Kitty smiled, “Georgie, Lizzy said we should both come down so that we might help with greeting the guests. They have already begun arriving.”
Georgiana nodded her head, “Very well,” she said. She took in a small breath to quell her rising nerves just as Darcy came up to them.
“Are you ready, Georgie?” he asked, extending his arm to her.
Richard walked over to her. “If you have no objection, Darcy, I thought I would escort Georgiana this evening?” he asked him.
Darcy shook his head, “No, not at all,” he said as he stepped back. He turned to Kitty and said, “Miss Bennet, if you will allow me to escort you down,” he said as he extended his arm to her.
“Thank you, Mr. Darcy,” she said as she placed her gloved hand on his arm. Kitty smiled as they came down the stairs and walked over to Elizabeth to stand in line to receive the night's guests.
Georgiana felt her heart skip a beat when Richard extended his arm. “I thought, if you had no objection, I would escort you down and claim the first dance?”
She swallowed just a little and nodded her head, “I would like that very much,” she said softly as she placed her arm around his.
Richard guided her down the stairs and watched as she went to stand with William and Elizabeth. He could not help but stare at her; she was so very beautiful, and he found himself even more attracted to her than he had ever realized.
Elizabeth and Darcy stood in the receiving line as Lady Belmont, and her three nephews arrived. She was dressed in an elegant, dark violet silk gown with gold lace and flowers adorning the bottom of the dress. She wore an aigrette with gold feathers and gold beads sewn into the side. Her nephews were all impeccably dressed and had an air of sophistication about them.
Darcy said, “Lady Belmont, please allow me to introduce to you and your nephews my wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Darcy.”
“It is very good to meet you, Mrs. Darcy,” she said in a rather aloof manner as she examined Elizabeth closely. “Lady Fitzwilliam has spoken very highly of you. I have been most eager to make your acquaintance for myself.”
“Thank you, Lady Belmont,” Elizabeth said. “May I just say how very lovely you look this evening. I particularly love this color of violet you have chosen. It compliments you very well, and is most becoming.”
Lady Belmont smiled, and her features softened. “Thank you very much, Mrs. Darcy,” she said, sounding rather pleased. “Would you do me the honor of showing me where I might find Lady Fitzwilliam?” she asked her.
“Yes, of course,” she said as she stepped away from Darcy and guided the older woman into the next room.
Edmond came in line next and bowed his head to Darcy, “Mr. Darcy, allow me to congratulate you on your recent marriage,” he told him.
Darcy nodded his head in return, “Thank you, Mr. Belmont,” he said as he turned to Georgiana. “Allow me to introduce to you my sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and my wife’s sister, Miss Catherine Bennet of Longbourn.”
Edmond moved over to Georgiana and took her hand in his, “I am very happy to meet you, Miss Darcy,” he told her. “I have heard a great deal about you from my aunt. I was very eager to make your acquaintance again. I was not sure if you would remember our previous meeting, as it was of such a brief duration.”
Georgiana smiled, “Yes, I do remember meeting you,” she commented. “I believe it was at a concert I attended with my companion, Mrs. Annesley.”
“Yes, I believe you are right,” he told her, sounding somewhat bored. “I wonder, would you be so kind as to save me a dance?”
Georgiana nodded her head, “Yes, of course,” she replied as he let her hand go.
Edmond turned to Kitty and smiled, “Miss Bennet,” he said, somewhat surprised at seeing her there. “I believe I heard Mr. Darcy say you are his wife’s sister?”
“Yes, that is right,” she responded. “Mrs. Bingley is also my sister,” she told him.
“How very fascinating; tell me, Miss Bennet, how many sisters do you have?” he asked in a somewhat mocking tone.
“I have four sisters,” she told him.
His eyes opened wider, “Four sisters!” he said, somewhat dismayed. “How very nice for you, I am sure. Well, I do hope you do me the honor of saving a dance for me?”
Kitty smiled, “Yes, of course,“ she told him before he moved on. Kitty leaned over and whispered into Georgiana’s ear, “He is very handsome, I suppose,” she told her.
Georgiana nodded her head, “He is, but I believe he knows that he is,” she told her.
Kitty laughed just a little, “Then perhaps we should introduce him to Miss Wicket, she seemed to think very highly of herself as well,” she told her.
Georgiana laughed, “I do believe they would be perfectly suited for each other,” she whispered.
Kitty and Georgiana had just been introduced to Nicholas and Walter Belmont when Elizabeth came back to join them. It was not long after that that the last of their guests arrived and had been properly greeted.
Darcy extended his arm to Elizabeth and escorted her into the next room. Richard came forward and extended his arm again to Georgiana, “Shall we?” he asked.
She smiled and placed her hand on his arm, “I am astonished by how very many guests there are. I must say, I think Aunt Abigail took the liberty to add a few more names to the list without Elizabeth knowing.”
