Chapter 5

5

E lizabeth stopped murmuring to Charlotte and glanced up as Mr. Darcy went past them, an obviously well-practiced haughty expression out in full force. He wouldn't look like that when she sang at the next gathering, and she laughed to herself. Sometimes it was amusing to watch people's expressions change when they heard her for the first time. It made the other vexations caused by her talent recede from her a little.

She turned back to Charlotte. "I hope I can remember that verse. I must keep singing it to myself all evening to be sure I remember it." She gathered her friend's hands in hers. "I am so blessed that you are willing to work with me. There is no chance I could create songs with such meaning otherwise."

Charlotte laughed, glancing round to make sure they were still alone. "I am the one who is blessed. You are so generous to me, paying me half of what your songs earn. I am now able to be less concerned for my future, knowing your uncle is building my fortune for me alongside yours."

"It's not in the least generous," Elizabeth said firmly. "You earn it; every penny." She, too glanced round. "Oh, look, Mr. Darcy does not look very happy. Miss Bingley's grasp looks very tight on his arm."

Charlotte huffed a laugh. "It is perfectly obvious that she has ambitions to become Mrs. Darcy. I wonder if he will be able to evade her for long?"

At that point, John Lucas arrived. "I see you have finished whatever plot you were hatching, ladies." He beamed at his sister and then Elizabeth. "Might I importune you now for a set each?"

"You go first, Eliza," Charlotte waved her hand at him. "I will fetch myself another lemonade, and then, when you are worn out by the next lively dance, I will be able to keep up with you, brother."

"You're not that old, Charlotte." Elizabeth made a face at her friend, and then accepted John's outstretched hand.

"Thank you, John. I enjoy dancing with you."

As they lined up for the next set, Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy retreating back to his place beside the urn. She smiled wryly. "I think one Netherfield visitor is not happy at what he finds here."

John Lucas bowed and began the dance with her. "He had much better not come if he is determined to be displeased."

Elizabeth nodded. "Mr. Bingley seems quite delighted, though. Even if his sisters are just as rude and disdainful as Mr. Darcy."

It was after supper, when Elizabeth was sitting out another dance trying to go through the words of Charlotte's song and match them to the music she'd composed, that she noticed Mr. Darcy stop nearby, his back to her.

She was pleased about that; it took a great deal of concentration to ignore the tune from the musicians while humming her own along with the words. She wished it was time to go home so she could write it down.

She glanced up when she heard Mr. Bingley's voice close by.

"Come, Darcy, I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner. You had much better dance."

"Certainly not. You know how I detest it, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At such an assembly as this it would be insupportable. I have danced with your sisters, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment to stand up with."

"I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom! Upon my honour, I never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening; and there are several of them you see uncommonly pretty. You must dance. That is what we are here for, is it not? Look, there is one of Miss Bennet's sisters sitting down just behind you, who is very pretty, and I dare say very agreeable. Do let me ask my partner to introduce you."

Mr. Darcy turned a cold gaze to Elizabeth, and she raised her eyebrows at him just as coldly, and with her chin up.

He started at her expression, and his frown deepened. "She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me; I am in no humour at present to give consequence to young ladies who are slighted by other men. You had better return to your partner and enjoy her smiles, for you are wasting your time with me."

Mr. Darcy walked off and settled back beside his urn, and Mr. Bingley looked apologetically at her. Elizabeth smiled briefly, then looked away. Why had he importuned his friend to dance? He must know the man was abominably rude, and to risk it in her hearing was rather foolish.

But if Mr. Bingley was the man Jane wanted, then she must forgive him, she supposed, making sure that he was not enamoured with her merely for her lovely face.

A moment later and Sir William was in front of her, his normally genial face serious. "Miss Eliza, will you grant me the honour of the next, if you are not already engaged for it?"

Elizabeth smiled at him. "Thank you, Sir William." She laughed prettily. "It will certainly give me more consequence than the disagreeable Mr. Darcy!"

They moved to the dance floor. "I am displeased on your behalf, Miss Eliza, and I will call at Netherfield tomorrow to express myself. I will not have him disparage you — and all the ladies here."

"I am honoured at your protection, sir, but I beg you do not. We all know he is utterly wrong about my consequence, and therefore I care nothing for what he thinks."

The steps of the dance separated them for some moments, and she continued when they drew back together. "I would far rather play and sing in his hearing at your next gathering, and watch his face!"

Sir William laughed exuberantly. "Well, perhaps we ought to do both things. I am determined to speak to him about his manners; it is disgraceful that a mere gentleman farmer should say such things. But I will also mention that I expect him to attend my next gathering and show improved manners." He lowered his voice. "I will not mention anything about the entertainment there will be!"

Elizabeth was unable to change his mind during the rest of the dance, and at the end hurried to find Charlotte. Perhaps she could persuade her father away from his visit. But they only had a few moments, as many of the local gentlemen surrounded her to ask for a dance and soon her dance card was completely full.

How kind everyone was, showing Mr. Darcy that she had far more consequence than the Netherfield guests. Even Jane excused herself from Mr. Bingley's conversation and joined her between dances; exceedingly — for Jane — displeased with Mr. Darcy.

As they waited for their coach at the end of the evening, Sir William bustled up to Jane. "Would you do me the honour of delivering this note to your father when you get home, Miss Bennet, and tell him I will call at Longbourn after I have been to Netherfield in the morning?"

Elizabeth sighed. "I wish you would not go, Sir William, honoured though I am at your wish to protect me. I am afraid it will fix the slight in people's minds far longer than if we left it all unsaid."

Jane took her hand. "But, Lizzy, what if this incident is ignored, and then he slights another one of our friends, one who is not able to stand up for herself?"

Elizabeth frowned. "Have you not been watching Mr. Darcy? He looks very uncomfortable, and has done since you asked me to dance, Sir William, and then all the other gentlemen did too. I think he may have learned his lesson without anything further needing to be done."

Sir William laughed boisterously, and patted her on the cheek. "You must let us have our moment, Miss Eliza. Fear not, I don't think it'll come to me calling him out, but please let us protect you in the best way we can."

Elizabeth knew when she was beaten. "Very well, I thank you for the honour of your protection." She glanced up, letting her expression become gleeful. "I just hope it is not too long until the next gathering at Lucas Lodge, sir! Then I will have my own revenge."

She could feel Mr. Darcy's gaze on her, as it had been for much of the evening. But she would not give him the satisfaction of returning it. In fact, at the gathering, she might be so busy with others close by that he would find it mortifying to have to apologise when he could be overheard.