“Sorry, Ellie, I was wool-gathering,” Wendell admitted. “Of what ball are we speaking?”
Since fainting on hearing her old name, Elizabeth had not reacted to hearing those who had known her by that name use it. It was who she was to them, and she had no reason to request they call her anything else. “Mother, Aunts Elaine and Catherine, and Emily are planning a ball for David and Jane’s engagement, as well as to announce to the neighbourhood that we have found one another,” Elizabeth related.
‘I am sure Uncle Wendell and Bennet will want to dance the first two with Ellie, and her brothers the subsequent dances. Mayhap I will be able to request the supper set?’ Darcy thought when he heard about the ball. In the past, he would have sought an excuse to miss the ball, but not this one. He wondered if he should request two sets from Ellie, but he decided against that. With all of the changes she was facing,he needed to move slowly. And besides, there was no guarantee Ellie would be interested in more than a cousinly relationship with him.
“Ellie, you know we do not want to rush you, if you would prefer to wait to announce our relationship…” Cilla began to say. She stopped when Ellie placed her hand on her arm.
“Mother, one thing you will learn about me is I will always tell you how I feel. Ever since it was made known to me that I was never cast aside and was always loved for the little imp, or as David called me, the little pixie, I was, most of my worries have dissipated. I promise you that I would not have agreed to the idea of the announcement at the ball had I any doubts. I do not,” Elizabeth assured her mother. “In fact, I would like to invite my best friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas, to come on the morrow and meet all of you. I am sure she is concerned because of what occurred at the assembly and the note asking them to wait before calling. You will like Charlotte. She is a woman of good sense who has been close to me since I was seven or eight. Although she is six years older than me, that has never caused an issue between us.”
Listening to Ellie and her concern for those around her told Darcy that she was a very compassionate and caring woman. The more he got to know her, the more he began to believe that she may very well be the woman he had been waiting to meet. Yes, they were cousins, but there was no shared blood between them.
After the meal, which was greatly enjoyed by all, the separation of the sexes was eschewed.
Richard informed William about Giana’s request. His recommendation was yes, and his cousin agreed. They spoke to Mrs Annesley, who had no reservations about remaining. Darcy had the pleasure of informing his sister, who had been sitting with Mary. Both girls had to fight to tamp down their desire to release squeals of joy when they left the drawingroom after being informed of the positive response. Darcy sent his coach to Netherfield Park to retrieve his sister’s and her companion’s trunks.
Fanny and Cilla announced the ball and the date it was to be held. Other than put-on groans from Bennet and the Earl, the reactions were positive.
Elizabeth approached her Bennet parents. “Mama and Papa, Mother and Father do not object, so may I ask Charlotte to visit on the morrow?” She requested. “It would be a good idea to invite the Lucases for tea. That way our friends will begin to hear the news from us before rumours circulate.”
After Fanny looked at Bennet, who nodded, she turned to Lizzy. “I will send an invitation to the Lucases this evening,” Fanny stated.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“An invitation for tea has arrived from Longbourn,” Lady Lucas informed her family as they sat in the sitting room after dinner.
“Is it just for you, Sarah?” Sir William enquired.
Charlotte hoped the reply would be no because she missed Jane and Eliza. She very much wanted to make sure Eliza was well.
“No, William, it is for all of us. Maria will be able to see Mary again.”
Her mother’s reply pleased Charlotte greatly. Not only would she see that her friend was well on the morrow, but it was possible she would learn what had caused Eliza to faint.
Chapter 19
The Lucas parents and their two daughters arrived at Longbourn just before eleven o’clock in the morning. The two Lucas sons were Franklin, the eldest, two years older than Charlotte, then came Johnny, who was three years younger than his older sister, followed by the youngest, Maria. Both sons were away looking at horses; hence, they were not with the family that morning. John Lucas had atendrefor Lizzy Bennet, but he was aware she had no interest in him beyond a platonic friendship.
When Charlotte and Maria alighted just before eleven o’clock, they spied the younger Bennets and others they did not know walking in the park. It was a perfect way to take advantage of a mild, but cool, autumn day. “Mama, Papa, will you excuse Maria and me to join our friends in the park?” Charlotte requested.
“Off you go,” Lady Lucas allowed. “We will see you when everyone comes in for tea.” Lady Lucas was disappointed that her sons, Franklin and Johnny were away looking at horses, especially Johnny who held an unrequited tendre for Lizzy.
“Eliza,” Charlotte hailed as she neared the group. There were four unknown gentlemen, one lady, and a young girl who looked close in age to Mary and Maria. One of the men was walking with Jane, and unless Charlotte was wrong, they were lost in a world of their own.
“Charlotte and Maria,” Elizabeth welcomed. “There is much to tell, but I think the introductions may make some things clear.” All the walkers had stopped and were watching Elizabeth. “Everyone, this is Jane’s and my best friend, MissCharlotte Lucas and her sister, Miss Maria. Maria is Mary’s very good friend. Charlotte and Maria, may I present Lord Andrew and Lady Emily Fitzwilliam, the Viscount and Viscountess of Hilldale, and myfirst cousins.”
“I was right! You found your family, or they discovered you,” Charlotte interpolated. “That is why you fainted, was it not?”
“I will get to that, I promise. First, the Honourable Mr Richard Fitzwilliam of Rosings Park in Kent, another first cousin, Mr William Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire and his sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, cousins by marriage. Last, but certainly not least, is Mr David Wendell of Willowmere in Derbyshire, mybrotherand Jane’sfiancé.”
For a few moments Charlotte stood rooted to the spot, dumbfounded. How was it Eliza’s newly met brother was already engaged to Jane, and from where did all these cousins come?
“How?” was all Maria managed with a squeak.
Jane told the story of her time in London. Then Elizabeth filled in what Charlotte did not know about the assembly. Finally, she told about the arrival of her birth parents. “And there is one more brother, Barney, who is to arrive on the morrow. He is of an age with you, Charlotte,” Elizabeth revealed. “Also, we are hoping my uncle, Stephen Granger of Glenmeade in Staffordshire, will arrive soon. He is Mother’s and Aunt Elaine’s brother. By the by, James is on his way home as well.”
“Aunt Maddie and Uncle Edward returned to London this morning. They did not want to leave our young cousins for too long,” Jane related. “They will return in time for the ball at Netherfield Park.” She saw the quizzical look at the mention of a ball. “There will be an engagement ball in a little more than a fortnight. I am sure Mother, Mama, and the rest of the ladies are informing your mother of this as we speak.” Jane smiled. “There will be more men than at the assemblies, even if one or two of them are already taken.” She looked at David first, and then at Lizzy’s cousin, Andrew.”
“It has been many years since there was a private ball in the area, so I look forward to it with anticipation. Now if I may, I have some questions about your past, Eliza,” Charlotte responded.
