Poor Georgiana! Now that it was over, she looked ready to faint away. Her eyes were wide, her face pale, her hands clammy.
“Breathe, Georgiana! It is done!” Elizabeth said, fanning the girl vigorously.
Finally, Georgiana began to recover her colour. Then she said, piteously, “Surely I will not have to play in front of the Queen!”
“Oh, I expect that you will,” the Countess said, unsympathetic to her niece’s nerves. “What a coup that will be!”
Back at Darcy House, Mr. Darcy stood waiting. Once he had been assured that all had gone quite well, he was left to entertain the Countess on his own, as his two ladies made their way upstairs with alacrity, wanting nothing more than to get out of these dreadful gowns and then – oh, heavenly! – drink some tea!
***
At dinner that night, Mr. Darcy was regaled with details of the presentation, including the Queen’s comment to Georgiana. Mr. Darcy was inclined to agree with the Countess that an invitation to perform for Her Majesty would arrive at some point. He did not wish to alarm his sister, but he thought it wise to be prepared.
“Georgiana, I recall that you have longed to have lessons with Master Lombardi. I understand that he was in Italy for a time, but he is now in Town. Shall I arrange it?”
His sister was no fool. “You think I will have to play for the Queen, do you not?”
He shrugged, hoping to look nonchalant. “It is not impossible, Georgiana, but nonetheless, would that not please you? And you know you will be asked to perform many times during the Season.”
“I would like it, Brother, yes.”
“I shall arrange it at once.”
***
The next day saw Jane and Caroline at Darcy House, eager to hear about the presentation. Upon learning that the Queen had actually said she wanted to hear Georgiana play, Caroline said, “Oh, Miss Darcy! I have been thinking that you and I should learn some duets! Would that not be a fine entertainment at a tea party or a dinner?” If Georgiana was to be touted as a fine performer, why should she, Caroline, not share in those accolades?
Georgiana did not know how to refuse without seeming rude, so she agreed, and a date was fixed for the two of them to practice together.
Chapter Twenty-Three
TheMorning Postpublished a list of who had been presented, and Elizabeth’s name was on that list. This resulted in Elizabeth receiving a message from Meryton.
Dear Lizzy,
You were presented to the Queen! Heavens, child, I could scarcely believe my eyes when Lady Lucas showed me the paper! Kitty and Mary deserve their share of the fun; I am certain you will want to include them. They will need wardrobes, of course, but I know you will not mind the expense.
The letter went on and on, expressing considerable surprise that Kitty and Mary had not yet been invited to Darcy House, as well as an expectation that this oversight would soon be corrected. Elizabeth read the letter through and put it on her desk to answer when she had a moment to spare.
***
The ballroom at Darcy House was quite large and Mr. Darcy had given Elizabeth a generous budget for the event, so she was able to be liberal with her invitation list.
Elizabeth had consulted with the Countess, of course, which resulted in a number of titled gentlemen and young ladies being invited. All the young men who had shown attention to Georgiana were invited, even those who had been deemed unsuitable, as it would have been rude to so pointedly exclude them. Caroline had indeed sent a list to Elizabeth; it included Lady Alicia Lindsay, Miss Taylor, Miss Davies and Miss Johnson.
Jane and Caroline both came to Darcy House to help Elizabeth write the invitations.
“Does Mama know that you are hosting a ball?” Jane teased Elizabeth, as she dipped her quill into the ink.
“Heavens, no! Jane, oh Jane, you did not write to her about it, did you?” Elizabeth was suddenly alarmed. She had not told Jane about the latest letter from Longbourn.
“And have Kitty and Mary here, as well as Mama? No, indeed! Someday, perhaps, but not when we are trying to arrange good marriages for Caroline and Miss Darcy!”
Caroline said nothing whatever regarding the bad manners of the younger Bennet girls, much to the surprise of both Jane and Elizabeth, and she further surprised the two sisters by asking if Mrs. Annesley might be made available to give advice on proper behaviour at a ball.
Elizabeth was more than happy to comply, of course, and had a maid summon both Mrs. Annesley and Georgiana.
“Mrs. Annesley, I am certain that you have already spoken with Georgiana on the subject, but Miss Bingley asked if you have any advice as to proper ball etiquette.”
