The Darcys of Pemberley (9 page)

The Ball

The unexpected sight of Miss de Bourgh on
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm elicited a contrasting mix of sentiments
from the three Darcys gathered to receive the pair. Anne’s
dramatically altered appearance made the first impression on them
all. She was so materially changed since they had last seen her
that they barely recognized her as their cousin. Healthy color now
brightened her formerly pallid complexion, and her previously gaunt
face and angular form had rounded and softened considerably.

The emotions that next followed varied by
person. Darcy and Elizabeth’s thoughts were chiefly occupied with
the knowledge that Anne’s arrival with the colonel might well
signify an alliance in which they themselves could take no joy.
Miss Darcy, being totally ignorant of this possibility, felt only
pleasure at the unanticipated favor of her cousin’s presence.

Her momentary discomposure set aside,
Elizabeth greeted their guests. “Why, Anne, how wonderfully well
you look, and how splendid, Colonel, that you persuaded her to
accompany you. We are so pleased to have you both with us
tonight.”

Mr. Darcy and Georgiana echoed similar
sentiments.

“Thank you for receiving me,” said Anne.
“Fitzwilliam said you would not mind.”

“Mind?” said Elizabeth. “We are
delighted!”

The colonel added, “As you see, Anne is now
strong enough to undertake such a journey, which is another cause
for celebration, is it not?”

“Indeed it is,” said Darcy, locking eyes with
Fitzwilliam for a long moment as they shook hands. Then, turning to
his other cousin, he continued, “Anne, you look quite recovered. I
understand the credit for your newfound health belongs in part to a
clever young physician.”

Anne dropped her eyes and her voice. “I
daresay I owe my recovery almost
entirely
to him. Dr. Essex
is an uncommonly kind and learned man. I shall be forever in his
debt.”

“Then
I
am grateful to Dr. Essex as
well,” said Georgiana, “since it is apparently due to his care that
we have the pleasure of your company now.”

After this exchange, Miss de Bourgh and
Colonel Fitzwilliam released their hosts to attend to other guests
whilst they moved on to the ballroom. Elizabeth was relieved to see
that the pair did not by their manner advertise themselves to be an
engaged couple, even if in fact they now were. She took it as a
sign that the colonel did not intend an announcement of the sort
she was dreading, at least not for the moment. In any case, she had
no time to dwell on it; other matters soon demanded her
attention.

When all the guests had arrived, Mr. Darcy
signaled the orchestra to begin the dance. Lord Talbot, as the man
of highest rank, exercised his right of precedence by claiming
Georgiana’s hand to lead off the minuet. Sir Frederick Clark begged
the honor of Mrs. Darcy’s company, and Mr. Darcy escorted Lady
Talbot to the floor. Other couples formed up the long set, and the
ball got underway.

For the second dance, Georgiana was obliged
to stand up with Sir Frederick before being released to more
eligible partners for the remainder of the evening. With no
shortage of admirers, she never sat out a dance except by choice.
Elizabeth watched with curiosity to see if any particular young man
held her interest more than another, but she could detect no sign
of partiality on Georgiana’s side. Her sister-in-law appeared
equally courteous to every partner, and pleased to dance with any
gentleman who asked her.

Elizabeth suffered no want of partners
either. With her husband’s attention so much required elsewhere,
she accepted an invitation to dance with Colonel Fitzwilliam. The
colonel seemed himself again, his easy, cheerful manners restored
and his countenance free of torment. Elizabeth surmised that he
must have reached a decision with which he was comfortable. The
time for inquiries would come later. For the moment, she was
content to simply enjoy his company.

The supper break afforded more opportunity
for conversation. Even the host and hostess found time to exchange
a few words together.

“What is your opinion of the ball, Darcy?”
asked Elizabeth.

“Look about you, my love. Everything goes
along exceedingly well, just as I predicted. Georgiana is clearly
enjoying herself, and
you
are quite a success as well,
Lizzy. The compliments I have received on your behalf – for your
beauty and for your proficiency as a hostess – would surely make
you blush were I to repeat them. I shall spare you that
embarrassment for now.”

“You are too kind, sir.”

