Chapter 23

The Bingleys and Elizabeth were invited to a ball at the beginning of June, not long before they were to depart town. Mr Darcy was also in attendance with his cousins. To Elizabeth’s relief, he did not ask her for a set or even approach her. The thought of standing opposite him for half an hour, of having to take his hand and being expected to talk amicably with him, was too much to bear, even for one such as she who always attempted to face the world and all its trials with courage. It was especially difficult knowing they would soon be separated and she would not have even the comfort of seeing him. She imagined Colonel Fitzwilliam’s position by his side prevented him from attempting to speak to her. Whenever she happened to look their way, she often noticed their gazes upon her—one with what she could only interpret as regret mixed with longing, the other with his customary suspicion.

She spoke to Miss Reed, whom she had seen dancing the first set with Viscount Bramwell. It was clear the couple was growing closer, and Miss Reed confided that he had asked her for a second set. When Elizabeth regarded her with a knowing look, her friend blushed.

“He has been very attentive. I asked him what he meant by it.”

“Did you? What did he say?”

The colour in Miss Reed’s cheeks deepened. “He said he was attempting to make me fall in love with him. Will you blame me if I admit we argued?”

“Why?” Elizabeth asked. “I could have told you his purpose weeks ago. He is madly in love with you and hopes to gain your affection and make you his viscountess. I hope you will not think I am not good enough to be your friend when that happy day arrives.” The last was said in a teasing tone and only because she had discerned the lady’s growing feelings for Lord Bramwell.

Miss Reed looked shocked, but her demeanour soon eased, and she laughed. “Naturally, I shall not—should he ever propose, and I accept. I shall forever be enormously glad you and I met, and I intend for us to be friends for the rest of our lives.” After chuckling, she added, “After such a speech, perhaps it is time for us to call each other by our Christian names?”

Elizabeth clasped her hand. “I agree without reservation. My only regret in leaving town is that we shall not be able to meet as often, but we shall write. As for the viscount proposing…” She kept her eyes fixed on her friend’s and was satisfied when she nodded. “Will your parents be pleased?”

“As long as I am happy, I do not anticipate any objections on their part. Lord and Lady Romsley might feel differently. Lord Bramwell could make a much better match. But they are such good people, and I have always believed what they most want is their sons’ happiness. And that of my Darcy cousins, whom they are very fond of.” Miss Reed hesitated before continuing, “I have been concerned for Darcy these past months. He has seemed despondent. Elizabeth, I would never ask you to tell me something you are not comfortable sharing, but I have seen him observing you a great deal, and I wondered whether there was more to your connexion than not especially liking each other, as you once told me.”

It was Elizabeth’s turn to blush and avert her eyes. “Goodness, I hardly know what to say. I wish he would stop. I have been afraid people might notice.” She took a deep breath to bolster her courage. “Yes, there is much more to our past, but this is not the time or place to explain. Will you be satisfied if I promise to write out the sad tale of our history—as much as I am able to share—in a letter?” She would have to craft it carefully to avoid revealing Miss Darcy’s secrets or inadvertently altering Miss Reed’s—Rebecca’s—favourable opinion of the Romsleys and their sons.

“Of course! Please do not feel you must tell me if it is so painful. I am sorry for both of you—because clearly it is distressing and because I believe you would suit each other very well.”

Elizabeth blinked quickly several times to hold back the tears that threatened to fill her eyes.

“Enough of gentlemen! If I remember correctly, last time we discussed them, it was you who ended the conversation, and tonight it is my turn,” Rebecca said with forced cheer. “I see Miss Watson. Shall we go and talk to her?”

Elizabeth agreed, and they walked through the ballroom hand in hand to avoid being separated.

Later in the evening, Elizabeth was standing by an open window, taking in the fresh air and contemplating the busy street, when Viscount Bramwell approached her.

“I find you alone. How strange.”

“I do not see why.” She furrowed her brow in confusion.

“Because it means my cousin has not managed to escape my brother and seize the opportunity to speak to you.”

Elizabeth swallowed heavily. “He and I both know it is better if we do not spend time together needlessly. I do not believe we should discuss that particular subject further.”

Lord Bramwell sighed. “Very well, but only after I say that I am sorry. Ido not believe what has happened is necessary.” He glanced around them, evidently to see whether anyone was in proximity. “I told Darcy he ought to explain exactly what occurred, and he said he had.”

