“That is beautiful, Louisa! With such expensive charms on it, too!” Caroline effused. “I hope Mr. Darcy will buy me the most expensive necklaces and rings and bracelets as well. Darcy House was such a nice home and I heard the elder Mr. Darcy has £10,000 a year! 10,000! Can you imagine such a sum?”
“Perhaps you can get him to ask you for courtship at tomorrow’s ball. Get engaged by this summer and we can have a double ceremony!” Louisa clapped in joy.
~*~
Lizzy observed the woman on William’s arm who was batting her eyelashes excessively and lowering her dress to expose more skin. Her smiles looked false and something about her tone of voice did not seem honest.
After everyone took a seat in the drawing room, she turned to see Charles Bingley speaking animatedly with Jane and noted the blush on her sister’s cheeks. Mr. Darcy and her father were speaking with Mr. Bingley while Lady Anne and her mother were speaking with Miss Louisa Bingley, and the younger girls were busy chatting with each other while the two governesses looked on.
Lizzy took a seat near William and began, “I noticed you are limping, Miss Caroline. I heard about the terrible accident. Are you nearly mended?” She asked the pretty lady of seventeen years in age. “I hope you will be all recovered for the ball tomorrow.”
Caroline was caught off-guard by this young girl speaking to her. “I will be fine, child. Do not worry for me.” She curtly replied and returned her attention back to Fitzwilliam Darcy.
“Do you plan on dancing every set?” Lizzy continued to ask. “I have heard that a coming out ball is not considered successful if the lady does not dance every set. Of course, not every young lady is expected to find a marriage partner during the first year so do not lose heart if you might sit out a set or two. I know sometimes gentlemen are scarce and some may hover near the walls instead of asking ladies to dance because they are either haughty or shy.”
William chuckled at Lizzy’s statement, having discussed several times how he despised asking ladies to dance and would rather stand about the edges of the ballroom.
“Of what are you speaking, you ignorant child? Of course, I will dance every set!” Caroline blurted out. Quickly seeing the furrowed brows of young Mr. Darcy, she stood and commented, “I apologise for my outburst. It is rather warm in this side of the room. Mr. Darcy, would you escort me to the chairs over there?” She pointed to the opposite side of the room.
William, ever the proper gentleman, stood up and helped the lady as she limped slightly to the other two chairs.
Lizzy immediately stood and followed them. While Caroline sat on one chair and William another, Lizzy sat on the arm of William’s chair and asked Miss Bingley again, “How do you feel about the leadership of our current Prime Minister, Miss Caroline? Do you believe he is doing a good job?”
Caroline burned with anger but when she saw that the young Mr. Darcy sat next to the little hoyden with a small smile, she composed herself and answered, “Of course he has been doing a marvellous job for years! Anyone who is appointed to such a high office must be worthy of our respect and he is doing all he can to lead our excellent nation. I hope he will govern us for many more years.”
Lizzy covered her amusement and asked, “Are you speaking of William Pitt the younger? He died last month, have you not heard? It’s unfortunate to lose someone at such a young age, he was only seven and forty, you must be aware, but the new Prime Minister, in my opinion, was only appointed because of nepotism. William Grenville, I’m afraid, will not be in office for long because he does not know what he is doing. I doubt he will be Prime Minister a year from now.”
Caroline’s face turned red to chastise the child but Mr. Bingley declared first, “At last! Someone who knows of what she is speaking! Miss Elizabeth, your insight to our political climate is spot on! Our new Prime Minister was cousin to William Pitt and he does not have the backbone to stand up to those who are calling to do all we can to win the war. He wishes for our great nation to admit defeat instead of fighting against Napoleon. We must fight on and stand strong united.”
Lizzy beamed and nodded in agreement while Mr. Bennet chimed in and the gentlemen briefly spoke of the current affairs.
Lady Anne arose after the housekeeper opened the doors, “It is time for dinner, everyone. As we will have an informal meal with our young guests in attendance, please choose your own seats and converse freely.”
William leaned over to Lizzy with caution, “I do not know what you are up to, young lady, but cease your attacks on Miss Bingley. She was only confused about the Prime Minister and it is a recent event. She is beautiful and very fashionable, is she not? Leave her be, Lizzy, I am warning you.”
William stood and proffered his arm to Miss Bingley and they walked in together to the dining room.
Lizzy marched in and looked to see the seats. Mr. Darcy sat at the head of the table with Mr. Bingley and her own father at each side. Georgiana and Miss Carter were sitting next to Lady Anne with her own mother on the other side, and William sat between Caroline and Louisa Bingley, who sat next to Mrs. Bennet.
Lizzy sat next to Caroline Bingley after wordlessly instructing Mary to move over one seat and looked at William in defiance, who was glaring at her. “So, Miss Caroline, can you share with me what you believe is a requirement to be an accomplished lady? I will be coming out in a few years and would like to learn from someone like you.
