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“Everyone is coming here for dinner tonight, sparing the Gardiners from the need to host us all at Gracechurch Street.

And I have made it clear that if one or both of them feels it necessary to stay at home, we will not be in the least offended.

Tomorrow, Mary and Kitty shall come here to spend the afternoon with Georgiana; Mrs. Annesley will chaperone them to and from the ball and I believe that all three girls are looking forward to it.

“This way, Papa and the Gardiners can concentrate all their efforts on maintaining Mama’s…

equilibrium. If you truly feel that you must contribute in some way other than merely enjoying yourself at the ball, then perhaps you might spell our aunt and uncle in minding Mama so that they might dance a set. ”

Jane’s eyes had widened during her sister’s speech. “Goodness, Lizzy… that is a little… frank, don’t you think?”

Elizabeth shut her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, her sister could see the barely controlled nerves.

“Jane, I love my mother and I like to believe she means well, but my foremost loyalty is to my husband now. I want to have my parents at the Matlock ball, but I will do anything and everything in my power to see that my family does not embarrass Mr. Darcy.”

Mrs. Bingley was silent for a time, for although she could not claim that her sentiments were altogether different, she was still rather shocked by her sister’s forthright speech.

Turning it over in her mind, however, she began to understand that much of Elizabeth’s harshness was a product of anxiety.

“This is quite an event for you, isn’t it Lizzy?” she said slowly. “ I hadn’t really considered it before. I just thought of it as a grand ball that happened to be in honor of your marriage, but it’s far more than that. In truth, this is your debut in the first circles of London Society, isn’t it?”

Elizabeth was so relieved to have her favorite sister understand that she leaned her head on Jane’s shoulder.

“Oh Jane… Fitzwilliam keeps telling me how wonderful I will be and how glad he is that I am comfortable in crowds and can help him catch the conversations… but at least he knows all the people… last night I had a dream that I arrived at the ball, only to realize that I had nothing on under my cloak. Lord and Lady Matlock kept pressing me to take it off to dance and whole roomfuls of strangers were staring at me.”

“Poor Lizzy,” soothed Jane, stroking her sister’s hair, just as she had when they were young. “It will all be well, just wait and see.”

“He loves me so and I would do anything to not disappoint him… but I also know quite well that at some point, something will happen to make me look ridiculous… and it seems as if someone is always watching my every step! Why, just this week we went to the theatre and it ended up in the gossip columns!”

Jane smiled gently. “Yes, I read one article that mentioned you just this morning… although Caroline had abused the newspaper abominably by the time I found it.” Pleased to tease a giggle from her sister, she continued, “It was very flattering toward you, Lizzy. Surely you need not worry.”

Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “Jane, I hate to shock you, but I fear that the editors are well aware that scandals sell papers… and that is their business.” However, Lizzy was feeling more like herself and, after some further reassurance, she sat up and wiped her eyes with a handkerchief.

“You must think me very silly, Jane, working myself into such a lather. Truly, I am looking forward to the ball—for I do love to dance, you know.”

“Lizzy, you have a great deal of pressure on you, and I apologize for not realizing it sooner.” When her younger sister began to protest, Jane merely shook her head.

“I’m sure you will enjoy yourself at the ball, for you are determined and we both know that your determination is a fearsome thing.

” They both laughed a little before Mrs. Bingley continued, “However, I predict that you will be happiest when you and Mr. Darcy are finally back in Derbyshire.

Elizabeth could not disagree and was again reminded of how much she appreciated her sister’s gentle understanding .

Not much later, the pair noticed the time and bestirred themselves to find their husbands for some pleasant conversation before the arrival of their family for dinner.

The meal itself went much as Elizabeth would have predicted. As on previous occasions, Mr. Bennet and the newly minted Brigadier General Richard Fitzwilliam appreciated one another’s humor, teasing all members of the company in turn but most particularly Mr. and Mrs. Darcy.

Mrs. Bennet was fatigued, having only just arrived in London that very afternoon, but her personality would not allow her to remain quiet.

After warmly greeting their host and the other guests, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner stayed near his sister and did their best to curb her more vulgar exclamations over the house and its decoration.

