“May I solicit the first set from you at the ball on the morrow, Lizzy?” her birthfather requested. The betrothal ball for Jane and Andrew had the same rules for Elizabeth and Mary as Jane’s coming out ball. The difference was that they would be allowed to remain for the whole of the ball.
“Yes, Father, those dances are yours,” Elizabeth granted happily.
“In that case, I will take your second set of dances,” Bennet stated.
“Of course, Papa,” Elizabeth allowed just as happily.
“York, I assume you do not want word of Lizzy’s rank to be disseminated in the neighbourhood until the King and Queen decide whether or not they will acknowledge her?” Bennet asked.
“That is correct, Bennet,” the Prince averred. “We will be telling the younger children later today, will we not?” Bennet nodded.
“We will need to impress on them the need to be silent on the subject until there is an official response from the palace,” Bennet pointed out.
“Even though Tommy is the youngest, Papa,” Elizabeth noted, “he will understand the need for discretion, as will the other three girls.”
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The younger group of children had just been informed of the truth of Elizabeth’s parentage and rank when they were summoned to the family sitting room, where all of Netherfield’s residents and the Prince were present. “Does this mean I need to bow to you and address you asYour Royal Highnesseach time I see you,PrincessElizabeth?” Tommy, who had just turned ten some days previously, asked cheekily.
“If you are not careful,MasterThomas Bennet Junior,” Elizabeth replied with mock affront, “you will have to address me thusly and stand whenever in my presence.”
“I have heard the story of your insult on the Bennets’ first visit to Pemberley many times, William,” Georgiana reminded her brother whose pallor darkened as he looked anywhere except at Elizabeth.
“Gigi, and everyone else,” Elizabeth responded, “It has been well over ten years since that occurrence. William was granted our pardon many years, ago and I know it is amusing to embarrass him over his intemperate words then, please let us leave it in the past where it belongs.”
William gave Elizabeth a thankful look. He did not need anyone to remind him, as he would never forget the day or his ill-advised words. Thankfully for William, it was the last time he was reminded of the incident by any in the extended family.
“You four do understand why you may not discuss this with anyone outside of this room, do you not?” Fanny asked. “And, if you do want to talk about it with one of us, you must make sure we are alone and have complete privacy. Once the King and Queen accept Lizzy as their granddaughter and make a formal announcement, then you will be free to talk about Lizzy’s rank openly if you need to.”
“We understand,” the three girls and one boy chorused.
“The Gardiners and Phillipses will be arriving for the betrothal ball in the morning on the morrow,” Bennet informed the family. “Both sets of adults are aware of Lizzy’s true parentage, but your Gardiner cousins are not. The restriction regarding discussing what you have been told here includes them.” The four nodded their understanding and agreement.
“You are still our Uncle Freddy, are you not?” Lydia asked.
“Of course, my dear, yes,” the Prince confirmed. “The only change is that Lizzy now knows I am her birthfather, as do you all.”
“It is so exciting that I will be attending my first ball tonight,” Kitty gushed.
“We have set thirteen as the minimum age for attendance; however,” Fanny stated, “unlike Lizzy and Mary, you will retire after supper.”
“Yes Mama,” Kitty acknowledged.
“We still have some last-minute things to see to for the ball, Fanny,” Lady Elaine pointed out, “Are we finished here?”
There was general agreement there was nothing else to discuss. The family dispersed to their own pursuits, not before Kitty, Lydia, and Gigi gave Elizabeth a deep curtsy, each of which elicited a tinkling laugh from the object of their deference.
William felt forlorn when he heard the laughter he loved to hear. ‘I love her, but she is so far above me! I am a mere gentleman, and she is a princess. I will always love her, but I will have to reconcile myself to the fact the King and Queen will never sanction a match to one as low as me for their granddaughter especially with the new law.’ William told himself as he felt melancholy set in as he thought about the future he thought he would never have with Elizabeth.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
When the De Melville siblings arrived at Netherfield Park, they were able to drive up to the manor house as the man stationed at the gate had not been instructed to halt carriages and verify they were not the De Melvilles, since the Prince had dispatched the Earl and Countess of Jersey with a major sized flea in their ear.
The Prince and Bennet were playing chess to see who would play against Darcy; Matlock and Holder were playing billiards. The men were in the game room to keep out of the way while the last of the preparations for the betrothal ball were put in place by the ladies of the house.
Nichols cleared his throat to announce his presence. “Master, we have unexpected guests,” the Butler reported.
“Who is it Nichols?” Bennet asked.
