Chapter 36
Hyde Park
Four Days Later
The Rutherford barouche was a somewhat antiquated but still elegant, and even should she have an absurd amount of pride, Elizabeth would not be ashamed to be seen riding in it beside her cousin Zachary.
No spotted Dalmatian kept them company, but the coachman's livery was clean and neat, and Elizabeth did not repine the absence of a fashionable dog.
They had joined the throng of traffic around Hyde Park during the evening promenade, the gentlemen displaying their expertise in handling the ribbons of their curricles and phaetons, while the ladies displayed their finery from the seats of their open barouches and landaus.
A barouche was not the most popular vehicle for young men of fashion, and Elizabeth was aware that this one transported Zachary's mother and sister more often than it transported him.
She esteemed him for not insisting on a more stylish conveyance for his own personal use, as many young men in his position would have done.
Wrayburn was in poor condition, and though it might be possible for Lord Langdon to scrape together the money for a sporting phaeton for his son, it would be a strain the estate could not easily bear.
Wrayburn needed money infused, plowed back into the land and built into the walls, not wrung out of it to suit a young man's fancy.
It showed prudence and wisdom that Zachary, young as he was, recognized this need and honored it by choosing prudence over pleasure.
Elizabeth was glad to have him for a relation.
A profligate and spendthrift or a rake for a cousin could only inspire disdain or embarrassment, but Zachary, nor indeed any of his family, showed such tendencies.
Elizabeth enjoyed his friendship and respected his good sense and honor, although he stirred no tenderer emotion in her breast.
No, she had no desire to wed her cousin.
She knew, from cautionary tales of her mother's first husband, that respect in a marriage was paramount, but Elizabeth had ambitions for more.
Her own mother and step father set a good example of such a match.
She was determined to wed only a man who truly loved and cherished her and whom she, in all sincerity, respected and adored.
She was already acquainted with one such gentleman.
For a moment, an image of Mr. Darcy's face rose in her mind, tall and strong and handsome and sober.
Elizabeth admitted to herself that she found him deeply attractive in many respects; not only his handsome countenance and fine figure, but also his honor, and his kindness, his attentiveness towards his shy young sisters, and his keen intelligence.
In the months before the Darcys and Bennets were reunited in London, Elizabeth had hoped that the master of Pemberley returned her interest. Now, after interacting with the gentleman many a time, she reluctantly conceded that there were no obvious signs of attraction.
He was always courteous and kind, but it seemed likely that he saw her merely as his sisters’ friend.
It was a great pity but also no great surprise; he was wealthy, handsome, and very well connected, and she, in spite of her fortune, was the daughter of a Cit.
“Are you well, Cousin Elizabeth?” Zachary asked, and Elizabeth, embarrassed at her woolgathering, smiled and said, “Yes, I am. Thank you for inviting me to ride with you. It’s such a lovely day.”
The coachman guided the horses expertly to the right, and then, within ten seconds, pulled the grey pair to a halt next to an elegant phaeton going the other way, inhabited by a young gentleman.
“Miss Elizabeth, good day,” a well-dressed gentleman said. “I hope you are both well?”
It took Elizabeth a few seconds to remember the man’s name. He was an acquaintance of Mr. Darcy’s, and they had met at the Matlock ball and danced a cotillion together.
“Mr. Boyes,” she said courteously. “Yes, we are well. Thank you.”
“Would you do me the honor of introducing your companion?” Boyes asked with a courteous nod.
“Of course. Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Boyes. Mr. Boyes, Mr. Rutherford, my cousin.”
A shadow crossed Mr. Boyes’s face, but it disappeared in an instant. “It is an honor to meet you, sir.”
“Likewise,” Zachary said.
“Until later, Miss Elizabeth,” Boyes replied with a bow and started his horses forward.
Elizabeth relaxed against the seat, as Zachary’s barouche also lurched into motion.
“Hyde Park is growing more lovely every day,” she remarked, turning her head toward the greenery to her right.
The trees and the grass were a pleasant contrast to the myriad ladies and gentlemen who were walking the paths of the park, with the ladies dressed in a variety of colors ranging from soft peach to bright blue.
“It is,” Zachary agreed. “The Serpentine is also most attractive, and…”
Again, a carriage pulled up, and again a gentleman, this time in a curricle, asking about Elizabeth’s health and asking for an introduction to Zachary.
