“I had not thought…”
“Yes, it is plain you did not. Perhaps it is for the best, since you do not favor her as she had hoped. She knows now you hold no intention toward her, and she may look elsewhere.”
“Look elsewhere? Miss Bennet, what do you imply? That dance with the farmer’s daughter held no meaning.”
“Sir, the first dance at her first assembly held every meaning to Anne.”
“But we were adjured not to refuse anyone.”
“Can a gentleman not manage a simple evasion? Could you not have said, with pleasure, miss, but my first is already engaged?”
The colonel’s expression fell. “You are right. Of course, you are right.” His gaze followed Anne across the room. “She appears well pleased with that vain creature. I must make amends.”
“Sir, I shall say one thing more, and then I will never speak of it again. Annie felt the disappointment keenly, even to the point oftears. Then she resolved that men do not always have their own way, and I saw a spark of spirit rise in her.”
“She is angry, and she has every right. I have treated her very ill. It was unworthy of me. Thank you, Miss Bennet, for showing me how I have bungled matters. I will set things right between us, though at present I cannot get near enough to speak with her.”
His gaze returned to his cousin. Elizabeth marked the narrowing of his eyes and the tightening of his brow. She turned away and sought the gentleman she admired above all others. Mr. Darcy’s beautiful dark eyes were regarding her with a look of puzzlement, as if she presented a riddle. What could give rise to such confusion? Could it be her long conversation with his cousin?
She decided to remove any confusion without delay and offered him a beckoning smile. The answering upward curl of his lips warmed her through as he approached.
“Miss Bennet, will you dance with me?”
“Yes, sir, it would be my pleasure.”
He addressed his cousin. “Richard, will you watch Georgiana for me while I stand up with Miss Bennet?”
“Yes, of course, Darcy.”
“Keep your attention upon that young buck in the blue. He has already stood up twice with her, and he watches her as if she were an object of fascination.”
Richard grew alert at once. “Of course.”
The colonel moved further along the room, the better to observe his young cousin.
Darcy offered his arm, and Elizabeth accepted it with readiness. She lifted her eyes and saw his gaze fixed upon her, and had she not known better, she might have believed there was surrender in it. Warmth rose to her cheeks, and she indulged the hope that his feelings matched her own.
The dance began, lively and intricate, and left no leisure for reflection. She yielded to the movement and its enchantment, her gaze fastened upon his face, and his upon hers.
When the dance ended, he drew her arm into his and held her near. She reveled in his touch, in the press of his form against hers, and in the earnestness of his gaze. She answered him in kind and believed they were of one mind.
Chapter 17: Expectations
“Annie, you did not reserve a dance for the colonel.”
“I did not, Lizzy. He did not deserve it. You asked why gentlemen must always have their own way.”
“I did, but I did not intend you to turn from him entirely. Is it not your wish to marry him?”
Anne’s eyes filled, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “It is. It was. But I think I like Sir Gareth better. He has shown me great attention and has attended to every comfort. He secured three dances, brought us punch, and kept us well entertained.”
“He has, but you have not loved him since you were five years old.”
Tears ran unchecked down her cheeks. Georgiana came near, placed a handkerchief in her hand, and drew an arm about her shoulders.
“You have taught him a lesson, my dear. He was disconcerted when he learned Sir Gareth had stood up with you three times.”
Anne stopped crying and raised her head. “He did? How did he know? Was he watching me?”
