Page 30 of Miss Bennet's Dragon
Our father was seated near me, as stunned as anyone. I ran to him.
“Papa, please, she is so upset. This will become a dreadful scene. Can you not do something?”
He nodded, and I helped him stand. He walked to the pianoforte and made a show of listening. But I did not understand his pose. It was almost… comic.
He removed the music in front of Mary and leafed through it with exaggerated confusion. The audience tittered. After a few bars, Mary’s playing stuttered into silence. She sat, staring where the sheets had been.
“How very modern,” he said and got a resounding laugh.
I was unable to move. Unable to believe the man I adored could be so inhuman.
Mary stood and cried out, “Enlightenment demands introspection into our shared humanity and emotion, regardless of class, or sex—”
“That will do extremely well, child,” Papa interrupted. “We do not attend a ball to hear female philosophy. You have delighted us long enough. Let the otheryoung ladies perform.” This received a few amused claps, and Papa pretended a bow.
With a strangled wail, Mary fled. I ran after her.
Mamma found us outside Netherfield manor. Mary was sobbing in my arms. The valets and coachmen had turned away to provide a semblance of privacy. That was more consideration than we received from the gentry inside.
“What is happening, Lizzy? Everyone is gossiping a storm!”
“I am taking Mary home,” I said.
“Now?The ball is not over. You cannot leave!”
“Mary is distraught. I have called for a coach. We are going, Mamma.”
“Oh, very well. I shall have to go also. I will go and plead headache, and say you two are accompanying me. But Jane must stay for her final dance.”
I was braced for a fight, so I was too surprised to answer. I watched our mother go in, then said, “Wait here, Mary. I shall return momentarily.”
I climbed the front steps, and two footmen in Bingley livery swung the Netherfield doors wide for me.
Inside, I found my father chatting with two other gentlemen. He looked more animated than I had seen him in weeks.
The men fell silent when they saw my expression. I held out my hand for the music my father still held. He offered it slowly.
“Howdareyou,” I said.
He called my name as I left.
As I reached the door, Mr. Darcy’s voice came behind me, “Miss Bennet!” I was ready to curse then, but I stopped without turning.
He arrived beside me. I did not look at him.
“Please tell your sister that she played with great passion,” he said.
That was too much.
“Have you discovered an interest in Mary? That is remarkable, for you ignored her for two hours while she hoped one gentleman would have the decency to take her hand and utter a few civilities on the dance floor.” I turned to him. “Speak to me again when you have defended a heartbroken sister.”
13
A SURPRISING BREAKFAST
Jane remainedat the ball even though gossip of Mr. Collins’s humiliating claims circulated to her soon after we left. She braved the whispers but was not approached by Mr. Bingley until their final dance.
“It was so awkward,” she told me, late that night in our room. “We said almost nothing, and at the end, he bowed over my hand and was gone. Oh, Lizzy, I think he is furious.”
