Page 12 of The Power of Refusal

O n the third night of Georgiana’s first house party, they held a ball for the guests in residence and for neighbours from nearby estates. As he gazed over the assembly, it struck Darcy that the number of people attending far exceeded any event held at Pemberley since his mother passed away. Georgiana had restored vitality to Pemberley. How he wished she did not do so in pursuit of marrying and moving away.

The orchestra struck up the first tune as Darcy led Georgiana to the centre of the ballroom. Her hand trembled slightly in his, betraying a nervousness that her serene smile concealed. Georgiana had initially not wanted to come out at eighteen. It had taken Mrs Annesley and his aunt Matlock building her confidence with lesser social events for more than a year’s time, and the support of her friends, for her to reach this level of maturity.

As they took their positions, Darcy’s breath caught. The candlelight glinted off the Darcy sapphires adorning Georgiana’s neck, the same ones their mother had worn countless times in this very room. For a moment, it was as if Lady Anne stood before him, radiant and poised. She was the picture of the mother who never saw her grown up.

They began to move, Georgiana’s silk gown rustling softly with each step. Darcy’s chest tightened as he realised how perfectly she mirrored their mother’s grace. Even more than her presentation and come-out ball, seeing her in what had been his mother’s place as hostess of Pemberley made her growing up more real.

As the dance progressed, Darcy’s eyes swept the room. Eager young men lined the edges, their gazes fixed on Georgiana. Mr Gregory, in particular, seemed unable to look away, his admiration plain for all to see.

The music swelled, and Darcy found himself picturing future balls at some estate with Georgiana resplendent in her role as hostess, with a husband by her side. And he... standing alone, watching from the sidelines as life moved on without him.

The dance ended, and Georgiana curtsied deeply. As she rose, her eyes met Darcy’s, sparkling with joy and a hint of pride. For a moment, his melancholy lifted, replaced by a surge of brotherly affection.

Darcy found himself unable to suppress the thoughts that emerged as he danced. He was alone, a single man with no interest in the marriage machinations surrounding him. Perhaps he might never have a daughter to see through her come-out. His future was a long, empty life alone at Pemberley once Georgiana wed.

And Georgiana’s potential marriage was no longer a distant event. Far from the wallflower he feared she would be, Georgiana was akin to nectar, attracting the attention of the buzzing bees that were the gentlemen in attendance. She had invited a handful of young men she was considering as potential matches. As Darcy watched her join hands with Mr Gregory, his appreciative looks brought out Darcy’s protective instinct. He would keep a close eye on that one.

Later, Darcy knew he needed more sets of eyes to monitor the gentlemen who were interested in his sister. Henry Halliday, Viscount Grethem, claimed her second dance. He was brother to Lady Julia and Lady Harriet. Several years Georgiana’s senior, he was almost as tall as Darcy, with a sterling reputation. None of that made his obvious admiration of Georgiana palatable. Suddenly, Darcy wished for Elizabeth Bennet by his side. Out of the blue, his thoughts went to her impertinent but charming way of sketching a character. How he wished she were with him as he faced this night. How empty it all was, facing the challenge of his sister’s marital progress alone.

Darcy forced his mind away from those maudlin thoughts. His duty required he mingle and ensure their guests were well pleased. Georgiana had asked him to be sure to partner with a short list of ladies. He would undertake her assignment, albeit with little enthusiasm.

Darcy approached the gaggle of misses he was certain contained his quarry. What was it about the young ladies that caused such constant laughter? It almost made him concerned he was the subject of ridicule. A silent signal passed through them. As he approached, their faces formed into pleasant social smiles. All giggling ceased.

Darcy had vast experience in social situations of all kinds. Far more than confronting a thieving business associate, correcting a recalcitrant tenant, or standing up for a less powerful man being harried, the experience of approaching a handful of pretty ladies was intimidating in a different way.

Despite a quick rush of discomfort, he bowed, then straightened to his full height. He made pleasantries, inquiring whether they were enjoying the evening, and received polite assurances. Why, he wondered, were there a half-dozen ladies not dancing? He would be required to beat his cousins about the head to remind them of their duty. Darcy shook his head at the absurdity of his being the one to insist on gentlemen dancing. If only, years ago at the Meryton Assembly, he had listened to his former friend Bingley. If only he had asked Elizabeth to dance instead of— Darcy forced his attention back to the chattering girls. One of them was Miss Hildreth, and he was to ask her to dance. By process of elimination, he determined which she was and issued the invitation.

To his good fortune, the ladies Georgiana wished him to attend to were uniformly pleasant. Miss Hildreth proved to be an amiable enough partner. She spoke when spoken to but was less than lively. Darcy recalled dancing with Miss Elizabeth at Netherfield. He had suggested a discussion of books, but she declined. “ I cannot talk of books in a ballroom; my head is always full of something else. ” Miss Hildreth’s quiet had allowed Darcy to yet again drift back to ancient recollections. He remembered Miss Bennet’s caution. “ It is your turn to say something now, Mr Darcy. I talked about the dance, and you ought to make some kind of remark on the size of the room, or the number of couples .” He recalled his shock and, if he were honest, delight at her teasing scold. He would obey, rather too late, in her honour.

“It has been many years since we have opened the ballroom to its full size. Do you find it large enough for the number of couples?” he asked. There. He had incorporated those long-ago instructions. He sent a silent wish for Miss Bennet’s happiness.

Miss Hildreth appeared shocked at being asked her opinion. “Indeed, it is quite large enough, and Georgiana has decorated it beautifully.”

Darcy smiled, thinking of Georgiana that morning, in an old gown, her hair wrapped in a scarf, bustling about instructing staff on placing the decorations and flowers. She scattered scented bees’ wax candles strategically to create a wonderland, yet allowing some darker corners for private conversations.

“She did. I am impressed by my sister’s artistic abilities. I wonder how young ladies learn such things,” he mused.

Miss Hildreth blushed. When the dance brought them together again, she replied, “Georgiana has the talent of making everything beautiful. I do not think it is a skill which can be taught.”

His sister’s friend’s compliment touched Darcy. Georgiana did have an innate eye. Like her mother before her, she simply knew how things would look best. He made a note to tell her so later. Darcy thanked Miss Hildreth for her kind words and escorted her back to the knot of young ladies, slightly smaller now Richard and Hamilton had obeyed his command to dance.