Chapter Thirteen
Elizabeth
3rd May 1813
I t was the night of Jane and Charles’s ball, and Elizabeth was preparing in her bedchamber. Down the hallway, she could hear Georgiana’s excited chatter as she debated with her lady’s maid over which headpiece to wear. The scene brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face, evoking memories of getting ready for balls with her own sisters. She allowed herself a moment to indulge in the nostalgia before turning back to the present, in the quiet yet warmly lit room that still held the faintest sense of unfamiliarity.
Elizabeth studied her gown in the mirror, smoothing the Sardinian blue fabric. The dress was adorned with delicate white pearl beading, perfectly suited to the wife of a Darcy. Yet, she was still adjusting to wearing such finery. Mr Darcy had bought her this dress the previous day, insisting that none of her other gowns were suitable—though he had never seen them. His assumptions sometimes dampened their newfound understanding, reminding her that he still viewed her as beneath his station. He no longer resented her for having supposedly tricked him into marriage, but he remained irritable at the thought of having married someone he did not consider his equal.
She picked up the small bottle of perfume that Jane had given her for her birthday and dabbed a little on her wrists and neck. She had perhaps used a bit too much, fearing Mr Darcy might not approve, though he had never commented on it.
Elizabeth adjusted her necklace before pinning the brooch her husband had given her to her dress. She had worn it every day since receiving it, a small but constant reminder of their improving relationship and a symbol of their commitment to civility.
Once she was satisfied with her appearance, Elizabeth left her chamber and descended the stairs to join Mr Darcy. He stood by the front door, engaged in conversation with the coachman. Elizabeth paused for a moment, watching him speak, suddenly struck by how handsome he was. He wore a vibrant green tailcoat, white breeches, and shirt, with leather gloves and dark shoes. He looked the very picture of a gentleman, and Elizabeth felt a warmth rise in her cheeks as she took in the sight of him. She had always known he was handsome, but she had never allowed herself to truly think about it before.
Her reverie was broken when Georgiana, in a rush of excitement, dashed past her down the stairs, her light peach-coloured gown nearly tripping her up. She giggled, her joy contagious.
“Be careful, Georgiana,” Mr Darcy called, watching her with amusement.
“I beg your pardon, Lizzy!” Georgiana said, turning to face her sister-in-law. “I’m simply too excited!”
“I understand,” Elizabeth replied, laughing lightly to brush off the moment. “Let us go, before she knocks into anyone else.”
Georgiana huffed but did not disagree, racing ahead towards the carriage. Mr Darcy rolled his eyes and offered Elizabeth his arm.
“The advantage of having a wife with as many sisters as you, Elizabeth, is that you’ve learned to tolerate moods like Georgiana’s with great patience,” he said with a chuckle.
“Georgiana is far more agreeable to me than my two youngest sisters, who are exceedingly silly. So, no hardship at all,” Elizabeth teased, as the two climbed into the carriage, settling comfortably across from Georgiana.
“I cannot wait to see everyone at the ball!” Georgiana exclaimed. “I have not had the chance to meet most of your sisters, Elizabeth, and I haven’t seen Charles’s sisters in so long!”
“Well, I must argue that may be for the better, my dear sister,” Mr Darcy replied with a wry smile.
“Oh, you can’t mean that!” Georgiana exclaimed. “Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst are such dears! And I’m sure your sisters are just as delightful. Don’t you agree, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth thought for a moment. “I’m afraid I agree with your brother on this matter, dear sister-in-law. I’m very fond of Jane, but I must say my other sisters are…” She paused, considering the best way to describe them politely. “Eclectic.”
“Indeed?” Georgiana asked, intrigued.
“Very much so,” Elizabeth replied, her tone light but firm. “Although my mother is much worse. She means well, but sometimes can be quite a handful.”
Mr Darcy let out a resigned sigh. “I’ve only met Mrs Bennet twice—once at the Meryton assembly and again at the wedding—but I must admit, our conversations were brief.”
Elizabeth’s expression faltered for a moment, her thoughts drifting. Her relationship with her family had been strained of late.
“Because of the scandal?” Georgiana asked gently.
“In part,” Elizabeth replied, her voice quieter. “But also due to the distance.”
“I see…” Georgiana’s voice softened, sensing Elizabeth’s discomfort. Elizabeth reached out, taking her hand and rubbing the back of it gently with her thumb.
