“I believe I have learnt better, Colonel.”
“It becomes you very well!” And on that note, the dance ended. He bowed, she curtsied, and as they walked off the dance floor, he offered to fetch her a lemonade. She recalled Mrs. Annesley saying that one should refuse that offer, but she found herself nodding.
***
Mr. Stanley returned Georgiana to Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy; Mr. Darcy then asked his sister to dance, to which she agreed with alacrity. The two of them moved to the dance floor just as Caroline Bingley was escorted back by the Colonel. “I am off to get a lemonade for Miss Bingley,” he told Elizabeth. “May I get one for you as well, Elizabeth?”
“No, I thank you,” she replied.
As the Colonel left to find the meager refreshments, Elizabeth turned to see Caroline staring after the Colonel’s retreating form. Repressing a smile, Elizabeth asked, “Did you have an enjoyable dance, Caroline?”
Caroline jerked as if she had been awakened from a trance. “Oh! Oh, yes, very much so.”
“No insults this time?”
“Insults?”
“Well, I recall that you left the Colonel on the dance floor at Georgiana’s ball; I never heard the particulars, but I think we all assumed he had insulted you most grievously.”
“He did, yes, but tonight he was all politeness.”
“I am glad.”
The Colonel returned with Miss Bingley’s refreshment, which she accepted with obvious pleasure. Their fingers brushed as she took the glass from him, causing both of them to startle back, eyes wide. Elizabeth, watching them, held back a chuckle.
The Colonel turned to Elizabeth. “Will you dance the next with me, Elizabeth?”
“With pleasure,” she said.
Mr. Lindsay then appeared to ask Caroline for a dance, and the four of them took to the dance floor.
***
Georgiana’s fears became reality when she saw Lord Fane and Lady Agatha enter the room. She looked over her current partner’s shoulder as Lord Fane scanned the room until his eyes rested on Georgiana.
Not taking his eyes off her, he moved to the side of the room and waited. When Georgiana’s partner returned her to the sidelines, Lord Fane was immediately at her side. He wasted not a minute. “May I have the next dance, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana looked about her in some desperation, hoping to be rescued, but all she saw was Lady Agatha, looking at Georgiana with concern.
“Yes,” she whispered to Lord Fane.
“Are you quite well, Miss Darcy?”
“Rather tired, I think; it has been a long evening.”
“Would you rather sit this one out? I would be delighted to sit beside you.”
“Oh, no,” Georgiana said, hastily. For if they sat, he would be able to speak to her for a full half-hour, and that could not be permitted to happen.
The next dance was a lively country dance, but Lord Fane managed to ask if he had offended Georgiana in some manner.
“Of course not,” she replied, coolly.
“I was surprised to get your note about the drive,” he said.
Unable to think of an adequate response, Georgiana merely shrugged.
“If I have done anything to upset you, I beg that you will tell me.” His voice sounded very concerned.
