Lady Elaine announced that it was time to form the receiving line as the first guests would be arriving soon. The line would consist of Andrew, Marie, Elaine, Elizabeth, Bennet, and finally, Tammy. Richard did not repine the fact that he was not part of the receiving line, for then he was on hand to greet the de Melville's right after they cleared the line of arriving guests.
“Good evening, Lady Loretta,” he bowed over the lady’s hand after he had greeted her family.
“Mr Fitzwilliam,” she returned, amused at his pointed address.
“If you have a set open for an ex-soldier, I would like to write my name down, should you grant me that honour,” he requested gallantly. The more he talked to her, the more he liked Loretta de Melville, for her hint of amusement proved she saw through him and his hope to claim her hand.
“As you can see, I am dancing the first with my brother and the one before the supper set with my father, but the rest are open,” she informed him boldly.
Richard wrote his name into the space opposite the supper set, then held the pencil above the final set and looked at the lady questioningly. She gave him an almost imperceptible nod, and he smiled privately at her in appreciation as he claimed the final set. He was sure that she would have granted him a third set, but not having cleared such a request with her father before the ball, he decided not to ask.
Once all the guests were present, Prince Edward and Princess Elizabeth entered to bows and curtsies from all. At a nod from the Earl of Matlock, the musicians played a few bars of music to signal the commencement of the dancing and the first set. As had been planned, the Prince led Lady Elizabeth to the head of the line. With another signal from Lord Matlock, the music started. The Prince danced a few bars with his partner, and then Andrew replaced him.
“You have grown into a wonderful young lady, Lizzy,” Andrew told her as the steps of the dance brought them together.
“Thank you, Andrew; you are one of the best brothers that a girl could ask for. I am just sorry that Papa is not here dancing with me tonight,” she replied wistfully.
“You and me both, Lizzy, you and me both.” At the end of the first dance of the set, Bennet took over the duties from Andrew.
“This is still like a dream for me, Lizzy,” Bennet said.
“How so, Father Bennet?” she asked.
“It is so much more than I ever dared to hope. All I prayed for was that you were well cared for and loved. Not only was that true, beyond anything I prayed for, but I, we the Bennets, are a part of your life. Look how much family we have gained.” The dance parted them as they went down the line.
“As hard as it must have been for you when I was stolen, I would not trade the life I have had so far for anything as I have been loved and cared for by parents and a family who always protected me. If I had never been taken and discarded, I would have been happy to grow up with my birth family, but it seems that God had other plans for us all. Most people dream of one loving family; I have many.” The line separated them one more time, and when they were back together, Elizabeth completed her thought.“Now I am embarking on a new part of my life, and, when my wish is granted, I will become a part of a family who I already love, but I will always have all of my family with me in my heart even when I do not see you.” When the dance was over, Bennet was too choked up with emotion to talk, so her kissed his second daughter on the forehead and led her to her next partner, who was eagerly awaiting her.
As Will led Elizabeth to the head of the line for the second set, they were lost in each other’s eyes and had no idea who lined up next to them. It was Andrew and Marie who were amused at the two of them being so transfixed on one another, as no one present could miss the loving looks passing between the two. When the music commenced, there was companionable silence between the two at the head of the line for the first ten minutes.
“Come now, Lady Elizabeth,” Will teased the lady he loved,“we must have some conversation; think of the gossip it will excite if we are silent the whole half hour.”
“Do you normally talk when you dance?” she challenged, her playful smile making him grin.
“I could comment on the number of people present, and you could mention how well the ballroom is decorated,” he re-joined, his dimples in evidence.
“We can discuss anything that your heart desires, Mr Darcy. Would you like to discuss a book, perchance?” She volleyed, anxiously awaiting his reply.
“No, my Lady, discussing books while dancing is not the done thing,” he scoffed, his eyes lighting up at the wordplay she so naturally fell into with him.
Were they cognisant of others in the room, they would have seen the astonishment of the Ton as they watched two for whom the rest of the world seemed not to exist. It was whispered in more than one corner that they had never known the Darcy heir had dimples, or even that he could smile beyond a perfunctory thin allowance for appearance’s sake; all and sundry now seeing what none outside of the family had ever seen from the normally stoic, sometimes dour man. When whatever they were discussing caused a tinkling laugh from the lady, the gentleman’s face was said to brighten, and he would smile anew.
Several members of the Ton watching them understood two things—neither Lady Elizabeth nor Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy would ever become part of their family, and the mask that the latter had previously displayed in public was just that, a mask to keep unwanted attention at bay.
It was no surprise for the family members of the two that they had known for many years that the two were formed for one another. Lady Elaine, Lady Rose, and Lady Anne were sitting together watching not only Lizzy and Will, but their Richard, who was longingly watching Lady Loretta as she danced.
“I have a feeling that it will not be too much longer before I have no unmarried children left,” Elaine opined. Her sister Anne commiserated with her.
“Since when has Richard been interested in Loretta?” Lady Rose asked as she watched him watch her.
“That is news to me. I was unaware that he was captivated by any lady,” Elaine admitted.“If it comes to pass, they will do well together. She is vivacious and intelligent and will always keep him on his toes.”
“Have you noted that my daughter-in-law has been resting a lot lately? She and Perry are sitting after dancing the first; do you think that mayhap she is with child?” Lady Rose asked as she looked at Jane and Perry.
“You see them more than we do,” Anne replied,“I am sure if she is, we will all be informed when they feel it is the time to do so.”
“Speaking about being with child, Marie shared with us that she felt the quickening of our second grandchild a few days ago,” Lady Rose offered this next happy topic with a smile, and her friends confirmed they had been privy to the news as well, as the men of their family were ever so fond of sending an express.
When the dance ended, Will reluctantly led Elizabeth back to her brothers. At least the next dance was with Richard rather than someone unknown. Will checked his jealousy as he reminded himself that he had naught to worry about, turning to search for Lady Loretta, with who he would partner for the third set.
