"We should not be monopolizing each other's attention like this. Our guests will think us rude," I said trying to give him a hint.
"We are still newly wed. I think that must excuse any perceived rudeness."
Newly wed but not happily wed. Apparently. You bloody bastard.
"Have you noticed Sir Sebastian has been following your sister around half the night?"
Ihadnoticed and if I had not I would have assumed he meant Sir Sebastian the Dog and Lydia (Lydia had dressed the poor dog up as a sheep brought him to the ball as an accessory to her costume) rather than Sir Sebastian the Man and Mary.
"I have noticed. I believe Sir Sebastian is under the impression Mary is me."
"How could he possibly confuse Mary with you?"
"We are wearing similar costumes, we are both slight of figure and our hair is the same shade. With the masks hiding half our faces I suppose we must look quite alike."
Darcy still appeared skeptical.
"Also I think he has partaken of a good deal of wine."
"Shall I do something about him? Are you not afraid she might take his attentions to mean more than they do?"
"Oh, no, do not interfere. Mary has never danced so much, it is good for her to have the opportunity. And she is far too sensible to think herself in love with him after one evening in his company, no matter how lavish his attentions. In fact, if the look on her face last I saw her was any indication, she is already annoyed with his antics. Perhaps she will give him a proper telling off. It would be good for both of them."
Having imparted the information he must have sought me out to give, I thought he would leave me in peace to wait for my sandwiches, but he continued to stand there. I was considering leaving myself despite my hunger when he suddenly said with great astonishment, "Is that my aunt?"
"Yes," I answered without turning around to look, "I thought if she had a really good costume she might be tempted to come down and enjoy the ball."
Inspired by her love of the Bart the Bird headpiece, I had commissioned a seamstress who worked for the theater to make Mrs. Vane a bird of paradise costume. It was so spectacular that upon being presented with it Mrs. Vane actually thanked me. She had sneaked into the ball after the dancing had begun and I suspected she would slip away again before the unmasking at the end, but it was a good first step in her return to public life.
"Yes, I know, I already saw Constance. It was kind of you to go to such lengths. But I was not referring to her, I was talking about Rebecca."
"What?" I spun around so quickly I was left dizzy.
"I believe that is her. Right there."
I looked through the open doors of the refreshment room into the ball room. "Oh, goodness. Is she the sun?" She was wearing a bright yellow gown of a shade that did not compliment her coppery hair with a golden mask and a sunburst crown.
"I think she must be."
"No, she is more than the sun. It would seem she is the entire solar system."
Darcy appeared stunned as he well should. His heavily pregnant aunt has arrived at a ball dressed as an orrery. And he has calledmyfamily outrageous.
"Should we go greet her?"
We did not have to travel far. As soon as she spotted us she quickly weaved through (read: razed down) the crowd to get to us.
"Oh Lizzy, you make such a beautiful Persephone!" she cried, jabbing me with one of the many planets revolving her as she embraced me. "And Fitzwilliam, dashing as ever."
"What a remarkable costume," I said because she clearly wished me to comment upon it and it was the only honest thing I could think to say. Fortunately, Rebecca interprets every remark in the most positive manner possible.
"You like it? James said it was absurd. He said everyone would ask if they could see thenew planet."
"Uranus?" Darcy smirked, proving even sophisticated men are not above low, suggestive humor.
"Yes," answered Rebecca through gritted teeth, "And a few gentlemenhaveasked, but I am certain they posed the question with complete innocence," she finished primly.
"Is my uncle here?"
