Chapter 25

On the day of the Netherfield ball, the Bennet household displayed a total disregard for Mr. Bennet’s sanity as they readied themselves for the neighbourhood’s event of the season. All were of the firm opinion that it was to be a ball unlike any other. To be held at such an illustrious place as Netherfield, to have all the fine officers in attendance, and to conjecture that Mr. Bingley might, before long, make an offer to Jane was enough to cause an abundance of folly, particularly from Mrs. Bennet’s quarter. That, in turn, prompted Mr. Bennet to wonder how he would ever endure the remainder of the afternoon and evening.

“Oh, Mr. Bennet!” exclaimed Mrs. Bennet, unable to contain herself. “Just think of it! A ball at Netherfield! Our Jane with Mr. Bingley! I am quite sure he intends to ask for her hand soon, and all the officers looking so handsome for all our other daughters! It shall be the most delightful affair!”

Mr. Bennet, having been one too many times on the receiving end of an emotional outburst, stood up to retreat to his study and was heard to cry out, “Oh, that the ball had been a week ago and all your hopes and dreams for it had been dashed!”

Elizabeth preferred the solitary confines of her room, which allowed her to deliberate on her situation, away from the trying goings-on of the other members of her family.

She thought of Miss Anne de Bourgh. Was her heart as inescapably entwined with William’s as Elizabeth’s was? Did she harbour feelings of love for him that would be crushed when she learned of his marriage? Was his esteem for his aunt so great that he would find it difficult to announce it to her? His own declaration that he could not speak to her father while Mr. Collins remained at Longbourn gave her pause to consider as well.

Elizabeth looked forward to this evening, not least because she knew she needed to talk to him about some very critical issues.

Elizabeth finished readying herself, and when her hair had been drawn up and embellished with flowers and ribbon, she looked at herself in the mirror. Her dress was one of her nicer ones, although she was certain Darcy would have seen many that were much more elegant in the circles he frequented.

She took in a deep breath, resolving that she would not let herself dwell on that thought. She then walked out of her room with a smile, eager to join the others, travel to Netherfield, and see the man she loved and whom she had not seen in almost a week’s time.

When she came downstairs, Mr. Collins was waiting. He reminded her that she had promised to dance the first two with him tonight and suggested she save another set later in the evening for him. Elizabeth sighed as she contemplated what an impediment this man was to her happiness and peace of mind. She was continually annoyed by his hovering presence.

Mr. Bennet kept to himself in his study, having readied himself before anyone else. He was not fond of these types of affairs; he would prefer to remain home and read. But this was an event of some import, and so he resigned himself to oblige his family and attend. He only hoped that there would be some intelligent conversation to be had and that the evening would pass quickly.

When the last of the Bennet daughters came downstairs (and it was Lydia, who spent a great deal of time doing and redoing her hair), Mr. Bennet joined them and they set out for the ball.

Upon arriving at Netherfield, Elizabeth entered the ballroom and cast a glance around her at the array of people from her neighbourhood, dressed in their finest. Everyone exclaimed at the opulence of the house and they seemed in the highest spirits, as they anticipated a most pleasant evening. Unfortunately, the man she most wanted was not to be seen.

While Elizabeth looked around for Darcy, Lydia and Kitty anxiously looked for Wickham. They were greatly disappointed, therefore, to hear from Denny that he had been obliged to go to town on business the day before, and was not yet returned. This dismayed them to no end, particularly Lydia, as she felt he had singled her out with his attentions earlier in the week at the Phillips’s home. At length, however, the two girls became enamoured of any officer who took notice of them, and soon Wickham was forgotten.

Elizabeth noticed with a smile that Bingley had come to Jane’s side and was escorting her around the room visiting with his guests. Their happiness seemed to infect everyone with whom they spoke.

Elizabeth greeted those around her, all the while furtively watching for Darcy. Instead of being rewarded with his presence, however, she received a distressing reminder from Mr. Collins that he was intent on claiming those first two dances. Elizabeth rather reluctantly walked with him over to the set.

