A Reputation is an Easy Thing to Lose by Stormsmith

Author:Stormsmith [stormsmith]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fanworks, Teen And Up Audiences, F/M, Major Character Death, Pride and Prejudice (2005), Jane Bennet/Charles Bingley, Lydia Bennet/George Wickham, Elizabeth Bennet, Jane Bennet, Fitzwilliam Darcy, Charles Bingley, Lydia Bennet, Mr. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Mrs. Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Mary Bennet, Catherine Bennet, George Wickham, Georgiana Darcy, Colonel Fitzwilliam (Pride and Prejudice), William Collins, Charlotte Lucas, Catherine de Bourgh, Anne de Bourgh, Caroline Bingley, Louisa Hurst, Mr. Hurst (Pride and Prejudice), Mrs. Gardiner (Pride and Prejudice), Edward Gardiner, Original Characters, Mrs. Reynolds (Pride and Prejudice), Mr. Phillips (Pride and Prejudice), Mrs. Phillips (Pride and Prejudice), Elizabeth Bennet/Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen, Caroline Bingley/Fitzwilliam Darcy, Caroline Bingley/Original Character(s), Pride and Prejudice - All Media Types, What-If, POV Multiple, Selfish Caroline, Lydia OOC, Lydia Bennet/Original Character(s), Georgiana Darcy/Original Male Character(s)
Publisher: Archive of Our Own
Published: 2019-03-24T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16: A Season of Mischief

Chapter Summary

The Ball at Matlock House

Chapter Notes

I'm posting early as an apology for being late recently. I was doing some heavy rearranging now that the story is fully developed and planning for the final Act. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and encouraging me. I have enjoyed the experience immensely.

Matlock House, St. James, London

2 May 1813 – Georgiana’s Official Debut Ball

Since Georgiana’s presentation yesterday, Darcy, Elizabeth, and Georgiana were officially fully submerged in the lie that has taken over their lives. And to top it all off, Lady Catherine and Anne de Bourgh had appeared yesterday as if by some dark magic! Their expected Aunt, the Lady Matlock, had arrived at Darcy house at precisely 10:00am with the largest Matlock carriage carrying herself, her daughter Lady Marianne Fitzwilliam, and the de Bourghs. A second carriage followed with Lady Catherine’s maid and Mrs. Jenkinson, Anne’s companion.

While there would have been plenty of room for both Georgiana and Elizabeth in the spacious carriage, Lady Catherine about had an apoplexy at the mere suggestion! She was not fit be riding with the titled Ladies to such an event. Anne’s companion, a decidedly more appropriate servant than the overly dressed Miss Elizabeth, was riding in the second carriage and so should Georgiana’s companion. In fact, Elizabeth should just stay home since her services were not needed with so many family members about to chaperone the debutant. Mrs. Jenkinson only came to see to Anne’s health. Besides, Anne was a perfectly appropriate companion for Georgiana, certainly better than Miss Elizabeth.

Never mind the fact that Anne had never been presented at court while Elizabeth had. Nor that a social companion would be expected to arrive with the young lady almost as an equal during all of her major functions. And Lady Catherine certainly ignored each of Georgiana’s pleas that she should would feel better with Elizabeth at her side. The stubborn woman, who was not even originally invited to the event, would not be moved!

So Darcy had looked on in disgust as his aunts, cousins, and sister took the nicely sprung and lushly outfitted carriage, while his wife was forced to ride in the old servant’s carriage sporting thread bare seat coverings which provided no support at all after so many years of use.

Thankfully the actual presentation had been successful and the entire party was back at Darcy House for a celebratory luncheon by noon. At least in his own home, Darcy could overrule his aunt’s attempt at dismissing Elizabeth to the servant’s quarters, stating emphatically that the Darcy’s treated Miss Elizabeth as a member of the immediate household and she would be eating at the table she helped design as was appropriate for a gently bred social companion.

And now here they were, in a lavishly decorated ballroom with all of the most important Lords and Ladies of the ton, and all of their respective eligible offspring, crowding the dance floor. Having to endure watching his baby sister dance with

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