Free The Darcys of Pemberley by Shannon Winslow Page B

you came,” Georgiana
replied. “And Kitty, I am pleased to see you again as well. Are you
looking forward to dancing tonight?”
    “Oh, yes! I love dancing above all things. I
do so hope there will be enough interesting partners to keep all
the ladies entertained.”
    “That you will find your partners
entertaining, Kitty, I cannot guarantee, since it is a matter of
personal taste,” said Elizabeth. “But as to number, there can be no
difficulty. There will be more than enough eligible men to go
round. You must promise not to keep them all to yourself, however.
It is Georgiana’s birthday, you know, and she must have her fair
share.”
    “She shall have her share, and welcome. After
all, I can only dance with one man at a time, more is the
pity.”
    The sound of horse hooves and carriage wheels
grating on the sweep drew the Darcys to their stations, and
presently a stream of elegantly dressed and carefully coiffed
individuals began issuing through the front door. Each new arrival
gradually enlarged the pool of people milling about. The house soon
reverberated with an agreeable hum of chatter, music, and laughter
as everyone waited for the official commencement of the ball.
    The night had opened with the entrance of one
uninvited guest. It fell to Colonel Fitzwilliam to usher in the
second surprise of the evening. True to his promise, he had indeed
traveled all the way from Kent for Georgiana’s ball. That he made
the effort to come was not astonishing, but the lady on his arm
caught everyone quite unawares.

     

Chapter 9
     
    The Ball
     
    The unexpected sight of Miss de Bourgh on
Colonel Fitzwilliam’s arm elicited a contrasting mix of sentiments
from the three Darcys gathered to receive the pair. Anne’s
dramatically altered appearance made the first impression on them
all. She was so materially changed since they had last seen her
that they barely recognized her as their cousin. Healthy color now
brightened her formerly pallid complexion, and her previously gaunt
face and angular form had rounded and softened considerably.
    The emotions that next followed varied by
person. Darcy and Elizabeth’s thoughts were chiefly occupied with
the knowledge that Anne’s arrival with the colonel might well
signify an alliance in which they themselves could take no joy.
Miss Darcy, being totally ignorant of this possibility, felt only
pleasure at the unanticipated favor of her cousin’s presence.
    Her momentary discomposure set aside,
Elizabeth greeted their guests. “Why, Anne, how wonderfully well
you look, and how splendid, Colonel, that you persuaded her to
accompany you. We are so pleased to have you both with us
tonight.”
    Mr. Darcy and Georgiana echoed similar
sentiments.
    “Thank you for receiving me,” said Anne.
“Fitzwilliam said you would not mind.”
    “Mind?” said Elizabeth. “We are
delighted!”
    The colonel added, “As you see, Anne is now
strong enough to undertake such a journey, which is another cause
for celebration, is it not?”
    “Indeed it is,” said Darcy, locking eyes with
Fitzwilliam for a long moment as they shook hands. Then, turning to
his other cousin, he continued, “Anne, you look quite recovered. I
understand the credit for your newfound health belongs in part to a
clever young physician.”
    Anne dropped her eyes and her voice. “I
daresay I owe my recovery almost entirely to him. Dr. Essex
is an uncommonly kind and learned man. I shall be forever in his
debt.”
    “Then I am grateful to Dr. Essex as
well,” said Georgiana, “since it is apparently due to his care that
we have the pleasure of your company now.”
    After this exchange, Miss de Bourgh and
Colonel Fitzwilliam released their hosts to attend to other guests
whilst they moved on to the ballroom. Elizabeth was relieved to see
that the pair did not by their manner advertise themselves to be an
engaged couple, even if in fact they now were. She took it as a
sign that the colonel did not intend an announcement