Page 35 of Shields and Roses

"Well, as you know, because of his illness my father did not travel very far in the last few decades of his life. He played chess with Mr. Bennet by post for years, although they never met in person because Bennet would not visit. My aunt says he is an indolent lump who cannot be bothered to stir from his own study, not even to attend the funeral of my uncle, who was supposed to have been his very close friend. It was no great journey from his estate in Hertfordshire to Rosings Park in Kent. After all, what is fifty miles of good road when it comes to honoring a friend?"

Tavistock peered over at Sir Barnaby and Miss Bennet. "Hmm, I see what you mean. That does not bode well for their dowries, although their connections are still good."

"My aunt says they have little but their charms to recommend them, although my uncle did leave a small bequest for the eldest. In fact, she told me they would be here by way of warning me that they are on the hunt for a wealthy match."

"Most young ladies are and with less to show for it. She is certainly pretty enough that a man might be willing to overlook a slim dowry if his own finances are good, especially with the connection to the Damasks and their relatives."

"I suppose," Darcy said noncommittally.

"Well, the next dance will be forming up soon. I think I shall go see if Sir Barnaby would introduce me to the lovely Miss Bennet. Will you come along?"

"No, I prefer to avoid the Bennets altogether. I have heard too many negative things about them from my aunt to feel comfortable even talking with them."

Giving him a perplexed look, Tavistock offered a slight bow. "Less competition, I suppose. Good evening, Darcy."

Darcy returned the bow and went back to looking around the room for signs of his mystery lady. Thank heavens she was no Bennet.

~o~

Because of the crowds, Darcy had trouble seeing all those on the dance floor at any one time from his vantage point to the side. He decided to move around the room a bit and see if he could watch the dancers while checking in the side rooms as well.

The noise was truly wearing on him. Everywhere there were people - noisy, boisterous people, talking and laughing over the equally boisterous music. If he did not find her soon, Darcy knew he would have to give up before the headache that had been building all evening overcame him.

Then, he heard it. From one of the side rooms came that distinctive laugh. His headache evaporated as he focused on the sound, following it like a hunting dog follows the scent of the fox. He was not going to lose her this time.

Turning into the open doorway near the refreshment table, he saw her and stopped in his tracks. She was even more stunning than he had remembered.

Without the bonnet to hide them, her dark curls in their intricate braided arrangement made a glossy crown atop her head. Her figure, which was pleasantly revealed by the cut of the cream evening gown decorated with embroidered roses of deep red and intertwined stems and leaves of dark, mossy green, was even more appealing than he had imagined. Although she was clearly relaxed and comfortable in her current company, her posture and stance were the height of elegant perfection, as was her every move. Her eyes sparkled with good humor as she spoke with a stately looking middle-aged gentleman who was, unfortunately, a stranger to Darcy.

"For all of that, it is my older sister who is the popular dance partner here," he heard her say in a pleasantly modulated voice. As Darcy stood there trying to decide what to do, the noise of the crowd by the refreshment table drowned out what she and her companion said next, although he strained his ears even as he considered what to do.

"Oh, but you are already a part of the family, Miss Elizabeth Rose," he heard the older man say teasingly during a brief lull in the noise.

Darcy smiled. He knew her name! Elizabeth Rose – how fitting. Now, he simply had to find someone to introduce them.

Trying to keep her in view, he looked around in hopes of spotting a familiar face nearby. It seemed most of these people were from outside of his usual small circle of acquaintances. To his relief, he spotted the father of a boy he had known slightly at school heading for the punch bowl. They had been introduced once. He hoped it would be enough. Darcy approached the man.

"Lord Sattler?" he began. "I do not know if you remember me, but I am Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley."

The man looked at him searchingly before a look of recognition dawned on him. "Ah, yes, George Darcy's son. You were at school with my younger boy, Tobias. I would not have recognized you, no."

Both men bowed. In accordance with the difference in rank, Darcy waited for the older man to continue the conversation. He soon did.

"I was sorry to hear of your father's passing. He was a good man. We played a few games of chess together. What can I do for you, young Mr. Darcy?"

That was the opening Darcy had waited for. "I was hoping you might be able to help me, Lord Sattler," he said. He gestured in the direction of Miss Rose. "Do you happen to know the dark-haired young woman over there, the one in the gown decorated with roses, or her companion? I should like to ask her to dance, but I require an introduction."

Lord Sattler raised an eyebrow as he looked in the direction Darcy had indicated. "I see the attraction," he said. "Hmm. I am sorry to say I do not know the young lady. I have a passing acquaintance with Lord Sheldon, however. Let me just fill my cup and then I will go over with you to see if an introduction can be arranged."

Darcy thanked him, trying to hide his impatience as they waited for Lord Sattler's turn to have his cup filled by the servant tending the punch bowl. He kept one eye on his mystery lady as he and his companion conversed about Darcy's experiences taking over the running of Pemberley. Finally, with filled glass in hand, Lord Sattler led the way to Miss Elizabeth Rose and the man he had identified as Lord Sheldon.

"Good evening, Lord Sheldon," Lord Sattler said as they stopped next to the two who had continued in their lively conversation all the while. "Pardon the intrusion, but this young man of my acquaintance, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley, wonders if he might obtain an introduction to the young lady so he may ask her to dance."

Lord Sheldon looked questioningly at Miss Elizabeth. She responded with the slightest of nods.

"I have heard the master of Pemberley spoken of as a respectable man," Lord Sheldon replied. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance. This young lady is Miss Eliz…"

A commotion from the refreshment table, occasioned by a tipsy man who had fallen onto it, drowned out the rest of what Lord Sheldon said. It was of no matter, though, for Darcy already knew her name. He caught the words "visit" and "sister” but paid them little attention. He was happily gazing into those sparkling green eyes.