Chapter 9

9

E lizabeth shook her head smilingly at being importuned for yet another song, and the local men clustered around her to beg for a dance when the opportunity arose.

But Papa was there. "I have some lemonade for you, Lizzy. You must be in need of it." He looked round at the young men.

"And no, Miss Elizabeth's first dance is reserved for me. I claim it."

Elizabeth laughed. "Papa, it is yours, provided I have a chance to rest a little first." She tucked her arm in his and they moved away from the piano with her friend on her other side.

"Thank you, Charlotte, for turning the pages, and for everything," she murmured. Papa leaned across slightly.

"I agree, you are the best of friends for Lizzy. I don't know what she'd do without you."

Charlotte glanced around the room. "I hope the new song wasn't a mistake." Her voice was very quiet. "I think the Netherfield gentlemen might suspect something when they have had time to think about it."

Elizabeth nodded, and glanced at Papa. "I do want to make sure Mr. Bingley attempts to really get to know Jane. He seems to me to be rather too flighty, and I don't want her to be hurt by him."

Papa's lips tightened. "If he can't take notice of the rebuke behind the song, then I will send him packing."

Elizabeth laughed mirthlessly. "Mr. Darcy was watching him during the song. I think he understood it and will explain. Mr. Bingley was not listening."

Charlotte leaned closer. "I will leave you now, but I beg you to be careful, Eliza. Mr. Darcy is a clever man, and I think he looks as if he will be determined to find out your secret."

Elizabeth glanced over at where the man in question sat beside Sir William. But his eyes were on her, enigmatic and intent.

She shivered. "Perhaps I ought not to have been quite so obvious."

"Just be careful."

"I will stay with her for the moment, Miss Lucas. Thank you for your loyalty." Papa was serious, and as he led Elizabeth into a corner away from Mama, he spoke quietly.

"I know we wanted to show him that you have the consequence around here, but perhaps your friend was correct. Do you think it will be best if you stay close to me for the rest of the evening?"

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. "Papa, I don't think that will be possible. Mama will want me beside her, to crow over having such an accomplished daughter, as well as a beautiful one."

Her father laughed. "Well, one thing is for certain, Mr. Darcy is unlikely to approach you if you are with your mother!"

"True, but you know I love to dance." She laughed again. "Perhaps you will do me a kindness and sit near the terrace doors, in case I am persuaded to go outside."

Papa's lips tightened. "Does it happen often? Perhaps I ought not to let you attend unless I am, Lizzy."

But a shadow loomed over them, and Elizabeth glanced up to see Mr. Darcy, who was making a creditable attempt at a smile. "Miss Elizabeth, Mr. Bennet, good evening."

Papa nodded at him. "Good evening, Mr. Darcy. I am afraid our gathering is perhaps too crowded for you."

"Not at all, sir. I wished to congratulate your daughter on her performance tonight. I have never heard better."

Elizabeth raised her chin. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy."

He indicated the remaining chair at their table. "May I join you for a moment?"

Papa nodded. "It is likely only to be a moment, as I believe Mary is about to begin playing for the dances and I am taking the first with Lizzy."

Mr. Darcy smiled wryly, and took the chair. "Thank you." He turned to Elizabeth.

"Miss Elizabeth, I was surprised to hear you playing that first piece. I believe it to be a Santorio, but I thought I knew all his work and I didn't recognise this one."

She thought quickly. "I think it is a very new one, Mr. Darcy. I was fortunate to have the time to practice it enough to be fairly confident of it for tonight."

He looked a little relieved. "Perhaps that is it, and my young sister will have received it since I came to Netherfield. She is a great devotee of his work and I have arranged that each new manuscript is sent to her by the publisher on the day it is first published."

Elizabeth looked down, trying not to blush. "I also enjoy his work. Your sister must be very talented, as it is quite challenging music." She hoped that Mary would start playing soon; she needed to get away from this conversation.

Mr. Darcy looked at her broodingly. "I hadn't realised he wrote songs, too. The style of music is his. Did someone else put the song to it?"

