Chapter 35

Within a few days of her her introductory ball, which was to be held on the second Saturday in November, Elizabeth had no further doubts about whether or not she loved William.

In fact, she was fairly certain she was in love with him when she had witnessed Charlotte and Jamey married in St. Alfred’s on the first Friday in October. Along with her birthparents, the Fitzwilliams, Carringtons, and Darcys, she had decamped to London a few days after Jane and Richard’s wedding.

Bedford House on Russell Square and Grosvenor Square, which housed Darcy House, were only about one and a half miles apart, so William had visited on days Elizabeth was not being dragged to the modiste or one of many other shops on Bond Street. One thing Elizabeth had insisted on was they looked at what was available at the Gardiner warehouses first, before double, or more money was spent on items she needed. Regardless of how wealthy her parents were, and by extension she was, Elizabeth could not countenance wasting money just to say the items had been purchased from some fashionable shop.

Occasionally, Elizabeth would visit Grosvenor Square where in addition to Darcy House there were Matlock and Holder Houses. She spent some of her free time on Berkeley Square with Jane and Richard after their return from Seaview Cottage—until they had to make a trip to Rosings Park, as well as the Gardiners. When she made visits to Portman Square where Birchington and Hilldale Houses were located, just like they did when she visited Berkeley Square, William and Giana would more often than not accompany her. It was while on a visit to Sed and Emily’s house to tell Julia a story that her eldest brother had pointed to a house across the square from his and Emily’s.

As if her massive dowry was not enough, Elizabeth learnt the house, named Woburn House, would be hers when she married or turned five and twenty, whichever came first. When Sed had casually mentioned that their parents owned more than ten houses in London, it reminded Elizabeth not to be surprised given the enormous wealth her father oversaw. She realised there was an advantage to having their own house as she and William would have a level of privacy they would never enjoy if they resided at Darcy House, that is if they decided to marry.

One of their favourite activities was walking or riding in Hyde Park or one of the other parks in London, but never at the so-called fashionable hour. John Biggs had been joined by Brian Johns, who had been brought over to be employed by the Rhys-Davies from the Carringtons. With her vast wealth known in society, the Duke and Duchess, and everyone else in the extended family, wanted to make sure Elizabeth was well protected at all times when she was out in public. In addition to the two mountain sized men, there were always two more footman guards—not dressed in livery—with her, as well as her maid escort her when she went shopping or to a museum without a large family party.

Although she would have preferred the solitude she had in Hertfordshire—meaning only John Biggs as an escort—Elizabeth understood that not all members of society were honourable which necessitated the extraordinary steps her family was taking to ensure her safety.

As an added layer of security, Elizabeth was aware of a conversation William had had with her birthfather. He had assured Father if some scoundrel attempted to, or even succeeded in compromising Elizabeth, he would marry her immediately not allowing the bounder in question the satisfaction of succeeding with his dastardly plan. As she had already fallen in love with William, Elizabeth did not object to William’s solution in the least. She still preferred to marry after her birthday in March, but she was well aware the best laid plans sometimes were affected by unforeseen circumstances.

As they had many mornings since their arrival in Town, Elizabeth and William were riding on Rotten Row shortly after sunup when most self-respecting members of the Ton were still abed, or certainly still within their homes.

William and Elizabeth had Zeus and Penny as close to one another, without the horses’ flanks touching, as possible. Biggs and Johns were a few horse lengths behind them as was a Rhys-Davies groom. The other two guards were riding on the flanks of the two with enough distance to seem as if they were not part of the riding party, but close enough to spring into action if needs be.

Elizabeth and William were oblivious of all around them as they were lost, revelling in each other’s company. “I would like to confirm that I will be partnering you for the second and supper sets at your ball,” William stated.

A few days previously Father had asked if after he danced the first dance of the set with her, she would like to dance with her papa for the other half of the set. He had explained that if she agreed it would send an unequivocal message to the Ton regarding the Bennets’ acceptance as part of the extended family, notwithstanding Jane’s marriage to Richard. She had of course agreed with alacrity.

“It will be my pleasure to dance those sets with you, William,” Elizabeth blushed.

The pleasure at her response was written all over William’s face as evidenced by his display of dimples. He was handsome at the best of times, but in Elizabeth’s opinion, when he smiled, he was exponentially more good looking.

Unbeknownst to the couple, they were being watched by one who had learnt from urchins, he had given some coin to, that Lady Elizabeth liked to walk or ride out early in the morning. He scowled when he saw the two enormous footmen and the groom trailing the woman. He needed her alone, but so far, she was never to be found without escorts.

