“Well, I expect we will have a good many callers,” Elizabeth said. “And I also expect it will begin quite soon.”
And indeed, the words were scarcely spoken when Mr. Samuels came to inform them that Colonel Fitzwilliam was in the drawing room.
Mary dropped her fork onto her plate with a clatter, got up, ran to the door, turned and ran back into the room to drop a quick curtsey, and then ran out.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy looked at each other, wide-eyed, and then began to laugh with delight.
***
The Colonel had indeed come to call on Mary, with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. She blushed deeply, invited him to sit and then carefully arranged the flowers in a vase. Her head was spinning! Her first posy, ever, and from the Colonel, of all people! But any awkwardness she felt was soon dispelled, as he had a good many questions about how she had enjoyed herself at the ball, who she had danced with, and so on.
The Colonel found her enthusiasm delightful. He had become too world-weary, he thought, and Miss Bennet was just the cure he needed.
It was not long before the Countess herself came to call in order to receive congratulations on the success of her ball. The Darcys had not read the social pages that morning, but the Countess had brought the clipping fromThe Morning Post, and read it aloud.
“The ball given by the Earl and Countess of Matlock in honour of their new niece, Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy neé Bennet, was a complete crush. Mrs. Darcy, though new to Society, was considered by all to be charming, witty, and a worthy addition to the Matlock family. She was resplendent in a full-skirted gown of gold, adorned with a glittering lace bodice. She wore the Darcy diamonds, which have not been seen since the unfortunate passing of the Earl of Matlock’s lovely sister, Anne Darcy.
Also seen was Miss Georgiana Darcy; quite properly, she danced only with family members, though none other than the Marquess of Hartington was seen sitting beside her! We look forward to the lovely Miss Darcy’s come-out, as she is certain to be one of the diamonds of the Season.”
Everyone was surprised that Georgiana had even been mentioned. The article went on to list many of the attendees and what they had worn, but no one had any interest in that, so shestopped reading. “In any case,” she said, looking up. “No one can deny that we have stopped the rumours about Georgiana!”
“Do you want to go to Pemberley, seeing that our mission is complete?” Elizabeth asked her husband.
“I thought we might stay a bit longer,” he said. “We have not been to a single play, nor to the museum, and not even to Hatchard’s!”
“And the Marquess said he would call – oh, Aunt, it is just so that we might play the piano together!” Georgiana added hastily, seeing her aunt’s frown.
“We certainly do not need more gossip, Georgiana, even if he is a Marquess! No,especiallyif he is a Marquess, for he will be watched very carefully!”
“I know, Aunt Ellen, but Mary will sit with us the whole time he is here; if he even comes, that is.”
***
The Marquess did, in fact, call on Georgiana, and more than once. The two spent a good deal of time playing the piano together. Mary might have felt rather left out, as she and Georgiana usually sat at the instrument together, but Colonel Fitzwilliam was in the drawing room so often that she did not feel the lack.
The Colonel’s rather constant presence did not go unnoticed by the Darcys. “Should I ask him his intentions, do you think?” Mr. Darcy asked Elizabeth. “I am ratherin loco parentisto her, am I not?”
“Would you insult him by asking if his intentions are honourable?” practical Elizabeth asked.
“Hmmph. Still, I feel that I should do something.”
“Just wait,” Elizabeth advised, a twinkle in her eye. “I do not think it will be much longer.”
***
And indeed, it was not, for the very next day, the Colonel made his way to Mr. Darcy’s study and asked for a few minutes of his cousin’s time. The two sat together over brandy, with the Colonel fiddling nervously with his glass and Mr. Darcy eyeing his cousin with some amusement. Finally, Mr. Darcy said, “Was there something in particular you wished to speak with me about, Richard?”
The Colonel squared his shoulders. “As it happens, Darcy, there is.”
“Very well,” Mr. Darcy said, obligingly. “What is it?”
The Colonel said, “I would like your permission to court Miss Bennet.”
“Indeed? And to what end?”
“To what end?! Why, to marry her, you dolt!”
“Now, now, Richard, calling me names will not advance your suit.”
