Alias Thomas Bennet by Suzan Lauder Page B

unique as the daughter wearing it. Mrs. Bennet’s and Kitty’s good taste and flair for fashion were evident in the simple yet elegant dresses and headwear, trimmed with tasteful amounts of lace, velvet, and tulle. Their hand-stitched details, insets, and gatherings rivalled gowns that the more affluent were able to procure from the finest London modistes. Mr. Collins met each with a polite compliment and bow, emulating his host.
    Mary appeared first, concentrating on walking elegantly with her head held high. Kitty stage-whispered for Mary to smile, and the seemingly plainest daughter’s face lit up, causing her to look truly radiant. She was followed by Elizabeth, whose eyes sparkled playfully as she descended, and then Jane, whose carriage and smile showed her quiet confidence. Their father was awestruck when his bride appeared, looking every bit as beautiful as when he first fell in love with her. He took her hand and bowed over it with a brief kiss.
    “Thomas, I am sorry you have been forced to wait,” said Mrs. Bennet. “However, we will not be so very late. Kitty took over my role in the final inspection of our attire, and while we discovered she has exceptional attention to detail, we were doomed to suffer her primping to perfection. I think she is still a little miffed that Lizzy refused to wear earbobs. Come, girls; capes and cloaks and we are away.”
    “My dear, my memory of the delay has been washed away by the vision of you and my lovely daughters. My cousin and I are such fortunate men to be escorting four beautiful ladies this evening!
    “Kitty, Lydia, to your chambers now. I do not want you catching a draft from the door. I ask that you both take to your beds; however, I am suspicious that you will try to remain awake in hopes of hearing about the ball when we return. As it will be quite late, we will be in need of rest, so I insist that all discussion about dancing and gowns be held until breakfast.”
    ***
    The Bennets’ coach arrived at the Bingley residence at the same time as many of their neighbours’ carriages so was held up in the long queue. Mr. Collins escaped ahead of the others and rushed into the ball, past those in the receiving line. The Bennets were more relieved by his absence than dismayed at his ill manners.
    As Mr. Bennet handed out his wife and daughters, Elizabeth noticed Mr. Darcy looking out on the courtyard from a balcony. She caught her breath as her unease with his attention and her own warring feelings made her flush, but she smiled slightly when she caught his gaze, and he returned it with a small smile of his own. She was aflutter with anticipation at seeing him, anxious about their dance, and happy to have an opportunity to continue to challenge her mind in mutually pleasing discourse on any number of interesting topics. She licked her lips nervously.
    Darcy had sucked in a quick breath at the sight of Elizabeth through the window, even though she was still wrapped in a warm cloak, and he could not see her ball gown. The minute their eyes met, he knew that, had they been alone together at that moment, no one would have been able to stop him from offering for her in spite of the multiple reasons that plainly advised against their union. He retreated back into the room and took his place near the last of the receiving line to ensure he would greet her as soon as she joined the party. It would have been amusing to note the normally reserved and dignified man shuffling from one foot to the other with impatience, but the excitement everyone felt made them oblivious to Darcy’s agitation.
    Once inside, the Bennets waited in a queue for coats to be taken and then joined the receiving line. Mr. Bingley was effusive in his greeting and made a special effort to pay compliments to Jane, who blushed and lowered her lashes. Miss Bingley was unexpectedly welcoming and bore the compliments on her decorations with only a slight air of superiority.
    When Darcy finally saw Elizabeth