AN: we have another huge chapter. RL is still being a pain, but I did manage to carve out a little time. As many of you have feared, we are nearing the end, but we still have a few chapters left. Enjoy.
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"Do we have everything, Jane?" Lizzy asked her sister as they prepared to leave their tiny sitting room. Amy had just announced that the Bingley carriage was at the door.
"You have the basket with the over-skirt. I have the basket with the orange gown and our notes. We both have our reticules. I think that should be it. We just need our wraps and Amy has them at the door."
Lizzy shook her head slightly to clear it. "Thank you, Jane. I do not know why I feel so flustered this morning."
"It does seem odd to be going on a shopping trip with Caroline Bingley. I suppose you might also feel a little strange about reworking a gown you completed and handed off a few months ago. I am glad we were able to remove the over-skirt without causing any damage to it."
"I am glad Mary convinced Caroline to send it over yesterday so we could be ready. And that she decided to let us help her have it reworked instead of just throwing it in the fire."
Lizzy picked up her basket, looked around the room again, then turned to follow her sister. She still felt like she was missing something but had no idea what it might be.
They collected their wraps from Amy, who was staying to be available should Kitty or Maria need to go out anywhere while the older sisters were gone. A few minutes later, they were in the carriage and on the way to Aunt Madeline's favorite draper.
Jane and Lizzy greeted Mary and Caroline as they settled their baskets comfortably on their laps. Mary returned the greetings happily. Caroline appeared more wary and uncomfortable than glad to see them.
"Why do you have two baskets?" she asked.
"I have the over-skirt in my basket," Lizzy told her. "We will bring it in with us to the draper to help find the best possible match for both it and your coloring. Jane's basket has the original gown, which we can leave with the dressmaker to be picked apart as a pattern. Since the two pieces were designed to go together and it is already fitted to you, that will make the whole gown look better. If you do not want the orange gown back, you might be able to sell it to the dressmaker. She could have it re-stitched and possibly sell it on to someone with a darker complexion and hair than yours. After all, the fabric is exceptionally fine even if the color is wrong for you."
"That…well…I suppose that makes sense," Caroline said uncertainly.
"Even if you are not pleased with the dress anymore, you should get something back out of it," Mary said.
"Aunt Madeline's favorite dressmaker will give you a fair discount in trade for the gown and it will be so much nicer for you to have a gown that truly flatters you," Jane said.
Caroline looked very uncomfortable as she almost whispered, "But how can I trust all of you after what my own sister did?"
"You do not have to listen to just us," Lizzy replied. "Ask the assistants at the drapers and the dressmakers. Listen closely to what they say and how they say it. You can even ask other customers if you are still unsure. None of us will take offense if you ask for other opinions. We know you have suffered from your sister's betrayal."
"I…" Caroline's voice faltered. After a moment, she regained control of herself and softly said, "Thank you."
The quartet in the carriage said very little for the rest of the ride to the draper's shop. Perhaps if Kitty, Georgiana and Maria had been with them, the chatter of the younger girls would have been sufficient to overcome the awkwardness. Of course, it might just as easily have made matters worse. Lizzy believed Caroline held Kitty and Maria in contempt and only professed friendship towards Georgiana because she had thought that might help her gain William's attention in the past.
When they reached the draper's, Jane left the basket with the orange gown in the carriage, but she brought the list of colors they had considered as likely to be flattering to Caroline while also working with the over-skirt Lizzy carried in with them in her basket. They knew the shop to be a fine one, with a large selection of colors and fabrics in bolts arranged throughout the rooms.
They tried several possibilities. The draper's assistant would drape a length of fabric over Caroline's shoulder so the women could see how it looked against her skin and hair. For those fabrics that proved flattering, Lizzy would hold a portion of the over-skirt across the draped fabric so they could see how it interacted with the base color and if it remained flattering.
Caroline stayed largely silent, only noting that she did not like the feel or drape of a few of the choices. Her initial nervousness seemed to ease as Jane, Lizzy and Mary made a point of asking the opinions of the assistant and his fellows, as well as politely requesting opinions of other shoppers who appeared interested when Lizzy held up the over-skirt.
