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Mama was calm and enjoying her gossip with her aunt, so Elizabeth sat down for the next set. While she watched the dancers turn with the music, a familiar voice reached her ears.

“You know I am not fond of dancing, Bingley.”

“But there are several uncommonly pretty ladies here this evening. I just finished a dance with Miss Elizabeth. She is lovely and the little conversation we had was pleasant. Would you not rather stand up with her than my sister? Caroline has been watching if you had not noticed.”

Elizabeth chanced a glance over her shoulder.

Mr. Darcy stood with Mr. Bingley while Miss Bingley stared at Mr. Darcy’s back.

She had to choke down a chuckle. If she was Mr. Darcy, she might be frightened by the determination upon that lady’s countenance.

Miss Bingley was clear in her attempt to will Mr. Darcy to come to her side .

When that particular gentleman started towards Elizabeth, she stood and clasped her hands in front of her.

“Miss Elizabeth,” he said with a dip of his chin. “Would you do me the honour of standing up with me for the next?” He held out his arm.

She set her hand near his elbow. “I would be pleased to dance with you, sir.”

Those dancing bowed and curtseyed at the end of the set while she and Mr. Darcy waited to take their places.

Her palm tingled where it rested on Mr. Darcy’s arm and a current that originated at their connexion travelled through her.

Was he experiencing the same sensation? He appeared no different than when he arrived, with the exception of his avoidance of Miss Bingley’s obvious admiration.

“Are you well this evening, Mr. Darcy?”

“Quite well, I thank you.” He did not look at her but kept his gaze on the room in front of them as those who had been dancing cleared the floor. When the next set began to form, he led them to the middle and took his place across from her. “Did you enjoy your dance with Bingley?”

She lifted her one eyebrow. Was he jealous?

“Mr. Bingley was agreeable. We did not have the opportunity to speak much, but he expressed his praise of my father and spoke of his desire to purchase an estate. He indicated you have been teaching him what he needs to know about estate management. You must be an exceptionally busy man.”

“My morning ride affords me some time to myself, and I spend some time in the forest before Bingley and I speak of the estate.” He bowed when the moment came to honour their partners.

She curtseyed and when the music began, stepped forward .

“The time in the forest is hardly a chore,” he said. He had not spoken softly, but the music made it difficult to hear the discourse of those around them.

“Truly?” She was often fatigued after they practised. Was he not?

He bent his head closer to her. “Truly, Miss Elizabeth.”

She did her best to school her features so she would not give away their familiarity towards each other, but it did not prevent the jolts that shocked her with every single touch. They were both wearing gloves. How was that possible?

“My mother recognised your name earlier. I barely kept her from commenting that our families had a connexion.”

“Thus far, no one has enquired of it to me. I must admit I am surprised. My father mentioned Sir William Lucas in his journal. Of course, the man had yet to be knighted then. Your father’s assumption that most would not remember the connexion appears to be correct.”

She glanced at Sir William. “Almost twenty years have passed as well since the last time your parents journeyed here.”

Mr. Darcy nodded. “Yes, that is also true. Even though Sir William was mentioned, I do not believe my father was well acquainted with the gentleman. He even seems to have forgotten that I mentioned our families were acquainted when we met at Mabon.” He looked over to where her mother was speaking loudly to Lady Lucas.

“Should your mother be without you? What if she tries to speak of it again?”

“Jane is with her. My sister is better at subduing Mama’s tempers. If she begins to say something she should not, Jane can calm her to the point of drowsiness.”

Papa had felt that until Elizabeth agreed to the betrothal, they would conceal the truth of their acquaintance.

If word of their engagement spread, she would be trapped.

She could not avoid marrying him without ruining her reputation.

The magical contract would be onerous to nullify, but if anyone could do so, it would be her father.

At the end of the set, Mr. Darcy took her arm and guided her back to where she had stood before their dance. “Did you still want to meet in the morning?”

“Yes, if you are amenable.”

“Hen and I shall be waiting for you at the forest.” After one last bow, he returned to Mr. Bingley.

