“Yes, she makes her intentions plain, but that does not mean he will accept her invitation. This is your first dance, is it not? You shall dance, even if only with your cousin, Mr. Darcy. But if you smile as that abandoned woman did, you may attract a gentleman who will ask you. Let the colonel see what he has set aside, and do not sit by like a wallflower awaiting his notice.”
Miss de Bourgh’s countenance changed, and she regarded the colonel’s back with narrowed eyes. “I shall, Lizzy. I will dance with any gentleman who asks and let Richard see that I will not wait upon him.”
“That is well, my dear. Why should the gentlemen have it all their own way? Look to your right. There is a handsome farmer’s son observing you. Favor him with a smile and see whether he finds the courage to ask.”
Miss de Bourgh smiled at the broad-shouldered young man, who was dressed in rough but clean work clothes. He returned the look and approached at once. He requested the first dance, and she accepted with bright pleasure. Two older gentlemen soon followed, each requesting a dance, and she accepted both.
By the time the colonel returned with her plate and Darcy with his, she had regained her composure and ate with appetite. The chicken pie proved excellent, as did the fruit he brought her. She lifted her gaze and found him watching her.
“That was all you required, Annie, a change in the menu. Shall I bring you more fruit?”
“No, thank you, Richard. I have had enough.”
Mr. Darcy addressed Elizabeth. “Would you like another serving, Miss Bennet? I have some fruit on my plate, and I have not touched it.”
She looked down at her plate, which she had practically scraped clean. “I have had enough, sir. You must excuse me, but such exertion as I take each morning encourages a hearty appetite.”
One corner of his lips curved up slightly. “I do not know where it goes, ma’am. You are a delicate woman, almost like a porcelain figurine, yet your appetite is quite remarkable.”
His eyes betrayed what his words concealed. They shone with affection, even longing, and something within her shifted. She resolved to contend for his love rather than withdraw. Would it be so very wrong to offer him encouragement? If he turned from her in the end, owing to the wide distance between their stations, so be it. She would at least have the comfort of knowing she had done all in her power to advance the attachment.
It was not long before the musicians finished tuning their instruments, and the dancing began. Mr. Darcy rose and offered Elizabeth his hand. He bowed, the corners of his eyes crinkling with a smile. As he led her onto the floor, Elizabeth glimpsed the tall young farmer guiding Miss Anne to her place.
The country dance proved lively, and when it concluded, both Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth were laughing as they joined the company in applause. He returned her to her chair, then conducted Georgiana out for the next set. A broad-shouldered farmer soon approached and requested Elizabeth’s hand.
Miss de Bourgh and Elizabeth stood up for every dance, their partners drawn from the neighboring farmers and local gentry,while Mr. Darcy kept watch over his sister. Georgiana accepted each set, though only with boys of her own age or younger, or with her brother. Richard found himself surrounded by eager young ladies, each asking for his hand.
During a pause between dances, Elizabeth and Anne stood sipping punch when Richard approached.
“Cousin, may I have this dance?”
“I am sorry, Richard, but all my dances are promised. I was free for the first, but…”
She set down her cup and departed with her next partner.
Richard’s gaze lingered upon her, his expression guarded.
Elizabeth turned to him. “Sir Gareth Beaumont has shown marked attention. He brought us our punch, and this marks the third set he has claimed with Anne. He is most amiable, and his humor very pleasing.”
“Third dance?”
“Yes, Colonel. You did say we were not to refuse any gentleman who asked. Is that not so?”
“Why, yes, but I meant the farmers were not to be refused, not that insufferable puppy. He ought to know better. It is not proper to stand up three times with the same lady.”
“No? We believed it not improper, as this is an informal dance in a barn.”
She smiled sweetly and added, “He comes to take tea with us tomorrow. He has lately returned from France, and we are eager to hear of his adventures, of what he knows of the war, and Miss Anne in particular wishes to learn more of his family.”
The colonel watched his cousin in silence as she laughed at some tale the smiling coxcomb recounted. She appeared well pleased with his company.
“Annie was disappointed when you failed to request her hand for her very first dance. She expected you would have asked her last evening.”
The colonel’s complexion deepened to the tips of his ears.
“She still entertained hopes that you would ask her once we arrived here, but perhaps we were both mistaken in the marked attentions you have shown her these past days.”
He faced her, and Elizabeth’s bright eyes burned with vexation.