“So, you see, you need not have worried. The
only irregularity thus far has been the two unexpected guests,”
Darcy added with an edge to his voice.

“Under other circumstances, I would welcome
both my sister and your cousin, but their presence tonight strikes
me more as portent than pleasure. At least Georgiana is
undisturbed; for that I am grateful.”

“Yes, indeed. Let us get through this evening
without incident. That is all I ask. I will not tempt fate by
borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Now, Mrs. Darcy, we had best get
back to our guests. But remember, as chief among your scores of
admirers, I must insist that you save the last dance for me.”

“I would have it no any other way, Mr.
Darcy.”

As her husband had suggested, Elizabeth
paused to look about herself, to survey the splendid scene spread
before her. Light from a dozen score of candles sparkled on crystal
chandeliers and gleaming tableware; the aroma of sumptuous food and
exotic perfume wafted through the air; the sounds of laughter and
music permeated every corner of the room. “A true feast for the
senses,” she reflected, with satisfaction.

Snatches of conversation caught Elizabeth’s
ear as she strolled amongst her guests.

“I did want to thank you again, sir, for your
kindness to Mrs. Sanditon and to myself when we first arrived,”
Charlotte Collins was saying to Mr. Thornton. “You made us feel
truly welcome.”

“It was my privilege and my pleasure,” he
replied. “I hope you are settled comfortably at the cottage
now.”

“Yes, thank you, Mr. Thornton. We are quite
content. Pray, tell me, how long have you been the rector at
Kympton?”

“For nearly five years. I was very fortunate
to receive such a fine parish; Mr. Darcy has been enormously
generous. Now, Mrs. Collins, I remember you saying that your late
husband was also a clergyman – in Kent, was it not?”

“Yes, that is correct…”

Next, the sound of Miss Bingley’s sharp voice
penetrated Elizabeth’s ear. Caroline’s inclusion on the guest list
represented a compliment to her brother rather than to herself. On
her own merit, she had yet to earn such an honor. Her former
ill-treatment of Elizabeth could not so soon be erased by more
recent civilities.

Despite all her past offences, Miss Bingley
was a creature to be pitied. Nothing had turned out the way she
once hoped it would. Her brother’s modest marriage was a major
disappointment to her and, even more vexing, her own ambitious
designs on Mr. Darcy had come to nothing. Still, Miss Bingley had
not yet despaired of making a good match for herself, even if it
was too late for her brother. Like cream, a woman of taste,
elegance, and education must always rise to the top in the end, she
reasoned.

Currently, Miss Bingley directed her
considerable charms at Mr. Sanditon, seated beside her at table. “I
believe I heard that your estate is called Reddclift, sir. Is that
so?”

“Yes, you have heard correctly.”

“What a distinctive name.
Reddclift
. I
like the sound of it. It gives one the impression of a stately old
place, full of history and romance, somehow set apart from the
everyday world. I would love to visit it sometime, to see for
myself if it is at all the way I imagine. Where exactly is
Reddclift?” she asked in dulcet tones.

“About nine miles outside of Kympton.”

“And Kympton is quite near here, is it not?
To the north, I believe.”

“Just so.”

“You have no doubt heard that my brother has
recently acquired an estate in Staffordshire. I am
so
eager
to see it. We go tomorrow, in fact. According to the way I have
heard it described, it must be very fine indeed. It is only fitting
that a man of consequence, like my brother, should have his own
estate at last. Have you ever been to Heatheridge?”

“I am afraid not.”

Caroline Bingley was by no means discouraged
with the brevity of the gentleman’s answers. On the contrary, his
taciturn tendencies reminded her very much of Mr. Darcy, with whom
she had been carrying on conversations of a similar character for
years. Confident that her powers were more than equal to the task,
she continued her efforts.

“I know that Mr. and Mrs. Bingley would be
happy to receive you there at your convenience. In fact, do allow
me to extend you an invitation to Heatheridge on their behalf. I
expect to spend a good deal of time there myself from now on. Of
course, we do have a house in town as well, in Grosvenor Street. Do
you go to London often, Mr. Sanditon…?”

