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E lizabeth could not help but notice how Mr. Darcy's eyes followed her as she entered Mrs. Fitzherbert's elegant drawing room.

He stood conversing with Lord Spencer near the marble fireplace, his tall figure commanding attention even amidst such distinguished company.

When their gazes met across the crowded space, a small smile graced his lips.

It was reserved, but unmistakably for her.

"Miss Bennet, how delightful to see you again," Mrs. Fitzherbert greeted her warmly, taking both her hands in a gesture of genuine welcome.

The older woman was resplendent in a gown of deep burgundy silk, her silver hair arranged in an elegant coiffure beneath a lace cap adorned with matching ribbons.

"You are most kind, Mrs. Fitzherbert," Elizabeth replied, genuinely pleased by the welcome. "Your home is absolutely magnificent."

Indeed, the house was a marvel of refined taste, from the intricately painted ceiling to the collection of paintings adorning the silk-papered walls.

Fresh flowers perfumed the air—fresh flowers.

In January. The delicate scent of the blooms mingled with the beeswax candles that cast a flattering light over the assembled guests.

"Come, you must allow me to introduce you to those you have not yet met," Mrs. Fitzherbert said, guiding Elizabeth further into the room. "Though I believe you are already acquainted with Lord and Lady Spencer?"

"I have met Lady Spencer," Elizabeth confirmed, curtsying to the distinguished couple. Lord Spencer was an imposing figure with shrewd eyes that missed nothing, while his wife possessed the kind of effortless elegance that Elizabeth had come to associate with Lady Matlock's circle.

"Miss Bennet," Lady Spencer said pleasantly. "This is my husband, Lord Spencer."

“I am delighted to meet you, Lord Spencer,” Elizabeth said as she curtsied.

"As I am to meet you," Lord Spencer interjected with unexpected warmth. "Any young lady who can engage Darcy in genuine conversation is more than welcome. The man typically stands about at these gatherings looking as though he has swallowed something disagreeable."

"George," Lady Spencer admonished, though her eyes twinkled with amusement. "You must forgive my husband, Miss Bennet. He relishes being shockingly direct."

"A quality I find pleasing," Elizabeth replied with a smile. "Though I cannot claim to have accomplished any great feat. Mr. Darcy has always been most civil in our acquaintance." An acquaintance that was deepening, for he had visited her each of the past three days.

"Civil!" Lord Spencer repeated with a hearty laugh. "Damned with faint praise, I would say, were I not aware of how Darcy often speaks."

Before Elizabeth could respond, Mr. Darcy himself approached their small group, his expression softening perceptibly as he took his place at her side.

"Lord Spencer appears to be amusing himself at my expense," he observed drily, though Elizabeth detected no true displeasure in his tone. “Therefore, I suspect I am in the right place.”

"Merely remarking on your legendary civility , Darcy," Lord Spencer replied with a wink at Elizabeth. "Miss Bennet defends you admirably."

"Then I am in her debt," Mr. Darcy said, his voice lowering slightly as his gaze met hers. "Though I hope she might extend her generosity to sitting beside me at dinner.”

Elizabeth smiled. “I shall endeavour to keep all plates upright."

The reference to the disastrous scene at the Abernathys' dinner party several weeks ago brought a rush of colour to Mr. Darcy's cheeks.

"I believe I can brave the danger, madam," he responded drolly. "Though perhaps Mrs. Fitzherbert might consider serving only foods that do not stain."

Their laughter drew the attention of Lady Matlock, who approached with the viscount in tow.

"Nephew," Lady Matlock greeted Mr. Darcy warmly before turning to Elizabeth with genuine affection. "Miss Bennet, you look absolutely lovely this evening."

"Thank you, Lady Matlock," Elizabeth replied.

"I must apologise for Richard's absence," Lady Matlock continued, her eyes locking with Elizabeth’s. "He sends his regrets, but duty calls him back to his regiment."

"A rather sudden call, was it not?" Viscount Milton remarked, his tone casual. "I was under the impression he had another fortnight of leave."

Elizabeth noticed Arabella, standing nearby with her parents, stiffen almost imperceptibly at the mention of Colonel Fitzwilliam. Though Arabella's face remained composed, there was a shadow in her eyes that spoke volumes to anyone observant enough to notice.

"The demands of service are unpredictable," Mr. Darcy replied smoothly.