When the assistant brought out a length of rich, silvery-blue silk, they knew they had found the perfect choice. The color lent brilliance to Caroline's eyes and hair while softening her skin tones to give a more porcelain effect. When Lizzy laid the filmy fabric of the over-skirt atop it, the puce color seemed to light up from within, change and softening the tones to give the impression of beautifully embroidered smoke. Caroline looked at them in surprise at their expressions when Jane and Mary turned to Lizzy and all three breathed a single word in unison.
"Yes."
The assistant added his approval enthusiastically. Jane turned to a nearby client who had offered her opinions twice before on fabrics they were looking at. Previously, the woman had guessed the over-skirt was part of a creation by Madame Gaillard, and Jane had explained that their sister was unsure of her choices as she felt the responsibility of finding just the right option to replace the "damaged" main gown. Without any more prompting than Jane's look, the older woman volunteered her opinion.
"Oh, yes, that is absolutely a perfect choice!" she said enthusiastically. "I am certain you will look quite stunning in it. I do hope I see you wearing it at some event this season. That will be a most flattering gown, indeed."
Taking a cue from Jane's manners, Caroline thanked the woman very courteously and agreed this would be her choice. The approval of a woman who dressed as a member of high society went a long way to reassure her the choice was a good one.
Lizzy told the draper how many yards they would need and requested a small sliver of the fabric to aid her as she went to the section of the shop where they kept the embroidery silks. Using the sample, she found threads of matching and coordinating blues. She explained to Caroline that she would add just enough to the existing pattern of embroidery on the over-skirt to make it look like the new gown had always been intended for it.
When the sisters told Caroline they would purchase the fabric as a gift to welcome her as a family member, Lizzy thought she looked almost ready to cry. Caroline thanked them quietly and went to the door of the shop to wait for them to finish making the payment. She dabbed lightly at her eyes with a handkerchief.
The woman who had kindly offered her opinion on the gown was just leaving the shop. She stopped and said a few words to Caroline, who responded with a curtsy. Lizzy had no idea what had passed between them, but as she and her sisters approached the door followed by a shop boy carrying their bundle, she saw that Caroline was now smiling.
It was a soft, happy smile, without any trace of the sneer the other woman usually wore. Maybe something was finally getting through to her.
The ride to the dressmaker was also made in silence, but it was not nearly so awkward. Lizzy had slipped the small package of embroidery silks into the basket with the over-skirt. As they rode, she held the basket on her lap, happily considering where in the pattern to fit the new hints of color that would tie the updated creation together.
Mary and Jane sensed Caroline did not wish to talk so they spent the short ride looking out the windows at the crowds of people moving around the streets. Lizzy knew Mary was still getting used to the sight of so many people. She had told Lizzy she was looking forward to seeing some of the sights when they had a free day or two and if the weather was fine. This day was still cold, but the snow from two days before had completely disappeared, trodden into a damp smear on the sidewalks and streets.
Mrs. Mellish, the dressmaker, was expecting them and already knew their errand. She and Aunt Madeline had known each other for years and had the same kind of friendly business relationship that Aunt Susan had with Madame Gaillard. Jane and Lizzy knew she would give Caroline a fair deal even for the quick turnaround they were requesting, and that the quality of work would be superb. She also knew Jane and Lizzy as both customers and workers. She had employed them for several commissions under the name of Gardiner as a favor to their aunt before Lizzy's work had been accepted by Madame Gaillard, although her assistants had no knowledge of that side of the relationship. Aunt Madeline and her nieces generally went to Mrs. Mellish for any gowns they did not make themselves. Even though Aunt Susan had them order several of their newest gowns from the celebrated modiste, Jane and Lizzy had also ordered some here and they had brought Mary the day after her arrival in town. Now, it was Caroline's turn.
"Ah, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Mrs. Bingley…it is good to see you all again. Thank you for sending over your note. I will be happy to provide a gown for Mrs. Bingley's new sister, even though most will attribute it to my esteemed colleague."
"It will not be the only one of your gowns to suffer that fate," Lizzy teased. "Rest assured, though, we will point worthy customers your way all the same."
"I trust that you will, Miss Elizabeth," the older woman said with a chuckle.
Jane introduced Caroline to the dressmaker. Then she opened the lid of the basket she carried and drew out the orange gown. Mrs. Mellish regarded it with evident surprise.
"Your note said it was not an advantageous color for your new sister, but I had no idea. I do hope you have picked something much better to replace it."
"The footman has the fabric we have chosen," Mary said, directing the dressmaker's attention to the man standing behind her with the large parcel of fabric wrapped in brown paper.