“You need not worry or be sad,” Elizabeth said with a reassuring smile. “These things happen, but I am so very glad to have you and Jane as my nearest and dearest family.” Georgiana’s face brightened, a wide smile spreading across her face.
“You are very sweet, Lizzy,” Georgiana said warmly. “I’m so glad that, of all the women my brother could have been forced to marry, it was you.”
Elizabeth burst out laughing, shaking her head at Georgiana’s candidness. Mr Darcy groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Georgiana, I wish you would not phrase it quite so…” Mr Darcy began with a sigh, but Georgiana was already giggling, and Elizabeth joined her in the laughter.
***
It was not long before they arrived at Jane and Charles’s home. The elegant residence was a short ride from Pemberley, with large well-maintained gardens, though the house itself was not as grand in scale. Other guests were arriving in carriages and elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen were making their way to the brightly lit home.
Elizabeth knew her sisters, Kitty and Mary, accompanied by one of their trusted servants, had arrived the previous day and would be staying with Jane for the week before returning home. Her parents were supposed to have arrived that morning, but she had yet to hear word from them.
She felt a slight unease at the thought of seeing them again. She hadn’t yet told her father the truth, but she had planned to find a moment during the evening or the week ahead to speak with him. Mr Darcy had agreed to support her, so that she might be redeemed in her father’s eyes. The prospect of the conversation left her feeling a little ill.
Despite missing them, Elizabeth was glad her family had decided to stay with Jane and Charles rather than impose upon her at Pemberley—it would have been a great deal of trouble, given the strained state of their relations.
The ballroom was warm and welcoming, its glow softened by chandeliers and candles. The sounds of merriment filled the air, and in the centre of it all stood Jane and Charles, their gracious hosts. Jane wore a pale peach gown, while Charles was resplendent in an elegant evening suit with a tailcoat. Georgiana remained close to Elizabeth, her eyes wide with excitement as she took in the lively scene around them. Elizabeth and Georgiana stood with Kitty and Mary near the edge of the room, she was delighted to be reunited with her sisters. The women commented and observed the ball, each full of praise for the hostess.
It had been some time since Elizabeth had attended a ball, indeed, the last ball she had attended, she realised, had been the one where she first met Mr Darcy. What a whirlwind her life had been since then! If she could go back and tell her past self all that would unfold, she would have scoffed at the absurdity.
Her musings were interrupted when Jane, radiant in a pale peach gown, caught her eye. Jane excused herself from the conversation, her face lighting up as she approached.
“Lizzy!” she exclaimed, pulling her sister into a warm embrace. “You are here!”
“I wouldn’t have dreamed of missing this, Jane,” Elizabeth replied with a smile, returning the hug.
Jane’s fragrance caught Elizabeth’s attention, a subtle, calming lavender scent. “I can smell you’ve been busy in your still room,” Elizabeth teased lightly.
“Oh yes,” Jane said with a laugh. “We received a wonderful supply of lavender from one of Charles’s friends. I’ve been experimenting and have a batch I’m saving for you. It’s not perfect yet, but soon you’ll have your own lavender perfume.”
“I look forward to it,” Elizabeth said sincerely. “Now, tell me—I’ve yet to see Mama and Papa?”
Jane’s smile softened. “I did invite them, but I’m afraid they won’t make it. A messenger arrived earlier with news that their carriage broke down on the road. They’re staying at an inn overnight and plan to return to Longbourn in the morning.”
Elizabeth’s expression shifted. She had wanted to see her father, hearing he was not coming dampened her joy at being with her sisters. And even though she and her mother had a difficult relationship, she’d hoped to see her also. “I hope they weren’t too distressed. I know how Mama frets when her plans go awry.”
“I am certain she was quite disappointed, of course,” Jane said with a delicate smile, “but Kitty told me that Mama sounded as though she was taking ill, so perhaps this was for the best.”
“Then I shall send her a note tomorrow to wish her well and lament her absence,” Elizabeth said. “We both know how much she loathes missing a ball.”
“Indeed,” Jane replied, her voice warm. “Papa has asked me to keep an eye on Kitty and Mary for the week they are here. I’m glad to do so, it is wonderful to spend time with them.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled at the thought. “Perhaps we could plan something for all of us to do during the week? It’s been so long since we sisters had a proper day together.”
Jane’s face lit up. “That’s a wonderful idea, Lizzy. Let’s plan something special—it will be just like old times. Of course, Lydia will have to come.”
