Pride Prejudice and Perplexity

The Wedding Ball

Chapter Five – The Wedding Ball

On the day of the wedding ball, which was but five days before the wedding, there was still no news of Mr Darcy. The Longbourn party were the first to arrive at Netherfield, for Jane was to take her place with Mr Bingley in welcoming all the guests. The Hursts were now arrived at Netherfield, and Mrs Hurst made a tolerably convincing display of greeting Jane with all the warmth and joy of a sister. Leaving Jane with Mr Bingley in the foyer, Mr Bennet escorted his wife and his other three daughters towards the ballroom.

To their great surprise, Mr Darcy appeared, not ten paces before them, having entered the foyer from the opposite end. His eyes were immediately drawn to Elizabeth. “Come, girls!” exclaimed Mrs Bennet, shrilly, taking Mary and Kitty, each by an arm, and leading them in a very wide arc around Mr Darcy, as if he were some very dangerous creature. Ignoring the slight, Mr Darcy approached Elizabeth and her father, who, after greeting him with all due decorum, as if nothing in the least way untoward had occurred, excused himself, and followed in the direction of the ladies.

Mr Darcy smiled warmly. “I am delighted to see you again, Miss Bennet. If I may say so, you are looking exceedingly well.”

Elizabeth lowered her head at the compliment, keenly feeling all the embarrassment of her mother's rude behaviour. “Please excuse my mother, sir.”

He held up a hand. “I imagine she has heard the story in circulation concerning my wickedness,” he said with a smile, which betrayed a consciousness that her mother was in fact the probable source of the story. “And since it pertains to her own daughter, it is hardly extraordinary that she should feel some great resentment towards myself. You may recall that, when last we met, I expressed the hope that the truth of the matter would soon be revealed; thus putting an end to this unfortunate rumour.”

“Yes, my recollection of that conversation is indeed quite lucid; and I am exceedingly eager that my concerns and questions regarding the fate of my youngest sister – and your part in the intrigue – should be satisfied.”

“And it remains my fervent hope that you shall. Most regrettably, I must entreat you to be patient a little longer; for when it is to occur is not within my power to command, but belongs entirely to another.”

Although she was unhappy at the news, and could not comprehend why it must all be such a great mystery, Elizabeth had faith in his honesty and all his words. Many guests were now arriving and Mr Darcy offered her his arm, to escort her into the ballroom.

“I hope you come eager to dance this evening,” said Elizabeth playfully, “for I recall that you are not at all fond of the amusement. And since this is a wedding ball, it would be most discourteous of the groomsman not to dance with the bride – and all of her sisters.” Her smile clearly betrayed a consciousness that she had all but demanded that the gentleman ask her to dance. “I regret to inform you that my mother's dancing days are long past, so you shall not have that pleasure; however, you will also be expected to dance with the sisters of the groom; you have a demanding night before you, sir.”

Mr Darcy laughed. “I may forgo the pleasure of dancing with your younger sisters; for I fear your mother would most certainly not permit it – wishing to protect them from so infamous a rogue as myself. I dare say they might very likely refuse to stand up with me – which would be most embarrassing. But I have hopes of a better reception from the two elder Miss Bennets. I feel certain that my friend, Bingley, has engaged his betrothed for the first two, for indeed, they must open the ball together; and in any case, even before you made me aware of my heavy responsibilities as groomsman, I had already entertained the hope that a particular sister of the bride might oblige me for the first two dances. Miss Bennet,” he said warmly, “would you do me that honour?”

“Alas, sir, I regret that I am already engaged for the first set.”

“Indeed. To whom?” he asked, with evident disappointment.

“To Captain Radford.”

“Radford?” muttered Mr Darcy, with an expression of confused surprise upon his face. He remained silent; and whatever were his meditations on that gentleman, Elizabeth had not the least idea.

Eventually she spoke. “Yes, Captain Radford, Mr Bingley's cousin.”

“Bingley's cousin?” demanded Mr Darcy, snapping out of his reverie. “But Bingley has no cousin!”

“Then you have not yet met Captain Radford? He has been staying here at Netherfield as Mr Bingley's guest these past several weeks.”

