As Elizabeth had told Lady Amelia Fane, the Darcys had received an invitation to a ball at the home of Lord and Lady Stewart. The Stewart family had been on the Countess’ list, as Lord Stewart was a Viscount who had inherited the title, the estate and a considerable fortune rather earlier than had been expected as the result of his father’s untimely death. Lord Stewart was, Elizabeth had learnt, apparently on the verge of offering for one of the Season’s “diamonds,” so he was not an option for Georgiana, but there were bound to be other eligible gentlemen in attendance.
He had a sister, Charity, who was nineteen years old. The Stewart family was an old one, highly distinguished, and owned an estate in Sussex as well as a house in Town.
“Is this Charity Stewart’s come-out ball?” Georgiana asked.
“No, she has been out for two years. She has a fine dowry, but is not much to look at, poor thing.”
Georgiana bit her lip. “It seems a bit unfair, does it not?”
“Unfair?” Elizabeth asked.
“Well, how she looks is not her fault, is it?”
“No, of course not. But fairness has little to do with the Marriage Game, I am afraid,” Mrs. Annesley said.
Georgiana sighed.
***
When the day of the ball arrived, there was a flurry of activity in the family bedrooms. Gowns had been decided upon long ago, of course, but this did nothing to diminish the flurry and excitement that getting ready for a ball necessitated.
Mr. Darcy was at a loss to understand it and said so to his wife. Elizabeth replied, “Oh, this is nothing. You should have seen five girls at Longbourn getting ready for an assembly. Utter chaos, with poor Sally dashing from one room to another, trying to help everyone with their gowns, gloves, hairpins, and what not!”
“So this is calm in comparison?” Mr. Darcy asked, skeptically.
“I assure you, very calm. But you may certainly retreat to the library, my dear, as my father generally did.”
Mr. Darcy did not object to being compared with Mr. Bennet, of whom he had become rather fond, and so kissed his wife and went downstairs to his books.
Elizabeth thought she should check on Georgiana, and so went down the hallway to the girl’s room and knocked on the door.
“Come in!”
Elizabeth found Georgiana sitting on a bed covered in gowns. “I thought we had decided on the cream silk with the ivy embroidery?”
“We did, but then I thought about the white gown with the blue flowers! Or the lilac with the cream lace, that is very pretty as well!”
“And you will wear all of them before the Season is out, I promise you, Georgiana. It is best to not get yourself too upset before a ball, as it lasts until the wee hours of the next morning,” Elizabeth advised. “Remain calm and rest as much as possible.”
“Very well, Lizzy, I shall take your advice.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Darcy,” Cathy mumbled, clearly exasperated. “Miss Darcy would have pulled out every gown she owns at this rate.”
Georgiana soothed her maid, promising that it would not happen again.
“Have you decided on what to do with her hair?” Elizabeth asked Cathy.
“Curls, of course, and pinned up with a few curls framing her face. I think to just wind a few ribbons in and out, as I believe she is too young for turbans and feathers and the like.”
“I agree,” Elizabeth said at once. “I have some emerald hairpins that she could wear; it would set off the ivy embroidery perfectly.” There would be a tiara for Georgiana’s own ball, but it was to be a surprise for her.
“Oh, I love those hairpins!” Georgiana exclaimed.
“That would be perfect, Mrs. Darcy,” Cathy said.
“Then you shall have them. Georgiana, there is no need to be nervous,” Elizabeth said.
“I am more excited than nervous, I think,” the girl answered. “Some of my friends will be there, so that helps.”
