Page 82 of Bitterness of Spirit

She teased her sister, but Elizabeth’s own hopes were not far removed. Her thoughts revolved around Darcy’s arrival. She knew she looked lovely—better than ever before due to the gown, the jewels, and the hairstyle. Her appearance might be the result of the maid and modiste’s art, but she was ready to take the credit if praise came from him.

Around eight o’clock, the first guests appeared: Bingley and his sisters. They stopped in the doorway, obviously surprised by the flower arrangements as well as the ladies’ appearance. Everything was elegant, impressive, and striking.

They were invited in, and Jane assisted them; Bingley, completely charmed, was unable to utter more than compliments for his betrothed’s beauty.

Slowly, the house filled with people, most of them completely unknown to everyone except Mr. Wilson. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner struggled to hide their emotions, but their uneasiness in such illustrious company and sense of responsibility for the evening’s success was overwhelming.

Elizabeth was in the middle of a conversation with a Mrs. Ramsbury, her daughter Emily, and her son James when her gaze was drawn towards the entrance. It was a quarter past eight, and the party she had eagerly expected finally arrived. The group was at a distance but close enough for her to notice them immediately. Behind the colonel, who held Anne’s arm, Lady Catherine, the Matlocks, and probably the colonel’s eldest brother, she observed Darcy—tall, handsome, and dashing—looking around with a trace of haughtiness until his dark gaze met hers. At that moment, his face lit up, his eyes opened wider, and his lips twisted in a little smile.

Her entire being smiled at him while her knees weakened. Regardless of her eagerness to speak and dance with him, she regained her strength enough to continue her conversation while she stole repeated glances at him.

Chapter 20

Darcy entered Wilson’s house a few steps behind his relatives. Even while they rode to the party, Lady Catherine—her displeasure clear on her face—expressed her opposition to the “foolishness” of attending a ball hosted by “an unknown tradesman.”

Darcy ignored everything except his desire to see Elizabeth. Their discussion in the park had taken their relationship to a new level of depth and mutual understanding. He knew his action was strange, and very few men—if any—would have done it. But he readily put his heart on a plate in front of her—one more time. Her admission that she had hoped for him to invite her to dance was further proof of her changed opinion of him. Her teasing smile was directed at him, and there was no misunderstanding its meaning.

When they entered, Darcy found himself facing a view he did not recognize, and he could see the astonishment of his relatives. The first floor had been turned into an enormous, elegant ballroom, as beautiful as those at any fashionable private ball among the ton.

Bingley and Jane greeted the Fitzwilliams, who were surprised to see the Countess of Jersey and Countess of Sefton were already there, surrounded by a small group of other guests. The host was also there, talking to them, but he hurried to greet the new arrivals.

Mr. Wilson bowed respectfully to the group, and he was scrutinised with the greatest curiosity. He expressed his delight in making their acquaintance, thanked them for their presence, and invited them to ask for anything for their pleasure.

Darcy was oblivious to most of the discussion around him. His eyes searched for Elizabeth. The room was already crowded, but he observed her in the midst of a group in an animated conversation.

Likely drawn by his passionate admiration, she turned, and their gazes met. For a moment, he thought she might leave her companions and move towards him, but that would have been highly improper. She reluctantly returned her attention to her group then glanced at him again several times.

After their introduction, Jane and Bingley mingled among the other guests while the rest of the group moved inside the large room until they stopped near the countesses.

The Countess of Sefton said, “Lady Catherine, Lady Matlock, I wondered whether you might be here. I knew not whether you were acquainted with Mr. Wilson.”

“We are not. And we were undecided about attending until the last minute,” Lady Catherine replied sharply, ignoring Mr. Wilson’s looks.

“Well, we hesitated too, and I admitted to Mr. Wilson that we came mostly out of curiosity. A man appearing out of nowhere and hosting a ball in the middle of the Season is rare. But we are pleased so far. I have been in this house when it belonged to the late owner, but the improvement is extraordinary,” the Countess of Jersey added.

“My youngest son and my nephew Darcy are well acquainted with Mr. Wilson’s family. They met several months ago. And Mr. Wilson’s eldest niece, Miss Bennet, is about to marry Bingley, one of Darcy’s closest friends.”

“Yes, I heard that. Miss Bennet is a woman of exceptional beauty; she might have been able to secure herself a husband of greater consequence, but it seems she is quite charmed by that handsome young man,” the Countess of Sefton added.

“Bingley and Miss Bennet make a perfect match,” Darcy intervened. “I trust they will be one of the happiest couples I know.”

“I cannot express my gratitude for your presence, your ladyships,” Mr. Wilson addressed all the ladies. “I trust my humble first attempt at hosting a ball will not be a complete disappointment to you.”

“Well, so far you have done a reasonably good job,” the Countess of Sefton responded.

Just then, Elizabeth approached them, glancing at Darcy while struggling to engage only the other guests.

She greeted Lady Catherine with polite deference, which pleased the lady. The introductions to Lord and Lady Matlock and the viscount were friendly, and congratulations were offered for Jane and Bingley. Then the two countesses complimented her appearance and asked her several questions about her family.

All conversation ceased at the arrival of the Duke of York as the attention of the whole company turned to him. For half an hour, his highness was the centre of attention and followed around the room by his host and many others who wished to spend a few minutes in his company. Then the duke chose a place in the billiard room—that remained his for the entire evening—and another one in the ballroom where he could have a reasonable view of the party and still carry on a conversation without being interrupted by the music. The two countesses were his closest companions for a while; then port and brandy animated the guests and made them more voluble, despite their titles.

***

Miss de Bourgh’s presence raised many questions since most of the guests barely recognized her. However, the main subject of discussion was the host: his secret past and his wealthy present. Nobody knew much about him except for brief interactions at Brooks’s and Boodle’s gentlemen’s clubs. It was obvious he had connections in the highest circles and was involved in many businesses, but nothing was clear. Most of the participants accepted his invitation to the ball out of mere curiosity, attracted by the well-known list of guests.

On one subject regarding Mr. Wilson, many of the gentlemen and even several fair-minded ladies agreed: his two nieces—Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth—were among the most beautiful young ladies to be seen that Season in Town.

Together with Jane, Elizabeth spent some time with the Fitzwilliam group. Mr, Wilson also passed by, inquiring whether they had any concerns or desires.