Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge by J. Marie Croft Page A

quickly gained the admiration of the occupants. He handed his daughters into the carriage, wished them all a pleasant day, and entered his own equipage. The Darcy siblings expressed their delight at having met the gentleman and were further pleased by Jane's next words.
    "Our mother also wishes to make your acquaintance, so kindly pass along this invitation to your parents." Jane retrieved the note from her reticule and handed it to Miss Darcy. "In it she asks your family to dine with us within the week, if you have an evening free of engagements. Any night shall be fine with Mama. Your family has been very kind to us, and we hope to return the hospitality."
    Lizzy impatiently asked, "Yes, but will your parents and brother not be joining us today?"
    "Jane, Elizabeth, I am so sorry. There has been a slight change of plans." An exasperated glance passed between Georgiana and her sister. "Our widowed aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is rather ... unwell. Our cousin, Anne, lives at Rosings Park with her; and there are times when she requires assistance from the family. Mother and our uncle, the Earl of Matlock, take turns attending to the, ah, matter. As it was our mother's time to go to Kent, she and our father were summoned by express just this morning. But as soon as Fitzwilliam completes a couple of errands, he will be meeting us at the Royal Academy."
    Miss Bennet said, "I hope the poor dear lady has a speedy recovery from her malady." Her comment was met with looks of skepticism from the Darcy sisters.
    Lizzy also expressed her regret their aunt was afflicted and then remarked that the Darcy family and their relatives seemed particularly partial to the names Anne and Fitzwilliam. "I would imagine the similarity might become somewhat confusing."
    "Not really, Elizabeth. You see, Anne and Anna were so called after Mother; and I obviously have the feminine form of George, for my father. As to 'Fitzwilliam,' in our family, the heir's Christian name honours his mother's maiden one."
    "So, let me get this straight. If your brother married, say, a Miss Darby, would their first-born son be referred to as the darling Darby Darcy of Derbyshire?"
    "Lizzy!"
    "Jane, I meant no disrespect. All the same, I admit I am quite curious. Please forgive me, Georgiana and Anna."
    Georgiana giggled. "It is not an unbendable rule set in stone, Elizabeth, just a tradition. At any rate, I am rather hopeful my discriminating brother will marry someone with a last name that would also serve nicely as a first, such as Grant, Blake, or Nelson. Why, I believe Bennet would even be a very nice given name for a boy."
    Elizabeth blushed and quickly changed the topic. While they made their way to the Royal Academy, the young ladies discussed a subject that always made them energetic - the upcoming ball.

    A dapper gentleman paced at the main entrance of the Royal Academy. When the awaited carriage came to a halt, he waved away the footman and helped his two sisters and Miss Bennet alight. Miss Elizabeth was the last to exit, and he held her hand a little longer than necessary and gently stroked the back of it with his thumb. Even though they both wore gloves, he and she momentarily forgot to breathe while they enjoyed the thrill of that first fleeting caress. He reluctantly released her, bowed, and greeted the ladies politely; but his gaze never strayed long from the pretty brunette with the sparkling, intelligent eyes. Fitzwilliam Darcy considered Elizabeth the very epitome of femininity, and they exchanged admiring glances and shy smiles until Georgiana spoke.
    "So, brother, did you successfully complete your errands?"
    Darcy grudgingly tore his eyes away from Elizabeth and replied, "Yes, Georgie. I first stopped at Fletcher & Byrd, the new plumassier, and am embarrassed to admit I became quite adrift. The fledgling business is located in a-loft; and one must follow the arrows up several flights of stairs and down a long corridor to the building's oldest wing.