"Ah, good," Mrs. Mellish said. She pointed him to a side room. The sisters and Caroline stepped aside to let him deposit the parcel on a table inside the well-lit room. Once done, he bowed to Mary, who thanked him before he headed back out to wait with the carriage.
As he passed, Lizzy noticed a hint of frustration from Caroline, probably that "her" servants now looked to Mary as the mistress of the house. Fortunately, Mrs. Mellish distracted Caroline by asking them all to step into the side room.
Half of the room contained the table on which the parcel now sat, surrounded by a selection of delicate chairs for clients to use while picking patterns or discussing their options. The other half was open for easy movement while doing a fitting, except for a raised block where the client could stand while being fitted and having the hem adjusted.
The four young women took seats around the table while Mrs. Mellish examined the orange gown she had accepted from Jane. The dressmaker held it up by the shoulders to get a good look at the design.
"Yes," she said. "It is a very good style for you, Miss Bingley. Miss Bennet or Miss Elizabeth, have either of you seen her in it? How is the fit?'
"It is fitted beautifully," Jane replied. "The only problem is the color."
"And what a color it is," Mrs. Mellish said, shaking her head. "However, I do have a customer of the correct build and coloring to look good in this when it is resewn, with only slight alterations and, of course, re-trimming. Yes, if you are willing, Miss Bingley, I will purchase the gown from you in the form of a discount on the new gown we are making." She smiled at Caroline's nod. "Very good. Now, please let me see the fabric for the replacement gown."
Caroline opened the parcel. She seemed to realize Mrs. Mellish was already aware of her inability to properly discern colors, which was true. Lizzy had mentioned it in the note she sent to herald their arrival.
"Oh, yes! Yes, indeed," the dressmaker said happily before Caroline had even finished pulling the paper aside. "That is an appropriate choice for your delicate coloring, Miss Bingley. This will highlight your natural beauty, not overpower it."
Mrs. Mellish handed the orange gown back to Jane and lifted a layer of the new fabric, running through her fingers. "Good, it is of similar quality, weight and drape to the original. That will make our work easier and ensure the fit is good. Now, I understand this was one of Madame Gaillard's more recent specials. Do you have the embroidered over-skirt with you?"
Lizzy had expected the request. She stood and drew the decorated puce fabric from the basket she had brought in. At the direction of Mrs. Mellish, she slipped it back into place over the orange gown, holding it up by the shoulders in the same way Madame Gaillard's assistants had done during the final evaluation of her work.
"Amazing," said Mrs. Mellish. "It does look exquisite together, but that is only because the embroidery bridges the gap between the two colors." She gave Lizzy a questioning look, silently asking if it was her work, and received a slight nod in return. "Now, would you place it over this delightful blue fabric?"
Lizzy gently drew the embroidered blue piece away from the orange gown, which was returned to Jane's care for the moment. She draped a segment over the blue as they had done in the draper's shop. The effect was even better in the light of the lamps that augmented what came in through two thin horizontal windows set high in one wall of the room. Mrs. Mellish sighed, although she did not seem truly unhappy as she spoke.
"Ah, it is a shame Madame Gaillard will get the credit for this creation."
"Do not worry, Mrs. Mellish," Jane said. "We all value the quality of your work."
The older woman smiled at Jane. "Yes, well, I understand we have a deadline so that Miss Bingley can wear this to a ball. Although we will have the original gown as a pattern, I would like to get your measurements to use for reference, Miss Bingley."
She directed Caroline to a private room where she and an assistant could take the necessary measurements. As they walked away, Lizzy carefully folded and packed the over-skirt back into her basket. Jane laid the orange gown carefully across the table.
"Caroline has been very quiet today. I hope she is well," Mary observed softly.
"I suspect she is still feeling off balance and fears doing or saying anything that might ruin our new peaceful accord," Lizzy told her sisters.
"That makes sense," Mary said.
The three of them gathered around their table to look through a pattern book while they waited for Caroline to return.
~o~
On the day of the ball, Mary and Caroline picked up the finished gown from Mrs. Mellish. They brought it to the Bennet sisters' home, where Jane carefully sewed the over-skirt in place. The embellishments Lizzy had added to the existing embroidery made exactly the effect she had hoped for, tying the pieces together into a single unit that suited Caroline beautifully.