Mr. Bingley and his other sister, Mrs. Hurst,
along with their spouses formed another conversation group. Mr.
Hurst lived only to eat, drink, and play cards, so his wife was
continually in want of other society to add interest and liveliness
to her existence. Mr. and Mrs. Bingley often served to fill that
void, as they did on this occasion.

Elizabeth could see Colonel Fitzwilliam
across the room entertaining a group of ladies. She presumed he was
telling a very droll story of some sort because his companions
looked quite enraptured and then all burst out laughing at once.
Elizabeth found herself laughing too, at the sight of Fitzwilliam
in such fine form.

Henry Heywood had captured Georgiana’s
attention for the moment. The two were well acquainted through Mr.
Darcy’s longstanding business and social connections with the young
man’s family. As heir to his father’s fortune and in line to become
head of the bank, Henry had the prospect of an excellent future.
Elizabeth knew that her husband approved of young Mr. Heywood, and
so it pleased her to see Georgiana spending time in his
company.

“When do you come to London next, Miss
Darcy?” he asked.

“I really cannot say, Mr. Heywood. I imagine
we will be in town for at least a portion of the social
season.”

“But that is still a long way off. I had
hoped to see you again much sooner than that.” Then he added
quickly, “What I mean is, my family is very fond of you, and it
would be a shame for you to miss all the diversions available in
town. It must be unbearably tedious to be fixed here in the country
for months at a time.”

“If you knew me better, Mr. Heywood, you
would appreciate that I prefer the quiet of the country. It is not
dull to me so long as I have my friends about me and my music to
fill my time,” Georgiana explained.

“Yes, yes, your music,” Mr. Heywood
remembered. “May I have the privilege of hearing you play, perhaps
tomorrow before we leave, Miss Darcy? Nothing would give me more
enjoyment, I assure you…”

Just then, a disturbance erupted in the entry
hall, shattering the idyllic spell that had been cast over the
evening. Elizabeth could not see the cause of the trouble. Mr.
Darcy, who was across the room and nearer to it, hastened to
investigate, taking two male servants with him. The guests withdrew
en masse
from their meals and conversations to attend to the
commotion. All heads turned toward the hall where the sounds of
raised voices and scuffling could be heard above the music. In an
effort to drown out the din, the orchestra played all the louder,
which only served to reinforce the impression of growing chaos.

Within the space of a few minutes, the uproar
was over. The noise soon diminished, moving away into the night
along with the apparent cause of the disruption. Once order was
reestablished, Mr. Darcy returned, silenced the orchestra, and made
a brief announcement.

“My dear friends, I do apologize that the
evening’s entertainments have been so rudely interrupted. It was
only a harmless, local rascal under the influence of too much ale.
The poor soul wished to come in and make merry with you.” Darcy
chuckled and others responded in kind. “He has now been sent on his
way. I beg you would return to your supper and to your companions,
and think no more about it.”

Although Darcy smiled and affected an air of
good humor as he reassured the company, Elizabeth was not taken in.
She followed his lead, however, encouraging the guests to resume
their amusements as she made her way toward him to ascertain the
truth of the matter.

“This is beyond the pale!” Darcy told her in
a carefully controlled whisper. “It was Wickham! Apparently, he
took exception to being left behind at Heatheridge. So, after
fortifying his spirits with much wine, he followed on horseback. I
have had him taken to the stables to be made sober and reasonable.
He will not disturb us again tonight.”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Wickham continued in a
blissful state of ignorance. Having no notion of her husband’s
proximity, and too little penetration to suspect him of the
mischief in any case, Lydia suffered no embarrassment or fit of
conscience to spoil her night of felicity. Her tenacious party
spirit withstood the brief unpleasantness admirably. She joined
everyone else in passing off the incident as of next to no
importance, and soon returned to revelry. Darcy and Elizabeth did
not recover as quickly, being reminded once again of the
considerable inconvenience of having Wickham for a
brother-in-law.

As the dancing recommenced, Colonel
Fitzwilliam claimed Georgiana’s hand, Mr. Sanditon asked Elizabeth,
and Mr. Darcy stood up with Miss Bingley. Elizabeth imagined she
could guess Caroline’s thoughts. She no doubt considered that, were
there any justice in the world, this should have been her place
always – at Pemberley on Mr. Darcy’s arm.