Elizabeth endured two dances with her cousin, and in the middle of the first set, she saw Mr. Darcy enter the room. He watched her dance the set with her cousin, rather impatiently it seemed. When she remained with Mr. Collins for the next set, she saw him walk away.

Once the two obligatory dances were over, she directed Collins toward Kitty for the next set, and walked away in search of her husband. She smiled at the thought.

Elizabeth’s friend, Charlotte Lucas, was standing off by herself. They had only seen each other once since Elizabeth’s return, and she walked over to her, giving her a warm embrace.

“Charlotte, it is so good to see you.”

“Elizabeth, I cannot tell you how happy I am to see you, as well. I had planned to visit several times this week, but the poor weather prevented me.”

The two ladies talked joyfully, and as they caught up with each other’s news, a tall figure came up and stood before them.

Elizabeth greeted him. “Good evening, Mr. Darcy. Are you acquainted with Miss Lucas?”

“I believe we met at Lucas Lodge,” he answered.

Charlotte affirmed that he had.

Darcy then looked awkwardly at the two ladies, and finally asked in a most anxious way, “May I have the honour of the next dance, Miss Bennet?”

“I would be happy to, Mr. Darcy.”

He bowed and walked away, content to wait until the dance began to speak with her.

Charlotte looked curiously at Elizabeth. “This is quite a compliment to you, Lizzy. Everyone knows he hardly danced at all at Lucas Lodge.”

Elizabeth looked over at Mr. Darcy, who had gone to stand off to the side. She thought back to her first impression of him on the ship and his tendency to withdraw in situations where he knew very few people. “You must remember, Charlotte, that he knew no one at that dance. Perhaps he is reserved in unfamiliar situations.”

“Well if that is so, he certainly makes up for it with his handsome appearance and meticulous fashion, let alone wealth.” She looked at Elizabeth slyly. “You know I am not a romantic, Elizabeth, and that I only look to be married to someone who will give me happiness and security.”

Elizabeth smiled. “Yes, I am all too aware of your feelings about matrimony, Charlotte.”

“Yes, I know you are,” she said with a faraway look in her eyes, “but I think I should be in a fair way most content if my husband happened to be as nice looking as he is.”

Elizabeth shook her head with a laugh as the music began and Mr. Darcy approached to claim her hand.

“I had no idea I would have to wait so long for a dance with you, Elizabeth.” Squeezing her hand, he said, “It appears as though I am not your only ardent admirer here.”

“William, please,” she said in exasperation. “Mr. Collins asked to dance with each of his cousins.”

“I see,” Darcy replied, but he smiled down at her and she smiled back warmly.

“I think from now on, we ought to use our formal address, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth added playfully.

“As you wish, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy replied with a smile and nod of his head.

As they took their place in the set, Elizabeth standing opposite Darcy, she read the amazement in the faces of her neighbours, and she realized that she and Darcy were now to become the object of much speculation and gossip.

As they stepped together, grasping hands, Elizabeth felt all the warmth from that simple contact that she had from his kiss. His hand was warm, his arm went around her waist, and he applied a little more subtle pressure than a casual acquaintance might. Darcy seemed content to dance in silence, his hands bestowing expressions of his love and regard instead of words.

Walking down the centre of the set, Darcy finally broke the silence. “How have you been this past week, Miss Elizabeth?” A quick lift of his eyebrow acknowledged his use of her formal name, and Elizabeth responded in kind by nodding her head.

“I have been well. And yourself, Mr. Darcy?”

“I have been most intolerably bored,” he answered. “There is very little liveliness at Netherfield now for some reason.”

“I am sorry to hear that.” Elizabeth looked at him sympathetically.

“I would have hoped you would not be sorry to hear that!”

They were silent as the movement of the dance separated them. When they came back together, Darcy said, “I have missed seeing you. If it had not been for the excessive rain, I believe Bingley and I would have tried at least once to call on Longbourn.”

Elizabeth gave him a reserved smile. “I would have liked that. I was hoping you could meet my father.”

