Georgiana sat up straighter. "I shall dance. I promised Richard the first set. And I think I shall ask Elizabeth to stand with me during the supper."
"A wise choice. Lizzy is an excellent shield against dragons."
Darcy and Elizabeth, having exhausted the view of the rainy street, drifted over to join them.
"Plotting?" Elizabeth asked, eyeing the wool.
"Planning," Mrs Gardiner corrected. "Strategies for the ballroom."
"The strategy is simple," Darcy said. "We arrive. We survive. We leave before Lady Catherine can corner anyone near the punch bowl."
"That is a very pessimistic strategy," Elizabeth teased. "My strategy is to dance every dance and eat a great deal of white soup."
"I have already claimed the first two dances," Darcy reminded her. "And the supper dance."
"You are very greedy, Sir."
"I am making up for lost time," he said, his voice dropping. "I missed the opportunity in Hertfordshire. I do not intend to miss it in London."
Georgiana looked from her brother to Elizabeth, her eyes shining. "I think," she said softly, "that tomorrow will be a perfect night."
The morning of New Year's Eve was frantic. But for once, it was a happy frantic.
Darcy stood in the hall of Darcy House at midday. He was dressed for a final call at Gracechurch Street before the evening's festivities began.
He checked his pocket. The ring was there. The diamond ring he had taken from the strongbox three days ago. It felt heavy. It felt right.
"Ready, William?" Georgiana appeared on the stairs. She looked calm. The tumult Lady Catherine caused seemed to have receded, replaced by the excitement of a young girl going to her first ball with friends.
"Ready," Darcy said.
"Have you practiced your speech?"
"I do not have a speech. I have a question."
"Even better. Keep it simple. You tend to ramble when you are nervous."
"I do not ramble."
"You lectured me on the history of the fork once."
Darcy sighed. "Point taken. Simple. Direct."
They rode to Cheapside through the roads of a city which was buzzing with New Year's energy. When they arrived, the house was already in a state of preparation. Hairdressers were expected, gowns were being steamed, and who knows what else ladies foundnecessary for a ball.
Robert was already there, of course. He was showing Jane a piece of sheet music he was absolutely certain she would love.
"Just a brief call," Darcy said to Elizabeth, finding her in the library—their usual spot. "To ensure you are still willing to brave the lion's den tonight."
Elizabeth looked up from the book she was reading. She wore a morning dress of sprigged muslin and looked fresh and lovely.
"I am willing," she said. "Though I hear Lady Catherine has been practicing her glare."
"Let her glare," Darcy said. "Tonight is not about her. It is about the new year. New beginnings."
He stepped closer. He wanted to ask her now. He wanted to get down on his knee right here on the Gardiners' rug and secure his future. But he had a plan. He had a strategy. Midnight. The Matlock Ball. The start of 1812.
"Save me the supper dance," he said hoarsely.
