Elizabeth executed a flawless curtsey, then expected the queen to proffer her hand to kiss as was done for the daughter of an earl. Instead, Queen Charlotte beckoned her closer to her throne and kissed Elizabeth on the forehead as she would the daughter of a duke.
“We are most pleased that you are entering society, Lady Elizabeth,” the Queen intoned kindly.
“I thank you for your acknowledgement, your royal majesty,” Elizabeth returned softly.
“We hope that you will have time to come visit our husband and us at Buckingham House to play and sing for us, Lady Elizabeth; we are related after all,” the Queen stated.
“When your majesty desires my presence, it will be my honour.” Seeing the little wave of her majesty’s hand indicating that she was dismissed, Elizabeth backed away without tripping and re-joined her family in the antechamber. She was hugged by all four of the ladies who had accompanied her to the palace.
“Welcome to society, Lizzy,” her mother smiled. Elaine felt ambivalence, she was as proud as any mother could be in her daughter; but at the same time, she knew that this was a further step away from the family she had grown up with while being a step toward her future family. There was no doubt in Elaine’s mind that when her daughter married, she would often see her, especially as all signs indicated that she would be moving only ten miles away.
“Thank you, Mama,” Elizabeth replied. She too had mixed emotions this day; hers were predominately happy now that she was out, though she was not overjoyed, as there were still almost five months before Will would be allowed to declare himself. She had a plan. After her eighteenth birthday, a full two months from her coming-out ball, she would ask her brother for the birthday gift that she desired above all others.
“You did so well; what did her majesty say to you, Lizzy?” Tammy asked.
“Thank you, Mother Bennet, especially for all the help and training, so I was prepared. She will be inviting me to come perform for her at Buckingham House soon,” Elizabeth reported. To some, a royal summons would be nerve-racking, but to one who had been giving musical performances to the royals for well over ten years, it was almost routine.
“Let us return to Matlock House; the newest member-to-be of the Fitzwilliam family demands that I rest,” Marie stated, and with that request, the five ladies departed the palace.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
On walking into the drawing room at Matlock House, Elizabeth saw Richard and was about to jump into his arms as was her wont when she stopped herself in her tracks.“Itch, where is your uniform?” she asked suspiciously, hoping that what she suspected was true.
“Did I not promise you that I would convey my answer to you before your ball, Sprite?” he asked with a broad smile.“I am now the Honourable Mr…” He did not have a chance to finish what he was about to say as his sister launched herself into his arms, hoops and all.
“You are no longer in the army! This is the best gift you have ever bestowed on any of us, Itch!” Elizabeth got out as she hugged her brother tightly.
Elaine stood with tears of joy streaming down her cheek.“You have made your mother very happy, Richard,” she informed him as she waited for her daughter to detach herself from her brother so that she could hug her second son.“Your father and I always hoped that you would sell out and take up the life of a gentleman. My Reggie would have been as happy as I am if he were still here to see this day.”
“Lizzy gave me a lot to think on, and for once,” he teased his sister,“she made sense. As of this morning, I am a civilian, my resignation is official, and there is a buyer for my commission.”
“In that case, we will have to toast Itch at dinner tonight,” Elizabeth decided.
“It is your night, Lizzy, not mine,” Richard stated.
“As it is my night, my desire is to toast the master of Brookfield, the best of brothers!” Elizabeth gave Richard a look he had seen many times, an arched eyebrow daring him to gainsay her.
“Andrew, you do not look very surprised,” Marie pointed out.
“I had to tell someone, and as all of you like surprises so much, we decided to give you one,” Richard shared while Andrew had a happy, smug look that told of his success in surprising Elizabeth, who was normally not easy to surprise.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Bennet House was awash with the light of what seemed to be a thousand candles as the guests for the celebratory dinner arrived. The Phillipses and Gardiners arrived together earlier than the rest of the guests, as planned so that the family could toast the newest member of society. Ian and Anne Ashby had already arrived in support of their sister as they were staying at the newly named Ashby House on Berkley Square.
Georgiana, at almost fifteen, was most happy that she could attend the formal dinner. As it was only family and close friends, her not being out had been overlooked by her mother, especially as Elizabeth had requested her friend be allowed to attend.
“Was it as scary as they say it is, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked her cousin.
“If one practices well beforehand, then, in my opinion, the presentation is not something to fear, Gigi,” Elizabeth informed the younger girl.“My only worry was the backing out. Even though I had practiced many times, I imagined myself falling on my derriere and making a spectacle, but that did not happen.” The vision that her cousin described caused a giggle from Georgiana, who covered her mouth in an attempt to hide her reaction, but her eyes gave it away.
Elizabeth had not seen Will yet, but without turning, she knew he was behind her. She could detect his cologne of sandalwood and spices that she liked so much. She was in much anticipation for her ball when she would dance with him for the first time as a full member of society.
For his part, Will was taking in Elizabeth’s lavender scent. Only two more days to cross off, and then he would dance with her at her ball. They had danced before, as recently as the Twelfth Night Ball, but none had the significance of the dances that he would have at the coming out, and never had they danced with the full glare of the Ton’s attention on them. There would be no doubt as to his preference afterward.
Andrew and Bennet offered toasts to honour Elizabeth. In Andrew’s toast, among other things, he talked about how he could not believe that the little whirlwind that had blown through their houses for so many years was the poised and elegant young lady standing before him as he welcomed his sister as a full member of society.
Bennet’s highlighted his and the rest of the Bennet’s joy at being part of Elizabeth’s life and how much joy reuniting with her had brought all of them. He was sure, he said, that whoever was lucky enough to one day win her heart would have to be a very worthy man. During that part of the toast, he had looked at Will.