Baron Epsom needed the lifeblood which Lady Elizabeth’s massive dowry would provide. He was enamoured with the gaming tables, and unfortunately his abilities did not match his desires. He had lost, and lost a huge amount.

Epsom used to think his estate of Epsom, only a few miles from the famous Epsom Downs, not being entailed had been a great advantage. He maintained that opinion until he lost so much the man he owed money to forced him to sign notes which attached his house in London and his estate as collateral. Time was running out before he would have to make good on his enormous debts of honour. He was well aware the man he was indebted to was determined to collect what he was owed, would give him no further extensions, and would not hesitate to take his family heritage from him.

Knowing what the problems were did not offer him a solution. He was banking on the Duke of Bedford’s desire to do whatever he needed in order to protect his recovered daughter. He was only surprised she only had two footmen and a groom with her and not more. The Baron guessed Bedford was counting on the size of the two men to cow anyone who had designs on her. The Duke’s calculations did not take the desperation the watcher felt into the equation, nor did he consider the intelligence of one such as himself.

Regardless of their size, which Epsom thought was a disadvantage as it would make them slow, he believed he would be able to separate Lady Elizabeth from her guards, but having the Darcy heir at her side was a problem he had not anticipated.

It was then he realised he was well aware of a location where she would not be near the younger Darcy all the time and even if her guards were present, they would be too distant to stop him before it was too late.

As a peer of the realm, he had received an invitation to Lady Elizabeth’s introductory ball. He would compromise her before all of the most influential members of society, and possibly even a royal or two. Even for one as influential and wealthy as Bedford, the scandal would be too great for the Duke to deny Epsom his daughter’s hand in marriage.

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

Elizabeth could not have been happier; Jane and Richard had arrived back from Rosings Park the previous day. Even though they had the option to reside at Fitzwilliam House on Berkeley square, her dear Janey was resident at Bedford House in order to spend as much time with Elizabeth as possible. The Fitzwilliams would move to their own house on Wednesday upcoming after allowing the adoptive sisters a full sennight together.

A day before Jane’s arrival, the Bennets had been welcomed to Bedford House. For Saul it had been like a homecoming, and to a lesser extent for Philip as well. The staff and servants, while being fully apprised of the realities of the young men’s change of family, welcomed them as they always had in the past. The two had met the Bennets at the Gardiner’s house—where the Philipses were residing—when they had arrived from Cambridge. Having heard of the size of the mansion from the twins had not fully prepared the Bennets for the enormity of the house. After washing and changing, and some hugs for Lizzy, it did not take Bennet long to find Bedford’s library.

As much as the two youngest Bennets would have loved to attend the ball, they were fully aware they were too young, especially as it was a London affair. Hence Cathy and Lydia, under the supervision of Mrs. Frost, would spend the night of the ball upstairs with Giana, accompanied by Mrs. Annesley, Lilly Gardiner, and Maria Lucas. That way the five younger girls would be able to admire all of the gowns, but they would remain upstairs. Mary would attend the ball, but as she was not quite seventeen yet, she would only attend until supper and only dance with men approved of by her parents. She would open the ball with George Wickham who had been invited to attend and he too was being hosted with the Gardiners.

Having Grandmama Beth as well as Mama resident made the upcoming ball and spectacle for the Ton far more palatable to Elizabeth. Even though she had been in Town since after Jane’s wedding, except when they returned to Meryton for Charlotte and Jamey’s nuptials, Elizabeth did not like to perform for society. It did not hurt that Charlotte and Jamey would be at the ball to add to those she was familiar with as they had returned from their wedding trip in time to attend. The Lucas parents and two Lucas brothers who were being hosted at Hadlock House, would be at the ball as well. A few families who Elizabeth had always shared a strong bond with, like the Longs, Gouldings, and Purvises had been invited and were being hosted at some of the extended families’ homes. She would be surrounded by her extended family and very good friends, which left Elizabeth with the knowledge all would be well.

If she were honest with herself, not only was she well pleased so many of her loved ones and close friends were to be at the ball, but she was especially looking forward to seeing, and dancing three sets with, William. He had requested and she had granted the man she loved the final set. William and the Darcy parents would be there—Giana, Lilly, and Maria had arrived the previous day to spend time with Cathy and Lydia—with the rest of the extended family more than an hour before invited guests were to arrive.

