The matchmaking mamas of theTonwere in a frenzy to display their unmarried sons to the best possible advantage. Anyone who could secure one of the Bennet ladies, all reputed beauties, would secure wealth like most could only imagine and connections that they could only dream about. They would be sorely disappointed when the betrothal of the eldest daughter was announced and upon learning that the second was being courted, albeit not officially yet, by the elusive Fitzwilliam Darcy. Anyone who thought of trying to compromise either of the Bennet girls would be foiled in their endeavour as the ladies would remain protected at all times. Taking a cue from the other hopeful men in their party, Ashby too reserved three sets with the lady that he was courting.
They made the short walk across the square to the Rhys-Davies’ house. The group from Gardiner House were shown into a family sitting room where the family and the De Melvilles were relaxing. Lady Loretta said her goodbyes and she, her companion, maid, and two footmen made their way to a carriage destined for Matlock House to join the three girls already there. Before she left, she complemented the ladies on their finery, especially the three Bennet daughters who were all wearing never before seen creations of Madame Chambourg. The modiste had created one for each daughter and the Countess as well.
Fanny Bennet wanted to pinch herself, but she did not as it would have looked very strange to the assembled company. Not only was she a countess, but she was wearing an exquisite gown and jewels that not too long ago she would not have been able to conjure in her wildest of dreams. She looked on her daughters with pride and saw three truly delightful and beautiful young ladies. Her daughters were still very much as they were before the revelation of the wealth and the titles. As a mother, she could not have been prouder.
“In a short time, we will be family Fanny, and unless my eyes deceive me, my son and William will finally be brothers at some point,” Elaine Fitzwilliam said softly as she surveyed the younger set who had been joined by Lord Hugh, the Bedford heir.
“Jane is so very happy with your Richard. After her disappointment, I was worried that it would take her heart much longer to heal, but it seems it was but infatuation toward her erstwhile suitor, not love.” The Duchess and Lady Sarah De Melville nodded their agreement and were pleased all was now as it seemed it should be. Across the room the Marquess, Lord Birchington, approached the lady who, to him, was the true beauty in the room, Lady Mary.
“Lady Mary, good evening to you,” he bowed to her.
“A very good evening to you my Lord,” she returned his greeting with a curtsy.
“If you are not otherwise engaged, may I reserve the opening sets with you, my Lady?” he asked quietly, and blushing with pleasure, Mary acquiesced to the request. “In addition, I would pray that you grant me the supper set as well. If you are still free for both sets.” Lord Hugh held his breath, hoping that she was not already engaged to dance. No lady before had ever captured his attention as this one did. She, like her sisters, was not a simpering miss that would agree with any ridiculous thing said by a man. She would, and had, openly disagreed when needed and was well educated with well-formed opinions. Occasionally, very occasionally, she would quote a moralistic text, but that did not put the young lord off his quest to know her better.
“Yes, my Lord, the supper set is yours as well.” Mary’s blush deepened as she agreed, her heart racing faster than she had ever experienced and realised this was what attraction was, as it had been described by Jane and Lizzy when they assessed whether or not it was in play. Unlike Charlotte, she believed that being attracted to someone was highly beneficial, Fordyce be damned! On this he was most certainly wrong.
“I thank you Lady Mary,” the Marquess slowly lifted her hand, relieved she flushed as it meant that she was not unaffected by him, and despite wishing the hand was ungloved, kissed it as he bowed over it. He took his leave and a decidedly discomposed Lady Mary Bennet was left standing and asking herself what just happened. Thankfully for her, the time had come for the receiving line to form.
The five couples took up their station at the head of the stairs that led up from the entrance hall and just outside the huge ballroom that was glowing with the light of thousands of candles while the reflections from the crystal chandeliers played on the floor and along the walls of the still empty room.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
As the members of the receiving line were getting into place, Louisa Hurst entered the drawing room of her husband’s townhouse to report that her sister would be at least another hour. Her husband and brother knew full well that the woman could have been ready with time to spare, but she held a misconception that arriving what she termed ‘fashionably late’ drew attention to her ‘superior’ class and dress sense. What she did not know or want to know, and what her siblings continuously kept from her, was that theTon’sopinion was that she was rude, had no class, and her sense of style was non-existent. Until word from three of the leading families of theTonwas spread, there were some who would deign to receive the tradesman’s daughter for their own entertainment, but no more.
