Mr. Darcy's Promise (8 page)

Elizabeth saw Darcy’s countenance change. Had her teasing finally ruined something for herself? “Are you ill, Mr. Darcy?”

Darcy looked back at Elizabeth. “No, forgive me. I was distracted. I do have a special request to ask of you, however.”

“Well, you must do it quickly, as the dance is almost over.”

“As you wish. Would it be acceptable for Georgiana to keep close proximity to you when you are not otherwise engaged? She is not yet out, and I think she would greatly benefit from some looking after. I, of course, will dance with her, as will Bingley . . .” The song ended, and the couples bowed and curtsied to each other. He offered her his arm, which she accepted and he began to lead her to Georgiana. He then continued, “But I fear that I do not approve of her dancing with any others in the room at this time.”

Elizabeth pondered this request. “I have no objections to that; Georgiana is a very pleasant young lady. But surely she is growing up and you must consider letting her . . .”

“No,” he said icily, thinking of Wickham. He then softened his tone. “I simply feel she is not ready.” It was all he had time to say before they had arrived at the side of Georgiana and Miss Bingley.

Mr. Darcy greeted them politely and then asked Miss Bingley for the next dance, causing her to absolutely beam with pleasure. Before he escorted Miss Bingley to the dance floor, he leaned near Georgiana’s ear to whisper something quietly.

Georgiana gave a slight nod before she spoke to Elizabeth. “Miss Elizabeth, would you care for some refreshment? Although I was not dancing, I feel like I have been sucking on a rock!” Elizabeth laughed at the image of the proper Miss Darcy actually sucking on a rock. She consented and both went for some lemonade.

The next few hours of the night were spent pleasantly for Elizabeth. She never was without a partner and would always ask her partners to return her to Georgiana. Georgiana must have gotten strict orders to stay where she was because she did not venture far from the refreshment table. Elizabeth noted that she was excruciatingly shy in this formal ball setting and would only briefly greet those she was introduced to. To Elizabeth, Georgiana seemed to be quite anxious the whole night. Charlotte Lucas was one person whose company Georgiana seemed to enjoy. They were together often, for unlike Elizabeth, Charlotte was not often asked to dance. Darcy spent a great deal of time with Georgiana, and therefore Elizabeth, throughout the night, except for the dances he danced with Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst. When it came time for the supper set, Eliza
beth could see Mr. Goulding’s nephew hailing her from across the room. She had just inwardly groaned when Darcy came up behind her.

“Miss Bennet, would you do me the honor of dancing this set with me?”

Darcy’s smile once again reached his eyes, making them especially attractive. Relieved that she didn’t have to dance with Mr. Goulding’s nephew and his two left feet, she smiled and consented.

Darcy had never felt such relief. He was determined to engage her in conversation during this second dance, as the first dance had been nearly torturous with the silences and shared gazes. The thoughts that consequentially drifted into his mind were far from appropriate for a ballroom. Her beauty and grace had left him spell bound in that first dance. She had smiled back at him the whole time, and he had been
moved with gratitude for the chance to have her all to himself for that brief time. He had spent the first dance contemplating how it would feel to hold her small frame in his arms, but stopped himself near the end of the dance when he finally spoke to clear his thoughts. He would not do the same for this dance. He knew he was in love with her, but his feelings came from more than her beauty or fine figure. It was every bit of her charm and wit. His favorite memories of Netherfield were her convictions that she expressed intelligently and with great passion. Darcy also knew if he could keep her in conversation during this second dance, he could contain his more diverting thoughts about her lips, her chocolate curls, her tiny waist, or her fine brown eyes . . .
Stop it, man! Remember, conversation!

He offered his arm to Elizabeth before leaning into Georgiana and smiling. “You are next!”

This dance contained more laughter then smiles this time as they engaged each other in topics most diverting. Darcy was pleased to find he felt he was more relaxed than he had been before. Her laughter was music to his ears.
Perhap
s
,
he thought
,
I was at least a little charming?

