Chapter 7 #2
Were they cognisant of others in the room, they would have seen the astonishment of the Ton as they watched two for whom the rest of the world seemed not to exist. It was whispered in more than one corner that they had never known the Darcy heir had dimples, or even that he could smile beyond a perfunctory thin allowance for appearance’s sake; all and sundry now seeing what none outside of the family had ever seen from the normally stoic, sometimes dour man.
When whatever they were discussing caused a tinkling laugh from the lady, the gentleman’s face was said to brighten, and he would smile anew.
Several members of the Ton watching them understood two things—neither Lady Elizabeth nor Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy would ever become part of their family, and the mask that the latter had previously displayed in public was just that, a mask to keep unwanted attention at bay.
It was no surprise for the family members of the two that they had known for many years that the two were formed for one another. Lady Elaine, Lady Rose, and Lady Anne were sitting together watching not only Lizzy and Will, but their Richard, who was longingly watching Lady Loretta as she danced.
“I have a feeling that it will not be too much longer before I have no unmarried children left,” Elaine opined. Her sister Anne commiserated with her.
“Since when has Richard been interested in Loretta?” Lady Rose asked as she watched him watch her.
“That is news to me. I was unaware that he was captivated by any lady,” Elaine admitted. “If it comes to pass, they will do well together. She is vivacious and intelligent and will always keep him on his toes.”
“Have you noted that my daughter-in-law has been resting a lot lately? She and Perry are sitting after dancing the first; do you think that mayhap she is with child?” Lady Rose asked as she looked at Jane and Perry.
“You see them more than we do,” Anne replied, “I am sure if she is, we will all be informed when they feel it is the time to do so.”
“Speaking about being with child, Marie shared with us that she felt the quickening of our second grandchild a few days ago,” Lady Rose offered this next happy topic with a smile, and her friends confirmed they had been privy to the news as well, as the men of their family were ever so fond of sending an express.
When the dance ended, Will reluctantly led Elizabeth back to her brothers.
At least the next dance was with Richard rather than someone unknown.
Will checked his jealousy as he reminded himself that he had naught to worry about, turning to search for Lady Loretta, with who he would partner for the third set.
When they danced the supper set, neither Elizabeth nor Will felt the need for conversation.
All that needed to be shared was said with but a shared glance or prolonged look, for there were times when words did not adequately express what needed to be said.
At last, they could share it, one to the other.
Further down the line, Richard was enjoying his first dance with Lady Loretta.
She moved very gracefully, and he acknowledged to himself for the first time that he had started to develop tender feelings for the lady.
He did not know how she felt, but he strongly believed that fortune favours the brave and that he would soon request an audience with her to request a courtship.
He had no doubt that with her forthright nature that should she not believe their future happiness included the two of them, then she would not accept a courtship.
They would be seated together for the meal, and he intended to request her permission to call on her on the morrow.
Before the revellers made their way to the bountiful supper that was ready for them, the Prince and Princess departed to the expected courtesies from the crowd.
Will led Elizabeth to a table where they were joined by Jane and Perry, Andrew and Marie, Richard and Loretta, and Wes and his partner.
After verifying their ladies’ preferences, the men went to make plates.
After his supper partner had put her knife and fork down, thereby indicating that she was sated, Richard leaned close to Loretta so only she would hear him. “May I call on you tomorrow, or would you prefer to recover from the ball and have me call the following day?” he asked with bated breath.
“Tomorrow at eleven would suit very well, Mr Fitzwilliam, and I will receive your call with pleasure,” she stated with a light blush as she demonstrated her joy at his request. Richard grinned as he settled into relief, her response exactly what he had hoped for.
He was sure that she was not indifferent to him, and he was now looking forward to the final set with much anticipation.
Will also was very much looking forward to the final set.
After he had led Elizabeth to the floor for the supper set, any who tried to tell themselves that they had misread the signs they had seen during the first time the two danced had to admit that they were fooling themselves.
None had ever seen the Darcy heir dance more than one set at a London event prior to this night.
Elizabeth danced with some men not of her family, between the sets that she relished with Will.
No matter what any of the men, some of them dandies, tried to say to impress her about their wealth or connections, she forced herself to keep a neutral look on her visage despite the inherent distastefulness.
In each case, she could not wait for the set to end so she could escape the man with alacrity.
When the final set was called, Will led Elizabeth out, and Richard followed with Loretta.
The tongues that had been wagging before now reached a fever pitch, but it was the Countess of Jersey who had the most surprised smile.
Her daughter had informed her that she had tender feelings for Richard Fitzwilliam; she had held him in high esteem for some years and was happy he seemed to be paying attention to her as a lady and not just one of his sister’s friends.
It seemed he had finally opened his eyes and was about to make her daughter the happiest of young ladies in the room, perhaps even more so than Elizabeth, as they had all known that outcome for years.
“You know you will not be able to make them wait until June before they reach an understanding, do you not, my love?” Marie consoled her husband as he watched his younger cousin guide his sister down the line.
“I am aware of that, Marie. I will say nothing until one of them brings it up, but if I were to wager, it would be our sister who raises the issue,” Andrew opined prophetically.
As Will led Elizabeth back to where her brothers and mother waited for her, he squeezed her hand. “I had the best time tonight, Will,” Elizabeth stated, “especially my three sets with you.”
“They were the highlights of the evening for me as well, Lizzy,” Will promised. “Unless you found one of the dandies that squired you for a dance to be your preference,” he grinned.
“Well, there was Lord so-and-so that kept on about the size of his assets. He was most—gauche, so impressive that I choose not to recall his name. Alas, no, you are safe, Will. There is only one who holds my interest,” she declared while holding his eyes.
The two were so lost in each other they did not notice that they were standing on the dance floor alone.
“Ahem,” Andrew cleared his throat as the family looked on in amusement. “I believe it is time for you to return home, Will, and I do not want to see you here before midday later today!” Andrew ribbed his cousin.
The spell was broken as the two realised that they were not alone, both embarrassed as they looked at their amused joint families.
After some farewells, the Fitzwilliams finally retired with Elizabeth’s head full of the man who she loved.
In her wildest dreams, she could not have imagined a more enjoyable coming out ball.
She felt lassitude after dancing every set, but it was the best kind of weariness she had ever experienced.
In his chambers, Richard could scarcely sleep at all, occasionally pacing the length of his chambers to relieve his need for action.
In a matter of hours, he would know if he would be accepted or rejected; and while he had a feeling that it was the former, he would not make assumptions.
He finally fell asleep with thoughts of Lady Loretta de Melville’s soft smile in response to his request to call, clinging to its promise.