“I believe you may have to tease him a little,” she whispered.
When the princess had her fill of the entertaining proceedings, she dismissed them all to divert themselves as they chose. She sought Elizabeth out privately, in the suite the sisters had first shared together. The parlor was more spacious, and all of their usual companions were present, feeling rather idle after how they had occupied their days together.
Though the events of the last week weighed heavy on all their minds, the princess was resolved to make merry. Lady Abernathy and the colonel accompanied her, and Elizabeth did her best to become better acquainted with Mr. Darcy’s favorite cousin while also enjoying the budding camaraderie she enjoyed with the princess.
They played parlor games as they had done on the first day, though they were louder and rowdier, at times nearly scandalous. The princess remained close to Elizabeth all afternoon, seeming pleased to look upon her daughter making merry, and she watched Mr. Darcy with a curious eye.
When it was time for them all to dress for dinner, and the many festivities the princess commanded, she remained in the parlor to speak privately with Elizabeth once more.
“I understand you mean to depart tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am. I was only meant to spend a week, and my family must be worried that they have not had word from me.”
The princess arched an eyebrow. “You must be looking forward to Mrs. Bennet’s effusive wedding planning.”
At the back of the room, Sir Edward coughed and resumed his conversation with Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth shook her head. “It cannot be helped.”
“And I cannot prevail upon you to remain another week?
“You know you can, I daresay,” Elizabeth quipped. “Perhaps a couple more days will allow the roads to dry fully from all the rain, but I am eager to be home.”
The princess nodded. “I cannot openly acknowledge you, as I might do if I were a man. However, I hope you will allow me to do what I can for you, and to see you sometimes. I have just acquired twenty-five thousand pounds, and Miss Woodhouse told me Miss Denham was unkind to you.”
“Oh! If you are saying… I do not….” Elizabeth stammered and blinked at the princess.
“I am hinting that you have five unwed sisters,” the princess said with a wink. “Take it, for them. Mr. Darcy –Lord Darcyif I carry my point – would take you if you were a milkmaid. I have never seen a man so in love, even now he hovers protectively. I see you smile, sir!”
Mr. Darcy stalked over, looking rather sheepish. “I could not face our children if I declined your offer, ma’am. Elizabeth, you could not face your sisters, either, if you refused the sum.”
She raised her hands in a pose of defeat. “Oh, very well, though I shall dig in my heels at every indulgence.”
“That will make for excellent sport, my dear.” The princess nodded and took her leave.
***
The festivities in the great hall that evening were just what Mr. Tilney imagined his peculiar house party would lead to. The room had been transformed, though the princess thought it perfectly natural that her staff should make such swift work of arranging elegant drapery, flowers, and decor bearing the royal emblem.
The long banquet tables had been moved to three sides of the room, with the dais on the fourth side; the center of the room was open for performers, and later, dancing.
The three engagements were celebrated and toasted, and after the meal, Sir Edward was obliged to warn Mr. Tilney of his intentions to persuade Mr. Morland to allow Cathy a season in London, during which time she would form no lasting attachments but to her family.
Mr. Tilney was dejected, but he agreed. “I have no wish for her to admire me only due to her own inexperience. I will wait.”
Elizabeth smiled to herself as she overheard this, for she had drunk enough wine to be shamelessly eavesdropping. She moved away before she could be discovered, and she encountered Mrs. Rushworth watching the tumblers perform, a sullen, unseeing expression on her face.
“You were brave, this morning,” Elizabeth said with an encouraging smile.
Mrs. Rushworth looked over, her face expressionless and her voice numb. “I do not have many friends, Miss Bennet. I have not always been kind; I wonder that Tom thinks I deserved any better than the life I had. It was good enough.”
“I am your friend, I think,” Elizabeth murmured.
Mrs. Rushworth finally betrayed a trace of emotion. “Would you be my friend, truly? I know I am to keep to my mourning and I shall. But I mean to bring my sister with me to Rushworth’s house in London. You might call on her… and me. The princess would not mind it; she seems to favor you.”
Elizabeth could not suppose that was why she was asking, for there was a look of sincerity about Mrs. Rushworth, and Elizabeth had rather come to esteem her, despite her morals.
“Would you not prefer to weather the scandal at home with your family?”
“They sold me to Rushworth, so no, I would not like that at all. I do not wish my sister to be tainted by Tom’s crimes, but there is sure to be something more interesting to talk about in London. A remote backwater in Northamptonshire is the last place I should wish to be.”
