Page 58 of Colour My World
A perfectly tailored coat. A patrician face with a suitablyaquiline nose. His expression, unreadable. His posture, stiff with self-command. He was very handsome. But the void—
“What do you make of the tall gentleman, Lizzy?” Jane’s soft voice brought her back to the present.
“I hardly know what to say. I cannot recall ever seeing a person of such…paradox.”
Jane looked puzzled. “Do you mean his manner?”
She could make neither head nor tail of him. Or his lack of an aire. “Yes, his manner.”
Their conversation ended as Mr Bingley approached, an open smile lighting his face. “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” he said, bowing with cheerful precision. Jane responded with a curtsey; Elizabeth inclined her head. Mr Bingley’s gaze lingered on Jane.
“Miss Bennet, if you are not engaged for the next set, may I hope for the pleasure?” He extended his hand to her; Elizabeth smiled as her sister’sairedeepened.
Why had Mr Bingley’sairenot changed? Should not attraction deepen the hues of admiration? Or was she alone in reading such signs?
As he led Jane to the dance floor, Elizabeth glanced at his unnamed friend and the incomprehensible nothingness around him.
Mrs Long’s arrival drew Elizabeth’s attention, and she exchanged a few pleasantries with the older lady. Still, her mind returned repeatedly to the enigma of the gentleman, Mr Darcy, as Mrs Long had named him. She studied him from the corner of her eye as he acknowledged greetings but did not extend himself beyond the mundane.
“Lizzy!” Mrs Bennet nudged her with an elbow.
Elizabeth snapped from her reverie.
“Have you made Mr Darcy’s acquaintance? So very tall and dignified! You must agree he presents himself most impressively. I warrant he owns half of Derbyshire!”
She linked her mother’s arm. “Perhaps he finds our assembly unworthy of his notice.”
Mrs Bennet huffed, her marigoldairespotted with irritation. “I daresay he may. Hecouldstand to look happier.”
Just then, Mr Bingley returned Jane to them, his face alight. His conversation was animated—full of compliments for Meryton and admiration for the assembly’s warmth. Elizabeth noted how Jane’saireremained brightened.
Mr Darcy, however, maintained his place near the wall. Elizabeth watched him, intrigued and mildly amused by his detachment. What man comes to an assembly only to watch others dance?And why, above all, could I not see his aire?
“Excuse me while I talk to my friend.” Mr Bingley bowed, and Elizabeth watched him hurry towards Mr Darcy. The latter nodded as Mr Bingley approached. Elizabeth inched towards them to hear better.
“Come, Darcy,” he said, “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about in this stupid manner.”
“I certainly shall not. As I have said before, I detest the activity unless I am well acquainted with my partner.”
“How insufferably fastidious you are!”
“I will do my duty to your sisters.”
“And then what?”
“Nothing. There is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to me to stand up with.”
If he speaks honestly, I pity him. To see so little and feel even less, what a lonely existence it must be.
“Upon my honour, I have never met as pleasant a grouping.” He gestured towards Jane. “Have you been acquainted with the Bennet ladies? They are uncommonly pretty.”
“You have danced with the only handsome girl in the room.”
Mr Bingley put a hand upon Mr Darcy’s shoulder. “She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld! But there is her sister, justover there, who is very pretty and, I daresay, very agreeable. Let me ask my partner to introduce you.”
“Which do you mean?” Mr Darcy turned towards her. “She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt—”
Elizabeth met his gaze full-on. His eyes widened, and his mouth dropped open.
