Page 82 of Master of Netherfield
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Mary Bennet was nervous–this was her debut as a lady with a new gown and stylish hair. Her mother and father had suggested she attend the assembly tonight to help overcome her shyness. Jane and Elizabeth helped her with her hair and dressing; the sisters practiced dancing all week. Perhaps some gentleman would ask her to dance before the night ended.
**++**
When the Bennet carriage arrived at the assembly hall, they were met by Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley who helped all the ladies from the carriage. Mr and Mrs Bennet walked in together and Mr Bingley escorted Jane.
“Miss Mary, may I have the pleasure of escorting you as well?” Charles asked. Smiling, Mary took the offered arm opposite her sister and followed her parents into the hall.
“I understand your father has the first dance Miss Mary, but may I have the second set with you?”
“Certainly Mr Bingley,” Maryreplied. “Thank you!”
A gentle squeeze of his other arm by the older sister told Mr Bingley that Jane was pleased that Charles included Mary in the evening’s activities.
Darcy offered his arm to Elizabeth, and she took it naturally.
“You are lovely this evening Miss Elizabeth.”
“As are you!” she replied quickly, and they both laughed.
“I meant you are very handsome tonight, Mr Darcy,” she corrected her speech.
“And how full is your dance card for the evening?”
“I have nothing promised sir,” she replied.
“Then it is my good fortune to meet your carriage. You must give me the first set, the first after the interval and then the final set.”
“Three sets, Mr Darcy?” Elizabeth asked. “After the reports in the newspapers after dancing with me at Musgraves I feared you would avoid me.”
“I have spoken with your father, Miss Elizabeth. I should like to dance every set with you, but your mother would faint, and your father would laugh too much if I were to be that bold.”
“The neighbours will think...”
“They will think correctly then Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said as they entered the hall.
**++**
At Netherfield, the clock in the entry hall struck seven as Miss Bingley came down the stairs. She inquired of the butler, “Where are Mr Darcy and my brother? It is time to leave for the assembly.”
“The master and his guest left promptly at six of the clock Miss Bingley.”
Caroline’s eyes grew wide as she asked, “They left without me?”
“Mr Bingley directed me to remind you that he spoke to you three different times today reminding you of Mr Darcy’s promptness for such events in Meryton.”
Now Caroline unleashed her tongue. “How dare you speak in such a tone with me! I am a guest in Mr Darcy’s house!”
“Yes miss,” the butler agreed. “But Mr Darcy himself instructed me to remind you are a guest without authority to demand anything of the staff.”
“Well, I never...”
“Yes, Miss Bingley,” the butler agreed that she had never understood her servants or her brother, but he would say nothing more. “Mr Bingley’s carriage waits to carry you to the assembly.”
Faced with arriving alone and unescorted, something a lady would never do, Caroline turned to retreat up the stairs to complete her packing.
“I shall not go! Send the carriage to the stables!” she called as she climbed the stairs.
