Memory: Volume 3, How Far We Have Come, A Tale of Pride and Prejudice (Memory: A Tale of Pride and Prejudice) (89 page)

Robinson forced his eyes from studying Lydia and scanned the hall.  “I had this conversation with my brother already, and I must agree with him.  Miss Martin, by far.”

“Really?”  Lydia looked at him with surprise.  “Why would you say that?” 

“I believe that she is a woman who has finally allowed herself to fall in love and the newness of it shows.  She is all lit up, and his countenance is just as brilliant.  I am very happy for them both.” 

“It is lovely.”  Lydia sighed.  “I wonder what he said to her?”

“Something wonderful.”  He laughed when she gave him a look and rolled her eyes.  “What do you think?”

“Oh I do not know, but I think that it is wonderful to finally see him with a girl who returns his admiration.  I think that is what will always make her beautiful to him.” 

“Are you a great reader of Shakespeare, Miss Lydia?”  Robinson asked and laughed to see her horrified expression.  “Forgive me, I was reading a play of his that Mr. Darcy recommended and your words reminded me of a few lines,
Beauty is bought by judgement of the eye
.
”
¹⁹
  Laughing again, he shook his head.  “I see that you are definitely not your sister Elizabeth’s twin.  I will not continue the verse.”

“Oh, Lizzy.”  Lydia sighed.  “Always with her nose in a book.”  The dance ended and they watched the crowd disperse and new partnerships form.  “I think that I will go talk to her.”  She stood and Robinson rose with her.  “I enjoyed talking with you, sir.”

“I enjoyed talking with you, as well, Miss Lydia.”  He bowed and watched her cross the room to join Elizabeth.  “Too young.”  He sighed and resuming his seat, listened with amusement to the ladies gossiping behind him.

“Perhaps you mean what I overheard between Mr. Bingley and Mr. Robinson; did not I mention it to you?  Mr. Robinson asking him how he liked our Meryton assemblies, and whether he did not think there were a great many pretty women in the room, and
which
he thought the prettiest? And his answering immediately to the last question, ‘Oh! Miss Martin beyond a doubt, there cannot be two opinions on that point.’”

“Upon my word! Well, that was very decided indeed…that does seem as if…but, however, it may all come to nothing, you know.”
²⁰

“Wishful thinking, ladies.”  Robinson smiled and watched Bingley walking arm in arm with Abbey to go stand with the Hursts.  “I think that ship has sailed.”  Sighing again, he looked away to find Darcy and Mr. Bennet standing together at the opposite end of the room.

“Mrs. Bennet was left at home.”  Darcy said quietly.

“You seem surprised.”  Mr. Bennet mirrored his son’s stance, hands clasped behind his back, and staring out at the crowd.  “I was advised by Mrs. Annesley that it would be the best experience for Mrs. Bennet to feel the sting of her entire circle by being snubbed at the dance.”  They exchanged glances and both looked to the companion keeping watch over Lydia and Kitty.  “I appreciated speaking with an intelligent woman, Darcy.  Do not be angry with her.”  Seeing Darcy’s slight nod, he continued.  “While I agree that being ostracized will likely be the best and most effective course for her, I decided that can happen just as easily shopping in Meryton, it does not have come tonight.”  Darcy nodded again.  “I doubt that observing her daughters receiving admiration would help her disposition and, well, why ruin the evening for the rest of you?”

“I appreciate all that you have considered sir, and I assure you, Elizabeth does as well.  Thank you for . . .”

“Being the master for once?”

“I was going to say for being a good father.”  His lips lifted a little.  “I always will put Elizabeth first, but in your circumstances, I am glad to see you letting your daughters’ cause take precedence.”  His smile grew.  “Look at them, they are free to be sisters tonight, you see what you have done for them?  Have you ever truly seen them this relaxed and close?”

Mr. Bennet watched Lydia and Kitty dancing together and was pleased to see Elizabeth and Mary join them.  When the dancers formed a circle, Elizabeth held out her hand and Jane was pulled in.  All five of the Bennet girls were laughing, twirling around and around, squealing when the direction suddenly changed and talking over each other.  “Oh my.”  Mr. Bennet drew out his handkerchief and wiped his nose.  Darcy glanced at him and briefly touched his shoulder. 

“Look at that!”  De Bourgh joined them and started to laugh.  “They will be a dizzy lot when this song ends!”

“We will have to be there to catch them.”  Darcy smiled. 