Because they were so young and not fully "out" yet, Georgiana, Kitty and Maria would not be attending the ball. While the smaller party could just fit in Aunt Susan's carriage, logistically it made more sense for the Bingleys to come in their own carriage although they would arrive at the same time.
As before, Jane and Lizzy dressed and finished preparing for the ball at Aunt Susan's home, each wearing one of the carefully embellished gowns they had purchased from Madame Gaillard at Aunt Susan's prompting. William and Richard were there to greet and admire them when the two young women finished their preparations and came down to the sitting room to await the carriage.
"I must admit to feeling rather torn, Elizabeth," William said after complementing Lizzy on her beauty and her lovely gown.
"And why is that?" Lizzy asked.
"I am both proud and delighted to have you by my side this evening, I am very much looking forward to our dances together. Unfortunately, the rules of such an event mean I have to share you with others. I must watch while you dance with other men. I do not like that at all," he declared.
"Oh, it is worse than that, my dear," Lizzy said teasingly. "You must also do your duty as a gentleman and dance with other women while I dance with those other men." She had seen Aunt Susan approach from behind him and expected what happened next.
"Must I?" William asked.
It was not quite a childish whine, but it could have been considered one if she had not known he was teasing as well. Aunt Susan lightly smacked him on the back of his head with her closed fan.
"Of course, you must dance with other women," Aunt Susan said, "and not just Jane, Mary and Miss Bingley. I will point out a few partners for you and I expect you to behave. You are betrothed now, after all, and the settlement is signed. It is not like any of them can entrap you now."
William had jumped in surprise when the fan hit him, causing Lizzy to laugh merrily. He tried to9 scowl at his aunt, but found himself distracted by the laughter. He began to chuckle as well.
"As you wish, Aunt Susan," he said. "I will dance with the partners you identify and do so graciously, but the first, supper and final sets are reserved for Elizabeth."
Aunt Susan looked at the couple fondly. "I would not have it any other way."
It was not long before a footman announced the arrival of the Bingley carriage. A few minutes more were all it took for the two couples and Aunt Susan to don their cold weather wraps and board the Matlock carriage that was already prepared and waiting for them.
This time, they were not the first guests to arrive at the event. The hosts were friends of Aunt Susan, but she had not felt the need to be early for introductions. This meant they had li8ttle time to linger in the entry after they removed their wraps. They still took a moment to greet the Bingleys as they entered just after. Lizzy was amused by the surprise in William's voice as he turned to Caroline just after she had removed her wrap.
"You look quite handsome this evening, Miss Bingley. That color suits you."
Aunt Susan knew that Lizzy and the others had planned to help with the gown, but had not seen the results. She came over to get a better look as Caroline politely thanked William.
"He is correct, Miss Bingley," Aunt Susan told her. "That color does suit you. In fact, I have never seen you wearing anything before that suited you so very well. The gown is exquisite and it shows off your natural beauty with style."
"Thank you, Lady Matlock."
Caroline curtsied, blushing as she did. She smiled nervously, the expression far more becoming than the sneers and smirks she usually sported. Aunt Susan nodded approvingly even as she shooed them all towards the receiving line to meet her friends.
This time, it was Lizzy and the other young women who were surprised. Aunt Susan presented them to her friend, the Dowager Lady Parkhurst. Their hostess turned out to be the older woman who had been so helpful when they were choosing the fabric at the draper's shop.
"How wonderful!" she exclaimed as Aunt Susan brought the group forward to introduce them. "I was hoping to see these young women again. Please introduce them to me, Susan."
"Of course, Abigail," Aunt Susan said, "although I will insist on an explanation of how you already know them later."
Aunt Susan introduced them in the same manner she had done at the soiree, including the information about the betrothals, starting with Richard and Jane and ending with Miss Bingley. After the four young women performed their group curtsy, the Dowager Lady Parkhurst gushed for a moment over Caroline's gown before insisting she wished to speak with them all later as well as introduce them to her son and daughter-in-law. They had been briefly called away from the receiving line to deal with some minor problem that had cropped up. She had to let them pass inside, as other guests had arrived behind their group and needed to be greeted.
As they entered the ballroom, Aunt Susan insisted they all stay together for a time. She had planned on meeting another guest, but would not say who or why she wanted the entire group together. "Let it be a surprise," was all she would say.
