“Excellent!” Fitz replied, grinning.
Both Fitz and Stafford slapped Darcy on the back in congratulations.
“We are very happy for you, William,” Aunt Sophia said with a pleased smile.
“When shall we meet this young lady?” Uncle Byron asked.
“If you are free tomorrow, she will be spending the day at Darcy House. Would you like to come for luncheon?”
“Yes, we would indeed!” Aunt Sophia said. “We are eager to make her acquaintance.”
“Are we meeting at your house before going to the musicale?” Fitz asked Darcy, handing him a glass of port.
“Yes, I was going to tell you I invited her family for an early dinner.”
Fitz nodded. “Sounds good."
Darcy sipped his drink, then said, “I want to make you all aware of another development. Caroline Bingley is no longer an acquaintance of mine. I do not want that woman to even look in my direction anymore, let alone speak to me. I told Bingley if she so much as attempts to address Elizabeth or any member of my family, we will not hesitate to publicly humiliate her.”
“That harpy finally pushed you too far?” Stafford asked.
“Yes, she did, with her blatant disrespect of Elizabeth. I have only tolerated her for as long as I have because of my friendship with Bingley, but that ends now.”
“How did Bingley take it when you told him?” Fitz asked.
“I believe he was a little caught off guard by it, but he told me he understood and that his sister brought it all on herself.”
“From what Fitz says, she has grown quite possessive of you, Darcy,” Stafford added.
“Apparently, she has, but that is not my problem," Darcy said. "And I will not allow her to make it Elizabeth’s problem either.”
“You are wise to drop the association with Bingley’s sister and put distance between her and Miss Elizabeth,” Uncle Byron said approvingly. “Her interest in you was growing to a worrying degree. You cannot be too careful.”
Darcy looked at his uncle and nodded.
“Darcy, I have not told you, but lately, dunderhead here has been slipping in and out of events as stealthily as possible,” Fitz said, grinning.
Stafford groaned.
Darcy looked at Stafford, then back at Fitz. “Why all the stealth?”
“He is being tracked,” Fitz said, taking a drink of his port.
Darcy looked at Stafford and began chuckling.
Stafford shook his head. “This latest crop of debutantes is not to be underestimated, Darcy—two in particular. They are like bloodhounds hot on my trail!”
Darcy and Fitz both guffawed at that.
“Bloodhounds, I tell you!” Stafford insisted, eyes wide and brows raised in emphasis. Unable to resist, however, he joined in their laughter.
The next morning, a footman assisted Elizabeth into the Darcy carriage. A maid sat across from her on the backward-facing bench. Aunt Madeleine had accompanied Elizabeth to the carriage and directed a servant to load a small trunk on the back. She now stood by watching as her niece settled herself and the driver prepared to put the team in motion. Elizabeth smiled at her aunt and raised a hand in farewell as the carriage pulled away. Her family would join her later at Darcy House for dinner then they would all travel together to the musicale.
Elizabeth sat back and relaxed into the plush squabs. She could hardly believe the direction her life had taken. Not only was she being courted, she was being courted by a very wealthy man. If her courtship continued on to its natural conclusion, her life would change dramatically. She would become a wife, but she would also enter a life of privilege. Aunt Madeleine had givenher an idea of how great an estate Pemberley was. To be mistress of such an estate as well as mistress of his London home? Elizabeth had never imagined such a future for herself!
As the carriage pulled up to the house, Elizabeth was struck by how beautiful it was. It was constructed of an off-white stone. A dark gray roof with sculptured dormers extending from it provided contrast. The second-floor windows had balconies made of intricate iron scrollwork. The front door was navy blue with an arched transom window above it. While she was admiring it, the front door suddenly opened, and Fitzwilliam stepped out. He came down the steps towards the carriage, smiling, his eyes on her. Seeing him, Elizabeth could not resist smiling as well. The footman opened the door to the carriage just as Fitzwilliam reached it.
“Good morning, Elizabeth,” he said as he extended his hand for her to take.
