Page 30 of A Rational Man (Pride and Prejudice Variation)

W hen Caroline was told by her brother that Mr. Darcy was returning with Colonel Fitzwilliam, she was torn. On the one hand, the Colonel was the son of the Earl and Countess of Matlock.

On the other hand, he was a second son with virtually no money. Did he deserve a first-rate room, or should he be relegated to a lesser room? She voiced her concerns to her sister, whose face screwed up in thought over this knotty problem.

But Mr. Bingley overheard the discussion and solved the difficulty at once, saying that Mr. Darcy and his cousin were uncommonly close, and doubtless Mr. Darcy would be gratified to share a sitting room with the Colonel.

Once the two travelers had been greeted and given refreshments, the conversation turned to the ball to take place at Netherfield in just a few days’ time. Having been warned by Mr. Darcy, the Colonel had brought along acceptable clothing, and had every intention of enjoying himself at the dance.

He asked Miss Bingley if he might have the first dance with her, and watched with more than a little amusement as she immediately turned her eyes to Mr. Darcy, as if hoping that he would claim that dance; when he did not do so, she consented to dancing the first with the Colonel.

The Colonel then asked Mrs. Hurst for the second dance, which was readily granted.

There, he thought, happily. My duty will be done and I will be free to seek out this Miss Elizabeth Bennet.

Mr. Darcy watched his cousin ask for dances and knew he should follow suit, but he could not bring himself to do so.

His mind and heart were filled with images of dancing with Miss Elizabeth, and no one else would do.

He would ask her for a dance – not the first dance, as that would be too much of a statement – but he would allow himself to dance with her twice.

He owed himself that much, he thought; two dances and then it would be over! He would end this obsession.

He had been consumed in his own thoughts, but now became aware that everyone was watching him, wondering if he would ask his hostesses for dances. He needed to say something; he searched his mind for a topic, and finally asked Mr. Bingley, “Will you announce your engagement at the ball, Bingley?”

“I will if she will allow it.”

Miss Bingley scoffed. “Allow it? Allow it! Why, she is doubtless already proclaiming her triumph to anyone who will listen!”

The Colonel put in, “Miss Bingley, it is always an error to ascribe to others the actions we ourselves would take in a similar situation.”

It took Miss Bingley a minute to parse that out, and by the time she realised an insult had been slyly delivered, it was too late to respond to it.

Mr. Darcy said, “She will not allow it because you have not yet complied with her condition, I take it?”

Mr. Bingley scowled at his friend and replied, “This is hardly the time to discuss it, Darcy.”

“You are right; I apologise.”

Miss Bingley looked curiously at Mr. Darcy and then her brother, but neither gentleman enlightened her.

***

It rained heavily for three days before the ball, but the day of the ball dawned clear; this was a great relief to the many gentlemen and ladies who had been counting the days and hours until the ball.

Longbourn was a veritable beehive of activity, with half-dressed sisters running to and fro in the hallway, causing Mr. Collins, who was still in residence at Longbourn, to hide in his room lest he inadvertently see something inappropriate for a clergyman.

***

Mrs. Bennet had hoped to be among the first to arrive at Netherfield, but her ambition was thwarted by the fact that it would require two trips to bring everyone to the ball. It was never an easy fit with five girls and two parents, but the addition of Mr. Collins made it downright impossible.

There was a good deal of arguing as to who would go first and who would have to wait for the carriage to return for them, but in the end, Mr. Bennet traveled with Jane, Mary, Elizabeth and Mr. Collins, leaving Mrs. Bennet, Kitty and Lydia to wait.

By the time Mrs. Bennet arrived with her two charges, there was a line at Netherfield’s front door; the Bennet carriage had to wait in line behind the Gouldings and the Brownings, so they spent an extra ten minutes in the carriage.

As a result, Mrs. Bennet was in a bit of a temper as she entered the ballroom behind Kitty and Lydia. The two girls vanished in an instant, leaving their mother to peer around the taller people as best she could in search of her husband.

Her temper was immediately soothed, however, when she saw Jane, resplendent in blue satin, speaking with Mr. Bingley. She might not have been so soothed, however, could she have heard the conversation between the two.

“No, you may not announce our engagement tonight, Charles. You know the condition my father laid upon you, and it has not yet been met. Given how you have dallied with it, I wonder if you truly wish to marry me. I will release you from our engagement if that is your wish.”

