3

The crowded assembly rooms hummed with excitement, for Mrs. Bennet was by no means the only matchmaking mother in the neighbourhood to form designs on the newcomers before ever meeting them – nor were her daughters the only young people dressed in their finest, eager to please and be pleased by the strangers who had aroused so much speculation in the neighbourhood.

Their anticipation was prolonged, for the Netherfield party had not arrived when the music began and so many couples took to the floor for the opening set. Elizabeth danced the first with Olly, and at her side Charlotte partnered Lieutenant John Drake, a friend of Olly’s who was staying at Lucas Lodge for a few days before journeying on to York.

Lieutenant Drake was twice as handsome, gregarious, and charismatic as his friend; over the course of the dance he and Olly delighted the two ladies with heroic tales of their exploits at sea, amusing anecdotes about their compatriots, and a great deal of saucy banter between themselves.

After the dance, Elizabeth urged the gentlemen to partner her sisters who, in the absence of the gentlemen from Netherfield, had been obliged to sit out for the opening set. Olly happily partnered Jane, while Lieutenant Drake stood up with Lydia, who had put herself forward so boldly that he could not do otherwise.

Positioned for observation at the back of the room, Elizabeth laughed with Charlotte at the lack of partners. “How abominably rude of Olly’s friends to be so tardy! Are they not aware that the entire neighbourhood has come tonight with the expectation of being fallen in love with?”

“I hardly know what to tell you, for after dancing with the handsome lieutenant, I haven’t a thought left in my head,” Charlotte said, fanning herself as she offered Elizabeth a playful smile.

“That is just what Lydia will say to me after doing the same. It would not do to have all the ladies fainting away before our new neighbours arrive.”

“You take an eager interest in the Netherfield party,” Charlotte teased her. “And here I had hoped you would divert me by opposing Olly’s nonsensical schemes.”

Elizabeth arched an eyebrow. “Do you mean to make mischief, Charlotte?”

“Certainly not,” Charlotte said with a wry twitch of her lip. “Between you and Olly, I should hope that I have no need to. I quite rely on you.”

“And I am ready to oblige you with my contrary ways, as soon as the objects of Olly’s schemes should deign to appear.”

Charlotte fanned herself and gave another knowing smile. “You are impatient for them to appear.”

Elizabeth could not like being caught out, for as much as Olly’s grand plans had begun to sound pleasing indeed, in the secret recesses of her heart, she refused to make such a foolish admission even to herself. Such fanciful imaginings were the stuff of novels; the best she could rationally expect would be several weeks of amusement to carry her through the winter.

“Papa has raised me to appreciate the study of human character,” Elizabeth said airily, giving her friend a wink. “While the familiar figures of Meryton may divert enough by being so changeable themselves, so many entirely new creatures to examine must be a rare delight.”

Charlotte nodded as if she had been convinced, but there was a twinkle in her eyes as she said, “I can understand your enthusiasm for cataloguing the exploits and idiosyncrasies of our new neighbours. And surely your new gown and its very fetching neckline must naturally aid in the sketching of so many characters.”

“If Mamma is to be believed, it was the only way to ensure any of them would even speak to me,” Elizabeth replied with a look of innocence, before bubbling with laughter.

“Truly, Lizzy, you look absolutely lovely tonight. I confess I have more faith in my brother’s schemes for you than in his efforts on my behalf – and so my consolation must be in all the observations you profess for yourself. I had rather imagined you a more active participant.”

“You are very lovely yourself, Charlotte, and I shall repay your kindness by indulging your wishes. Surely I shall outwit your brother – for your further amusement,” Elizabeth quipped, “I daresay Jane shall have all the young men in love with her, and hopefully give her heart to the worthiest amongst them. As to the rest of the Netherfield party, my family is sure to vex our new neighbours with their nonsense, and the ensuing chaos will cheer us for many months to come.”

