Elizabeth bit her lip, continuing to gaze at her hands. “Richard was such a dear companion. We were so alike, so well suited. I could never find another like him.”
Her aunt considered this as she watched throngs of people jostle against and weave among one another. “Of course, you will not find another like him, but you might find another man you might love in a different way.”
Elizabeth said nothing, not wishing to contradict her aunt. Instead, she allowed herself to be mesmerized by the dancers, whirling in a complicated pattern. She sighed a little. She did dearly love to dance.
“Someone will ask you to dance, Lizzy,” her aunt said. “I am certain.”
“I am acquainted with very few people here.”
“At least you can dance with your uncle.”
“Of course.” Elizabeth thought of her uncle’s indifferent dancing skills.
“Miss Bennet!”
Elizabeth turned at the unexpected sound of her name. Mr. Darcy had pushed his way through the crush to reach them. Had he actually braved the crowds to seek her out?
She curtsied, and he bowed. However, now that he stood before her, he seemed to have forgotten why he had hailed her. He was regarding her seriously, his mouth slightly open. “Did you require my assistance, Mr. Darcy?” she prompted.
“Yes, yes. Of course!” Mr. Darcy shook himself from his reverie. “Georgiana has been asking after you every five minutes. I finally undertook the commission to discover your whereabouts.”
She suppressed an inexplicable sense of disappointment he had not sought her out to ask her to dance. “I did not think Georgiana would need me here! I cannot assist in the selection of dance partners. Your aunt?
?”
Mr. Darcy interrupted with a smile. “Georgiana wishes your help with those things my aunt cannot assist her with. The countess can be … insistent. And of course, the ball itself is overwhelming.”
“Of course. I did not realize!” Elizabeth was mortified. Did he believe she had abandoned her friend in her time of need? Was he angry?
“I understand. So, I sought you out.” His tone was conciliatory. “May I escort you to my sister?” He waved his hand toward the front of the room.
“Yes, of course.”
Mr. Darcy extended the invitation to her Aunt Gardiner, but she decided to wait for her husband’s return before joining her niece. Darcy offered his arm, and together they made slow progress through the crowd.
Perhaps it was Darcy’s height or his forbidding manner— or simply because many guests recognized him—but he fought through the crush far more easily than Elizabeth had earlier. Soon they reached their destination. Standing with their niece, the earl and countess had also put off their half-mourning and were resplendent in their finery. However, they could not outshine Georgiana, who wore a lovely white silk gown embroidered with small pink roses.
Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana, proud of how beautiful and poised she appeared. Embracing the younger woman, she kissed her cheeks and exclaimed over her dress. Georgiana immediately commenced a long soliloquy about the ball and her dance partners. The gleam in Georgiana’s eye warmed Elizabeth’s heart; although Darcy’s sister was obviously nervous, she was also finding pleasure in the event. In fact, Elizabeth’s primary usefulness seemed to be lending an ear to Georgiana’s concerns and effusions.
Georgiana was soon carried away by her next dance partner. Elizabeth noticed someone standing at her elbow. Turning, she discovered Lord Kirkwood, Richard’s friend. “Lord Kirkwood!” she exclaimed happily. He had been a tremendous help to her in the days following Richard’s death.
He kissed Elizabeth’s hand, holding it a fraction longer than was expected. “Miss Bennet. May I tell you how love you are tonight?”
Elizabeth smiled at the dashing young lord. “Thank you. You are too kind.”
“On the contrary,” he said smoothly. “I speak only the truth. I cannot say enough how well that color sets off your eyes.”
Elizabeth’s cheeks heated. “Thank you.” Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Mr. Darcy stalking toward them.
“Are you engaged for the next set?” Lord Kirkwood asked her.
“Yes,” Mr. Darcy said before Elizabeth could open her mouth. “She is dancing it with me.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth and then closed it with a snap, regarding Mr. Darcy in confusion. He had said nothing about dancing with him! But she could not embarrass him by contradicting him in public.
Lord Kirkwood nodded easily, holding Elizabeth’s eyes rather than focusing on Mr. Darcy. “Then would you honor me with the following set?”
“Yes, of course,” Elizabeth responded before Mr. Darcy could speak. No one should answer for her!