Whenever she thought of William, she felt warm all over. Even so, she knew she could not get distracted by thoughts of him, it was time for her to bathe and then prepare for her ball.

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

Elizabeth’s ball gown was created from a deep burgundy satin fabric she had discovered in Uncle Edward’s warehouse. The gown Madam Chambourg created would leave no one in doubt that she was the belle of the ball. Given the colder weather, the sleeves ended just above the elbow where they almost met her cream coloured, elbow length gloves.

Once she was dressed, her lady’s maid informed her the Duke and Duchess were waiting to see her before she joined the family in the main drawing room. Elizabeth nodded she was ready.

Bedford and Rose had frozen in place as they entered the chambers. They had known Lizzy was beautiful, but this night she looked even more exceptional than usual.

She quirked an eyebrow at Mother and Father which snapped them out of their stupor. “Is something out of place?” Elizabeth enquired playfully. “Thank you for this magnificent gown, Mother.”

“It was my pleasure, and no Lizzy, nothing is out of place, yet there are some things missing,” Rose averred.

Looking questioningly at her parents, it took Elizabeth a moment to notice her father held a velvet covered box while her mother had two velvet pouches. Bedford opened the box causing Elizabeth’s breath to hitch.

“Father, I do not need any more jewellery, you have gifted me so much already,” Elizabeth protested.

Her father held a box which contained a tiara which was encrusted with diamonds and rubies, with the largest ruby she had ever beheld slightly raised in the centre of the piece.

“This is the tiara which denotes our rank,” Bedford explained. “Every Rhys-Davies daughter has worn it at her coming out.” He raised his hand to stem Elizabeth’s protests he saw forming. “Before you say it, this is both an introductory ball and your coming out. Bennet told us how you resisted a London come out. So, whether you wanted one or not, tonight you will have one.” Bedford placed the box on the dresser and without further comment or complaint, Elizabeth turned and her father placed the tiara on her head. Her maid pinned it into place.

“Like the tiara, these earrings,” Rose removed them from the smaller pouch, “and this necklace are part of what all Rhys-Davies daughters have worn at their ball, up to and including Belle.”

The earrings had a ruby at the top with what looked like cascading diamonds and rubies on four gold strands hanging below the gem. The necklace had alternating diamonds and rubies held by clasps to the thick gold links. Just below her ears, the stones began, starting with small ones, and getting larger as they got closer to the centre front. Just off the centre, on either side were two rather large diamonds with a very large ruby—even bigger than the one in the tiara—suspended a few inches below the rest of the necklace.

Although she was one who did not enjoy ostentatious displays, as she looked at herself in the mirror, Elizabeth opined she looked like a princess rather than the girl who liked to traipse across Longbourn’s fields regardless of their state.

‘Elizabeth Rose Bennet Rhys-Davies, you have come a long way,’ she thought to herself. As much as she enjoyed wearing the jewels her parents had brought her, the only jewellery she truly desired were two rings on the fourth finger of her left hand.

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

William was one of those waiting at the base of the grand staircase when Bedford led his youngest daughter down the stairs, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

As his mouth was hanging open at the vision of beauty before him, the five younger girls were exclaiming over her gown and the jewels which matched it perfectly. William cared not for the jewels, all he was concerned with was he had earned the love of this magnificent, sometimes infuriating, woman.

William had mentioned to Elizabeth his feelings for her had only strengthened while they walked in Hyde Park the previous day before the ball. He enquired of the state of her feelings in a roundabout way. She had simply told him she loved him too. At that moment William had felt like he could have sprouted wings and taken flight. His feet had remained planted on the earth. He was certain had Biggs, Johns, and the other guards not been present he would have kissed her then and there.

All he knew was he would dance three sets with her and by the end of the night no one would be left with any doubts that Lady Elizabeth Rose Bennet Rhys-Davies was very much off the marriage mart.

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

A quarter hour before the first guests were expected, the five girls were escorted upstairs by Mrs. Frost and Mrs. Annesley. Each of them had hugged Lizzy gently so as to not wrinkle her gown before they exited the room.

As it was a dual purpose ball, and even though Elizabeth had been seen out and about over the weeks in London, she would not be part of the receiving line. She would wait upstairs until her father came to escort her down once all the invitees had arrived.

In an added display of the position of the Bennets within the circle of family and friends, Bennet and Fanny would join Bedford and Rose in the receiving line. Just before the butler showed the first of the invited guests in, Elizabeth slipped up the stairs and out of sight.