Notes: Half chapter

Edited by SamH294

PPP

"Sebastian, you are just in time to have tea with us. Mr. and Miss Darcy have arrived. Would you like to join us?" Mr. Barton shook hands with his cousin.

"Of course, I came to have tea with you."

After greeting everyone politely, he sat down between Mary and his cousin. He looked at Miss Bennet who was looking very pretty dressed in a yellow gown, with yellow ribbons in her hair, and asked her with a smile,

"Are you leaving tomorrow, Miss Bennet?"

Lizzy nodded, "Yes, my Lord. My uncle will fetch me very early tomorrow morning."

Lord Sebastian nodded, "Excellent, I want to take this opportunity to remind you that in a few weeks, my 'special' ball is to take place. I need you to write me your London address to send you an invitation. You know, you must attend!"

Lizzy laugh lightly, and smilingly answered, "I didn't know it was mandatory to attend your ball, my Lord."

With a solemn face, he nodded and replied, "Yes; It is mandatory. It is an order of the marquis XXXX..., and since I am only his humble son, I obey his orders and I am telling you word for word what my father told me."

Everyone laughed except Darcy. Lord Sebastian smiling added, "Seriously, Miss Bennet, I would like to see you at my ball, and if you agree, I wish to dance at least one set with you. Please extend the invitation to your entire family and in particular to Miss Campbell and her family."

Lizzy nodded, "I gladly accept the invitation, and I will dance with you." With a smile, she added, "In addition, I will extend the invitation to my family and to the Campbells."

"Are you going to be happy to see me at your ball, my Lord?" Darcy asked Lord Sebastian with annoyance. He didn't like at all the way Lord Sebastian was flirting with Miss Bennet. Given the marked social differences between them, he was sure Lord Sebastian was simply having fun with her. Miss Bennet was a very special young lady who did not deserve that kind of treatment, and he wouldn't allow Lord Sebastian to behave this way, raising her expectations that he wouldn't meet.

"You know very well Darcy that you are my guest of honor." He replied dryly and looking at Georgiana he tenderly added, "you are very pretty today, Miss Darcy. That light blue gown highlights the color of your eyes."

"Thank you, my Lord. This gown is my brother's favorite."

"It is my favorite, too." He answered with a smile.

The rest of the afternoon they talked about lighthearted and amusing topics, and except for Darcy whose temper deepened when Lord Sebastian made gallant comments to Miss Bennet and Georgiana, the rest agreed it was an enjoyable afternoon.

When the time came for everyone to go home, Lord Sebastian surreptitiously told Darcy that he needed to speak to him urgently, and made an appointment for early the next day, at the perimeter fence...