Lady Isabella flushed darkly.
“While it is true that we were not formally engaged, Lady Helen arranged an intimate family dinner at her home and introduced us with the clear intention of arranging a match between us.”
Darcy stiffened, but Lady Helen pinched his arm sharply before speaking herself.
“Lady Isabella, you surely recall that Lady Horatia attended that dinner with her family, and my son Richard was likewise present. I arranged the gathering to introduce all the young people to one another in the hope that one or another of you might suit. As matters transpired, that proved not to be the case.”
Lady Helen’s voice cooled further.
“My nephew has spent these past months in Kent, where he met and courted his betrothed under the approving eye of Lady Catherine de Bourgh. The date for their marriage had already been settled, but unhappily, Lady Catherine was taken from us both prematurely and unexpectedly. You now see them waiting for the mourning period to pass before my nephew is free to marry.”
Lady Isabella’s eyes remained fixed upon Elizabeth throughout Lady Helen’s speech, and with every passing word, hercomplexion deepened to a darker shade of red while her eyes narrowed into glittering slits from which anger seemed almost to spark.
Out of self-preservation, Elizabeth retreated one step and then another.
By this time, Sir Gareth had likewise set aside his plates. He moved smoothly between the two women and offered Lady Isabella his arm.
“May I escort your ladyship back to your party?”
She gave an indignant huff and placed her hand upon his arm.
Then she declared, “Had we been alone in the ladies’ retiring room, never doubt that I should have planted you a facer.”
They all stared in stunned silence as the lady of consequence, beautifully coiffed and elegantly attired, uttered the vulgar cant expression with full knowledge of its meaning.
Lady Helen resumed her seat, and Elizabeth noticed that the older lady’s hands were trembling.
Elizabeth suddenly realized that her legs had begun to wobble beneath her, and she sank quickly into her chair.
Darcy seated himself beside her and covered her hand with his own.
“Are you well, darling? You are very pale.”
He reached for a glass of punch.
“Here, my dear, drink this. It is ratafia mixed with fruit.”
She took a swallow, but now her hands had begun to tremble as well. He steadied the glass for her while she placed her hands over his to guide it to her lips. She drank every drop.
Meanwhile, Jane offered Lady Helen a glass of the mild punch as well.
Lady Helen said, “Elizabeth, I am proud of you. You shall make a worthy niece. You are to call me Aunt Helen henceforth. I believe you are equal to any eventuality.”
Elizabeth smiled at the Countess with genuine affection.
“Lady Helen, I believe I have survived sufficient eventualities for one evening.”
Then she turned toward Mr. Darcy.
“Fitzwilliam, I cannot eat. My stomach is full of butterflies. May we go home now?”
Lady Helen answered before he could speak.
“Attempt to eat at least a little, Elizabeth, and afterward Fitzwilliam may escort us both home, for it would occasion gossip were we to abandon our plates and our hosts now. We shall take our time over supper, and once the room begins to empty, we shall quietly vanish into the night.”
Jane said, “Lizzy, you may ride home with us, for I have no wish to remain either. I shall ask Gareth to take me home as well.”
“Will you return with your sister, or would you prefer that we convey you home in our carriage?” Darcy asked.