Author's Note: Thank you so much for your reviews. Your encouragement is needed and greatly appreciated. Many of you have speculated as to the identity of the mysterious redhead but that will not be revealed until Chapter 3. Chapters 1 and 2 set the stage for Chapter 3 and may seem like just a lot of fluff. But there are important bits buried here and there. I ask you to forgive me for referring to Swan Lake which was actually written in 1876. It just came out in the dialog. I hope you enjoy Chapter 2. The story is unbeta'd so all the errors are my own. Review, but please be kind.

Chapter 2

Wednesday, October 7, 1812

With squeals of delight, the children ran toward the Serpentine where the swans were gliding through the water or preening their feathers along the shoreline. Fitzwilliam had proposed the early afternoon excursion to Hyde Park so that they might take advantage of the pleasant October weather. The Gardiner children, Grace, Jonathan, Emma, and Adam, ranging in age from ten to four years, were followed by their two nursemaids. Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam hurried to catch up while Jane and Charles more sedately brought up the rear.

Elizabeth had brought breadcrumbs to divide amongst the children, and soon they were surrounded by a bevy of swans clamoring for their share of the tasty treat. The children were delighted with their antics; however, four-year-old Adam was quick to decide that he found more enjoyment in those antics from the safety of Elizabeth's arms. Therefore, Fitzwilliam became the bearer of the breadcrumbs, dispensing handfuls to the children.

When the supply of treats was depleted, one demanding cob became rather indignant and decided to show his outrage by flapping his wings, honking, and nipping at Fitzwilliam's shiny, black Hessians. In great consternation, the gentleman tried to lift his feet one at a time to avoid the swan's beak while maintaining his dignity, but the angry swan persisted.

Charles called out, cheerily, "That is some fancy footwork there, Darce. Quite elegant of you. I imagine that they've never seen the like at Almacks."

Darcy gave him a rueful grin. "I'm a bit overset here. I hope that he exhausts himself soon. Stevens will be quite put out if the cob mars the shine on my boots."

The others looked on in amusement which turned into alarm when an angry pen joined in the attack. The two swans had worked themselves up into a state and Fitzwilliam was weighing his options on the best way to extricate himself from the situation.

Elizabeth, having had enough of the swans' ill manners towards her beloved, transferred Adam to the arms of his nurse. Then she quickly shimmied out of her pelisse and ran toward the swans waving it in their faces and yelling at them to desist. The surprised birds wisely chose to retreat but squawked their indignation all the while as they made for the safety of the water.

The children cheered Elizabeth's bravery while the grownups looked on in amusement at her unconventional means of dealing with the rude waterfowl.

Bingley glanced around and seeing that no one had witnessed the altercation, quipped. "Where are the society gossips when you need them? Darcy, I would love to read about your encounter with the old cob in the society pages. Those fancy steps you performed were very well done. Perhaps years from now some great composer will use them as inspiration for some famous performance. Let's see, it could be called The Dance of the Swans or better yet, Darcy's Dance with the Swans." He laughed uproariously at his own joke. "And you, Elizabeth, so decisive in your dealings with the pesky birds. In marrying her Darcy, you will never be unprotected on your excursions to the park."

Jane rolled her eyes at her fiancé. "I'm sure that the swans meant no harm. Don't tease Fitzwilliam so, my dear."

Looking amused but, also, a bit affronted, Fitzwilliam helped Elizabeth don her pelisse. He replied, "Regardless, they were very ungrateful birds. See if they get any more breadcrumbs from me."

The ladies indicated that it was time to head back to their carriages and proceeded to gather the children for the return trip home.

Adam wriggled down from the arms of his nurse and made his way over to Fitzwilliam lifting his arms to be picked up. The tall man immediately complied, raising the young boy to sit up on his shoulders. Likewise, Emma ran up and took Elizabeth's hand. As they made their way to the park gate, Emma tugged Elizabeth's hand and said shyly, "You were so brave, Cousin Elizabeth. When I get big, I hope that I will be as brave as you."

Darcy, hearing the young girl's words, nudged Elizabeth's shoulder and said softly, "Yes, my Elizabeth, you were so very brave. You saved me, my darling."

Elizabeth gazed into his brilliant blue eyes and whispered, "I will always save you, my dear."

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Elizabeth shivered as she locked eyes with the dear man waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs. He was beautiful in his evening wear. Tall, noble, handsome, and yes, beautiful. She shivered at the flash of emotion that she saw reflected in his intense stare. It was the same stare that had confused her at the beginning of their acquaintance. Now that they had overcome all of their misunderstandings, she could recognize that his eyes were full of love and admiration.

When she stood before him, he whispered, "My beautiful hero." Then he took her gloved hand, placed a kiss on the back of it, and tucked it into the crook of his arm. She knew that her own eyes mirrored his emotions as they boarded the coach for the ride to the opera house.

The past two days had been a whirlwind of visits, shopping, and fittings. On this particular evening, they were to see the popular opera, The Marriage of Figaro. Elizabeth was familiar with some of the music from the opera but had never seen it performed. Thus, her anticipation was high.

After they pulled up to the opera house, Mr. Darcy handed her down from the carriage, laid her hand on his arm, and guided their party through the throng of people standing in the lobby. Elizabeth was pleased that she was wearing one of her new gowns and felt that she looked like she belonged in such exalted company. Their progress was halted several times as various people hailed Darcy to request introductions to their party. Most of them were kind and gave sincere congratulations for their upcoming nuptials. However, some were condescending with barely concealed disdain. Darcy was proud of the way that Elizabeth sweetly, yet archly, handled the more curious and intrusive of those with whom they spoke.

