Elizabeth replied, “It is easy to make a terrible mistake, is it not? One moment of inattention is all it takes. Might we now not find it in our hearts to forgive Mr. Darcy his error?”
“I think we must,” Countess Esterházy said. “Mrs. Darcy and Miss Bennet, you will receive vouchers to Almack’s. Miss Darcy, you will most certainly be welcome at Almack’s when you come out.”
***
The Countess of Matlock could hardly believe her ears when Richard told her what had transpired at Darcy House. Indeed, she insisted on getting into her carriage and going at once to Darcy House herself in order to hear the tale confirmed by the Darcys.
“And the Runners took her away?” she asked, her hand to her mouth and her eyes wide.
“They did,” Georgiana confirmed. “She was weeping as they dragged her away. Honestly, I felt rather sorry for her. She hurt me grievously, to be sure, but to lose her life?!”
“Will she truly hang, do you think?” Elizabeth asked her husband.
“I can ask that she be transported instead,” Mr. Darcy answered. “If that is your preference, Georgiana. She may still die, as the voyage itself is rather terrible, but this way she at least has a chance.”
“Yes, please, Brother; my conscience cannot bear the idea of her being hanged.”
“That is kind of you, Georgiana,” Mary said. “I doubt very much that her conscience was concerned about you at all.”
“It is just as Elizabeth said,” Georgiana replied. “Kindness is the most valuable and important of all character traits.”
Chapter Seventy-Nine
Darcy House
The Matlock’s Ball, given in honour of the new Mrs. Darcy, was no longer an event to be dreaded. Georgiana was very excited to attend her first ball. Mary, too, was eager, and both girls had been heard practicing their steps in the Darcy House ballroom, while singing the melodies aloud.
Everyone had selected their ballgowns. Elizabeth had lent her pearl necklace and bracelet to Mary, who was to wear a gown of Blossom silk with a white lace overlay. Her slippers were dyed Blossom to match, and the pearls were the perfect complement to the white overlay.
Elizabeth, as the ball was in her honour, had to be exquisitely attired. Her gown was pale gold, bringing out the highlights of her hair. The shimmering silk draped perfectly over her figure, and seemed to glitter as she moved. The bodice, lined with laceinto which crystals had been sewn, was perfectly cut to allow a glimpse of her bosom, but no more than a glimpse, as Mr. Darcy had been very clear in his preferences as to her décolleté. The sleeves were short and puffed, as fashion demanded, showing off her slender and graceful arms. The skirt was full and dramatic, and she seemed to float, rather than walk, across the room.
She had the Darcy diamonds at her ears and around her throat, and gold slippers with paste diamonds sewn all around them. Anna dressed her hair up high, but had put no pins in the coiffure.
“Am I done?” Elizabeth asked, turning to look at Anna.
“Not quite,” Anna said.
“What else could there be!” Elizabeth wondered, her voice betraying her impatience. It had taken a full four hours for her to be bathed, dressed and coiffed, and she was itching from the inactivity.
“This,” Anna said, hearing the expected knock on the door. “Come in!”
Mr. Darcy entered, bearing a large rectangular box. He gave the box to Elizabeth. “In honour of the new Mrs. Darcy,” he said, smiling.
Elizabeth, feeling that this must all be a dream, opened the box to reveal a sparkling tiara, composed of the most delicate gold filigree and set with many diamonds, resting on a bed of white velvet. Mr. Darcy lifted the tiara from its nest of velvet and set it on top of Elizabeth’s head. Anna rushed to pin it in place. “Now you are done!” she pronounced. “Very nice! Very nice indeed!”
As Elizabeth descended the stairs on her husband’s arm, she saw Mary and Georgiana waiting for her. They both gasped upon seeing her. “Oh, Lizzy!” Mary said. “You look like a princess!”
“Oh, she is right! You are too lovely for words,” Georgiana breathed.
“And you two look lovely as well,” Elizabeth said. “Oh, Mary, if Mama could see us now!” The two sisters hugged, carefully, so as not to undo any of Anna’s hard work.
Mr. Samuels held out Elizabeth’s gold velvet cloak, specially designed to go with the gown. Mr. Darcy took it from him and placed it gently around Elizabeth’s shoulders.
Chapter Eighty
London
Mr. Alfred Carruthers, chief editor ofThe Morning Post, had never felt quite comfortable about the article he had published about Miss Darcy.
