Three days later, Georgiana waited for Lady Patricia for several hours, and it was only around 5:00 that she sent her a note saying that she was not going to come. The next day, she went with her brother to a party at Lord XXXX's house. Lady Patricia barely greeted her and spent the evening conversation with Lord XXXX's eldest son - who had just returned from Ireland - and his sister.

One of her suitors was talking to a young lady and didn't pay much attention to her. Perhaps for someone with more experience with the Ton, would not have been surprised that Lady Patricia was paying attention to another gentleman of higher rank than Darcy and that her 'suitor' was visiting more than one young lady, but for Georgiana it was quite a revelation…

The next day when she went with her brother to Lady Matlock's house to visit her cousin, she had a conversation with Lady Matlock which helped her better understand the Ton...

"... Lady Patricia didn't come to tea and practically didn't speak to me yesterday."

"You told me she sent you a note, and yesterday I didn't see anything strange."

"But she practically didn't talk to me all night."

"Did she have to talk to you about something important?"

Georgiana shook her head, "No, but I thought that since we are friends…"

Lady Matlock looked at her niece in astonishment, "Georgiana, there are no friends in high society. Lady Patricia had an interest in your brother, but she got tired because Darcy didn't pay attention to her, in addition, Lord XXXX's son returned from Ireland and he is of higher rank…"

That night she thought that since she had entered society, she had hardly seen Elizabeth and Mary. The last two parties she hadn't enjoyed so much and she was beginning to realize that the only real friends she had were Elizabeth and Mary and she was in danger of losing their friendship. The next day, she asked her brother to accompany her to the Gardiners' house...

PPP

With regret, Mr. Stern went one last time to visit Elizabeth as he was leaving for Edinburgh the next day for at least a month. As always, both Elizabeth and Mary were overjoyed to see him and invited him to have tea with them.

They talked mainly about his trip, Edinburgh, and Scott's novels that both Elizabeth and Mary liked very much. They were having a pleasant conversation when the Darcys arrived.

Both Mary and Elizabeth were astonished to see them, but they were immediately invited to have tea with them.

Mr. Stern talked mostly with Lizzy and Georgiana with Mary. Darcy hardly spoke but watched and listened intently to everything Elizabeth said...

"… I am fascinated by Celtic culture and legends. My father used to read the legend of King Arthur to me as a child. I remember I wanted to learn fencing and it was one of the few things my father refused to teach me because he was afraid, I would get hurt."

"Without a doubt, there are always risks of getting hurt in fencing. I have more than one scar from the times I practiced with my older brother." He smiled, "You should go to Edinburgh as there are many legends and alleys."

Lizzy smiled, "I'd love to go. But I would like to go to other places first, for example, The Lake District, Brighton or Ramsgate. I only went to the beach once and it was years ago, and I loved it. I would like to swim in the ocean, collect seashells, and walk on the sand."

"My father has a property in Ramsgate and I went several times mainly in the summer. I bathed several times, but for my taste, the water is very cold. I was lucky my parents took us everywhere they went instead of leaving us with our governess."

"Mine also took me everywhere, but we only came to London..."

When it was time to say goodbye, Lizzy walked Mr. Stern to the door to wish him a good trip. The gentleman looked into her eyes and with a half-smile said, "I really wish I didn't have to leave right now. I hope to be back in London in a month and I would like to see you again."

With a half-smile, she replied, "Have a safe trip and I hope to see you in the future."