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“Meaning?”

“Again, it goes back to her demeanour. She makes no effort to ingratiate herself. She is polite, charming but also safe. She stands out just by being different to those around her. It is why the Duke likes her.”

“Desmond?”

“Yes. She knows that there is no way she could be considered as suitable as the Duchess. Rather than make things uncomfortable for him and awkward with me, she treats him like I do, as a member of the family.”

“She is that familiar?”

“No, I am clearly not explaining this very well. She is polite and proper but not cloying or grasping. That she is treating him ‘normally’ has endeared her to him. He does not have to be on guard and she does not have to present some kind of façade. He has granted her permission to call him Lord Roderick when in private.”

“My goodness. He can relax with her because she treats him properly but does not put him on some kind of pedestal?”

“A good description.”

“Why does she not aspire to be a Duchess?”

“The highest rank of the peerage? Even if she became a Baroness there would be talk. Would you allow her to marry Andrew?”

Lady Susan’s elder son, the heir to the Earldom and already with the courtesy title of Viscount. She nodded in understanding, before grimacing.

“I see your point exactly, but frankly if I could get him to be serious with any young lady I would be delighted.”

“Should I bring Miss Bennet to tea one day soon?”

“That is unkind. But I would like to meet the young lady, heavens even Richard has met her.”

“And what of your nephew? He has not been in company much since his return.”

“I think you have named the only person even less inclined to marry than Andrew.”

Lady Maria heard Lady Susan sigh, given the frequency that Elizabeth sighed she was more aware of them now.

“That is unfair to either of them. They are both acutely aware of their responsibility to marry and provide an heir for their respective estates. My son is perfectly sociable and I hope that there will be some news this season. Although, I will allow there is the wishful thinking of a mother involved in that hope. My nephew is different, his nature is not as outgoing. He even spoke of it with his sister on the journey south. He confessed to finding it difficult to deal with society, he was uncomfortable compared to managing his estate.”

“I know that we joked of him and Miss Bennet, but do you believe there is a possibility?”

“Darcy has some stubborn notions of consequence and respect for the family history. It is also entangled with ensuring that Georgiana marries well. He believes that unless he marries well her prospects will be reduced, perhaps severely. Part of the challenge is, other than a courtesy visit upon his return to town, I have not seen him. He spends his time at his club. In fact, I will invite him to dinner this week, listen to what he has to say.”

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“Good evening Colonel. It is a pleasure to find you here this evening.”

Elizabeth was still oblivious to how pretty she was, and that a genuine smile enhanced her beauty. It took all his military discipline for Richard Fitzwilliam not to preen.

“Good evening Miss Bennet. May I say that you look remarkably well this evening. How is your card? Do you have a set available for a mere officer?”

His impish smirk was met by an equally impish smile in return.

“I have the supper set available Colonel.”

The set was pencilled in.

“May I take this opportunity to request your company during the supper as well.”

“I would be delighted.”

“Excellent, not just a dance but the chance for conversation over supper. I cannot wait.”