They turned together towards where they had left Georgiana but they could not find her. A sudden bout of anxiety overcame Darcy and he very nearly panicked. He scanned the whole room.
Where could she be
?
He scanned the room for the other person he had been keeping his eye on, Wickham. He was with Lydia and Mr. Denny.

Seeing his anxiously darting eyes, Elizabeth said, “I am sure Georgiana is freshening up for the dinner meal. What could happen to her at a ball?”

He pushed his anxiety down and focused on Elizabeth, “You are quite right, Miss Elizabeth. Would you like me to get you your food?” She nodded and he escorted her into the dining area and pulled out her chair. He was still full of trepidation, but when he returned with the food, he found Georgiana sitting next to Elizabeth with her own plate. “Georgie, where had you gone? We were worried about you!”

Elizabeth laughed softly. “I have to say ‘we’ had nothing to do with it. I suspect your brother thinks there is some fierce creature here at the ball that is waiting to devour you.” She caught a glimpse
of Mr. Darcy’s frown out of the corner of her eye. Perhaps she had better not say her next teasing comment.
What did I say?
She turned to Georgiana who had the beginnings of tears in her eyes that she was blinking away quickly to control.
Oh dear, my tongue has done it again.
Although what it had done, precisely, Elizabeth was not sure. She reached for Georgiana’s hand and held it tightly. Elizabeth might not know why Georgiana needed comforting, but she could at least hold her hand. They all ate in silence for a spell.

Jane and Bingley were only two seats away to the left, while Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Long were across the table to the right. Mrs. Bennet’s voice was as shrill and loud as ever. At first her topics were mercifully benign, but then Mrs. Long asked about Jane and Mr. Bingley. Elizabeth winced.
Not now, Mother! Bingley will hear you!

“Oh, it is very nearly settled!” her high voice screeched. “I see nothing but wedding bells and trousseau shopping in the near-future! I would not be surprised if he asked her this very night! What a fine man for my Jane to catch! Mr. Bingley has five thousand a year, you know!”

She went on in this vein for nearly ten minutes. Elizabeth was embarrassed and pulled her eyes off her plate to see if Jane and Bingley had heard. Jane’s complexion was a deep red and she was no longer eating. Mr. Bingley was looking at Mr. Darcy with concern. So it seems that her mother’s voice was overheard by poor Mr. Bingley— and Mr. Darcy as well!
Now look what you have done, Mother! Mr. Darcy will influence Bingley to leave, and your “nearly settled” engagement will never happen!
She too was no longer hungry and raised her head ready to look straight on at anyone who dared meet her gaze. Luckily, the only one even looking at her was Mr. Wickham. He was standing a few feet away behind where Sir Lucas and Charlotte had just seated themselves. Once he caught her gaze, Mr. Wickham bowed slightly in acknowledgement. He smiled briefly before he turned and left. She had been having such a good time that she hadn’t thought much about Wickham before now. She wondered if he would still ask her to dance. There were usually only a few sets after the meal and she knew she would have to accommodate Mr. Goulding’s nephew for one of them.
So be it. I had already decided that I would not be hurt if Wickham did not ask me.

Elizabeth was all too eager to resume dan
cing. Sure enough, Mr. Goulding’s nephew found her out immediately after the meal. She graciously consented but inwardly groaned. During the dance, though, he stumbled a few times but fortunately seemed to have improved from the Meryton Assembly. There he had hardly known which way to turn and his rhythm had been atrocious! Once again, as the dance ended, she asked to be escorted back to Georgiana.

“Well, at least that is over with,” she said once he left her. She smiled ruefully at Georgiana.

Georgiana let out a small laugh. “Who was that? He seems to have just learned to dance, and not well at that!”

It was the first laugh Elizabeth had heard from Georgiana all night and she was grateful that whatever had bothered her at dinner was somehow better. Elizabeth looked to her with amusement. If making a mockery
of the dance with Mr. Gouding’s nephew was what made Georgiana laugh, so be it! But Georgiana’s laughter was suddenly halted and Elizabeth noticed Georgiana’s hands had begun to shake. Whatever could be the problem?
I have only seen her that way one other time— when she last visited Longbourn.
She followed her gaze to discover what was the problem, and only saw Mr. Wickham advancing with a charming smile on his face.