“No, I have not had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman. I am just myself arrived an hour ago from town, and went straight away to dress for the ball. I have not yet had the chance to speak with anyone from the house. Yet I am quite certain that Bingley told me that, apart from his two sisters, he had not another living relative in the world; so you may understand my surprise, upon hearing that he has somehow acquired a cousin. Obviously, if he has engaged you to dance with him, you must be acquainted, to some degree, with the gentleman. Pray tell me how this has all come about?”

Elizabeth recounted all that Jane had originally told her regarding Captain Radford, and how he had discovered his cousin, Mr Bingley, through the wedding announcement in the newspaper. She had, of course, since learned a great deal more about him, but did not feel authorised to recount the substance of their many private conversations.

“How very interesting, and fortunate for Bingley and his sisters to discover that they have a cousin.”

“Mr Bingley appears most happy with his new-found relation; his sisters, however, are somewhat less enthusiastic,” said Elizabeth cryptically.

“Oh? How so?”

“That, you shall have to discover for yourself; but I may assure you that it will be in no way difficult,” said Elizabeth with an ironic smile.

“I see. And what sort of man is he, this Captain Radford?”

“That, too, you may discover for yourself, for he approaches us now,” said Elizabeth, turning to smile at the Captain, who looked most dashing in his dress uniform.

Captain Radford greeted Elizabeth warmly, and complimented her on how beautiful she looked. Elizabeth then introduced the gentlemen. Though he was entirely polite, Elizabeth observed something curious in Mr Darcy's expression as he stared into the Captain's face. Was he searching for some family resemblance to Bingley and his sisters? Or was it perhaps jealousy, at their evident intimacy, and his having engaged her for the first set? Or was it something else, wondered Elizabeth, recalling Mr Darcy's peculiar reaction when she had first mentioned the name, Captain Radford. Since they had apparently never met before, she conjectured that Mr Darcy must have previously heard his name mentioned in some connection – but to what?

Since her time in Derbyshire, Elizabeth had flattered herself that she understood Mr Darcy; and that his character was forthright and predictable – without mystery or intrigue. But then came the surprising hint of a connection with Lydia, and his inexplicable secrecy in that regard; and now his peculiar reaction to Captain Radford. “Is this another mystery, or is it, perhaps, part of the same one?” conjectured Elizabeth.

The Captain was all affability, and evidently pleased to meet his cousin's friend, regarding whom he had heard nothing but praise. But before the gentlemen could further engage with each other, they were interrupted by Miss Bingley, who rudely pushed her way between them – her great joy at seeing Mr Darcy, apparently causing her to momentarily forget her good manners. Then without so much as an excuse me, to either Elizabeth or Captain Radford, she began leading Mr Darcy away from them, towards her sister Louisa, who was, she said, utterly desperate to greet him.

But Mr Darcy was not so rude. “Excuse me a moment, Miss Bingley,” he said, disengaging himself from her and walking back to Elizabeth and the Captain. “It is a very great pleasure to meet you, sir,” he said to the gentleman, bowing. “I look forward to continuing our conversation at some other time.” Then turning to Elizabeth, he said, “I would be most happy to engage you for the earliest set for which you are not already spoken, Miss Bennet.”

“I am not engaged for the second two, sir.”

Mr Darcy bowed. “Then it will be my great pleasure to engage you for those dances.”

As he walked back towards Caroline Bingley, he could not have failed to observe the indignant expression upon that lady's face, which in no way complimented it. Elizabeth felt certain that Caroline would waste no time in disabusing him of his apparently favourable impression of Captain Radford, and then extend the censure to herself by observing how well pleased she and the Captain seemed to be with each other; and, doubtless, hinting at her suspicions that something highly improper might be going forth between them. Elizabeth was in no way concerned. She strongly suspected that Mr Darcy had Caroline Bingley's measure, and would give her false and scornful words all the credence they deserved.

The orchestra struck up the opening flourish, and Captain Radford led Elizabeth to stand beside Jane and Mr Bingley at the top of the set. Mrs Bennet, upon seeing to whom Elizabeth was engaged for the first two dances, looked pointedly at her daughter with undisguised displeasure. Caroline Bingley was the next lady in the set, standing smugly across from her partner, Mr Darcy, followed by Mr and Mrs Hurst and then Kitty, with some young man. Only Mary, seated beside her father, was not dancing. She looked at her sisters with a disapproving air, which suggested that there were more serious things in life than mere dancing and frivolity.

