Page 47 of Shields and Roses

"What about you?"

"No," Darcy said, gesturing emphatically with his hands. "I may not say anything against the young ladies, but I also have no desire to meet or speak with them. In fact, I would be happiest if I never heard the name Bennet again. You go on. I have promised the next dance to Miss Parkhurst. I will go speak with her father until it is time for the set to begin."

Bingley clapped him on the shoulder. "Do try not to scare the poor young woman off with your thunderous glare," he said and then headed off in the direction of the punch bowl.

Moving in the opposite direction, Darcy threaded his way through the crowd to join Mr. Parkhurst while he waited for the next dance. Catching sight of his own face in the reflective brass plate behind a wall sconce, Darcy realized Bingley had not been joking about his glare. His expression truly was thunderous. With an effort, he schooled his features into a more pleasant expression. He checked his reflection again. That was better.

Mr. Reginald Parkhurst, their host for the evening, was a wealthy man who made no attempt to disguise his interests in trade. He had inherited a tiny estate from his father shortly after he reached his majority. Through a series of clever investments, he had worked his way into partnership with a manufacturer of armaments. With the war stretching ever onward, his business was booming, and it showed in the splendor of the event he had ordered to celebrate his youngest daughter's birthday.

Darcy reached his host without incident and was pleased to find Mr. Parkhurst and the men with him discussing the latest events on the Continent. Because of his worry for Richard, Darcy followed the war news diligently. He was easily able to enter the conversation and hardly noticed the wait for his set with Miss Parkhurst. He became engrossed enough in the subject at hand that he even stopped scanning the room for a time. It was a surprise to him when the set ended, and the young lady was delivered back to her father by her most recent dance partner. Although he was a little reluctant to leave the discussion, Darcy said and did all that was polite and was escorting the young lady onto the dance floor.

Miss Parkhurst turned out to be a good dancer, although she talked far too much for Darcy's taste. Of course, he could understand her excitement. It was her birthday, this party was for her sake, and it signaled her coming out in society. A little exuberant chatter could be excused. All the same, he would rather not be the one forced to listen to it. He knew his duty, however, and he made the appropriate responses to prevent her from thinking he was not quite paying attention.

Despite his talkative and lively partner, the set seemed to drag on forever. Darcy went through the motions while still taking the opportunity to glance around the room from time to time. While he may have been looking for Miss Elizabeth, that in no way lessened his surprise when he caught sight of her across the room. Darcy stopped moving as their eyes met. In fact, he almost stopped breathing as a maelstrom of feelings swept over him - surprise, delight, triumph, disbelief and vindication. Only the impact of one of the other dancers bumping into him kept him from committing the great social faux pas of deserting his partner mid-dance in order to race across the room to Miss Elizabeth's side.

Recalling his situation, Darcy apologized to Miss Parkhurst and the nearby dancers as he resumed the pattern of the dance. By the time everything was settled and he could turn his gaze back to where she had been, Miss Elizabeth was gone.

Although he ached to find and speak to her, Darcy knew his duty. He must finish out the set, preferably without any more missteps. Turning his attention back to his partner, he apologized again for his clumsiness.

"I was surprised by the sight of someone with whom I have long wished to speak but had almost given up on finding," he explained.

"A lady?" she asked in teasing tones.

"Very much a lady," he confirmed. "Perhaps you know her - Miss Elizabeth Rose?"

After a series of complicated steps, during which Darcy waited hopefully, she replied seriously, "I have thought and thought, but I cannot place the name. I wonder if she has come with a party of invited guests of another family name?"

Darcy tried not to allow his disappointment to show. He smiled at his partner instead. "I suppose that must be the case," he said lightly. "I will seek her out later. You deserve my attention now."

With that settled, he returned his attention to the dance and more chatter from his partner. For the remainder of the time on the floor, he steadily resisted attempting to once again spot Miss Elizabeth. Fortunately, it was not long before he could escort the young lady back to her father.

"Thank you for the dance, Miss Parkhurst," he said as he bowed over her hand. "I wish you many happy returns of the day."

"I thank you, Mr. Darcy," she replied as she curtsied, then quickly turned to her father. "Papa, do you remember being introduced to a Miss Elizabeth Rose this evening?" she asked.

Mr. Parkhurst looked thoughtful. "No, I can't say that I do," he replied after a slight hesitation. "The name is not at all familiar."

"Do not worry, Mr. Darcy," Miss Parkhurst said quickly. "I am certain you will find her in one of the rooms here. After all, you know she is in attendance. If I am introduced to her, I will let her know you are looking for her."

"You are a most gracious hostess, and I offer my thanks once again." Darcy said as he bowed once more. As her next partner stepped up to claim her, he turned away with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was sorry he had missed catching up with Miss Elizabeth immediately. On the other, he was not only delighted that he had seen her, but he was also impressed by the cheerful kindness of the young lady with whom he had shared the dance. It made him feel hopeful again.

~o~

Despite that sense of hope, Darcy failed to find Miss Elizabeth anywhere he looked. He circled the ballroom, paying close attention to every dark-haired woman dancing, sitting or standing to the side. He checked each of the public rooms one by one. He asked the people in attendance with whom he was acquainted if they had met her. As usual, no one knew of any Miss Rose present that evening.

Finally, as the hour grew late, he caught up with Bingley again. They met by the punch bowl and each filled a glass.

"No sign of her?" Bingley asked, as Darcy continued to inspect the dancers and other occupants of the room while sipping at his drink.

"Actually, I did see her," he said without ceasing his task. "I was dancing at the time and could not leave my partner on the floor."

Bingley shook his head. "Oh, that must have been a difficult decision for you. I take it from your grim expression that you have not seen her since then."

"Neither sight nor sound of her," Darcy replied. "Although it feels like I have become very familiar with the sight of everyone else here tonight."

"Cheer up. At least you now know she is here, in London, and attending events. You have to run across her again sometime soon."

"I hope so. I truly hope so. I am starting to be afraid I imagined her," Darcy said wearily. "If she is here, why is it that no one knows her name?" He sighed and then continued, "What about you? Have you had a pleasant evening?"