Page 95
“I apologise mother.”
“And stop smirking Andrew it is most unbecoming.”
“I apologise mother.”
Georgiana had to lower her head, it took all her willpower not to laugh out loud.
“Now Richard, you never answered my question. Has anyone captured your interest?”
“Not seriously. Your friend Lady Maria Leonard has a young lady staying with her at present. She is a charming young lady and I have danced with her twice. And before you ask mother, only once at two different balls. We talked of many things during our dances and I sat with her for supper last week. She is different to the other young ladies.”
“How do you mean?”
“I do not wish to be rude, but she should not be there.”
“She is an embarrassment?”
“No, nothing could be further from the truth. It is just she is too lowly to interest any of the gentleman, at least seriously.”
“Too lowly?”
“I am repeating your teachings mother. Private balls allow guests to mingle without fear of meeting someone far beneath them. Those are the words you told me when I was 15, 16 maybe, my middle teenage years. Lady Maria as the sister of a Duke and the cousin of another is a guest of the highest standing. But the young lady is several steps below that standing. And this is nothing to do with her personally, she is a great addition to any event, but even as I talk about her I am confused as to why she is there.”
Despite the slightly rambling nature of his comments Lady Matlock understood what he was saying.
“So she is interesting but you do not want to toy with her. Have others?”
“Not that I have seen, Lady Maria keeps a close eye. Another thing I noted is that she is on good terms with young Desmond. It is well known that he is close with his cousin, I have it on good report that he calls her ‘aunt’. At the ball last week he danced with the young lady.”
“Are you going to call on her?”
“I would like to, but without raising her expectations. Like I said she is a pleasure to converse with.”
“You may accompany me when I next visit Lady Maria. I will ensure that there is no confusion as to your intentions.”
“Thank you, mother.”
“But there is no one else?”
“No. They are all perfectly pleasant, but nothing out of the ordinary. The ladies with substantial dowries are chaperoned heavily while still attracting a crowd. I do not wish to appear a fortune hunter. I think that is why I find Miss Bennet so easy to talk to, neither of us put on airs and graces.”
The dish had been knocked from the table, all Lady Matlock had to do was wait for it to smash.
“Miss Bennet?”
Shards of crockery flew in all directions.
“Yes. I realise I had not mentioned the young lady’s name. Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
Darcy sat there in astonishment.
“It cannot be the same person. Could you describe her?”
“She is around five feet three inches tall with curly hair. I initially thought it was black but it appears to change depending on the light. It is dark but I have not met her in daylight so I do not know the exact shade.”
Given his mother and ward were at the end of the table he stopped his description there.
“Do you know her?”