“He did. Thank you for encouraging him to do so, but it really makes little difference.”

He sighed again. “So I gather. I heard from Bingley that you are leaving town soon, and before you do, I wanted you to know that not all of us are pleased with what has happened. Even my parents called it regrettable. After meeting you, my mother said that you seemed like an estimable young woman, and my father agreed.”

Elizabeth smiled, but it did not last long. She supposed it was pleasant to know that the earl and countess might not have attempted to convince Mr Darcy she was unsuitable if the circumstances had been different. Feeling it was necessary to say something, she managed, “Thank you.”

He gave an awkward shrug and looked about them again. Leaning closer, he said, “While I have your undivided attention, I wanted your opinion of Miss Reed. Not-not of her, exactly, but…”

She would have supposed it impossible a moment ago, but a bubble of amusement lightened her mood. “I take your meaning, but you ought to know I would not share any of her confidences. I shall only say I look forward to writing to her at her new home in the not-too-distant future. I would like to hear her impressions of Warwickshire.”

He grinned and asked whether she had a set open and would dance with him. She did, and it was one of the more pleasurable parts of the ball, thanks to the viscount being an amiable partner who also happened to be in a very happy mood.

Mr Grey had asked Elizabeth for the supper set, and after the meal—which they ate in company with Jane and Bingley—they stepped onto a balcony. They shared some general remarks on the ball and their satisfaction at the unfolding spring, which they agreed was one of their preferred times of the year.

There was a brief silence before he spoke. “I have long counted Bingley amongst my good friends, and I am glad we have been able to spend so much time together, even more to see how happy he is. He is very fortunate to have gained such a prize as your sister.”

She thanked him for the compliment to Jane, and he continued. “I hope you know how much I have enjoyed meeting you. A man at my time of life finds the company of young ladies of particular interest, as we look to the future. To meet one such as you, with whom I have felt an affinity from the beginning, has been…especially agreeable. Dare I hope you have felt the same?”

Elizabeth’s mouth grew dry, and she said a silent prayer that he was not about to propose. As much as she liked him, she was far from prepared for such a step. He was a kind gentleman, and she would hate to disappoint him. “I have.”

His shoulders seemed to relax, and he smiled. “I have no wish to intrude upon your private affairs, but if you will excuse me being indelicate for a moment, I have noticed that you…have not appeared as easy of late. I believe I must date the change to the night we went to The Marriage of Figaro. Mr Darcy was there, and I have seen how he looks at you. If there is some reason I should alter my hopes, I would appreciate knowing of it.”

Elizabeth took a long moment to consider her response. While she did not owe him her secrets, she understood why he was asking, and she was the sort of person who believed it was better to be open, whenever possible. As well, she genuinely felt—or wished to—that their friendship could become something more in the future; she would not want him to withdraw his attention because he misunderstood her connexion to Mr Darcy. Knowing the truth, Mr Grey might decide he was not interested in pursuing her, but at least he would have made the decision based on facts rather than suspicions.

“There was a very brief period during which…well, our relationship might have become quite different from what it is today. But he and I shall never be more than acquaintances. We both accept it. Nothing untoward occurred, and I do not blame him. I do not believe he blames me either. We…had a difference of opinion, which must be the source of discomfort you have seen.”

He studied her for a moment, and she remained silent, leaving him to his thoughts. His serious expression soon lightened. “Bingley and I have spoken of your tour. Your route will bring you within an easy distance of Graystone. I had thought to invite your party to break your journey there. You might remain a few days or a week, though I would certainly not object if it were longer. I would like to show you my estate, but if it is too much, I shall say nothing of it to your brother or sister.”

Elizabeth’s cheeks warmed. She sensed that an important decision was before her. If she said she wanted to see his home, it was as a possible future mistress, not just as a friend. Was she prepared for such an admission, even though she was not being asked to commit herself to any course of action other than a sojourn under his roof? She wanted to believe that she was, although deep in her heart, she was afraid she may never feel enough to marry Mr Grey or any man other than Mr Darcy.

“I should like that, should Bingley say it does not interfere with his arrangements to view possible estates.” She felt a little lightheaded and held on to the balustrade. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him grin and was glad her response had pleased him.

But what has it done to me? she wondered as he described the delightful villages and towns she would encounter as they made their way through his county.