Pushing the drawer back in, she could not get it to close. Bending down to see if there was an obstruction, she saw what appeared to be a pile of folded papers in the dark void. She reached in to remove a collection of papers tied together with a faded red ribbon. From the yellow aged colour, it was clear they had been there some time.
Setting back down on the little bench Elizabeth slid the ribbon off the papers. Carefully, she unfolded the uppermost letter. It was addressed to Marjorie.Was not Gregory’s mother’s name Marjorie? She quickly examined the signature. Frank. That was all.I thoughtGregory’s father’s name was Walter.
February, 1773
London
My darling Marjorie,
My fingers still vibrate in remembrance of the touch of your skin. No matter where I go, your scent fills my nostrils. I breathe only to live from each moment to the next time we are once again together…
Elizabeth stopped reading.Oh my.
This was obviously a love letter to Gregory’s mother. She glanced through the others, and they were all along those lines. A few made mention of meeting times, always in secret.They were obviously very much in love. Could Gregory’s mother have had a lover? The butler shall know what year the Carrington’s wed. If these were from a man before her marriage to the then viscount…
“Lizzy,” Jane knocked on her door. “Are you ready?”
“I shall be five minutes more.”
She shoved the letters into the drawer, promising to look at them again on the morrow. Lifting the necklace to place around her neck, she fastened it and let the gem rest nestled between her breasts calling attention to the creamy skin on either side. Blushing, she nearly removed it.No one will notice me once Jane enters the room, anyway.
With a click, she closed her bedroom door, wishing Little, standing guard at the end of the hall, a good night.
“Good night, ma’am. We’ll watch over ’im, don’ you fret.” He finished with a sharp nod.
“Thank you, Little.” Elizabeth crossed the hall and walked through Jane’s open door. She came to a halt. “Oh, Jane. You look beautiful.” She breathed.
“As do you.” Jane’s smile was luminous. “These dresses are the finest we have ever worn.” She laughed a little.
Elizabeth smiled to hear it. “What?”
“I can hear Mama, ‘What fine dresses, how beautiful you are, all the gentlemen will be lining up to dance with you.’” With a little swirl, Jane faced the mirror again.
“I certainly hope not,” Elizabeth joined in her laughter. “I no longer have the stamina to dance all night.” The sisters joined arms and made their way down to the waiting carriage.
Chapter 33
Darcy was standing in the vestibule with his Matlock relations when Elizabeth and Jane arrived. The sight of her made him forget to breathe until Colonel Fitzwilliam clapped him on the shoulder. “Close your mouth, you are catching flies,” he mumbled out the side of his mouth.
Lord and Lady Matlock and Georgiana were greeting the ladies, giving Darcy a moment to collect himself. He stepped forward and bowed, “Mrs Carrington, Miss Bennet, may I say you both look enchanting this evening.” His eyes never left Elizabeth and the blush rising up her neck to suffuse her face mesmerized him.
A nudge and a cough reminded Darcy of the others standing nearby. Their carefully hidden smirks annoyed him, but Richard’s comment, vexing as it was, truly made him collect himself.
“Darcy, do not hoard these beautiful women for yourself. Pray, introduce me to your ravishing companions.” His cousin’s grin and ebullient manner were disarming. Darcy nearly rolled his eyes.
“Mrs Carrington, Miss Bennet, I regret to introduce my cousin, The Right Honourable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam,” he turnedhis own smirk on Richard, “Thesecondson of Lord and Lady Matlock.”
Richard gasped theatrically, “Darcy, you wound me.” He placed a finger-splayed hand on his chest, his gift for dramatics on full display.
His audience was appreciative, as Elizabeth laughed, “It is a pleasure to meet you, Colonel Fitzwilliam. I must say, I feel as if we have already met. Miss Darcy speaks very highly of you.” Both she and Miss Bennet curtseyed, and Richard offered them a courtly bow, then offered both of his elbows to escort them into the ballroom. As they walked away from Darcy, Richard turned his head and waggled his eyebrows at his cousin. Darcy followed after them with Georgiana on his arm, slowly shaking his head.
The sight of the ballroom made Elizabeth and Jane gasp in unison. “My mother excels at entertaining theTon. Her events are always well attended.” Richard’s words did little to reassure Elizabeth, as she felt the butterflies begin fluttering again in her middle.
Darcy caught up with them and offered Elizabeth his arm, “Let us find you some refreshments until the dancing begins.”
Looking up to her escort Elizabeth was about to ask, “Is-”
At the same time Darcy began to speak, “I-”
