Chapter 14; Town and Almack's
May/June 1811
The summer started in London and the temperature rose steadily as the season continued. Jane moved into Fitzwilliam house and she and Elizabeth were invited to several events; Venetian breakfasts, balls, dinners, picnics in Hyde Park, rides and the like. At every event they attended, Elizabeth grew in confidence, but she still looked for William at every turn.
One evening when at a masked ball that all the Fitzwilliam family attended, Jane suddenly spoke and clutched Elizabeth's arm, "I do believe I see…yes, it is your cousin, Mr. Darcy."
Elizabeth turned around and came face to face with William. He was dressed in a dark suit, with a sword attached to his left hip and with a black mask covering most of his upper face though put focus on his handsome blue eyes; he looked like a very handsome musketeer.
He bowed and she curtsied. "Lady Elizabeth."
"Mr. Darcy."
They made their way through the many people in the Campbell house, where the masked ball was held, until they were standing on a balcony with the view out towards the garden. They stood silently, looking at each other.
Finally, William spoke first, "You look... beautiful in that dress."
The dress was red with golden embellishment on the bodice, sleeves, hem and neckline.
"Thank you, you look very well too this evening." She replied in a soft tone of voice, while she blushed prettily.
"Thank you, Elizabeth. I hope your family is well this evening?"
"They are very well, thank you, William. How is your sister this evening?" she asked as their eyes met.
"She is very well; she is missing you, but she enjoys the finishing school, your parents suggested." He replied; captivated by her beautiful eyes he had a hard time to remember anything at all.
"I am glad that she enjoys school. I miss her especially at the family dinners." She replied as their eyes connected.
"And I know she misses you too, Beth." The last was breathed out in a whisper which made her heart jump.
Later on that evening, when Elizabeth and Jane were talking, William came over with a man with red-blond hair and blue eyes, both men bowed lightly, while Elizabeth smiled and nodded and Jane curtsied. William said slightly formally, "Lady Elizabeth, Miss Bennet – may I introduce a good friend of mine to you?"
Elizabeth looked at Jane, and both nodded with smiles on their faces, "Lady Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, I introduce Mr. Charles Bingley. Bingley, this is my cousin Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam and Miss Jane Bennet, her companion."
Bingley bowed and said, "It is a pleasure to meet you both, Lady Elizabeth, Miss Bennet."
Jane said softly, "I believe the pleasure is ours, Mr. Bingley."
A week or so later, the Fitzwilliam family were readying for Almack's – for the first time for Elizabeth, at least. Elizabeth had written to Georgiana, to keep her informed of all that happened during the season, and keep her informed of what their family was doing so she would feel included even if she was at school.
"Mama, do I have to go? I have already been presented at Court and have been to a million balls and parties."
"Elizabeth, you know we have to. It is the thing which is done." The Countess replied.
"I know, mama, but I would really like not to go." Elizabeth responded with a pleading look at her mother.
"This is the last thing, we will make you do Elizabeth and we know it is not fair to you that we are making you do this – but it is what is done in our sphere of life, dear." The Countess explained.
"I know, Mama, but... All right, I will do my best, Mama."
The Countess smiled and said: "Elizabeth, you are a wonderful and dutiful daughter, and we could not ask for a better daughter."
"Thank you, Mama." Elizabeth said.
Later that evening, Jane and Elizabeth were talking, "Elizabeth, please tell me about what happened during Christmas, especially with your cousin Mr. Darcy, you have been seen with him often since your coming out ball."
Elizabeth blushed and said: "Well, we had a merry Christmas, and you are right. I do care for William."
Jane exclaimed: "At long last! You admitted it!" She laughed, while Elizabeth blushed and giggled girlishly. "But then again, I understand from Aunt Gardiner that you and your cousin Mr. Darcy have had tender feelings for each other for a long time."
"When I think about it, we have felt connected to each other for quite a while now." Elizabeth replied as she sat down next to Jane in front of the fire in her room.
"That is because you and Mr. Darcy are soul mates, Lizzy." Jane said with a wistful smile.
"How have you become so wise?" Elizabeth asked wondering.
Jane smiled and said, "That comes with age, Lizzy." It was all said in a light tone of voice.
"I almost envy you for your wisdom." Lizzie said and looked into the fire.
"You are wiser in your own way because of your experiences." Jane explained softly.
"I know you are right. But I am still... I still feel like that scared little girl who wanted nothing but to be loved."
"I know and it will take a long time before you eventually see yourself as the courageous young woman I know and see here besides me." Jane said, and put her arm around Elizabeth.
"Jane, how can you be so good?!" Elizabeth asked with tears filling her eyes.
"Shh, oh Lizzie. Lizzie, you are a younger sister to me now; no need to cry, honey." Jane exclaimed gently and pulled Elizabeth into an embrace.
The next day dawned and Jane and Elizabeth woke, both laughing happily at the sisterly evening they had shared. "So Almack's tonight?"
