"Who is the host this time?" asked Darcy of his Aunt Elinor as they rode in the carriage to the ball she insisted he attend.

"It is Mr. and Mrs. Narren. You met Miss Narren at my dinner two days ago. Do you not recall?" asked his aunt. Darcy tried to think back. His aunt had introduced him to a dozen ladies at that dinner. He remembered Miss Grace Delvoy and Lady Violet as he had been seated between them at dinner, but he could not remember a Miss Narren.

"You are impossible, Darcy!" exclaimed his aunt, "She is the pretty, raven-haired girl. She wore a blue gown."

Darcy vaguely remembered a raven-haired beauty, but he had only been introduced to her before being called away by his uncle to meet another lady. It was now spread throughout the ton that the great Mr. Darcy of Pemberley seemed to be looking for a bride. Therefore, everyone with a niece, sister, daughter, or other female relation was desperate for an introduction. He told his aunt that he now remembered her and promised her that he would ask her to dance that evening.

"The supper set," demanded his aunt.

"You know that I never dance the supper set with anyone who I am not well acquainted with. I will dance the supper set with Mrs. Hurst."

"You will do no such thing!" said his aunt, "You cannot waste such a dance on a married lady."

"Why is it a waste for me to dance with the sister of my dear friend, particularly when her brother and sister are ailing? She must be quite low currently."

"Then dance a different set with her, but not the supper set."

Darcy agreed but did not promise to dance the supper set with anyone. Perhaps he would see some other acquaintance that he could get away with taking into supper.

When they entered the townhouse, it was much the same as any of the other dozens of townhouses that he had visited in the past. It was perhaps less gilded that some, but he did not know if that was due to a lesser fortune or more taste. They were greeted by their hosts upon their entrance. When Darcy was reintroduced to Miss Narren, he found that he did recall her. She was perhaps Miss Bennet's height, with hair darker than was often seen. Her eyes were blue, but perhaps leaned more towards grey. Her complexion was perhaps rather more tan than was fashionable, but Darcy could not tell if this was because she spent a great deal of time out of doors or if that was simply the shade of her skin. She was the mirror image of her mother, who was still a great beauty even now that she was past forty years of age. Mr. Narren was short and bald, although his jawline showed that he may once have been handsome.

It was only after his aunt cleared her throat that he realised he had been staring at the young lady. He blushed and asked her for the third set, which he learned was taken. Her next free set was the sixth, so he scribbled his name on her card. He asked Mrs. Narren for a set as well and was granted the fourth. He found Mrs. Hurst and several of his relations, securing a set from each of the ladies. He also asked Lady Hannah and Miss Aubrey, along with two of their friends that had been standing near them. Altogether, he committed himself to dancing with ten ladies - a number that seemed astronomical compared to his usual three or four. He was to take his cousin, Miss Greta Darcy into supper. She was the granddaughter of his great uncle. He had not even known her to be out before he saw her. Taking her into supper met his aunt's requirements for his dinner partner, for she was a single and eligible lady. Yet, he knew her to be a modest and shy creature who would never assume anything besides cousinly affection from the gesture.

His dances were, for the most part, pleasant. Lady Hannah and Miss Aubrey were the same as previously. Lady Hannah asked after the health of his friends. He was able to report that Bingley was recovered, but not his sister. She expressed her hope that the lady would soon be well. Miss Aubrey spoke to him of philosophy, and he enjoyed the conversation but thought it more fitting to a lecture than a dance. His relations were as he expected. Lady Henrietta- Hennie, as he could not but call her in his mind- was turning into the worst sort of society miss. She was now being courted by Lord Clare, so at least the man's intentions might be honourable. Darcy assumed his intentions were more towards her connections and fortune than her, but he did not say so. Miss Greta barely spoke except to say this was her first ever ball and that yes, she was enjoying London so far.

His dance with Mrs. Narren consisted mainly of her talking of her daughter and her accomplishments. She reminded him of a more polished Mrs. Bennet or Lady Lucas. He could not help but recall the many times that he had been told of Miss Mary's talents at the pianoforte and with embroidery or about how well Miss Lucas danced or drew. He supposed that all ladies with daughters of marriageable age were the same in that sense.

