A/N - In response to a question regarding Sir and Dame Robinson:
I did a little research to find exactly how I wanted them to be. It would have been easy to choose the Matlocks, but also might have been farfetched, at this point in the story. So I chose Baronet:
Baronet and Dame - Baronets are not peers, but rather the highest rank of the gentry class. They do not sit in the House of Lords and if they commit a crime they are tried in the regular courts. Baronets are hereditary knights and are thus use "Sir" with their given names.
(I was surprised about the Dame as well)
I felt more authentic towards the line the Gardiners, and Darcys, are standing on. Being between the old guard and the new. At this point still, most higher ranking peers would not necessarily be cool with rubbing elbows with tradesmen in their homes.

Thank you sysa22! I am corrected. I will change the chapter to reflect Mr. and Dame Robinson, as Dame would be if she was a Baroness in her own right.

-HBR-

Chapter 6

George and Anne breakfasted in their room and sent a note to William to meet them at Eleven o'clock that morning in his father's study.

His parents were already there sitting in the comfortable chairs by the fireplace. William entered and moved to stand near them.

He had barely stopped moving before his mother began, "Fitzwilliam Alexander Darcy, I do not think I have ever been so ashamed of you. I am most seriously displeased. The Gardiners are our friends and they are good people. Your father and I are embarrassed by your behavior last night."

"Forgive me, Mother, Father, I will apologize to the Gardiners for my intemperate remark."

"Apologize! How shall you do that, pray? By admitting your derogatory comment was not meanly meant? That will surely make it worse, as it will confirm our son as the snob the rest of the Ton already know him to be. One who thinks his parents' friends are beneath him."

William shuffled the toe of his boot into the carpet. "Well, the next time-

"You believe there will be a next time? If I could, I would throw you back into the school room." Lady Anne looked at her husband who was completely silent until that point. "You speak to your son, I am too angry."

"Really, Mother, you are making too much of this. An apology and it will all be smoothed over. Especially if I pay attention to their niece-

"That. Is. Enough! George Darcy erupted. "I do not know where you got this attitude from, but it will cease. If you do not make an effort to curb your conceit, any chance you may have at felicity in your life, will instead become a living nightmare of loneliness."

William's expression shuttered, as George continued speaking in a low voice.

"Do you truly believe the randomness of being born to privilege makes you better than those who must work for a living?"

William was turning a bit green, "I never really considered it. At school it was always them and us."

"I am fully aware many of the old guard do still think that way, but the world is changing. Very soon there will be no them and us, and it will be even sooner as bankrupt estates require the daughters of wealthy tradesmen to marry their sons."

"William, you may claim your mother does not understand your experiences, but I assure you, I do. I was in your shoes. Yes, I was engaged, but even an engaged man, who is the only son of a prosperous estate, has to fight off the daughters, sisters and nieces."

"With all that, they were simply women, using the tools they were taught by their parents. In the end I married for love and your mother and I have been happy every day of our lives together."

"Tell me son, what are you so afraid of? For, unless you want to end up in a cold and unfulfilling marriage, you must tear down the walls you have encased your heart in. Only a man who is open and honest can attract a woman who is the same."

Lady Anne looked at her son, and took over from her husband, speaking in a very quiet tone. "I beg you to take a long look at yourself and reflect on not what you will gain from a wife, but what do you have, aside from wealth and connections, to offer a young lady who is worthy of being pleased."

"Pray, think seriously about what we are saying, my dear Son." She took a breath. "We are to be much in company with the Gardiners and their niece this season." She was watching him closely so saw when his eyes flickered.

"When you feel the correct time to apologize comes up, you will do so. Not for your rudeness, but for being so unwell, you misspoke out of turn. Until then, you will be polite to each and every one of them. I only ask you to leave Miss Bennet be. You made a very bad impression on her and I think it best if you keep a courteous distance."

"Nonsense, Mother. A little attention, and a few compliments, and she will be more than happy to be in my company."

