A Wife for Mr. Darcy

he added, “Well, I imagine the Devereauxes would have thought their daughter, my grandmother, was marrying beneath her station as the first Earl Fitzwilliam was granted that title only in 1692, merely a few decades before their marriage.”
    A smile appeared on Darcy’s face as he realized the implications of Elizabeth’s question. “The Devereaux line goes go back to Baron Guillaume D’Evreux, who was in the meadow at Runnymede in 1215 when King John signed the Magna Carta. To the Devereauxes, the Fitzwilliams were parvenus.”
    Following that statement, the conversation reverted to those subjects that Mr. Darcy claimed to disdain. Apparently, his thoughts were elsewhere, and the best he could come up with was the number of couples who were in attendance at the ball.

    While the Bennets and Gardiners waited for their carriages to be brought ’round, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Gardiner continued their discussion about coffee.
    “I import coffee beans from around the world, Mr. Darcy, but to my mind, the best coffee comes from the Jamaican Highlands. It is grown in the shade, and because it is more difficult to harvest, it is rather expensive, but well worth it.”
    “Do you sample the brews?”
    “Definitely, sir, as it is I who bears the brunt of any displeasure from the retailers. Now, when you are in London, you must come to our home in Gracechurch Street. I have a whole cupboard reserved for nothing else.”
    “I hope you are sincere, Mr. Gardiner, as I intend to take you up on your offer. I confess that I am fascinated by the whole process of a commodity from the far reaches of the globe ending up in my breakfast room.”
    At that time, Jane walked over and, after taking hold of her uncle’s arm, invited the Darcys to dinner on Wednesday. “Uncle, we must allow our hosts to retire, and my father has expressed an interest in joining in your conversation. He has just now revealed that he often visited White’s Coffee House as a young man whenever he was in town. Mr. Bingley has already agreed to come, although, unfortunately, his sisters will not be able to join us. Hopefully, that will not be the case with Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy.”
    “I had planned to leave for London on Wednesday, Miss Bennet,” and then he looked at his sister, who was imploring him with her big eyes to accept the invitation.
    “Mr. Darcy, if I may speak on Mr. Bennet’s behalf,” Mrs. Gardiner said, “in a house full of females with no interest in angling, you will save the poor man from having to listen to all of Mr. Gardiner’s fish tales—again.”
    After agreeing to dinner at Longbourn, Darcy looked for Elizabeth, but she had already stepped out onto the portico. Because she believed she had seen the last of Mr. Darcy, an overwhelming sadness had settled on Lizzy. When Jane informed her that the Darcys were coming to dinner, it did little to lift her spirits. It would only delay the inevitable, and it was not possible to move forward if you remained weighted to the past.

The following day, Georgiana and her brother took a long walk about the property, so that they might talk freely and without the constant interruption of Mr. Bingley’s sisters.
    “I had a delightful time at the ball. I wore through my dance slippers,” Georgiana began.
    “You always wear through your dance slippers. You buy them by the dozen, do you not?”
    “No, I do not, but I think that is the perfect solution to my problem. I shall order them a dozen at a time in ten different colors and be done with it.”
    Darcy turned around and started to walk backward. When she was a child, he had done this for her amusement, and he was in an excellent mood because he was very pleased with how she had performed in public.
    “Will, you are not as good as you once were at walking backward. If you do not alter your course, you will walk right into a tree.”
    “You are trying to make me look as you always did. But I shall not be tricked as I have previously reconnoitered this path in case of such an eventuality.” The two burst out laughing and resumed their stroll side by side.
    “My dear sister, you were as charming and gracious as always, and you put a smile on more than one gentleman’s face, but most especially Mr. Short’s. The poor fellow was winded, but he stuck with you to the end.”
    “It was a capital idea for Mr. Bingley to send to London for the musicians who had played at the Clermont ball, as the music was first rate. I also thought the