{"id":2161,"date":"2017-12-29T08:58:09","date_gmt":"2017-12-29T13:58:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=2161"},"modified":"2021-12-17T12:26:49","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T17:26:49","slug":"chapter-13-spring-sentiment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapter-13-spring-sentiment\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 13 A Spring Sentiment"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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This is the last chapter in this book, but it’s very sigh-worthy!\u00a0<\/p>

XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Chapter 13 - A Spring Sentiment, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The engagement ball of Fitzwilliam Darcy to Elizabeth Bennet became the social event of the Season thus far. Each room in the Matlock town house burst at the seams as everyone who knew anyone had weaseled their way into the crush. Of course, Lady Matlock had instructed the footmen to stop checking the guest list after supper so that all might see the future Mrs. Darcy in all of her splendor. As far as ladies were concerned, a ballroom was a battlefield, and Margaret Elizabeth Fitzwilliam took no prisoners.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth enjoyed her second dance with Mr. Darcy, having danced the supper set with his cousin the Viscount. Both Elizabeth and Darcy had complained about this ploy by his aunt, but she was adamant that Elizabeth receive proper attention by all of the titled men in the room. Eventually, both had given up their arguments.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

As the couples grew close for a part of the dance, Lady Carrigan stood to gossip with Caroline Bingley, who when not gaining a request to dance after the second set had claimed an ankle injury and was lounging on a sofa against the wall.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI say, what is that vulgar thing they are doing with their noses?\u201d Lady Amelia Carrigan sniffed the air and pursed her lips. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s probably that Bennet chit\u2019s fault. Her entire family is vulgar, and she\u2019s used her arts and allurements to pervert poor Mr. Darcy.\u201d Caroline Bingley scowled, wishing she could stand up and survey the dancers, but she couldn\u2019t give up the ruse of her ankle injury. \u201cWhen we were in Hertfordshire, did you know that all five of the sisters are out?\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAll five? How absurd!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, and the youngest was engaged this winter to a Mr. Wickham, but he left a great deal of debt and deserted the militia. It was quite the scandal.\u201d By now, some of the other ladies nearby were craning their necks to listen in with a look of indifference. Caroline Bingley waited for the coup de grace, knowing if she didn\u2019t do this correctly, all would be for naught. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAnd where is this sister? I see only four of the Bennets.\u201d Mrs. Courtney chimed in, asking the question most of the women in earshot all wanted to ask. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh, she\u2019s in town, staying with the aunt and uncle in trade. Big as a whale.\u201d Caroline smiled as the ladies around her all gasped. Applause broke out as the song ended, and the couples left the dance floor. Of course, all it took was the hustle and bustle of such a change in music for the gossip group to fan out in the ballroom. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth smiled at William as he helped her to the punch bowl. The heat of the room and recent activity made her cheeks glow, and Darcy leaned forward to whisper how beautiful and tempting she looked. Elizabeth was just turning away in embarrassment, feeling slight trepidation for the morning\u2019s ceremony, when she came face to face with the Earl of Matlock. He bowed low and kissed her hand. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMight I have this next dance, my dear?\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth handed her glass to Darcy, who grinned shamelessly at his bride. \u201cYes, you may.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

