“Miss Bennet,” she said, “I am pleased to meet you.”
Her gracious demeanour stood in stark contrast to the indifference, if not outright disdain, with which the other acquaintances and family members had received her. Elizabeth felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Lady Edwina while silently admiring her flawless poise and the magnificence of her attire, which she carried with the serene grace of a queen.
“We should go to our box now; a noisy hall is not the proper place for conversation,” the earl said severely. “People are already staring at us; let us not make a spectacle here.”
Elizabeth blushed with embarrassment, and Georgiana turned pale. Lady Matlock cast a sharp look at her husband and spoke in a barely audible but decided voice. “Lord Matlock, we are counting on you to improve your disposition so we can all enjoy this evening. There is no worse spectacle than someone who cannot adjust his own mood to the requirement of the circumstances.”
“True,” Lady Edwina supported the harsh criticism that caused the earl to frown even more, “but we should go to our box. I look forward to talking to Georgiana and Miss Bennet.”
They continued walking, Elizabeth on Darcy’s arm, looking at the earl out of the corner of her eye. He made no effort to conceal his disapproval of her, nor was there any civility in his manners. And the curious glances and whispers around them made Elizabeth wonder if that was the general disposition regarding her.
Suddenly, the earl’s expression darkened further, and he lowered his head as if he wished to avoid someone. Across from him, Lady Edwina’s face brightened, and she leaned forward to Lady Matlock, whispering, “Look who is here.”
The party stopped, and Elizabeth tried to understand the reason. The two ladies, the viscount and the earl were in front while she, Darcy, the colonel, and Georgiana followed behind.
A short distance away stood a gentleman of an impressive stature. His clothes, posture, expression, and features singled him out among many other intimidating people. He was in the company of two younger gentlemen and a beautiful, elegant young woman.
Elizabeth’s companions stopped, waiting for him in evident respect; they all knew who he was except Georgiana, who seemed as puzzled as Elizabeth. Around them, other people lowered their voices, watching the encounter with evident interest.
“His Grace, the Duke of Blandford,” the colonel murmured to Elizabeth and Georgiana.
Silence fell over their group when the duke stepped forward.
“Lady Edwina, Lady Matlock, what a pleasure to see you,” the duke said with few words in a grave though benevolent voice. Both ladies curtseyed to him.
“Your Grace,” they responded solemnly.
No words were addressed to the earl. To the general astonishment, the duke stepped closer to Darcy. He lowered his head respectfully and smiled while Elizabeth curtseyed and, at the expression on his face, returned the smile. It was no more than an instant in time, but for Elizabeth, that moment was more precious than all she had experienced since their arrival at the theatre.
The duke’s voice startled her—and apparently everyone who heard him. “Darcy, I hear congratulations are in order!”
Darcy raised his head, staring at the duke. “Yes, Your Grace. Thank you.”
“Could this young lady be your future wife?”
“Indeed, sir. I am honoured to introduce my intended, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Your Grace,” Elizabeth said, curtseying again while she wondered whether her knees would support her.
“I am pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet. Well, I must congratulate you once again. Marriages based on affection are rare these days and therefore more praiseworthy.”
Elizabeth stared at the duke in disbelief. Did he just approve of her? She would have seen the same astonishment on every face if she had looked around.
“Come and talk to me if you see me during the interludes. I shall introduce you to my sons and daughter, too,” the duke concluded, departing without another word.
A few moments later, Lady Edwina turned towards the couple. “William Fitzroy, the 6th Duke of Blandford and one of the most preeminent figures in England, just expressed his public support for your engagement. Nobody will dare gainsay his acknowledgement.”
“How shocking,” Lady Matlock whispered.” I was not even sure he knew Darcy.”
“He is a horrible, annoying man,” the earl whispered with barely concealed fury. “I am sure he did that only to upset me. Did you notice he ignored me?”
“Oh, do not speak nonsense, sir. Why would the Duke of Blandford care enough about you to upset you? In truth, you must improve your disposition immediately before you ruin ours,” his wife concluded when they had entered their box.
Elizabeth and Darcy looked at each other, sharing their puzzlement. He smiled, then secretly placed a lingering kiss in her palm.
She smiled back, her eyes beaming with happiness. They did not observe the duke gazing at them from an opposite, distant box.
Chapter 6