“It was kind of Mr. Darcy to ask you to dance,” said Mary as she stepped beside her.

“Yes, he was an agreeable partner.” The neutral response should not raise Mary’s suspicions.

“You should know that Mama noticed. She has been crowing that if you managed to tempt a dance from the handsome and wealthy Mr. Darcy, then he should be unable to resist Jane.”

Elizabeth groaned and rubbed her forehead.

“Mr. Darcy was being kind. Mr. Bingley suggested he dance with me, so he did. He was obliging his host. Otherwise, I do not believe Mr. Darcy intended to stand up with anyone at all.” The assumption was a reasonable one.

The gentleman had not stood up for the first, and he had returned to where he had been before dancing with her.

“I am sure you are correct, but you know Mama will not listen.” Mary spoke the truth. Mama never listened.

“No, you are likely correct.”

Over the next couple of hours, Elizabeth had been asked to dance once or twice, but with the dearth of gentlemen, she had sat out a great deal as had several of the ladies. Somehow, Kitty and Lydia had never been without a partner. They had been in high spirits. Their behaviour made her cringe.

After a sigh, she rose and stepped over to the refreshment table for a glass of punch. Mr. Bingley stood up with Jane once more. Her sister wore a reserved smile, but she was obviously happy—Elizabeth could tell.

“Mr. Darcy paid you a great compliment,” said Charlotte appearing at Elizabeth’s side. “He has danced with none other. Your mother has not ceased crowing of it.”

“I am certain the gentleman was being polite. I hope Mama is not making too much out of one set. She will offend him if she does.” She sighed.

“Excuse me. I should see if I can temper her enthusiasm.” Elizabeth took one more sip of punch before she put down her glass and hastened to where her mother sat with Lady Lucas, Mrs. Goulding, and Aunt Philips.

“I cannot say I am surprised Mr. Bingley would choose to stand up with Jane twice. She is so beautiful. Everyone says so. He surely recognises that she will make him an excellent wife.”

“Lizzy did well by dancing with Mr. Darcy,” said Aunt Philips. “He comes from a prominent family in magical circles, and I have heard he is worth ten thousand a year. Have you not noticed, Frances, that he has danced with no one else?”

“Ten thousand!” Her mother screeched in that tone that never failed to reverberate down Elizabeth’s spine.

She hurried forward. “Mama, pray, keep your voice down. He will hear you.”

Mama scoffed and waved Elizabeth away. “I do not know why he would wish to dance with you, but you must go over there and persuade him to stand up a second time.”

“I shall do no such thing.” Had her mother no sense of decorum?

The chandelier rattled, making those around them look up as three candles shot towards Elizabeth. She gave a sharp inhale as everyone gasped. How was she to avoid this? She could not use magic before all of these people—not yet .

Before she could try to shift out of the way, Mr. Darcy stepped in front of her and lifted his hand.

“ Gaoth !” A sudden gust of wind burst through the room, and the candles’ flames extinguished, the sticks falling to the floor.

Charlotte scrambled forward and picked them up.

Not so much as a tiny plume of smoke came from the blackened wicks.

“I thank you, Mr. Darcy,” said Elizabeth.

“Are you well, Miss Elizabeth?” He bent forward some to hold her gaze.

“I am.”

Jane rushed over and set her hand on Mama’s shoulder. “We should depart. I believe Mama is tired.”

“I am not—” Jane’s lips pressed into a fine line, and her mother’s next words became muffled.

While Mary gathered Lydia and Kitty, Jane kept her palm upon her mother.

Elizabeth turned to Sir William. “Pray, forgive us for leaving so early. I am afraid it cannot be helped.”

“Do not worry yourself. I understand, Miss Elizabeth.”

Lydia and Kitty protested in loud tones as they approached with Mary.

After a glance at Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth followed her mother and sisters from the assembly hall.

Whether her father liked it or not, he would have to attend the next event.

Mama now needed someone around who could control her at all times.

After all, had Mr. Darcy not been present, tonight could have been a disaster.