As for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth admitted to being curious whether he would attend the party. Given how disdainful he was whenever she saw him, she rather expected to hear that he had returned to town or wherever his estate was. If he was at Lane Park, would he continue to act as poorly as he had every other time shehad seen him? Was it possible he might decide to embrace his present situation and attempt to make friends? The thought made her snigger. It was exceedingly unlikely that Mr Darcy knew how to undertake such a task.And it would be difficult for him, given he has offended everyone in the neighbourhood. I doubt he would be willing to make the effort! The thought of all the apologies involved would surely make him faint.
She also wondered how her father would behave. It was surprising enough that he insisted he would go with them—he usually preferred to stay at home to ‘revel in the quietness when Longbourn is free from all you women’, as he often said—but then a brief conversation with Mary early that morning added to her shock. Mary came to her chamber while she was preparing for a walk.
“I cannot believe I am saying this, but my father has encouraged me to dress my hair differently tonight,” Mary said, her eyes wide and slowly shaking her head. Gesturing to the sides of her face, she continued. “He mentioned the way you always have curls. I told him I thought it would not suit me, but he thinks it will. Has he ever spoken to you of such a thing?”
“No,” Elizabeth replied, drawing out the word as she recalled their discussion the previous day and the conversations she had overheard him having with her younger sisters. It was difficult to believe he truly intended to take a hand in, well,improvingthem was the only way she could explain it. Yet, it seemed that he did.
“Why would he begin now?” Mary sounded alarmed. “Does he expect me to adopt such a coiffure? You agree that it would look horrible on me, do you not?”
“For questions one and two, I cannot say.”Though I would like to know, especially regarding the first!“As for it suiting you…” She ran her fingers through a strand of Mary’s hair. “I fear it is too fine to hold a curl, but together with our maid, we might arrange it in a way that both he and you would approve of.”
“But—”
“Think how it will please Papa,” Elizabeth said gently. “You are very pretty, Mary, and I would very much like everyone to see it—you especially. Now, you sit here and let me play with your hair for a few minutes. Do you remember when you, Jane, and I used to do that, when we were all still in the nursery?”
Her walk forgotten, Elizabeth spent the next while with Mary, ultimately settling on more than just how she would arrange her hair for the party; they also adjusted her costume to add more colour. The changes were subtle but enough for their mother to remark that Mary looked very well when the family gathered for dinner. What Elizabeth would remember most was her father’s satisfied expression.
Arriving at Lane Park, Elizabeth saw at once that Mr Bingley, his family, and even Mr Darcy were there. All three Bests greeted them, after which, the Bennets went in various directions. Mr Bingley was at Jane’s side almost before she was rising from her curtsey, and Mr Edward Best insisted Elizabeth take his arm so that he might escort her farther into the room, where he promised to show her the refreshments laid out along one wall.
“My mother has arranged for us to be entertained bymusicians from Hertford. I do not know exactly how many there are—two or three. Oh, and a singer. You play and sing so well and will find it diverting, will you not? I told Mama you would. We shall have a hot supper later on too,” he assured her. “Listening to music always makes me so hungry. Is that not odd? It is the same when I see any sort of performance. Mama has arranged a feast. Would you like anything now? A drink perhaps? Wine? Punch?”
“No, thank you,” she said before he could go on. She managed to extricate her arm gently from his and looked about the room, hoping to spot one of her friends. It would provide her with an excuse to separate herself from him; she did not want to encourage his belief that she might develop atendrefor him. It was saying something that even her mother, who longed to see all her daughters married as soon as possible, did nothing to promote the match. “Oh, there is Charlotte. Please excuse me, Mr Best. I must ask her something.”
Before he could respond, she left, trusting that the growing crowd of guests would prevent him from following her.
Soon, they sat down to watch the small musical ensemble. It had clearly been Mrs Best’s intention that Elizabeth and her son might sit together, but Elizabeth carefully avoided both and slipped into a chair where she was partly hidden from view. There was a draught, and she was glad for her wrap, which she pulled tightly across her shoulders. Soon, she was engrossed in the performance and any discomfort was forgotten.
Until she noticed Mr Darcy watching her.
He was sitting across the room, his position perfect for seeing her with few obstructions. What did he want? No doubt he was finding fault with everything about her—her looks, where she was sitting, the expressions on her face as she listened to the various pieces.He is the most vexing man I have ever had the misfortune to meet!She did her best to pretend he was not there, even leaning this way or that so it was more difficult to see him, telling herself it was part of the promise she had made her father to avoid him.
Mr Darcy’s examination did not end after the musicians had finished. There was an interval before supper, and as she spoke to different people—Mary, followed by some acquaintances—she spied him turned towards her. Twice it seemed that he intended to approach, but she moved elsewhere, knowing it would make it difficult for him to find her, given the size of the room and the number of people.
Why will he not admit that I do not wish to talk to him?It occurred to her that she was mistaken, that he had no desire to be in her company, and any time she had seen him looking at her it had only been to ensure he did not accidentally find himself close enough that he was obligated to exchange a few words with her.Not that he feels it is necessary to abide by the social niceties!
If she had been of a more liberal mindset, she would remark that he might be making an effort to be pleasant this evening. When he had dined at Longbourn, just two days ago, he had largely stood apart from the other guests when they were in the drawing room, and she doubted he had said much to his companions at thetable. Tonight, he was speaking to her neighbours—not just his friends—and while he did not smile or laugh or even look particularly engaged by the exchanges, it was possible he was attempting to be polite. Regardless, one person with whom he wouldnotconverse was her!
Her good fortune ended about twenty minutes later. Mr Edward Best had found her and was sharing his impressions of the music while she listened with growing impatience when Mr Darcy joined them.
“Miss Elizabeth,” he said, offering her a slight bow.
“Mr Darcy, how did you like the performance?” Mr Best asked, saving her from having to address the gentleman. “I was just telling Miss Elizabeth that I thought it one of the finest I have ever seen.”
“Did you? How…interesting. And you, Miss Elizabeth, what is your opinion?”
She shrugged and opened her mouth to make an excuse to leave them, but before she could, Mr Best again spoke. His lack of manners made her wonder whether perhaps he had imbibed a little too much wine or whether his recent illness, and thus absence from company, had left him over-eager for people other than his parents to speak to.
“Miss Eliza is an excellent singer. Have you ever heard her? And she plays the pianoforte better than anyone I know. Any lady, I mean, not someone who earns money for it.”
“I have not had that pleasure,” Mr Darcy said.
“If you do, you are sure to agree with me!” He smiled broadly at her, and Elizabeth straightened her spine so she would not squirm—especially when she noticed MrDarcy’s arched brow as his gaze flickered between her and Mr Best.
“I am glad Mama arranged this party,” he continued. “It is so good to see all my friends again. It may have only been a fortnight since I last did, but it feels like half a year has passed.”
“You were not at the assembly,” Mr Darcy remarked.
“Unfortunately, I was ill. I am very sorry I missed the dancing, especially the opportunity to escort you.” He nodded at Elizabeth. “I understand you lacked partners, but hadIbeen there?—”
