Page 9 of The Crown’s Gift

People made space.

It was not the easy familiarity offered to Mrs Lucas, for Mr Lucas remained a prosperous merchant and magistrate without a royal title. It was a subtler acknowledgment that the mistress of Netherfield possessed consequence beyond Meryton, that her eldest daughter had been presented, and that the King himself had once asked after the health of the Bennet children in a Christmas letter.

Lady Bennet enjoyed every degree of it.

"Do not look so resigned, Mr Bennet," she murmured as they crossed the room. "You may stand near the card tables all evening if you choose. I shall not require you to dance."

"Your mercy does you credit."

Only Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary accompanied them. Kitty had developed a cough after her wet walk, and Lydia's attempt to imitate it had been so unconvincing that Miss Harwood assigned her French verbs for dishonesty.

Mary wore pale blue. Elizabeth had helped choose it because it did not demand attention but rewarded a second glance. She looked nervous until Miss Charlotte Lucas approached.

Charlotte was seven-and-twenty, sensible, composed, and one of the few people who never spoke to Mary as though quietness were an illness.

"I saved you a place near the musicians," she said. "We may criticize the tempo with authority."

Mary smiled. "Lizzy says criticism is more enjoyable when one has no authority at all."

"Lizzy is an expert."

Elizabeth joined them. "I am wounded by this conspiracy."

The arrival of the Longbourn party interrupted her. Bingley entered with such visible pleasure that half the room followed his gaze directly to Jane.

He bowed to Lady Bennet, greeted Sir Thomas, and asked Jane for the first two dances within four minutes.

"Your tenant wastes no time," Charlotte observed.

"A useful quality in a leaseholder," Elizabeth said.

Darcy came behind his friend. He was even taller among the local gentlemen than he had appeared at Netherfield. His evening coat fit without ornament. He bowed correctly to the Bennets, spoke to Sir Thomas, and allowed Bingley to draw him toward several introductions.

Within half an hour, everyone knew that Mr Darcy possessed ten thousand a year and everyone disliked him for behaving as though the knowledge were insufficient recommendation.

Elizabeth watched him refuse Mrs Long's niece. His manner was not cruel, but neither did it invite forgiveness. He stood apart after the first set, his attention moving over the dancers with an expression of private endurance.

"He looks like a man waiting for bad weather to pass," Charlotte said.

"Perhaps Derbyshire assemblies occur in silence."

Mary glanced toward Darcy. "He may be shy."

Elizabeth turned. "You defend him?"

"No. I only know that looking displeased and feeling displeased are not always the same."

It was an observation Elizabeth might have considered longer if Bingley had not approached Darcy at that moment. The music had ended. Jane was speaking with Lady Bennet, and several young women remained without partners.

"Come, Darcy," Bingley said. His cheerful voice carried farther than he intended. "I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner."

"You are dancing with the only handsome woman in the room."

Bingley glanced at Jane and smiled helplessly. "She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld. But one of her sisters is sitting down just behind you. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is very pretty, and agreeable besides. Let me ask her to introduce you properly."

Darcy turned.

Elizabeth had no time to look away. Their eyes met. His gaze rested on her face with disconcerting deliberation.