At one point in the dance, Elizabeth found herself standing beside Caroline Bingley while the gentlemen were engaged in circling the ladies. She said sneeringly, “I should be ashamed to be engaged to such a partner as yours for the first two, Miss Bennet. I was fortunate to be asked by a true gentleman, whom I would rank above all others in this assembly.”

Elizabeth could not resist replying, “You are fortunate, indeed, Miss Bingley; but you owe your good fortune to my partner.” Caroline looked at her uncomprehendingly. “For had he not previously engaged me for these two dances, it would be I, who was dancing them with that true gentleman, who, regrettably, I was obliged to disappoint.”

Mrs Bennet's displeasure at Elizabeth's first partner was nothing compared to that which she exhibited for her second. When she saw her daughter stand up with Mr Darcy, she was livid, and it took a good deal of exertion, on the part of her husband, to prevent her from making a spectacle of herself. Still, she would tell Lady Lucas, and any other acquaintance who would listen, what a disgrace it was that her own daughter should dance with the very man who had ruined her youngest sister.

Almost all of the company were aware of the story concerning Mr Darcy and Miss Lydia Bennet; and if some of them thought it shocking that Miss Elizabeth should dance with the arrogant, wealthy scoundrel, others – most especially those who knew of her reputation for intelligence and the possession of a well-informed mind – rather concluded that she evidently gave little credence to the story; and that it might therefore, very likely be false; an opinion which gained further ground when the eldest Miss Bennet danced with Mr Darcy, and then – almost unbelievably – he was later favoured by Miss Elizabeth for a further set.

Those who were wondering if this might perhaps presage the marriage of a second Miss Bennet, were very soon asking themselves – but to whom? For she was next observed dancing a second set with Mr Bingley's cousin, Captain Radford. Such speculation and gossip added much liveliness to the supper conversation, at which the young lady concerned, was seated between her two prospective suitors. Mrs Bennet's displeasure at this arrangement was matched only by that of Miss Bingley, who found herself seated opposite them, but at a sufficient distance from the object of her matrimonial ambitions as to make conversation exceedingly difficult.

She was obliged to speak loud enough for half the table to hear, when she remarked to Elizabeth, “Your dear mother must be most gratified to see her eldest daughter so well-married. But she still has quite a few yet to dispose of... I find myself unable to recall the exact number. Pray tell, Miss Bennet, precisely how many unmarried daughters does your mother have?”

Elizabeth blushed at this vicious attack, which was clearly designed to engender a recollection of Lydia's disgrace in the consciousness of all within hearing – and in that of one gentleman in particular, whose face paled. Unfortunately for Miss Bingley, the recollection which she had so ably aroused, had attached to it, in the minds of many in the district, the name of that same gentleman, and in no flattering way; and to him the eyes of many at the table now turned, and much whispering ensued.

“I am surprised at your question, Miss Bingley,” replied Elizabeth in a clear voice, strong enough for Miss Bingley – and unavoidably many others besides – to hear. “I must say that if I found myself in the embarrassing situation of not knowing the number of sisters-in-law my own brother was to acquire in a few days' time; or which, if any of them, were married, I think I would choose to hide my ignorance rather than advertise it to the world.”

Mr Darcy was among the many who smiled at the witty and well-deserved put-down; and Miss Bingley, daring not to reply, instead sought to divert his attention from the lady beside him, and gain his admiration, by her virtuosity at the pianoforte. Thus did she immediately rise and open the instrument, where she performed creditably – although not well enough to gain the attention of the one from whom she most desired it; which, to her great displeasure, she observed remained devoted to his neighbour.

“My sister, Georgiana, most especially requested, in a recent letter, that upon my return into Hertfordshire, I give you her fondest regards, and communicate to you the delight it gave her to make your acquaintance when you were in Derbyshire, and of her disappointment at its sudden interruption.”

“Please thank Miss Darcy for her warm regards, and return them if you will. Pray tell her that I, too, was exceedingly happy to make her acquaintance. Does your sister remain at Pemberley?”

“Yes, at the present time; however, she will soon be joining me in town, at Grosvenor Square.”

“Then you must tell Miss Darcy that I, too, shall soon be in town, and that it shall be my pleasure to call upon her at the very earliest time.”

“Oh, I was entirely unaware that you were for London, Miss Bennet. It will be my great pleasure to give the good news to my sister; who will, I am certain, be delighted,” he said, with a smile that spoke, rather, of his own delight.

