Page 76 of The Slipper Scandal
"My dear, you and Mr. Darcy make a splendid pair," she said. "I have rarely seen him so animated in company."
"You flatter me, Mrs. Fitzherbert," Elizabeth demurred, though the observation pleased her.
"Not at all," Lady Matlock joined in. "My nephew has always been reticent in society. Tonight he was positively conversational, a transformation I attribute entirely to your influence."
"It seems Mr. Darcy simply requires the right company to show his true character," Lady Spencer added with a knowing smile. "Just as we all do, I suppose."
As the ladies settled with tea and conversation, Elizabeth found herself drawn to Arabella, who had positioned herself slightly apart from the others.
"Are you well, Arabella?" she inquired gently, taking a seat beside her friend. "You seemed somewhat subdued during dinner."
Arabella attempted a smile. "I am perfectly well, I assure you. Perhaps a slight headache, nothing more."
"I could not help but notice your reaction when Colonel Fitzwilliam was mentioned," Elizabeth ventured quietly. "If there is anything I might do—"
"There is nothing anyone can do," Arabella replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "Some situations simply are what they are, and we must bear them with as much dignity as possible."
The gentlemen rejoined them then, and Arabella smoothly rose to join her mother in conversation with Lord Matlock, effectively ending their tête-à-tête.
Mr. Darcy approached Elizabeth with two cups of tea, offering one to her before taking the seat Arabella had vacated.
“Did you pour the tea, sir?” she inquired lightly.
“No,” he said with a small laugh. “But I did instruct the hostess as to how you take it.”
Elizabeth sipped it. The tea was exactly as she preferred, just a splash of milk and no sugar. "Thank you, Mr. Darcy." It surprised her that he had noticed such a small detail.
"I trust the ladies' conversation was agreeable?" he asked before taking a sip of his own drink.
She could not help but glance at Arabella. "Most enlightening."
Mr. Darcy's expression grew thoughtful as he followed her gaze across the room to where Arabella stood. "Some matters of the heart are not easily resolved," he said quietly. "Particularly when duty and inclination find themselves at odds."
"You speak of Colonel Fitzwilliam's situation?" Elizabeth asked, keeping her voice low.
"And Miss Abernathy's," he confirmed with a slight nod. "My cousin's position as a second son necessitates certain practical considerations in matrimony that his heart finds difficult to reconcile."
"While Arabella’s dowry makes her an object of interest to many who care nothing for her quick mind and lively spirit," Elizabeth observed sadly.
"Precisely," Mr. Darcy agreed, a shadow crossing his features. "It is an unfortunate reality of our world that affection alone is rarely deemed sufficient cause for marriage among those of a certain station."
Elizabeth could not help but reflect on the irony of discussing such matters with Mr. Darcy, given the circumstances of their own engagement. Yet something in his expression made her wonder if he was thinking of their situation as well.
"How fortunate then," she said carefully, "when practical considerations and genuine regard coincide."
"Indeed," he replied, his voice deepening slightly as he met her gaze. "Fortune beyond measure."
The Abernathys' home was quiet when they returned. Wilson helped them with their wraps and hurried away.
"A most enjoyable evening," Mrs. Abernathy declared as they settled briefly in the drawing room before retiring. "Mrs. Fitzherbert has always set an excellent table."
"And her company was exceptionally well-chosen," Mr. Abernathy added, casting a warm smile at Elizabeth. "You made quite an impression, my dear."
"Lord Spencer in particular seemed most taken with you," Arabella observed, having regained some of her usual animation during the journey home. "No small achievement, as he is notoriously difficult to impress."
"I merely offered my opinions when asked," Elizabeth demurred, though she was pleased by their approval. "And Mr. Darcy was most careful to invite me into the conversation."
"You two complement each other admirably," Mrs. Abernathy said with satisfaction. "Anyone observing you this evening would have thought you acquainted for years rather than a month."
