Taking Darcy's hand, Elizabeth stepped out of the carriage, looked up and gulped. She could do this. She could pretend, at least. No, she was equal to this. She stepped forward.
Hundreds of windows sparkled with thousands of candles. Numerous carriage's lined the street ahead and behind them. She wondered for a moment, whether by some miracle, her own dress would no longer seem fit for a queen, once she was inside the undoubtedly elegant ballroom.
Then Fitzwilliam squeezed her arm against his side. She looked up at his adoring expression and forgot her nerves.
"I know I'm hardly qualified to give advice on the subject, but try to just be yourself. I'm convinced they will love you."
She laughed. There was no point in arguing with him. His advice was sound, even if he was ill-qualified to give it, not to mention an entirely un-objective judge of how much anyone might love her. But, she would try to be herself.
Georgiana had her brother's other arm. "How can you laugh, Elizabeth?"
"It is the best I can do to follow your brother's advice." Elizabeth took a deep breath and stepped up to the threshold.
Footmen attended them very efficiently, then the ladies returned to Mr Darcy's side and made their way toward the Earl and Countess of Matlock.
"Darcy, Good evening." His aunt smiled and held out her hands. "My dear, Georgiana, you look lovely."
Darcy bowed briefly. "Aunt, allow me to introduce Miss Elizabeth Bennet."
Elizabeth curtsied.
"Delighted to make your acquaintance." Lady Fitzwilliam was polite, neither cool nor enthusiastic. That she reserved judgement, was clear.
"Your ladyship." Elizabeth replied and was glad to continue along to the Earl, where she curtsied again, hoping to God she blended in.
Darcy introduced her again. The Earl gave her a nod, "Miss Bennet," and left it at that, but he said little more to Georgiana.
It was a relief to be past that challenge and on to the next. They entered the grand hall and ascended a staircase that was undoubtedly modelled after a palace.
"So far so good." Darcy gave Elizabeth a reassuring smile.
She looked up at him, unconvinced.
"They will give little indication of approval or censure in this setting."
"In other words," Georgiana added, "we won't know the verdict until tomorrow at the earliest."
"Wonderful. Another excellent night's sleep awaits." Elizabeth sighed.
"And I thought I was the one of us most likely to be discomfited by a ball." Darcy teased.
Georgiana was surprised for a moment then replied, "Only when you are hunted by matchmaking Mamas. It's too late for that now."
"Yes, but they do not know that yet."
"They will after the first dance."
Pleased at this evidence of a more confident and happy Georgiana, Darcy smiled at her and squeezed her hand.
"Surely you have opened a ball with a lady before, Mr Darcy." Elizabeth remembered at the last moment not to call him Fitzwilliam in so public a setting.
Georgiana replied for him. "Not in town. Not in years."
Elizabeth laughed. "Well then, we will set tongues wagging."
"If Georgiana will only wander the room and eavesdrop, she might report on how well we are rumour-mongering."
"Indeed," Georgiana joined the jest without a moment's consideration that she would ever intentionally eavesdrop, "I will signal you if more mooney-eyes are required. Although I doubt it will be necessary."
Fitzwilliam acted offended then laughed. His timing was perfect, laughing just as they crossed the threshold into a room full of people who had never really seen his full smile.
People turned and would have gone back to their conversations without pause, except that Fizwilliam Darcy was generally considered a brooding mystery, and here he was, laughing, with two beautiful women on his arms, only one of which could be his sister.
"That ought to do it." Colonel Fitzwilliam approached. "Cousin, Miss Bennet, Darcy." He greeted them all briefly, familiar and friendly.
"Colonel." Elizabeth curtsied.
"Cousin." Georgiana followed suit.
Darcy's smile had disappeared and he fixed the slightest glare on the Colonel.
The colonel, who enjoyed winding up his cousin as much as anyone, continued, "It's all about to begin and there's no one I'd rather dance with than you," at the last moment he switched his gaze to Georgiana, "Cousin." He flashed her a gregarious smile and offered his arm.
"I'd be... honoured." She managed to overcome her nerves and go with him.
Darcy and Elizabeth followed, trying to ignore the disproportionate amount of attention they were receiving. "Is this what its always like? A hundred pairs of eyes?"
"No, more like two hundred."
"But everyone watching you? No wonder you avoid these situations."
"They're watching you, Elizabeth." He whispered, "Just this once, I don't blame them."
She blushed.
He smiled again, setting off another round of speculations as they joined the line for the dance.
Elizabeth had been dancing since she was old enough to walk and play pretend with Jane in the sitting room. She knew this one, and probably every other dance the evening might present, well enough to execute it safely, if not elegantly, with her eyes closed.
