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The first act began, but neither the brightly lit stage nor the actors in their splendid costumes from an earlier age could wholly engage her attention, occupied as she was with questions about Mr Darcy. He appeared somewhat thinner and paler than at their last meeting. His bearing was also less severe, though perhaps her faulty judgement had led her to exaggerate it before. She remembered him as arrogant at Meryton, indifferent as he had sometimes been at Netherfield, or dull as, strangely enough, he had become at Rosings just before declaring his love. But that evening he seemed different. Beyond the evident embarrassment of their meeting, she saw him for the first time as a man of the world, elegant and at ease, surrounded by family, friends and ladies.

Almost without intending to, she glanced towards their box again. The sister of the viscount’s wife was surely a lady of excellent connections and charming as well. Elizabeth could not distinguish her features clearly, but she had no reason to suppose otherwise. Mr Darcy had appeared ill at ease at his cousin’s jests about the women who pursued him, though it was plain that he did not lack admirers. Perhaps his feelings towards Elizabeth had changed since April. Whatever his wishes might now be, she had no reason to concern herself with them.

The music startled her several times, drawing her out of her reverie. Whenever her gaze returned to Mr Darcy’s box, he appeared engrossed in conversation with the lady, unconcerned about being seen in her company. But if Elizabeth were honest with herself, he had never appeared concerned about being seen with her either. He had singled her out on more than one occasion in Hertfordshire, danced with her at the Netherfield ball despite her earlier refusal at Sir William Lucas’s, and attempted to engage her in conversation whenever they were in the same room. He had even praised her love for reading, compared his sister’s height to hers, and asked her not to sketch his character at that time after their unpleasant exchange during the dance, when she had foolishly defended Wickham.

One moment she remembered him as arrogant and indifferent, only to recall the next that somewhere in the course of those meetings he had fallen in love with her. Charlotte had perceived his interest, and Miss Bingley had probably understood it too. Only Elizabeth, the object of his attention, had failed to see it. She could understand now why her father had so often questioned her readiness to judge people, though admitting it gave her little pleasure.

The music suddenly quickened, drawing Elizabeth back to the performance. Such speculations were unreasonable, since she did not even understand what she wanted from another meeting. The colonel had promised to seek them out during the interval. Still, she doubted Darcy would leave such agreeable company to join them. Soon she would depart London and leave them all behind. Had Mr Gardiner’s business not delayed their departure, they would already have been far away and would never have met Mr and Miss Darcy.

And suddenly she had to admit to herself that she was pleased they had met. The Mr Darcy she had encountered that evening seemed a different man, and she wished to know whether she had misunderstood him before or whether he had indeed changed.

Loud voices and sudden movements around her startled Elizabeth. The first act had ended, and she realised how little attention she had given it when her aunt asked, “Are you enjoying the play, Lizzy?” Elizabeth nodded, hoping her aunt would not ask which part she had enjoyed.

“Come, let us take a few turns. We need some air and refreshments,” Mr Gardiner said, offering an arm to each lady. “Let us hope we encounter no more of your aunt’s former suitors,” he added with a twinkle in his eye, making his wife smile and squeeze his arm fondly.

“Uncle!” Elizabeth exclaimed, enjoying the teasing between her uncle and aunt. Yet, she had to admit that her aunt’s former admirers were proving considerably less troublesome than her own. She returned the opera glass to her aunt, but not before stealing a last glance towards Darcy’s box, where only the ladies remained seated.

The three were on their way to the hall when Colonel Fitzwilliam and the viscount appeared before them, and the colonel greeted them with a question. “Mr and Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, how are you enjoying the play?”

“Very much. And you?” Mr Gardiner replied.

“To be honest, I would prefer to spend a warm evening somewhere less crowded, but that is merely my own taste,” the colonel admitted, making Mr Gardiner laugh.

“I understand you perfectly, sir.”

Elizabeth wondered whether they had been searching for her and the Gardiners. The viscount’s next words seemed to confirm it, for he spoke with more than mere politeness. “If we are not intruding, we should be pleased to have your company this evening. Our box is spacious, and we would be delighted if you joined our party for the remainder of the performance.”

