Page 111

“Do you disapprove?”

“When it comes to Elizabeth there seem to be so many things where I do not know how to proceed. She takes comfort from information, it may be after 2.00 in the morning when we return from a ball but she and Mrs. Smith will make quick notes about the event. It is through gleaning information that she was able to assist her uncle, given all the other constraints. She has joined society with nary a stumble. She makes no effort to be anything other than herself and has found two or three gentlemen that are prepared to accept this. She is the exact opposite of some nouveau riche social climber, knows what is possible and what is not, and therefore makes no effort with someone like my cousin, other than to be a polite lady with him.”

“What does he think of her?”

“He finds her.” Lady Maria paused. “There is not one word I think. She treats him with respect but she is also honest. Maybe the best way I can describe it is that Society speak is a foreign language, one you have to be careful with, not say the wrong thing to the wrong person, whereas Elizabeth speaks English to him.”

Lady Susan nodded.

“I will steal that analogy Maria, it is very good. I see exactly what you mean. It is as if Miss Bennet is a foreigner within society and does not yet speak the language. And even more pertinently, she is making no effort to speak it?”

“Your own analogy is equally on target. So tell me about Darcy? Is he truly blind to the fact he is calling on a young lady? You have mentioned that he had a heightened sense of consequence and was always worried about raising expectations.”

“That is the thing, at the ball two nights ago he danced the first with a Miss Lytham. He has spoken, in a light and cheerful tone, of using his consequence for good and one dance will not raise expectations. He is not mocking himself but he is definitely not taking himself too seriously any more. He is polite and formal but not severe or stern.”

“That is quite the change.”

“It is. You have seen him with Miss Bennet. They last danced, what four nights ago, and they looked an attractive, and happy, couple. They both smile when they see each other, and the conversations between the two of them appear to flow even while dancing. We have both heard them at supper.”

“Is Richard jealous?”

“No he is not. He has not used the word, and I will not ask him directly, but my sense is he is intimidated by Miss Bennet.”

“Intimidated?”

“You just talked about her perusal of innumerable newspapers and journals. She can talk about politics, trade, the war on the Peninsula, the deterioration of the situation with the Americans, and those are just the supper topics of four nights ago. If she could be appropriately disguised she would not stand out at any club.”

“And Darcy is not intimidated?”

“He has given no indication that he is. He seeks out her company and they both take delight in knowing a fact that the other does not. But neither of them are precious when it occurs. Did you not hear Miss Elizabeth ask Darcy where he had learned about the current situation in Guadeloupe? It was so that she could subscribe to the émigré newspaper.”

“If they both wake up and realise that they are close to courting, what is your thought on the idea. And will the Earl object?”

“Less than two months ago Miss Bennet was an unknown, and I would not have approved, or at least withheld my approval at first. She would have been guilty and needed to prove her innocence rather than the other way round. But the last two months have demonstrated her qualities. Not the least of which is her intelligence,”

“You mean the tournament?”

“We have been out and about for the last two weeks, it is all that anyone can talk about. Sir Edward is reaping the public praise for the idea, for hitting that perfect mark of engaging interest without going overboard. And the brandy is the perfect prize. Richard tells me there are wagers between gentlemen every week that are in excess of the value of the brandy, even with that rare bottle. But by tying it back to honour for the regiment, a chance for public bragging rights, that is genius. But we both know that it was Miss Elizabeth’s idea, and she got the idea from listening to my son talk of his exploits. She wanted a way for his bravery and courage, the bravery and courage of all the men fighting there, to be recognised. The Earl has not met Miss Elizabeth, but he knows that she is the originator of the idea, and she got the idea from Richard. He may question an alliance with Darcy but he will not automatically oppose it.”

“Is he going to attend the event?”

“Oh yes, he would not miss it. Andrew will be there as well. He is proud of his younger brother, not that you could get him to admit it, and so all three of us will be there. I presume you will attend?”

“Without question. My father was the Colonel in command of the 25th Regiment until his death. I will be supporting whichever officer from that regiment is in the tournament.”

“I think that by the time of the event all of the participants will have supporters from unrelated families. With so many sons going into the Army there are numerous ties, even if they do not include the current generation. And the Navy has been allocated one quarter of the spots. Who would have thought a fencing contest in the grounds of the Royal Hospital would become the social event of the season?”

--

Georgiana Darcy could have sat with Lady Maria and Lady Susan, her own thoughts were similar to theirs. But also like them she had no idea how to address the subject. She worried that if she raised the matter with him that he would revert to the William of prior seasons. It was only a week until William and Richard departed for their annual trip to Rosings Park. Georgiana maintained a correspondence with her only female cousin, Anne. She would like to accompany the two gentlemen to Kent but was not prepared to deal with her aunt. Two weeks of being found at fault every day was more than her spirit and self-esteem could cope with.

With her brother going to be away until the day before Good Friday she gathered her courage.

“Brother, may I ask a favour?”

“If it is within my power, of course Georgie.”

“Would you introduce me to Miss Bennet please. I would like to get to know her, and with you and Richard being in Kent until Easter, it seems like the perfect time.”