He addressed Georgiana directly. “You look like a fine young lady tonight, Miss Darcy! Why, I would have never recognized you so all grown up in such a beautiful ball gown! It is very flattering!”

Elizabeth had continued to observe Georgiana’s strange behavior, and suddenly things started falling into place. Wickham. Georgiana leaving Longbourn as soon as he arrived . . . Mr. Darcy asking her to stay close to Georgiana . . . Her anxious state all night . . . Mr. Darcy’s warnings . . .
Georgiana was afraid of Mr. Wickham! Whatever for?

When Georgiana didn’t answer, Wickham continued. “Surely you could reserve the last dance of the evening for me, Miss Georgiana?”

Georgiana’s face was stricken with fear! She looked to Elizabeth with eyes that seemed to plead for help. Elizabeth turned back to Wickham and at the same time took Georgiana’s arm firmly in her own. “Mr. Wickham, I believe you owe me a dance. Since the first was taken, the last will suffice.” She squared her shoulders and lifted her chin towards him. She felt a small squeeze on her arm from Georgiana. It gave her confidence that she had read the situation correctly. “I will risk Miss Darcy’s displeasure in stealing her dance. In fact, I believe I will be quite offended if I cannot dance with the most charming man in the room.” His grin got wider and he bowed slightly to them both.

“Miss Elizabeth, your preference is well taken. I believe it would be I who would be offended if we did not have the chance to dance a set before the night is over. I shall come back at the appropriate hour.” He gave Georgiana and Elizabeth one more bow as he turned and left. Wickham was more pleased than ever.
That could not have gone better if I had planned it! She is playing right into my hands!
He then left to go find Denny to update him on the plans.
I just hope that this hurts the venerable Mr. Darcy as much I think it will.
He scanned the room until he found Darcy. Sure enough, Darcy had witnessed the whole thing and wore a furious look on his face. Wickham walked away grinning, but only to find a secluded corner in which he could observe Darcy’s determined stride over to Georgiana and Elizabeth.
He is fretting now, but just wait until later!

Mr. Darcy reached Georgiana just as the tears began to fill her eye
s.
How dare Wickham address her in any way!
“Georgie, what did he say?” he forcefully whispered, careful to speak so no one but the three of them could hear. Elizabeth reached for Darcy’s arm to calm him. He looked down, shocked at the touch of her hand on his arm. The warmth of her fingers as well as the tenderness of the gesture was very distracting. He had to consciously turn his thoughts back to Georgiana. He took the gesture from Elizabeth as a warning that perhaps he should be more sensitive. He lightened his voice and said, “Perhaps you would like some fresh air?” He looked at Elizabeth quizzically. Elizabeth gave him a subtle nod of approval and removed her hand. The absence of her hand on his arm was noticeable. Although it was a new sensation, it seemed to have belonged there. Her feminine little hand sparked a heated sensation that ran from his arm all the way up to his shoulder.

Georgiana nodded quickly, trying bravely to control her treacherous tears, and took his offered arm.

Elizabeth watched as the two left the room and went to the balcony. She felt that it was not her place to interfere, and from the look on Darcy’s face when she had touched his arm, Darcy was not wanting Elizabeth’s company. She rubbed her hand absently, trying to dispel the tingling in her hand.
Poor Georgiana! What did Wickham do to cause such distress!

She suspected the two of them most likely would be a while, so Elizabeth made the social rounds in the room, avoiding the corner where Wickham was. She greeted and talked to several friends and listened carefully to the praise of Bingley for throwing such a grand ball. She was pleased to hear Jane wasn’t mentioned too often in association with Bingley. Perhaps her mother’s comments would not have a lasting effect on Jane, after all.

Thinking of Jane, she made her way in her direction. Jane had been quietly sitting speaking with the young Mackrory daughter who Elizabeth couldn’t seem to remember the name of. It was something like Caroline, she thought. Nevertheless, when Elizabeth advanced to where Jane sat, Miss Mackrory said her goodbyes and left Jane and Elizabeth to themselves. Elizabeth looked around to ensure they were secluded.