Romance in Brighton by Miller Don H

Author:Miller, Don H.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-09T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 12: The Well-Matched Duo

The Darcy/Carlson party arrived, as usual, at Castle Tavern during the middle of the first set and soon learned that word had already spread that Darcy was now formally courting Elizabeth. They were congratulated by several who knew Darcy as they made their way to tables which had been reserved for them near the front of the stage. They were told that some of the other tables in that prime location to see the entertainment during the orchestra break would be occupied by the Crown Prince and his retinue during the concert, although others would be sitting at those tables until the Crown Prince arrived.

Elizabeth and Darcy, of course, danced the second set together, and those who knew Darcy or had seen him at balls in London could see the effect of his courtship on his demeanor. They hardly recognized the often smiling, personable man whom they saw. There was no doubt in anyone’s mind that the courtship was destined to end in an engagement. The connection between Darcy and Elizabeth was obvious to all.

Elizabeth danced the third set with Col. Fitzwilliam and the fourth with Weatherstone. As she and Weatherstone approached the dance floor, he said, “It seems, Miss Elizabeth, that Darcy was able to convince you that you were suitable to be the mistress of Pemberley and all his other holdings.”

“That is true, my Lord. I discovered he is a most persuasive gentleman and that we have more in common than I imagined.”

“I must tell you that the announcement of the courtship was met with some disappointment by my parents. They were beginning to believe that my brother may not be able to find a more suitable woman to be duchess. I commend Darcy for moving so soon but am surprised, given what you had said before, that you accepted so quickly.”

“Truthfully, so was I. But I did and have not regretted it. I am beginning to believe we were fated to be together.”

Elizabeth danced the fifth set, before the supper break, with Darcy again—this time dancing both dances of the set. She and Weatherstone had decided they did not need the extra practice time that missing the second dance of the supper set would give them. When that set was over, she and Los Tres Caballeros met in the upstairs music room, where they warmed up and ran through the Argentinian song during which Ramon would play drums and added vocalizations. Then Weatherstone appeared and she and he practiced a couple of the more difficult parts of the duet. Finally, Kitty joined them, at Mr. Haskill’s request, so that she would be prepared to sing the duet she and Elizabeth had sung at Old Ship Tavern in case someone asked for it as an encore.

The Prince and his party, which included the Duke and Duchess of Leister and Lord Stonington, arrived about 12:15 and were led to the tables near the front of the stage which had vacated by those who had been sitting at them.

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