“Excellent,” Charlotte said, matching Elizabeth’s satirical tone. “I suppose you shall all begin directly, as soon as they deign to appear.”

The dance they had been idly observing came to an end and the dancers all dispersed back into the crowd, seeking new partners, conversation, or libations. The sound of laughter and chatter swelled around them, but the revellers at the front of the room had all fallen still. Charlotte gave Elizabeth’s hand a little squeeze and then made a subtle gesture toward the entrance. The Netherfield contingent had arrived.

Elizabeth would not crane her neck to see them better; more covertly, she stood up on her toes to obtain a superior view of the newcomers. Charlotte’s posture straightened, her pose almost triumphant as she regarded Elizabeth’s interest. “Well, Lizzy, what do you think of them?”

“The bilious and gouty looking fellow must be for me; I should not trust your brother for all the world to promote me to the tall, handsome one attempting to conceal himself behind the others, shrouded in mystery and despising every set of female eyes upon him,” Elizabeth said merrily as she surveyed the eight elegant strangers that stood expectantly at the front of the large assembly hall.

Sir William Lucas was hastening in their direction to perform the office of introductions, and not far behind him Mrs. Bennet was scrambling to assemble all of her daughters. The late arrivals all appeared content to await him as they took in their surroundings with widely disparate reactions. Of the three ladies in the party, the two younger ones only sneered at all they saw, while the older woman looked as if she was on the verge of weeping at any moment.

“That is Lady Anne Darcy, I believe,” Charlotte explained, leaning in as she whispered to Elizabeth. “She is to act as chaperone for their party, though I understand Mr. Bingley’s sisters there shall share the role of hostess for their brother.”

“I like them already,” Elizabeth said. “They look more pleased with themselves than their environs – the one in the orange gown in particular. The other I rather pity, for she seems unable to evade her red-faced admirer.”

“They must be the Hursts,” Charlotte said. “I understand Mr. Bingley’s youngest sister is about your age, and is wed to a gentleman older than Papa.”

“A merry widow in the making,” Elizabeth said archly.

“And what a relief for you,” Charlotte teased. “Are the other four not satisfactory in their appearance?”

Elizabeth watched the gentlemen as Sir William Lucas addressed them, doubtless comparing the evening’s festivities to his fondly recalled exploits at St. James’s. She could guess which was Mr. Bingley, for a fair and favourably featured young man in a blue coat had shook hands warmly with Sir William. The plainest of the four, rendered agreeable by his smile and even interesting with such a prominent scar, she supposed to be the Colonel. The two taller men, though bearing little resemblance to one another but both managing to look rather like their mother, Elizabeth concluded must be the brothers Darcy.

With a grin, Elizabeth told her friend, “I am indeed satisfied. I give your brother leave to affiance me to whichever of them he chooses.”

Mrs. Bennet had joined Sir William, all but her least favourite daughter in tow. Since Mrs. Bennet had long been convinced that Elizabeth and Oliver would someday wed, the matron had as little interest in presenting her second child to the gentlemen as Elizabeth had in being introduced alongside her relations. Lady Lucas had similarly spared not a thought for her step-daughter as she brought Miss Maria forward, though Charlotte appeared more affected by the exclusion than Elizabeth.

“I suppose Olly shall be pleased that he is to have the honour of introducing us,” Elizabeth said, fearing she saw tears glistening in Charlotte’s eyes. “As we seek only to be amused, we shall be far more gratified by his style of fanfare than the thinly-veiled machinations of our mammas.”

Charlotte nodded, a weak smile at the corners of her lips. The two women went off in search of Olly, though by the time Elizabeth discovered her friend, she looked back over her shoulder to find that Charlotte had been detained by Mrs. Goulding.

“Lizzy,” Olly cried, seizing her by one hand and resting his other upon the knob of a door that led out to the balcony. “My friends have commanded the attention of the rest of the room. Are you not instantly captivated by so many fine figures?”