But at that moment she feared she'd trip, or go the wrong way, or simply refuse to let go of Fitzwilliam's hand at some point.
"I was under the impression," he spoke when they came together, "that you preferred some little conversation while dancing."
"I think I'd better concentrate."
He smiled again. "I'm not sure I can behave and let that happen. I'd much rather try making you blush again."
That worked. She glared at him through an irrepressible smile. "Well, I suppose it could be worse." They parted in the dance. United again, she explained, "None of your other aunts are in attendance."
"No."
"They would not make the journey in this weather, I suppose."
"Regardless of the weather." He replied.
"That does not surprise me."
"Unfortunately, the weather might not be hindrance enough, for us."
"Really?"
"I can only assume my Uncle has kept silent. If Lady Catherine has heard the news, then she will undoubtedly be on her way."
They parted for some time. When they came back together again, Elizabeth said, "Well now I feel better. I will survive this evening only to be eaten for breakfast tomorrow."
"I'll protect you."
"At least with Lady Catherine I know what to expect, I suppose."
"I remember you once telling me that attempts at intimidation only increased your courage."
"That sounds like me."
The dance ended and Darcy led her off to the side. She was introduced to more people than she would ever remember. Short conversation followed obligatory greeting and Elizabeth was relieved to see Georgiana approaching them, on Colonel Fitzwilliam's arm.
"Are you enjoying your evening?"
"Everything is so beautiful, Colonel." Elizabeth replied.
"Naturally," he rolled his eyes a little, "Have you been discovered yet?"
"Probably," Darcy answered, "How are you finding it all, Georgiana?"
"Not entirely overwhelming," she smiled, "but then Colonel Fitzwilliam always puts me at ease. When he's not teasing mercilessly of course."
"Do you tease him in return, Georgiana?" Elizabeth asked.
"No. I do not wish to encourage him."
Elizabeth laughed.
"Yes, well," the Colonel decided to take the reigns of the conversation, "I believe my parents would like a word." He smiled at Darcy's expression, "Shall we all go together?"
"Please," Elizabeth murmured.
Georgiana squeezed her hand. "Just in case William forgot to mention it, you look lovely tonight. I think we did rather well together, did we not?"
Elizabeth smiled. "Indeed, we'll have to make a habit of talking one another into more and more extravagant gowns."
"There you are, my dear. Did you get lost?" Lady Fitzwilliam said to her younger son.
"My dear cousin cannot, in her début season, cross a ballroom without numerous delays. You should be proud of her Mama."
"Of Georgiana I am nothing but proud. Richard, you should know better than to blame your young cousin for your own tardiness."
The Colonel bowed, "Forgive me, Cousin."
Georgiana, not entirely certain what to make of the exchange, curtsied prettily and hoped everyone would focus there attention elsewhere.
Her brother noticed her discomfort and spoke up, "You've outdone yourself, Aunt. What a delightful evening."
"Wait until you see the supper spread." Another gentleman joined them. "And this must be the famous Miss Bennet. I hear I am to congratulate you. Very quietly."
Elizabeth smiled despite herself. There was no missing the similarity. Elizabeth's guess was soon confirmed.
Colonel Fitzwilliam intervened, "My brother, Miss Bennet, Lord Anthony Fitzwilliam."
She curtsied, "M'Lord."
"I rather think a game of billiards is in order." The Earl made to leave and a moment later his sons followed.
With a squeeze, Darcy let go of Elizabeth's arm and bowed to his Aunt, then followed his uncle and cousins.
"At last," Lady Fitzwilliam smiled.
Elizabeth summoned her courage. "You have a lovely home, Lady Fitzwilliam."
"And at its best this evening, if I do say so myself."
Georgiana turned to look out at the room. "Everything is so beautiful."
"I'm glad you like it, my dear. You brother can afford to be antisocial, I suppose, but I must have you stay with me if he will not bring you to town for the whole of your next season. Do you like to dance, Miss Bennet?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Did Darcy make an exception or did you meet him at some other venue?"
"No, we met at a dance, and there was no exception." Elizabeth answered, somewhat cryptically.
"And yet here we are." The Lady replied.
"Would you believe that prior to this evening I had danced only once with Mr Darcy?"
She considered the young woman before her, then replied, "It is not so hard as you might imagine, knowing Darcy."
"Perhaps I needn't brave many strange ballrooms after all." Georgiana said, surprising herself.
"Or perhaps you will prefer a gentleman who enjoys dancing. There are good men in the world, my dear, who are not entirely like your brother."
Elizabeth felt sorry for Georgiana and determined to draw attention away from her. "They certainly needn't all be strange ballrooms, either way, Miss Darcy. You were saying only last week that it has been too long since your home has hosted one."
