Page 20 of Fitzwilliam Darcy Undone
Any hope of enjoying all aspects of the ball disappeared as his meaning became clear. She wanted to flee and not return until after Mr. Collins’ removal. She wanted to cry out and stomp her feet like Lydia. She wanted, desperately, to avoid a confrontation with not only Mr. Collins, but also her mother. Instead, she accepted, because to refuse meant she couldn’t accept any other dances for the evening complete. Foolish man! Why couldn’t he have asked for the fourth or fifth set? Although she’d suspected Mama pushed him in her direction, his bumbling request solidified the fact and now everyone in Meryton would assume there was an understanding between them.
Over the course of days preceding the Netherfield ball, she suffered the increasing attentions of Mr. Collins, who frequently complimented her wit and vivacity and dropped none too subtle hints of how she’d like Hunsford parsonage, and how they’d assist in forming a quadrille at Rosings Park in the absence of more eligible visitors. The more his interest in her grew, the more smug Mama became. Well, two could play at that game. He hadn’t proposed and still might change his mind, so she pretended his hints fell on deaf ears and acted as though she had not one care in the world. When - if - the moment arrived, she’d face her consequences then.
No sooner had her patience, sorely tried by her cousin, her mother and two youngest sisters, reached its zenith, the skies opened up and rain poured from then until the day of the ball. She became desperate to escape Longbourn for a much need walk to Oakham Mount and didn’t know who was more agitated. Herself, because her desired avenue to avoid the increasing attentions of Mr. Collins was curtailed by the relentless downpour, or her sisters who couldn’t find out any new gossip from their Aunt Philips about the officers. It was with great relief when the day of the ball dawned bright and sunny with nary a cloud in the sky, although the road remained too muddy for walking and their activities were still curtailed to within the walls of Longbourn.
With the sun came a brightening of spirits. She’d perform her duties and dance with Mr. Collins and with luck avoid him the rest of the ball. In no way would she allow her neighbors think there was any agreement on her part for a hasty marriage before he left for Hunsford and the great Lady Catherine. As much as Mama whispered in her neighbor’s ears, she would do her best to negate them.
Upon entering the drawing room at Netherfield Park, Lizzy was astonished by the number of people clustered about in small groups. It seemed as though everyone issued an invitation had attended and there was enough red coated gentleman to make her younger sisters dizzy with joy. Further perusal assured her Mr. Wickham was not among the gentleman in attendance from the ____shire Militia and her shoulders sagged in relief. Until that moment she hadn’t realized how much he put her on edge, although after their conversation at her Aunt’s card party he hadn’t sought her out and instead focused his attention on her two younger sisters, which both pleased and alarmed her. He attempted to appear casual but to the discerning eye, his actions and behaviors were too controlled. He had a motive for seeking their attention but she couldn’t quite figure out what it was.
Attempts to discuss her thoughts and reservations with Papa had been severely curtailed by the presence of Mr. Collins who’d clung to her side like a limpet. At one time, as she started upstairs to take care of necessary needs, he trailed behind rhapsodizing about the staircase at Rosings Park. She’d paused on the first step and faced him, saying, “Mr. Collins. It was Ruth who followed, not the other way around. I need some privacy, sir.”
Her mother thought his marked attention wonderful, her younger sisters laughed and teased until she gritted her teeth in frustration and her father didn’t want Mr. Collins invading his privacy and therefore banned her from seeking him out whilst his cousin was in attendance. The only balm to her soul was Jane, who found various excuses to direct his pea brain in other directions and made sure she was never alone in his company. But, Longbourn was only so big and she hadn’t been able to avoid him complete unless she escaped to her bed chamber, where he’d had the temerity to jiggle the door knob after knocking and receiving no reply. Since then, she’d propped a chair under the door knob so there would be no accidental compromise in the middle of the night, even though the room was shared with her sister.
The opening strains for the first set began and she straightened her shoulders in preparation of Mr. Collin’s requested sets. She dreaded the upcoming half hour and her dismay morphed into mortification within the first two stanzas. Mr. Collins, awkward and solemn, moved wrong without being aware of his mistake. His attempts to flatter and converse with her only increased his clumsiness. He’d forget his steps and bump into other dancers, disrupting their pleasure by attempting to bow low as he apologized, yet again. The moment the final note played and the parody of their dance concluded, she dropped his hand and moved off the floor. Never again! Without so much as a backward look in his direction, she went off in search of Charlotte Lucas, finding her in one of the drawing rooms. She hurried toward her great friend, whom she’d not seen in over a week with outstretched hands.
“Charlotte, I have missed your company so much.”
“And I yours.”
The fell into easy conversation, as only good friends can and it was to Charlotte that Lizzy unloaded all of her frustrations with Mr. Collins. So involved, neither of them noticed when Mr. Darcy approached and politely interrupted.
“Miss Elizabeth. May I request the supper set, if it is not yet filled on your dance card?”
Startled, she turned and her gaze fell onto his full lips, remembering how much she enjoyed them -everywhere. Her hand stole up and touched the spot where the marks on her collarbone had materialized. When Charlotte gave her a none too subtle nudge with her elbow, she realized she hadn’t answered his question.
“Yes. You may.”
Her hand dropped back to her side and she knew her cheeks were flushing even thoughhedidn’t know where her thoughts had strayed. Thankfully, he gave them both a polite half bow and left them to their conversation.
“I daresay you’ll find him a more agreeable dancing partner.” Charlotte whispered close to her ear.
“I daresay you are correct,” she replied and watched his tall form exit the room. “He is an excellent dancer, but not easy company. He is so reticent and taciturn I cannot make out his character.”
“His attention falls on you a lot, Lizzy.”
“Stuff and nonsense.” She flushed and brought up her fan to cool her cheeks. “I’ve heard from someone who’s known him many years that he is engaged to his cousin.”
“That may be, but it does not stop his eyes from following you around the room.”
She turned to face her long-time friend and made a big show of looking into her eyes.
“What are you about, Lizzy,” Charlotte finally asked with a laugh.
“I’m determining if you need spectacles, much like Mary. Obviously, you do if you think Mr. Darcy is enamored with the likes of me, who couldn’t tempt him to dance the first night he was here.”
Their conversation drew to a close when her hand was claimed for the next dance by none other than Mr. Darcy’s cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
~~oo0oo~~
Darcy watched the lady on his cousin’s arm as they made their way onto the dance floor. When had Richard returned? And more importantly, why was he dancing with his Elizabeth?
What are you doing, Richard?
I’m dancing with a beautiful young woman.
You are supposed to be watching Wickham.
He’s off to London on some errand for Colonel Foster. This means I have the night off, and I plan to enjoy the evening.
