Ok, so I know that this is not a Regency era painting and that the couple is neither dressed or dancing as as a Regency era couple would be. How anachronistic!
Now that we have that out of the way 😉 let me tell you why I picked this image to share today with an excerpt from Delighting Mrs. Bennet. My reasons are pretty basic. First, the couple seems to be enjoying their dance very much, and second, her dress is blue. I know, not exceptionally deep reasons to match this with the excerpt below, but there you have it. 😀 By this point in the series, Darcy has learned to be rather swoony, so I hope you enjoy this snippet from Chapter 8.
[FYI for those who do not yet own this book, the ebook edition is on sale everywhere this month (May 2023). See the book promo page for a link and details, or click the book cover image below to find links to various stores.]
A vision in a blue day dress stood in the corridor. Darcy paused for a moment to appreciate her form as she was unaware of his presence; then he continued toward his destination.
“Miss Elizabeth.”
Darcy smiled as he said her name in greeting. Seeing her here in his home was such a pleasure, but she did not have to be present for him to wear this particular smile. Just the thought of her brought a great deal of joy to him. How very different from just a few weeks ago when he thought of her only with sorrow as he contemplated a long and dreary existence without her in his life. Happily, he had been guided by his friend to rethink his position, and now, here he was standing just outside the ballroom — his ballroom — with her.
“Mr. Darcy,” she said, returning his smile and dipping a small curtsey. “My mother informs me that I am to participate in a dance lesson?”
“Only if you wish to do so.”
Elizabeth laughed lightly. “My mother was most insistent that I wished to dance, and my father agreed! I should not like to return to them and tell them I have not danced.”
“But you do not wish to dance?” Darcy’s brows rose. He thought she loved dancing.
Her lips twitched as she attempted to affect a serious expression, but it was of no use. She could not keep her amusement from showing on her face. “I would so like to tease that I despise dancing, but I fear I am not so good an actress as that. I do love to dance.”
Darcy offered his arm. “Then shall we interrupt and join the fun?”
Her left eyebrow lifted impertinently, and she opened her mouth to speak. However, Darcy spoke first.
“Your mother does that very thing,” he said, looking steadfastly at her face as if he had never before seen her. And for a moment, he felt as if he had not. He was not certain how many times he had felt this very same way — as if he was seeing things for the first time — since that moment in Bingley’s study when he had confessed first to his part in separating his friend from Jane and then to loving Elizabeth. He needed to pay better attention to people. He had always thought himself a good observer and reader of character, but at present, he found himself wanting.
Elizabeth’s brows furrowed. “What does my mother do?”
He had turned to look at her more fully, lifting her hand from his arm and placing it in his left hand before he ran a finger of his right hand over her left brow. “She lifts this very same brow just as you were doing a moment ago. I assume you were about to tease me.” He smiled at her, his hand resting on her cheek. “You often arch that brow when you are about to say something impertinent. It is an enchanting expression. One of many.”
She was so beautiful. Her eyes, her lips, and even her nose spoke as plainly as her words did.
“You fascinate me,” he muttered.
Her lips were parted as if she wanted to speak but no words would form.
He caressed that one eyebrow once more and then removed his hand from her face. “What were you about to say?”
She shook her head. “I do not know.”
“Then shall we join the others and dance?”
Her eyes grew wide.
“You remember,” he said with a smile.
“I do.” Her lips curled into a smile, and that one eyebrow arched as he waited and watched.
“I was going to say I had thought you did not like to dance, Mr. Darcy.”
He could not help himself. He had to touch her cheek again as he responded, “I like to dance with you.”
Her cheeks flushed, and her lids lowered as she looked away from his eyes. “There will be others with whom to dance. You shall not be allowed to dance only with me.”
He waited until her eyes lifted to his again before speaking. “The prize is worth the price.” It was enjoyable making her lower her eyes and smile that soft smile she was wearing now. “Come, my love. Let us disturb the master.”
[from Delighting Mrs. Bennet, Marrying Elizabeth, book 2]
Oh, I loved this excerpt! Darcy should have said this to Mrs. Bennet! Then she would have known why Darcy fell in love with Elizabeth and not Jane. Elizabeth has her mother ‘s liveliness, impertinence, and her father’s intelligence; but she has her own passion and love for her family!
Darcy really comes to understand and love Mrs. Bennet in this story. It was so fun to write how he came to recognize more to love about both Bennet parents and even Elizabeth’s younger sisters as he became part of the family.
I do so love Renoir’s paintings. Thanks!!
You’re welcome!