Page 83 of Master of Netherfield
**++**
As the first dance at the Meryton Assembly concluded, Mr Bennet returned to his wife’s side with Mary on his arm. His third daughter’s first dance had been with her father, and he watched Jane return with Mr Bingley, and Elizabeth on Mr Darcy’s arm. Mary departed with Bingley for the second dance and Darcy asked Jane for the privilege of the second as well.
Elizabeth stood with her parents, the smile on her face not altering in the least as she watched Mr Darcy dancing with Jane.
“Has your dance card filled Elizabeth?” asked Mrs Bennet when no one approached her daughter for the second dance.
“What Mama?”
Mr and Mrs Bennet exchanged glances before the mother pressed her daughter, “Elizabeth, has anyone else asked you to dance?”
“Just Mr Darcy, Mama... He wanted every dance.”
“What? You cannot dance...”
“My dear, it is not unheard of,” Mr Bennet explained.
“But everyone...” Mrs Bennet sputtered as Mr Bennet smiled.
“Mrs Bennet, you must remain silent this evening but tomorrow you may visit Mrs Phillips in the afternoon with your news.”
“You have no compassion for my nerves, Mr Bennet!”
“Only for one evening Mrs Bennet. You must suppress them. Be a dutiful mother; speak with your friends about the crops and sewing.”
“Hang the crops and hang the sewing, I wish to speak of a wedding!”
“Later Mrs Bennet, later...”
**++**
Elizabeth did dance with Mr Bingley and with John Lucas during the first portion of the assembly. It was when she danced with Mr Darcy in the first set after the interval that she reminded him that this was her official introduction to society in Hertfordshire.
“And which do you prefer, Miss Elizabeth; London society or Hertfordshire?”
Smiling Elizabeth replied, “On the arm of a good friend, I am perfectly happy anywhere, Mr Darcy.”
“A good friend?” he asked pretending to be affronted.
She smiled. “How should I describe you sir; ‘a pleasant gentleman’?”
Darcy shook his head slightly. “At one time, I was ‘King Richard’s cousin’.”
“Ah, but he was Maid Marion’s playmate in Sherwood Forest,” Elizabeth answered.
“Are you not the girl who attempted to rob me of my gold that first week I was at Netherfield? I remember the bow and the arrow pointed directly at my heart.”
“That was many years ago,” she replied, pleased that he remembered. “I have grown since then.”
“Indeed, you have grown into a most beautiful woman...”
Darcy hesitated for only a moment before he continued, “Elizabeth, your arrow pierced my heart that day and it belongs only to you. Please say you will marry me. When I was away at Pemberley, I missed you and now returning, dancing with you in London and tonight, I declare I love you most ardently. When we are...”
“Yes, William,” she interrupted.
**++**
The young couple approached Mr and Mrs Bennet along the wall of the assembly hall–the light in their eyes for all to see as Mr Bennet leaned over to his wife and said, “Darcy has made a short season of it for Lizzy.”
