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Chapter 39

A s a special treat, the four young ladies aged thirteen to sixteen were to be permitted by their respective parents and guardians to attend the ball until after supper. They were only allowed to dance with family, or soon to be family. To say Anna, Charity, Alli, and Lilly were excited was a vast understatement.

Contrary to his past inclinations, Darcy was looking forward to the ball that evening. The main reason was, in the days since his begging the Bennets' pardons in person, a tentative friendship was being built between him and Miss Elizabeth. Unlike earlier in his acquaintanceship, Darcy would make no assumptions and not try to read more into his interactions with her than they actually meant. His affections and wishes, however, were unchanged as they related to Miss Elizabeth. He clearly understood there was no more than a fledgling friendship between them at this point, and he had to be very circumspect because one word from her would necessarily silence him on the subject forever. He prayed for more in the future, but he was happy with the way things were at present, and at least she no longer detested him.

For her part Elizabeth was amazed how she had gone from hating the very sight of Mr. Darcy to rather enjoying his company. In fact, she relished debating books and other subjects with him, especially as he treated her as an intelligent being and never condescended to her. She had to admit she was looking forward to seeing his grounds at Pemberley.

On Monday, the day before the ball, Elizabeth had been sitting with Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward discussing an excursion to the Peaks after arriving at Clover Dell when Mr. Darcy, who had heard them, asked if he could join the discussion as he, like Aunt Maddie, thought Derbyshire the best of all counties. Before she knew what had occurred, not only had Mr. Darcy volunteered himself and Anna as their guides, but she, the Gardiners, and their four children, were invited to Pemberley.

When Uncle Edward mentioned the fishing at his estate was not very good, Mr. Darcy invited her uncle to come fish at Pemberley as much as he desired while the Gardiners were in Derbyshire. That was when Mr. Darcy had extended an invitation to come tour Pemberley at any time which was convenient for them. Her aunt had recalled visiting the estate when her mother was alive and would make visits within the parish, including visiting the late Lady Anne. On hearing Mrs. Gardiner had been in her mother's company, Anna had many questions regarding her mother for her which had been answered to the best of Madeline's recollection.

As the Darcys and Charity were to depart for the north the day after the double wedding, the same day the Gardiners and Elizabeth would be travelling, the two groups had decided to journey together.

In addition to the Gardiners, Mr. Darcy had begun to become friendly with her brothers. They shared a passion for horses, riding, books, and chess to name a few. Elizabeth had been amused when her brothers had separately come to enquire of her if she was sanguine with them enjoying Mr. Darcy's company. She had told both she had no objections.

The truth Elizabeth admitted to herself was that had Mr. Darcy acted in the manner as he was now from the start of their acquaintanceship, and his proposal had not been as offensive as it had been, her answer may have been very different. She smiled as she thought back to the conversation they had had yester-evening when the residents of Longbourn had been at Netherfield Park for a family dinner which had included the Philipses, the Lucases, and the Collinses, who had arrived yester-afternoon. The Forsters were not included as the regiment had previously moved to their summer quarters in Brighton.

The men had just re-joined the ladies in the largest drawing room after the separation of the sexes when Mr. Darcy had approached Elizabeth where she sat alone on a settee.

"May I sit Miss Elizabeth?" Darcy had requested.

"There is no one else here so it would be rather missish of me to deny you," Elizabeth had teased.

Darcy had sat and cleared his throat. "I wanted to make a request of you privately now. That way, if your answer is in the negative, it will not cause you to have to sit out at the ball on the morrow," Darcy had stated so only Elizabeth could hear.

"Go ahead Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth had allowed.

"The only time we have danced was here at this estate. Now that I am able to see clearly, I believe that you were not sanguine with partnering me for a dance. Hence it was not a pleasant experience for you. Do I have the right of it?" Darcy had enquired.

"You are not wrong, Mr. Darcy. To where do these questions tend?"

"Would you allow me to request a set from you at the ball tomorrow, not one of the significant sets, so we may both erase the memories of that unpleasant experience and replace them with positive ones?"

Elizabeth had looked into his piercing blue eyes for a few moments. As if she needed a reminder, his handsomeness was even more apparent from close up and now that his character matched his outward looks, she knew she would enjoy dancing with him. This time they would not be silent.