“I have met your father,” Darcy said. When Elizabeth looked at him with a questioning glance, he answered, “During your second dance with Mr. Collins, I sought him out and secured an introduction. I could not bear to watch that Collins look so smug as he danced with you. Besides, I felt it was imperative that I meet the father of the woman I am married to.”

Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat at his words and the look of open admiration on his face. She easily returned his smile, but curious of his opinion of her father, she asked, “And how do you find him?”

“I can certainly see where you get your intelligence and lively disposition. He has an interesting sense of humour, yet does not use it unnecessarily often.” He smiled at Elizabeth. “I enjoyed the short time I spent with him.”

Elizabeth had wanted so much for Darcy to appreciate her father and see the good in him. “I am glad.” She also wondered what her father’s opinion of him had been.

They settled into an easy silence as they danced. Each time they turned away from each other, Darcy anxiously waited for the movement that would bring him back to face her. Then he would look forward to stepping forward and taking her hand and bringing his arm around her.

As they met in the centre of the set and walked around the couple next to them, Darcy spoke. “I was rather surprised to discover that my aunt is Mr. Collins’s patroness.” Elizabeth flinched. Darcy searched her face, noticing her discomfiture. “Elizabeth, tell me what is wrong.”

Elizabeth’s eyes turned serious. When the steps brought him to her side again, Elizabeth looked up at Darcy. “My cousin mentioned the other day that Lady Catherine considers you to be engaged to her daughter.”

Darcy took her hand and held it tightly.

“Trust me, Elizabeth, it is not as it might seem, but I cannot talk of it while we dance.”

They danced in silence until the set ended. As they stepped away from the other couples, Darcy continued in a firm, but whispered voice, “Elizabeth, my aunt has held this absurd notion in her heart and mind all my life, and she refuses to listen to reason and my insistence that it will never happen!” His voice raised in irritation. “Neither my cousin nor I have ever been inclined to be married to one another!” He closed his eyes as he noticed the concern in Elizabeth’s. “Even before I met you, I never had any intention of marrying her.”

“And go against your family’s wishes?” she asked softly.

“She is the only member of my family who holds to such nonsense. And yes, I am more than willing to go against any family wishes in this,” he answered her emphatically, sensing that Elizabeth was still disconcerted.

“Will your aunt not be angry at you? At us? And what of your cousin?”

“Do not worry about my aunt, because nothing ever pleases her. If by some miracle she is pleased, she will refuse to admit it. And as for my cousin, I am quite confident that she will hold you in the highest regard.”

His eyes beseeched her to trust him. “I was afraid you might hear something to that effect when I found out your cousin knew my aunt. She does tend to speak as though a marriage between us is a settled thing.”

He looked down at her, securing her hand in both of his. “Trust me, Elizabeth. I will stand between you and her if she voices any objection.”

Elizabeth looked up at him and finally bestowed him with an effusive smile.

“Now that is what I have been longing to see all evening. May I be so bold as to claim a second dance with you, Elizabeth?”

“Perhaps later. I believe there is already an excess of speculation going around, and I would not want my father to question your character or your intentions and think poorly of you even before this evening comes to an end.”

Darcy gave her hand a squeeze before letting it go and spoke softly to her. “Elizabeth, I need to talk to you about my going to him. I need to talk to you alone. Perhaps we can meet out in the side alcove later. Would that be agreeable to you?”

Elizabeth nodded while her heart fluttered at the thought of meeting him outside alone.

“Good. I shall let you know when it seems like a good time.” He bowed. “Thank you, Miss Elizabeth, for an enjoyable dance, and I look forward to one more later in the evening if I may be so fortunate.”

They had not long separated when Miss Bingley came toward her and, with an expression of civil disdain, thus accosted her, “Miss Eliza, I noticed you dancing with Mr. Darcy. I wish to advise you that he has obligations due his name, and although he may have found himself to be enamoured of you, I would warn against fanciful conjectures regarding his securing you as a dance partner and advise against dancing another with him.”

“Upon my word, Miss Bingley! I will dance with whomever I choose, and I believe Mr. Darcy will do likewise.”