“Perhaps that is why I desire you to introduce me. You rather look as if you wish to hide from them; you will hardly further your own schemes by skulking away so sneakily.”

Olly gave her a sheepish grin. “I confess you have caught me out – I only wished to take some air – that is, John was overcome by all the excitement and wished to take some air, and I thought to check on him before plaguing him with more new acquaintance.”

Elizabeth suspected he was about some mischief. “Your friend Lieutenant Drake seems quite capable of recommending himself to strangers,” she chided. “Come, you cannot raise my hopes so wickedly only to leave me in suspense. Besides, your stepmother has rather slighted Charlotte.”

Olly cast a glance at his sister and frowned, turning guilty back to Elizabeth. “She has you to comfort her, I am sure . Allow me just a few minutes to do the same with my own friend. Wait here – do not let anybody intrude upon us, and I am sure I will have teased John back into good cheer before our relations have finished their fawning over our new neighbours.”

Elizabeth only gave him another droll face before relenting and nodding her agreement, and she waited beside the door after Olly slipped through it. A moment later, Charlotte managed to detach herself from Mrs. Goulding. She linked her arm through Elizabeth’s, intending to walk on as she asked, “Where is Olly?”

“He stepped out onto the balcony”, Elizabeth said, not moving away from the door. “Apparently the handsome Lieutenant Drake has experienced a sudden spell of shyness and must be coaxed back into company.”

Something in Charlotte’s countenance darkened and she opened the door, dragging Elizabeth along with her as she stepped out into the darkness. A torch was lit further down the wall; before Elizabeth’s eyes could adjust to the dim, flickering light, Charlotte had let out a gasp and then a groan.

Elizabeth knew not what she was seeing for a minute more, and then she shared her friend’s astonishment. At the very end of the balcony, Oliver Lucas and John Drake were locked in a passionate embrace. Elizabeth stared in stunned silence as the two men kissed, aware that she ought to be appalled, and chagrined that she should feel only a curiosity at the sight before her.

Innocent young ladies such as herself were kept ignorant of the intimacies between a husband and wife, and though she had read enough novels to understand what pleasure a lover’s kiss might hold, she had never seen such a demonstration of ardour as this. Lieutenant Drake ran his hands through Olly’s hair as Olly held him by the hips. Their bodies moved in unison as their lips crushed together, until Charlotte jerked the door closed behind her and the sound of it caused the two men to quickly separate.

Lieutenant Drake stared at them wide-eyed for but a moment, then gave a curt bow and disappeared around the corner, ostensibly to retreat inside through another door. Olly held out his hands in a gesture of appeal as he began to murmur at his sister.

“It is true,” Charlotte breathed, taking a step back as he approached her. “You would never speak to me about all the whispers… I never allowed myself to credit them. All the gossip, the strange looks over the years – you… you….”

“Yes,” Olly said, his eyes now darting between the two young ladies. He took a few tentative steps closer, as if approaching a feral cat, his posture cautious and conciliatory. “I suppose indiscretion is only one of my failings.”

“You thought at such a moment the rest of us would be quite distracted,” Elizabeth mused aloud. “So you could….”

“Yes,” Olly repeated. “I daresay many a lover has stolen a kiss on this balcony, on similar occasions.”

Charlotte clutched Elizabeth’s hand as she let out a shaky breath. “Do not tease us, Oliver. What can you be thinking? Have you any thought for my reputation, if not your own? I wonder now if the veracity of all those rumours is why I find myself so often subtly shunned – yet your return is celebrated, and you squander it like this!”

“I love him.”

Charlotte scoffed at her brother; he had chosen the wrong approach, for she had never been romantic. “Love? Another of your fanciful notions! How much are you willing to risk for so little? Your family? Your… your life, Olly?”

“Of course I have thought of such things,” he hissed. “Fear of discovery has been my constant companion for many years. I allowed myself but a moment of respite amidst my perpetual peril – have I no claim to your compassion?”