“It would not surprise me,” Richard told her as they walked into the next room.
All the furniture had been cleared away to allow for dancing. At the front of the room sat a group of six musicians ready to play and the rooms were all beautifully decorated with fruit garlands and lovely candelabras to offer much-needed light. “Oh, it is stunning,” Georgiana whispered as Richard walked her over to the far side of the room. “Lizzy has made it all look so lovely.”
Richard could not take his eyes off her, “Truly, Georgie, nothing in this room looks as lovely as you,” he told her again.
Georgiana blushed just a little, “Thank you, Richard,” she answered. She looked around the room for some familiar faces. “Did your mother and father come with you and Owen?”
Richard shook his head, “No, Owen and I came in his carriage while Mother and Father came in their own carriage,” he told her. “Mother always likes to stay at these kinds of parties until the very end. However, Owen does not.”
“I must say, I am surprised at his even coming,” she told him. “I know how very difficult these kinds of affairs can be for him since losing Emily.”
Richard thought about the discussion he had with his brother only a few days ago. He had not seen him much since that day. The following day, Owen left and went to Willowing Park. He said there were some old ghosts that he must finally allow to rest. He said that he would return the morning of the ball. “I believe Owen is coming to terms with having lost Emily and seeks to rally himself to join the living again.”
Georgiana sighed, “Do you believe that Miss Bingley is the cause of this change in him?” she asked him.
Richard nodded his head, “I do believe so,” he told her.
“Richard, do you believe Miss Bingley would be a suitable match for Owen?” she asked, somewhat hesitantly. “I do not mean to speak ill of anyone, but we both have known Miss Bingley to be a rather disagreeable lady most of the time.”
“If you had asked me that question before coming to London, I would have said no, she would not be,” he told her. “However, since coming here, there has been a change in the lady. She is far more amiable now than she once was. Perhaps having Darcy put her in her place when we were still at Netherfield has humbled her just a bit.”
“I suppose it is possible,” Georgiana told him. Still, she could not help but wonder, “Yes, I have noticed that she does not think quite so highly of herself as she once did,” she admitted. “And yet, there have been times in the past when she has been very kind to me, but it was always in hopes of winning my brother's attention. I am sorry to say none of it wa
s genuine or of any real concern for me.”
“Georgie, if you are asking me if I believe Miss Bingley is sincere in this change that has come over her,” he said, then paused for a moment, “I cannot really say. I will only say that I hope she is, for my brother’s sake.”
“Is Owen very taken with Miss Bingley?” she asked him.
Richard nodded his head, “I believe that he is,” he confided to her just as Elizabeth came over to them. “Georgie, since this is your coming out ball, you are to lead the first dance,” she told her.
Georgiana smiled, “Very well, who will lead me out?” she asked.
Before Elizabeth could respond, Richard said, “I will lead you out, Georgie. That is, if you have no objection to my doing so?”
She turned to him, “I have no objections,” she told him.
Richard extended his arm to her,“ “Are you very sure you want to do this?” he asked her.
She smiled and nodded her head, “You think me afraid?” she asked him.
“I know how difficult being in front of others can be for you,” he responded.
Georgiana looked at the crowded room and did her best to steady her nerves. It was true, she was very shy when it came to being in front of strangers, but she was determined not to be so tonight. On this occasion, she wanted Richard to see she was no longer the timid little girl she once was. “It is difficult for me, I will admit, but I still wish to lead the dance,” she told him as they walked into the middle of the room. Georgiana took in a small breath and called out, “Ladies and Gentlemen, the Sprigs of Laurel.”
Richard smiled at her as the other couples took their places. “Very well done,” he told her.
Caroline stood with Louisa and Elizabeth when Mr. Fitzwilliam came over to join them. “Mrs. Darcy, may I say you have decorated beautifully. I cannot remember the last time I saw Windham House looking so very lovely,” he complimented her.
Elizabeth smiled, “Thank you, Mr. Fitzwilliam,” she replied. “Although, I cannot take all the credit; both Jane and Caroline helped me.”
Owen turned his attention to Caroline after Georgiana called the dance, “I believe you promised me this dance?” he reminded her.
Caroline smiled, “I did, yes,” she said as he took her hand in his and led her out to the dance floor.
“You look very beautiful tonight, Miss Bingley,” he told her.
“Thank you, Mr. Fitzwilliam. It is very kind of you to say,” she said as the music began to play.
“Tell me, Miss Bingley, would you be opposed to taking a walk with me tomorrow through the park if the weather should hold?” he asked her. “I would very much enjoy your company.”
Caroline hesitated for a moment, “I suppose I could arrange to meet with you tomorrow,” she told him. “Although I think I should tell you, I will be going to stay with my sister for two days and then returning to Netherfield with Charles and Jane.”
