“Is that the one Darcy led off with?”
“Quite right; she is the beauty of the neighbourhood, though I consider Eliza’s looks the equal of anyone’s.”
“Eliza? That is what you call her?”
“It is my special name for her. In truth, she hates it, and it is a measure of her love for me that she allows me to use it.”
“And so you use it because it is proof of that love,” he realised.
“You understand perfectly, Mr. Fitzwilliam!” She beamed at him.
He felt a warmth in his breast. “Will you tell me more about the people here? Or are you obliged to rush off and offer drinks to everyone else?”
“I am free for another half an hour; then it will be my turn at the instrument again.”
“Oh! You are playing for the dancers?”
“Mary Bennet and I take it in turns.”
“Mary. I met her, I believe.”
“Yes, when you first entered. She is newly engaged to a cousin.”
“I am not certain it is a good idea for cousins to marry, though it seems to be all the fashion.”
“Does Mr. Darcy feel the same?” An opportunity to learn the truth of Mr. Darcy’s engagement to his cousin!
“I have no idea. In any case, I would not marry a cousin. Who is the woman with all the lace on her dress?”
Charlotte managed not to laugh. “That is Mrs. Bennet. Her fondness for lace is well-known in the neighbourhood.”
“Well, she is certainly wearing a good deal of it.”
“Yes; Eliza despairs of shopping with her mother, as she abhors all the fuss and feathers that her mother delights in.”
“And speaking of feathers…” Mr. Fitzwilliam nodded toward Miss Bingley, who wore a turban with no fewer than six ostrich feathers tucked in.
“It is doubtless the height of elegance in London,” Charlotte said, allowing a note of doubt to enter her voice.
“But likely not in the country?” Mr. Fitzwilliam asked.
“Likely not, if I am honest.”
“Please, do be honest.” Mr. Fitzwilliam turned to face Charlotte. “Society is so complex that deceit of any sort just makes it all that much more difficult. I need you to be honest.” His voice was almost hoarse in its intensity.
Charlotte stared at him. Finally, she said, “Very well; I promise to always be honest – with you, at least.”
“Excellent. I should like that above all things! Tell me, then; should I attempt to dance?”
“Yes.”
“Will you dance with me? I am a dreadful dancer, you must be warned.”
“Give me a moment.” Charlotte dashed off, whispered in Mary’s ear, and then returned. “The next dance will be Heart’s Ease, which I think to be the easiest of the country dances.”
When Mary struck the opening notes, Charlotte led Mr. Fitzwilliam off to the side, and helped him walk through the steps. For the last verse, he was actually able to perform the steps on his own. At the end, he bowed deeply to Charlotte, grinning wildly. “That was – well, most unexpected, Miss Lucas!”
“Unexpected?” She laughed.