Charlotte did not answer but turned and fled inside; Elizabeth would have followed her, but Olly captured her hand and gave her a pleading look. “Lizzy, I beg you….”

Elizabeth hesitated, but turned back to face him. She nodded her assent. “I wish to go to her, but I will hear you.”

He clutched her hands and bestowed a grateful kiss upon her gloved fingers. “Dearest Lizzy, I do not deserve your kindness, but I have quite depended upon it. And your discretion, of course.”

“Certainly – Charlotte was right in supposing that this could ruin her. I should not wish to see either of you suffer the consequences of… of….”

“Of my deviant predilection,” he said sadly.

“I would not insult you with such speech. I have not been ignorant of the whispers, either. I find I am neither shocked nor disgusted – well, I am shocked, perhaps. But I would not have you fear losing my friendship, though I share Charlotte’s fear of scandal.”

Something in his posture deflated. “I was braced for a tongue lashing,” he said ruefully. “I dared not brave your disdain, else I might have confided.”

Elizabeth moved closer, resting one hand on his shoulder. “You have been a true friend when others might have just as easily censured the indecorous antics of my relations, and my own wayward contrariness. I am stunned, but my instinct at such a moment tends more toward curiosity than revulsion.” The darkness around them concealed a blush on Elizabeth’s cheeks as it occurred to her that it could hardly revile her that either of the handsome gentlemen should be so amorous.

When Olly said nothing, Elizabeth searched her racing mind for the right words to give voice to what she was feeling. “I am as fearful of your well-being as you have ever been of mine when my mother causes me mortification. This is far more grave than such transgressions as ill breeding, in the eyes of the world, but I could not forsake your friendship when I have ever treasured it.”

He reached his arm across his body to place his hand atop hers and smiled at her. “That is just why I thought you a perfect match for my friend Darcy. He is the only other living soul, besides John, who knows of my secret.”

“Then he must be an estimable friend,” Elizabeth said. “I hope I shall prove worthy of your faith in me.”

“As I ought to have, all along,” Olly admitted. “In vain I have struggled with my feelings, knowing them to be different than what they ought to be – knowing that all the world would agree I should pay with my life for the bond I have formed with John while we were at sea.”

“The world can be cruel,” Elizabeth said. “My silly sisters, my vulgar mother, my relations in trade – my family have all felt derision for what we cannot control in our circumstances. I think perhaps it must be the same for you.”

Olly turned to face her, and the torch light illuminated his face well enough for her to see tears sliding down his cheeks in the moments before he threw his arms around her and wept. “Oh, Lizzy,” he breathed.

Elizabeth returned his embrace, her heart twisting in her chest as she felt the enormity of his despair wash over her. He had been too dear to her for too long for her to do otherwise than comfort him, and she could only lament that Charlotte had not been so generous. And yet, Elizabeth could well comprehend Charlotte’s reasons.

“You and your sister have been my dearest friends for many years,” she said, soothing him as she held him still. “Tell me how I can reconcile you.”

Olly clung to her for a minute more before he spoke, and held her by the shoulders after he withdrew from her embrace. “She will come round. I do not believe she was ever without suspicion; I ought to have told her. What a coward I have been. I can face down French cannons, but not the girl I shared a womb with. She deserves to despise me for as long as she chooses. If she can forgive me before I return to the Phaeron, I shall be satisfied.”

“I shall not be,” Elizabeth said warmly. “You must reassure her that you shall be more careful. And she must accept that you will never again willfully imperil your family.”

A sudden burst of laughter overtook her as she observed. “I must heed my own advice, I think. What would my mother say if we were discovered thus?”

As she took a step back, Olly moved with her, and he planted a brotherly kiss on the top of her head. “Our loving embrace is not illegal, so we should at least not end the night in irons,” he drawled. “Would that I could satisfy her wishes – how easy it all might be. You are the finest woman on earth, Elizabeth Bennet.”