Georgiana hugged her brother and new sister tightly but appeared surprisingly comfortable ceding her place to the other guests.

She spent much of the evening with the two Miss Bennets, giggling and sharing details about what each planned to wear on the morrow.

Although they would only be attending the opening, they found even that to be an intimidating prospect and worked to bolster one another’s spirits with discussions of hair styles and sashes.

Their ultimate raptures, however, were saved for the overnight visit in Georgiana’s apartment that had been planned for after the ball.

After listening to promises of chocolate, cakes, and various other delicacies, Darcy observed that they did not appear to be scheduling much time for sleep.

He was pleased (if a little shocked) when Georgiana only giggled in response, readily admitting that the trio planned to stay up all night trading confidences.

The gathering ended somewhat early with Mr. Bennet reminding his wife that they could all do with a good night’s sleep.

“Oh, yes! Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy—you must get your beauty rest, for everyone’s attention will be on you tomorrow! My dear, dear daughters, the belles of the ball!”

Even as she was ascending into the Gardiners’ carriage, one could still hear Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice, “Mrs. Bingley and Mrs. Darcy—how well that sounds!”

The next day dawned clear and crisp; a good omen as no one liked to promenade through mud on the way to a dance.

Mary and Catherine spent some time fussing over the new baby while Mr. Gardiner took the older children to play in the park and his brother-in-law explored the library.

By the time Mrs. Bennet arose from her bed, her daughters had departed for Derwent House and the Gardiner children were sequestered in the nursery.

Even so, the Bennets and Gardiners were late arriving at Grosvenor Square, to no one’s particular surprise.

Mrs. Bennet’s desire to savor every second of the ball did not negate her natural tendency to fuss and flutter during her preparations.

Usually, her husband would have merely settled by the fire with a book and a glass of wine, content to have the evening abbreviated through no effort on his part.

Today, however, Thomas Bennet was forced to admit that his curiosity to see how his little Lizzy adapted to such a grand setting made him rather impatient. As a result, he bestirred himself to visit his wife’s dressing room, much to that lady’s astonishment.

“Are you not ready, Mrs. Bennet? The carriage has been prepared to depart for this last half hour at least,” he said with more than a trace of his habitual asperity. Unfortunately, he realized too late that such an attitude was not likely to help the situation.

“Oh, Mr. Bennet!”

He softened his tone at once. “Whatever is the matter, Fanny? You look lovely—that color has always become you.” The compliment garnered him a tentative smile but even that rapidly dissolved into tears.

“Oh, Mr. Bennet! A ball given by an earl! You and my Sister Gardiner have been to London parties such as this… even my brother has attended grand balls since his marriage. I’m nothing but the daughter of a tradesman who has lived in the country for so long that I fear I will stand out like a… a sow in a china shop!” she sobbed.

Mr. Bennet procured a handkerchief. “Nonsense, Fanny. You have been a gentleman’s wife and mistress of a respectable estate for far longer than you were Miss Gardiner, and even then, you were anything but ordinary.

Besides, good manners are the same wherever one goes, town or country, high society or the lowliest croft.

When all else fails, just smile and nod…

leave them wondering what you are thinking about. ”

“But Thomas, you know how I get when I’m nervous… words just flood out of my mouth before I have the least notion of what I’m going to say…”

Mr. Bennet could not argue with that statement and so took his own advice to remain silent.

Fortunately, his wife did not notice and, after dabbing at her eyes, she continued with barely a pause, “I hardly recognized Lizzy and Jane last night. I always hoped that our girls would marry well, but I hardly dreamed… Mr. Darcy’s ho use is so very grand…

and he is so very, very rich… yet Lizzy acted as if she was born to it! ”

“A credit to your raising her, I’m sure.”

Mrs. Bennet gave him a look that displayed a rarely utilized sense of humor. “Don’t be ridiculous, Thomas; that girl has been your daughter since the day she opened her eyes.”

Bennet sighed and moved to sit beside her. “Fanny… would you like to know my impression of last night?” He waited until she gave a small nod. “I saw a young lady whose warmth and liveliness made everyone feel welcome… much like another young woman once did for Longbourn.”

Mrs. Bennet studied her husband carefully and was startled to see that he was in earnest.