When they danced the supper set, neither Elizabeth nor Will felt the need for conversation. All that needed to be shared was said with but a shared glance or prolonged look, for there were times when words did not adequately express what needed to be said. At last, they could share it, one to the other.
Further down the line, Richard was enjoying his first dance with Lady Loretta. She moved very gracefully, and he acknowledged to himself for the first time that he had started to develop tender feelings for the lady. He did not know how she felt, but he strongly believed that fortune favours the brave and that he would soon request an audience with her to request a courtship. He had no doubt that with her forthright nature that should she not believe their future happiness included the two of them, then she would not accept a courtship. They would be seated together for the meal, and he intended to request her permission to call on her on the morrow.
Before the revellers made their way to the bountiful supper that was ready for them, the Prince and Princess departed to the expected courtesies from the crowd. Will led Elizabeth to a table where they were joined by Jane and Perry, Andrew and Marie, Richard and Loretta, and Wes and his partner. After verifying their ladies’preferences, the men went to make plates.
After his supper partner had put her knife and fork down, thereby indicating that she was sated, Richard leaned close to Loretta so only she would hear him.“May I call on you tomorrow, or would you prefer to recover from the ball and have me call the following day?” he asked with bated breath.
“Tomorrow at eleven would suit very well, Mr Fitzwilliam, and I will receive your call with pleasure,” she stated with a light blush as she demonstrated her joy at his request. Richard grinned as he settled into relief, her response exactly what he had hoped for. He was sure that she was not indifferent to him, and he was now looking forward to the final set with much anticipation.
Will also was very much looking forward to the final set. After he had led Elizabeth to the floor for the supper set, any who tried to tell themselves that they had misread the signs they had seen during the first time the two danced had to admit that they were fooling themselves. None hadeverseen the Darcy heir dance more than one set at a London event prior to this night.
Elizabeth danced with some men not of her family, between the sets that she relished with Will. No matter what any of the men, some of them dandies, tried to say to impress her about their wealth or connections, she forced herself to keep a neutral look on her visage despite the inherent distastefulness. In each case, she could not wait for the set to end so she could escape the man with alacrity.
When the final set was called, Will led Elizabeth out, and Richard followed with Loretta. The tongues that had been wagging before now reached a fever pitch, but it was the Countess of Jersey who had the most surprised smile. Her daughter had informed her that she had tender feelings for Richard Fitzwilliam; she had held him in high esteem for some years and was happy he seemed to be paying attention to her as a lady and not just one of his sister’s friends. It seemed he had finally opened his eyes and was about to make her daughter the happiest of young ladies in the room, perhaps even more so than Elizabeth, as they had all known that outcome for years.
“You know you will not be able to make them wait until June before they reach an understanding, do you not, my love?” Marie consoled her husband as he watched his younger cousin guide his sister down the line.
“I am aware of that, Marie. I will say nothing until one of them brings it up, but if I were to wager, it would be our sister who raises the issue,” Andrew opined prophetically.
As Will led Elizabeth back to where her brothers and mother waited for her, he squeezed her hand.“I had the best time tonight, Will,” Elizabeth stated,“especially my three sets with you.”
“They were the highlights of the evening for me as well, Lizzy,” Will promised.“Unless you found one of the dandies that squired you for a dance to be your preference,” he grinned.
“Well, there was Lord so-and-so that kept on about the size of his assets. He was most—gauche, so impressive that I choose not to recall his name. Alas, no, you are safe, Will. There is only one who holds my interest,” she declared while holding his eyes. The two were so lost in each other they did not notice that they were standing on the dance floor alone.
“Ahem,” Andrew cleared his throat as the family looked on in amusement.“I believe it is time for you to return home, Will, and I do not want to see you here before midday later today!” Andrew ribbed his cousin.
The spell was broken as the two realised that they were not alone, both embarrassed as they looked at their amused joint families. After some farewells, the Fitzwilliams finally retired with Elizabeth’s head full of the man who she loved. In her wildest dreams, she could not have imagined a more enjoyable coming out ball. She feltlassitude after dancing every set, but it was the best kind of weariness she had ever experienced.
In his chambers, Richard could scarcely sleep at all, occasionally pacing the length of his chambers to relieve his need for action. In a matter of hours, he would know if he would be accepted or rejected; and while he had a feeling that it was the former, he would not make assumptions. He finally fell asleep with thoughts of Lady Loretta de Melville’s soft smile in response to his request to call, clinging to its promise.
Chapter8
Richard presented his card to the butler at Jersey House precisely five minutes before the appointed hour and was shown into the Earl of Jersey’s study. Lord Cyril de Melville welcomed Richard and indicated that he should sit.
“What are your intentions towards my daughter, Mr Fitzwilliam?” the Earl asked without preamble.
“Entirely honourable, my Lord. With your leave, it is my intention to request a courtship when I meet with Lady Loretta,” Richard responded evenly.
“I am aware that you have a healthy income both from your estate and the years of profits that were invested while you served King and Country. Hence, I am confident that your interest in my daughter is not mercenary. Are you aware of the size of her dowry?” the Earl tested.
“I am not, my Lord, but whatever it is, it will be the least attractive trait that I admire in your daughter. As you rightly pointed out, between my estate and investments, I have more than enough income to keep your daughter in the style to which she is accustomed to. My combined income is more than fifteen thousand clear per annum,” Richard stated plainly.
The Earl was impressed; his income was significantly higher than rumoured.“Loretta has five and thirty thousand as her dowry.”
“If our courtship progresses to the conclusion that I hope it will, and your daughter accepts me, the settlement will leave control of her dowry to her, besides my being able to settle a similar amount on her,” Richard informed the Earl.
The truth was, although determined to put the second Fitzwilliam through an inquisition, the Earl knew that there was no one better suited to his daughter. But in addition to his own belief, he and his wife had discussed how his late friend Reggie would have been so happy at a familial connection between the families. He was aware that Wes had been enamoured of Lady Elizabeth, but he had backed away when he had noticed the said lady had a clear preference elsewhere.
“If you wait here, Richard, I will summon Loretta. The door will, of course, remain half-open.” With that, Lord Jersey stood and shook his daughter’s suitor’s hand.
Richard relaxed. He knew when the Earl had reverted to his informal name that he had won his approval to court and marry his beloved daughter. It was but a minute or two before Lady Loretta entered; the door was left half-open as her father indicated. They were limited to five minutes to speak privately.
“You came, Mr Fitzwilliam,” she said as she sat opposite him, and when she was settled, Richard sat so they could easily converse.
“Nothing would have kept me away, Lady Loretta. I have a question to ask you, an important one, by your leave.” He held his breath as he searched her eyes to ensure she was being as open with him as he was with her.
“I am here to listen to you. But can we revert to our informal names? We have known one another for many years.” Loretta smiled, allowing him to look as deep as he dared. One day, hopefully soon, he would realize how long it had taken him to come to the point, but she would let him make it up to her for the rest of their lives.