“I did not realize you would be leaving so soon,” he told her. “I thought perhaps you might decide to stay on here in London. As I recall, you said you preferred it to the countryside.”
She nodded her head, “Yes, I did say that.”
“You sound as if you have changed your mind,” he suggested. “Are you perhaps growing tired of the company, I wonder?”
“I am not sure how to respond, Mr. Fitzwilliam, without giving offense; so I will say nothing,” she told him.
Owen furrowed his brow and wondered why she was so distant with him all of the sudden. He found her behavior very puzzling. They danced the rest of the dance in silence. When the song came to an end, she parted ways from him, making up an excuse about needing to return to her sister. Owen was left wondering what had caused such a change in her since their last meeting.
Richard escorted Georgiana back over to Darcy and Elizabeth once the dance was finished. He suddenly felt rather awkward and unsure what he should do. If Georgiana were any other young lady that he had just danced with, he would leave her in the care of her companions and move to another part of the room. However, Georgiana was not any other young lady, and he was not just some suitable gentleman seeking a dance. He was her guardian and companion, in light of that fact, he wondered how he should conduct himself with her.
“Richard,” Georgiana looked at him with some concern. “Are you feeling quite well?”
He looked at her, “Yes, I am well,“ he assured her. “Why do you ask?”
She laughed, “Because I have asked you the same question two times now and you still have not answered me.”
Richard smiled at her, “I was lost in my thoughts for a moment. What were you attempting to ask me?”
Georgiana furrowed her brow. “I think I would rather know what it was that had you so deep in thought,” she told him.
“I was wondering about if your dance card is filled, or if I may ask that you save me the last dance of the evening,” he said to her.
Georgiana smiled. “I will save you the last dance,” she told him just as Lieutenant Godwin came up to them.
“Miss Darcy, I was wondering if you would be free to dance this next dance with me?” he asked her.
Georgiana nodded her head, “Yes, of course,” she said as she placed her hand on his arm and allowed him to guide her out onto the dance floor.
Richard could not help but feel just a bit jealous as he watched them go. He found himself watching them intently as they chatted away, waiting for the music to begin. He considered Thomas Godwin, and the kind of man he was. He had no reason to dislike the man, and yet he found himself feeling very agitated at that moment.
Kitty saw the pensive look on the Colonel’s face and went to speak with him. “Colonel Fitzwilliam, are you not going to dance?” she asked him.
He looked up at Kitty and smiled, “I believe I will sit this dance out,” he told her.
Kitty looked over in the direction he was looking and whispered so that only he would hear, “Colonel, you must stop shooting daggers at Lieutenant Godwin,” she said teasingly.
The Colonel looked at her in confusion, “I beg your pardon, Miss Bennet, but what did you say?” he asked her.
She laughed. “I said you must stop shooting daggers at Lieutenant Godwin,” she repeated herself. “It is something my mother used to say to me when I was a little girl. Whenever Lydia would steal my ribbons and bonnets, I would get very angry and glare at her. My mother would scold me and tell me I must not shoot daggers at my sister.”
Richard laughed, “Was that what I was doing?” he asked her.
Kitty nodded her head, “I believe it was,” she told him. “You clearly do not look pleased that Georgiana is dancing with him.”
“Tell me, Miss Bennet, what do you think of Mr. Godwin?” he asked her.
She looked again at Georgiana and Mr. Godwin, “I think him a very agreeable man,” she told him. “He is very handsome, charming, and has fascinating stories to tell of his time at sea.”
Richard looked even more downcast, “I should not have asked you,” he admitted to her. “I was better off imagining that Georgiana disliked him than to hear you speak of his many attributes.”
Kitty sighed, “I am sorry, Colonel; it was not my intention to make you feel worse,” she told him. “However, you did ask me,” she reminded him as Maria Lucas came up to join them.
“Good evening, Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she said as she stared up into his eyes.
Richard smiled, “Good evening, Miss Lucas,” he responded. “May I ask how you are enjoying your stay in London so far?”
“I am enjoying it very well, thank you for asking,” she said.
Georgiana did her best not to watch Richard as she danced, but she found herself feeling distracted. She made several small mistakes in the dance, but thankfully, no one had noticed. She forced herself to return her attention to her partner and decided to ignore the fact that the man she loved was now surrounded by several young ladies’ eager to talk with him. The worst part of it was, he did not see
m to mind all of their attention.
“I believe you may count your first ball a success, Mrs. Darcy,” Darcy told her halfway through the evening. “I doubt even Lady Catherine can deny your success.”
Elizabeth smiled, “I do think it is going very well,” she said as she looked around the room.
“I believe I heard Lady Belmont remark to my aunt that she has rarely ever seen a more lovely decorated home. She commented on how tastefully everything has been done,” Darcy told her.
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