of generosity, he came to Longbourn in search of a wife, so that we would not find ourselves homeless in the event of our father’s death.”
“Surely, you are not saying that Mr. Collins was interested in making an offer to you?” he asked in genuine amazement.
“I hope I am not so unattractive as to be beneath Mr. Collins’s notice.”
“Are you fishing for a compliment, Miss Elizabeth? Have I not already told you that you are more than tolerable?”
“You did not always think so, Mr. Darcy. At the assembly, you easily resisted my beauty. If I recall correctly, your full statement was, ‘She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me.’”
“I imagine you will probably remember that one sentence forever.”
“Yes, I am sure that I will. However, it was greatly appreciated when you came to Longbourn to amend your original statement.”
“It was necessary that I do so as I was in error.”
Lizzy looked embarrassed. “Forgive me, Mr. Darcy. I really was not fishing for a compliment.”
“I did not think you were. If you recall, at Netherfield, we had a discussion on pride versus vanity. I think we agreed that vanity
“I believe this conversation began with our discussion of Mr. Collins,” Lizzy said in full blush. “He is to be married to my good friend, Charlotte Lucas.”
“Ah, now I understand why people were congregating around her at Lucas Lodge. I think Mr. Collins has done very well for himself as Miss Lucas seems to be a sensible lady and that will serve him well.”
“Most men are in need of sensible wives,” Lizzy added, thinking of her father, “but Mr. Collins most particularly.”
Knowing that the crowd had grown closer, they departed to find other dance partners, all the while thinking of the dance they would shortly have together.
Chapter 13
Darcy was relieved when his sister finally came downstairs because he had found that making himself agreeable to all and sundry was fatiguing, especially if it included a discussion with Mr. Collins about the inhabitants of Rosings Park. Darcy dearly loved his cousin, Anne de Bourgh, and although frail, she was a handsome woman. However, he had never considered her to be a candidate for being the “brightest ornament in the British court if her health had allowed her to be presented to the king and queen,” and the praise Collins heaped upon his grouchy and overbearing Aunt Catherine was not only inaccurate, it was nauseating.
“Where have you been, Georgiana? I was beginning to think you had climbed down the trellis and escaped.”
“Will, as you very well know, I enjoy appearing in public. If anyone could be found on the trellis, it would be you, and I apologize for the delay. While I was speaking to Mrs. Hurst, I noticed a wine stain on the lace on my bodice. I went upstairs and changed into another dress, only to have two buttons pop off, so I sat there while Mrs. Brotherton sewed on the buttons.”
“Popped your buttons, did you? Are you fatter now than you were in May at the start of the season?” he whispered to his sister.
“Will, it is questions such as those that make it clear why you remain a bachelor at twenty-seven,” Georgiana answered, clearly enjoying the affectionate, but teasing, relationship that had developed between them since she had come out into society. “But never mind about my weight. I would like to be introduced to Miss Bennet.”
“She is dancing at present.”
“If Miss Bennet is dancing, then who is speaking to Mr. Bingley?”
“Oh, my mistake. That is Jane Bennet talking with Bingley. Miss Elizabeth Bennet is dancing.”
“Which of the ladies would be Miss Elizabeth?” Georgiana asked, keeping her voice even so that she would not reveal her suspicions that Will’s interest in Elizabeth Bennet was more than that of her being the sister of Mr. Bingley’s intended.
Georgiana immediately liked what she saw: a pretty woman with an open countenance who gave the appearance of being friendly and engaging. With the fair-haired, blue-eyed Miss Montford in mind, Georgiana realized that the ladies were as different as any two women could be. With her brother waiting for her impression of Elizabeth, Georgiana merely commented that she was very pretty. “But nothing to Miss Montford.”
“If you are referring to Elizabeth’s dress being made of muslin rather than silk or her wearing a rope of pearls rather than a diamond necklace, I will agree with you. However, as to physical beauty, I think Elizabeth, with her dark eyes and engaging smile, is Miss Montford’s superior in looks.”
“Onyx eyes.”
“What?”
“I believe you referred to her eyes as being like onyx, reflecting the light.”
Darcy closed his eyes and shook his head. He had been found out by his little sister and with so little effort. He told her she would have an opportunity to gauge the accuracy of his description during supper.
“I look forward to it.”
With the time for their dance quickly approaching, Jane mentioned to Lizzy that with so many couples the set might last an hour.
“What on earth are we to say to each other in the course of an hour?” Lizzy asked, her voice indicating her concerns. “Since Mr. Darcy does not enjoy conversation, it will fall to me to do most of the talking.”
“Mr. Darcy does not seem to mind talking to you, Lizzy. It might go quicker than you think.”
Lizzy would find out soon enough, as Mr. Darcy was walking in her direction. When he extended his arm, she did feel like
“Quoting Henry V’s speech before the Battle of Agincourt is not the best way to start a conversation in a ballroom, Mr. Darcy. Surely, you are not equating dancing with going into battle?”
“With you, it is more like a duel. I know from past experience that you are capable of reducing conversation to its most essential elements, stripping away all layers of polite speech in favor of dealing with the heart of the matter.”
“You are making me out to be a fearsome creature. That is ungenerous of you.”
“On the contrary. I am paying you a compliment. You refuse to be drawn into the silly games polite society demands of us.”
“We are less formal in the country, sir. When I ask a question, I want an honest answer.”
“That makes you a rare bird, indeed,” he commented, while passing behind her, “in either town or the country.”
“As a woman, and knowing the consequences of deviating from the norms of society, I understand what you are saying. However, you are a man from a prominent family, a person of rank, and yet you still find it necessary to ‘play these games,’ as you put it.”
“I do not endure these inconveniences for myself, but everything I say and do must be viewed as to how it will affect Georgiana. If I insult Lord High and Mighty, it may affect her prospects for making an advantageous marriage, and since I refuse to fawn and coo, I remain silent rather than risk offending with hurtful comments. Something you can attest to.”
“I wonder if Miss Darcy understands the sacrifice you make on her behalf or if she would wish it if she did.”
Lizzy’s question went unanswered, and for the remainder of the dance, the two engaged in friendly conversation, and Mr. Darcy felt comfortable enough with his company to tweak the nose of the profligate Prince of