“And you are the most vexing man I have ever met,” she teased. “I had considered falling in love with you, you know, but thought the better of it when I recalled your wickedness as a youth. How many occasions you have given me to wash the mud from my hair amidst a chorus of reprimands. I fear we were fated not to be.”

“Thus I have the highest of hopes for you and Darcy,” he said. Elizabeth could see the moment realisation alighted on him, and waited with expectant foreboding for him to say what began to intrude on her own private musings. “If I were to continue my attentions to you, it would be no evil that is not already a near certainty – as you say, your mother is already determined we shall wed.”

“I should prefer to marry a man who would kiss me with such passion,” Elizabeth blurted out, then clapped a hand over her mouth to cover a nervous laugh.

“I ought to tell you that I am not insensible to your charms, dear Lizzy. I feel what any man might in the company of a beautiful woman; I merely happen to feel the same sentiments with John, and my affections there are quite fixed.”

“Oh,” Elizabeth said with surprise. She fidgeted and drew away from him. “Are you – do you mean – if that was a proposal of any kind, I must say that it was not a very tempting one.”

Olly laughed with her, his bright smile allaying her anxiety. “I am not proposing marriage – though I am willing to do so, should I arouse such expectations as make living with your mother unbearable.”

“Too late,” she teased. “Indeed, it is many years gone.”

“Then what could a couple more months be?”

Elizabeth suspected she knew what he meant to suggest, but she would have him say it. “Explain yourself, or I will abandon you and go to Charlotte, for she will not speak to me in riddles.”

“I have told you already. If we continue on together as we have ever been, with all the neighbourhood certain we are destined for one another, and only frustrating them by taking so long to come to the point, surely this will be enough to hush whatever whispers Charlotte fears may be a detriment to her. I know she has good reason to fear, and I would not have her end a spinster on my account.”

“But surely we will not actually marry,” Elizabeth cried, her feelings a strange mixture of astonishment, amusement, and something akin to yearning. “I wish to marry for love.”

“And so you shall, for Darcy is sure to fall in love with you. Would it not be a fine thing for you if you might come to grow acquainted with him without your mother spoiling it by helping you along? Forgive me, Lizzy, but you must recall how she frightened away that timid viscount who wrote Jane all those poems when she was sixteen.”

“I did not envy Jane at the time, though I could never respect such a squeamish suitor, to be frightened away by my mother’s enthusiasm. She wishes to see her daughters well settled.”

“And so she shall, but she is more likely to achieve her goal when she has not the chance of interfering,” Olly said. “I shall bear the brunt of her matrimonial machinations. And Darcy knows I am no true rival.”

“And if Captain Darcy has no wish to court me?” Elizabeth rested her hands on her hips and frowned at him. “If he is the tall gentleman who was looking as though he would rather be anywhere else, I can tell you now I hardly wish to be introduced. And I have not been.”

Again Olly took her hand in his. “I apologise if I have let my romantic heart run away with me. I shall not press you any further, though I shall at least introduce you to all the Netherfield party. As to the rest, if you consent to the ruse for Charlotte’s preservation as well as my own, I promise I will do what I must should your mother make matters uncomfortable for you.”

“Is that so?” They had reverted to their usual playfulness, and Elizabeth made a droll face at him. “You will capitulate to her determination to have you as a son-in-law?”

“I shall rise in my career, make a mighty fortune, and make you the mistress of the grandest house in the county. Lizzy Lucas, how well that sounds,” he said the last in a voice meant to mimic Mrs. Bennet, and Elizabeth shook her head at him.

“Only the deepest of love shall induce me into matrimony,” she said archly. “I have long resigned myself to ending an old maid, though I do not fear the prospect as Charlotte does. Jane is far too beautiful not to be cherished by a man of good sense as well as good income, and so when Papa dies and we are thrown into the hedgerows, I shall seek succour with my dear sister and teach her ten children to play their instruments very ill.”