“I am invited to join Mr Bingley and my sister on their wedding tour. However, as they have determined to defer it until the spring, when the weather shall be warmer, they will go up to town after the wedding, to enjoy the season; and Jane has invited me to stay with them, at Fairfield Gardens.”

“A very happy arrangement – for everyone,” said Mr Darcy, meaningfully.

“Oh, I can think of at least one person who may not be greatly overjoyed at the news,” said Elizabeth wryly, looking in the direction of the pianoforte.

Mr Darcy chuckled, together with Captain Radford, on her other side, who, though silent, had been listening to their conversation, and now spoke. “And there is yet another person who is exceedingly pleased to learn that you go to Fairfield Gardens, Miss Bennet – myself.”

“Are you also to stay at Fairfield Gardens, sir?” asked Elizabeth. Mr Darcy, too, appeared interested in how he would answer the question.

“No, not at Fairfield Gardens; but not so very far away. Since my return to England, I have had the great fortune to enjoy the generous hospitality of my dear friend and mentor, Admiral Barclay – now retired. Are you acquainted with him at all, sir?” he asked Mr Darcy.

“A little; but more by reputation. He is well-known in London society.”

“Perhaps you are better acquainted with his daughter, Miss Victoria Barclay?” asked the Captain, with a smile.

“Yes, perhaps,” said Mr Darcy, giving the Captain a calculating glance.

“She is the most beautiful of young ladies, is she not?” asked the Captain.

“Yes, she is very handsome indeed. Her beauty, I have heard it said, is exceeded only by her wealth.”

“She is the Admiral's only child, and is heir to his considerable fortune,” replied Captain Radford. “And yet I, for one, would not agree that its splendour exceeds her beauty.”

“She would seem to be the most fortunate of young ladies; but what of her character? Does it equal her other, more tangible attractions?” asked Elizabeth, looking towards Mr Darcy; for her interest was piqued – not only in the young lady, but in what she might signify to him. For it now appeared to her that an air of rivalry existed between the two gentlemen concerning the young lady in question, and that Mr Darcy's initial reaction at hearing the Captain's name, and his curious manner upon meeting him, was not on account of Lydia, as she had begun to suspect, but on account of an entirely different young lady – Miss Victoria Barclay.

As the favoured protégé of her father, and a guest in his house, Captain Radford, who possessed every charm of pleasing a lady, must stand an excellent chance of prevailing with his suit if he so chose; and her fortune, along with his affection for her father, must be very strong inducements for him to do so. Elizabeth believed that she now understood why, though evidently he enjoyed the pleasure of her company, the heart of the Captain appeared little touched; for he was already in love with another.

Though Mr Darcy and Captain Radford had not previously met – for the Captain was but recently returned to England – it appeared that they were each of them aware of the name of the other, and very likely, it seemed, in connection with this most desirable of young ladies.

“I believe your acquaintance with Miss Barclay must be greater than my own, perhaps you would care to oblige Miss Bennet's curiosity,” said Mr Darcy.

“It shall be my pleasure, for I have known Miss Barclay since she was young. After my aunt died, Admiral Barclay insisted upon my staying at his London residence whenever I had shore leave. Although it was infrequent, I have had the pleasure of observing his daughter grow and blossom into the most charming young lady. Not only is she beautiful and greatly accomplished in music, but she is also possessed of a keen intellect and a well-informed mind. She is kind and affable to all. It is truly a joy to be in her company.”

Although Elizabeth had never before considered that she might have a rival for Mr Darcy's heart – neither Anne de Bourgh nor Caroline Bingley signified – she now feared that she had one, and a most formidable one at that. She longed to know the degree of acquaintance between him and Miss Barclay, but she would not be so impertinent as to enquire. Her thoughts on the matter, however, were interrupted by Jane, who handed her some sheets of music, which caused her to recollect the plan they had devised, in conjunction with their father, to prevent Mary from repeating the embarrassing spectacle that had ensued on the two previous occasions that the Netherfield instrument had been opened in her presence.

Captain Radford, looking over her shoulder at the musical sheets, said, “If you mean to entertain us with your lovely voice, Miss Bennet, please permit me to turn the pages for you.”

