Chapter 30
A month after the Prince of Wales became the Regent, Bethany would reach the ripe old age of twenty. This year, she knew what birthday gift she wanted to give herself, but she needed to speak to Mamma and Mother first.
In the past two years since she came out, she had been very busy running her estates and homes.
As much time as she dedicated to the management of the dukedom’s interests, William Darcy was never far from her thoughts.
There were many times when she was convinced she had erred in asking him to wait to declare himself; but there were other times when she was immersed in making decisions which affected the lives of many dependent upon her, and she knew that her wanting more time was a wise choice.
She ignored the stubborn voice in her head which insisted that had she moved forward with him, he would have been at her side to share the burdens she carried.
Some seven months past, Anne Smythe had delivered a healthy boy, the new Viscount Peterborough, heir to the Granville Earldom.
Then within the last three months, both Charlotte and Caroline had delivered healthy sons.
For the former, this was her second son, while the latter had been blessed with her first son.
It was the fourth grandchild for the Earl and Countess of Matlock and second for Ophelia and Clem Collins.
In April upcoming, it would be Mary’s turn to make her curtsy and come out into society.
So far, much to Mary’s pleasure, there was no suitor on the horizon.
She would share the day and the ball with Lady Petunia Smythe.
Anne and Harry Smythe, along with their younger sister, were visiting friends in Kent and would arrive in London on the morning of Bethany’s birthday.
After Mary came out, it would only be Kitty—who would be sixteen in August—who was left in, something she did not repine.
On the Darcy side, Giana would celebrate her fifteenth birthday the day before Bethany turned twenty.
In the last months since James had completed his studies at Cambridge in May of the previous year, whenever Giana looked at him, she blushed.
Bethany thought it very amusing that her brother had not an inkling that Giana was infatuated with him.
Bethany could not blame Giana for her good taste in men.
James was tall—only an inch shorter than William Darcy—and was rather handsome.
Along with that, he was a very good and honourable man.
It still felt strange for Bethany to think of her mischievous brother as a man.
But that was what he was. In May, he would reach his majority.
The extended family and close friends had arrived in London in mid-February past. This included the Lucases, who were being hosted with Charlotte and Richard at Fitzwilliam House in Berkeley Square.
Rather than at Leeds House, Bethany and Mother were with the Bennets and Collinses at Bennet House in Portman Square.
Since his elevation to baron, Meryton had not wanted to change the name of the house to Meryton House, and his Fanny had agreed with him.
The house was far smaller than Leeds House but still more than large enough to accommodate all of them and have space for more guests.
Having Jane, Andrew, and little Tom practically next door was a great inducement to be at Bennet House for Bethany.
Where Charlotte, Richard, and their sons lived was less than a mile distant; Grosvenor Square, where the Fitzwilliam and Darcy parents, as well as Conyers House, were located, was barely a quarter mile from the Bennets’ dwelling.
Although Bethany would not admit it aloud, the fact that the distance from Leeds House in St James Square to William Darcy’s house in Grosvenor Square was four times greater had factored into her decision to be hosted by Mamma and Papa.
Knowing that her feelings would no longer be repressed, Bethany requested that her two mothers meet her in Mamma and Papa’s private sitting room.
“Thank you for indulging my need to speak to both of you,” Bethany said nervously once she joined Mamma and Mother in the sitting room.
“Bethie, you know we will assist you in any way we are able,” Lady Amelia stated.
She cogitated about how she wanted to broach the subject and decided that she needed to be direct. “I told you how the day after my entry into society, William Darcy wanted to declare himself, but I told him I needed more time, did I not?” Bethany asked.
“You did,” Fanny replied while Amelia nodded her head in agreement.
“It was the correct thing at the time,” Bethany stated.
“However, I was wrong to tell him to wait until I reach my majority. I have learnt all about my duties, and I realise that had I not stopped William then, we would be married by now, and he would be able to share the load I carry in taking care of all those dependent upon me and the dukedom.”