“For which you are well qualified,” he agreed. “But do not forget Mr. Collins; he has been instructed to make your family every possible amends.”

“Odious coxcomb,” Elizabeth laughed, giving him a shove. “I plagued Papa until he would show me our cousin’s letter, and what a ridiculous missive it was! I have never seen such a strange blend of pomposity and servility, and so garrulously expressed. You know I could never love a man who was out of his wits.”

“Then all hope for me is lost,” he japed. He raised her hand to his lips once more and said earnestly, “I do love you, dearest Lizzy. Now, come and meet Captain Darcy, and be fallen in love with properly.”

Elizabeth wished first to speak again with Charlotte and ascertain her friend’s equanimity. She found her seated alone in the ladies’ retiring room, and it was evident that she had been weeping.

“Oh, Charlotte,” Elizabeth sighed as she sat down beside her friend.

Charlotte offered her a wan smile. “I do not begrudge you forgiving him, as I suspect you have. I am sure I shall, too, ere long. He is my brother and I love him.”

“You know I love him as a brother, as well,” Elizabeth said. “I wish there to be peace between you, and understanding.”

“It is not that I do not understand,” Charlotte said, her shoulders heaving in a heavy sigh. “Oh, Lizzy, I fear you shall think the worst of me, but if you are not cross with Olly, then perhaps nothing will shake your unwavering friendship. I… I believe I envy him.”

“Lieutenant Drake is handsome,” Elizabeth admitted. “And he seemed very attentive to you.”

“No, that is not what I mean. I confess I had thought – but no, it is not that exactly,” Charlotte said, her brow knit in consideration.

“I wished to blame Olly for my remaining unwed at six-and-twenty, but I know it was wrong of me. I am plain, and I am poor, and it is not his reputation that has damaged my chances; they were ever slim. But I never imagined he would secure the affections of a man when I cannot! It was very shocking, and I have been chastising myself for letting petty jealousy overtake my good sense at such a moment. I am glad he had your consolation, at least.”

“You will make amends with him, then? He still intends to make grand matches for us both, you know,” Elizabeth said with a teasing wink.

Charlotte laughed as she wiped at her face. “No doubt Olly fully expects that I shall come round, and of course I shall. My father has a new family and is quite tired of me, I am sure. Olly is all I have.”

“He has promised to purchase me a palace, and so you shall always have a place with me,” Elizabeth said, her tone playful but her look one of sincere concern.

“Ah, bribery – that is at least something,” Charlotte said, attempting to match Elizabeth’s levity. “I am not convinced his matchmaking shall work. The gentlemen are already captivated by your sisters.”

“What, all four? If that is the case, I shall happily cede you Mr. Collins.”

Charlotte looked quizzically at her and shook her head. “Mr. Bingley’s eyes nearly fell out of his head when he saw your sister, and I will say they make a fine pair dancing together. Mr. Darcy was equally enchanted with Kitty, and Lydia is fascinated by the Colonel and his dashing scar.”

“And Mary?”

“She did not appear insensible to Captain Darcy’s fine appearance, but he does not seem inclined to dance at all.”

Elizabeth snorted, ready to triumph in proving Olly quite wrong in his expectation on that score. “I am relieved he has proved so disagreeable, for I told your brother it would be thus. Alas, he shall have to marry me after all.”

Charlotte’s head snapped up, and her jaw fell open. “What?”

“Oh dear, I am not at all serious. But he and I agreed between ourselves that he shall continue to raise Mamma’s expectations for me, if only to preserve your family’s reputation against the whispers.”

“He has been at sea for years – the rumours have long since died away. I ought not to have said such things,” Charlotte replied.

“And any speculation about he and I shall die away again when he goes back to sea,” Elizabeth said. “For now, I do not mind bearing my mother’s disappointment for your sake and Olly’s. And I refuse to have any hopes whatsoever regarding his friends – it would make him far too conceited if he should prove right in the end. I should at least have to name my first born for him in thanks, and that would never do.”