Elizabeth readily acceded; and observing that Miss Bingley had basked long enough in the warm applause, and was about to relinquish the instrument – and furthermore was looking entreatingly towards her sister, Mary, who had gathered her music and was rising to her feet – Elizabeth quickly rose and claimed the instrument, to which she was situated somewhat closer than her sister.

Elizabeth excelled herself, and after a charming performance of two beautiful songs, she was begged by her listeners for another. As she searched through her music sheets, Captain Radford surprised her by pointing out a lovely pastoral duet and proposing that he join her in it. He had a beautiful tenor voice, and together with Elizabeth, produced such an enchanting performance, that the company begged them for another.

When her sister finally gave up the instrument, Mary, once more, gathered her music, eager to take her turn; but her father, who sat beside her, placed a hand on her arm, saying, “No, child, it would be unseemly if it appeared that the Miss Bennets were monopolising the instrument; I think we must allow the daughters of other families the opportunity to display.”

When Elizabeth returned to the table, she was hardly surprised to discover that Caroline Bingley had taken her seat. However, rather than looking smug and pleased with herself, she appeared most put-out; for though she had tried engaging Mr Darcy – and very prettily too – concerning his sister, Georgiana, of whom she was prodigiously fond; regarding Pemberley, and what a peerless estate it was; and of the anticipated delights of the coming season – his rapturous attention would not be diverted from Elizabeth's performance; and upon her return, he rose to his feet to congratulate her warmly.

With just the hint of a smile, Captain Radford resumed his own seat, beside his cousin Caroline, who immediately rose, outraged at his effrontery, and fled, seeking solace, from her sister, Louisa; thus allowing Elizabeth to resume her former seat with Mr Darcy's courteous assistance.

“It is fortunate, indeed, Miss Bennet, that you shall soon be in town, for I am intending to hold a ball next month in honour of my sister's coming out into society. I shall ask my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, who has kindly offered to preside over the arrangements, to ensure that you receive an invitation.”

“I shall receive it with the greatest pleasure,” replied Elizabeth, secretly wondering how pleased his aunt would be to issue it.

“Then may I take this exceptionally early opportunity of requesting the honour of the first two dances?”

“Are you quite certain, Mr Darcy, that your aunt would not wish for you stand up with her daughter, Miss Anne de Bourgh, for those two dances?” enquired Elizabeth, with a mischievous smile.

“My cousin, Anne, rarely comes to town, on account of her poor health; and thus, unfortunately, it is most unlikely that she shall be able to attend the ball. However, even were she present, I would not wish to dance the first set with her – or with any other lady.”

Elizabeth smiled at the very clear preference intended. “In that case, it shall be my pleasure to accede to your request – although I fear, that if your cousin does, in fact, attend the ball, and you do not dance the first two with her, your aunt will be most seriously displeased.”

Mr Darcy smiled. The orchestra struck up a tune to announce that dancing was about to recommence, and rising to his feet, he enquired, “Would it be considered very bad form, do you think, Miss Bennet, if I were to request the pleasure of dancing a third set with you?”

Elizabeth rose to her feet, also. “Very probably, sir, but I regret to inform you that another is destined to earn that disapprobation before yourself.”

Captain Radford and Mr Darcy exchanged an appraising glance, before the former led Elizabeth to the dance floor.

“It would seem, Captain Radford, that although you and Mr Darcy had not met until this evening, that you were already rivals,” commented Elizabeth coyly.

“If your meaning is that we both find you the most charming of young ladies with whom to stand up with at a ball, then I suspect you are very likely correct.”

“You mistake my meaning, sir, it was not so immodest as you suppose; for while it does concern a young lady – I am not that lady.”

“You must refer then, to Miss Victoria Barclay?”

Elizabeth nodded, eager to hear him speak on the subject, and most particularly with regard to Mr Darcy; but in the latter, she was disappointed, for he was far too well-mannered to oblige her on that score – but as to himself, he was not. “If you imagine anything of a romantic nature between myself and Miss Barclay, then you are mistaken. It is certainly true that I love the Admiral's daughter – but it is as a brother loves a sister. Admiral Barclay has treated me as he would a son, and having known Miss Barclay since she was young, I have come to think of her as a sister – the one that I never knew.”

