FIRST DANCES {TAG: MR. CHARLES BINGLEY}

[MISS JANE BENNET]

Setting: Meryton Assembly, Jane and Charles' first dance together.


Jane could not stop the smile that was threatening to bloom across her face when Mr. Bingley posed the question of a dance. To think of all the young ladies in the room he wanted to take a turn about the floor with her! Jane could not believe her good fortune. She was barely aware of anything that was going on in the room when he offered her his arm to lead her out to the dance floor. It hardly mattered that Mrs. Bennet was mere feet away clutching her husband’s arm in excitement or the scrutinizing gaze of Miss Bingley. Jane felt as if she was in her own little world as she was led out to the dancefloor.

Jane had always been fond of dancing. She used to practice as a little girl with her sisters before they came of age and started to attend balls. As an adult Jane enjoyed all manner of dance from the more stately to the country reel. She had a quickness of foot and a grace to her movement that made her a desirable dance partner. Jane only prayed that she could keep up with Mr. Bingley, for surely he was more competent than her having been attending balls in London.

As they took their places across from each other Jane couldn’t help but meet Mr. Bingley’s gaze with a shy look as the musicians started the first strains of the song. Although perhaps not always in tune the musicians for the assembly always played with such enthusiasm and vigor that Jane could not help but enjoy herself. As they started the opening figures of the dance she stepped forward to meet Mr. Bingley in the middle her hands delicately going to his as they passed each other in a turn before separating again.

It was the most peculiar sensation, as their fingers touched. As if a million tiny threads were binding them together for the briefest of moments before being torn apart again. Jane was amazed, and as her head dipped in the next move of the dance she snuck a glance at her partner through veiled lashes. He really was the most handsome of gentlemen.

As they came together again, Jane thought perhaps it was time to make some conversation. “ It would seem all eyes in the room are upon us Mr. Bingley.” she said discreetly with a small grin. As it would happen Mrs. Benet was not their only audience. It would appear any single woman in the room was gazing at them with a mixture of admiration and jealousy.

[MR CHARLES BINGLEY]

It had been altogether easy for Mr. Bingley to ask Miss Bennet to dance. Well, perhaps not easy – he had been quite terrified to be perfectly honest – but it had been the next natural step in a conversation which he believed both of them were enjoying. If he trembled in excitement when he offered his arm and she took it, he hoped she did not notice.

“I believe they're all on you,” Bingley replied with a nervous smile. He was forced away from her again by the steps of the dance, which he realized a second late. Thankfully, the dance was not too complicated for him to manage, and he recovered himself quickly enough, smiling shyly when they drew closer to each other again. His cheeks were flushed, not from the exertion of the dance so much as from her proximity. He could not have told her how beautiful she was, because that would not have been proper. Not at all. It was true, though, and he would have no qualms about telling Darcy, as soon as the set was over and he was required to dance with someone else, how marvelous Miss Bennet had been and looked. Lord, she was glorious.

In fact, it was difficult for him to remember to glance away from her to continue in the steps of the dance. Each time she gave him another bashful glance, he felt himself blush more. Surely his skin was nearly the shade of his hair now! And when they touched... it was like heat spread through his fingertips all through his arm. He did not even need any affirmation from her for him to feel that she made him alive. It wasn't just how beautiful she was, even though that was the first thing he had noticed about her – because what else could you notice when you were meeting someone for the first time and you did not yet know their character? He had heard of course that she was perfectly charming and amiable, and now that had been proven to him already in the first few moments of their acquaintance. She had been so very agreeable, and all politeness, asking all the questions that she was expected to say and more. Already, he liked her very much.

The only bad thing about dancing was that it forced people apart so very much. It was a wondrous thing to meet so many new people in quick succession this way, but he found himself longing to speak only to Miss Bennet for the time being. “You are an excellent dancer,” he commented when he next had the chance, offering her a smile and swallowing. “Do you often dance here in Meryton?” It would seem to him a very unfortunate thing if dances were not often held and Miss Bennet did not grace everyone with the sight of her light feet and smooth turns.

[MISS JANE BENNET]

Jane had felt her heart flutter as the figures of the dance drew her and Mr. Bingley closer together. Jane found his manners to be kind and amicable and she could not help but blush when he replied that all eyes were upon her. Perhaps they were but not for the reasons he imagined. Jane knew that every single lady would be envious of her, getting to monopolize Mr. Bingley’s time in such a way. But it would surely come to a close for after this dance he would be forced to ask another. However Jane was content to savor the time they had together.