Caroline attempted a compassionate smile. “I would not wish for you to be hurt.”

Elizabeth met her challenging gaze. “Let me be the one who decides that.”

“I beg your pardon,” replied Miss Bingley, her smile becoming insolent. “Excuse my interference. It was kindly meant.” She hastened away, leaving Elizabeth to ponder her words.

Elizabeth fumed quietly at the woman’s insolence.

***

A little later, when the meal was served, Elizabeth was distressed by the behaviours of her mother, father, sisters, and even Mr. Collins. It appeared as though her family had made an agreement to expose themselves as much as they could during the evening. She was grateful for Bingley and her sister that some of the exhibition had escaped his notice, and that his feelings were not of a sort to be much distressed by the folly that he must have witnessed. His two sisters, however, who were seated next to Bingley and across the table from Elizabeth, were a different matter. Elizabeth could see by their spiteful looks to each other that they were quite openly offended. And then there was Darcy. What was he to think of the family of the woman to whom he was married?

She could no longer bear the mortification and with a pained expression, excused herself from the table as soon as she finished eating and walked over to a table to get a refill of liquid refreshment.

As she stood with her back to her husband and her family, she heard her sister Lydia let out a playful wail, and Elizabeth felt her whole body tense at yet another display of reckless behaviour. Her eyes were closed in shame when she suddenly heard a whisper behind her, “I think now would be a good time, Elizabeth. Will you meet me out in the side alcove?”

Elizabeth silently nodded.

Darcy continued. “I do not deem it wise that we go out together. I shall go first, and you follow in a few minutes.”

Elizabeth nodded and watched him leave. She waited a few moments, and then, making sure no one took notice, she stealthily left. She was grateful for the days she spent at Netherfield, as she knew the house well, and did not need any direction to get to the alcove. She also knew that those who wanted to step outside for some fresh air would either go out to the front or the back courtyard.

She came to the door that led outside, and stepped out into a cool blast of late autumn evening air. While she attempted to accustom her eyes to the darkness, she felt Darcy take her hand, pulling her into the shadows of the alcove, and drew her close to him.

Darcy knew they could not remain out here too long as there was always the chance that someone would come out, but in addition to talking to her, there was one more thing he greatly desired to do. As the two looked at each other in the darkness, he caressed her face softly with his fingers, touching her lips lightly. As he moved his fingers slowly away, he simply paused, looking into her eyes.

Elizabeth looked up to see his silhouette, her thoughts just barely coherent, and before she was able to entertain any kind of verbal reflection, Darcy enveloped her with his arms and placed his lips over hers. Elizabeth’s answer was to close her eyes and return his fervent embrace. A sense of reassurance swept over her, convinced that he still loved her despite her family’s behaviour.

Slowly he pulled away. “I hope you do not find my behaviour inexcusable, Elizabeth, and although I did miss you terribly this past week, I did not ask you out here solely to steal a kiss, however pleasant it may have been.” He gently stroked her cheek.

Elizabeth looked up into his face, shadowed by the darkness of the moonless night.

Darcy’s arms went around her again, holding her tightly. “Elizabeth, as soon as Collins leaves, I should like to come and speak with your father.”

“About our marriage?”

“Not quite yet.”

Elizabeth lifted her head and gave him a curious glance.

“I have it on good advice, from someone who knows your father well, that I ought to first go to him and tell him I wish to court you. Then, once I am secured of his approval, which hopefully, will not be too great a length of time, I shall tell him the truth that we are already married.”

“Someone who knows my father well?”

Darcy drew away and smiled. “Yes. While I was in London last week I paid a visit to Cheapside. I met your aunt and uncle.”

“You met my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner?” Her great joy in hearing this was suddenly tempered by the realization that he most likely told them. “And you told them about us?” she asked softly.

“Yes. Everything.”

Elizabeth tried to catch her breath. “What did they say?”

“Obviously they were surprised and, of course, concerned. They knew something had happened to you because you were so altered when you arrived in America. Of course they had no idea you had married some strange man on the ship with the agreement that the marriage would be annulled later.”