"As my mama espouses only to remember the past as that remembrance gives pleasure, that first dance is forgot. Yes, Mr. Darcy, I would like to dance a set with you." Elizabeth had fought to maintain her equanimity at the way Mr. Darcy's countenance had lit up at her reply.

"In that case, may I reserve the set before the supper set?" Darcy had requested.

"It is yours, Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth had averred.

Now as she prepared for the ball to celebrate the upcoming nuptials of her sisters, Elizabeth was in anticipation of her dance with Mr. Darcy.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

As much as she was enjoying spending time with Marie, Andrew, and her new grandson, Robby, Lady Rose Rhys-Davies was aching for her beloved Sedgewick. It had been two months since The Rose had sailed away from her down the Thames and it was already, by far, the longest she and her beloved had ever been separated since they had married. Before this, the most they had spent apart had been a sennight.

She did not regret remaining behind to be with Marie during the final stages of her confinement or that she was in England with Charity who would not have joined them regardless. That did not mitigate the fact that she went to an empty bed every night and she could not hear her husband's sonorous voice on a daily basis. She was well aware Marie would not have objected had she elected to sail with her Sedgewick. She would have shown a brave face, but Rose would have known her daughter would have been sad had she not been available to attend Robby's birth.

Charity too, would have shown a stiff upper lip if her mama had not remained in England, but Rose was fully cognisant even while Charity was loving the time she spent with Anna Darcy, her youngest was very happy Mama was close by, well much closer than an ocean apart.

The weekly letters Charity wrote kept Rose abreast of her daughter's activities. After meeting the Bennets at Sarah De Melville's ball, she was unsurprised Charity gushed about first the Bennet sisters, and now since she had met the Bennet brothers, them as well, especially one of them in particular.

Rose was confident once her husband, sons, and Sed's family returned to England in another four months or so, they would further their acquaintanceship with the Bennets. She was also determined she would never be parted from her much loved husband ever again.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

In order to keep the receiving line to a manageable length, it consisted of the parents only—the Fitzwilliams, De Melvilles, and Bennets. As the Bennets and Gardiners had arrived at Netherfield Park an hour before the rest of the guests had been invited to arrive, those not greeting the arriving people were in the ballroom already when the first invited guests moved through the receiving line.

Elizabeth was to dance the first with Henry, then Tommy would partner her. She smiled behind her fan as she watched Mr. Darcy chatting with Anna and Charity. He would dance the first with the former and the second with the latter. As far as she knew, Richard would squire Anna for the second set while Henry danced with Charity. He would partner Anna for the next, and Tommy was to dance with Charity. Tommy was to dance the supper set with Anna.

Alli and Lilly would be with their fathers for the first set and then they would dance with other men in the family group. As it worked out none of the four younger girls would have to sit out one of the five sets up to, and including, the supper set.

Darcy had to fight not to stare at Miss Elizabeth while he was talking to Anna and Charity. Never had he seen her look more beautiful. She wore a dark green, silk gown which only made her wonderful eyes look even finer. Both of the brides looked very well, but in his opinion, nothing to Miss Elizabeth.

He had been very surprised to see the Hursts and Miss Bingley had been invited to attend the ball and the subsequent wedding. Richard had explained since Miss Bingley's improvement, the Bennet sisters had become friends with the two Bingley sisters. He understood it was a clear signal to society that even though the brother had seemingly disappeared, and was not heard from, the rest of the family were welcomed by members of the Ton . To demonstrate there were no bad feelings for the Hursts and Miss Bingley, even though there had been rumours of a split with the absent Mr. Bingley, Darcy had requested a set from both Bingley sisters.

Regardless of the fact he had danced each set so far, Darcy was in great anticipation of the set prior to the supper set. It would be the first time he would dance with Miss Elizabeth when it was a willing choice for her. When he remembered her face the first time he had asked her to dance in this very room, what he had interpreted as pleasure had been pain at having to stand up with him.

When the previous set ended, Darcy found Miss Elizabeth standing with her parents, aunts and uncles. He bowed to her and offered her his hand to lead her to the forming line. This time she smiled and took his hand willingly.

Elizabeth was as pleased, if not more so, that she and her partner were able to create a new and positive memory in this ballroom. As such, soon after they began the dance and came together, she decided this time they would not dance in silence for a half hour complete.

"Aunts Elaine and Sarah have organised an enjoyable ball, and the decorations are perfect, elegant and understated," Elizabeth observed.

"Yes, they have outdone themselves," Darcy averred. He said nothing further.