Hurst was not impressed and very nearly left without the three siblings. Brother and sister convinced him to wait rather than confronting and dealing with the bad behaviour, that they yet again, which may have been possible to avert if they had only insisted on leaving on time.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
The line of carriages stretched all the way around the square and out onto the avenue that connected to the entrance of Portman Square. As guests came to the top of the grand staircase, they handed their invitation to the butler who announced them. After the announcement, they proceeded down the line that started with the Duke and Duchess, followed by Lady and Lord Jersey, Lady and Lord Longbourn, Lady and Lord Matlock, and lastly Lady Gardiner and Sir Edward. Prince Edward and Princess Elizabeth would arrive at the end of the second set to be present when the new Earl and Baronet would be officially introduced to the ball guests. They would not dance, but they would greet the Bennets and the Gardiners, then stay for a little while before departing to return to Buckingham House.
Once all of the guests had made their way through the receiving line to the ballroom, the receiving line party entered the ballroom as well. Before the music for the first set was called, the Duke nodded to his butler who forcefully brought his staff down onto the floor three times.
“It is my pleasure, my Lords and Ladies and all of our guests, to welcome you to our annual end of season ball. Before we start, it is my great pleasure as her Uncle and the host to announce that our niece, the oldest daughter of Lord and Lady Longbourn and goddaughter of Lord and Lady Jersey, Lady Jane Bennet, was recently affianced to the Honourable Mr Richard Fitzwilliam, second son of Lord and Lady Matlock. Please raise your glasses and join me in wishing the engaged couple joy and love for all of the days of their lives.” The Duke turned and looked directly at his niece and bowed his head in approval and recognition of her.
There was a loud chorus of hear-hear and not a few matchmaking mamas were unhappy that one Bennet lady was now claimed by one other than a son of theirs.
The Duke nodded to the musicians who then raised their instruments to signal the start of the first set.
“Where are the Hursts and the Bingleys?” Elizabeth asked Darcy as he led her to the line before he took his place.
“I am sure they are waiting for the harridan; she thinks that she has to come late to make an entrance.” He leaned close and murmured into her ear. When the conductor saw that the line was formed, he lifted his baton and the music commenced. As the dance was starting, the Bingley carriage arrived at the entrance to Bedford House.
“Why is there no one here to greet us?” Miss Bingley asked in her haughty tone.
“There is no one here as anyone with class arrived on time, at theappointedtime, an hour ago!” Hurst’s eyes locked on Caroline’s and he scowled as he had had his fill of the woman’s poor behaviour.
As Bingley’s footman lowered the stairs, he left the carriage and did not wait to assist them from the vehicle. The three siblings followed him up the grand staircase and they presented the invitation to the butler who checked it and handed it back to Bingley.
“Announce me, I mean us, at once,” Caroline instructed the butler rudely.
“If madam wants to be announced then madam needs to arrive before the commencement of dancing,” he retorted then resumed his statuesque stance.
“Well, I never!” Miss Bingley was vexed, and her ire grew as no one walked over to greet them and apologise, though they were staring at her in her ‘fabulous’ gown. Caroline was certain that behind the hands of those staring she was being complimented and it would just be a matter of time before people came to beg her notice.
She would have been most astonished that behind those hands and fans was amusement, even disdain, for her horrible ensemble. Her vexation was nothing to the rage she felt when she spied thenoted harlotEliza Bennet dancing withherMr Darcy. Not only was the fallen woman dancing with her soon to be husband, but they looked like they were enjoying each other’s company far too well.
‘Did he ignore everything I told him about that brazen strumpet! How dare a fallen and kept woman show her face among my equals, especially that one who is but a country nobody that never belonged in this circle and would never be wanted as anything but a courtesan! What are the ridiculous and grasping Bennet parents doing here? How dare they!!’