Elizabeth tried to fathom this information. “And what did they say?”

Darcy laughed. “Your uncle gave me quite the interrogation and your aunt gave me the strictest lecture I have ever received about how you deserve only the best. I did assure them that I have no intention of annulling the marriage and that I am deeply in love with you. I believe we all left fairly satisfied in the end.”

Elizabeth shook her head in great incredulity. “I cannot believe you visited my aunt and uncle!”

“Neither can I,” Darcy laughed. “But I did! And I found them very pleasant, indeed! You should expect a letter from your aunt shortly.”

The love and admiration Elizabeth felt for her husband in taking the initiative to visit her aunt and uncle suddenly gave way to a lucid realization of the words he had just spoken.

“What did you just say?”

“You should expect a letter from your aunt shortly.”

“No, before that. You told them that you have no intention of annulling the marriage and…”

He reached out and took each of Elizabeth’s hands in his. “I am deeply in love with you, Elizabeth.”

Tears unexpectedly came to her eyes as he tenderly spoke these words. Searching his face in the darkness that surrounded them, she was able to detect a glimmer in his eyes, as well. “William, I love you, too.”

He pulled her close, wrapping her in his arms. Lowering his head, he placed a few kisses along her cheek, drawing closer to her ear. Upon reaching it with his lips, he whispered, “I should like to come specifically to talk with your father on the Saturday that Mr. Collins leaves, if that is acceptable to you.”

His attentions caused shivers of delight to course through her and prevented her from being able to attend to his words without making a concerted effort. “That… should be fine.”

“Good,” he said, bringing his hands up to her shoulders and gently stroking her neck with his thumbs. “In the meantime, I believe I should like to join Bingley when he visits your family. Would tomorrow or the following day be satisfactory?”

Elizabeth took in a deep breath to counter the pleasant assault his simple touch was waging within her. “I believe tomorrow would be the better of the two. My two youngest sisters have invited the officers over the following day, and my father is likely to be in a most disagreeable mood that whole day because of it.”

Darcy laughed. “Then if it suits Bingley, we shall come the following day.”

Elizabeth shook her head. “No, that is the day the officers are coming and my father…”

Darcy nodded and laughed. “And that is why I plan to be there!”

The music began and Darcy extended his hand. “Shall we return inside?”

Instead of answering him, she unexpectedly reached up on her toes and placed a quick, tender kiss on his cheek.

“What was that for?”

Elizabeth tilted her head as she answered. “Does there have to be a reason?”

Darcy laughed. “No, I would never demand a reason for you to kiss me, my love.”

Elizabeth looked up, wishing she could see her husband’s expression. “There is a reason. It is for loving me despite my family.”

She heard him take in a deep breath, and he could discern the pain in her voice.

Darcy pulled her close as he said to her, “I was well aware of the distress you were suffering in there.”

“And what of yourself, William? I cannot help but wonder what influence my family’s ill-mannered behaviour would have had if we had been mere acquaintances and not already married when you met them.”

Darcy paused as he considered her thought.

At length, when he did not answer, Elizabeth responded, “I believe they would have driven you away. You would have been conflicted in your heart and mind, struggling to know whether to follow your feelings or listen to all you have been taught about the woman whom you should marry and the type of family she must have.”

Darcy breathed in deeply, gathering his thoughts. “Elizabeth, it is of no use conjecturing what would have happened if this or that had or had not occurred. I am married to you, I love you, and I would not wish it to be any different. Do you believe me?”

Elizabeth’s heart gave a small leap as he spoke those words. Her eyes filled with tears of joy as she whispered back, “Yes, I believe you.”

He held her close to him, leaning over and placing a kiss on the top of her head just as he had the night she slept in his arms on the ship. Only this time, she was aware of it

They remained still, content to keep themselves in the solitude of this alcove, but Darcy, hearing a rustling in the shrubbery nearby, quickly said, “We must get back. You go on inside, and I shall be in within a few minutes.”

Elizabeth reluctantly pulled away and returned inside the house. Darcy glanced out over to the row of trees and bushes that bordered the alcove. It was too dark to see anything, and not hearing anything more, he quickly opened the door and took himself in.

