Chapter 29 #3
As the debutante, Bethany did not join the receiving line—made up of Mother, Mamma, Papa, Aunts Elaine and Anne, and Uncles Reggie and Robert.
Rather, she waited above the cavernous ballroom with Mary, Giana, Petunia, Maria, and Kitty.
The younger ladies were permitted to watch the opening of the ball and the first few sets before they were to be shepherded by a governess and two companions to a private sitting room.
The girls had exclaimed over Bethie’s ensemble.
The gown was an exclusive creation by Madam Chambourg; she wore some of the Leeds emerald jewellery, and her outfit was completed with an emerald-encrusted tiara.
Like Mamma, Mother, her aunts, and older sister had done once Bethany was dressed, when she arrived on the landing, the girls waiting with her for Papa to come collect her and escort her down the stairs to the ballroom, had gushed over the beauty and elegance of Bethany’s person and outfit this night.
Once the receiving line duties were completed, those who had welcomed the guests joined those in the ballroom, except for Meryton, who climbed the stairs from the ballroom to where he knew his second daughter awaited him.
“My Lizzy, you look like a princess!” Meryton exclaimed as he reached his daughter.
None assembled on the landing pointed out that the baron had not used the correct name; rather, reverting back to what he had called her for more than sixteen years.
Mr Ronson struck the floor below three times with his staff. Conversation ceased and all eyes concentrated on the stairs. “Lady Bethany Anne Elaine Osborne, the suo jure Duchess of Leeds,” the butler intoned as Her Grace and Lord Meryton reached the fourth step from the bottom.
William Darcy, Viscount Conyers, felt his mouth go dry when he beheld the magnificence of the woman he had recently admitted to himself owned his heart.
She always looked beautiful, but this night she exceeded his imagination.
He had to fight his speeding heart hammering in his chest while he watched her glide down the stairs on Meryton’s arm.
He was very pleased he had the pleasure of dancing two sets with her; if only he had been allowed to claim the first as well.
He was well aware why that could not be.
As soon as Bethany and her father reached the ballroom floor, a door on one side of the massive room opened, and as everyone bowed and curtsied, the Prince of Wales and Princess Elizabeth entered. Prince George inclined his head, and everyone stood up straight again.
Soon enough, Mother called the first set and Bethany was led to the head of the line by his Highness. Papa opened the ball with Princess Elizabeth. After the Prince’s five minutes, Papa replaced him while the two royals took their leave.
Bethany found herself greatly anticipating the supper and final sets.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Conyers called at Leeds House relatively early given that the previous night’s ball had ended a little before four in the morning. He was hoping that Bethie was like him and rose about the same time each day, regardless of the time Morpheus claimed her.
He was not disappointed. She was seated in the library sipping a cup of hot chocolate. “Good morning, Bethie,” Conyers greeted warmly.
“And to you, William,” Bethany returned.
“When you have completed drinking your beverage, would you agree to take a turn in St James Park with me?” Conyers requested.
“You know me too well to think I would ever refuse to take some exercise,” Bethany responded. She drained her cup and stood. She accepted William’s arm as they made their way to the front doors where John and Brian were waiting for her.
The stroll to the park was less than five minutes from the house.
They walked, speaking of rather banal subjects until Conyers suggested they sit on a bench.
Once they were seated, he was soon up and pacing back and forth.
Then he sat again. “Bethie, I want to ask you…” Conyers stopped speaking when she placed a restraining hand on his closest forearm to her.
“William, if it is one of the two questions I will be ready to hear in the future, I urge you to wait. I am still learning my duties and, given the changes that will happen when I reach my majority, my preference is to enter a courtship or engagement after that age,” Bethany explained.
She saw the look of disappointment on William’s face.
“You must know that when I am ready to contemplate that next step, my wish is that it will be you who will want to ask me to take it with you. This is not because of you, William. It is for me.”
When Conyers heard her words, he felt much lighter. If he needed to wait three years for her, then so be it. His love for her would only strengthen and not wane with the passage of time.
When Bethany saw the dimple-revealing smile, which only enhanced his already very handsome features, she understood that William accepted that she needed some time before she was ready to move forward.
With everything that required her attention she was sure her decision to wait was the correct one.
Bethany had many duties, and as such, there were times where her own desires would need to be deferred.
This was such a time. She already had very tender feelings for William, and she was sure that it would be easy to love him.
With the big men trailing them, they walked back towards Leeds House.