Page 12 of The Sole Love

Meeting Miss Darcy was the first thing that seemed entirely natural since Elizabeth’s encounter with her brother. She was young and enthusiastic and resembled him so strongly that Elizabeth liked her almost immediately. Since Elizabeth could find nothing meaningful to say to Mr Darcy, she willingly turned her attention to his sister.

“Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Darcy said, “I am so delighted to meet you. My brother has told me much about you and your sisters.”

Her cheeks were flushed from dancing, and despite her brother’s watchful looks, she plainly wished to continue.

“You promised me we should not be the first to depart,” she pleaded before turning to Elizabeth as though seeking an ally.

For the first time that evening, the scene between Elizabeth and Darcy felt genuine. They were no longer two people carefully playing their parts but themselves again, although perhaps neither was quite the person the other had known in Hertfordshire.

“Indulge such a handsome young lady and allow her to finish the dances on her card,” Mrs Gardiner said.

They all smiled, while Mr Darcy bowed deeply.

Elizabeth watched him in astonishment. Could this truly be the same man who, only a short time earlier, had spoken with such resentment of her family? He seemed so different that for a moment she could scarcely reconcile the man before her with the one she had left in Kent.

“Where is your cousin Colonel Fitzwilliam?” Elizabeth asked when silence threatened their little gathering.

“He is here, dancing,” Miss Darcy replied before leaving on the arm of her next partner.

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Mr Darcy’s mouth, and Elizabeth had little difficulty guessing what he thought of his cousin’s occupation. It was strange that she could sometimes read his thoughts so easily, yet remain completely unable to understand his feelings. Stranger still, he remained beside her instead of joining his cousin or seeking other company.

Before she could find another subject, Elizabeth saw her next partner approaching. She had almost forgotten the ball and her dance card. She smiled at the gentleman, although all she truly wanted was to remain beside Mr Darcy. The subject of their conversation did not matter; she would gladly have discussed the theatre, the weather, anything at all, if it allowed her to stay with him. Even their occasional silences interested her more than anything that had happened since Kent.

During the set, she tried to find Jane and, when she finally did, saw her sister smiling and animated. Perhaps Jane was not ready to forget Mr Bingley, but for the first time she seemed capable of enjoying herself without him.

The ball neither sister had wanted to attend, one sunk in sorrow and the other in regret, had become unexpectedly joyful.

Elizabeth had imagined that her first meeting with Mr Darcy would bring an explosion of embarrassment, regret, and uncertainty. Instead, there had been no great drama. He did not appear to hate her, nor did he behave like a man still openly in love. They were simply cautious with each other, occasionally allowing flashes of their former ease to break through.

Elizabeth found the uncertainty strangely pleasant.

The dance seemed inconceivably long. Never had she wanted a half-hour set to end so quickly. She scarcely heard the music, conscious instead that Mr Darcy remained beside her aunt and uncle, talking with them and apparently waiting for her return.

She found the two men engaged in a lively discussion about mills, and despite her determination not to betray her feelings, her face must have revealed her astonishment.

“What is it, Miss Elizabeth? Did you think I was merely a gentleman who dances at London balls? I am also a landlord, and Pemberley is much more than a beautiful mansion. I own vast lands with rivers and woods, and there are mills on almost every rivulet. I work to maintain my domain—”

“Yes, and I can testify to that, as I think my brother works too much,” Miss Darcy said, affectionately taking her brother’s arm.

Not long afterwards, the colonel joined them as well. The satisfaction on his face told Elizabeth more than the hour she had spent near Mr Darcy. His cousin knew everything that had happened in Kent and seemed delighted to find them together in such a peaceful atmosphere, surrounded by her family.

Only Jane was missing from the group. Elizabeth searched the dance floor in vain, but neither her sister nor the gentleman was anywhere to be seen. Mrs Gardiner noticed the same thing, and aunt and niece exchanged a questioning glance.

Elizabeth hoped Mr Darcy would not notice Jane’s absence. They had only just entered a different stage of their acquaintance, something approaching friendship. He seemed to like her aunt and uncle and had even regarded Jane with benevolence. And now her sister had disappeared with a man she barely knew.

At last Elizabeth saw Jane on the terrace. There was nothing she could do except hope Mr Darcy would not notice her there.

Fortunately, Mrs Gardiner quietly left the group, and five minutes later Jane returned with her. Something had plainly happened. Calm and smiling, Jane resembled the young woman she had been before her months of suffering. Yet, there was something new in her expression, perhaps confidence or determination. Elizabeth could not quite identify it, but she liked the change in her sister.

By then, the ball was ending, and Mr Gardiner invited the colonel, Mr Darcy, and his sister to dinner. It was a natural invitation after all they had discussed. Elizabeth blushed slightly, and later she could not decide whether the cause was pleasure or concern.

“Thank you, Mr Gardiner,” Mr Darcy said. “We are leaving shortly for Rosings, but when we return, we shall certainly accept your invitation.”

It was settled, and they said goodbye in a friendly manner.

Elizabeth looked at him, perhaps for the first time allowing some admiration to show openly in her eyes, and to her immense astonishment, he returned her look with something very similar.

Once in the carriage, she began to doubt her interpretation. Perhaps she had imagined it because she wanted so badly to repair what had been broken between them. She remembered their quiet exchange of apologies and wondered again whether his had truly referred to the past or had been merely a civil response in an otherwise cautious conversation.