“What is it you are asking us?” Lady Amelia enquired.
“How can I tell William that I am ready for him to declare himself, and as I love him most ardently, there is no need for a courtship?” Bethany queried.
“As you two have been courting in everything but name for two years, I agree, a courtship would be superfluous,” Fanny said with a smile. “Only you two would make it more complicated than it is.”
“We have not been…” Bethany stopped herself as she thought back over the last two years. “I suppose we have been courting.”
“Bethie, dear, are you aware that with your rank being so much higher than William’s, you could grab the bull by the horns and make your desires clear to him?
It is one of the advantages of being a duchess.
Who is going to tell you that it is not proper?
” Lady Amelia related with a wide smile on her face.
“I could propose to William?” Bethie asked excitedly.
“You could,” Lady Amelia replied succinctly.
“I know from Anne that William is trying to give you the time and distance he thinks you need, so if you take the initiative, I do not believe William will repine it. As you are a duchess and he is a viscount, if who proposed to whom became known, no one would be able to criticise you. Besides, I believe you will find you have an ally in Queen Charlotte.”
Bethany was aware how sad the Queen had been when she had admitted the need for the regency. Her Majesty loved King George III deeply. She mourned the man he used to be before the insanity took over his person.
Since her come out, Bethany, Mother, and Mamma had been invited to join Her Majesty for tea several times. They had been witness to the strain the Queen tried to disguise as her beloved husband slipped further and further into the madness which gripped him.
“Mamma, will you please invite the Darcys to join us for dinner today or tomorrow if today is too soon?” Bethany requested.
It was not long before Fanny had scribed invitations and sent a footman on his way to Darcy and Conyers Houses. When the reply came, Fanny was pleased to tell Bethie that both had replied in the affirmative for dinner that day, the first Friday of March.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Conyers could not have been more pleased to receive the invitation to Bennet House. He had walked to Darcy House and discovered that Mother and Father were available that same evening.
The Darcys had just arrived and been welcomed to Bennet House.
Giana was soon with Kitty and Mary, their heads together.
If anyone saw the surreptitious looks Giana gave James, followed by a pretty blush, no one mentioned it.
James was oblivious. Said Bennet heir was seated with Conyers and Sir William Collins while the patriarchs were speaking across the room.
The ladies of the older generation were grouped together, which left Bethany and Caroline next to one another.
Bethany had been debating internally about whether or not to ask William if they could speak. Just then, she reminded herself that she did not allow anything or anyone to intimidate her. “Please excuse me, Caroline, I have something I need to do,” she said as she stood.
Even while he spoke to Bennet and Collins, Conyers always knew where Bethie was in a room. He saw her stand and glide over to where he was speaking to her brother and cousin. He knew not what she was about, so he waited.
“William…” Two men looked at her. “Darcy,” Bethany qualified. “Would you join me? I will speak to you.” She used the commanding voice she employed when she was discharging her ducal duties. When William did not stand right away, she arched one eyebrow in question.
It was not that he did not want to stand and follow Bethie anywhere she wanted; it was simply that Conyers had been momentarily frozen by her request. As soon as she arched one eyebrow above her mesmerising emerald-green eyes, Conyers was snapped out of the stupor.
He stood. “I am yours and will follow you anywhere you lead.”
Thankfully Bethany had spoken to Papa and gained his permission when she had told him what she intended to do. Hence, when she passed him, he nodded to her and returned to the conversation he was having with Uncle Robert and Cousin Clem.
As had been agreed upon, John and Brian were standing outside of the study. Bethany led William into the room and pushed the door as far closed as she was allowed to, leaving it open about three inches.
“The day after my coming-out ball you wanted to declare yourself for me, but I stopped you and told you I needed time,” Bethany began.
“I was both right and wrong that day. I did need time, just not three years like I had thought I did. In fact, I have been ready for about six months now, but after insisting I needed three years, I did not know how to tell you about my change of heart.”