“I am.”
Mr. Wilson bowed. His expression held more ease than Elizabeth had ever seen in him.
“I hope you will allow me to present Miss Lucas in a somewhat altered capacity.”
Charlotte raised one brow. “He means to say that I have accepted him.”
Elizabeth clasped her friend’s hands.
“Charlotte! Mr. Wilson! I am delighted.”
“And considerably relieved,” Charlotte said in low tones. “He is industrious, sensible, and talks somewhat too much, but I have every confidence I shall manage him.”
Wilson laughed, and for the first time Elizabeth could imagine him perfectly suited to another woman.
In retrospect, Elizabeth wondered that she had not perceived it sooner. Charlotte had always listened to Mr. Wilson with morepatience than anyone else and possessed the practical good sense to value qualities others sometimes overlooked.
Later, after supper, Mr. Bingley rapped his glass for attention.
The room gradually quieted.
“My friends,” he said, beaming with characteristic openness, “as this evening celebrates many happy prospects, I believe another announcement ought to be made.”
He gestured toward Mr. Wilson and Charlotte.
Wilson, looking both proud and slightly overwhelmed, bowed.
Miss Lucas curtsied with admirable composure.
A delay upon the road had prevented several expected guests from arriving earlier, and their appearance at that moment drew renewed attention to the ballroom doors.
Before the congratulations had completely subsided, another group entered the ballroom and occasioned a fresh stir of interest.
Darcy, having been engaged in a hushed conversation with Elizabeth, redirected his attention, and his countenance displayed a warmth she had come to recognize.
“My sister has arrived.”
Elizabeth looked toward the entrance with immediate curiosity.
Miss Georgiana Darcy entered on the arm of Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam. Though still young, she possessed a sweetness of countenance and a gentleness of manner that inspired affection almost at first sight. Colonel Fitzwilliam, by contrast, carried himself with an ease and good humor that seemed to enliven every conversation into which he stepped.
With them was a third gentleman whom Elizabeth had not previously met.
He was of pleasing appearance, with open features and an expression of frank intelligence. There was an unaffectedsteadiness in his manner that inspired confidence from the first moment.
Darcy brought them forward without delay.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” he said, with unmistakable pleasure, “allow me to present my sister, Miss Darcy; my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam; and Mr. George Wickham.”
Georgiana curtsied with a mixture of grace and shyness that Elizabeth found endearing.
“I have long wished to know you,” Georgiana said, her eyes warm despite her evident nervousness.
Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed. “Any lady who has accomplished what my cousin once declared impossible has my deepest admiration.”
Elizabeth laughed and liked him at once.
Mr. Wickham bowed with equal warmth. “Miss Bennet, I am very happy to make your acquaintance at last. Darcy has spoken of Hertfordshire so often of late that I begin to suspect he thinks more of this county than of Derbyshire.”
