“Darcy! I say, I did not expect to see you here!”
Mr. Darcy turned to see a gentleman approaching them. “He is a member of my club and a good man,” Mr. Darcy whispered to Elizabeth.
When the gentleman reached them, he bowed. Mr. Darcy promptly introduced the man as Mr. Stanley of Overshire Park in Dorset.
Elizabeth’s brows rose; she recalled seeing Mr. Stanley’s name on the Countess’ list! “Are you here for the Season, Mr. Stanley?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes; my mother insists it is time to set up my nursery,” he said, a trifle glumly.
Elizabeth laughed. “I recently participated in a discussion of whether gentlemen wish to get married or do not wish to get married. From your tone, I believe you to be one of the latter.”
“Oh, no, you misunderstand me, Mrs. Darcy. The idea of being married to a lady I love is most appealing; it is the process offindingsuch a lady that I find daunting.”
“A man after my own heart,” Mr. Darcy said. “But it was worth the wait!”
“Rumour has it that you found your lady-love in the country and did not have to endure a good deal of society,” Mr. Stanley replied. “I believe your road to happiness must have been easier than mine will be.”
Both Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy laughed at this. “There was nothing easy about it, I assure you,” Mr. Darcy replied, smiling.
“Well, faint heart never won fair lady,” Mr. Stanley said. “And so saying, might I be permitted to dance with Miss Darcy?”
Upon receiving permission, he led a blushing Georgiana out for the next dance.
“Come, William, let us dance as well,” Elizabeth urged.
“Very well; you know we cannot dance together more than twice.”
“Yes, so let us save our second dance for the waltz!”
When the dance was over, and the Darcys were reunited, Georgiana’s eyes were glowing. Mr. Stanley had been very kind, and they had spoken together as much as the dance had allowed.
Lady Agatha Fane appeared then with her mother; greetings and introductions were made.
“My brother will ask you to dance; just wait here with me! He will come and I will introduce you,” Lady Agatha whispered to Georgiana.
It was but a few minutes before Lady Agatha’s brother, Lord Fane, was at his sister’s side. Upon being introduced to the Darcys, he begged permission to dance with Miss Darcy, of whom he had heard so much from his sister. Blushing with excitement – dancing with an Earl! – Georgiana departed on his arm in a swirl of cream silk.
“Georgiana was afraid of having no dance partners at all; being seen on the arm of your brother will do wonders for her confidence,” Elizabeth said to Lady Agatha. “It was kind of you to arrange that for her.”
It was Lady Amelia who answered. “Not at all; my son needs to meet as many young ladies as possible this Season.”
Elizabeth was not certain how to reply to this, but Lady Agatha forestalled the need for a response by adding, “Mother is keen for grandchildren.”
“And my daughter shows no signs of forming a suitable attachment,” Lady Amelia said. “So I must rely on my son to provide them. And an heir is required for the title, of course.”
When Georgiana and Lord Fane returned, Elizabeth saw that Georgiana was now the recipient of many interested male glances. Word had doubtless spread that the Darcy heiress was in attendance, and introductions to her were sought out. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Dunfred, whose names Georgiana and Elizabeth recognised from the Countess’ list, were introduced by Mr. Stanley, and these gentlemen all invited Georgiana to dance.
Elizabeth was asked to dance by those gentlemen to whom she had been introduced as well, though she made certain to save the final dance – the waltz – for her beloved husband.
Chapter Twelve
The Darcys got home at two in the morning. Georgiana had fallen asleep in the carriage, her head on Elizabeth’s shoulder, and had to be awakened upon arriving home.
That afternoon, when everyone was finally awake, Georgiana was surprised when several small bouquets arrived. The bouquets were all very proper – daffodils, daisies, apple blossoms and the like – and the cards indicated the recipients. “Why, these are the gentlemen I danced with last night!” Georgiana exclaimed. “Oh, how very kind!”
Mrs. Annesley said, “It is considered polite to send flowers after a dance, Miss Darcy. These are obviously well-bred gentlemen who might call on you today.”
“Today?!”