When they met back inside, they were finally able to dance their second dance, which they did in almost complete silence, quite confident of their love for each other and content simply to enjoy each other’s presence.

As the dance ended, people began to leave, and Mrs. Bennet was perfectly satisfied with the events of the evening. She quitted the house under the delightful persuasion that, allowing for the necessary preparation of settlements, new carriages, and wedding clothes, she should undoubtedly see her eldest daughter settled at Netherfield in the course of three or four months.

Of having another daughter married to Mr. Collins, she thought with equal certainty, and with considerable, though not equal pleasure. Elizabeth was the least dear to her of all her children; and though the man and the match were quite good enough for her, the worth of each was eclipsed by Mr. Bingley and Netherfield.

If she had not been so set on her second eldest daughter marrying Mr. Collins, she might have paid more heed to the talk that was beginning to circulate about Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, but she did not consider Elizabeth good enough to tempt a man of his means and therefore paid no notice.

Darcy watched as the Bennets walked out the door. As far as he was concerned the ball was over, but he knew he must remain until the final guests took their leave. He walked over to a window that overlooked the front, and in the subdued light of the torches, watched as Elizabeth was brought up into the carriage.

With a small smile of satisfaction touching his face, he thought to himself, It went superbly! He reproached himself for those days on the ship when he had been reluctant to express his feelings to her. If he had, neither of them would have had these months of wondering, misery, and resignation. How good it felt to tell her he loved her, and even greater to hear her voice the same.

The sound of footsteps behind him and the shrill voice of Caroline Bingley shook him out of his reverie. “Mr. Darcy, there you are!”

Caroline joined him, looking out the window into the darkness. “I cannot tell you how grateful I am that this ball is almost over! Has it not been simply the most wearisome gathering of people you have ever seen?”

When he did not answer, she proceeded. “Those Bennets! You must agree with me, Mr. Darcy, that their incessantly ill behaviour tonight exceeded anything!”

Darcy pursed his lips to avoid lashing out in anger.

“And that Miss Elizabeth Bennet! I am still quite unsure as to her reasons for travelling to America. What do we really know of her character? I am still firmly of the opinion that she found herself disgraced and…”

Darcy did not answer her immediately, making a futile attempt to calm himself. He finally broke the silence with definite, but controlled, anger. “Miss Bingley, I have it on the highest authority that she did not travel there to take care of any disgrace, as you call it!”

Caroline’s eyes widened at his anger, but she remained steadfast. “Certainly, sir, anything you hear from her friends and family around this uncivilized neighbourhood would be biased, I am sure, to keep it…”

“It is on my own authority, Miss Bingley!” Darcy’s eyes glared at her. “Elizabeth Bennet was on the same ship as myself travelling to America! And I can guarantee that she was not in any way disgraced!”

Caroline’s jaw dropped and she felt herself grow suddenly cold. As she gasped at his words, her throat constricted and nothing more than a squawk came out. She quickly swallowed and muttered a conciliatory, “Oh.”

“Now, Miss Bingley, if you will excuse me!”

As Darcy left, he was approached by one of Netherfield’s servants. “Sir, if you would please come up to your room. You are needed there.”

Darcy quickly left for his room and was met by Durnham, who informed him that one of the maids had seen an unknown man leaving his room.

“I have made a thorough going-over of the room, and there are a few pieces of expensive jewellery missing. Your set of diamond cufflinks and a neckcloth pin. I believe it was most likely some ruffian wanting some easy money.”

“Thank you, Durnham.”

The servant looked at Darcy. “Is there anything we can do for you, sir? We deeply apologize for this inconvenience.”

Darcy turned and told him, “There was nothing of consequence taken that cannot be replaced. Let Bingley know so he should have the rest of the house looked over in case he went through other rooms.”

“Yes, sir.”

Darcy was quite surprised by how little this upset him. He was feeling too intoxicated by the lingering warmth of Elizabeth’s embrace and their confessions of love to one another to allow a petty theft to annoy him.