Page 155 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

Elizabeth smiled mischievously. “I say we decide after our time in the Cotswolds. If you prove a competent enough ladies’ maid, I will be content to do without Dinah in Wales.”

Fitzwilliam blushed, and Elizabeth stood on her toes to whisper in his ear. “I am ready to say our farewells if you would like to depart now.”

Chapter Sixty-Four

Ten days later, Elizabeth took Darcy’s breath away when she walked into the Matlock’s ballroom on the arm of the Duke of Malmesbury. She had been announced as Lady Elizabeth Rowe, which had left Darcy unsettled briefly after having lived with her for more than a week calling her Mrs. Darcy, but he knew it was all part of his aunt’s and the duke’s plan to be sure all of London society knew where this beautiful woman stood among their ranks.

Darcy had been awaiting her entrance from inside the ballroom along with a crush of other people. Although it was still a week before the end of February, Lady Matlock’s invitation had brought friends back to London early. Parliament had been in session since just after Twelfth Night, but not all the wives and families had come so soon. Now it seemed London was full again for this one event.

Elizabeth’s friends Mrs. Edith Kirkpatrick and Mrs. Priscilla Hopper and their husbands should be here somewhere, although they had not been apprised of Elizabeth’s identity yet and were likely confused by their good fortune in having been invited to such a ball. His friend Bingley had brought his wife and sisters. Those sisters still did not know who the duke’s granddaughter was or that she had married Darcy.

Gazing at his wife now, Darcy longed to be back in the Cotswolds with her. They had chosen the relatively near destination not only for the Malmesbury connection but because they had been granted little time in their family’s social scheming and it had been too cold to travel to the ocean. He would take Elizabeth to the seaside later this year. It was one of many promises he looked forward to fulfilling.

Elizabeth spotted him and gave him a nervous smile as her grandfather led her to the dance floor for the first set. Darcy moved to maintain a clear view of her and was annoyed by the gossip he heard around him. Everyone was speculating on her wealth, on where she had been hiding all these years, on whom could catch her eye, and on how long she would remain single.

He needed to locate his aunt and ask how long this charade must last. He knew he did not get to dance with his wife until the supper set, but could he not inform people that she was his? Her wedding ring was hidden beneath her glove, but her beauty was on display for all.

“Well, Darcy, your pride must be soaring about now.” Lord Blakely suddenly stood beside him.

Darcy was struggling more with misery than pride as he watched a young earl lead Elizabeth out for her second set. “What do you mean?”

“I might have had a chance with Lady Elizabeth if you had not caught her first. I realize she might have done better than a viscount such as myself, but really, I should have had an opportunity to try.”

Darcy glared at his cousin. “That is my wife you are speaking of, Blakely.”

“My point exactly. Are you not proud of her? She is taking to her new role as if she had been raised to it.”

“Er, yes, I see. Forgive me.” Darcy sighed and then smiled serenely. “I must say I am proud of her, but then I have been proud of her for many years. For far more years than I had any right to be. In a sense, she was raised to this role, even if she had no notion of it. Her uncle knew it when he helped her attain her many accomplishments and her expansive education.”

Blakely looked at him with understanding. “Shall I give her any message when I claim her next set? I understand you are not allowed to approach her until the fifth.”

Darcy could not encapsulate in a few words what he was feeling right now.

“Do not worry, Darce. I will take good care of her. And she will be all yours in just over an hour.”

Darcy groaned at the wait. He stalked off to the refreshment table.

Elizabeth would not say she was less agitated at this ball than any other, but it was a delightful change to be praised instead of ridiculed. The whispers made her uncomfortable, but the sentiments were easier to bear than she had been used to in years past.

While dancing with her grandfather, he had begged her to come for a long stay at Rowe Manor. She said she would discuss it with her husband, and the duke suggested after the autumn harvest might be a good time for Pemberley to be without its master.

Her second set, with a man who had inherited an earldom a year before, had been less comfortable. While he had not made any requests for her to deny, he had made it clear he would like nothing more than to make her his countess. She could not wait until the supper set, when she could be free from this charade.

Dancing with her new cousin Blakely was far more satisfactory than the previous set had been. She had gotten to know him only a little in the past few weeks, but she liked him already.

“Darcy is miserable right now, you know.”

“Oh dear. What is the matter?” She looked around but could no longer see him standing by the wall where he had been earlier.

“Only jealousy, cousin. He will soon be happy again.”

Elizabeth blushed. Fitzwilliam avoided dancing with women who hoped for more from him, but perhaps he could find some value in this evening once their relationship was made known.

As the first dance of this set drew to a close, Elizabeth spotted her old friends Edith and Priscilla watching her with broad smiles on their faces.

“Lord Blakely, would you mind terribly escorting me to my friends just there? I have not seen them in an age.”

“Very well, Lady Elizabeth, but you owe me another dance at your earliest convenience. And you must help me find a wife worth talking to, if it is not too much trouble.”