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“I am glad to hear it, Mr. Darcy,” replied Mrs. Ellington. “You seem far more at ease than you did at the assembly.”

“That must certainly be expected,” answered Mr. Darcy. “That evening was my first introduction to the neighbourhood.”

“And now that you are better acquainted,” said Elizabeth, “how does our society compare with what you are used to?”

Darcy hesitated before replying, “Some elements are not unfamiliar.”

“I do hope they are the more agreeable elements,” she said with a wry smile.

“You put me in a difficult position, Miss Elizabeth. Should I mention the unpleasant, I give offence. Yet if I speak only of what is pleasant, you shall not believe me.”

“Then I am to understand,” said Elizabeth, “that your silence is a mercy to us all.”

“I did not say so.”

“No—but you imply it, which is, I believe, the more diplomatic route.”

“I fear that you judge me quite harshly, Miss Elizabeth.”

“I do not judge. I only seek to comprehend your character.”

“And how do you get on?”

“Not at all well, Mr. Darcy, although I suspect that, like me, you have a very satirical eye. Therefore, I begin our acquaintance with impertinence.”

Mrs. Ellington, having slipped away and returned unnoticed by either, now presented a plate of fruit to her cousin. “Come, Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth, and play Loo, for no one else will do so with me,” she requested.

They agreed and spent the rest of the evening thus pleasantly engaged.

Chapter 6

The ladies of Netherfield soon called upon those of Longbourn, a call that was returned in due form. The principal persons in this tale dined together once more, though with little to recount; they were seated so far apart that no real conversation was possible until cards were introduced, and even then, it was merely to determine who preferred Vingt-un to Commerce. Thus, hoping to aid her friends in their pursuit of good marriages, Charlotte Lucas easily prevailed upon her father to host a small ball. As the militia was soon expected in Meryton, and a few officers had already arrived, Charlotte held some anticipation for herself, thinking a high-ranking officer might prefer a mature wife to a frivolous girl. Miss Lydia Bennet hoped for the reverse.

When the youngest Bennet entered the drawing room at Lucas Lodge, her eyes sparkled with excitement as she scanned the room filled with people she had known her whole life and a handful of red-coated officers whom she intended to charm. Once they were introduced to them all, she determined that Captain Carter was her favourite, for he was the most handsome and not so old as many of the others. Her pleasure, therefore, was extreme when he requested her hand for the second set, having already promised the first to Miss Long.

Elizabeth, meanwhile, seated herself with Charlotte, glad to converse for a while before the noise of the ball made it impossible. They spoke of Jane and Bingley, for while both were of the opinion that an attachment was forming, they differed greatly on the degree of encouragement Jane ought to show.

“You would then have her act like Lydia?” asked Elizabeth, with a raised eyebrow.

Charlotte’s gaze settled on the young lady in the set, who was laughing loudly at something Captain Carter had said. “Indeed not. I would, though, suggest that she give the gentleman as much help as she can within the restrictions of her nature and propriety, lest he be unaware of her sentiments.”

“But she does help him on, as much as her nature will allow. If I can perceive her regard for him, he must be a simpleton, indeed, not to discover it too.”

“Remember, Eliza, that he does not know Jane’s disposition as you do.”

“But if a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavour to conceal it, he must find it out.”

Mrs. Ellington, seated at the same table, had been attending to their conversation more closely than the younger ladies realised. She interjected, “Miss Bennet is modest, which is a very desirable quality in a lady. However, modesty must not be confused with obscurity. Mr. Bingley must understand Miss Bennet’s feelings. Indeed, if a gentleman does not believe a lady wishes for his attentions, it is most gentlemanly for him to give up the pursuit, rather than continue on where he is not wanted.”

Elizabeth was still not convinced, but with the weight of her cousin’s opinion adding to Miss Lucas’s, she permitted that they might be correct. As the set ended and the next began, both Elizabeth and Miss Lucas were sought as partners, which they accepted, and the discussion was at an end. The addition of the five officers to the party was quite pleasant, for never was anyone who wished to dance short of a partner. Even Mary, Elizabeth noted, danced two sets, one with Mr. Lucas and another with Mr. Bingley. Having come close enough to hear the discussion between Mr. Lucas and Mary, however, Elizabeth was not at all surprised to learn that the pair were discussing books.

After a great deal of dancing and conversing, all assembled were very glad when it was time for supper, not so much for the food as for the chance to sit and enjoy a cooling refreshment. The food, while simple, was abundant and delicious. Wine and other refreshments were plentiful, and the guests partook freely after the exertions of dancing in so close a room.

Lydia sat near Captain Carter, a fortunate arrangement that she had orchestrated earlier in the evening with a word in the ear of Lady Lucas. Elizabeth and Jane watched with resignation as Lydia flirted outrageously with the captain. He seemed to appreciate the attention, gladly encouraging her and signalling a footman to fill her cup with more wine whenever it was empty.

“You ought to tell Miss Lydia she has had enough wine,” said Mrs. Ellington quietly to Mrs. Bennet.

“Indeed, Mrs. Ellington, I believe Lydia knows well enough when she ought not to drink anymore,” replied Mrs. Bennet dismissively, before returning her attention to where Elizabeth and Jane sat with Mr. Bingley and Mr. Smith. The matron was very satisfied with the evening, for it seemed things were going very well between Mr. Bingley and Jane; if she was not very much mistaken, her eldest daughter was well on her way to being engaged before Christmas.