Elizabeth cringed. “I suppose so. I have not seen her yet. Have they arrived?”
“Not yet,” Jane said. “A cottage is prepared for them on the estate, and I had thought they would arrive early so she could rest but they are late. I do hope she will not cause too much of a scene.”
Indeed, Elizabeth had been surprised to hear her youngest sister was coming. t was unseemly for a woman in her condition to attend balls, but given Lydia’s lack of decorum it hadn’t surprised her that her sister was coming.
“I must keep her away from Georgiana. I am uncertain why but she is very uncomfortable whenever Mr Wickham is mentioned,” she said. Indeed, she’d noticed that Mr Darcy never spoke of Mr Wickham in front of Georgiana if it could be avoided. When he had to speak of him, it was in only the briefest of references and even then, Georgiana appeared uncomfortable.
“I understand. We shall help one another. I will ensure Georgiana is not anywhere near Mr Wickham, if you help me rein in Kitty and Mary.”
Elizabeth laughed. “It sounds like a wonderful arrangement.”
The music swelled, and the two sisters shared a smile, their bond as strong as ever despite the challenges life had thrown their way.
“I trust you have noticed that Mrs Hurst and Caroline Bingley are already here as well,” Jane said. “Along with Mr Hurst, although I fear he has already fallen asleep in the library.”
“I am sure I will also be subjected to the joy of their company,” Elizabeth said, a half laugh escaping her lips.
“Lizzy!” Jane laughed in mock outrage.
“I will leave you to your guests and go find our sisters. Have a delightful evening, Jane,” Elizabeth said, breaking away from her sister to go find Mary and Kitty who had wandered away from the spot they’d all been standing.
Soon enough she spotted Kitty who stood with a man in a soldier’s uniform, the pair talking warmly despite meeting mere minutes ago. Elizabeth cautiously approached, taking in the difference a few months had made to her sister. Kitty wasn’t nearly the silly girl she remembered, and for a few seconds she felt a pain from the change, knowing she hadn’t been there to see it, before Kitty spotted her and ran to her and pulled her into a tight hug.
“Oh, Lizzy, it is grand to be here, is it not? And with all of us together without Mama to supervise us!” Kitty laughed.
“I agree. Although I must ask, despite perhaps sounding like Mama—who is the gentleman I saw you speaking with?”
“Mr James Purvis. He is with the militia. A most dashing man, do you not think so?”
“I do indeed. Perhaps you might introduce me later?”
“I will,” Kitty said eagerly.
“First, I must find Mary. Where has she gone? I wanted to ask her to come to Pemberley to play the pianoforte with Georgiana. And you are welcome of course as well,” she added.
“I am uncertain where she is, but you know her, likely she is hiding somewhere,” Kitty said.
“I shall find her,” Elizabeth declared before parting ways with Kitty.
Before she could locate Mary, another of her sisters made her presence known.
“Jane!” Lydia called and waved, louder than was proper. Elizabeth winced. Her sister had arrived.
She knew she had no solid proof that Lydia was the one responsible for her predicament, but the thought alone had turned her feelings towards her youngest sister into something much more negative than had been the case. Not that they were ever close to begin with.
Elizabeth looked over at Jane, who was standing a little apart from the others. Jane’s smile was kind, but there was a noticeable wariness in her eyes as she approached Lydia who was giggling and greeting the other guests she knew with a little too much enthusiasm. Elizabeth couldn’t help but overhear the murmurs circulating around them.
Lydia had, as always, refused to learn any sense of propriety during their time apart. She could only imagine how difficult it must be for Jane and Charles to endure the spectacle. The only small mercy in this situation was that Lydia’s pregnancy was not yet noticeable enough to reveal her condition to the other guests. Elizabeth was uncertain how far along her sister was, but thus far, the flowing gown she wore concealed any hint of it.
Just then, she noted that Mr Wickham had not entered the ballroom with his wife. She craned her neck to see if she could see him anywhere.
However, when she caught sight of something interesting, it was not her wayward brother-in-law but rather her own husband—with Caroline Bingley at his side.
Elizabeth felt a sharp shock of jealousy when she saw the way Caroline moved towards Mr Darcy in a way that was too familiar for her. It wasn’t an emotion she was accustomed to and it took her off guard. After all, she and Mr Darcy were not in love, so why did she have this uneasy sensation in the pit in her stomach?