Chapter 42

Elizabeth took a deep breath and smoothed her dress, made from the fabric she had spied at Gardiner's warehouse during her brief visist before going into Kent. Then with a smile for Jane and Georgiana she took the first step towards the staircase.

Darcy sensing movement on the stairs and seeing the look that had come over Bingley's face turned around to see Elizbeth and Jane dressed for the ball with Georgiana in her own dress that was considered appropriate for a young lady not out, descending the stairs. He felt his breath catch in his own throat. He stared at her, unable to find the words to express how beautiful he found her. Bingley next to him was in similar straights regarding Jane. Mr. Bennet who had been in conversation with the Earl spoke up saying, "You both look so very beautiful, it appears you have rendered your betrotheds speechless. Not an unusual occurrence for Darcy since he is rather taciturn, but it is rather for Mr. Bingley. Well done my dears."

Bingley flushed at this and stuttered out, "I have always thought of you as my angel, but in that dress you appear to be one in truth."

Jane flushed and thanked him. Darcy when he finally found his own voice said, "I wish man had words to describe how beautiful you are, Lissy, but there are simply no words."

Elizabeth smiled at him and said teasingly, "Your sister found a few, what did you all say Georgiana?"

Laughing Georgiana said, "Brother is right beautiful is to tepid for how you and Jane look. Mr. Bingley has already claimed the term angelic, which fits Jane perfectly. Might I suggest divine or exquisite? "

"Those words do not do Lissy, justice," Darcy said decisively. "She is enchanting."

"Pulchritudinos?" Elizabeth asked mischievously.

"Pulchrit- what?" asked Col. Fitzwilliam laughing.

"It perhaps suits Jane more then I," Elizabeth said with an answering laugh.

"No," Darcy said. "I think it suits you as well. It is not a word heard commonly"

"And Elizabeth is an uncommon individual, but what does it mean?" Jane asked.

"That she is breathtaking. "

"Then is suits Elizabeth, " Jane said smiling.

Elizabeth rolled her eyes and said, "It suits you more Jane. It means a person of great physical beauty. Not one that is only tolerable."

"You are more then tolerable, my pulchritudinos love," Darcy said with a smile.

"God what an awful mouthful," Littleton said with a chuckle. "I suggest you not use that enderment in company. It sounds more like an insult."

"It derives from the Latin adjective pulcher," Bennet said with a chuckle.

"I think I will stick with angelic for Jane. I can at least pronounce it," Bingley said with a smile. "Darcy is the one who prefers four syllable words."

Lady Catherine sniffed and said, "It is good to hear you acting like a young man again Darcy. You cam be entirely to serious. Lysette is good for you. She will keep you from becoming to full of your own consequence, much like Lily always did for me when we came out."

...

Finally having been released from the receiving line, Darcy with Elizabeth on his arm followed his aunt and uncle into the Ballroom. His eyes carassed Elizabeth's form as they took their places at the top of the set to open the ball. He barely noticed that Littleton had asked Priscilla to dance the first with him, while Col. Fitzwilliam danced the first with Lady Rebecca. Bingley naturally partnered Jane and was also near by. As the music drew to an end Darcy escorted Elizabeth off the dance floor. While Elizabeth joined, Jane, Priscilla, Lady Rebecca and Mrs. Hurst in conversation he looked on. A conversation behind him drifted to his ears. He suppressed a smile that threatened to emerge as he listened to two matarons discuss how they hoped he would propose to his ward soon so that the other ladies and gentlemen on the look out for a match, would switch their focus to obtainable prospects. They also lamented the loss of his income for other young ladies and Elizabeth's fortune that was rummored to be 60,000 plus Glenwood. Darcy was surprised that gossip had gotten the information so inaccurate. Her dowry was actually over 80,000 since almost all profits from the estate had been invested and added to the original 30,000 pound dowry for the last fourteen years. Glenwood he knew brought in 7,000 a year, and 3,000 a year of it was put into an account for the estate, for expenses and to build a fund should the estate have an emergency need. Rosings in contrast brought in an income similar to Bingley's.

