“It would be a complete pleasure – indeed, an honour! – to offer her a suitable mount,” he went on.
“And perhaps you would find time to ride with her, Mr. Bingley?” Elizabeth suggested.
“Oh! Why, of course!”
“For someone should go with her,” Elizabeth pressed on. “And I know she would feel far more comfortable with you than with a groom.”
“Do you think so, Miss Elizabeth?”
“I am certain of it, Mr. Bingley.”
As the dance ended, Elizabeth thought, ‘There! I have done as much as I can.’
Meanwhile, Jane spent her first dance telling Mr. Darcy of Elizabeth’s many accomplishments. “Her studies of Greek and Latin make it quite easy for her to pick up languages,” she said, earnestly. “I cannot imagine that anyone learnt Frenchand Italian as quickly and easily as did she. Our father was fortunate to have a daughter so ready to be a linguist; I fear the rest of us rather disappointed him.”
“Surely no one could be disappointed in you, Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy said, gallantly.
“I know my own value, Mr. Darcy,” Jane replied. “But Elizabeth – well, she is special. You might search a hundred ballrooms and not find anyone with her quick mind, her ability to understand others, and her singular beauty.”
As the dance ended, Jane thought, ‘There! I have done as much as I can.’
When Mr. Darcy went to solicit Miss Elizabeth’s hand for the next dance, he found himself unable to take his eyes from her for even an instant as they spun about the room. He did not know what they spoke of, but her voice was music, and he could scarce breathe for wanting to hear more of it.
He hoped, quite desperately, she would find a gentleman who would value her as he ought, to treat her as the treasure that she was. And even as he thought it, a sharp pang entered his chest. The idea of Elizabeth with another man – possibly with Bingley! – sharing his bed, reading with him by the evening fire, bearing his children; no, he could scarce bear the idea of it!
But it was impossible for Mr. Darcy to offer for her. He could overlook the fact that she had no connections and no dowry – he had enough of both – but he could not overlook the fact that his best friend had asked him to step aside.
There was only one thing for a gentleman to do. The next morning, he would tell Reginald that he was prepared to accompany him back to London at once.
Chapter Forty-Nine
Mr. Fitzwilliam was accustomed to standing aside while others danced, and it disturbed him not at all. It gave him time to think about his book. But suddenly his reveries were interrupted by a soft voice, asking him if he might not wish a drink.
“Some punch, perhaps, Mr. Fitzwilliam? Or tea? I know where my father keeps his brandy, if that might be your preference.”
He looked down. A young lady past her first bloom stood before him, addressing him calmly. There was no fluttering of lashes or fans, no maidenly blushes, merely a question in her eyes. “I am sorry,” he said. “Were we introduced? I am dreadful at remembering names,” he said, apologetically.
Charlotte laughed. “No, we were not introduced, so you have nothing with which to reproach yourself. I shall introduce myself, if you do not mind. I am Miss Lucas; my parents are hosting this party, which is why I felt emboldened to ask if I might offer you some refreshment.”
“I believe the gentleman is supposed to ask that question of the lady,” he managed.
“Perhaps; but if the lady is the hostess, I think we may rather relax the rules, may we not?”
“By all means,” he said, earnestly. “I do not generally understand the rules, so I am always in favour of relaxing them.”
She laughed. “Having now relaxed the rules, will you not accompany me to the refreshments?”
“I should be happy to, Miss Lucas.”
“There! You remembered my name with no difficulty at all.”
He offered her his arm, which she took. She indicated the refreshment table with a nod, and he led her there. He accepted a glass of punch. As he sipped it, he said, “What do you know of Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
“Why, everything!
“Everything? How is that possible?”
“We have known one another since we were small girls. She is my very best friend. And I am hers, after her sister, Jane.”
