She considered this for a moment. “That is a good idea, William,” she replied. “Our box is next to yours; we will also attend and demonstrate our pleasure in your union. Those not invited to the ball will see the felicity between you and your wife. Oh! Make sure your servants know the Bingleys are not to be admitted for any reason—that Bingley woman intruded on Matlock House today despite having never been introduced to me. She refused to acknowledge Mrs Darcy whatsoever.”
William was disgusted. “I should be surprised at her brazen actions, but little that woman does shocks me. I have already cut her in public once, but I dare say it will take additional humiliation before she stops her pursuit. Speaking of that family, Bingley approached me today outside of White’s–I did not realise his membership had been revoked since it has become known I am no longer associating with him.”
“What did he do?” Elizabeth gasped.
“He attempted to speak to me, nothing more, my dear,” William appeased his wife. “Now, would you like to return home, love?”
She grinned at him, but Lady Matlock forestalled them. “I still need to speak with the two of you,” she said. “Elizabeth, have you accepted the invitations we discussed?”
“I sent my replies on Friday, Aunt,” Elizabeth replied as she patted her husband’s arm.
“Good,” she acknowledged. “Who will you invite to the theatre on Thursday?”
“We thought to include the Gardiners and Jane,” William replied. “Now that you are also opening your box, we have room to add more to our party if you wish.”
Lady Matlock considered it for a moment. “I will invite two additional couples to share our box. Richard can share yours; that makes six, leaving no empty chairs. Elizabeth, what will you wear?”
Elizabeth described the gown she had been considering for the theatre. “That sounds lovely, dear,” Lady Matlock acknowledged. “Now, William, you have a set of rubies, do you not?”
He nodded his head. “That will be perfect,” Lady Matlock said. “If you come here first, we will all go together. Georgiana, will you accompany us?”
Georgiana nodded her agreement to the plan. “I would enjoy the theatre, William,” she replied. “I have not been in some time.”
“I will make the arrangements then,” Darcy said, pleased with this plan. “Now, I will take my wife home, and we will see you tomorrow morning. Georgiana, will you join our aunt on her visit?”
“My piano master comes in the morning, William,” Georgiana replied. “Although I confess, I am pleased to have a reason not to have to endure the ordeal.”
Elizabeth laughed at the girl’s description of visits with the ladies of the ton. “It can be an ordeal, Georgie, but Aunt Helen makes itmore entertaining than it might otherwise be. You will feel equal to taking part soon enough.”
Georgiana merely grimaced slightly at this but nodded her acquiescence.
Chapter Fifteen
Upon arriving at their home, Darcy shared more of his encounter with Bingley outside White’s. “He wants my help in extracting himself from his engagement. He apologised again for my overhearing his plans to compromise me after the ball, but he did not apologise for his intention. He also asked me to help his sister in society; apparently, she is no longer accepted anywhere after my public cut of her.”
“Did you speak to him?” Elizabeth asked.
“I did not cut him, but I told him I had nothing to say to him,” Darcy replied. “I reminded him that our friendship ended due to the actions of him and his sister after the ball at Netherfield, and I would do nothing for his sister. She has ruined her chances in town through her actions both here and in Hertfordshire, where she was unrelenting in her rudeness to the Bennets and others above her station. Then I walked away and left him standing there.”
Elizabeth sighed and reached out to touch his face. “I am sorry, my love,” she whispered. “I know he was a friend, and it is difficult for you to know he did not view you similarly.”
Darcy leaned into her touch. “He brought me to you, my love, so he has wrought some good in my life. I cannot completely regret our friendship–one-sided as it may have been in the end.”
She held him as she asked, “Will you cut him if he approaches you again?”
“I do not know,” he sighed. “I will not visit him or receive him into this house. I will not hesitate to cut his sister should she dare to approach me or a family member again. I cannot imagine her doing so once again, but after having the audacity to visit my aunt without an introduction, somehow it will not surprise me if she does.”
As they cuddled in the library, William asked, “What plans do we have between now and Thursday, dearest?”
“I have several morning appointments this week–visits with your aunt and a trip to the modiste–but no evening entertainments before Thursday,” Elizabeth replied. “Did you have something in mind?”
“What would you say about visiting the park and perhaps a picnic?” he asked.
She smiled at him. “That sounds lovely, William. Tomorrow will be busy, but perhaps after my visit to the modiste on Wednesday?”
“I will arrange it,” he said as they went upstairs.
The next fewdays flew by, and on Thursday evening, Elizabeth descended the stairs wearing a lovely new gown of light rose pink silk with a gauzy overlay, darker rose-coloured embroidery on the hem and neckline, and a matching sash around the waist. Elizabeth was stunning, with diamond hair pins shining in her elaborately arranged hair and the set of rubies Darcy had given her from the family collection glistening along her neck.
