Thanks for welcoming me back to the blog Maria Grazia! In my Pride and Prejudice novella A Hopeful Holiday, Darcy never returned to Hertfordshire, although he did send Bingley back to Jane. He felt Elizabeth would never forgive him after Lydia had to marry Wickham, and Elizabeth thinks that Darcy could never suffer to be his brother-in-law. They find themselves in Kent over Christmas where the social event of the season is Lady Catherine’s masquerade ball.
Is a masquerade just like a Halloween party? Sort of.
The basic concept is obvious: a masquerade is an event where you attend wearing a mask and typically in costume. Public masquerade balls were introduced to London in 1708, and they flourished throughout the century, often having connections to Twelfth Night and the holiday season. Masquerades were also private affairs like any other ball, starting late in the evening with dancing, card tables, supper, and continuing until dawn. Tradition held that no one would reveal who they were until midnight.
A simple costume was a domino, a large cloak and hood worn with a mask that covered half of the face, and they were worn by both men and women. Others wore a costume with a half mask that only covered the eyes—what we now call a domino mask (think Robin from Batman). Or they wore a full mask with rounded edges that covered the whole face. They could be completely black or sometimes they were painted with a face.
But what did regency masquerade goers wear if they wanted a real costume? They could either create their own costumes or there were places where you could rent them for the occasion. Classical heroes and gods from antiquity, representations of dress from other nations, animals, dress from ages past, religious costumes, kings and queens, servants, and characters from opera might all be found at a ball.
There was a significant behavioral license at a masquerade, like approaching and dancing with people you didn’t know, or men dressing as women, or acting in character the entire evening—even if that meant acting badly. If you aren’t recognized, it allowed participants to assume an identity for the evening and subvert expectations.
Here’s an excerpt from A Hopeful Holiday where Elizabeth has been invited to attend Lady Catherine’s New Year’s Eve masquerade ball where Darcy is sure to attend.
“You shall enjoy the masquerade tonight,” Charlotte said after breakfast. “You always did love a ball and dancing until dawn.” She handed Elizabeth yesterday’s newspaper. “Here is what is mentioned under the county’s Christmas festivities.”
The Dowager Lady Catherine de Bourgh’s Masquerade Ball
Takes place tomorrow at Rosings. This is expected to be a most brilliant concern. All the neighbouring nobility and gentry are invited, as well as the whole of their connexion
“It will be a larger affair than I originally supposed,” Elizabeth said.
“I understand that Lady Catherine has masquerade dress to select from for those who do not have their own. Miss de Bourgh will have many to choose from since her mother hosts a ball every New Year’s Eve. What character would you like to assume?”
She was more interested in what Darcy would wear, and if she could learn who he was before much of the night had passed. “Perhaps I shall dress as a man? It might be diverting to dance all night in trousers.”
“Not if you have to dance the gentleman’s part,” said Charlotte, “and dance with only ladies.”
“I am not certain how far Lady Catherine’s love of a masquerade goes. She may draw the line at men turned to women, and vice versa.”
“I think even she would not host such a ball if she then insisted on stringent rules for the masquerade dress.”
“Whatever her opinion is, I am certain to hear it,” Elizabeth said.
Charlotte smiled. “Now that Sir Hugh de Bourgh is also at Rosings, you shall not be wanting for other company to punctuate her ladyship’s attention. He is here, I suspect, because he has hopes to be remembered in her ladyship’s will.”
“He is a barrister, Mr Collins said, and he inherited the baronetcy but nothing else?”
“Yes, Miss de Bourgh is the heiress of everything on the de Bourgh side, but Lady Catherine still has some of her own property to dispose of. I thought it civil of Sir Hugh to call here so soon after he arrived. It will be pleasant to have another young man in the party.”
Elizabeth looked into her empty tea cup. “I am not certain that I like Sir Hugh. He could be remarked for his good address and wish of paying attention, but he seemed a cold man.”
“You judge too quickly, Eliza.”
“Did you not think that Sir Hugh took greater pleasure in preventing Mr Darcy from speaking with me than from speaking with me himself?”
“Perhaps you think that because you were disappointed to have your private conversation interrupted.” Elizabeth felt her cheeks flush. “I can see I have embarrassed you, and I did promise to say no more about it. Just know that I think Mr Darcy is in your power, and you could have him if you help him on.”
Masquerade balls were whimsical and lively events, and well-suited to Christmas season frivolities. Be sure to read A Hopeful Holiday to see what Darcy and Elizabeth wear to Lady Catherine’s masquerade, and to find out how these two learn to have some reason to hope the other might love them.
Heather Moll
A Hopeful Holiday
IS THE HOLIDAY SEASON A PERFECT SETTING FOR A SECOND CHANCE AT LOVE?After secretly arranging Lydia and Wickham’s marriage, Mr Darcy encouraged Bingley to return to Jane. While his friend is now happily married, Darcy regrets not having the courage to pursue Elizabeth in the autumn. As 1812 draws to a close, Darcy rallies his spirits to spend the Christmas holiday with Lady Catherine.Elizabeth Bennet wanted to show Darcy that her feelings for him had changed, but he never returned to Hertfordshire and she fears Darcy could never tolerate being brother-in-law to Wickham. For a change of scene and with the hope of lifting her spirits, Elizabeth accepts an invitation to visit Charlotte Collins and her new baby at Christmas.
Lady Catherine’s New Year’s Eve masquerade ball is the social event of the season and, amid the festivities and mistletoe, both Darcy and Elizabeth hope for a reason to make their affections known. But will her ladyship’s interference, the sudden appearance of her scheming nephew, and Elizabeth and Darcy’s insecurities prevent them from finding happiness during the holiday season?
A Hopeful Holiday on Amazon Kindle