A/N: Thank you all for reading and reviewing. The general impression is that Bingley is bad news. I am a little more charitable. I heard that a man's brain is not completely grown until age 25. Bingley is obviously one of them.

When I was looking for a first name for Mr. Keynes, I decided to use Egerton, which was the name of the Bridgewater dukedom. I bet you the Bridgerton series has the same idea.

Some of you wonder what has happened to Mary. Wonder no more! Those in the US have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Chapter 31

The religious people of Clapham had a reputation for being saintly, but when a rumor from town came their way involving two who lived among them, many could not help spreading the abhorrent news. Mrs. Trumbull aroused much anger from the usually charitable people of Clapham because she had injured the pure-hearted Miss Mary Bennet by association.

After one Sunday service, the Bennet ladies were not shunned, but their neighbors stayed a few paces away, eyeing the four handsome women. Mrs. Lytle, being hard of hearing, had not yet heard the gossip.

One of the curious matrons of the church came over to ask, "Mrs. Bennet, how could you allow Miss Mary to work for such an immoral woman?"

Mrs. Bennet had not known until that moment of any condemnation of Mrs. Trumbull.

She was disgusted by this attack against herself and Mrs. Trumbull, who had been nothing but kind and generous toward her family.

"Balderdash! My Mary told me she traveled overland with the young Miss Trumbulls and their governess and nurses to Mrs. Trumbull's estate in Wales. Mrs. Trumbull went separately by sea to meet them because she fancied a voyage. She is very rich, you know. She can do whatever she has a mind to, like any rich man. Of course, she needed a strong young man to escort her on this sea journey."

The matron asked, "Is it not indecent for a lady to have a male guard traveling with her unchaperoned?"

"How were they unchaperoned? She has footmen and maids accompanying her in addition to Mr. Rocco, who was her late husband's ward. He is, in truth, a member of the Trumbull family. Busybodies in town saw Mr. Rocco in the carriage with her and started a vicious rumor that the ignorant people here help to spread. I am ashamed of… not you, but the rest of these hypocrites!" Mrs. Bennet shook her finger at those who, though keeping their distance, were listening to every word she uttered.

"Mr. Rocco has been traveling with the Trumbulls for years. He came from Italy as a boy to live with his cousin, who owns a pugilist club in London. Mr. Trumbull heard him play the pianoforte in the dining room of the club one day and was so impressed by the young man's musical talent that he offered young Mr. Rocco a job in his household. When Mr. Trumbull became ill, only Mr. Rocco's music could calm his mind.

"If he were to marry, it would most likely be to my Mary from the way she talks about him—he improved her pianoforte skills ten times over, she was the instrument God used to lead Mr. Rocco to Himself, and on and on. I have not met him, but if Mary has chosen him, he must be a young man with a good heart. Mr. Trumbull left him a handsome inheritance. He can afford to marry. He will be my son. Mark my words!"

So, the good people of Clapham became the first to discard the rumor as nonsense. They were also very glad that the gentle, pious Miss Bennet had found a worthy young man to marry. Within a few days, the rumor died away, even in Town, for Lord Byron obligingly supplied new grist for the gossip mill.

Within the royal household, Elizabeth was gradually gaining a firm foothold. Her friendship with Princess Elizabeth was a boon to her usually monotonous existence. When she was at Windsor, Colonel Fitzwilliam was a comfort. His cheerful mien and sage advice helped bolster her confidence. Her only occupation was to wait for the next time she could meet the gentleman of her heart.

In the meantime, the Queen remained aloof, and the princesses scurried soundlessly around their mother. One day, to Elizabeth's great astonishment, the Queen halted a conversation in German with Mrs. Waldheim to say, "Miss Bennet, if you still desire a private presentation for your sisters, bring them in after the next drawing room on Thursday because I plan to remain at Windsor for the foreseeable future."

Elizabeth was flabbergasted. Just when she thought the Queen Consort was cold and indifferent to everyone around her, including her own daughters, Her Majesty exhibited such kindness and thoughtfulness. That she remembered such a small promise made months ago was unbelievable, but very well appreciated. Elizabeth took the opportunity to ask permission for Miss Darcy to be included as well.

"She is the sister of your young man, is she not?" asked the Queen causally.

"Yes, madam." That was all Elizabeth could say. She had suspected the Queen knew her every move, and now she had proof.