“Oh Jane.”  Lucas and Michael appeared, “She hates to be called an angel but I swear the woman could sprout wings and fly!”

“They are flying now.” Michael laughed, “Oh look, Charlotte is captured!”  The spinning group pulled her in and began to rush into the middle, raising their hands up in the air and backing away again.  “They need a maypole for this!”

“I think they are making it up as they go along.  The other groups are not nearly as talented.”  Darcy chuckled and for a moment, caught Elizabeth’s eye and received a kiss blown through the air.  Next Louisa and Abbey drifted too close and were pulled into the whirlwind.  Bingley and Hurst joined the men.  “So we are beyond sisters now.”

“I hope that Miss Catherine has this vision firmly in her mind.  I would love a sketch of this.”  Bingley grinned, so pleased to see Abbey included and welcomed.  “I love a country dance!”

“Shall we put our orders for sketches in now?”  Hurst offered.  “No more dancing for my wife after this, that I know for certain.” 

“I can think of three participants who might need to rest after this.”  Darcy saw de Bourgh look down at his boots and smile.  “Perhaps not just three?”

The heads swivelled and de Bourgh looked up to see the enquiring eyes on him.  “I did not say anything!”

“Neither did I.”  Michael nudged his brother.  De Bourgh shot him a look.  

“Oho!”  Hurst grinned.  “Quite a circle we have spinning there!” 

“We did not say anything!”  They cried. 

Lucas and Darcy clapped their respective brothers on the back and shook their hands.  “Well I certainly hope that in a month or so you both will.”  The lively tune ended at last, and the ladies fell against each other, talking and trying to catch their breath.  Darcy walked over to Elizabeth and took her hands in his.  “Can you possibly know how much I want to kiss you?”  Her eyes were bright and her face was flushed.  “So very lovely.”

“I would blush but I am afraid it is impossible!”  She drew a steadying breath and leaned against his side as his hand slipped around her waist.  “Oh that was so much fun!”

“We enjoyed watching you.  I think that the entire assemblage did, as well.”  He laughed to see her pleased smile, and noticing that Abbey had joined Bingley and the other men had found their partners, they followed them to the punch table.  Kitty and Lydia drank theirs, and taking Mr. Bennet by the hand, dragged him off to fulfil his promise to dance.

“Mr. Bingley.”  Bingley turned from Abbey to find Mrs. Simkins had hurried up to him with Jill and Emily by her side.  “We have not had the opportunity to greet you!  Of course we would not think of interrupting your conversation with the gentlemen . . .” she looked at Abbey pointedly, “. . . by taking your attention.  I was just remarking to my dear daughter Jill, I hope that you are not too disappointed in this assembly after all of your experiences in London?  So many times we met!  We share so much in common!  Jill was always so pleased when you would ask her to dance were you not, dear?”

“Of course I was, Mama, Mr. Bingley is a gentleman.”  She smiled at him.  “I hope that you are settled in Netherfield, sir?”

“Yes, of course it has been some time since you . . . visited.”  He smiled and saw that Abbey was watching closely.  “I hope that your family is comfortable at home?”  Turning from Jill, he smiled at Emily.  “Miss Emily, how do you find the country?”

“It is a vast improvement to London, although it seems to carry its own burdens.”  She looked at her mother. 

“Jill was just saying this morning that she hopes we will spend a great deal of time in Meryton; imagine our surprise when we realized that it takes only a half-hour between our home and town!”

“It is a good road.”  Abbey said quietly.

“It is indeed.”  Bingley smiled at her and looked back to Mrs. Simkins.  “I hope that you enjoy your visit.”

“Of course, oh listen!  The musicians are beginning again, I know how you love to dance sir, and surely you do not wish to miss the opportunity!  Come, I do not see any other partners about, take Jill . . .”

“Mama!”  Jill hissed.

Bingley looked at Abbey and smiled to see a possessive glint in her eye.  “I would enjoy dancing with you again Miss Simkins; however I have promised Miss Martin a cup of punch, perhaps later this evening if you still have dances available?” 

“Yes, yes, that would be very nice, thank you.”  Jill blushed.

Holding out his arm, Abbey took it.  “Excuse us, please.”  He bowed and they moved off. 

“How can you let him go like that?”  Mrs. Simkins waved her arm.  “Look at them, nobody is trying!  That shopkeeper’s daughter sweeps in and takes the prize without batting an eyelash?   Jill this is your best opportunity!  He could save us!”

