Page 111 of To Love And To Cherish
"Your sisters are now my sisters," he said, smiling into her eyes. "You and Georgiana shall have a fine time taking her shopping. How old is Miss Lydia?"
"Fifteen. She and Georgiana are the same age."
He nodded. "Good. At least I shall be spared husband-shopping for a few years yet."
Elizabeth grinned. "One can only hope."
Chapter 58: The Ball
Elizabeth stood at her husband’s side in the grand entrance of the ballroom at Matlock House, the chandelier’s light setting her silk gown and diamonds aglow. The necklace and earbobs, his mother’s, glinted at her throat and ears, delicate and finely wrought, set with diamonds that sparkled with every slight movement. Fitzwilliam had fastened them himself in their chamber, pressing a kiss to the hollow beneath her earlobe, his breath warm against her skin.
She had leaned into him, and his arms had encircled her waist. He kissed her temple then said, “We must go down, my darling. I promised Aunt Helen we would join her early.”
They descended the staircase, her arm resting gracefully upon his. The three sisters waited on the landing, eager to go down.
“Lizzy,” Lydia whispered. “You arebeautiful!”
Georgiana chimed in. “Brother, you look like a prince.”
Elizabeth glanced up, amused. “My prince,” she whispered. “All mine.”
He grinned down at her, eyes alight with mischief. “I feel thoroughly claimed, like a prize at the village fair.”
Together with the Earl and Countess, they greeted the stream of guests. Elizabeth found herself introduced to members of society she had only read about in scandal sheets. The air was rich with perfume, silk, and candle wax.
When at last their duties at the door were fulfilled, Fitzwilliam offered her his arm. “The first set is mine,” he said low. “Save me the supper set and the final as well. Also, any waltz.”
The music swelled. Darcy led her onto the floor, and they began the opening dance, and others soon joined. From then until the evening's end, Elizabeth scarcely left the floor.
The three sisters remained by Lady Helen’s side. Between Darcy, Richard, Philip, and Uncle Henry, each girl was well escorted for the sets permitted, though Lady Helen stood guard like a general over her troops, dismissing any presumptuous suitor who dared approach.
After each dance, her partner dutifully returned Elizabeth to her husband’s side. She noticed a small group of young women watching her, their expressions a blend of assessment, disdain, and envy. Lady Olivia, in particular, cast her such a look of fury that Elizabeth half-expected smoke to rise from her ears.
“What is Lady Olivia’s grievance?” she asked Fitzwilliam under her breath.
Darcy’s lips twitched. “Aunt Helen held a dinner party before I went north. Lady Olivia was among thecandidates.”
Elizabeth raised a brow. “The Lady is beautiful. And she would have a sizeable dowry, too.”
He shot her a sidelong glance. “And no conversation. Ten minutes was enough.”
Elizabeth was drawn off for another dance, this time by Lord Terrington, a charming man of good breeding and well-practiced wit. She laughed at his teasing as they spun across the floor.
As he led her back to Darcy, he asked, “Do you have an unmarried sister, Mrs. Darcy? If she is half as delightful as you, I should like to meet her.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “The tall fair-haired schoolgirl beside Lady Helen is my sister, though she is not yet out, nor will she be for another two or three years. The brunette in white standing next to her is my other sister, and she, too, has yet to make her debut.”
He turned to inspect the young ladies. “Which blond? The one in blue silk or white?”
“Miss Darcy is in white. The one in blue is my sister.”
He returned his gaze to Elizabeth, voice suddenly lower. “Your sisters are also beautiful, Mrs. Darcy. But I confess, I’ve a fondness for brunettes, especially those with copper in their curls and mischief in their eyes.”
Elizabeth laughed softly. “You are a shocking flirt, my lord.”
“I am,” he admitted. “But I think you enjoy it.”
They reached Darcy. Her husband’s expression hardened, and he claimed Elizabeth’s arm with unmistakable possessiveness. As Lord Terrington retreated, Darcy leaned in.
