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Elizabeth was slightly alarmed, but Mr Darcy did not look fazed. He got up silently and slipped into the dressing room. She heard a door click and realized Mr Darcy was going down the servants’ stairs.
The door to the hall opened and Caroline stepped into the room.
“I hope you are feeling better after your little adventure?” Miss Bingley asked.
“Tolerably so,” replied Elizabeth, with an ease she was far from feeling.
“Have you seen Mr Darcy?” asked Caroline.
“I believe he went to change his cravat,” prevaricated Elizabeth.
“Hmmph,” said Caroline, retreating to the door. “His valet said he left a good five minutes ago.”
Elizabeth settled back down to read her book, but she could not help wondering how often Mr Darcy slipped into and out of ladies’ boudoirs, as easy as he had been with the process.
A quarter of an hour later, there was another knock on the door. Elizabeth could only be glad she had not attempted to take a nap. This time it was a young maid with a tray.
The abigail put down the tray on a side-table and, with a quick curtsey, announced: “Please, ma’am, there’s crab patties and cucumber sandwiches and punch, and Mr Darcy said you were wanting the arnica too.”
Elizabeth thanked the maid kindly before the girl retreated and closed the door softly after herself; no doubt she was busy with the business of the ball. After partaking of her little feast, Elizabeth managed to pull off her stockings and apply some of the arnica haphazardly to her foot.
She must have drifted off sometime later, because the next thing she remembered was being woken by Jane. Rousing from her slumber, Lizzy could still hear the band playing below.
“What time is it, Jane?”
“Two in the morning, Lizzy. They are dancing the last set below, but I came up early to ease our departure. Mr Darcy expressed some doubt to Charles that you would be able to walk to the carriage.”
“No, I do not think I can, Jane.”
“That is all right. Charles has called for our carriage first; so, after we tidy you up, he will summon two footmen.”
With some effort on Jane’s part, and a lot of discomfort on Elizabeth’s, the stays were replaced.
“Oh, please do not do up the middle catches, Jane, it hurts too much.”
“Very well,” said her sister. “Let me twist your hair up at the back.”
After Lizzy’s footwear was redonned, a respectable appearance was achieved and the two footmen summoned. They appeared with a sturdy carver and after Jane helped her into it, Elizabeth was spirited down the stairs like the Queen of Sheba.
Jane’s timing was immaculate. The vestibule was still largely empty as the band performed a flourish to end the set. Neither of the ladies noticed Mr Darcy, who was watching their progress clandestinely from a curtained alcove.
Outside, the carriage was ready. Jane climbed aboard to assist Lizzy inside as the footmen held the carver steady at the door.
After helping her sister settle on the bench seat, Jane climbed out again. “I’ll just go back to say goodbye to Charles,” she said, disappearing into the night.
Elizabeth waited patiently for what seemed like half an hour. John Coachman had to move the carriage several times to allow other vehicles to pass in the drive. Finally, Lizzy heard her mother approaching, directing parting salutations left and right in an overexcited voice.
Mrs Bennet climbed ponderously into the carriage, followed by Mary and Jane, and after yet another scuffle, the two youngest Bennets. The step was put up, and they were finally on their way.
It was well past three by the time the carriage arrived at Longbourn, the occupants regaled all the way by Kitty’s and Lydia’s exposition of their marvellous evening.
The ladies all piled out, with Lizzy alighting last, making use of Jane’s shoulder.
“How now! What is this?” said Mrs Bennet, noticing her daughter’s circumscribed movements. “Your foot certainly does not look fine to me!”
“It is a little swollen, but I expect it will be all right in the morning,” replied Lizzy.
“Oh! Did you do that when you fell off the balcony with Mr Darcy, Lizzy?” asked Lydia.