Taken aback by the invitation, they did not know how to respond. Mr and Mrs Gardiner exchanged puzzled glances while Elizabeth kept silent, wondering whether Darcy had approved.

Eventually, Mr Gardiner answered, “Your lordship is exceedingly kind, and your invitation is a great honour, but we would not wish to intrude upon your family party.”

“It is no intrusion, I assure you. We have been speaking of our unexpected meeting, and Georgiana has told us how Mrs Gardiner knew her parents. I believe my wife is also curious to meet the first lady I admired,” the viscount jested before growing serious. “Mr Gardiner, Mrs Gardiner, forgive me if my jests are improper. I hope I have neither offended nor distressed you. We became so absorbed in those happy childhood memories that we could speak of little else. I mean no disrespect.”

“You have not offended us, your lordship. You need not worry about jesting. We are a family who enjoy teasing and laughing at ourselves. Besides, I confess I am proud that my wife chose me, though she had once been admired by a future viscount. Even if he was only seven, it must count for something,” Mr Gardiner replied.

The viscount and the colonel laughed, but Elizabeth’s uncertainty only grew as the others became more at ease, and she ventured, “But perhaps Mr Darcy will not approve of our presence. As my uncle said, we do not wish to intrude.”

“Darcy? I assure you he joins us in the invitation,” the colonel replied. “He has gone to order refreshments for the ladies, but he will be pleased to see you.”

Elizabeth remained uneasy, but the others seemed delighted, and she had little choice but to overcome her reluctance. The worst that could happen was that she would feel embarrassed, and she must bear it.

“My cousin is right,” Darcy said from behind them, and Elizabeth turned so abruptly that she lost her footing. He caught her while she apologised for her clumsiness. “We invited you for the pleasure of your company,” he continued, his gaze fixed on Elizabeth. “But if you would prefer to spend the evening with your family alone, we shall quite understand.”

His warm voice and evident concern dispelled Elizabeth’s fear of his disapproval, though they raised new questions. He had seemed reluctant to leave them earlier, and now he had agreed to their joining his family. She could no longer suppose he wished to avoid her. Whatever understanding existed between him and the lady in his box, he clearly wished for their company. His open expression of that wish puzzled Elizabeth, but this was no time to ponder it.

The second act was about to begin, and the others waited while Elizabeth met Mr Darcy’s eyes and replied, “As my uncle has already said, we are honoured and delighted by your invitation.”

“Excellent!” the colonel exclaimed, offering his arm to Elizabeth and leading the way. The Gardiners followed, with the viscount and Mr Darcy bringing up the rear.

On entering the box, Elizabeth wondered how the ladies would receive them, her relatives as well as herself. Given the viscount’s insistence, she did not expect open rudeness. Nevertheless, the difference in their stations was considerable, and she marvelled at how easily the gentlemen had set it aside.

Introductions were made inside the box. Lady Wellford was strikingly beautiful, with an open countenance and laughing green eyes. She greeted them with a certain condescension, though her amiable voice and friendly welcome softened her superior air.

Lady Amelia Crawford seemed less pleased with their arrival than her sister. Nevertheless, she received them politely before quickly resuming her seat. Mr Darcy then invited the other ladies to sit. “Miss Bennet, Mrs Gardiner, do take the front seats. You will have a better view.” Lady Amelia moved quickly to her sister’s left, evidently displeased at losing her place beside him. Elizabeth found herself between Lady Amelia and Miss Darcy, with Mrs Gardiner on Georgiana’s other side. The gentlemen took their seats behind the ladies, Darcy and the colonel in the centre and the married gentlemen behind their wives.

Miss Darcy seemed divided between pleasure at seeing them again and shyness among new acquaintances. Gradually, however, the gentle manners of Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner put her more at ease.

“Have you enjoyed the performance thus far?” Lady Wellford asked, only for her husband to answer with a smile.