"Yes, last forced thing I will need to do this season." Elizabeth responded to Jane's question.
"Well... besides get engaged to Mr. Darcy." Jane teased in good humour.
"Jane, you tease! You know we are going to Europe before autumn, so I am not going to get engaged to anybody, not even William." Elizabeth replied.
"I know I got the invitation to come with you, but are you sure your parents meant for me to go with you?"
"Jane, we invited you to come with us, so yes my parents meant for you to go with us." Elizabeth assured her best friend and companion. They spent the day reading, sewing and other quiet activities so they would not be too tired for the evening.
The day went by and soon they were on their way to Almack's. As they walked, Elizabeth was a little nervous but had her best smile fixed on her face and ready to face the seven patronesses of Almack's and all of polite society. 'Polite society... my foot.' she thought as she had observed and listened when her mother had had morning calls.
William watched as Beth danced with different partners.
Jane who had walked up on his right side asked: "Why have you not asked her to dance, Mr. Darcy?"
Elizabeth looked over as she twirled back to her spot, and her eyes met William's and her face lit up in a truly happy smile, which he returned happily.
As she came back from her dance, William walked over, bowed slightly and said: "Lady Elizabeth, I was hoping you would allow me a dance during the evening?"
"I would be delighted, Mr. Darcy." She replied and made a small curtsy, and held out her hand to him, so he could lead her back tothe dance floor. Elizabeth looked towards Jane, who stood next to her, but saw Charles Bingley asking Jane to dance.
While Elizabeth and William danced, William said, "You look beautiful, though you seem to grow more beautiful every day, Beth."
She blushed at his compliment, and said, "Thank you, William."
She looked at him with a teasing spark in her eyes when she continued, "I must say I never knew you were quite this good at flirting. Perhapsit is something you planned just for me?"
It was his turn to blush and could only nod at her question.
She took pity on him, and said, "Though Jane and Mr. Bingley look like a lovely couple, would you not say so, William?"
"Yes, now thatyou mention it, you are right Beth." He said when he finally found his voice.
"They might make an interesting couple someday." Elizabeth commented.
When she mentioned "couple" he could not help but think of them – he and Beth as a couple. They loved each other. He could not find the words when he was with her – she was bewitching, clever and full of life – and she made him tongue tied.
The next afternoon Mr. & Mrs. Bennet called with their son, John at Fitzwilliam house. After the necessary curtsies and bows, Jane rushed into her brother's arms, only to hug her parents quickly after.
Jane finally turned back and said, "John, Mama and Papa, this is Lady Elizabeth Fitzwilliam, the youngest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Matlock. Elizabeth, these are my parents, Mr. Thomas and Mrs. Fanny Bennet, and my brother, John."
Elizabeth curtsied and greeted them politely, which they returned. For Elizabeth, it was the first time she was co-hosting anything and she was a little nervous. Soon after though they were talking of books, London, Hertfordshire, her family, their family and a possible visit to Longbourn once she and Jane returned from the continent in the autumn.
While tea was brought in, a footman said: "My Lord, something has arrived for Lady Elizabeth and Miss Bennet."
"Please bring it in, Fraiser." The Earl replied.
Then four footmen carried in five armsful of roses, the Earl asked as it was obvious for his daughter and Miss Bennet. "Who are these for, Fraiser?"
"These three arms-fullare for you, Lady Elizabeth, and these are for Miss Bennet." Fraiser replied.
"From whom do these flowers come?" The Earl questioned.
"These are the cards." The Earl quickly looked at them before he handed each of the shocked girls a card.
Elizabeth read;
To My Beth. All my Love, William
Elizabeth blushed scarlet, and folded it and saved it for later. "Who sent you roses, Jane?"
Even if it was very obvious to her.
"Oh...Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth."
Elizabeth tried not to smirk at Jane, who blushed slightly.
Mrs. Bennet asked: "Who is Mr. Bingley?"
Just as Elizabeth said: "Thank you, Fraiser."
Jane blushed and Elizabeth replied, "Mrs. Bennet, he is my cousin Fitzwilliam's closest friend. He is a single man in possession of a good fortune - and therefore he must be in want of the kindest and sweetest wife possible."
Mr. and Mrs. Bennet laughed at Elizabeth's light teasing of Jane and John laughed so hard that he nearly fell of his chair, which set Elizabeth off in a laughing fit. But one look from her mother, and she quickly quieted her laughing to occasional giggles.
That night at the family dinner, Elizabeth said to William, who was her dinner partner: "Thank you for your beautiful roses, William."
William smiled at her and said: "You deserved them, Beth."
The whole table went quiet when everybody realised just how intimate a nickname William had for Elizabeth. Elizabeth and William were caught in their own private moment, as their eyes caught and told their own story of feelings, longing and deep love. It was now official how much they meant to each other.