"Now that I made an observation, it is your turn Mr. Darcy." The dance separated them.

When they came back together, Darcy smiled, " Whatever you wish me to say will be said."

"Very well. That reply will do for the present. Perhaps by and by I may observe that private balls are much pleasanter than public ones. But now if you prefer, we may be silent."

"Do you talk by rule while you are dancing?"

"Sometimes. One must speak a little, you know. It would look odd to be entirely silent for half an hour together; and it would be reminiscent of the first time we danced together here."

"Are you saying you were indicating your disapprobation of me by remaining silent the whole of the dance?" They separated and when they came back together Elizabeth gave a shy nod. "And there I was in my delusion thinking it was companionable silence, how blind I was!"

"Hence," replied Elizabeth archly, "I am making sure we do not repeat that performance in this dance. We can speak about anything. We need only please ourselves, as we do not have to attempt to amaze the whole room with our witticisms."

"Would you like to discuss the latest book you have read?" The dance led them around others before they came back together.

"As much as I love speaking of books, a ballroom is not conducive for such a serious discussion. If you like you may tell me about what I will see in Derbyshire."

Had she tried to, Elizabeth could not have chosen a subject Mr. Darcy was willing to discuss with more verbosity. When they were together, he was alight with animation when he described his home shire, and when she asked about Pemberley, his love for his estate was greatly evident in the warmth of his descriptions.

Without the other knowing, both were sorry the dance had come to an end so soon. If Darcy had not already committed to dance the supper set, he may have chanced seeing if the set was yet open on Miss Elizabeth's dance card, or for that matter, any other set. His question about seeking a second set was answered when one of the local men approached her within his hearing to request a set and she informed the man her dances were all spoken for.

He admonished himself that even had she a set open it would not have been wise to request it. Their accord was new and fragile so the last thing he wanted to do was overwhelm her. Darcy had, however, reached a decision. If Miss Elizabeth was receptive, he would build on their friendship and then he would subtly probe to see if she would be amenable to a courtship.

Had it not been for his improper pride, arrogance, and false sense of worth, the wedding on Friday may well have been a triple wedding.

Before Lizzy's partner came to collect her for the supper set, Cilla pulled her second daughter aside. "Lizzy, am I wrong or did you enjoy your dance with Mr. Darcy?"

"You have the right of it, Mama," Elizabeth replied. "Since he has begun to address his faults, he improves on better acquaintance."

"So you think he is improved in essentials?" Priscilla pushed.

"No Mama, it is my belief that in essentials, he is very much as he ever was," Elizabeth opined. "He was always an honourable man, who had, I think, for whatever reason, been diverted from his path, a path to which he has now returned."

"Your sketch of his character may be accurate," Priscilla agreed. In her opinion her middle daughter had never been indifferent to Mr. Darcy and now with the amendments he had made, and was making to his character, she believed that whether Lizzy was ready to admit it or not, she was developing a tendre for Mr. Darcy.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~ ~

Happy was the day Mr. and Mrs. Bennet watched their eldest and youngest daughters wed men they loved and respected and who returned those feelings in full measure.

Both Jane and Mary had been resplendent in their gowns. The besotted grooms had been mesmerised when they saw their respective brides make the walk up the aisle on their father's arm in the nave of the church.

Before the brides had entered the church, Darcy had to fight to keep his mouth from dropping open when Miss Elizabeth followed Lady Alicia up the aisle. She was now standing very near to him, on Richard's side of the altar as they waited for the brides. The service went by in the blink of an eye, all the while Darcy was dreaming of a future wedding with him saying his vows to the raven haired, emerald-green eyed beauty next to him.

Once the register was signed and said signatures witnessed, Lord and Lady Westmore and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Fitzwilliam were presented to the cheering congregation.

All too soon the family stood in the drive waving to the coaches bearing the newlyweds away for their wedding trips.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

The packet ship sailed into Portsmouth in the evening of the final Friday in April. As soon as she was secured to the quay, a dispatch was on its way to Buckingham house and another to the Prime Minister.

The expresses arrived before midday on Saturday which created a flurry of activity as readers of the horrendous news attempted to come to grips with the number of noble families which had been decimated, not to mention all the sailors' lives lost. Notifications were prepared for family members and family solicitors. One express rider carried a black edged letter to Hilldale while another man delivered a notification to the oldest firm of solicitors in London: Rumpole and Crawley.

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