“Lady Gwendolyn,” Richard echoed William’s greeting, then nodded to Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner.
“Lady Gwendolyn,” William repeated himself. “Forgive the intrusion, but might we have a private word?”
“Certainly, once I have properly introduced both of you to my friends.” She watched as William immediately stiffened. “Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, may I present Mrs. Edward Gardiner and her niece Miss Elizabeth Bennet. I understand there has been some misunderstanding. You see, my friend Elizabeth and Miss Eliza Deming are cousins. Mr. Bennet and Lady Deming are brother and sister−twins,actually−so it is not unexpected that they might resemble each other.”
William’s face clearly showed embarrassment while Richard murmured “Twins,” in disbelief.
“Miss Bennet,” William uncomfortably began. “I beg that you will forgive my previous address. It was not my intention to be rude.”
Elizabeth smiled politely, saying. “I understand. My cousin and I are often mistaken for one another.”
Still troubled, William continued, “Then, I take it you are not the woman we met at Hatchards the other day?”
After purposely delaying her response for a moment, she emphatically said, “As a matter of fact, I am.” Smiling prettily, she continued, “Unlike my cousin Eliza, Hatchards happens to be a favourite shop of mine.”
William closed his eyes in disbelief while Richard attempted to suppress a chuckle. Before another word was spoken, one of Lady Gwendolyn’s servants approached the group, asking that her ladyship assist regarding some problem with the service.
“Pray excuse me. I am happy this mix-up is resolved. Do continue to enjoy your conversation in my absence.” The gentlemen nodded and the women curtsied as Lady Gwendolyn departed with her servant.
“Miss Bennet,” William said, still embarrassed by his blunder. “I believe I owe you yet another apology. It was very wrong of me to speak so unguardedly in a public venue with regard to your family. I fear I have no excuse for my poor judgement or my comments.” His sentiments were echoed by Richard.
“Thank you. I shall consider your apologies. Slander is not something I take lightly,” she pointedly said.
“Nor should it be,” replied William before clearing his throat in discomfort. “Miss Bennet, even though Lady Gwendolyn hasrequested that we become acquainted during dinner, should you wish to decline, I perfectly understand.”
“Sir, while I was offended, that does not mean I must hold a grudge.” She studied him intently, looking directly into his eyes for confirmation that he was sincere. With a hint of a smile and a slight raise of her brow she added, “I believe I will accept both of your apologies. And if you do not mind, Mr. Darcy, I prefer to be addressed as Miss Elizabeth. In my family, Miss Bennet is reserved for my elder sister.”
“As you wish. Until dinner then. Pray, excuse us. Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Elizabeth.” Bowing, both gentlemen took their leave, departing through the French doors and out into the garden.
“That was unexpected,” Mrs. Gardiner quietly remarked. “Mr. Darcy seemed quite determined to apologise, Lizzy.”
“Indeed. I wonder how he will behave during dinner.”
“Who knows? He may surprise us yet again.”
“Perhaps.”
The Garden
As William and Richard quickly left the parlour for the garden, not a word was spoken until they were far enough away from prying eyes and listening ears to converse privately.
After several moments Richard blurted out, “Well?”
“What is there to say? I made an arse out of myself in front of an insignificant country miss and her aunt.Miss Elizabeth!I tell you, Richard, if that woman expects me to eat humble pie throughout dinner, she will be sorely disappointed.”
“Undoubtedly. You could always ask one of the servants to move your place card and skip the acquaintance altogether.There are many fine ladies here tonight you could partner with instead.”
“Richard! I am no coward. I have apologised and that is that. I made a promise to Lady Gwendolyn, and I shall do my best to keep my word on that score. If anything, I will enjoy speaking with Gardiner.”
“Gardiner?!” Richard let out a hearty laugh. “Now that I should like to see! Cousin, Miss Elizabeth was rather pretty. And there was something about her fine eyes; surely you must have noticed it.”
“I did,” he said, not realising that he was smiling as he spoke. “They were the most vibrant shade of green I have ever seen, dark and rich. And had she not been reprimanding me for maligning her family, I might have even enjoyed them.” William paused, staring off into the distance, giving Richard the impression that he was visualising Elizabeth’s face. “There was a certain intelligence in her look that I did not expect.”
Nudging William in the arm, Richard said, “Who knows, Cousin? As the evening goes on, you may even find that you like the woman.”
“I doubt that,” William scoffed, recalling himself. “Still, she may prove to be an interesting adversary.”
“Adversary, indeed!” Richard slapped William on the shoulder. “What a shame I am to be partnered with Mother for dinner. I would dearly love to be at your end of the table this evening. You will have to update me later.”