“ You are far to kind.” she murmured as she was forced away from him again. When he missed a step to the dance Jane couldn’t help but find it completely and totally endearing. Could he be that nervous about making a good impression upon the inhabitants of Meryton? Or maybe, just maybe could she be having the same effect on him that he was having on her? Jane couldn’t help but take pleasure in the thought. But no, it was far too premature to make such grand assumptions. Jane would have to seek Lizzie’s counsel once they retired for the evening. Lizzie was a better student of character than she, and she would be able to judge if Mr. Bingley liked her as much as she liked him.

Jane prided herself on being someone who was calm and composed. Someone who knew the difference between propriety and impropriety, between elegance and coarseness. But in the presence of Mr. Bingley she seemed to forget the rules of society. She had such trouble tearing her eyes away from him. Every turn, every pass they locked eyes with each other made Jane feel as if she and he were the only two people in the room.

How a fool she must be acting! But she hardly cared, for he was the center of her world for this brief moment . When she was complimented for her dancing skills she smiled and ducked her head bashfully as they neared closer. “ Thank you. I have a great fondness for dancing. she replied as they met once more. When asked if she danced often at Meryton she continued on. “ Sometimes, there is typically a shortage of gentlemen for the young ladies to dance with during the assemblies. So often the ladies must sit out a turn or two so that others might get a chance.” she replied. It was true, Jane did sit during the assembly. But Jane was also one of the fortunate ones who was often graced with a partner unlike poor Mary who would be lucky if one man asked her to dance during the course of the evening.

“ But you are quite a spirited dancer yourself! Do you often partake at such events in London?” she asked turning the question back upon him. “ I am sure our small assembly pales in comparison to a London ball.” she commented as her blue eyes met his. Jane was a simple country girl at heart but she had always had the desire to experience London just once in her life. To have a grand adventure that she would be able to remember always while she wiled away her days in Meryton.

[MR CHARLES BINGLEY]

Bingley smiled, having not quite heard what Miss Bennet said when she turned away from him once more as the steps of the dance accorded. “Not kind, just honest,” he decided to himself, tilting his head and unsuccessfully trying to bite back a wider smile. He was willing to say anything that would please Miss Bennet – in accordance to some of the laws of propriety at least – but it was hard to get much of a chance when they were dancing. He did so enjoy dancing, but conversation was even better, and he would make sure to get the chance... perhaps over dinner. He wanted to spend more time with her, and get to know her even better. He was certain that anything he could say about her that was kind would be true. He could not imagine that there would be any praise he could give her that would not be deserved.

Perhaps it was a good thing that he was not allowed to talk to her too much, since they had to part and come back together so often, because sometimes he had a tendency to ramble on. Miss Bennet seemed very calm and soft-spoken, and... Mr. Bingley wasn't always. He was glad that she was willing to talk to him and willing to listen, too. When he was around her it seemed that excited words just spilled forth. He just had so much he wanted to say to her, so much that he wanted to learn and know about her. Even though they had only known each other for this night, he hoped that there would be many dances and dinners to come.

“Do you? That's excellent! I mean, it's hardly surprising,” he managed when she said that she enjoyed dancing. She must enjoy it to be so good at it; it seemed that people were much better at dancing when they enjoyed it! That was certainly the case with him. His smile faltered however when she said that there were many young ladies who probably also enjoyed dancing who could not dance because they had no partners. He found himself glancing towards Darcy... who was still just... standing about so stupidly. “How horrid,” he decided vehemently, resolving that he would dance with other ladies when his set with Miss Bennet was over and he was no longer allowed by propriety to dance with her more – that was the only thing that could separate him from her. “No young lady should have to sit down. If only there were more of me!”

His eyes glanced over the room where there were indeed ladies sitting down – including Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who he had met and realized was a most amiable and pretty young woman! And Darcy was near enough to her to have asked! Bingley looked back to Miss Bennet when she spoke. “Why, thank you! And yes, I do, as often as I can. Darcy and Caroline enjoy going to such events to brush shoulders with the upper crust, but they do not always dance.” ...he hadn't known why he told her that. But then he gave an adamant shake of his head as Miss Bennet continued. “Oh, no, Miss Bennet! I have never met with pleasanter people,” he replied, his eyes returning to fix on hers. He swallowed. “Truly.”

