Page 83 of Obligation and Redemption
The room filled quickly with the invited guests as several came up to make the introduction.
Although a little doubtful of her reception at first, Elizabeth began to feel the excitement of the evening ahead.
It was at this time that the colonel joined the Darcys as he proclaimed both ladies to be exceptionally lovely.
After this, Elizabeth had the opportunity to meet Lady Victoria’s husband, who up until this evening had not deigned to meet the new member of the family.
Lady Victoria made the introductions; he bowed a cursory greeting, and then departed for the game room.
Elizabeth spoke to his wife who remained behind and who was supposed to most favour her brother, the colonel.
Standing beside her though, Elizabeth could see little to support the idea on this occasion.
As the instrumentalists began to signal the beginning of the dancing, the earl and countess stood before those congregated to again thank them for coming.
Couples began making their way to the dance floor behind their hosts.
Colonel Fitzwilliam found his chance and asked Elizabeth to dance the second set with him, if she were not already promised to another.
Elizabeth replied, “I am available for the first, if you are not otherwise engaged, sir.”
Darcy, surprised at her answer, said, “You are to dance the first with me.”
“But, sir, I have not been asked by you.”
“You are my wife. Of course you would dance the first with me.”
“Be that as it may, a woman likes to be asked. ”
Darcy, unsure of where this would go replied, “Elizabeth, may I have the honour of your first dance?”
She paused, glancing away, and then looking back replied with good humour, “Of course, it is your duty to ask me, and I suppose I am obliged to accept. But truly, how shall I reply? If I say yes, you will take my acceptance for granted; however, if I say no, you will scorn me.”
Darcy’s features were stern as was usual, but then he saw the mirth in her eyes and realised that she was teasing him yet again.
He held out his hand, which she took with a sly look, and as he led her to the dance floor, a lovely laugh escaped her lips, which drew the attention of those around them.
Darcy had a definite but small smile on his face as they passed the other guests, and those in the surrounding area of the great room looked on with astonishment.
Who was that unknown woman who had defied conventional mores to laugh at such a man as Mr. Darcy?
Those aware of the recent marriage got to work with industry sharing their understanding of the events.
Pleased for the occasion, Fitzwilliam then asked Georgiana to dance, as she was limited to the men within the family as partners and followed behind to enjoy the general excitement and splendour of the evening.
The whispers had begun, but Darcy and Elizabeth did not notice as the music drowned out the indistinct chatter.
The two stood across from one another waiting for their turn in the dance.
Darcy had his eyes fixed on Elizabeth who was determined to be unaffected by his close scrutiny.
She had noticed early in their enforced relationship that he often stared at her.
At first she found his examinations disconcerting.
He held no regard for her appearance, as she unhappily discovered on the first day of their acquaintance.
His fixed gazes were severe and abstruse; Elizabeth suspected they were of an unfavourable nature.
Howbeit, on this occasion, his survey of her person left her suspecting quite the opposite.
Their turn arrived, and Darcy seemed as if he had awakened to realise he was in the middle of a dance. He recovered quickly and played his part well. After a few moments, Darcy began, “We must have some conversation; do you not agree?”
“Do you wish to satisfy me or your own desires? I seem to remember your being disinclined to converse while dancing. You certainly do not need to entertain me; I find myself quite amused in my present state of observation,” she replied with a grin.
“Oh, and what do you find so amusing? Have I taken a misstep?”
“My pleasure does not arise from the discomfiting mistakes of others, but from their follies. I find there is plenty to delight me without resorting to humiliating others.”
They were silent as they separated in the dance.
When they came back together, Elizabeth spoke, “I wonder why you so seldom dance. You carry yourself with remarkable grace, and I am sure any woman would be pleased to stand up with you.” She had rarely rendered him a compliment, so Darcy was trying to determine her motives from her manner when she looked at him inquiringly, so he took her bait and asked her intention.
“You do justice to your reputation, sir. Miss Bingley had informed me of your perfection in all things, and I only meant to confirm your aptitude in the ballroom. Surely you must know that you are an excellent dancer, and that I could not find fault.” Somehow, whenever she spoke, Darcy could not be quite confident in her intentions or his own reply.
He found himself perplexed and unable to determine her meaning.
“You also dance with elegance, madam. Might I ask how you became so accomplished in this area?”
After a long pause, Elizabeth replied, “This might come as a surprise to you, Mr. Darcy, but my mother does in fact value the social competencies which are customary to attain within genteel society. Do not suppose that because I grew up as a country maiden, that I have not the refinement that one discovers in town.”
His cold mask returned. He could not understand how their conversations so often became a battleground, and he was left without a weapon or an understanding of how the first shot was fired.
Elizabeth was aware of how her words affected him.
She was unable to hold her tongue and regretted them even before they had escaped her.
He may not have meant to offend her by suggesting that her ability to dance was unexpected.
She found herself often attempting to defend herself and her value as a wife of someone of his heritage.
She questioned whether she had to defend herself to Darcy alone, or perhaps to herself as well.
She wanted to apologise, but they became separated again in the dance.
He spoke not the rest of the set, leaving her unsettled by the end.
She attempted a small smile, but he turned his eyes away while leading her off the dance floor.
The crowd had increased while they were engaged; he held her hand as he led her to Colonel Fitzwilliam.
The colonel was all smiles as they approached.
He had a glass of punch waiting for her, so she might take quick refreshment before the next two began.
She would have to wait to apologise to Mr. Darcy until later, but for now, she was determined to enjoy herself.
Darcy watched as Elizabeth returned to the dance floor with his cousin.
Her lively emotions played across her face, as the two left him alone.
He now had to admit that his wife was not only beautiful, but also graceful.
She had charms that were beginning to draw him in.
Vulnerability came hard to him. Could he let himself become susceptible to such a woman?
As he watched his cousin flawlessly dance with his wife, he began to focus on the conversations going on around him when he heard his name mentioned. “Who is that woman dancing with Lord Matlock’s son? She does not look familiar.”
“She is the new Mrs. Darcy. I saw her dancing with her husband to open the ball. Of course you have heard their story.”
“Indeed I have not. Do tell, for I love tantalizing gossip.”
“Well, I had it from Lady Farthington, who heard the report from her lady’s maid who knows someone who serves at Darcy House. Apparently, he had to marry her; she entrapped him. ”
“He finally got caught, did he? I know that ladies have been attempting to ensnare him for years; my daughter was one of them.”
Mature yet puerile giggles sounded in Darcy’s wake as he walked forward to evade the discovery of having overheard the exchange.
He was incensed at the insult to Elizabeth and himself.
How dare those old harpies spread such vicious gossip?
These malicious rumours of scheming will make Elizabeth’s entrance into society more arduous.
Of course, he knew that no one would readily welcome her based on the truth concerning her absence of fortune and connections upon marriage; the ton would always find something to cavil at when associating with Elizabeth.
Anyone could find a trivial objection to her if seeking a fault, but to purposely make her introduction more burdensome for sport alone was abhorrent indeed.
Darcy felt concern for Elizabeth and the welcome, or lack thereof, which she would surely encounter in the drawing rooms of London.