As Lord Matlock escorted Elizabeth to the dance floor, she noticed the entire ballroom seemed to be whispering at such a courtesy and pointedly looking at her. As the first notes of a Scottish reel began to play, Elizabeth twirled and linked arms with her new uncle in the complicated movements. She spun and worked her way down the line, catching brief glimpses of the angry faces and frowns. The music continued to play, and the dance continued, but Elizabeth\u2019s head continuously turned in opposite directions of her movements as she tried to understand what was going on? <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Once she spun down the far line and returned to Lord Matlock, she noticed his face was also grim and strained. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cHas Lady Catherine stormed the ball a second time?\u201d she asked, almost out of breath, still looking around her. Lord Matlock clasped hands with her for the fastest spin yet. Just before it was over, he grunted that he was unaware of the problem at hand. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Despite wishing nothing more than to stop, as her supper was beginning to slosh and bash against the insides of her stomach, Elizabeth soldiered on and completed her second circuit down the line, spinning and twirling with each man in the set. Once the nightmarish dance was over, Lord Matlock escorted Elizabeth with his head held high, and the entire ballroom was nearly silent aside from whispers. They arrived at Lady Matlock looking agitated, standing with Mr. Darcy and Lady Cornish and Lady Carrigan. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt would appear that a most vicious rumor has been spread about your youngest sister, Lydia, dear, that she is not in attendance tonight due to being heavy with child.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth laughed heartily, truly imaging the plump Lydia trying to accomplish the dance she just finished, so it held a genuine ring to it. \u201cForgive me, oh, but I need refreshment. Lord Matlock is spritely on his feet.\u201d Elizabeth smiled and played her part as the earl bowed and offered to retrieve her drink as any gallant dance partner would. Elizabeth happily linked arms with Mr. Darcy and smiled up at him; then she turned her attention to Lady Carrigan. \u201cI\u2019m sorry, we were discussing Lydia? You do know she\u2019s just a girl of fifteen. It would hardly be appropriate for her to dance on an evening such as this.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMiss Bingley says she danced with all of the officers at numerous balls in Meryton. That she is engaged to a Mr. Wickham.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWell, of course in our home county my parents did indulge her a bit to let her practice. But you will see my sister Catherine does not dance this evening, along with Miss Darcy. And they are both older than Lydia.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cYes, but why then is she not present? If you wish for her to have all of this practice as you call it, surely you\u2019d wish her to observe a true London ball.\u201d Lady Cornish looked down her nose at Elizabeth, positively salivating for a mistake. But Elizabeth held her gaze and never once looked to Lady Matlock for assistance, something both titled ladies were counting upon. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMy father passed away only this past autumn. My mother, recently widowed, had a brother gravely injured in a carriage accident not two months ago. My sister Lydia, being the youngest and Mama\u2019s favorite, is a great comfort. My mother suffers from bouts of nerves, and at times, it\u2019s only Lydia who can calm her.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Satisfied with their intelligence, the ladies were about to saunter off when Lady Matlock stopped them. \u201cI am certain you will be happy to spread how wonderful Lydia Bennet is a comfort to her dear mother just as fastidiously as you were to spread the lies of her being with child. After all, we can hardly trust those new to our circle with the stench of new money. They\u2019ll say practically anything to gain status.\u201d Lady Matlock made a pointed look at Miss Bingley, who was at that very moment being roughly assisted off the sofa by two footmen and escorted out of the ballroom. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth dropped her jaw in shock, continuing her part in pretending how absurd the entire fiasco had become. Caroline, catching Elizabeth\u2019s eye, and seeing her smirk for just a moment before resuming her facade, lost her composure. \u201cI saw her! She\u2019s round with child, I tell you. My sister just had a babe; I know what it looks like!\u201d Mr. Bingley watched in horror as his sister was escorted out, bowed to the few companions he was speaking to and followed her cries. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Lady Matlock pressed her lips together and looked at her two social enemies. \u201cSee what I mean? Cannot even observe proper decorum in a ballroom . . . Elizabeth, darling, have you met the Duke and Duchess of Derby? Come, they\u2019ve been asking to see you and Darcy all evening.\u201d And with that, Lady Matlock whisked her nephew and his intended off to the opposite end of the ballroom, exhibiting her Napoleonic skills at social warfare. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

At nearly three in the morning, the last couple left the town home, and Elizabeth had long since planned to retire. After all, she was to be married in just a few hours. Instead, she had remained awake because the very real problem of Lydia still needed to be decided. All of London would now be looking to see Lydia at the wedding, and her size would surely set tongues wagging once more. As Elizabeth sat up with William and his aunt and uncle, they were all stumped at how they were going to hide her in plain sight. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Tears and exhaustion began to overtake Elizabeth. Mr. Darcy insisted his bride retire. \u201cBut, my sister! We are ruined. I have ruined you!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cSsssh, if we must run away to Gretna Green then so be it, but I am marrying you, Elizabeth Bennet, in . . .\u201d Darcy looked at the clock on the mantle, \u201ceight hours.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Giving him a weak smile, Elizabeth retired to her room with Lady Matlock accompanying her. As they climbed the stairs together, the older woman tried to calm Elizabeth. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMy son is a brilliant tactician. If anyone can devise a ruse, it is he.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

In spite of herself, Elizabeth laughed. \u201cWell, at least my sister\u2019s tragedy distracts me from any wedding nerves!\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Lady Matlock frowned and paused in the hallway with Elizabeth. \u201cDear, I assumed your aunt would discuss these things with you, but do you have any worries or fears about what happens after the wedding ceremony?\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth shook her head and answered that her Aunt Gardiner had addressed the topic already. Wishing each other a good night, Lady Matlock squeezed Elizabeth\u2019s hand in affection before excusing herself to the family wing. As Elizabeth collapsed into the fluffy bed, she was too tired even to finish her thought about it being her last night as a Bennet. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

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