She noticed the colonel had a young lady on his arm, and judging by her age, she presumed she was some relation, as no gentleman of any sense would step out with someone that young. The lady could not be much above Kitty’s age, but wastaller, blonder, much better dressed, and appeared intimidated, confused, and excited.
The colonel, perhaps for the first time in his life, was at a loss for words. Elizabeth let him sweat, thinking now was as good a time as any for him to work on his character.
The gentleman finally asked, “Which cousin?”
Elizabeth was happy to hear the old teasing tone in his voice. “It was Anne.”
The man started. “Anne de Bourgh?”
“She is staying with my family, first in Cheapside then in Hertfordshire for a few months. She arranged everything.”
The man seemed incapable of comprehending that tidbit, so Elizabeth added whimsically, “Perhaps while you adjust your view of the world to includes Anne somewhere other than Rosings, we might perform introductions.”
Shaking his head, the colonel said, “Perhaps you could begin.”
“Of course. My aunt and uncle, Mr and Mrs Edwin Gardiner. May I introduce you to Colonel Fitzwilliam, cousin of Mr Darcy and son of the earl. His father arranged this box.”
“A pleasure, Mr and Mrs Gardiner.”
“The pleasure is all ours, Colonel.”
“My eldest sister, Miss Jane Bennet, and her intended, Mr Jameson. We briefly discussed her in Hertfordshire.”
Elizabeth smiled to take the sting off the revelation. She wanted him to suffer a little, but not too much. More importantly, she wanted him to understand who Jane was, so he would not say anything stupid; or at least, she could reduce the odds, which was the best she could hope for with a man like that.
Jameson had stood outside the colonel’s line of sight, but at the name, the colonel smiled hugely. “Miss Bennet, it is asupreme pleasure to meet you. Your sister did not exaggerate your admirable qualities in the least.”
Jane curtseyed, wondering what in the world Lizzy had said to the man. “The pleasure is mine, Colonel.”
Mischief prompted Elizabeth. “Is she not the perfectreflectionof my description, Colonel?”
Looking startled, and just barely realising that Darcy must have said considerably more than he admitted, the colonel began to wonder just how far into her brown books he presently resided.
“Indeed!”
Jameson bowed in return. “Fitzwilliam, I presume all agreements remain?”
The colonel laughed, his good humour restored and most of his awkwardness gone. “Ah, I did not see you there, Jameson. Of course, all agreements are in place, as always.”
Curiously, Elizabeth asked, “Agreements?”
“There are certain gentlemen’s agreements of secrecy between us from our days at Cambridge, mostly concerning certain… ah… incidents involving primarily donkeys, chickens, and deans.”
Everyone laughed, and Elizabeth decided to move things along, silently grateful to her soon-to-be brother for recognising the awkwardness and intervening.
Everyone seemed much more relaxed, except for the young lady. She was a timid-looking thing, the sort who would be afraid of her shadow if the candles could produce one; but no doubt she would come out of her shell sooner or later, and Elizabeth did not object as the lady hid safely behind the colonel for a few minutes.
“Of course, that brings us round to me, and your young lady. Since you seem more inclined towards discussions of livestock than introductions, perhaps I can take care of the young lady. I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and my companions are my aunt and Uncle Gardiner, my eldest sister, and my livestock master, Mr Jameson.”
She curtseyed in an exaggerated fashion to the young lady, predictably making her giggle—the effect Elizabeth sought.
The colonel laughed. “Speaking of donkeys, allow me. Miss Elizabeth Bennet, my cousin and ward, Miss Georgiana Darcy. Georgiana, this is Miss Bennet… or I suppose Miss Elizabeth now.”
“I shall be until my sister surrenders the title in a few months.”
Georgiana curtseyed, speaking shakily. “I am honoured to meet you, Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Mr Jameson, Miss Bennet, and Miss Elizabeth.”
The young lady stared at Elizabeth for a moment. “I have heard your name before, Miss Elizabeth. Quite often, if I am not mistaken. Did you not walk 3 miles to tend your sister at Netherfield in the autumn?”
