I don't own Pride and Prejudice.
Word had spread quickly of the cut between the Matlock men and the Darcys and de Bourghs, as well as the now retired colonel. Fortunately the Matlock women were spared when news of their living, in Sophia's case, and visiting, in the countess's case, with the Darcys spread. It also helped that the two made many appearances around town with the women of the group.
Lady Matlock herself had seen such a change in her daughter, she couldn't help but be thankful to this group of young women she had once condemned. She was especially fond of the young woman who her son had chosen to be his partner in life. The girl's calming spirit had such an affect on her son, and any mother would be a fool to disapprove of her. Not only that, but the girl had been instrumental in helping her shy daughter settle into a house full of vivacious young women.
"Mama, why couldn't Richard and Mary dance every dance? It is known that they are courting, so why would it be considered improper?" She turned and smiled at her daughter, turning her attention away from preparing for the ball to focus on her.
"Because a courtship is not a marriage, and can be broken at any time." Seeing the stricken look on her daughter's face she was quick to amend her statement, "Not that your brother's will end, they are far too in love to allow that to happen." She smiled when her daughter sagged in relief.
"However, like we've seen with your cousin, compromises happen, and that would be one reason such a courtship would end." It was one of the reasons she and Catherine watched the unmarried couples so diligently. She would not put it past any of the grasping women of the ton to orchestrate a compromise for their sons or daughters.
She had thought that the two of them would have their hands full, but found that Elizabeth was a fierce protector of her charges. She had known the woman to be intelligent, but had not expected her to be such a reader of a person's character. However, after meeting the girl's father, she was less surprised.
Having seen her nephew with his new wife, she could admit the two made a formidable team. Elizabeth willing to learn anything she and Catherine could teach her about the ton, and she learned it quickly. That she would be one of the superior matrons of the ton when her children were ready to be presented there was no doubt.
She could barely contain her smirk when she thought of how soon those children would be arriving. She, Catherine, and Madeline Gardiner had all whispered about it behind their tea cups, all of them recognizing the early signs, and just waiting for the woman herself to realize it. They all remembered their first pregnancy, and the joy of finally realizing it, and didn't want rob her of the experience. That didn't mean they didn't assist in making sure she took care of herself, subtly making sure she ate and drank regularly.
Finishing getting ready for the ball, she and her daughter joined the rest of the party downstairs. Seeing Catherine and Mr Bennet speaking in a corner in the parlor, her heart went out to her husband's sister. It was obvious she admired the man a great deal, and he seemed to admire her just as much. However, he was an honorable man and would not forsake his wedding vows, no matter how undeserving his wife was.
Looking across the room her smile grew as she saw her nephew fawning over his increasingly annoyed wife. Her hope that they had finally realized the impending growth of their family appeared to be coming into fruition. The little smirk Catherine's face when the two made eye contact, showed she was thinking the same thing.
"I must say, I will be glad when the season is over, and I am no longer required to step foot in a ballroom." Elizabeth couldn't help but smile at her father as he spoke. He had decided to stay with them for the season to support his daughters. She also knew he enjoyed studying the characters of the people around him, but was also using this time to see how much work he would need to put into straightening Lydia out.
Either way, she couldn't help but call his bluff, "You know Papa, now that Jane is engaged to Mr Bingley and Mary is spoken for, you could always return home should you truly wish it. I know you must miss your wife and Lydia desperately." She couldn't help but laugh when she saw him blanch at the idea.
"You truly are cruel, daughter, truly you are." He couldn't help but laugh with her. "Besides, I have no desire to be home with my wife while she tries to plan this wedding." Her father had respected her wish, and later Mary's, to no longer refer to his wife as her mother.
"Thomas Bennet?" They turned when they heard his name called, "By gads old man, it really is you!" An older gentleman approached them. "I had heard rumors that you had been seen about town, but dared not hope they were true."