His dance with Miss Narren was much more pleasant. She was intelligent, but not in the way that Miss Aubrey was. She knew not to speak of philosophy in a ballroom, but instead entertained him with her impressions of the latest opera she had seen, stories of her childhood mishaps, and her various observations about other dancers. She was a pleasant and pretty lady, who had all the connections one might wish, and seemed to share many of his same interests.

Darcy was also entertained well during the dances with Lady Hannah and Miss Aubrey's friends, Miss Tyler and Miss Cara Vincent. The latter was a spinster at age nine and twenty, but Darcy was not entirely sure he minded her age. She seemed sensible. She was not plain, nor stupid, so Darcy was uncertain why she had remained unmarried so long. She reminded him rather a lot of Miss Lucas. He supposed it was possible that she simply did not wish to wed, for it was said she had a fortune of fifty thousand pounds. Miss Tyler was Miss Cara's particular friend, similar in age but not in fortune. Although not actually defined as such, it seemed that Miss Tyler was Miss Cara's companion in a sense. They lived together with Miss Cara's mother, Lady Vincent. Lord Vincent had died long ago, shortly after Miss Cara's younger sister -lately Mrs. Bornholder- had married and moved away to Dovedale. Darcy would not mind coming to know either better, but he was not entirely certain his attention would be welcomed.


Mary was overjoyed. Rarely would she say she had felt such happiness as she did when Mr. Jones declared that she was fully recovered and could be out walking or riding if she so wished, so long as the weather was not too severe. As the season had not yet grown very cold, she took advantage of this and asked Elizabeth and James if they would accompany her into Meryton. James was still requiring that they not go anywhere if not accompanied by himself or a groom, but Mary did not mind. She knew things would change when James married, so she wished to spend as much time as possible with him now.

They rode into town in the carriage, as the weather was perhaps not so warm as she might have wished. Still, Mary could walk from shop to shop, admiring ribbons, muslins, and browsing through bookstores as she wished. By the end of the outing, she had spent more pin money than she ever did in a shopping excursion, much to the amusement of her siblings.

James proposed that they stop at Lucas Lodge for a call before returning to Longbourn. It was not calling hours, but the two families no longer stood on such ceremony.

"You wish to stop because you know Lady Lucas will invite us to dine so you can act the mooncalf all evening," teased Elizabeth. James did not deny it. It was thus no surprise when such a thing occurred not ten minutes into their call. A note was sent to Longbourn requesting permission, which was duly granted. Elizabeth would have been mortified if she had seen the note, which requested that Lady Lucas ensure she be seated between John and Henry Lucas, the only two Lucas sons of marriageable age. As it was, she assumed the seating to be a plan made by Lady Lucas, who likely would have arranged the seating thus even if her friend and coconspirator did not request it.

"Will your family attend the upcoming assembly?" asked Lady Lucas, "I know you only missed the last because dear Mary was so very ill, but you appear recovered now, my dear."

"Indeed, we shall," said Mary, "Although I may not dance so much as I might wish, for I fear I may tire easily."

"Then we must ask you now for sets, else you might fill up every set you wish to dance," said Mr. Henry Lucas. The next several minutes were spent with the gentlemen requesting sets of the ladies. Elizabeth was asked for the supper set by Mr. John Lucas. She felt the awkwardness of his continued suit but could not refuse if she wished to dance that evening, so she accepted. Mr. Henry Lucas asked for her second set, for he was to dance the first with Mary. Therefore, Mr. John Lucas took Mary's second.

"Will your sisters return from school in time for the ball?" asked Sir William.

"Indeed not," said James, "They shall not return until late on Thursday or perhaps even Friday. I shall leave early Wednesday morning to fetch them."

"You shall journey in both directions in two days?" asked Sir William with some surprise.

"I shall ride on the way there and rent a carriage for the return. It shall take less time on the way tither then."

"I forget sometimes how you young bucks can ride for such hours. It has been a long time since I would have been willing to ride to Brighton."

"And he shall leave us here to make all the last minute preparations," said Elizabeth with a smile.

