Page 101 of Pride and Prejudice Resolutions

Georgiana's eyes widened. "Do you think so? Truly?"

"I have known Lizzy since she was a baby. I know when her heart is engaged. She watches him when he is not looking. She defends him when he is criticised. And she looks happier than I have seen her in years."

"Fitzwilliam is the same," Georgiana whispered. "He hums. He never hums. And he asks my opinion on his waistcoats."

"Then we have nothing to fear from Lady Catherine," Mrs Gardiner declared, resuming her winding. "Let her glare. We shall be too busy dancing."

"Will you dance, Mrs Gardiner?"

"If my husband insists. Though I prefer to watch. I want to see you dance, Miss Darcy. You have a grace that deserves to be seen."

Georgiana sat up straighter. "I shall dance. I promised Richard the first set. And I think I shall ask Elizabeth to stand with me during the supper."

"A wise choice. Lizzy is an excellent shield against dragons."

Darcy and Elizabeth, having exhausted the view of the rainy street, drifted over to join them.

"Plotting?" Elizabeth asked, eyeing the wool.

"Planning," Mrs Gardiner corrected. "Strategies for the ballroom."

"The strategy is simple," Darcy said. "We arrive. We survive. We leave before Lady Catherine can corner anyone near the punch bowl."

"That is a very pessimistic," Elizabeth teased. "My strategy is to dance every dance and eat a great deal of white soup."

"I have already claimed the first two dances," Darcy reminded her. "And the supper dance."

"You are very greedy, Sir."

"I am making up for lost time." Darcy's voice dropped low. "I missed the opportunity in Hertfordshire. I do not intend to miss it in London."

Georgiana looked from her brother to Elizabeth, her eyes shining. "I think," she fluttered her eyelashes shyly, "that tomorrow will be a perfect night."

The morning of New Year's Eve was frantic. But for once, it was a happy frantic.

Darcy stood in the hall of Darcy House at midday. He was dressed for a final call at Gracechurch Street before the evening's festivities began.

He checked his pocket. The ring was there. The diamond ring he had taken from the strongbox three days ago. It felt heavy. It felt right.

"Ready, Fitzwilliam?" Georgiana appeared on the stairs. She was calm. The tumult Lady Catherine caused seemed to have receded, replaced by the excitement of a young girl going to her first ball with friends.

"Ready," Darcy said.

"Have you practiced your speech?"

"I do not have a speech. I have a question."

"Even better. Keep it simple. You tend to ramble when you are nervous."

"I do not ramble."

"You lectured me on the history of the fork once."

Darcy sighed. "Point taken. Simple. Direct."

They rode to Cheapside through the streets of a city which was buzzing with New Year's energy. When they arrived, the house was already in a state of preparation. Hairdressers were expected, gowns were being steamed, and who knows what else ladies found necessary for a ball.

Robert was already there, of course. He was showing Jane a piece of sheet music he was absolutely certain she would love.