"James Chamberlain, as I live and breath!" Her father looked truly happy to see this gentleman.
"Please tell me this is not your wife, I should have to hate you on principle if you managed to catch a woman so lovely!" The man grinned as she blushed.
"Allow me to introduce my daughter, Mrs Darcy, Elizabeth, this is an one friend of mine from university, Mr Chamberlain." Her father introduced the two of them.
"It is very nice to meet you my dear. Your father was a bit of a legend back in the day, many a young man would try their hand at matching wits with him, and come away with their pride wounded. Even more so if they tried to match wits over a game of chess."
"I can very well believe it, having played many a game of chess with him and his daughter." Fitzwilliam joined them, and she couldn't help but smile at him.
"James, allow me to introduce my son, Mr Darcy, Fitzwilliam, this is my old friend from University Mr Chamberlain." She saw how her husband barely contained his smile at being referred to as son rather than son in law, and loved that he'd come to love her father so much.
"You are a very fortunate man to have captured this beauty." Chamberlain spoke, then became quite uncomfortable when he realized what he'd said. It was obvious he knew of the compromise.
"Elizabeth is but one of my daughters, I am fortunate enough to have many, two more of which are here tonight." Her father changed the subject.
"Really, are you able to point them out to me?" The man jumped at the chance to change the subject.
"They are both actually right over there." He motioned to where Jane and Mary were speaking with their gentlemen and Aunt Catherine. "Jane, my eldest is the taller of the two young ladies, and Mary is my third daughter."
"I must say old man, I do not envy you the trouble you must have, fending off suitors for such lovely young ladies. The gentlemen they have chosen are fortunate indeed. Are any of your other daughters unattached, I wouldn't mind claiming one for my son." The man was obviously joking about that last part as he couldn't contain his chuckle, her father chuckling along with him.
"So you have a son, any other children to speak of?" Her father asked.
"Sadly no, my wife passed bringing my son into the world, and I never could bring myself to remarry." It was plain to see he was still affected by the woman's death, and she couldn't help but wonder how old his son was.
"Andrew just finished university," He motioned to a handsome young man on the dance floor, who escorted his partner back to her father before coming to join them.
Introductions were made, and Elizabeth found him to be an intelligent young man. She especially liked that he included her in the conversation, listening to her ideas and opinions. Many men would have ignored her presence or shifted the conversation to something deemed more appropriate for women. She almost hated having to excuse herself, but the heat of the ballroom started wearing on her, and she felt it best to step outside for some fresh air.
"Is everything alright?" She couldn't help but smile at her husband as he handed her a glass of punch. He looked so worried, glancing at her stomach from time to time.
"Perfectly so, the heat of the room was just starting to get to me. I thought it best to excuse myself before I swooned like some damsel in distress."
"I have a hard time imagining you as a damsel in distress." He grinned just slightly.
"I will admit, even as a child I refused to play the part. I always wanted to be the hero rescuing the damsel." She laughed, and he couldn't contain his smile.
Glancing around and taking note of where anyone else who'd come outside to escape the hear may be, he lowered his voice so only she could hear him, "I can't help but hope this one is a girl, and just like her mother." His smile was practically blinding.
"I thought men were more inclined to want sons." She teased, raising an eyebrow.
"I'm sure they do, but I find it only natural to crave a daughter when her mother is so bewitching." She knew that had they been the only two on the balcony be would have pulled her into his arms and kissed her soundly...and she would have let him.
A.N. So I posted a new story, and the first review I got was such a stellar example of a troll I thought I would share it with all of you. To think this person had the audacity to try and threaten me to leave reviews for their "friends". As I lack the ability to care what trolls think of my writing, I have no intention of reading or reviewing anything the ask ask me to just on principle. So if this person has the clout to back up their words and my account does disappear, you will all know what happened.
...also, if you want a good laugh feel free to read the review. I fully intend to leave it up so that people can continue to get enjoyment out if it.