Darcy wanted to chuckle at the fickle nature of the ton, who felt he should get a move on it, when a week ago many were still debating if his interest in Elizabeth was scandalous or not. From what his aunt mentioned, he suspected the patronesses of Almack's were responsible for the change in the ton's attitude. He was aware that the patronesses, by governing the ton were attempting to manipulate when it was acceptable for him to propose. He was versed enough in society to see their hands at work in attempting to encourage his suit by goading him into action. What none of them seemed to care about, was that he needed no encouragement. The ladies merely enjoyed playing the game and he had never given them the opportunity to play with him actively in the marriage mart before. He did appreciate that they were on his, and Elizabeth's side in this, even if he preferred that they keep their interference to a minimum. It was not perhaps surprising that they were, since the Darcys had always been considered good ton.

…

When Darcy and Elizabeth joined the Earl and Countess on the dais by the musicians before super, along with Bennet and a subdued Mrs. Bennet, a flurry of whispers went through the crowd. Matlock introduced Bennet and Bennet informed the room that it was his very great honor to announce the engagement of Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley to his adpoted daughter Lysette Elizabeth Bennet Fitzwilliam. Elizabeth had early stated that she wished the announcement to contain her real name her birth parents had given her, as well as the name the Bennets had called her for fourteen years.

Throughout the meal, Darcy and Elizabeth were besieged by well wishers. Quite a few fawned over the couple, hoping to be granted their favor. Some were clearly insincere in their congratulations. A few turned up there noses at the match, claiming it was still scandalous, but by in large most were accepting. Lady Jersey and Lady Cowper proudly proclaimed they knew how it would be all along, and that the match was just what they had anticipated. Some of the other leaders of the ton, obliquely hinted that a long engagement was expected, and that Darcy had best not be planning on marrying and whisking Elizabeth away before the season was even half over. The Duchess of Richmond told the couple that, while society was willing to accept an engagement before the season was half over, a precipitous wedding simply would not do. With this ducal degree, Lady Matlock assured the Duchess that a wedding date had not been set yet.

When Elizabeth frowned a little at this, as the Duchess moved on, Darcy quietly asked her, "What is wrong, Lissy? I can see that something our aunt and the Duchess said has made you thoughtful."

"I was just thinking how Jane and I had always talked about getting married together. I never thought it likely, since I was quite convinced I would be her children's maiden aunt. But with our engagement and her engagement to Mr. Bingley it still is not a possibility because of the ton," she said softly.

"We do not have to let the ton dictate our wedding," Darcy responded quietly but firmly.

"Since coming to London, I have learned how important the Darcy name is and I understand the expectations of society on you now, and on myself as a Fitzwilliam. I would not like to have your name whispered about in derision because of a silly childish dream. The important part, for me, is that I am marrying you."

"Elizabeth, part of the reason the Darcy name has such high standing is because, while we do not deliberately thumb our noses at the ton, we also recognize are own value and refuse to bow to them in everything. As long as we do not run off to Gretna Green and allow the ton to fete us at a few parties during the season, we can get married where we wish, when we wish, with who we wish at our sides and the ton will not be to out of joint."

"But what of the Darcy name and Georgiana?" Elizabeth asked worriedly.

"It is the Darcy name. It commands enough respect that as long as the ton knows we both chose each other, they will accept whatever we decide to do for our wedding. My marrying you is ony scandalous if the ton believes I took advantage of my position as your guardian to do so to gain your fortune. As long as they see no resentment from you towards me, they are denied that scandal. Georgiana's come out will not be affected."

"Then we can marry at Longbourn? Perhaps on the same day as Jane and Mr. Bingley?" Elizabeth asked him softly.

"Yes," Darcy responded instinctively leaning towards her, but stopping himself before doing something as gauche and improper as kissing her in public. He settled for raising her hand to his lips and bestowing a kiss on it. Society had more use for him then he had for it. If Elizabeth wanted to marry from Longbourn with her sister, they would. Darcy was confident that his aunt would come up with a way to placate society for them, likley a ball at Darcy thought wryly that he should probably begin to see to putting the ballroom in order there, since it had not been used since his mother's lifetime.