Page 55 of Miss Bingley’s Return

“Mr. Harrington has grown bolder,” said she to Mr. Darcy.

“Harrington never lacked boldness,” replied he. “Clarity is what he lacked. Even so, he is careful and will continue to be so until Bingley has irrevocably decided.”

With a glance, Elizabeth could see Mr. Darcy was correct. Mr. Harrington stood speaking agreeably to all—Mr. Bingley had introduced him to Miss Whitcombe—but he did not single Jane out for anything more, and did not ask her to dance. Elizabeth suspected he wanted to, but held himself back out of an abundance of caution.

“What form do you suppose that decision will take?” asked Elizabeth.

“That I cannot say,” said Mr. Darcy. “But it appears closer than anyone suspected.”

With that, Elizabeth could not disagree. The ballroom was nearly full of guests, standing in small clusters, the hum of conversation hanging over the room. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson had not yet entered, but Elizabeth suspected they would soon. Miss Bingley had the same notion.

“The dancing will start soon,” said she. “Perhaps it is best for the gentlemen to secure their partners.”

Then she turned to Mr. Harrington. “Please let me recommend Miss Whitcombe as an excellent young lady to partner for a dance. Charles will, of course, wish to dance the first with Miss Bennet.”

Silence settled over the small group. Elizabeth inspected Mr. Bingley, wondering what he would do with his sister’s blatant statement. Mr. Bingley surprised her, for he considered the situation and chose the response that would give away nothing, yet not allow her the victory.

“If you will pardon me, Caroline, I shall take Darcy’s likeness and refrain from dancing the first.”

Mr. Bingley directed a boyish grin at Mr. Darcy. “Perhaps a little of your caution has rubbed off on me, old boy. Have you not advised me to practice circumspection?”

“And you have proven a most obtuse pupil, my friend,” replied Mr. Darcy in like kind. “It is pleasing that you have accepted my advice at last.”

“I shall also follow Bingley’s example,” said Mr. Harrington. Then he laughed and added: “If I may be so bold, I hope that our conversation partners will receive no solicitations for the first set, for it would be a punishment to watch them stand up with other men.”

“You have the right of it, my friend!” jested Mr. Bingley.

Miss Bingley watched this all, but she gave no impression of displeasure or even that her plans were going awry. Yet Elizabeth knew she had not surrendered. Not wanting to think about it, she turned to her companion.

“Do you not dance the first, Mr. Darcy?”

The gentleman shook his head and said: “Never.”

Elizabeth watched him, curious about his meaning. “Is there some secret rule governing first dances that no one has thought to tell me?”

“Not at all. I have found that if I dance the first with any young lady, they gain certain . . . expectations that I have no intention of fulfilling. It is easier to avoid it altogether.”

“Oh?” asked she, feeling a little daring. “Did you not make it clear that you have every intention of fulfilling certain expectations? I will note that I have never even hinted at it once.”

The smile with which he regarded her almost stopped Elizabeth’s heart. “You are completely correct, Miss Elizabeth—I do not know why I did not think of it myself. Will you dance the first with me?”

“Of course I shall, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth.

The look of pleasure transformed Mr. Darcy’s face, leaving Elizabeth bemused. She had always known he was handsome, but when he set aside all inhibitions, there was something unguarded and appealing about him. When the music began soon after, Mr. Darcy took her hand and led her to the dance floor. On the way, he stopped next to Bingley and clapped him on the back.

“I think, Bingley, that I will follow your example this time while you follow mine.”

Mr. Bingley understood at once, if his grin did him any justice. “She appears well worth the inducement, my friend.”

“Yes, she is,” replied Mr. Darcy.

As they took their place among the dancers, Elizabeth caught one last glance of the group and Miss Bingley’s shocked features.

“Given your comment earlier,” said Elizabeth, “might I assume that Miss Bingley has never danced the first with you?”

The gentleman nodded as they began the first pass. “No, she has not—I would not request it of her even if I was inclined to dance the first.”

“Poor Miss Bingley,” said Elizabeth.