From the position she took up in the room, Lizzy realized Aunt Susan could scan the dance floor, where incoming guests were wandering to greet one another, and watch as the newest arrivals came through the main doors. Lizzy found herself smiling even as she shook her head slightly at the memories the location prompted.
"What is it, Elizabeth?" William asked softly. "You have the oddest expression on your face – amusement combined with...I do not know what."
She leaned a little closer towards him as she whispered back, "I am amused, along with some feeling I am not quite sure about either. You said once that you recognized the patterns I used at gatherings in Meryton when avoiding people. I just now recognized our placement as the kind of location I would use to keep track when some of the people I wanted to avoid were present while the others had not yet arrived, although I think Aunt Susan's goal is the opposite."
Before he could respond, they had to turn away from each other to accept introductions to a small group of guests who had approached Aunt Susan. They were not the guests she was looking for, however, and after the introduction and a bit of light chatter they moved on. Aunt Susan returned to scanning the crowd. William watched her for a minute, did his own scan of the room and then nodded to Lizzy in recognition of her observation.
The ballroom filled quickly as more and more guests arrived. Their small group remained in place, allowing the flow of people to pass around them like water around a small clump of reeds. Several new arrivals stopped to have a word or two, offered compliments to the ladies, with Caroline coming in for far more of those than she was used to receiving, and a few congratulations on Jane's and Lizzy's betrothals. Lizzy would have suspected the location was just Aunt Susan's idea of a good way to greet and meet people without being in the actual receiving line if not for the searching looks with which she swept the room after each conversational eddy flowed on by.
Despite not knowing who they were expecting to see, Lizzy and William both found themselves scanning the room as well. That was how Lizzy spotted a new arrival who she would have felt presented a difficult challenge. She was torn between wanting to run and embrace the woman who had caught her glance and smiled happily, and pretending she had not seen the woman to avoid likely trouble.
"Aunt Clarissa," she heard Jane say softly and knew her sister had spotted the new arrivals as well.
To Lizzy's amazement, Aunt Susan's head whipped around when she heard Jane. As Lady Clarissa Morton approached with her husband and a younger man in tow, Aunt Susan greeted her warmly.
"Clarissa! I am so glad to see you."
"And I you, Susan," Aunt Clarissa came forward and greeted Aunt Susan happily. Then she completely surprised both Lizzy and Jane as she embraced each of them while offering greetings, starting with Jane. As she released Lizzy, Aunt Clarissa winked at her, and Lizzy suddenly understood that this was what Aunt Susan had been planning.
Sir Roger, a beefy man whose bristly mud-brown hair scraggled into bushy sideburns over his squared jowls, scowled angrily at his wife. He might not have met Lizzy or her sister, but he clearly recognized the names and suspected their identities. He had no chance to protest, though, as Aunt Susan greeted him.
"Ah, Sir Roger. I am happy to see you as well! Now that your nieces will be my family, I expect to be seeing you and Clarissa more often. I cannot tell you how happy I am that dear Jane is marrying my son. Have you met Richard?"
Sir Roger gave a surprised grunt in response as he took in her words. Jane and Elizabeth Bennet might be of too little social consequence for his notice, not to mention the old grudge over their mother's dowry, but Lady Matlock was of too much consequence to ignore or offend. He admitted he had not encountered Lady Matlock's son for over two decades.
Aunt Clarissa, who looked so much like Jane no one could doubt the relationship, stood by with a mischievous grin as Aunt Susan introduced Richard with a few more comments on his good fortune in finding such a kind, pleasant and lovely wife as Jane. She deliberately ignored the fact that Sir Roger had declined to ever meet or acknowledge his nieces and doing it in a public setting where he would lose political capital should he object to her assumptions. Clearly he understood and was somewhat frustrated, but he made an obvious attempt to be pleasant as he accepted the introduction to Richard.
Catching on to at least some of what his mother was doing, Richard continued the game. He offered his own comments to Sir Roger and Aunt Clarissa on his joy at linking their families through his marriage to Jane. He topped it with several compliments to Jane herself, demonstrating his affection towards her for the unpleasant man to see.
William caught Lizzy's eye as this was going on and raised a questioning eyebrow. She had no idea how to silently explain, and no time anyway. Aunt Susan quickly stepped in as Richard finished, this time announcing her additional joy that the families would be tied even closer when Sir Roger's second niece, Elizabeth, married her nephew. She introduced William, again acting as if Lizzy should need no introduction.
