Did she care for him at all? How in heaven’s name was a gentleman to know?
***
Lord Russell, the Baron de Clifford, asked Caroline for her supper dance. He had been informed that she had a dowry of twenty thousand pounds, and she was not at all bad-looking. He had also heard, via the servant’s grapevine, that her brother was eager to marry her off. Lord Russell had experienced a series of bad losses at his club, and marrying a good dowry seemed the best solution.
He had been very interested in Miss Darcy and her thirty thousand pounds, but of late he had gotten a very strong feeling that his interest was not returned. While everything polite, she had nonetheless been quite cool to him.
Miss Bingley was, he thought, a good alternative. Twenty thousand pounds was not as inviting as thirty thousand, and Miss Bingley’s connections were vastly inferior to Miss Darcy’s, but Lord Russell was very familiar with the saying that beggars should not be choosers! Also, Miss Bingley was not unattractive, with her red-brown hair and green eyes; siring an heir would be no difficult chore.
He had secured Miss Bingley’s supper dance easily enough; she had blushed and curtsied to him. Doubtless the idea of being Lady Russell had great appeal to the daughter of a merchant. As he led her into supper, he made certain to find her a good seat, and then asked solicitously after her food preferences.
Caroline had been thrilled to have been asked to supper by Lord Russell. He was tall and good-looking, and – heavens – a Baron! What a gentleman! How very different from that odious Colonel Fitzwilliam! And he was evidently very wealthy, as he spoke a good deal about his acreage, his horses and his carriages. When he asked if he might call on her, she was thrilled and very quickly replied in the affirmative.
***
Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth watched Caroline and Lord Russell dining together with some concern.
“It is none of our business, is it?” Mr. Darcy whispered to his wife.
“I think we must at least tell Charles what we know about the man,” his wife whispered back. “He might not care if Caroline is married to a fortune hunter, as long as she is out of the house, but he should at least be made aware, should he not?”
Mr. Darcy bit back a groan. He very much disliked being involved in schemes such as these; someone was bound to be hurt. But Elizabeth was right; he owed Bingley the truth about Lord Russell before things went too far.
***
Georgiana and Lord Fane were sitting together rather closely. Lady Agatha had joined them with her own dance partner. Georgiana’s plate had been filled by Lord Fane with all manner of delicacies, but she could only pick at her food. Her head was filled with the nearness of the man she – loved? Perhaps! But did he like her as well as she liked him? And could she truly learn to be a Countess?
Mr. Stanley was sitting on Georgiana’s left with his dance partner. He addressed Georgiana occasionally with his usual kind smile, finally asking if he might come to Darcy House next week with his violin; he had not attended to his music as regularly as he should, but perhaps Georgiana would play a duet with him? Georgiana agreed, thinking that perhaps Mr. Stanley would make a better husband for her than Lord Fane. They were both musical, he had an estate that could support a family, and Georgiana would not be required to become a political hostess.
How was a girl to choose?
***
The ball concluded in the early hours of the following morning. The Darcys were exhausted and were glad to wave the last stragglers home.
Chapter Twenty-Five
On the following day, theMorning Postprinted this:
On Monday evening, at Darcy House on Grosvenor Square, the Ball given to celebrate the arrival of the lovely Miss Darcy in society was well-planned and flawlessly executed in every respect. There were over four hundred guests, so the ballroom was filled to capacity, but the proportions of the ballroom allowed ample room for dancing and dining. By eleven o'clock, Grosvenor Square was filled with elegant carriages; guests gained admittance into the house by passing through the receiving line that consisted of Mr. Darcy of Pemberley, Mrs. Darcy, and the fair Miss Darcy.
Miss Darcy led the first dance, as expected, with her brother and guardian, Mr. Darcy. Unsurprisingly, Miss Darcy’s dance card was completely full; as the great-niece of the Earl and Countess of Matlock and possessing a dowry of a full thirty thousand pounds, her popularity is not to be wondered at! In addition, she is possessed of so great a talent on the pianoforte that it is rumoured the Queen Herself plans to ask for a private performance!
The dancing continued without a moment’s intermission until half past midnight, when the Darcys led the way to the supper-rooms. The fare served was of the finest quality and was greatly enjoyed by all, as was the champagne that flowed quite freely. Mr. Darcy toasted his young sister, noting her charm and elegance, and his pride in her.
The article went on to mention a number of attendees and who had danced with whom, and then concluded by saying that Miss Darcy was certain to make a fine match this Season.
Elizabeth read the article aloud at the breakfast table, though it was late enough to more properly be considered luncheon.
Georgiana was bright red by the time Elizabeth reached the end. “Is it normal for so much detail to be included?” she asked, rather alarmed. “Everyone will know who I danced with!”
Mrs. Annesley answered, eyes twinkling, “I am afraid there is little privacy to be had in the Marriage Game, Miss Darcy!”
***
At about the same time, the Bingleys were having a late breakfast as well, and Jane was reading the article aloud at the table. Caroline was delighted that her dance with Lord Russell had been mentioned!
Jane asked, “Do you like him, Caroline?”