"Indeed, but we shall have everything ready this week. Except the food, of course, but Cook shall ready that. With the wedding on Monday, it is quite odd. Things must all be readied by Saturday or on Monday morning," said Mary.

"Too many of our acquaintances are travelling later in the week so they might visit family for Christmas. If we wished half of our friends there, we either needed either to delay well into January or marry on Monday," said Charlotte, "As term begins in January, James did not wish them to miss their lessons."

"How contentious he is!" exclaimed Lady Lucas.

Wedding talk took over the conversation for the rest of the evening. Lady Lucas decided that she would create a schedule with Mrs. Bennet for all that needed to be done in the coming week. Mary declared that she had finished Charlotte's gown, so Charlotte need only look it over to ensure she was satisfied.

"I am sure it is lovely," said Charlotte. She agreed that she should try it on to ensure the embroidery did not tighten the fabric, but she was certain otherwise that it should be very fine.

It was late in the evening when the Bennets were conveyed home, for Lady Lucas was reluctant to allow her dear new son to leave. John and Henry jested that they thought perhaps she liked him more than them, but Lady Lucas disagreed.

"I can have affection for you all!" declared she. She kissed each of the Bennet siblings on their cheeks and sent them on their way.


Darcy House, Mayfair, London

Fifth of December

Dearest Elizabeth and Mary,

I hope this letter finds you and your family well. I do so miss Hertfordshire and all of our dear friends there. I regret too not being able to take leave of you. It was very suddenly that I was requested back in London by my aunt, as you well know. I hope my brother told you as much, for I did charge him with that task when I agreed to return sooner than was planned. I do so miss our walks and playing duets on the pianoforte. My cousin Hennie does play, but now that she is out and the little season is ongoing, she has so little time when she is able to practice with me.

My brother has often taken me with him when he calls at Matlock House, so I have been spending a great deal of time with my aunt. She is teaching me a great deal. I often sit in the parlour when they have their days at-home, so I might see how best to receive formal calls. I fear I shall be dreadful when I come out. I cannot often find the words to say or catch the tone of the conversation in such an environment. I have not yet gone with my aunt to call on others. It is so very different than making calls on your family or the Lucases in Hertfordshire or recieving calls from the same. I do so wish that I had a Mrs. Bennet or Lady Lucas to reassure me that no one noticed that my hands shake when I pour tea.

I fear that Miss Bingley has been quite ill. I have not seen her, but my brother has said that Mr. Bingley has also been ill, although he is quite recovered now. Miss Bingley is improving, Mr. Bingley says, but is not yet well. I do so worry for her, yet as it seems to be perhaps the same as what afflicted Mary, I take heart that she will recover as you did. I know you both join me in wishing her well.

As for my brother, he is very busy with the little season. Aunt often has him going to balls or parties. He is uncomfortable in such company, but I think he feels he must make connections this season so he might ease my way when I come out. I so appreciate his doing so, but I miss him. We have not the time for long nights reading by the fire that we used to have. I think it shall be easier when I am out, for then at least I might attend with him. Colonel Fitzwilliam often attends with him, but as a second son, he is sometimes able to get out of invitations that my brother and Lord Barlow cannot. Then he often remains and plays cards with me and Mrs. A.

Mrs. A is well. She misses her talks with Miss Mary. She is such a dear friend. I so enjoy my lessons with her, and we have spent some time visiting the museums and libraries here in town. There is a lovely new Egyptian exhibit at the British Museum. It is so very interesting to see the mummies and the odd writing they used. We shall have to go together when you come to town. I have so many things that I wish to share with you both. I must begin to make a list before my next letter, else I will again forget.

I hope to hear all about your brother's wedding plans and how all my acquaintances in Hertfordshire keep. If you are too busy to write before his wedding, pray write after. Leave no details out, if you would. I do hope your new sister and your brother will come to town as well. If needed, I am sure I can prevail upon my brother to have you stay at Darcy House. He has often said that I am his hostess and therefore I can invite any of my friends of whom he approves, so long as I tell him beforehand.

I must close this now, for Mrs. A wishes to visit a bookstore to look for a book on Egypt so perhaps we might be better informed when next we visit the museum.

Your Affectionate friend,

Georgiana Darcy.