Mr. Bingley was horrified. “No, no! You quite mistake me!”

“I do not think I do, Mr. Bingley, and I beg you to excuse me.”

“But – the first dance is about to begin; you promised me that dance!”

“Then that is another promise that must be broken.” With that, Jane curtsied to him and left him to stare after her, mouth agape.

Mr. Darcy saw that there had been some sort of contretemps between Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet. He immediately guessed the substance of their disagreement, and went to his friend to see if he might be of service. “I take it she will not permit the announcement,” he murmured to his friend.

“Far worse than that, Darcy. Jane says she will release me from my promise, but I do not want to be released!”

“Are you certain? For it seems to me that if you truly desired to marry Miss Bennet, you would have dealt with this condition at once. She is right to be suspicious of your intentions.”

“You think so? I shall prove you all wrong.” And with that, Mr. Bingley walked away in great haste.

The musicians had begun the first dance; Colonel Fitzwilliam was partnered with Miss Bingley at the head of the line. Mr. Bingley started toward them, evidently intent on speaking with his sister that very moment! Mr. Darcy all but ran after Mr. Bingley, pulling him off the dance floor.

“No, Bingley; you have put it off this long. Do not make a public spectacle of yourself and your sister.”

“But Jane – “

“Miss Bennet will wait until the dance is over, I am certain.”

Mr. Bingley prowled around the floor like a caged beast, held in check only by Mr. Darcy’s strong right arm.

When the dance ended, Colonel Fitzwilliam spotted Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley and escorted his partner thither.

As they approached, Mr. Bingley wrested his arm from Mr. Darcy and said, with great determination, “Caroline, I must speak with you.”

“Surely it can wait, Charles,” she said, and she stared hard at Mr. Darcy, as if she could force an invitation to dance from the sheer power of her desire, but Mr. Darcy quickly looked away.

“No, it cannot wait, Caroline. Listen carefully. When I wed Jane, you must make your home elsewhere; in point of fact, you shall not attend the wedding”

“I do not understand,” Miss Bingley said, blankly.

It was clear to Mr. Darcy that she truly did not understand; she had never expected such a thing.

“Mr. Bennet told me in no uncertain terms that he would not permit a marriage to Jane if you were in residence.”

“But – but – Charles, that makes no sense at all! I am your sister; it is right that I live with you.”

“Had you heard the conversation at the dinner table after the ladies left, it would make perfect sense, for Mr. Hurst described to us how your proximity had utterly changed his wife –“

“Changed his wife? Louisa?”

“Yes, Louisa. Mr. Bennet said that he would never allow one of his daughters to be put in such a position. And indeed, when I asked for his permission to propose to Jane, he reminded me of his feelings on the matter. Tonight, when I asked Jane if she would permit me to announce our engagement at supper, she said that she would not permit it until I had told you what was to happen.”

Miss Bingley appeared to be on the verge of a fit of some sort; her eyes were blinking rapidly and she repeatedly shook her head as she backed away from her brother.

Mr. Darcy thought he should intervene. “Miss Bingley, you do not look at all well; may I suggest that you retire for a brief time? Bingley, will you not lead your sister out of the room?”

Mr. Bingley took his sister’s arm and led her toward the ballroom door, leaving Mr. Darcy standing alone.

Mr. Darcy shook his head, and then went in search of Miss Elizabeth. Finding her about to be led to the floor by a young man – John Lucas, was it? – he bowed and asked if he might have the next dance. She agreed, and was immediately bustled away.

He waited for her, impatiently. Finally, John Lucas brought her back to him.

He and Mr. Lucas scowled at one another, which they both deemed appropriate and required, and he then turned his attention to Miss Elizabeth.

How lovely she looked! He stared and stared, drinking in the sight of her, until she grew quite obviously uncomfortable.

“Are we to dance, Mr. Darcy?” she asked.

“Or do you prefer to simply stare all night?”

What would he prefer? Oh, dangerous question!

What he would prefer was to have both of them whisked magically to Pemberley, where he would tell her, in the quiet of his own bedroom, just how lovely she was, how very desirable, how exquisite in all ways…

he returned to his senses when she cleared her throat.

“Oh! Yes! I prefer to –“ What had the question been? She must think him an idiot.

“To dance?” she asked, tapping her fan on her hand.