When Mrs. Fitzherbert announced that dinner was served, Elizabeth was escorted by Mr. Darcy into the dining room. Lord Spencer was seated between Mrs. Fitzherbert and Elizabeth, and Lady Matlock sat directly across from them.

"I see Mrs. Fitzherbert has taken pity on me," Mr. Darcy murmured as he held her chair. "The soup appears to have a clear broth, much less damaging than béchamel sauce should it find its way onto my person again."

"Her forethought is commendable," Elizabeth replied with a teasing smile. "Though I must warn you that even clear liquids can leave most unfortunate spots on your fine coat."

"I shall exercise the utmost vigilance," he promised solemnly, though his eyes betrayed his amusement as he took his seat beside her.

The soup was served without incident, and conversation occurred around the table with the easy rhythm of well-matched company.

"What say you of the Prince Regent's latest address, Darcy?" Lord Spencer inquired as the second course was served. "There is talk of significant changes to policy once he has assumed his father's powers in more than just name."

"I believe caution is warranted," Mr. Darcy replied. "The prince has long aligned himself with the Whigs, yet as a regent, such political allegiances may be problematic."

"You think he will abandon his associates?" Lady Spencer asked.

"Politics makes for strange bedfellows, and stranger partings," Lord Matlock observed. "Though I suspect the prince will find it difficult to entirely disavow positions he has held for decades."

"Unless those positions conflict with his more immediate desires," Elizabeth suggested, then felt a moment's uncertainty at having spoken so directly on matters of state.

Rather than disapproval, however, she found Mr. Darcy regarding her with an unmistakable appreciation. "Miss Bennet makes an excellent point," he said. "The regent’s personal interests have often taken precedence over his political ones."

"Indeed," Lord Spencer agreed, turning to Elizabeth with newfound interest. "Do you follow matters of governance closely, Miss Bennet?"

"I confess to reading the papers with some regularity," Elizabeth admitted. "My father has always encouraged an interest in world affairs. Though of course, you gentlemen would have more exact information from your work in the Lords."

"Your father is a forward-thinking gentleman," Mrs. Fitzherbert remarked. "Too many young ladies are discouraged from concerning themselves with such matters."

"The regent's support for Catholic emancipation may be the first true test," Mr. Darcy observed, smoothly returning to the original subject. "It is a cause he has championed privately, yet one that would face considerable opposition from many quarters."

"Including the King himself, should he ever recover his faculties," Lord Matlock added gravely. "Though that appears increasingly unlikely."

"It is a sad situation," Elizabeth said softly. "For both the country and the royal family."

"Indeed," Lady Matlock agreed. "The Queen bears it with remarkable fortitude, though the strain must be immense."

The conversation continued over the soup and into the next remove, wandering away from politics and to the management of estates.

Lord Spencer raised the question of agricultural improvements, and Mr. Darcy deferred to Elizabeth's knowledge of Hertfordshire farming practices, drawing her into a discussion where her observations were received with genuine interest.

"You see, Miss Bennet understands the practical implications," Mr. Darcy said with unmistakable pride when Elizabeth described her father's successful experiment with a version of Tull’s seed drill. "Theory must always be tested against reality."

"A philosophy you apply to estate management at Pemberley, I believe," Lord Matlock observed. "Your yields have consistently outperform neighbouring properties, including my own."

"With considerable assistance from my steward," Mr. Darcy acknowledged.

"Mr. Watson has been with the estate in various roles since my father's time, and possesses an encyclopaedic knowledge of the land.

Though I will say we grow only a few crops, for the land is not as hospitable as it is further south.

We rely nearly as much on sheep and horse breeding as we do the barley. "

"Miss Bennet will find Pemberley quite different from Hertfordshire," Lady Spencer remarked from a little further down the table. "But the Peak has its own wild beauty."

"I look forward to seeing it," Elizabeth replied truthfully, for whether it was with Mr. Darcy or not, the more she learned of Derbyshire, the more desirous she was to see it.

She would not confess, even to herself, that she would like to know more about the places that had shaped the man beside her.

At the other end of the table, Arabella was participating in the conversation with determination, though Elizabeth could see that her friend's smile was merely polite. When the discussion turned to military matters, Arabella fell silent entirely, her gaze fixed on her plate.

"Fitzwilliam mentioned similar concerns before his departure," Viscount Milton stated, seemingly unaware of the effect his words had on Miss Abernathy. "Though he was more hopeful about Wellington's strategy in the Peninsula."