Elizabeth reflected that if this were the case – and she had not the least reason to doubt him – then his reaction to Mr Darcy with regard to Miss Barclay must be more in the nature of that of a protective older brother, which increased, rather than decreased, her suspicion that Mr Darcy may have designs upon the young lady – which Captain Radford, perhaps, did not look upon with favour. It also explained why he appeared not to resent Mr Darcy's attentions to herself, for it would mean that Miss Barclay was safe – but safe from what? Did he perhaps give credence to the talk about Mr Darcy and Lydia – or, more worryingly, did he perhaps possess that information which Mr Darcy found himself unable to reveal. Elizabeth was well aware that she might be drawing a long bow, but finding herself lost in the swirl of what seemed to be an ever-growing number of mysteries concerning Mr Darcy, she found herself unable to be patient, and her active mind would incessantly seek after explanations, which seemed to collapse almost as soon as they were formed.

When the set was over, Mr Darcy approached, and upon learning that Elizabeth was not engaged for the next, he took her hand, and said to Captain Radford, “I shall not allow you to suffer alone the disapprobation of the company for bad behaviour, sir – you must share it with me.”

The first dance was a vigorous one and allowed little opportunity for Elizabeth to converse with her partner, but the second was better suited to the purpose. “It is curious, is it not, sir, that although you and Captain Radford had never met before this evening, you were each of you well aware of the other; and, although neither of you knew it, your good friend, Mr Bingley was his cousin,” observed Elizabeth, hoping to hear him say something of the young lady with whom they were both acquainted.

“You are only partly correct, Miss Bennet. For while it appears that Captain Radford had previously heard my name, apparently in connection with Miss Barclay, I had never heard mention of a Captain Radford before this evening.”

“You surprise me, for your reaction upon meeting him, betrayed a consciousness that suggested otherwise.”

“It was most likely on account of his being introduced to me as Bingley's cousin; for I had always believed my friend to have none. And while I find nothing in the least bit untoward in Captain Radford's behaviour, I intend to commission an investigation into his background, to ascertain that the relationship he claims to Mr Bingley, is indeed, as he asserts.”

“You have been speaking to Caroline Bingley, I suspect?” teased Elizabeth.

Darcy smiled. “My resolve has nothing at all to do with Miss Bingley's strong opinions, I can assure you. It is a matter of prudence. In truth, it is something that Bingley, himself, should have undertaken; but he is so trusting that he would never contemplate it.”

“You take prodigious care of your friend.”

“I am prompted in my resolution by additional considerations. When a gentleman, whose background is wholly unknown, is introduced into one's society, most especially when it includes young ladies, it is well to be certain of his bona fides.”

“You are thinking perhaps of Miss Barclay?” asked Elizabeth, raising an enquiring eyebrow.

“Not for a moment. If the Captain's relationship to Admiral Barclay is all that he asserts, then the Admiral will know more than enough in so far as his own daughter's protection is concerned. I was thinking rather of my own sister... and other young ladies,” he said looking at her pointedly. “I trust, Miss Bennet, that you will keep this matter confidential.”

“Certainly, I shall. And I hope that you will be kind enough to share the fruits of your investigation.”

