. Even a faint smile would suffice.”
Their conversation was interrupted by the hostess, who rose and stood before the assembled guests to introduce the first performer. Richard leaned toward his cousin. “Miss Grey is a beauty. I heard she has a respectable thirty thousand pounds, and I say, Darcy, her figure is very pleasing. What more could a man require?”
Darcy gave her his full attention. The flicker of candlelight enhanced the delicate planes of her face. Her playing was tolerable, but when she sang, the effect was spoiled. Her voice was thin and shrill, and she did not sing in tune.
Richard muttered to his cousin. “She ought to have confined herself to the pianoforte and spared us the song. My illusion of Venus is quite destroyed.”
Darcy inclined his head. “It is unfortunate. I shall not soon forget this performance. If she lacks the judgment to refrain from singing in public, what other errors of judgment may she commit?”
As the evening progressed, the two cousins discovered between them some fault in each young lady who presented herself. At last, Miss Honeyfield, the shrew, took her turn. Her performance was agreeable, and Darcy found his attention drawn to her once more.
Richard observed him. “She pleases you, Darcy. You might make another attempt, and this time with a smile. A compliment upon her choice of music and its execution would not be amiss.”
Darcy considered. “Perhaps you are right, Richard.” He twisted his ring. “I shall make another attempt, but I will wait until the crowd lessens.”
When each of the ladies had performed, Darcy did as he had resolved. He approached the circle of gentlemen gathered about Miss Honeyfield and stood aside while others, more eager, pressed forward with their compliments. Presently, she raised her eyes and met his. He bowed. “Your performance was most pleasing, Miss Honeyfield. I have seldom heard such talent. I offer you my congratulations.”
She smiled, and this time there was no trace of her former irritation. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am gratified you found it so.”
He opened his mouth to say more when an overzealous young gentleman stepped forward and displaced him. Darcy withdrew and made his way toward the door.
Richard joined him. “She is interested, Darcy. Why did you retreat so quickly? You did not secure your ground. Such faint attentions will not serve with a lady of her character.”
“She is interested? What leads you to that conclusion? She showed me no greater favor than the rest who crowd about her.”
“She did. Her countenance altered when you left her, and her eyes followed you until that young fool seized her hands and diverted her attention.”
“She is the most engaging woman I have met, either at your mother’s dinner or this evening. Still, I did not feel inclined to contend for her. Perhaps that is answer enough.”
Darcy and Richard passed the remainder of the month in much the same manner, attending balls, card parties, soirées, and routs. He encountered many of the same eligible ladies againand again, and by the end of it, he found himself weary of society and most ready to seek out the ghost in Kent.
But his aunt had other plans. “Nephew, you will not escape me so easily. It is but a month since you began to participate in the Season, and that is not sufficient for any man, not even one so well favored as yourself, to discover a woman he might consider marrying.”
“Aunt Helen, I value all you have done for me, but I have had enough of the Season. I have met no one I cannot live without.”
Richard gave a short laugh. “What of Miss Honeyfield? You were quite taken with her, Darcy.”
“She is too much pursued, Richard. I cannot get close enough to offer a proper greeting.”
“You might speak to her if you would ask her to dance, as other gentlemen have done. I assure you, Darcy, she follows you with her eyes.”
Lady Helen’s attention sharpened. “Is that so, my son? There is a lady who has caught my nephew’s notice, and you say she regards him in return?”
“She does, Mamma, though what lady has not cast an eye upon my cousin? With his fortune and his appearance, I should do the same, were I a woman.”
Darcy rolled his eyes.
“Fitzwilliam, you will attend the Frampton’s ball. It is set for Friday, and you will ask Miss Honeyfield to dance, or I shall continue to accept every invitation until you have danced with her at least once. She may prove to be the very lady for you.”
Darcy drew a breath. “Very well, Aunt Helen. I shall ask her to dance.”
Richard added, “Ask her as soon as you arrive, Darcy, or her card will be filled.”
“Yes, I will do so.” He rose. “I shall see you on Friday, Aunt Helen. I will take my leave of Georgiana and then see myself out.” He bent to kiss his aunt’s cheek, struck his cousin lightly on the back, and left the room.