Lady Anne looked at him and just shook her head. He had already turned away to leave the room, so he did not see the little smirk she wore.

- HBR -

Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner left the house with the two eldest children accompanied by a footman and a maid. They all journeyed to Hyde Park in the Gardiner's carriage.

"It is a beautiful day today. We are lucky the sun is shining. Are you both looking forward to our outing to the park?"

"Yes, Lizzy. Will we see the ducks?" Esther was bouncing on the seat in her excitement.

"We shall make the ducks our first stop, once we have met up with our friends."

"Did you remember to bring bread crumbs?" Eddie was looking out the window, but turned his head to question his cousin.

"I did."

"Are we really going to meet a princess?"

"A princess? Esther, whatever do you mean?"

"Miss Darcy. You said she is a princess."

"I said she is pretty as a princess. She has very pretty long blonde hair, quite similar to Jane's."

"Cousin Jane is pretty as a princess, and so are you, even though your hair is not blonde. Will Miss Darcy play with me?" Elizabeth removed the end of Esther's braid she had begun chewing on.

"I believe she will. She is a very nice girl."

Edward turned away from the window again. "Aww, she will probably only play girl games."

Elizabeth gave him a mock stern look. "I am a girl, do I only play girl games?"

"Nooo, but you are not like other girls."

Elizabeth smiled at her cousin, "Thank you, Eddie, that is a wonderful compliment."

"I believe Miss Darcy might enjoy the park as much as we all will. Let us see how everyone feels after visiting with the ducks, hmm?"

Mrs. Gardiner was biting her lip looking out the window. She glanced quickly at Elizabeth, but averted her gaze before she lost her countenance. "We have arrived. Now children, I expect you to stay together and not run off."

Everyone got out of the carriage assisted by the footman and made sure the breadcrumbs, two blankets and a ball were all in hand. "Come, I told our friends we would meet by Grosvenor gate."

They arrived first, but waited only a few minutes before Lady Anne and Georgiana approached, followed by the governess and two footmen.

After the greetings, introductions, bow and curtseys were complete, Elizabeth clapped her hands together.

"Shall we feed the ducks first?" All three children cheered and the group moved in the direction of the pond.

"Come along then and we shall make our way to the pond. No running! Stay with the group. The ducks are not going anywhere."

Lady Anne and Madeline walked at a slightly slower pace than the others.

"Elizabeth figured it would break the ice and give them all time to grow comfortable with one another."

"It is a fine idea."

By the time all the bread crumbs were devoured by the loud fowl. The children were chatting away like old friends.

Moving to find a sheltered area to spread the blankets, Lady Anne overheard a sigh from Elizabeth.

"Miss Bennet, are you well?"

"I am, I thank you. I was just marveling at the children. It is so wonderful to see, but it makes me wonder why we lose this gift after we have grown."

"Making friends so easily?"

"And with no prejudices."

"Miss Bennet, please accept my apologies for the night of the musicale."

"My Lady, you owe me no apologies."

"Perhaps not, but as I already explained to your aunt he is my son, and a mother never outgrows her need to make things right for her children." Lady Anne touched Elizaeth's arm to halt her step. "I hope you will not be uncomfortable should you find yourself in his company again."

"No ma'am, I am not made for ill humor. I do reserve the right to tease him mercilessly, however."

"On that, my dear, you have my full backing".

-HBR-

The evening of the Allen's ball arrived and Mrs. Gardiner was excited to see Elizabeth dance the night away.

"I think you should wear the white dress with the blue embroidery. I know our mother never let you wear blue stating it was Jane's color, but that is nonsense. In any case your coloring suits a darker blue than the pale blues Jane preferred. I think it turned out beautiful and, let me see, here - this blue ribbon matches perfectly. I thought it might. It brings out the brown of your eyes, my dear." Madeline finally stopped chattering and took a deep breath.

