Page 20 of Sweet on Mr Darcy

“Miss Elizabeth.” Mr James appeared before them. “May I have the privilege of partnering you for the first?

“I fear my first has already been spoken for, sir.”

“Truly?” The man looked astonished. “I am surprised…”

“Why?” Priscilla snapped

He jumped a bit. “I just thought, considering…well…perhaps the supper set.”

“My supper set has also been claimed, Mr James, but my second is free.” Elizabeth made every effort not to sigh in the man’s face. She decided it would be easiest to dance with him sooner and get it over with. Perhaps she could encourage him to turn his attentions elsewhere.

“Very well.” The gentleman did not appear satisfied. “Lady Priscilla, if your third is free?”

“I can hardly contain my anticipation,” Priscilla drawled, not hiding her sarcasm.

He left them as Elizabeth warned her. “Be careful. That one takes no encouragement at all to create an attachment where none should exist.”

Ten minutes later, Darcy collected her for the first, and as they began, she found their conversation to be easy and effortless.

“Miss Elizabeth, tell me about your family. Your sisters are all obviously quite different from one another.”

“The eldest is Jane, the one dancing with our host's son, just there. She is beautiful, but she is more than that. Being Miss Darcy’s brother, you understand what I mean.” Elizabeth nodded towards Jane and her dance partner not far away. “Her goodness is impossible to measure. She is my closest friend and confidante in the world.”

“I look forward to knowing her better.” Darcy turned with the dance, and back again.

“I am the second, and our third is my sister Mary. She is here tonight, but I do not see her just now.”

“The one Painswick was following about on Saturday evening?” Darcy inquired as Elizabeth nodded.

“Mary was quite stern when we were young. Being in the middle, she struggled to find her place amongst us, so for a time, she was the pious sister. She still is pious, of course, and would make some clergyman, or any gentleman, an excellent wife. But she has improved since she laid aside Fordyce. Mary supervises the education of our two youngest sisters, with my father’s oversight, of course. She is very dedicated to the pianoforte, and plays duets with Georgiana often.”

“And your two other sisters?” he asked in sincere interest. “Georgiana and I, despite being of the opposite sex, and far apart in age, are very similar in nature. I find the differences in you and your sisters fascinating.”

“Kitty and Lydia are full young,” Elizabeth said simply. “They are so full of high spirits that we have yet to discern who they will grow up to be. They both love fashion, like most girls their age. Lydia refuses to learn any instrument or feminine accomplishment besides embroidery. Kitty usually follows her, though she has recently broken free a bit and has lately learned to sketch. They spend most of their time with Miss Darcy discussing fashion, though Kitty and your sister have lately been reading a novel together. I believe they have also been teaching her to trim her own bonnets. Lydia is the more stubborn of the two, but she will mature, as we all do.”

“And you have each found something in common with my sister, even though you are all so different,” Darcy marvelled. “I cannot deny, it has been just what she needed.”

“You would not prefer it if she learned to keep us all as far away as possible?” Elizabeth teased.

“I hope one day you will allow me to forget that,” he grumbled. “But I suppose I have not paid enough for having said it yet.”

“I suppose you will forget it when you return to your home and never see us again.”

His expression quickly sobered. “I fear I would not like that very well at all. To expend so much effort to be your friend, only never to see you again. I fear I could never abide it.”

He seemed so sincere and disturbed by the thought that she felt herself weakening towards him. “I am certain that there will be some way to avoid such a sad outcome to your efforts,” she suggested. “I have become too attached to Georgiana and Priscilla never to see them again, so perhaps we may encounter one another in London.”

“That is a better plan, but I am certain we can improve upon it.” Darcy smiled as the dance came to an end. “We should discuss it nearer the end of the summer.”

Elizabeth barely made it to the edge of the dance floor before they were interrupted by Mr James, whose face was mutinous.

“Miss Elizabeth.” His hand was offered imperiously.

“Mr James. Of course, my next is yours, but since we have nearly a quarter hour, it might be pleasant to rest and obtain a glass of punch before the next dance?” Elizabeth raised her brow at his eagerness.

Mr Darcy bowed and left her to ensure that his father was well.

Priscilla found them and exclaimed, “Let us take those seats there until the second begins.”