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His thoughts turned to the one piece of unpleasantness which had occurred at Mary’s ball.

He had done as he promised; he had purchased all of the Grangers’ debts and called them in.

At the same time, the Tamarin Earldom had been terminated.

Mr Granger now sat in a cell at Marshalsea, while his hapless son had accepted a ticket and one thousand pounds to go seek his fortune in the West Indies.

News of what had befallen the former earl had spread through the Ton like wildfire, effectively killing any other plans to try and force Mary’s hand.

Hertfordshire felt the strange pains in his belly he had begun to feel about a month past. He would not say anything to Lizzy as he was sure they would pass, if they did not, he would consult with one of his physicians.

He pushed thoughts of his malady from his head and placed the last ledger he had been working on back in its place on the shelf behind his desk and stood up to leave the study.

Hertfordshire was well pleased he had been teaching Lizzy how to run everything, just in case he was taken from her, and she needed to manage all until Matty was old enough to do so, and even then, all of the non-entailed properties and fortune would be hers.

He found the family and most of the guests in the largest drawing room.

Hertfordshire stood just outside the door as he watched his Lizzy debating with William Darcy.

He was well aware young Darcy was in love with his wife.

William had never done, nor would his honour allow him to do, anything overt.

The young man kept himself under strict regulation because Lizzy had not a clue that she had engendered tender feelings in the Darcy heir.

She simply enjoyed the intellectual exercise of debating and would do so with anyone who was able to challenge her.

As he could with her, Lizzy could sense his presence, because she stopped speaking and turned towards the door, and her whole face lit up as soon as her eyes found him.

Yes, no matter how many men fell under her spell, he was the only one she loved.

She stood and made her way towards him, her full hips swaying as she walked.

This incredible woman would be twenty soon, and come May 1811, they would be married for four glorious years.

“Have you completed all of your work, my love?” Elizabeth verified.

“I have,” Hertfordshire confirmed. “Unless there is an emergency of some sorts, I should be free until we return to London after Twelfth Night. Come, dearest, let us go speak with Anne, Darcy, Elaine, and Matlock.”

As they passed where Elizabeth had been sitting, William moved over to speak to Anthony and Charlotte.

“Do you mind if I join you two?” William asked.

“Of course not, you are welcome, William,” Anthony answered for his wife and himself. “Is there something particular you wanted to discuss, or is it just our scintillating company?”

“Well, there is that,” William ribbed, “but no, I did have a purpose in mind. You own an estate in Hertfordshire, about twenty miles from London, do you not?”

“We do. As Charlotte and I live at Rivington, we lease it out; we have a tenant at the moment, but their lease ends before the end of August of the new year, and they do not require an extension,” Anthony revealed. “You are not looking to lease an estate close to London, are you?”

“Not for me. You met Richard’s and my friend Bingley at Mary’s coming-out ball did you not?” William checked.

“Yes, indeed. Affable fellow, he seemed taken with Jane Millar,” Charlotte remembered. “Is he in need of an estate to lease? I suppose he would not need the usual investigation of potential lessees if both you and Richard vouch for him.”

“We use Lizzy’s uncle, Mr Phillips,” Anthony inclined his head towards the mentioned man, “as our agent. There is usually an exhaustive verification of anyone who applies to rent the estate, however, as Charlotte has intimated, his being a friend of yours and Richard’s would suffice for us.”

“He is very honourable, and since he became his own man, I would have no hesitation recommending him.” William saw the younger Barringtons looking at him questioningly, so he gave them a brief synopsis of how his friend had matured.

“If he wants to lease Netherfield Park after September, he is welcome. Have him contact Phillips to view the estate. The lease covers the manor house and the home farm. Like all lessees, he would be welcome to ride and hunt on any of the estate’s land.

“When I see him in London, I will inform him. There is a good chance that both Richard and I will be with him for some of the time to teach him estate management,” William related.

“If Mary is at Longbourn with her younger sisters, I am sure that will be a great inducement for Richard to visit the area.” Charlotte smiled as she cocked her head towards where Mary and Richard were seated, lost in an animated conversation. “They look like they were formed for one another.”

“I dare say you are correct, Mrs Barrington,” William agreed.

“Please call me Charlotte,” she invited.

After agreeing, William moved away. “Since he has changed his character, it is a pleasure to be in his company,” Anthony stated so only his wife could hear.

Charlotte nodded absentmindedly; she was in deep contemplation. She suspected she was with child again after despairing Hubert would be their only one. If she missed her next courses, she would share her suspicion with Anthony.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Those who had celebrated Christmastide at Falconwood departed for London sooner than they had planned. An emergency session of the Lords and the Commons had been called to debate articles which would create a regency required because of King George III’s mental incapacity.

After many hours of debate, the Regency Act of 1811 was passed on the fifth day of February, and George, the Prince of Wales, was imbued with his father’s political powers and designated Regent.

Two days after the end of the session, Gracie and Winston turned one. Given their age, the celebration was muted. The twins took their first steps that day.

Until the final passage of the law, the number of entertainments among the Ton had been curtailed.

By the middle of February, however, the season was in full swing once again, and Prinny, as many called the Prince of Wales, was being courted, or his good opinion was, by many in the upper ten thousand who used to think him nothing but a spendthrift wastrel.

Thanks to the close relationship the Duke of Hertfordshire had with the royals, including the Prince of Wales, the first private ball the latter attended was at Hertfordshire House, where he danced the first set with the Duchess of Hertfordshire, sending a very clear signal to the Ton .

February became March, and although it was a significant birthday for his wife, weeks ahead of their son’s third birthday, Hertfordshire promised her there were no houses this year. He restricted himself to some rather expensive jewellery.

Matty’s birthday was on a Wednesday, and he was very pleased by all of the attention, and especially all of the presents. He was extremely enamoured of the toy soldiers ‘Unca Rich’ gifted him. It was not like he wanted for any toys, but he very much enjoyed opening all of his gifts.

By April, Mary was counting the days until the end of her season, which would be on the tenth day of May.

More than once, she had mentioned that date to Aunt Elaine, knowing the information would make its way to Richard.

She may have mentioned it once or twice when Richard had attended Matty’s birthday celebration.

Mary had attended balls, routs, and musicals, but she had not met a single person who had excited her interest. There was only one man whose attention she craved, and that was Richard Fitzwilliam.

Bingley arrived back in London at the end of April, with a very subdued Miss Bingley in tow.

He and William met at White’s and Bingley was very interested in seeing Netherfield Park.

He wrote to Mr Phillips to arrange a viewing.

The solicitor wrote back telling Bingley he could visit the estate after the first day of September when the current tenants would be gone.

Bingley wrote back and reserved the next day, the second of the month.

~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~

Richard Fitzwilliam was admitted to Hertfordshire House on the eleventh day of May, at the earliest hour calls were acceptable. He went to see Hertfordshire first and requested permission to have a private interview with Miss Bennet, which was granted.

After ascertaining she had not met any man who gained Mary’s interest during her season—something Richard was positive of already—Richard requested and was granted a formal courtship.

He received enthusiastic blessings for the courtship from all three of Mary’s guardians, even though he only needed one.