While not as fulsome in his responses as Richard had been, William still played along. He offered his compliments as he greeted Sir Roger and Aunt Clarissa. The name of Darcy had put the scowl back on Lizzy's uncle's face, probably due again to memories of William's father's role in the marriage of Lizzy's mother. The older man kept his mouth shut and accepted the introduction with another grunt.
Aunt Susan then charged ahead and introduced the Bingleys, only offering a slight dig when commenting that she was not sure if Sir Roger had ever had the chance to meet the oldest stepsister of his nieces since this was her first visit to London.
Their uncle gruffly completed the interaction by introducing his own nephew and heir, Mr. Dudley Morton. The younger man was of an age with William and Richard. He bore a passing resemblance to his uncle, particularly in coloring, but was a bit taller and not nearly as solidly built. He also seemed far more pleasant. He accepted the introductions graciously while recognizing Jane and Lizzy as cousins. After greeting them all, he turned to Caroline.
"I expect my cousins will be dancing the first with their betrotheds, and Mrs. Bingley with her husband. I hope I will have the honor of dancing with each of you at some point this evening. Miss Bingley, if you do not already have a partner, may I request the first dance?"
Despite her surprise at the application and her likely confusion over all the undercurrents in the situation, Caroline accepted Mr. Morton's offer. Lizzy and her sisters each assigned him a slot on their dance cards. He then turned back to Caroline to talk and get to know her better before their dance.
With a gruff snort that was all the displeasure he allowed himself to express, Sir Roger excused himself. After offering Aunt Susan a respectful bow, he headed for the refreshment table.
"I expect he does need a good, stiff drink after that little show," Aunt Clarissa said softly to Aunt Susan. "Very well, done, Susan, and thank you. Now I can publicly acknowledge my dear nieces and he can only growl and complain about it unless he wishes to brave losing the family connection."
"Is that what this little play was about?" Richard asked. He spoke as softly as Aunt Clarissa had, trying to avoid drawing the attention of Mr. Morton or Caroline, who had moved a little bit away from the group.
Aunt Susan smiled broadly. "Madeline, Clarissa and I planned this meeting to overcome Sir Roger's refusal to allow contact between Clarissa and her nieces. They have always had to meet in secret before. He wants social consequence and I have that in spades. We have just made it clear that to deny the connection to Jane and Lizzy means denying a connection to the house of Matlock."
"Roger would never allow his earlier annoyance to prevent him from accepting a public connection to such an influential family," Aunt Clarissa added. "I can now enjoy the company of my nieces at any time."
She looked ready to cry from joy as she hugged Jane again and then turned to give Lizzy a fierce hug as well. Lizzy understood the feeling. She loved Aunt Clarissa dearly but had almost given up on expecting to spend any time with her. Now, she would even be able to invite her aunt to her wedding and Aunt Clarissa would be able to come.
"I would like to catch up with my friend here, and the dancing is about to begin," Aunt Susan said. "We will enjoy watching all of you out on the floor together. Go on."
"Of course, mother," Richard said with a bow to the older women. Jane smiled as she offered them a curtsy before allowing Richard to draw her away.
"You are sneaky, Aunt Susan," William said. "I knew Richard never got that from my uncle. Lady Morton, I am truly pleased to meet you and look forward to calling you my aunt soon as well."
He bowed. Lizzy impulsively gave her aunt another quick hug and a kiss on the cheek before making her curtsy to the two women.
As she and William stepped away, she heard Charles and Mary both making some form of polite comment to the older women. She hoped Aunt Clarissa would accept Mary and Kitty as nieces as well.
"Your uncle would not acknowledge you?" William whispered as they headed to the dance floor.
"And he forbade Aunt Clarissa from seeing us or spending time with her brother, my uncle Gardiner. She found ways to visit us at the Gardiner's home without her husband knowing, but she was never able to visit our home in Meryton. We have seen her more rarely in recent years, but that has not diminished the love Jane and I have for her. I should have known Aunt Susan and Aunt Madeline were up to something. Our aunts staged that brilliantly."
William chuckled. "Aunt Susan knows how to get what she wants. I often do as well and what I want now is to dance with you. Shall we?"
"With all my heart," Lizzy said, allowing him to lead her across the floor to where Jane and Richard were taking places in the set that was starting to form. It was finally time for their first dance together.
