That knowledge sent her joy soaring into the heavens, which resulted in the celebration of the day of her birth being elevated above all others she had had, or would have for the rest of the time He allowed her in the mortal world.
Until she was presented a month after her celebration, she would not be officially out in London society. Until then she could enjoy the last vestiges of her childhood.
The only sad note was that a few days after her birthday, William made his way to Rivington; Jane and Richard returned to Rosings Park, while Charlotte and Jamey left for Hadlock, and Uncles Reggie and Robert and Papa all departed for their estates to meet with their stewards about the upcoming spring planting.
Ladies Edith, Elaine, and Anne remained in London with Lizzy, Mary, and Anna. Aunt Maddie—who lived close enough to come when she was needed—and the other two aunts all assisted Edith in making sure the plans were in place for the ball to introduce Lizzy to society.
Thanks to Elizabeth’s schedule of practising for her curtsy under Mrs Annesley’s watchful eye, time with the dance master, and the music master, Mary and Anna spent much time together. They were often joined by Lilly Gardiner, who would be eleven in July, at either Holder or Darcy Houses. It was not uncommon that Mary and Anna would be at the Gardiners’ house on Gracechurch Street, where they would entertain and be entertained by all four Gardiner children.
With William away, even with all the preparations she had to make, to Elizabeth it seemed that time crept by at a far slower pace than normal. Like it had and always would do, time passed.
On Wednesday, the first day of March, the modiste and one of her seamstresses came to Holder House to inspect the final fitting of the dress Elizabeth solovinglycalled the ‘hooped monstrosity’. As she hated being poked and prodded, Elizabeth was very grateful there were no adjustments needed.
The day got even better when William arrived in the afternoon to let the Carringtons know he had returned from Surrey.
With William’s return, time no longer seemed to creep along. When Elizabeth was in his company, it seemed that time was far too fleet of foot. Elizabeth savoured every moment in his presence. It did not mean that she ignored everyone else; she was too well-mannered to do that, but William did garner the lion’s share of her time.
The day for the curtsy was on the morrow. Elizabeth appreciated that she did not need to wait for May when the weekly drawing rooms began, which ran until mid-July. The Queen held one drawing room in March and one in April[9]. This year, as she was out, Elizabeth would be able to attend the Queen’s birthday ball. At this ball, funds were solicited from the attendees to support the Queen’s charity and the Chelsea Hospital. Her father already donated to Her Majesty’s charity without connection to the ball.
As long as she could dance with William at that ball, or any other ball she attended after she entered society, Elizabeth would be content.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
In addition to her parents, Elizabeth was accompanied to St James’s Palace on the day of her presentation by the Darcys, without Anna, and six Fitzwilliams. Except for her mother, who would present her, the rest of the ladies wore gowns acceptable for court, while the men were all in dark suits, their ceremonial swords in scabbards hanging at their sides. Her mother and Aunt Elaine both wore tiaras which denoted their ranks as countesses. Marie and Charlotte wore smaller ones, which indicated they were viscountesses, even if Charlotte was yet to be presented to Queen Charlotte.
When everyone else made their way into the presentation chamber to wait among the other courtiers, a footman in royal livery led mother and daughter into an antechamber where they could leave their reticules and outerwear.
Unlike when Jane had made her curtsy, Elizabeth was included with the other daughters of earls, and it was done by the seniority of their fathers’ earldoms. Hence, Elizabeth was the second daughter of an earl called into the presentation chamber by the Lord Chamberlain.
Thanks to repeated practises with Mrs Annesley, Elizabeth walked in next to her mother as she had learnt to do and sank into the deep, court-required curtsy as Mama did the same.
“Rise, Lady Edith and Lady Elizabeth,” the Queen instructed.
Mother and daughter obeyed.
“We see that the reputed beauty of your daughters has not been exaggerated. Is this the daughter who remembers everything?” the Queen quizzed.
“Your Majesty is very kind. I flatter myself that all my daughters are beauties in their own rights. And yes, Elizabeth has the ability to recall anything she has read, seen, or heard,” Edith replied diffidently.
“Lady Elizabeth, are you the one who is a virtuoso on the pianoforte, or is that Lady Mary?” the Queen queried.
“That is my sister, Lady Mary, Your Majesty,” Elizabeth responded. “I play, but not nearly as well as Mary. Part of the reason may be because I do not practise as much as I should.”
“You are very honest; we like that.” The Queen’s eyes turned towards Edith. “We know your youngest daughter has not entered society yet. However, we would appreciate that you and your daughters attend us for tea at Buckingham House, where we may hear Lady Mary play.”
“We will come when Her Majesty chooses a date,” Edith agreed. One did not deny the Queen of England.
With that, the Queen inclined her head. Edith and Elizabeth curtsied again and backed out of the presentation chamber without incident. Although she had complained about all the practice, after the experience was over, Elizabeth owned that it had been worth the trouble.
It was not long before their family members joined Edith and Elizabeth in the antechamber which had been assigned to them.
Jane was the first to reach her younger sister. “It pleases me that I am not the only one of us Her Majesty addressed during the presentation,” she said as she hugged her sister. “Welcome to society.”
“When is your drawing room for married ladies, Charlotte?” Elizabeth asked.
“The third Friday in May. Her Majesty added a special drawing room for married ladies on the occasion of her birthday. She will be five and sixty on that day,” Charlotte revealed.
“That is why the birthday ball will be so well patronised at St James’s Palace this year. I did not realise the Queen was reaching that milestone in May,” Matlock stated. “Now I understand why there is talk that His Majesty and all of the princes and princesses will be in attendance, not to mention all of the upper crust of theTon.”