Her Majesty abruptly returned to her conversation with the other Keeper of the Robes, and Elizabeth was dismissed soon after.

When she next saw the Darcys, it was when the siblings left London to take refuge from the scandal about Mrs. Trumbull and Mr. Rocco.

"You may want to know that Mr. Rocco and your sister, Miss Mary Bennet, are courting. So there was never any danger present between Mrs. Trumbull and him," said Mr. Darcy, a little sheepishly because his sister was present, and he did not want to appear a gossip.

"Oh, good for Mary! Mr. Rocco never said more than five words to me: 'My business is finished here.'" Elizabeth lowered her voice to imitate Mr. Rocco, who had a pleasant bass voice. Both siblings laughed at Elizabeth's antics.

"Both Miss Mary and Mr. Rocco have changed noticeably in the last few weeks. Miss Mary looks much more like you now with her hair styled like yours, and her dresses like any fashionable young lady. Mr. Rocco smiles a great deal more as well. When I first attended the gatherings, he looked almost glum."

Elizabeth wanted to say, "Just like someone I know!" But she decided against it. It was perhaps too early to tease the Darcy siblings.

They went on to speak about Elizabeth requesting leave to attend the upcoming wedding of Jane and Mr. Lytle, and the all-important permission from Her Majesty to marry.

Just then, they turned a corner and came to the farm cottage of Princess Elizabeth. Her Royal Highness was crouching down to examine the newly planted vegetable garden. In her plain dress and almost unladylike posture, one never would have guessed her identity.

Elizabeth did the introductions. Miss Darcy was completely awe-struck. She was so nervous when she performed the deep curtsy that she almost fell.

The princess was equally awe-struck, but by a different person. She stared at Mr. Darcy and said in a dreamy voice, "Mr. Keynes…"

Mr. Darcy was extremely embarrassed. With other ladies who ogled him, he put on his most haughty mien by clenching his jaws and looking forbidding. But he was in front of a royal princess, who was also Elizabeth's ally in the tangled web of the Royal household. Surprising himself, he lowered his head to hide his face from the Princess's adoration.

After a few moments, the Princess remembered her manners in public. She said kindly, "Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy, do you enjoy gardening?"

The Princess gave a tour of her garden and small farm to the Darcy siblings, all the while stealing glances at the handsome gentleman. Elizabeth remembered Colonel Fitzwilliam's warning about not letting her betrothed be in contact with the princesses more than necessary.

At the end of the garden tour, Mr. Darcy complimented the Princess sincerely on the excellent management of her agricultural innovations, making the Princess blush fiercely with pleasure while batting her eyelashes shamelessly.

Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth could barely contain their mirth when walking away from the Princess until they heard the dreaded question from Miss Darcy: "Brother, why did Her Royal Highness call you Mr. Keynes?"

Mr. Darcy stopped short. He had forgotten half of the family did not know the truth about 'First Impressions' being partially autobiographical.

Elizabeth, quick-witted in situations like this, answered, "Georgiana, Princess Elizabeth, like all her sisters, loves 'First Impressions.' They live like hermits, and do not see many young and handsome men like your brother. You must excuse Her Royal Highness's fancy."

Mr. Darcy beamed proudly at his betrothed, pleased she considered him handsome. His smile dropped when Miss Darcy asked, timidly this time, "Lizzy must be Miss Isabella Delancey then?" Both of her companions were startled by Georgiana's perceptiveness.

When Miss Darcy realized she had inadvertently voiced her speculation aloud, the young girl lowered her head and said softly, "Forgive me, Lizzy, Brother. I did not mean to speak my own fancy out loud. My only excuse is that I also lead a sheltered life and allowed my imagination to roam without restraint."

Elizabeth asked gently, "What made you think I resemble a fictional character, Georgiana? I am intrigued."

"Your… lighthearted, easy conversations during our walks have impressed me deeply. I could not name it until Princess Elizabeth's remark reminded me that they were how Mr. Keynes and Miss Delancey banter in the novel. It is uncanny… to my… mind. I hope you do not mind my drawing such nonsensical conclusions from a novel."

Mr. Darcy decided he would need to speak with Georgiana once they were back in London. Continuing to disguise the truth from this point on amounted to deceit. He and Elizabeth passed each other a meaningful look, confirming that disclosure was inevitable.