"My goodness Aunt, I think you are more nervous than I am." Elizabeth grabbed both her hands and squeezed. "We will all have a wonderful time tonight, Aunt. Even if I do not dance every dance." She smirked.

Madeline flapped her hand at her niece, "Oh you." Turning to Sarah, the maid, "I think perhaps these will work well in Elizabeth's hair this evening." Pulling a box out of her dressing gown pocket, she opened it and showed the contents to her niece.

Inside were hairpins tipped with beads of white and blue to match the dress. "These are perfect. You are too kind to me."

"It is our pleasure, Lizzy." Madeline kissed her cheek and turned to exit the room, saying over her shoulder, "Now hurry up, we do not want to be late."

- HBR -

William overheard his parents talking about the ball they would be attending that night. He paid it no great mind, until Gardiner was mentioned.

Miss Bennet will be there. Not informing his parents he intended to be there as well he went to his rooms to prepare for the ball.

The dancing had already begun when William entered the ball room. When heads turned in her son's direction Lady Anne excused herself and walked over to where he was standing and looking around the room.

"William, what are you doing here?"

"I heard you and Father talking about the ball, and wish to see Miss Bennet again."

"William, you will behave yourself."

"Of course, Mother." He gave her a big smile, showing both dimples, inherited from his father and offered her his arm.

Walking slowly around the dancers, William kept searching until he saw her.

Lady Anne spoke up before he spied his quarry. "I see Elizabeth is dancing with young Frank Carter. They met a few weeks ago, at a dinner party the Gardiners held."

William stares until he has to blink. When the dance ended he and Lady Anne followed the couple to where Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner were standing and bowed to them all.

"Good evening, Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet."

"Good evening Sir, how do you do?"

In an attempt to avoid any awkwardness, Lady Anne smiled at Elizabeth, "Miss Bennet, you looked like you were enjoying yourself on the dance floor."

"Indeed I was, My Lady. Mr. Carter is an energetic dance partner. His trip North is imminent and he was enthusiastically sharing all he hopes to see."

"Miss Bennet, may I have the next dance?" William blurted out.

"I am afraid my next dances are taken, sir." Her tone, a little flat.

"Your next available dance, then?" William insisted.

"My next free, is the second after supper."

"Excellent." He bowed and walked away.

Lady Anne met Madeline's eyes and rolled her own to the ceiling. She then excused herself and went to find her husband.

William spent the next two hours following Elizabeth with his eyes or standing nearby while she spoke with other guests. She noticed him, but did not bother to include him in any of her conversations.

By the time their dance arrived Elizabeth was tired and frustrated with his behavior.

Moving in through formations in silence for several minutes, Elizabeth spoke. "Did you not think I expressed myself well discussing music and younger sisters with Mr. Mansfield."

"It does seem to be a topic you speak eloquently about."

"Which, Mr. Darcy. Music or younger sisters?"

"Both, I imagine."

"You, yourself have a younger sister and you are exposed to beautiful music on a daily basis. Surely, there is more to be said on the subject."

He flushed. Conversation in a social setting never did come easily for him. Now, he felt tongue tied and left footed.

Elizabeth let the topic drop, not really caring to hear his reply. "Have you attended any plays recently?"

This he could answer and spoke about the most recent one he saw performed till the dance was over.

"If I recall correctly, my parents mentioned attending a play in the Darcy box."

"I may have heard my aunt mention the idea."

"Perhaps I shall see you then, Miss Bennet, if not before."

"Perhaps."

William escorted her back to the Gardiners and bid them good night.

Elizabeth told her relations she had no more promised dances.

"If you are amenable, I would not object to leaving. I admit, I am fairly fatigued.

Mrs. Gardiner with a quick glance to her husband, raised her brows.

"Aye, Lizzy, I gather we are all tired. Let us thank our hosts and take our leave." Mr. Gardiner offered both ladies his arms and they walked towards the doors.

A quarter of an hour later, they were entering the carriage to go home.