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“I have been very active this first month. but I think I am going to cut back on my attendance. Evening events are difficult as only you are with me. I think I will do more daytime socialising allowing Daisy or Ingrid, and Mr. Jones or one of his men, to also be present. Some of these desperate men need to understand that although I have no family, I am not without protection.”

Harriet smiled.

“The word is getting out Lady Napier. Having Mr. Jones standing in the entrance hall is not very subtle. But it appears a lack of subtly is needed to get through to some of these people. Returning to last night, what else upset you?”

“Running the estate was the thing that bothered me the most; did I have a steward, did I have an agent, was the estate following the latest agricultural techniques? No one came right out and said it, but there were comments about Trusts, sniffing around to see whether my wealth was encumbered. I do wonder about my those of my sex if these charlatans expect such crass questions to be answered.”

Elizabeth’s smile was sharp.

“It is going to be one of those interesting situations. There is no one to talk to, the only people are either myself or Mr. Lawrence, and we are not talking. How do you offer marriage to someone without any idea of my financial circumstances? It is difficult to profess any kind of sentiment when we both know that they would not offer if they knew of the Trust.

“That is my issue, at the moment all I am attracting is those with empty purses.”

“What about the two gentlemen sons of Lady Matlock? You have not yet accepted the invitation to dinner.”

“There are several issues. I found the Colonel to be very pleasant, charming, letting his qualities speak for themselves, without trying too hard. He is the second son, you would have thought he had to work harder, yet it is his older brother that seems more.”

She sighed.

“I was about to say more desperate, but it is not that. In fact, now that I think on it, I have said it already. The younger son comes across as not trying too hard, while the older son, the one who is the heir to the title and estate seems to be trying too hard. I know this will sound slightly silly but they appear to be acting like small boys fighting over a toy, in this case me!”

She shook her hard.

“As for the dinner, I worry about who else will be at the table. It would be perfectly normal for the Countess to invite her nephew.”

“You cannot hide from him forever Lady Napier.”

“I know that. At the same time, I do not want a scene at his aunt’s dinner table.”

One of the things that had taken several events for Elizabeth to realise, and then to question, was to what purpose was she making the effort in society. It had been well into the early hours of the morning after one event when she thought on it. She had been deriding the collection of knaves importuning her, when she had the thought. No one was making an effort to court her. Everyone was looking at her as a purse to be emptied, not as a woman.

There were exceptions, it was not as stark as she was making out, but her overall sense was society was not making much effort with her. She was welcome, as a widow who would immediately restore the natural order and hand over her fortune to a man.

--

“An absolute triumph Georgiana, you were elegant and stood out amongst your peers.”

Georgiana Darcy basked in the words and smiles of her family, but she needed to see and hear them. They were necessary as she only appeared to be poised and in control. What she had not been aware of, her brother had been successful in shielding her from them, were the rumours of Darcy taking his revenge not just on Miss Bingley, but on all eight of her group of backstabbers. It had made not one iota of difference to the Ton, and the way women behaved, but it had taken the Darcy name completely out of the gossip. Many peers of the Earl had been at the presentation, and Georgiana had danced with three Earls, two Viscounts and several other men of consequence. It had been a stark reminder to the rest of the Ton of the power of the Darcy name. There were no more snide comments about relations in trade.

“You looked wonderful Georgie. The epitome of an elegant young lady, the absolute belle of the ball.”

“I saw that you danced every set as well William.”

She was becoming well versed in asking her questions in the form of a statement. Darcy saw his aunt suppress a smirk.

“I will be 30 this year, and am ever more aware of my duties to the family name and the estate. It is never going to be an activity I will love, but it is a necessary sacrifice.”

No one noticed Richard turn slightly to ensure his annoyance at Darcy’s pompous pronouncements was not displayed. Richard was sure that Darcy had no memory of the slight on the journey back from Rosings Park two years earlier, but it had fundamentally changed their relationship. He still played the dutiful cousin, and in return received the allowance, but it burned at his honour. What he would give to be free from Darcy’s control, to escape his purse strings. He turned back to his ward.

“Are you looking forward to the rest of the season, Georgie?”

“Yes Richard. Now that I am out, I can finally attend evening entertainments. And as my brother is seriously looking for a wife, we can accompany each other to evening entertainments, especially balls. It will be something to look forward to, as long as I have some family support.”

The whole family laughed at the moue on Darcy’s face. Georgiana’s tentative joy in stark contrast to the ponderous solemnity of her brother.

“Georgiana will take this season, and the short season this autumn, to establish herself. You have been out in society for close to a decade. Who do you have your eye on?”

The Earl was blunt, both Richard and his brother laughing at the look of horror on Darcy’s face. Less than an hour after her presentation and Georgiana had escaped the intrusive scrutiny she was afraid of, her brother an inadvertent shield.