Chapter Eighty-Two
The Countess laughed aloud, then clasped her hands at her chest. “Oh, heavens!”
“What is it, m’dear?” the Earl asked, absent-mindedly. He had not slept as well as he had hoped, and was already on his third cup of coffee.
“Listen!” his wife commanded. She stood up with The Morning Post in her hand and declaimed:
“The ball given by the Earl and Countess of Matlock in honour of their new niece, Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy neé Bennet, was a complete crush. Mrs. Darcy, though new to Society, was considered by all to be charming, witty, and a worthy addition to the Matlock family. She was resplendent in a full-skirted gown of gold, adorned with a glittering lace bodice. She wore the Darcy diamonds, which have not been seen since the unfortunate passing of the Earl of Matlock’s lovely sister, Anne Darcy.
Also seen was Miss Georgiana Darcy; quite properly, she danced only with family members, though none other than the Marquess of Hartington was seen sitting beside her! We look forward to the lovely Miss Darcy’s come-out, as she is certain to be one of the diamonds of the Season.”
“We did it! We did it!” Her voice was triumphant.
***
“Listen to this!” Miss Bingley said, excitedly. She held up the newspaper and read the relevant paragraphs aloud. Finishing, she added, “Well! That should put paid to the nasty rumours about Georgiana!”
“It was a lovely ball, was it not?” Mrs. Bingley said, dreamily.
“It was, indeed,” Mrs. Hurst agreed.
***
Lady Catherine threw the paper down with a loud snort of disgust.
“What is it, Mama?” Anne asked.
“Unbelievable!” Lady Catherine cried. She immediately rose and left the breakfast table without a backward glance.
Anne waited a minute to make certain that her mother was truly gone. She then rose and walked round the table to her mother’s place to look at the newspaper.
“What does it say?” Mrs. Jenkinson asked.
Anne cried, “It is everything wonderful. Dear Georgiana has been absolved!”
***
At Pemberley, Mrs. Reynolds had been following the society pages assiduously. When she saw the latest article in The Morning Post, she burst into happy tears.