Page 14 of Darcy's Guarded Heart
“I have not had the chance,” Georgiana said, and at once Lydia stepped forward. “We shall rectify this at once. Come,” she said, pulling Georgiana away, with Kitty and Mary right behind.
“Georgiana,” Darcy called, but Mrs Bennet cleared her throat.
“I assure you, your sister is in wonderful hands with my daughters, Mr Darcy. They are entirely genteel and respectable.”
Elizabeth watched Darcy carefully. Knowing his temperament, she assumed he would not reply, as he did not want to appear impolite—and she was right. He nodded his head once.
“Of course,” he said.
“I shall keep an eye on them,” Thomas offered, to which Bingley clapped his hands.
“Capital, Thomas. In fact, I am rather famished myself, and seed cake sounds just what I can use right now. Miss Bennet, would you do me the honour of accompanying me?” he asked, and Jane instantly beamed with delight while taking his proffered arm.
Once they were out of earshot, Mrs Bennet cleared her throat. “You see, Mr Bennet, Mr Bingley is utterly delightful. So considerate of our Jane’s wants and needs, and politeness itself.”
It was another veiled barb in Mr Darcy’s direction, for Mrs Bennet remained sourly upset with him for his refusal to dance with Elizabeth. Fortunately for the gentleman—and Elizabeth—her mother was soon distracted by Sir William and Lady Lucas, who had come to greet their newly arrived guests, having been held up somewhere until then.
Suddenly quite alone with Mr Darcy, Elizabeth took a deep breath.
“Well, I wish you a pleasant evening, sir,” she said and hurried away, though not before noticing Mr Darcy’s lips part as if he wanted to say something but did not. Leaving him to stand on his own, she found Thomas, Lydia, and Kitty, who were standing with Miss Darcy at the refreshment table, where they indulged in seed cake and Negus.
“Lizzy,” Thomas said with a smile. “Miss Darcy was just telling us about the Negus at Pemberley which is served during Christmastide. It appears to be the most divine.”
“Oh, I would not say the most divine—certainly, any region will have its particular taste—but I will say it is the highlight of Christmastide when my brother tells me it is the season for Negus,” she said and beamed.
“Ah, I should love to attend a ball at Pemberley, it sounds so grand, do you not think so? Perhaps Mr Darcy has reason to be as arro—prideful as he is regarding his estate,” Lydia said.
“Faith! Do not mistake my brother’s pride for arrogance,” Miss Darcy said quickly, as if alarmed. “He is proud, but he has reason to be. Pemberley is rather lovely.”
Her defence of her brother disarmed Elizabeth somewhat, and it appeared the same was true for her family, as Lydia and Kitty spent the next twenty minutes conversing with their new friend, under the close attention of Thomas, who likewise found Miss Darcy a delight. Indeed, Elizabeth herself could scarcely believe the young woman was any relation to Mr Darcy. She was the opposite in every way. She was kind, charming, and unpretentious.
“When will the dancing start? I can hardly wait,” Lydia complained after a while.
The strains of a lively country dance filled the room, and Lydia clapped her hands together in delight.
“Oh, how splendid! I have been simply dying to dance all evening,” she declared, already scanning the room for a suitable partner. But in the next instant, her excitement dimmed. “Oh! But where is Mr Denny? He promised he would come!”
“I am sure he shall arrive soon,” Thomas offered. “Perhaps he has been delayed.”
Lydia sighed dramatically. “Well, I shall not dance until he does. Kitty, you go on ahead.”
Kitty, less inclined to let the absence of one gentleman ruin her evening, accepted the arm of one of the Lucas sons and made her way to the floor with an eager step.
Georgiana, who had been watching the exchange in quiet amusement, smiled softly. “I think I shall just watch for now,” she said. “I have always enjoyed observing the dancing. It is quite as diverting as joining in.”
“Indeed?” Elizabeth asked, surprised. “I would have thought you had danced at many a grand occasion.”
“Oh, I have,” Georgiana admitted. “But I always feel more at ease watching. Besides, I am rather wondering where my brother has gone.”
Elizabeth glanced about the room but did not immediately spot Mr Darcy. “I am about to look in on my mother,” she said. “If I see him, I shall be sure to let you know where he is.”
Georgiana nodded gratefully. “Thank you, Miss Bennet.”
With that, Elizabeth excused herself and made her way through the throng of guests. She found her mother quite happily engaged in conversation with Lady Lucas, both ladies deep in animated discussion—likely about the latest news of Jane and Mr Bingley. Satisfied that no intervention was needed, Elizabeth turned to return to her sisters.
That was when she spotted him.
Mr Darcy stood a little apart from the main gathering, keeping his own company. His expression was carefully composed, polite but unreadable.
