Page 83 of Bitterness of Spirit

“Do not worry, sir; Darcy, Bingley, and I shall take good care of our family. If something is wrong, we shall surely let you know. We are a rather outspoken family.” The colonel laughed, drawing a reproachful glare from his mother and aunt.

Elizabeth spoke only briefly with Darcy. Although in close proximity, both waited for the supper set with the same frustrated eagerness. Nevertheless, they were both light-hearted, knowing there was no misunderstanding left between them and many opportunities to speak lay ahead of them.

Music for the first set began, and couples filled the dance floor. The colonel was as enjoyable a partner as he was a skilful dancer. For the second set, a Mr. Huntington, the grandson of the Earl of Montagu partnered Elizabeth, followed by Lord Seton and Mr. Graham.

Darcy danced the third set with Jane then returned to his cousin Anne; later, he asked Caroline Bingley for a set but no one else. The colonel danced every time his cousin did not.

Two, three, four hours passed with the guests becoming more at ease and the conversation flowing. The billiard and card tables were animated, drinks were savoured, and dances enjoyed.

The Matlocks and Lady Catherine stood together, having little interaction with others. Caroline and Louisa remained slightly apart, speaking mostly to each other as they could not find their place or a group to belong to. In a room full of titled people, the Gardiners slowly became accustomed to such company. Bingley’s sisters, however—too proud to admit their inferior origins, too arrogant to make themselves pleasant, and too fearful to attempt any sort of interaction with those beyond them—remained isolated and lonely.

Caroline danced several times, but she could not enjoy her time alone as she was too resentful and indignant in the shadow of Elizabeth and Jane’s success.

Then, at midnight, for the first and only time that night, Darcy stepped decidedly towards Elizabeth and claimed her hand. Though several gazes turned towards them, only Anne’s was accompanied by a friendly smile.

As they took their place in the set, Elizabeth’s excitement made her uneasy. She had stood up with him before, but tonight things were completely different. They faced each other for some time without speaking a word, only holding each other’s eyes. She suddenly smiled, recollecting their previous dance.

After a pause of some minutes, she addressed him. “You allowed your cousin plenty of time to dance, I noticed. The arrangement seemed to suit both of you very well.”

“Indeed.” He smiled then turned silent again, looking at her with an intensity that made her blush.

Another pause followed until she broke it again. “It is your turn to say something now, Mr. Darcy. You ought to make some remark on the size of the room or the number of couples.”

His smile widened, and his expression warmed as he remembered the last time they had the same conversation.

“Whatever you wish me to say will be said, Miss Bennet. I assure you.”

“Very well. That reply will do for the present. Private balls are much pleasanter than public ones, do you not agree?”

“I do agree. Especially this one. Do you talk by rule, then, while you are dancing, Miss Bennet? We have not danced together enough for me to know your habits.”

“I do speak sometimes. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together.”

“Perhaps. But at times, silence is more powerful and eloquent than words,” he said.

She blushed. “True. I have noticed a great similarity in the turn of our minds on several matters.”

“As have I. So let us speak for the others’ sake, and be silent and eloquent for ours.”

“That will do perfectly well,” she admitted with thrilling pleasure while an agreeable warmth grew inside her.

They moved together to the rhythm of the music, touched gloved hands, held gazes, and exchanged opinions, jokes, and smiles until the set ended.

As soon as the music stopped, Darcy offered his arm, which she took readily. She still had chills, but she did not hesitate to fully enjoy every moment in his company.

They walked slowly towards the supper tables along with the colonel and Anne, as well as Bingley and Jane. The other guests seemed in more haste and had already taken their seats.

At the head of one table was the Duke of York and at the other, Mr. Wilson. Between the tables, there was some distance, but they could still hear or speak to the other group. The Matlocks, Lady Catherine, and the viscount were seated at the Duke’s table.

Darcy, the colonel, and Bingley took their partners to Mr. Wilson’s table, much to Lady Catherine’s displeasure. She motioned to them several times to join her, but she met with no success. Anne was placed between Elizabeth and Jane and seemed to enjoy herself exceedingly while her cousins and Bingley sat opposite.

“Miss Bennet, I wish to congratulate you on your engagement,” Anne told Jane.

“Thank you, Miss de Bourgh,” Jane replied with a warm smile. “I am very happy to finally meet you. We were honoured when you agreed to attend the ball.”

“It is a lovely party.”

“We hope so since we have barely slept at all while preparing for it, and we are as tired as anyone can be,” Elizabeth said in jest. “From now on, every time I attend a ball—which I used to really enjoy—I shall think of all the work involved. I shall surely never criticise a ball again.”