In consternation, Darcy rolled his eyes when he spotted the ostrich-feather bedecked Caroline Bingley bearing down on them. "Mr. Darcy, how good it is to see you and how fortuitous that our parties should meet up like this." She disdainfully eyed Elizabeth. "What a surprise to see you here, Miss Eliza. You must be thrilled to be able to partake of one of the premier entertainments of London."

This was the first time that the haughty lady had been in company with the affianced couples due to her scheme to separate Charles and Jane early on in their acquaintance. Because of her maliciousness, Charles had banned Caroline from his estate near the Bennet's estate of Longbourn, and had informed her that she would be allowed to come for only one day before the wedding and would leave immediately after the wedding breakfast.

And now, it was apparent that although she was fully aware of the engagement of Elizabeth to Mr. Darcy, she was affecting ignorance to avoid having to congratulate them.

Before Darcy or Elizabeth could respond to her scornful remarks, Charles moved forward to confront his supercilious sister and greet the Hursts who were trailing behind her. "This is a surprise. I was unaware that you intended to attend the opera tonight. I am certain that you are thrilled to be able to wish Miss Bennet and I, as well as Miss Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy, joy in our engagements."

Instantaneously Miss Bingley's simpering expression shifted to one that made her appear as if she had been sucking on lemons. "Yes, of course. Congratulations to you all."

The Hursts also offered a murmured congratulations as Louisa glanced uncertainly at the various members of the Darcy party all the while nervously playing with her bracelets.

Caroline quickly schooled her features to appear more appealing while covetously eyeing Darcy. "Mr. Darcy, since we have been so fortunate as to meet up with you tonight, would it not be delightful if we were to make a merry party of it and sit together for the performance?"

Darcy looked briefly at Charles before summoning up an apologetic smile. "I regret that it is not possible. For, as you can see, our party is too large to allow you to join us in my box. There are no more seats available. Thus, it would be best if we continue on as originally planned. Good night, Miss Bingley, Mr. and Mrs. Hurst. I hope that you enjoy the entertainment." With that, he nodded and drew Elizabeth down the corridor and up the steps to his box. Elizabeth glanced back to see an angry Caroline venting her frustration to a weary-looking Louisa.

From the vantage point of the Darcy private box, they had an excellent view of the stage. She and Jane were seated on the front row of the box with Mr. Darcy beside her and Mr. Bingley next to Jane. The Gardiners and Mr. Bennet sat on the second row.

Mr. Darcy leaned over to Elizabeth and asked, "Are you well, Elizabeth?"

She smiled up at him, "Yes, I admit that it was a bit overwhelming to meet so many of your acquaintances. However, I was not surprised at Miss Bingley's behavior. After all, she has never favored me, and I did manage to win your favor which she so desired."

"Well, I hope that the night's performance will make up for any unpleasantness."

"Certainly, your box is perfectly positioned to afford me much enjoyment. I have been to this theater once before, but I have never watched from a private box. The view of the stage is superb. I love to arrive before the performance begins: to see the theater fill with people and to hear the orchestra tuning up."

"I, on the other hand, prefer to slip in just as the lights go down. However, since this night's performance was rumored to be well attended, I knew that it necessitated an early arrival to avoid the crush in the lobby. I recall that you said that you are familiar with this opera." He said as he handed her a set of opera glasses.

"Somewhat. The musical scores are among my favorites. I only hope that I will be able to attend to them properly, as my Italian is not as fluent as I would like."

"Let me be of service to you in that capacity. Not to sound boastful, but my Italian is quite good. I shall try to fill in the gaps for you when needed," he said with a rather expressive smile.

Elizabeth's breath caught at his words. With a slight blush on her cheeks, she gave him a shy smile. As the theater lights lowered, the orchestra began its introduction. He surreptitiously took her hand in his and relinquished it only at the interval. Throughout the performance, he whispered the translation close to her ear. His soft breath tickled the back of her neck and made her heart race. How she loved him.

During the first interval, a few of Darcy's friends made their way to the Darcy box to greet him and request introductions to his party. Among them was a gentleman with the most vivid green eyes that Elizabeth had ever seen. Elizabeth would have deemed him handsome if not for his foppish attire and his bored, self-important demeanor.

Darcy introduced him as his cousin, Robert Fitzwilliam, Viscount Lisle, son and heir to the Earl of Matlock. The Viscount gazed about him with a vapid air. He said all that was proper concerning his anticipation of the next evening's dinner at his parents' home, as well as expressing his approbation for their engagement, before taking his leave.

As they resumed their seats for the performance, Darcy considered his cousin and his rakish lifestyle. Lisle's gaming and womanizing were legendary amongst London's society. Furthermore, he knew that the Earl, instead of endeavoring to rein in his son's debauched habits, encouraged him in his dissipation. "Gentlemen must sow their wild oats, my boy." The Earl had only intervened once and that was when the Viscount had become entangled with a young widow who found herself with child. Although she was the widow of a Baron, she had been left barely solvent by her deceased husband. Thus, the Earl of Matlock had fobbed her off on a rich estate owner who was desirous of wedding a titled lady and unaware of her condition. The Earl had been unwilling to waste Lisle on an impoverished widow and considered that he was destined for a brilliant match affording him wealth and connections. His penchant for gambling made it incumbent that he marry a well dowered lady.

In contrast, Darcy's father had trained him to observe a stricter standard. Morality and propriety were drilled into Fitzwilliam from an early age. He was no green boy, but he had shunned the salacious habits of so many in society. Furthermore, he had looked down on the rakes and dandies that he had grown up with and was proud of his adherence to a higher code of conduct than those of Lisle's ilk.

He closed his eyes for a moment, thankful that he was not like his cousin and that he and Elizabeth had such a blessed future ahead of them, filled with love and fidelity.