“I like her, Agatha, but I am certain that she is too retiring a creature to support Teddy in the House of Lords. His wife must be able to host political dinners, to learn how to make the right friends, to drop hints in the right ears. Miss Darcy is not the right young lady for him.”
“You are more ambitious for Teddy than he is for himself, Mother.”
“Well, someone must have the ambition in this family!”
“Truly? What if no one has ambition? What if we all just want to live peaceably?”
“I do not like your attitude, Agatha!”
“I know, Mother; I am sorry.” Lady Agatha sighed. This was an old argument. She was well aware that both she and her brother were disappointments to their single-minded mother.
Lady Amelia frowned at Lady Agatha and left the room.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The staff scurried about the house for the entire week before the ball, cleaning everything in sight, rearranging furniture, bringing in foodstuffs and the like. Elizabeth hired a good number of extra footmen to help serve champagne throughout the evening. Menus were planned, musicians were hired, the floors were chalked, and finally it was time.
Georgiana was in an agony of nerves, of course. She had a stunning gown to wear – cream silk with gold embroidery and a gold net overdress – but she was certain that she would make a complete cake of herself. “What if I trip and fall on the dance floor?” she wailed to Elizabeth as she was being helped into her dress.
“Then you will pick yourself up and continue on, Georgiana, but tell me, when was the last time you tripped on a dance floor?”
Georgiana had to admit that it had never happened.
“Nor will it happen tonight. Very well, what else has you in knots?”
“What if no one asks me to dance?”
At this, Elizabeth began to laugh. “Georgiana, that is simply impossible.”
“Why is it impossible?” Georgiana’s lower lip was trembling.
“Your first dance will be with your brother, of course.”
“Of course. But then what?”
“Then you will be surrounded with young men eager to dance with Miss Darcy!”
“You are certain, Elizabeth?”
“Georgiana, this isyour ball. Moreover, you are a lovely heiress with excellent connections. It will be seen as an honour to secure a dance with you; I promise you this!”
“Very well,” Georgiana sighed. “I suppose it will be all right.”
“All right? Georgiana, you will remember tonight with happiness for the rest of your life!”
***
Elizabeth’s prediction was quite accurate. As Cathy was arranging Georgiana’s hair, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy came in to give Georgiana her diamond tiara. Georgiana almost burst into tears of happiness, but Elizabeth cautioned her not to give in to her emotions, saying, “We do not want your eyes to be red!”
The one hundred and fifty invitations that had gone out had garnered them over four hundred guests. Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth and Georgiana stood at the entryway to receive the guests, and Georgiana was conscious of a good many admiring male glances.
The Earl and Countess of Matlock were in attendance, of course, as were the Bingleys and the Gardiners. The Countess observed Elizabeth speaking to a handsome woman attired in the first stare of fashion; the woman looked somewhat familiar, but the Countess could not recall if they had ever actually been introduced. Making her way through the crowd, she requested an introduction.
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled mischievously. The Countess had obviously mistaken Aunt Gardiner for a woman of fashion, but she had requested an introduction and Elizabeth was happy to comply.
“Aunt Matlock, may I present Mrs. Gardiner? Aunt Gardiner, may I present the Countess of Matlock?”
The Countess’ eyes widened, as she realised that she had just been introduced to the wife of a merchant – at her own request! – but she carried it off with her usual good manners and elegance. “Ah, now I recall; I saw you at my nephew’s wedding! Mrs. Gardiner, I have heard much of you from your lovely niece – I think I must sayourlovely niece! – and I am delighted to properly meet you at last.” The fact that the Countess had not requested an introduction at the wedding was not mentioned.
