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Louisa smiled. “I believe I have the third set free, and I would be happy to offer it to you. Hurst and my brother have claimed the first two already, but I suspect your first set is spoken for, anyway.” She laughed when his countenance brightened.

“Yes, it has been claimed already. My beautiful wife-to-be will be my first partner. I accept your third, Mrs. Hurst.” He glanced behind him. “I am holding up the line; forgive me. We will see you later.”

Darcy led Elizabeth away, into the glittering ballroom.

They began to stroll around the perimeter of the large chamber, greeting acquaintances and taking in the decorations.

Not long after, they were joined by Charlotte and Mr. Madison.

The four took up a place in a corner and talked among themselves while the rest of the guests filtered into the room.

Jane approached after having spoken to some friends, and joined the conversation.

The orchestra began tuning their instruments and warming up on a dais set up nearby.

“Lizzy.” Jane turned to her sister. “Did you see Susannah Long’s gown? From the back, I thought she was you. It is nearly the same color, and your hair is styled identically!”

“Is it?” Elizabeth began searching the ballroom with her eyes, trying to locate the other girl. When she did, her mouth formed an O. “You are right! I wonder how that happened? Surely, Mrs. Mallory would have told her that my gown was in the same style.”

“Oh, but we remade these gowns. It is possible that she forgot or that it was so long ago that no one thought it would matter.”

“I suppose you are correct about that, as well.” Elizabeth shrugged. “Oh, well. There is nothing to be done about it now.”

Just then, Bingley and the Hursts entered the room.

The doors were closed, and the three made their way to the far end.

Bingley approached and collected Jane, and his friends and their ladies followed him to the center of the room, where Louisa and Hurst stood waiting.

Other couples began to join them, making two lines, and finally, Louisa called the first dance.

Darcy did his best to divide his attention between Elizabeth and his endeavor to keep Collins in his sight at all times.

His betrothed, he noted, did not appear to be upset with him for his frequent lapses.

When they came together near the end of the first dance of the set, he thought it behooved him to make certain.

“Are you well?”

Elizabeth smiled. “I am. I understand why you are distracted. I appreciate your protection.”

Darcy breathed a sigh of relief. He smiled back at her. “Good.”

“Where is he?”

The dance separated them for a few minutes, but when they came back, he gave her his reply. “He is dancing with Miss Mary. They are three or four couples down the line.”

As she danced, Elizabeth looked past Charlotte, the Longs’ eldest niece, and the Gouldings’ oldest daughter to see her next younger sister.

She then looked across to the other line where Collins stood, his mouth in constant motion.

She shuddered. Looking up to her partner, she said, “I love my sister, but better her than me.”

Darcy chuckled. “I am happy to hear it.” He looked down the row again before turning his attention back to his betrothed. “She would not accept him, would she? If he were to turn his attention from you to her?”

Elizabeth’s head began to shake. “Oh, no. I do not think so. From what I understand, she does not think very highly of him. She dislikes his false humility. Mary has strong opinions on what the character of a gentleman should be.”

Darcy’s brows rose. “Indeed? I cannot help but agree with her. I had no idea she was so insightful.”

Elizabeth chuckled ruefully. “I did not, either. She has been a constant surprise here lately.”

At this point, the set ended and Darcy escorted her to the side of the room. Bingley, Jane, Madison, and Charlotte joined them.

“Miss Elizabeth! I did not have opportunity earlier to ask you to dance.” Bingley grinned. “May I have your next set?”

Elizabeth laughed. “You may. I thank you for asking.”

“May I have your third, then?” Madison bowed. “Miss Lucas assures me that you will not mind my poor dancing skills.”

“Mr. Madison. I never said you were a poor dancer.” Charlotte put her free hand on her hip as she spoke but never removed the one that held his arm from its spot.

Madison lifted her hand and kissed it. “Of course not, my dear.” He winked at her and smiled when she blushed.

“Oh, you.” She rolled her eyes and then turned to her friend. “He is an excellent dancer, Lizzy. You will not regret a set with him.”

Elizabeth grinned at the banter between her friend and Darcy’s. “I will be happy to dance with you for the third set, since Charlotte assures me that I am in no danger from you.”

“Excellent.” Madison lifted his chin. “I must now find a partner for the second set.” He paused. “Aha! Miss Bennet, are you engaged for the next?”

“I am not, sir.”

“Then, will you accept me as your partner?”

Jane chuckled. “I will. Thank you.”

The first notes of the next dance floated toward them, and they all made their way back to the floor.

Darcy hung back, choosing to observe Collins and his movements.

He could see the clergyman turning his eyes frequently in Elizabeth’s direction.

Without letting the other man know he was being watched, Darcy kept him in his sights all night.

In the end, his vigilance was not needed.