Page 57 of Mr. Darcy and the Mysterious "Miss B"
“Fitzwilliam!” A booming voice called out, and Elizabeth turned to see a distinguished gentleman with silver hair and kind eyes approaching them. Behind him walked an elegant lady who could only be his wife.
“Uncle,” Darcy said. “May I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet. Elizabeth, my uncle, Lord Matlock, and my aunt, Lady Matlock.”
Lord Matlock’s eyes twinkled with mischief as he bowed over her hand. “Ah, the elusive Miss B herself! My dear, you have set all of London talking.”
Elizabeth’s hands fidgeted with her skirts while an uncomfortable stab of guilt bore into her side. These people were Mr Darcy’s family, and here she was, participating in a deception that involved them all. But then she remembered Jane’s radiant smile when she spoke of being reunited with Mr Bingley, and her resolve strengthened.
“I am honoured to meet you both,” she said, curtsying gracefully.
Lady Matlock stepped forward with a smile. “Miss Bennet, you are even lovelier than Fitzwilliam described. That gown is exquisite—the colour suits you perfectly.”
“You are too kind, my lady.”
“Nonsense. Come, we must introduce you to everyone. Though I suspect half the ton is already dying to make your acquaintance.”
As they entered the ballroom, Elizabeth’s breath caught. If the entrance hall had been impressive, this was overwhelming. The room was enormous, with walls lined in silk damask and gilded mirrors that reflected the light from a dozen crystal chandeliers. Hundreds of guests filled the space, all dressed in their finest silks and jewels, and Elizabeth suddenly felt very much like the country gentleman’s daughter she was.
All eyes turned towards them as they made their entrance, and Elizabeth heard the whispers that followed in their wake.
“That must be Miss B.”
“A country family, I heard…”
“Whatever can Mr Darcy see in her?”
“Hardly the sort one would expect him to choose…”
The words stung, even though she had expected them. She felt her shoulders tense, but then Darcy’s hand settled at the small of her back—a steady presence that grounded her.
“Ignore them,” he murmured close to her ear, his breath warm against her neck. “They know nothing of consequence. We know why we are here. Let them all talk—it will be yesterday’s news soon enough.”
Elizabeth nodded, drawing strength from his calm confidence. “You are quite right, of course.”
“Besides,” he added with a slight smile, “half of them are only jealous that they did not think to place a mysterious advertisement about themselves in the scandal sheets.”
Despite her nerves, Elizabeth managed a smile. “You have a point.”
As they moved through the crowd, accepting introductions and making polite conversation, Elizabeth began to relax. The initial scrutiny faded as guests became absorbed in their own conversations and the evening’s entertainment.
“Would you honour me with a dance?” Darcy asked as the orchestra struck up a quadrille.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow. “I seem to recall a time when you declared me tolerable, but not handsome enough to tempt you to dance.”
Darcy had the grace to look embarrassed. “I remember saying those words, and I was a fool. I vowed never to make the same mistake again.”
“I see you have learned wisdom since then,” Elizabeth said, accepting his offered hand.
As they took their places in the set, Darcy asked, “How is Miss Bennet faring? She seemed much improved when I saw her today.”
“She is much better,” Elizabeth replied as they moved through the figures of the dance. “At first, she was reluctant to make her peace with Mr Bingley out of fear of being hurt again, but her good heart and genuine regard for him won over.”
“I am relieved to hear it. It has been very nice not to have Bingley brooding around the house anymore. He seems much more at ease and considerably happier.”
They completed a turn before Elizabeth asked, “How long do you think we must maintain this charade?”
“Not very long, I suspect. I would suggest several weeks, until the end of the season perhaps. That should be sufficienttime for the gossip to die down and for other scandals to capture society’s attention.”
Elizabeth nodded. “That seems reasonable.”