[MISS JANE BENNET]

Jane couldn’t help but smile when Mr. Bingley declared himself not to be kind but simply honest when he complimented her. Jane received many compliments at assemblies but she usually chalked it up to the niceties that society dictated. But when Mr. Bingley complimented her she actually believed him. There was something about him that just radiated pure and simple honesty. She didn’t believe him to be capable of the guile necessary to pay her a false compliment.

“ Well it is a trait to be admired in such a gentleman.” she responded paying him a compliment in kind. Jane was rather shy, especially when meeting new people but she found an ease and comfort to his character that allowed her to relax and be herself. Jane found herself wishing that the figures of the dance would draw them together more often. As pleasant as a dancer he was , it was sobering to know that soon that soon the dance would end and he would be forced to seek another’s company to dance. Oh how cruel the rules of society were! Jane could only hope that he would seek her company again before the night was over.

When they came together again she chuckled softly when he said it was hardly surprising. “ Oh yes, I can boast of no musical talent whatsoever but I do enjoy a good dance.” she said. Mary had seemed to monopolize the musical talent in her family, and well Lizzie could play a little. But as much as she loved her sisters she was sad to say the musical accomplishments in her family were slim to none. However, as hopeless musicians as the Bennet sisters were all of them were spirited dancers. Her gaze softened when he declared how horrid it were there wasn’t enough gentlemen at the assembly. “Well we ladies do try to make the best of it. “ Jane commented with a small smile.

Jane was quite glad there was only one of Mr. Bingley and that he picked her to dance with. Not that she would say such things aloud of course. But she was grateful none the less. When his eyes peered across the room hers followed and saw with a sad look that her sister was among the ladies sitting. She was sure that Mama would have tried to orchestrate a dance between Lizzie and Mr. Darcy and it appeared to have gone no where. Ah well, Mr. Darcy was the one at a loss for Jane could think of no better companion for a dance.

“ Oh how nice for you all! I’ve heard tales that Almack’s looks magical all lit up at night. It must be a grand event.” she commented pleasantly. Although Jane had never journeyed to London she knew enough of the wealthy young ladies in the community to hear grand tales about the balls in London. Jane’s eyes widened slightly, when his gaze met hers and she gulped discreetly. “ I am so very glad you find Meryton to your liking.” she said softly.

[MR CHARLES BINGLEY]

Though Bingley's cheeks flushed happily at the praise, at least what he presumed to be was praise, his brows furrowed a little in confusion. Had she meant that kindness was a trait to be admired? Or honesty? And what had she meant by such a gentleman? He had a moment to ponder it when the dance forced them away again, and he came to the conclusion that both were to be admired, but she had been referring to his honesty, since he had said that he was being honest. Still, he hoped she thought him kind, too!

“Truly? I doubt that. I expect you sing like an angel.” Bingley smiled. After all, she did look like one. Even if Miss Bennet did not think that she had much musical talent, he likely still would have heard her as having a beautiful voice. Her speech, at least, was music to his ears. Surely she could have no flaw. True, he barely knew her, but he had seen no weakness in her yet, and if she was not as accomplished as some ladies were – which, by the way, he found to be quite the impossible task, being accomplished – then he would not care one jot, considering how kind and pretty she was. It was just as he had heard.

“It is quite beautiful, yes,” Bingley answered, unable to keep from smiling a little when Miss Bennet spoke of Almack's. He liked the place well enough, as there were always friends to be found there, and he often went with Caroline and Louisa. However, he found that he liked this ball infinitely more. “Oh, I do, very much,” he insisted, warm in his admiration of the place for more reason than one. It had beautiful grounds, and the air was much cleaner than London, and the people much more friendly, as he had just said.

He would never say in a way that was too obvious just how pleased he was with her, and it did not seem that he would get the chance for now, because the music was subsiding, indicating that the set was over. First, he would go to talk to Darcy and tell him how much he enjoyed dancing with Miss Bennet, for one thing – and for another, he would scold him for standing about so stupidly when Miss Bennet's sister was sitting near him. Then he would have to dance with another lady, but when enough time had passed for him to feel that it was appropriate, he was sure to ask Miss Bennet do dance once more.

They returned to their initial positions and he bowed low at the waist, straightening up again hastily to say shyly, “Thank you for the dance, Miss Bennet. I enjoyed it exceedingly.” He took her arm to escort her back off the main dance floor and return her to her party, as was proper.