The ballroom at the house of the Earl of Uxbridge was very fine bordering on ostentatious. Elizabeth was reminded of Rosings park and grimaced slightly, hoping that the hostess was not similar in temperament. She was duly introduced and found her to be more aloof than many other ladies, but at least she wasn't haughty or unkind. Together their party of four moved in to the room.
Lady Matlock immediately found them and insisted on introducing Elizabeth to Lady Cowper and Lady Jersey, two of the patroness of Almack's. Elizabeth curtsied very low.
"A pleasure my ladies"
They nodded at her and she was just about to move on, not wanting to linger if they chose not to address her, when Lady Cowper spoke up.
"Mrs Darcy, am I correct in saying you have met Lady Harriet, formerly Cavendish?"
"Yes ma'am, I had the pleasure of meeting her at my engagement ball and she condescended to call on me before leaving town. She has asked me to correspond with her over the summer."
"She was quite taken with you, I dare say. She does not call often. And how do you know the Countess of Warrington?"
"I met Lady Julia at the theatre. An excellent performance of much ado about nothing. We bonded over our appreciation of the bard and his comedies."
"They both speak highly of you." And she turned towards lady Matlock "she may apply for a voucher next year"
Elizabeth curtsied again and murmured her thanks before moving on.
She laughed with Darcy at how nervous she had been. He assured her she had done well.
"I care not for the vouchers Elizabeth, but having one will help Georgiana immensely."
"I am pleased I passed that test"
They greeted a few other acquaintances and once again Elizabeth found her dance card filling up rather quickly. She took to the first set with Mr Darcy. Once again having planned the first and last with her husband and the supper with Mr Bingley.
Darcy only dance a few dances other than those with his wife and his new sister Jane. He was not interested in cards and mostly walked the room, talking occasionally to friends and family. Elizabeth cajoled him in to dancing with a few other ladies. She was careful to only recommend ladies who were sensible and easy to talk to and he found he enjoyed some of their conversation. Now that the threat of match making was gone he was more at leisure to enjoy without worrying about expectations.
One dance he was sat out, Elizabeth was dancing with his uncle. He felt at leisure to leave the ballroom briefly in search of refreshment. He passed by the smoking room where many of the men tended to gamble at cards. He would have continued but herd someone mention his wife's name followed by some raucous laughter. He stepped in to the room and spied a group of five men drinking and talking loudly.
"Yes Mrs Darcy brings some refreshing 'views' with her. That country air seems to be good for certain assets," more laughter. Darcy recognised Mr Hervey, whom had tried to corner Elizabeth previously, as one of the men. There were two he did not recognise and two from Cambridge. Mr Pelham and Mr Montagu had been friends of Wickham.
Mr Hervey took up the jab "yes her 'assets' are lovely, up close if you know what I mean!" Darcy was looking at him with disgust and did not notice a glance from one of the other men
Mr Montague continued the jest "perhaps even we should lay a bet on who could be first to get up close..."
Darcy was just about to intervene when Mr Pelham interjected.
"Now gents, come on. We are talking about a young lady. She hasn't done anything to harm any of you and seems to be very nice. Mayhap we should move on to another discussion."
The others were clearly about to object when Darcy stepped in
"Yes gentlemen" the stress on the word told all that he thought they were anything but "another topic would be advisable" he practically growled.
Everyone in the group looked at him with surprise and a little sheepish. Mr Hervey was the first to make his excuses and hurry away, quickly followed by the others. Mr Darcy stopped Mr Pelham.
"I thank you sir, for the defence of my wife."
"It was nothing Darcy. We have known each other long enough I believe."
Darcy frowned "we weren't exactly friendly in Cambridge. I had thought your opinion of me was not favourable"
"Well Wickham told such stories you see. But I am older and wiser and can see that he was not all that he seemed."
Darcy smiled "shall we get a drink?"
