‘Possibly as many as ladies in England speak Greek,’ conceded Elizabeth.
‘I am still amazed that you are one of those ladies,’ Darcy commented respectfully.
‘As I explained to your aunt, in a house full of women, my father wanted someone with whom he could have an intellectual discussion. Since I have wide ranging interests, he chose to teach me and allowed me complete access to his library. While it might not be as grand as I have been informed is the one at Pemberley, it is still quite substantial.’
‘I admit to being proud of my family’s library. It is the work of generations and I have enjoyed contributing to it as much as I can.’
‘Have you read every book in your library?’
‘Good heavens, no. Even if I did nothing else but read, a lifetime is not enough time to read every book.’
‘Some people would consider it a waste then. What good is a book if it merely sits on a shelf and gathers dust,’ Elizabeth challenged with an arch smile.
‘True. But I am not the only person at Pemberley who reads. My parents did and now my sister also enjoys the wisdom those pages hold. And the occasional guests are also welcome to peruse the volumes to their heart’s desire.’
They continued their relaxed discussion for the rest of the set until Darcy returned Elizabeth to Mr and Mrs Gardiner. After he had danced a set each with Jane and Mary, he was tempted to request a second set from Elizabeth but judged it wiser not to show his preference so openly since he did not wish to make the lady uncomfortable.
~T~
Jane and Deveril also enjoyed their dances. Since he had already declared his interest in the lady, it came as no surprise to anyone when they partnered for two sets.
When they had an opportunity to speak privately, Deveril told Jane, ‘I had a letter from my mother. She is planning to come to town next week in the hope of meeting you… if that is agreeable to you.’
Jane blushed as she said, ‘Your mother is wanting to meet me?’
‘I believe that I have mentioned this before. The question is, would you like to meet her?’
Swallowing hard as she considered the implication it was a moment before Jane was able to answer, ‘I would be honoured to meet the Duchess.’
Deveril smiled as he said, ‘There is no need to be nervous. I believe that you two will get along famously.’
‘I hope that you are proven right,’ was all that Jane was able to say.
~T~
Since no one was paying them any attention, Mary and Richard also enjoyed two sets.
The more time they spent together, the more each of them found themselves liking the other. Richard set himself to drawing out the young lady who seemed to be a more subdued version of her older sister. He was delighted with his success when his banter caused Mary to display her sly wit.
Mary for her part was becoming rather fond of the dashing officer and privately thought that she was not that different from her younger sisters since she had discovered a liking for a man in a red coat. Although unlike her sisters, her liking was not general but rather very specific.
~T~
The next two weeks were to be busy for the Bennet sisters and their friends and relations.
After the ball at Almack’s, most days were filled with social activities since Mrs Carleton and Lady Matlock used their connections to secure invitations to various teas, dinners, musical soirees, and balls.
A number of these invitations came because Lady Sefton made good on her promise and spread word of Darcy’s friendship with the Bennet sisters.
It did not take long for people to notice that at each of the functions the same gentlemen accompanied the ladies and speculation was rife that three more or less eligible bachelors were quite fixed in their attentions.
Meanwhile, Miss Bingley languished in obscurity since without her brother, or more accurately her brother’s access to Darcy, no invitation to exclusive events were forthcoming for her.
She had to be content with making morning calls on those of her acquaintances who were in a similar position. Miss Bingley even called on Miss Grantly, although in her case it was to berate her friend on spreading malicious gossip.
‘My dear friend, you cannot possibly believe that I had any malicious intentions. Like you, I thought that the treatment you received by those country bumpkins to be insupportable. I expected all other civilised people to agree with us and to support you,’ Miss Grantly protested.
Hearing what she wanted to hear, Caroline allowed herself to be mollified and directed her ire where it belonged. She consoled herself by venting her spleen in blackening Jane Bennet’s name, unaware that the lady had the approbation of the society to which Miss Bingley would have liked to belong.
