"Where have you been dear?"
"Oh, just in the library. Papa wanted me to show him the letter I found. Apparently it was from his grandmother to his grandfather, nothing terribly exciting."
"Then why are you looking so flushed? Were you sneaking around with Alex?" Sarah asked.
"Sarah, that was very inappropriate," their mother scolded.
"It's probably just because I rushed up the stairs," Tory said, ignoring Sarah's comment.
"I think it is time for the children to go to bed," Jane said pointedly.
"I'll take Henry, if no one minds," Tory offered, knowing how the twins would hate her putting them to bed.
In Henry's room, she waited patiently while he changed and burrowed under the covers.
"Tell me a story?" he asked hopefully.
Tory laughed, in a good mood, "Alright. Which one shall I tell you tonight?"
"The one where St. George kills the dragon with his sword!"
"Okay," Tory settled herself on the bed next to her young brother, her arm wrapped around his shoulders, "A long time ago…"
Breakfast was a noisy affair as it always was when the Bennet sisters brought their families together. Tory's Aunt Georgiana arrived with her Uncle Henley as well as her cousins, Jefferson, Morgan, Cole, Virginia, and Lucy in tow. Their family did not live far, close enough to journey over for breakfast and so they had not stayed the night at Pemberly as the others had. Georgiana quickly scanned the room before turning to Darcy, "Where is Victoria? I don't see her in here."
"I haven't seen her yet this morning."
"Actually," Lizzie said, approaching the pair, "I haven't seen our daughter since she put Henry to bed last night." She turned away briefly to call to a nearby maid, "Betty, have you seen Miss Darcy?"
"Yes, ma'am. She was in Master Henry's room. Miss Darcy was telling him bedtime stories last night."
"And she fell asleep in there again."
"Yes, ma'am."
Lizzie smiled, "The two of them should be down in a moment or two then. Thank you, Betty."
"Mum! Mum!" A small hand tugged Lizzie's skirts insistently, "Did we make it in time for breakfast? I'm starving!"
She smiled indulgently down at her youngest child, "Yes, you did. Come," she said, holding her hand out for his, "Let's find you something to eat," Lizzie turned back to Darcy and Georgiana, "Tory will probably be somewhere close by. Excuse us."
Mother and son, on their way to the buffet, passed by a small alcove where a small table and single chair had been placed. At this private table sat the girl they had been looking for, contentedly eating breakfast and blushing when she occasionally caught the eye of her betrothed.
Lizzie noticed her second child blushing more than usual and pressed Darcy about it the moment they were alone. "Is there a reason our daughter looks as if she's spent too long in the sun?"
"She blushes, darling. She always has."
"Yes, but now it is all the time and I would like to know the reason."
"And you presume that I know this answer?"
"Yes."
"I haven't the faintest idea." Darcy said, smiling to himself as he excused himself.
The rest of the day passed in a nervous blur for Tory. She spent most of it out of doors, sometimes playing with the younger children, and once going on an extended horse ride with Ben and Alex. It wasn't until the evening came and she had to get ready for dinner that the butterflies really started. Tory changed into her favorite dress for the evening. It was olive green in color. It wasn't her most formal dress, nor the one that made her look her best, but it was the one that matched one of Alex's shirts….unintentionally, of course. She hurried down to the dining room, nervous to have the announcement made but wanting to everyone to know.
Tory slid into her chair, blushing when Sarah and Grace teased her about being seated across from Alex instead of Ben, as was usual. She then blushed still more when she noticed Alex smile about her blushing. She was made to sit through the initial courses of the dinner, courses which she barely ate, before her father rose from his chair and lifted his glass.
"It seems it was barely a year ago that most of us gathered here to celebrate the birth of my eldest daughter. Tonight we celebrate her eighteenth birthday. This is a very special night, because tonight I get to help make my daughter one of the happiest ladies I know. Tonight I am officially announcing the engagement of my daughter, Victoria, to a dear and loyal friend of the family, Alex Bancroft."
It didn't take long for everyone to start to congratulate the pair. After the announcement Sarah and Grace finally understood why it was Alex that sat across from Tory and not Ben. They could no longer tease her about her feelings for Alex and so the twins sat dejected and silent in their seats.
After the noise died down, Alex stood and commanded everyone's attention. "I know I should probably wait until later but I find that this present is burning a hole in my pocket," he walked around the table to where Tory sat, "You would do me a great honor if you would wear this." He pulled out a small jeweler's box and handed it to his fiancée.
She opened the box carefully, not knowing what to expect inside. Nestled in the velvet casing lay a silver ring, holding a large sapphire, embraced by diamonds on either side. "It's lovely, Alex, but I'm afraid I don't understand. What is it for?" Tory asked, blushing for a number of reasons.
"It's called an engagement ring. The man gives it to his future bride as a symbol of his love and devotion. It's becoming quite fashionable among the nobility." He gently removed the ring from box and placed it on the appropriate finger.
"I don't know what to say."
"Say thank you and finish your supper."
"I couldn't possibly eat a thing."