Charlotte squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “You have cheered me enough – we ought to return before your mother sends out a search party. And I should dearly like to see you scorn so many handsome gentlemen to prove a point and satisfy your pride.”

“My pride?” Elizabeth sputtered with laughter and took on a pose of hauteur. “Fear not, for where there is real superiority of mind, pride shall always be under good regulation, and am I not far cleverer than your brother?”

They returned to the main hall, where another set was just coming to an end, and Charlotte once again linked her arm through Elizabeth’s. “It is well I have you to make me laugh, else I should be the most grim looking creature here, and be well and truly snubbed by all the gentlemen.”

“You have the advantage over me, for I was never introduced,” Elizabeth said, dropping her voice to a whisper. “And you are not nearly as grim as that gentleman over there – I suspect that must be Captain Darcy, despiser of dancing.”

Elizabeth flicked her gaze to the gentleman who had concealed himself behind his companions when they had arrived. He stood alone, not a dozen paces away from them, until he was approached by the gregarious gentleman who had just finished dancing with Jane.

“Come, Will,” said he. “I must have you dance. I hate to see you standing about by yourself in this stupid manner, especially when you have been so long at sea, unable to enjoy the charms of the fairer sex. You had much better dance.”

“I certainly shall not. You know how I detest it, Bingley, unless I am particularly acquainted with my partner. At an assembly such as this, it would be insupportable. Your sisters are engaged, and there is not another woman in the room whom it would not be a punishment for me to stand up with.”

“I would not be so fastidious as you are for a kingdom,” Mr. Bingley cried. “Upon my honour, I have never met with so many pleasant girls in my life as I have this evening, and I know your brother and cousin would agree with me.”

“You have been dancing with the only handsome girl in the room,” Captain Darcy said to his friend.

“She is the most beautiful creature I ever beheld,” Mr. Bingley exclaimed, bringing a smile to Elizabeth’s face as she apprehended that he referred to her sister Jane. “But there is one of her sisters, who is very pretty, and I daresay very agreeable. I shall ask Miss Lucas to introduce you.”

The gentleman she presumed to be Captain Darcy turned round and looked at Elizabeth for a moment, until he caught her eye and hastily withdrew his own. He coldly said, “She is tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt me, and 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; I ought to attend my mother.”

But before either of them could go anywhere, they were joined by Olly, who had returned to his usual ebullience. “Will! Ah, Bingley! How are you enjoying the evening? But I can already suppose I know the answer. You are having the time of your life, Mr. Bingley; you, Will, wish to expire at once.”

“Hardly,” Captain Darcy said. “I only wish to be left in peace, which shall never occur so long as you are within fifty miles.”

Mr. Bingley looked aghast at his friend, but Olly threw back his head and guffawed. “Do not despair, for there is the famous Miss Lizzy – have you not been introduced? I expected you to be in raptures by now.”

Elizabeth attempted to conceal herself in the crowd of revellers and escape their notice, but it was too late, for Olly was calling out to her. She was more amused than offended at the captain’s remarks, and rallied herself to flaunt her victory over Olly. She led Charlotte in their direction, her courage rising enough to defy all the gentlemen.

Olly grinned at her as he addressed his companions. “Allow me to present the incomparable Elizabeth Bennet. Lizzy, Mr. Charles Bingley and Captain Fitzwilliam Darcy.”

Elizabeth curtseyed, smirking at Captain Darcy’s look of shock and chagrin. Mr. Bingley was full of warm greetings, praise for all her sisters, and a great deal of general enthusiasm for the entire neighbourhood. He expressed himself well; she was disposed to like him already, and she was grateful when he asked how she was finding the festivities, as it provided her the chance to make a very arch reply. “I am finding the evening tolerable, though I have been slighted by certain gentlemen.”

Her barb was met with a moment of blinking silence, into which she smiled brightly.