"I … I don't know, Mr. Darcy. I just liked the tune."

"It suits your voice."

"Thank you."

"I think it is time to join the line on the dance floor, Lizzy, as Mary has just taken her place." Papa nodded at the other man.

"Mr. Darcy."

As she stood up, Mr. Darcy rose too. "If I may, before you go — would you do me the honour of dancing with me? Perhaps the next, if you are not engaged for it?"

Elizabeth hesitated. But she could think of no reason to refuse him. She dipped her head. "Thank you. My next is not taken." She made no attempt to sound as if she welcomed his request, and knew he noticed.

"I thank you." He bowed and watched her as they walked away.

"You do need to take care, Lizzy, when you dance with him; Miss Lucas was right," Papa murmured.

"I know," Elizabeth shivered slightly. "Perhaps I ought not to have wanted my revenge in this way. Do I tell him that is why I was presented? That is another thing I think he is probably curious about, and it is not as if it is a secret in Meryton."

"It all depends what you want to do, Lizzy." Her conversation with Papa was interspersed with the moves of the dance.

"I think he is a very problematic man to have come to the area," Elizabeth agreed mournfully.

"Is that piece of tonight likely to have been sent to his sister?"

She laughed. "Hardly. I haven't even sent it to Uncle Gardiner." She hesitated. "In fact, I have not written it down yet. Most of it just came to me when I woke up this morning."

"Oh, Lizzy!" Papa scolded her. "You are taking foolish risks. What happens if he writes to his sister? He clearly knows all the Santorio works well to know it was not an existing one."

As the dance began to enter the final line, Papa seemed to come to a decision. "I think you may have to tell him about your presentation, and that it was because of your voice and playing — which it was. I also think you need to start playing other composers, well-known ones, at the next few events."

He looked round him to check they definitely could not be overheard. "Santorio must never be discovered." He took her hand to lead her off the floor. "If it comes to it, you might need to spend a few weeks in town — more lessons with a master, you know." His eyebrows rose.

Elizabeth laughed. "What a good idea. I might even mention to him that I have lessons in town regularly. But I will try to keep the conversation to Mr. Darcy's sister, if I can."

She stood by Papa for the few minutes until Mr. Darcy claimed her hand and led her to the area of rolled-back carpet serving as a dance floor.

Elizabeth wasn't inclined to start a conversation and they danced the first few moments in silence, until Mr. Darcy sighed. "I believe we must have some conversation, madam, unless you have not forgiven my lapse in manners. I can assure you I am able to be polite."

She found herself smiling. It might have been something she would have said herself to a silent partner. "I am happy to hear it, sir. Although I would rather you not say anything that isn't true just to be polite."

He seemed to be reassured by her smile, and his own face softened in return. He was exceedingly handsome, she had to acknowledge to herself, especially when he didn't look quite so serious.

"Good," she said, impishly, and watched his eyebrows rise.

"Good?"

"Yes," she let her tone become quite pert. "You are definitely more tolerable when you smile."

While he did wince, he allowed her sense of humour with his wry tone. "A veritable hit, Miss Elizabeth."

She felt herself relax a little. Perhaps she would escape this dance without having to speak of music. But she was not to be so fortunate.

"You have a beautiful voice, Miss Elizabeth. A true contralto with the exceptional range you have is very rare, and yours is outstanding."

"I thank you," she said quietly. She must accept praise graciously, she supposed. "I am very fortunate."

He dipped his head. "But I doubt it is entirely due to chance." He smiled at her, and her legs went weak. "I am certain it has taken a great deal of practice and training."

Less than you'd think , she thought, but inclined her head. "I am fortunate at having access to masters when I stay with my aunt and uncle in town, and also that I enjoy the practice. It is no hardship to me." She changed the subject. "You told me your sister is also a devotee of Santorio. Might you tell me of her?"

The distraction worked. For the rest of the dances, Mr. Darcy told her of his sister, and Elizabeth was impressed with his obvious love and care for her.