Darcy smiled and released her.“No one is here to see us.It is only children and their nurses out today.”
“That is precisely why I chose this time to come out.Parks are for being enjoyed, not strolling around like peacocks,” said Elizabeth as she brushed the grass off her skirt.
“I must confess I did not know you could run so fast, Miss Elizabeth,” said Fitzwilliam.
“Oh, I am very fleet of foot, Colonel.I shall have to race you sometime.”
“I will take you up on that,” he replied.
They turned towards the pond and Darcy offered Elizabeth his arm.She took it with a smile, then playfully took Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm with her other hand.
“Pardon me for saying so, gentlemen, but you have the look of mischievous boys about you.Dare I ask what you have been getting up to this morning?”
The men caught each other’s eyes over her head, and Colonel Fitzwilliam said, “We visited my mother, actually.”
“Oh?Is she well?”
“Very well.In fact, she would like to meet you this afternoon if you are amenable.”
Elizabeth’s eyes widened and she looked towards Mr.Darcy.
“You do not have to meet her if you would prefer not to, Elizabeth.But she would like to know you.”
“My mother is powerful in her own way, but she is a kind woman, and she is fond of Darcy.”
Elizabeth understood they were saying Lady Blackburn would not antagonize her, but she was unsure if she should meet her today.
“Are you asking me to accompany you to call on her?”
“She wished to call on you and your aunt, if you are home to callers.”
“I see.”She thought for a moment, then looked from one to the other before saying, “Very well.I will ask my aunt.”
They rounded up the children and made their way back to Gracechurch Street, where Elizabeth quickly closeted herself with her aunt.Jane was visiting a neighbor, but they decided she would likely be back in time to receive her ladyship.
“I can only assume this is some sort of test,” said Mrs.Gardiner.
“I thought so as well, but Colonel Fitzwilliam assures me his mother is fond of Mr.Darcy and genuinely wants to know me.”
Mrs.Gardiner looked skeptical.“I hope he is right.”
They told the gentlemen they would receive Lady Blackburn that afternoon, and Colonel Fitzwilliam left to deliver the message to his mother and escort her to Gracechurch Street.
Elizabeth could only hope the meeting would go well.She had thought the name Blackburn sounded menacing when she heard it, but then Lord and Lady Hopewell had a lovely name and had turned out to be un-lovely people, so perhaps Lady Blackburn would be the opposite of her name as well.One could hope.
Lady Blackburn came to Gracechurch Street with all the pomp and circumstance of a countess in a crested coach that was polished to a shine.She approached the door like a queen, her gloves spotless, her gown new, her hat perched perfectly on her head.
Colonel Fitzwilliam had always thought of this show as her armor, the things she put between herself and everyone else to maintain her position, protect herself, and keep those dear to her safe.They were more alike than different, he and his mother.
They were led into the drawing room where Darcy stood near the door, Elizabeth slightly behind him, as if he would protect her with his own body, and Miss Bennet and Mrs.Gardiner just on the other side of the room.They were announced and Darcy took it upon himself to introduce his aunt to their hostess and the Miss Bennets.
Lady Blackburn looked Elizabeth up and down, taking in the fabric of her dress, the price of the trimmings, the style chosen and what it said about its wearer, and Elizabeth’s face and figure.She seemed to consider the younger lady for some time before she nodded slightly and moved to sit near Elizabeth.
Elizabeth took a deep breath.She had not known what to expect.The lady was neither as false nor imposing as Lady Hopewell, nor was she as jovial as Colonel Fitzwilliam.Lady Blackburn’s shrewd eyes took in every detail of Elizabeth’s person until she felt as if she were an animal displayed in the menagerie.But then she had noticed it.The slight tick around the countess’s mouth, the crinkle beside one eye that said she was holding in a smile.
Elizabeth thought she just might like Lady Blackburn.
“Would you care for some tea, my lady?”offered Mrs.Gardiner.
