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“I think it is too soon to have made any of those decisions.”

“Nonsense Darcy, utter tosh. You have skulked around the edges of fashionable salons for at least five years. You are telling me there is no one that has caught your eye?”

As Darcy spluttered and protested, it was Andrew that thrust the knife the deepest.

“Georgiana, you should pick your groom carefully. It is likely that your son will be the heir to Pemberley, given that your brother will still be standing in the corner sulking in the corner, looking down and sneering on all the debutantes.”

“Stonehaven! That is too much!”

“Is it Darcy? Show me evidence to the contrary and I will be the first to apologise. Until then my comment stands. Georgiana my dear, you can rely on me to escort you to all the Balls that your brother will not attend. You will grace every event with your presence.”

Georgiana completely missed all the backhanded slams on her brother. The thought of dancing the night away, all night, every night, that was still a forbidden dream. Sore feet and tiredness would quickly temper her enthusiasm but right at that moment she was looking forward to it with excitement.

--

“Lady Napier, good day.”

“Good day Mrs. Ramsden. The spring weather makes such a difference to a drive in the Park.”

When in doubt, start with the weather. It was an endless well of bland conversation filler.

“You are absolutely correct. I do not believe you have met my son. May I introduce him?”

This issue had taken Elizabeth some time to be comfortable. As the higher ranked person she could accept the introduction or not. She had, as yet, not refused an introduction but was still asked. It had been odd when it first happened, and she was still ill at ease with the whole concept.

“Of course, please do.”

“Lady Napier, this is my eldest son Mr. Patrick Ramsden. Patrick, this is Lady Napier.”

While sitting in carriages it was impossible to bow or curtsey but she got a half bow from the man and she nodded her head at him. The best they could do.

“Will we see you at the Illingworth’s soiree?”

“Yes, I am planning to attend. I will see you there.”

It was the same brief conversation multiple times over the course of the afternoon. But again, if she did not want to meet and talk to these people then she would have stayed away. It was another necessary step in becoming better known in society.

--

It took Elizabeth a moment to recognise the gentleman browsing at Hatchard’s. Normally she would not have approached a gentleman but it was a recent introduction, she even remembered his name, and he was in a bookshop.

“Mr. Ramsden?”

He spun round and spotted Elizabeth. A genuine smile graced his face.

“Lady Napier, how do you do?”

The formalities were dealt with and they began to talk. Harriet did not crowd Elizabeth but she was not off at the end of the row either.

“Did you enjoy the soiree two nights ago?”

“I did. The Illingworths are renowned as a good host and hostess, and I could see that the reputation was well earned. I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. What about you, sir?”

And so it started.

“Once I came down from Cambridge I attended many events over three seasons. But then my father passed away unexpectedly, an accident while out hunting, and I had to take over the responsibilities on the family estate. This is my first year back in society, although it has been several years since my father’s death. There seemed to be so much to learn, to understand, I was guilty of thinking there would be time to learn with my father.”

He ruefully smiled.