Page 36 of Cousin Elizabeth
“Well, I’m glad you know it! Let’s pick out your dress and accessories. Quick, quick! I want to show you all up tonight! Haha!”
Chapter Thirty
It was unfortunate that Beth ripped her hem right before they were supposed to leave for the assembly. “You can go on. We can catch up with you. It will only take a few minutes to repair my hem.”
“You may just want to change. The rip goes up rather far. To repair it without ruining the dress will take more than a few minutes.” Mamie was looking at it closely. Beth had not been paying attention as she walked down the stairs. She caught herself on the banister, but her foot caught on the delicate fabric and made a jagged tear.
“Oh botheration! My other ballgowns are a bit much for a country assembly. I will change as quickly as I can. Do go on. Don’t feel like you must wait for me!”
Caroline got a slightly panicked look on her face, “I…I would not want to leave without you Beth.”
Darcy was quite surprised by the budding friendship between Beth and Miss Bingley. At first, he thought his cousin was just trying to keep the social climbing harpy away from his sister, but theygenuinely seemed to like each other, and Miss Bingley was being less cloying by the hour. She hadagaintried to compromise him last evening. Why did young women think falling into him would make him marry them?! At least she was not wearing one of those hideous orange dresses she favored so much and was behaving almost demurely. She was also ready on time, which had never happened in his memory. She and her sister always liked to be ‘fashionably late’ and try to make an entrance. Regardless, he did not want to be trapped in a carriage withher.“We will wait. Bingley, you can go on with your sisters if you like.”
“Perish the thought! I cannot remember the last time I showed up during the first set!”
Beth hastened up the stair and changed into a ballgown that was nottooostentatious. Still, she felt overdressed. She removed the necklace she had originally chosen and put on a simple gold chain. They would be nearly thirty minutes late.
Mr. Bennet, Mary, Jane, and Lizzy wondered where the Netherfield party was, but there were friends to greet, and it would not be long before the first set. Jane was asked to dance by John Lucas, and Lizzy was asked by Jonathan Goulding. Mary was theonly young lady coming out that night, so she and Mr. Bennet would be at the head of the line.
Just as the second dance of the first set was beginning, the Netherfield party entered. They attempted to be as unobtrusive as possible, but Sir William Lucas spotted them and hurried over. Sir William did not do anything unobtrusively and haled them while he was still at least ten feet away in a loud and jovial voice. The dancers were not disturbed, but everyone within twenty feet turned to look and stare.
Fitzwilliam Darcy hated being the center of attention. He was already in a foul mood both from last evening’s fracas and being late. Beth had tried to assure him that Miss Bingley really had tripped, but he did not believe her. He postulated that she’d likely try and compromise him this evening at the ball, or someone would! He also hated being late…anywhere. His mother had taught him it was very poor manners to keep people waiting. Whenever he attended an event with the Bingleys, they were late. It put him in a foul mood every time. He felt someone grab his arm and he looked down ready to peel Miss Bingley off him, but it was Beth.
“Why do you look like something smells bad? Could your nose be any higher? Is the air worse up there in the clouds?”
“I do not like crowds. Balls in particular. At least three times a year, someone tries to compromise me at a ball.”
“Well, it is a good thing this is just an assembly then! You will be safe with the Bennets, and Miss Lucas is very nice. The Long sisters are a bit vapid, but I doubt you will be seen as prey. I will only introduce you to people I know will treat you well. Are you getting a megrim? That crease between your brow has emerged.”
“How is it you know me so well?”
“You and Ethan are very much alike. He gets the same crease when his head is aching. Come, let us go out to the balcony and get you some fresh air.” Beth waved at John to come attend them. Mamie was just being met by Uncle Thomas, she did not want to interrupt them.
John joined them on the balcony. “Megrim?”
Beth tried not to laugh too loudly, “See, it’s the crease.”
“Cousin, I know you want to dance and see your cousins. I will be fine out here for now. Just breathing the cool air is helping. I willreturn inside shortly so you can make your introductions. I should dance with the one who is coming out tonight.”
“If you cannot get that scowl off your face, it would be best if you just stay out here. Everyone will be thinking you are looking down on them.”
William smirked, “Maybe I am.”
“Oh you! I know you’re rather high in the instep, but you’re also kind. Just stay out here or go back to Netherfield if your headache does not subside. Ethan becomes a real bear when his head is throbbing. I imagine you do too. You’ll scare all the young ladies with that snarl.”
John chose to stay on the balcony with Darcy. He was not overly fond of crowded rooms either. He was always the tallest and usually the widest. He found himself constantly bumping into people. The dance floor tonight had looked very full. He simply did not fit. They stood silently together for over half an hour. Neither feeling the need to say a word.
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Theo looked askance at the crowd of simply dressed, very loud people. He was used to the ballrooms of London and had spentvery little time around the common people at Matlock and Rosemont. He knew that would have to change. Even Darcy went to the local assemblies in Lambton and Kympton. He generally was much more at ease with his own people, than the upper ten thousand. Just the opposite of Theo. ‘Now, where is the beautiful Jane Bennet?’ He looked around and finally spotted her on the dance floor. He allowed Sir William to drag the group around for introductions until the music ended and then he insisted he wanted to meet the Bennets…although he already knew them.
“Certainly, my lord! Come this way, come this way! Mr. Bennet! Let me introduce you to some newcomers to our fine town.”
Mary was already with him, then Jane and Lizzy walked behind.
“Thomas Bennet, let me introduce you to Viscount Rosemont, Theordore Fitzwilliam, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Charles Bingley, and Miss Bingley. I am not sure where Mr. Darcy went….”
“I have met Rosemont, but the rest of the Netherfield party are new to us. Very nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Hurst, Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley. These are three of my daughters, Mary, who is having her come out this evening, Miss Jane Bennet, who is the mistress of Longbourn, and Elizabeth. We keep missing Mr. Darcy’s introduction, although my youngest two know him. Whathave you done with my niece this evening? She and Mr. Smith appear to be missing also.”
