Chances Come, Ney Mitch [snow like ashes series TXT] 📗

rising within him. Nor could Jane fully conceal the discomfort that she felt at the whole situation.

This was all a mess!

“Well,” I interrupted the awkwardness, “that settles all. Jane shall be secured of the first four dances. This is a report that we must tell Sir Aleck, for I get the feeling that he shall feel greatly ill-used if Jane does not at least secure the fifth dance for him.”

My announcement broke the spell, and everyone flinched, removed from the daze that were cast by Jane’s persistent suitors.

“Sir Aleck?” Mr. Bingley repeated.

“Yes,” Kitty added. “He has put the requirement on all in our company to secure one dance for him, and we must not disappoint such a host. I know that I am not up for the task of being anything else but obliging in that nature.”

“Sir Aleck has been known to dance every dance at his balls,” Georgiana added, “therefore, I can report, on good faith, that he means as he says.”

“Well, if that be so,” Caroline Bingley said, “then I am willing to assist in that regard. His last ball that we attended, he had me marked down as the first woman to dance with.”

“Then may fortune find you for the second one,” Georgiana responded, “because he has first requested Miss Kitty’s hand.”

Caroline gave Kitty a quick look.

“But I have no doubt he shall find you for the second one,” Georgiana stressed.

“Dear Georgiana, this is why I have missed you! You always say such lovely things. That is the Darcy elegance about you.”

“The Darcy elegance?”

We all turned to who spoke and I felt immediate joy to see Sir Aleck appear and ease his way into our company. I could not explain why, but there was something about him that I found joy in. In ways that I could not describe, he felt… real.

“Have you come to find out which of us you shall dance with in order?” Kitty asked, coming forward first, and without pretension. Her eagerness and lack of refinement was something that could be regarded as a hindrance, but I was not in the mood to judge or censure her for it. Also, Sir Aleck did not seem to mind her behavior.

“That was my precise mission.” Sir Aleck smiled at her. “Does this eagerness indicate that you are still willing to be my first partner?”

“I am very ready for it,” she responded, then she turned modest for a moment and her voice grew delicate and shaky. “If you will have me.”

“Yes, indeed, I should like that. Your gown is lovely, for it suits your style.”

“Thank you. I owe much of that compliment to the dressmaker, as we mentioned before, but she is not here to collect your praises.”

“A woman’s dressmaker is one of the best friends that she could ever have.”

“And ever will. Until her beauty is no longer of importance.”

“And when does that day occur?”

Kitty thought a moment, and then said, “When she no longer has any beauty to speak of. But as you can see with my sisters and Miss Georgiana, they never have to fear that day finding them.”

“And I believe nor shall you.”

Kitty sounded so charming in that moment, that I was quite proud of her. Thank goodness Lydia was not present, for if so, Kitty would not have been able to get a word in edgewise; she would have been reduced only to the role of giggling comrade.

“Then yes,” Sir Aleck said, “I would still love to secure your hand for the first dance. And now, it remains for me to find my way to the hands of the rest in this group. Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you both are still unavailable for the first two dances.”

“Miss Bennet is now unavailable for the first four,” Mr. Bingley corrected.

“Indeed,” Sir Aleck’s eyes widened. “Miss Bennet, you have succeeded for the evening.”

Jane blushed and looked down at the floor.

“Yet, Miss Darcy, Miss Bingley, and Mrs. Hurst, what of you? Will I be forsaken from the pleasure of your company for the next dance? I could not stand for that to come to pass.”

“I am prepared to be obliging,” Miss Bingley assured him.

“Then you shall stand up with me, and I am glad of it,” Sir Aleck confirmed. “And that saves me for the first two dances. Now, Miss Elizabeth, you are free, and Miss Darcy, you had best be so.”

“I am prepared for any good fortune to find me for the third set,” I mentioned.

“As am I,” Georgiana confirmed. “It has been too long since I have danced.”

“Then I shall request you for the third, and Miss Elizabeth, please save my dancing feet for the fourth?”

“I shall,” I confirmed.

“And Mrs. Hurst?”

“I am an old married woman,” Mrs. Hurst responded, “so of course I shall dance!”

“That gives Miss Bennet time to catch her breath after four dances,” Sir Aleck said. “Therefore, can I have your arm for the sixth set?”

“You may,” Jane said, “and my breath shall be caught by then.”

“Good,” Sir Aleck confirmed. “Now, I have my happiness. Let us see if I can keep it.”

He bowed to us and left to return as his position as host.

“He seems like such a good man,” I mused. “Am I correct in my assumption?”

“Oh, he is,” Mr. Bingley confirmed. “For indeed, I hope that you shall be granted more invitations to his parties. He is a man who lacks pretension and prejudice. He is determined to think well of everyone that he meets, be their station in life high or low.”

“Then he is like that of yourself and Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Jane responded. “When I met both of you, you both contained that same characteristic in nature.”

Once more, Mr. Bingley and Colonel Fitzwilliam looked on each other. They were happy to have her compliment them, but they would have preferred it if the compliment were a singular one, where one of them alone had been given it, rather than it be bestowed upon each.

Yes, indeed, the mess was increasing.

After admiring the general