Page 20 of Resilience

“Your friend’s happiness must be very important to you,” Elizabeth observed.

“It is,” Darcy replied. “Which is why I will not interfere where my worries are not welcome.”

Darcy searched his mind for anything besides books or Bingley to speak of. “I wished to thank you again for your unexampled kindness to my sister and your friendship to my cousin. They speak of you often and with great affection.”

“Oh! I could hardly be anything but a friend to a sweet girl like Miss Darcy, and Lady Priscilla is everything lovely and diverting.” Elizabeth blushed. “You might as well thank me for enjoying sunshine and flowers.”

“I have never seen my cousin invite another lady to address her with informality, and Georgiana has certainly never expressed such courage.” Darcy smiled at her with great warmth. “I was gratified that the first time I ever witnessed it, that they chose a friend with kindness and authenticity.”

Elizabeth blushed again and sought a new topic. “Are you enjoying the ball so far, Mr Darcy?”

“To be entirely truthful, until the dance began, I was feeling rather oppressed,” Darcy confessed. “I envy the ease with which you seem to navigate such events.”

“That is because I am accustomed to assemblies,” Elizabeth answered.

“I have hardly lived in a cave,” he assured her.

She laughed at the thought. “What I meant is that you only endure them rather than accustom yourself. It is not at all the same.”

“I am certain you are right,” Darcy agreed.

“You do not seem to struggle in conversation with me,” she said impishly. “What could possibly be the cause of your ease?”

Darcy paused in thought for a long moment, then answered. “I find that conversation with most people I do not know well often feels like a performance, and one must choose every word with care. It is exhausting. But you…with you I forget to be careful, because you never seek to impress me. In fact, I am certain the idea has never even occurred to you. You look entirely baffled by the idea.”

“That must be refreshing.” Elizabeth was blushing to her roots now. “I assure you it is entirely–”

“Unintentional? Yes, that is what makes your company even more refreshing…and more restful than that of other ladies.” Darcy said.

“Then I shall endeavour not to abuse your good opinion.” She wished she knew what he was thinking. No man who was not her father or uncle had ever spoken so openly with her before.

"I doubt that you could,” he declared with a broad smile, eliciting another from her.

The dance ended, and Elizabeth was momentarily grateful that she need not think of a reply. She curtsied as Mr Darcy bowed to her, then she smiled her acceptance at a gentleman who presented himself for her next dance. As they parted, her mind whirled with the strange and unsettling realisation that she felt disappointed by the loss of his hand in hers.

Over the course of the evening, Darcy observed Mrs Bennet and Jane descend upon Elizabeth, obviously furious about his cousin's gown. He watched Elizabeth plead with her mother and sister as he danced with Georgiana, though he did his very best to make his sister’s first dance at a private ball pleasant.

Darcy wondered why Bingley never saw Miss Bennet’s mask slip as he did. He only knew that Bingley was in the grip of a most powerful infatuation, and that nothing would prevent him from wedding Miss Bennet. His friend would turn away from every friend or relative who spoke the most innocent word against the woman. He proved that by his behaviour to his sister, who–Darcy suspected–had told at least part of the truth for once. Darcy would not risk his friendship by speaking out against Miss Bennet. Bingley would have to be allowed to make whatever mistake he was set upon.

His supper dance with Elizabeth was as delightful as the first. He had been attempting to decide if he wished to pursue her, or if he wished for her to remain the delightful friend of his sister and cousin, but he was leaning to the former. It was not often that he even felt blessed with the freedom to make such considerations. Most women preferred to move straight to compromise or innuendo in town. This lady’s mother was so preoccupied with the fortunes of her eldest, she had obviously not considered the prospects of her second daughter. This was another point for which Darcy was infinitely grateful.

Elizabeth sat between himself and Georgiana at supper, and his sister and cousin did much to keep them all conversing animatedly. Near the end of the meal, Miss Mary Bennet stood and said, “Miss Darcy, it is time!”

Georgiana flushed, then rose timidly and hurried with Miss Mary to the pianoforte. With a courage Darcy never knew his sister had, she took a deep breath and stood by the instrument as Sir William Lucas addressed the room.

“Our hostess Mrs Hurst has arranged with Miss Darcy and Miss Mary Bennet to perform this ballad together in honour of Mr Bingley and Miss Bennet’s engagement. May their union be blessed and filled with love and laughter.”

Georgiana and Mary curtsied to Bingley and Miss Bennet, and the two ladies seated themselves and began to play.

Darcy had heard much about Miss Mary from Georgiana. That her love for music was genuine, and her dedication was strong, but that she suffered from neglect and a lack of proper instruction. Georgiana thought Miss Mary’s voice would be much stronger if she practiced some techniques that Georgiana had learned from her singing and elocution master, as well as Mrs Annesley, who was quite an accomplished singer. The two ladies had been hiding in the music room and practicing for weeks, and Georgiana was excited for her new friend’s family and neighbours to hear her improvement, both in her voice, and at the instrument. The two young ladies began to play and sing together, and their voices filled the room.

What wondrous love is this,

O my soul, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this, O my soul!

What wondrous love is this