Georgiana smiled. "I will gladly leave the hosting to you Miss Bennet, but I think William will acquiesce if we both ask him."
"Perhaps at the beginning of the next season." Lady Fitzwilliam liked the idea, if not the part about Miss Bennet playing host ahead of Georgiana. But the friendship between them was clearly good for her shy niece, Darcy was smiling and this young woman from the middle of nowhere was standing up rather bravely to the evening's no doubt daunting introduction to the ton. Darcy could certainly have done worse.
"We will have to host a few parties at Pemberley over the summer, Elizabeth, to build our courage." Georgiana looked fondly at her soon-to-be sister.
"That sounds lovely, Georgiana." Elizabeth forgot to say 'Miss Darcy' but the slip did more good than harm. Lady Fitzwilliam could see this was no fawning fortune hunter, no manipulative two-faced social-climber, working her way to the brother through the sister.
Meanwhile, the gentlemen were much less polite about it.
"Doesn't look like a fortune-hunter to me." Sir Anthony chalked his cue.
"That's not necessary." The Colonel said, then began the game, sinking several balls in one strike.
"It's entirely necessary." The Earl waited for Darcy to start their game at the other table.
"Were you ever tempted, father? To go to the country where no one knew you from Adam, and see what it was like?" Sir Anthony asked, rather bravely.
Perhaps the Earl appreciated the courage, or was simply in a good mood. "I know better than to think you've romanticised the idea of country girls who fall in love at the drop of the hat."
"Why go so far as the country?" The colonel asked and hit the nail on the head, so to speak. His brother glared at him.
"Are you trying to tell me," the Earl ignored his sons' increasingly competitive game of billiards, and leaned in to take his own shot. He sunk a single ball and moved to follow the white, "that Miss Bennet did not know your worth when she agreed to marry you?"
"Anthony knows nothing of it," Colonel Fitzwilliam interrupted again, "and Darcy made no such claim."
"Then what is Anthony talking about?"
"He's closer than he knows." Darcy joined the conversation.
All three paused, listening for further explanation.
"Unfortunately, rumours travel just as fast as carriages, and I've never made a great effort to disguise myself because, naturally, I believed I would marry within the first circles where I was known. And unlike some, I'd never take advantage of giddy girls in love, in town or in the country."
"Your turn Richard," Anthony smacked the chalk down on the edge of the table in front of his brother.
"Hold on," Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned against the table, "she knew your station, your wealth, all of that. So how is Anthony close to the truth."
Darcy sighed, this was it. "She knew it all, and she still refused me."
"Ah, you've been taken in." The Earl banged his cue down on the floor. "It's a game some women play, teasing young fools. One moment she was charming and flirtatious, am I right? The next distant and unavailable. You've been taken in."
"She turned you down?" The Colonel's mouth hung open. He was the only one of his immediate family who know Miss Bennet well enough to know that she was nothing like the woman his father had just described. "When? Oh."
Darcy glared at him.
"That takes courage," Anthony watched his brother, trying to crack the case, "Not many women would risk refusing Darcy, hoping he'd humble himself, chase them around the room and ask them again."
"Right under Aunt Catherine's nose." Colonel Fitzwilliam shook his head, every moment more amused.
"You proposed at Rosings?" Anthony got on the bandwagon.
"No," The Colonel answered for him, "at the parsonage."
Darcy could scarce believe it. What had possessed him to tell these cretins, these merciless jesters, of his most humiliating moment? The Earl was watching him. He picked up his cue and played his turn.
"Well done, Miss Bennet." The Colonel just kept going.
"At Easter then?" Anthony was still trying to piece the puzzle together. "But that's months ago. Have you been secretly engaged for so long?"
"No," The Colonel answered, "No, she refused and she meant it. You remember last summer, Anthony. He was trying to give her up."
The earl played his turn, and badly. He was too interested in watching the rather dark storm creeping beneath his nephew's expression.
"Well, clearly, I've been living in a dream world." Anthony put his cue back on the stand, giving up the game now that his opponent was entirely disinterested. "Who would've thought?"
Darcy played a final excellent shot and then stood up straight, "Yes, well." He put his cue on the table, bowed and left them to debrief his pathetic history, only hoping that the sacrifice of his pride might abate the cold civility of his uncle, and hasten Elizabeth's welcome to the family.
"There you are, Darcy."
He stopped cold. The familiar screech of his other aunt reverberating in his skull.
"I have heard the most outrageous report and I must insist on it being universally contradicted."
He took a deep breath and then slowly turned to face Lady Catherine deBourgh.