“Where is my brother Andrew?” Elizbeth asked.
“He is waiting in the attached sitting room to see his sister, who will be married in four days,” Marie replied.
“Do you know what Will has planned for the wedding trip, Marie?” Elizabeth probed.
“Even if I did know, and I am not saying that I do, I would not tell you and spoil Will’s surprise,” Marie told Elizabeth, who put on a fake pout.“Lizzy, that deep burgundy silk gown is perfect for you. The short sleeves will help keep you cool on this warm summer’s night.”
“I am most pleased with all that Madam Chambourg produced for me. I thought that I owned many gowns before, but that was nothing to what was made for my trousseau. If I never need to be poked and prodded again, it will be far too soon!” Elizabeth was one of the rare breeds of lady that did not enjoy too much shopping.“I understand that Jane and Perry have remained at Snowhaven as my sister is fatigued. Was she well when you departed, Marie?” Elizabeth asked with concern.
“She seemed as well as could be expected, Lizzy. I agree with her decision about tonight; she wants to rest as much as she is able so that she will be able to attend your wedding,” Marie responded.
“I cannot but agree with you, Sister. I would be a little sad if Jane were not with me when I marry Will,” Elizabeth sighed dreamily as she was wont to do whenever she discussed marrying Will.
WhenThénardier was happy that her mistress was just as she should be, Elizabeth stood, and she and Marie entered the sitting room.“You are definitely not a sprite any longer,” Andrew said as he saw his sister.
“It only took you five years to determine that I had outgrown that nickname, brother?” Elizabeth arched her eyebrow as she smiled at Andrew.
“When will I outgrow‘Itch’Sprite?” Elizabeth heard from behind her. She turned to see Richard and Anne Ashby enter the sitting room.
“I will leave the four Fitzwilliam siblings,” Marie said as she gave Elizbeth a light peck on the cheek, making sure not to undo any of the lady’s maid’s work.
“Did you manage to tear yourself away from Loretta’s company?” Elizabeth teased Richard.“Anne, it so good to see you; you seem to have put on some weight,” Elizabeth teased. It was the first time seeing her sister since she had announced that she was finally with child a month before.
“I love you too, Lizzy,” Richard stopped himself from enfolding her in his arms as he did not want to run afoul of Thénardier as she watched closely from the bedchamber door.
“At yourancientage, I suppose that you are not Itch any longer. I will call you Richard or Rich. To me, you will always be my big brother Itch,” Elizabeth conceded.
“If you two are done debating names, perhaps I could command your attention, little sister,” Andrew asked dryly.
“Not before I ask Anne how she is doing in her state,” Elizabeth replied.
“I am well, Lizzy, I was sick in the mornings for about a month, but thankfully that has ceased. Ian and Amy send their regards and are looking forward to seeing you. Amy is especially excited as this is her first ball where she will attend the whole as she comes out in November,” Anne informed Elizabeth.
“Now that I have greeted Anne and satisfied my curiosity, the floor is yours, brother,” Elizabeth stated playfully.
“I thank you for your condescension, Lady Elizabeth,” he replied sarcastically as Andrew gave her a put-on bow.“These are for you to wear tonight, Lizzy.” Andrew removed a diamond and ruby necklace from a velvet case. It was a piece that she had never seen before.“These were part of Grandmama Fitzwilliam’s jewels that were divided between Mother and Aunt Anne. Those that would have gone to her other daughter were held in trust and have been given to Anne. This one was part of the set that was given to Aunt Anne, and, based on your dress tonight, she has consented for you to wear the set.”
“They are perfect,” Elizabeth opined.“Thénardier, please assist me.” There was a brooch in the form of a flower with diamonds for petals and a ruby at the centre. The tiara had many smaller diamonds with a large ruby at the apex. The necklace also had diamonds of increasing size until the two sides were joined by the biggest ruby that Elizabeth had seen, even larger than the one that she had worn at her coming out. The earbobs had four hanging diamonds with a ruby hanging a little below them.
Once her lady’s maid was satisfied, Elizabeth walked into her dressing room and stood before the full-length mirror. She liked her ensemble very much, and there was just now one thing missing, in her opinion; Fitzwilliam Darcy standing next to her.
When she was escorted to her betrothed, who was waiting in the hall outside her chambers, he was struck all over again at just how stunning Elizabeth was.
It was a long receiving line comprised of Darcys, Fitzwilliams, and Bennets, with the betrothed couple the last in the line before the guests entered the glistening ballroom. After a little over an hour, the last of the guests had moved through the line, and the family, who had been standing and greeting one and all, moved into the ball room.
“I suppose my mother had the right of it, that it would not look right if I danced every set with you, Lizzy,” Will sighed forlornly.
“We are dancing the three most important dances, after all, so you have naught to repine. I expect to see you dancing with others tonight, Will,” Elizabeth returned.
“You know I do not like to dance with someone unless I am acquainted with them,” Will responded with put-on pique.
“And I suppose,” Elizabeth smiled as they used the words from an argument some years before,“that one is not able to be introduced at a ball. You know practically everyone here, so even if you were still that way, you would have no valid excuse tonight.”
“You remember I told you about the dance, the Waltz, that I learnt on my grand tour, do you not?” Will asked quietly, and Elizabeth nodded.“It is a great pity that polite society refuses to countenance it here in England; how I would love to dance it with you tonight, my love.” Will dreamed of Elizabeth in his arms as he guided her around the room in the rise and fall of the forbidden dance.
“You scandalise me, Will Darcy! I could never see myself dancing such an intimate dance in public,” Elizabeth arched her eyebrow at Will while her eyes shone, imagining how good it would feel in his arms, in a dance, or any other reason for him holding her.
“I will teach it to you when we are alone after we marry. I swear that we will dance it on our wedding trip, Lizzy.” He had not lied to her; they would dance the Waltz, but not alone, with other couples on their wedding trip to the Italian peninsular.
