Page 8 of Undone

Bingley laughed again and shook his head. "She is an angel, Darcy. The finest young lady I have ever had the pleasure of meeting."

"I shall not dispute it. Miss Bennet is indeed very handsome. You were fortunate no other gentleman secured her hand before we arrived."

His approval seemed only to heighten Bingley's satisfaction, the smile upon his face broadening still further.

"Now, Darcy," Bingley said after recovering himself, "I cannot have you standing here by the wall all evening. I have alreadyheard one or two people remark that you mean to dance with no one."

"I would rather not dance, Bingley. My mind is too much occupied to pretend otherwise."

"Nonsense!" Bingley protested. "There are a dozen ladies here who would improve any gentleman's spirits. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, for instance. Her sister assures me she is an excellent dancer and a most agreeable companion. Surely you might be persuaded to ask her."

The image of Miss Elizabeth Bennet rose unbidden in Darcy's mind. Those lively eyes presented themselves before he could banish them. For the briefest instant he found himself tempted again.

Then, just as quickly, came the memory of Miss Harwood... and Miss Harper.

Until recently he had remembered them only with regret. Now their recollection raised far graver questions.

No. He would not encourage another attachment only to wonder, months hence, whether he had drawn yet another innocent lady within reach of a danger meant for him alone.

"I have no wish to dance." Darcy said at length.

"You cannot mean that."

"I do."

"Come, Darcy." Bingley lowered his voice. "She is handsome and lively. Surely even you cannot find fault with Miss Elizabeth."

"She is tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."

The words escaped before Darcy had properly weighed them.

Bingley's smile disappeared at once. His eyes widened, not with offence, but with sudden alarm.

Very slowly, they shifted beyond Darcy's shoulder.

A cold certainty settled over Darcy as he followed his friend's gaze.

Miss Elizabeth Bennet stood scarcely a few feet away.

There could be no doubt from the colour that had risen to her cheeks, nor from the composure with which she turned and walked towards her sister, that she had heard every word.

For the first time that evening, Darcy wished he had chosen to dance after all.

Five

Meryton Assembly

15thOctober, 1811

Elizabeth

Had it rested entirely with Elizabeth, she would gladly have remained at Longbourn that evening. Her father seldom attended assemblies, and on this occasion had chosen to remain at home besides. Mrs. Bennet, however, would undoubtedly have lamented her poor nerves to every acquaintance in Meryton had Elizabeth contrived an excuse to stay away, and no daughter of hers was to deprive the neighbourhood of an opportunity to admire the Bennet ladies.

It was not that Elizabeth disliked assemblies altogether. Indeed, she generally found them diverting enough, provided the company justified the trouble of attending. What she did dislike was her mother's unwavering conviction that every gathering existed chiefly to display her daughters before whatever eligible gentlemen happened to be within ten miles, as though matrimony were merely a matter of placing the proper wares before the proper purchasers.

"Lizzy." Jane touched her lightly upon the arm. "Mama will scold you presently if you continue to look so solemn."

"I was not aware I looked solemn."