“Mama, clearly he is not interested in anything I can provide for him. He is just being nice after you forced me on him.”  Shaking her head she looked at Emily.  “I wasted all of those opportunities to express my interest in him.”

“I told you that he is not a mind reader, how was he supposed to figure you out?”  Emily nodded to Abbey.  “I watched her, she makes it very clear.  Do you really like him?”

“I have never had the opportunity to try.”  She sighed.

“You never took it.”  Emily reminded her.

“Thank you.”  Bingley whispered to Abbey when they picked up their cups.  “Thank you for trusting me.”

“She was very nice, but I wanted to strangle her mother. But then I remembered Mrs. Darcy at Lucas Lodge and how everyone remarked on her behavior after she departed, and thought that, well, what do I have to worry about?  You just told me in so many ways that you . . .”

“Care.”  He finished gently and took her hand.  “Very much.  You know that I will have to dance with others tonight, even though I would prefer to dance them all with you.  And I know that you must accept other invitations as well.” 

“I know.”  She blushed.  “But can you forgive me for wishing otherwise?”

Bingley smiled.  “I think that I would be disappointed if you did not.”

“You might as well know now Mr. Bingley, I am not afraid to fight if necessary.”

“With me?  Or to protect me?”

“Either one.”  She laughed.  “It depends on what you have done!”

Darcy chuckled at his beaming friend.  “He is lost.”  Looking down his brow creased, seeing Elizabeth’s face no longer pink, but pale.   “Are you well?”

“Of course I am.”  She could see his worry on display, and caressed back his hair.  “I am.  What were you boys talking about?”

“You girls.”  He squeezed her waist.  “Will I have one more dance with you tonight or are you too tired?”

“Oh, I want many dances with you, Will.”  She tilted her head, “It seems that you find me tempting enough now?”

“Perhaps I was pretending when I said that.”  Darcy took her hand and kissed it.  “I was nervous.”

“And now?”

“Brimming with confidence.”  He laughed.  From behind them they heard whispers.

“Is he not handsome?”  One girl sighed.  “Look at his smile!”

“Yes, just look at it!”  Elizabeth whispered. 

“Hush.”  His face coloured.  “Come and sit with me.”

“Will you not dance with . . .”  She laughed at his glare.  “Yes, Will.”  Taking a seat, they leaned together and watched Mr. Bennet make a mess of his dance with Lydia.  Darcy smiled at her and she laughed again, resting her head on his shoulder and embracing his arm.  “I wish that we could waltz here.” 

“We can waltz when we return to our chambers.”  He spoke into her hair. 

“Is that the only dance we will have?” 

Drawing a long breath, Darcy entwined his fingers with hers.  “As long as you will have me, love . . .”

“Then we will be dancing for a very long time.”

Chapter 28

“W
e were on the verge of death at every turn.”  Mary laughed.  “Lizzy, you are terrible at driving.  Fitzwilliam had good reason to be concerned.  If I am not mistaken, I saw him following us all the way here; he is far too big to hide behind a tree, especially on horseback!”

“I would not be surprised.”  Elizabeth sighed then straightening, she glared at her.  “I got us here!”

“Barely.” 

“Is she really that terrible?”  Lydia looked between the two sisters.  “What did you do?”

“Nothing.   I just was a little distracted by our conversation.” 

“No wonder Mrs. Hurst did not join us.”  Mary said thoughtfully.  “She drove with us before.”

“You cannot be good at everything, Lizzy.”  Jane prodded her.  “It is good to know that you are awful.”

“Are you all through or do you plan to tease me all day?”

Kitty leaned against a wall and giggled.  “Well you are leaving tomorrow; we have to get it all in while we can!”

“Are you certain that you want to stay?”  Elizabeth walked to her and clasped her hand.  “Mrs. Annesley will be with you, but Mama will still be horrible, you know that.”

“I am not sure that she will, I mean, I am sure that she will be, but I . . . I have a feeling that Papa will not let it go on, not like he would have before.  Look at him telling her to stay home from the assembly.  I heard all the gossip there; I do not doubt that they will be more than glad to say it to her face.  I just think that if I am actually here, he will have the . . .”  She thought for a moment, “ . . . inspiration to keep it going.  If he is alone with her, he will probably just go hide in the bookroom and she will never change.  I do not know about you, but I really liked seeing him last night at the assembly and I . . . I wish that he would stay that way.”