“You may be certain, that if I learn of anything, in the least bit amiss, you shall be the very first to know of it.”

~~~~~

“It's a scandal!” exclaimed Mrs Bennet at the breakfast table on the morning following the ball. “You stood up three times with that disgraceful Mr Darcy, who the whole neighbourhood knows has been the means of ruining the life of your poor sister. And besides, it is not right, Lizzy, for a young lady to dance so many times with the same gentleman, unless she be engaged to him – or the company will believe that she very soon will be! And if you think that your father would ever allow it – no matter how wealthy he may be, that disreputable rogue – then you are very much mistaken! Is that not so, Mr Bennet?” she demanded of her husband. “Tell Lizzy she may not marry the scoundrel!”

“Of which scoundrel are you speaking, Mrs Bennet?” asked her husband innocently.

“Mr Darcy, of course! Who, as you well know, is the greatest scoundrel that ever breathed! You must tell your daughter that you shall never allow her to marry him!”

“I was not aware of any such proposal,” said Mr Bennet, smiling at his daughter. “Indeed, I understood that you and Mr Darcy did not much like each other, Lizzy; so I may tell you that I was somewhat surprised that he should have wished to dance with you so many times. Although, if my arithmetic serves me right, you danced an equal number of times with Captain Radford. How many proposals of marriage did you receive last night, my dear? And more to the point, how many did you accept? It seems I have a busy day before me, denying your many suitors.”

Mrs Bennet, who seldom understood her husband's jests, took it all most seriously. “Quite so, Mr Bennet, you must refuse them both! Mr Darcy shall not ruin the life of another of my daughters – though he be rich! And Captain Radford, regrettably, is poor.”

When finally she got the chance to speak, Elizabeth assured her father that he would have no suitors of hers to deny, for she had neither received, nor accepted, a single offer of marriage at the ball.

“Just the same, Lizzy, I have decided that I do not want you to go to London with Jane.”

“Why ever not, Mamma?” demanded Elizabeth.

“I do not trust you to be all alone in London with that scoundrel, Darcy! And Captain Radford is wishing to marry you also – and he has no money; do you not see the danger you will be in, girl?”

Elizabeth made the mistake of looking up at her father, and the expression of amusement on his face at his wife's patent absurdity, made it impossible for her to hold back the laugh she had been so assiduously suppressing; which she was now obliged to disguise as a cough.

“Mamma,” said Jane. “Lizzy will be perfectly safe in town, I am certain; and she will not be alone, she will be with me, and under the protection of my husband.”

“No, your father will never allow it – will you, Mr Bennet? You know perfectly well that I wanted to go to Brighton with all the girls – but you denied me; and instead, poor Lydia had to go without me, all alone, in the company of that silly Mrs Forster, who had not the least idea of how to look after my poor girl; and you see how it has all ended in her ruin and disgrace – and now she is in the power of that villain Darcy! You must not allow a second daughter fall into his evil clutches, Mr Bennet!”

“I fear that you are sometimes given to exaggeration, my dear,” replied her husband wryly. “Your condemnations of Mr Darcy all rest upon the weakest of suppositions, which I fear you mistake for fact. While I am loath to lose my Lizzy to London, I refuse to deny her that pleasure, nor Jane the company of her sister, simply because they have a very silly younger sister, who has disgraced herself. I have complete confidence in my two eldest daughters to behave sensibly and with the utmost propriety, in a manner that does me credit.”

~~~~~

In the few days remaining, Elizabeth was kept busy preparing her clothes for London – and despairing at how few she had for the many balls and other formal occasions. Though she did not like to do it, she felt obliged to apply to her father for an advance on her next year's allowance, which he not only granted her, but also augmented with a generous gift of his own (advising her to keep it secret from her mother and younger sisters).

Elizabeth did not see Mr Darcy again until they were in church together for the wedding; he as groomsman, and she as bridesmaid; for her mother had excluded him from her dinner party with malicious pleasure. Mrs Bennet was less than pleased, however, when Miss Bingley chose to absent herself. She gave as her excuse, clearly calculated to offend, her sense of obligation to Mr Darcy, who, as a guest in the house over which she presided, she could not, in all conscience, leave alone to dine by himself. Elizabeth found herself entirely happy at this arrangement, and although her thoughts were often at Netherfield, she enjoyed the day, and in particular the pleasing attentions of Captain Radford. She was confident that Mr Darcy's investigation would corroborate his story in every detail; for he was as honest and artless a man, as ever she had met.

Though Mr Darcy's behaviour at the ball had increased her confidence in the strength of his feelings for her, she was eager to discover how he would behave in town – and most especially in the company of Miss Barclay – was it possible that he might prefer this remarkable young lady, who appeared to possess every possible gift? And then there were the unanswered questions concerning Lydia. What if he did not acquit himself there?

If Captain Radford was not, as he asserted, in love with Miss Barclay, then what did his attentions to herself signify? Was it perhaps a genuine preference that he chose to conceal – which would be hardly surprising given his lack of money. Perhaps the Admiral, with his wealth and extensive connections, might set up his young protégé in some position or other, than would provide a sufficient income on which to marry? The warmth of the Captain's behaviour to her at the dinner party, and his frequently expressed hopes of seeing much of her in town, inclined Elizabeth to fear that he might, indeed, be falling in love with her.

The wedding and the wedding breakfast at Netherfield were soon over, and when Mr and Mrs Bingley straight afterwards departed for London, Elizabeth shared their carriage. “When will it be my turn?” she wondered, as they drove along, her head full of thoughts and images of Mr Darcy... and a great many questions, also.