Elizabeth replied with patient courtesy, and a minute later the barouche continued onward, only to stop a minute later, for another encounter with a gentleman, this one an acquaintance of Zachary’s, who asked to be introduced to her.
Elizabeth realized at this point that she absolutely despised riding during the Promenade. How could she and Zachary enjoy a conversation with one another when they were interrupted every minute?
Moreover, it was exasperating to be treated in such a way by so many gentlemen, when she knew that it was solely her fortune, not her mind or her character or even her face, which drew the men to her.
She straightened her spine and lifted her chin.
She was blessed to be allowed a Season, and to enter Society surrounded by beloved relations and friends.
She loved dancing and visits to the theater and libraries.
Yes, the following weeks might have their share of tedium, but she would enjoy herself.
She would also not accept an offer from anyone who cared only about her fortune. She was entirely determined about that!
***
Drawing Room
Bennets’ Hired House
Norfolk Street
Caroline glanced about superciliously, expertly hiding her disappointment that Elizabeth Bennet was not present.
Only her mother and Miss Bennet had greeted their guests, which did not suit Caroline's plans at all.
Charles's unfortunate infatuation with Jane Bennet showed few signs of cooling, and he did not need further encouragement in the form of an intimate visit with only that lady and her mother, who was doubtless eager to see Jane creditably established.
No one with eyes in their head could deny that Jane was astonishingly beautiful, and Caroline generously allowed that Miss Bennet's manners were nearly as nice as attendance at a lesser finishing school might have made them.
Still, even these advantages could not compensate for her less than respectable dowry and execrable connections.
Her mother had, after all, been a mere solicitor's daughter, and her uncles were both in trade, and her aunts were, doubtless, both very vulgar persons.
Truly, it was a pity that all of Mrs. Bennet's true daughters were so very redheaded.
Charles had a distinct preference for blondes, but his attentions to Miss Bennet simply could not be encouraged.
If he were determined to ally his family with the Bennets, and with their connection to Viscount Langdon, it was not the worst notion he had ever taken into his head, but it was imperative that he choose one of Mrs. Bennet's actual daughters.
Caroline had given up all hope of Charles marrying Georgiana Darcy, and now it was vital that she push him the direction of an acceptable lady, not the granddaughter of a mere solicitor!
It did not seem as though the visit today would further Caroline's aims. Mrs. Bennet and Miss Bennet had greeted Caroline, Charles, and Louisa very graciously and immediately sent for tea, and the conversation was pleasant, but there was little enough to be gained from the call.
It would, however, be rude to leave before the politely correct half hour, so Caroline had accepted her seat beside the meager fire in the mean little fireplace to await the arrival of the tea tray.
“I hope that Miss Elizabeth is well, Miss Bennet?” Caroline asked with a syrupy smile.
“My sister and our cousin Zachary are out driving in Hyde Park,” Jane explained. “Zachary invited me along as well, but it is a little too windy for my taste.”
Charles Bingley smiled at the magnificent lady seated in front of him and said, “I am glad you are here, Miss Bennet.”
“And what of your other sisters?” Caroline continued quickly. “Did any of them travel to London with you, or are they still back at Longbourn?”
“The three younger girls, along with Mr. Bennet, are at Longbourn,” Mrs. Bennet said just as the door opened to reveal two maids carrying tea service.
Caroline waited until Mrs. Bennet had handed over a cup of excellent tea and then said, “I am sorry that your other girls do not have the opportunity of being here during the Season.”
“Oh, Mary has no wish to be here,” Jane said cheerfully, “and the younger girls are still being taught by our dear governess. The rest of the family may come down for a week or two at some point, but they are largely content to stay in Hertfordshire.”
Caroline suppressed a sigh. With the three younger girls far away, her only hope was that Charles would somehow turn his attention on Elizabeth Bennet, who was better connected and far wealthier, though based on her foolish brother’s besotted expression, it would be well-nigh impossible.
The door opened again, and Caroline turned just as the butler entered with three gentlemen at his heels, all close to thirty years of age and all dressed in the finest of morning attire.
“Lord Haywood, Sir Ian Prether, and Mr. Sterling,” the man announced and then retreated.
Caroline had heard of all three men but had never been fortunate enough to be introduced. Mrs. Bennet rose to her feet and made the appropriate introductions between the parties, and then the new visitors sat down and accepted tea.
“Miss Bennet,” Lord Haywood said with a smile, “before we discuss anything else, I wondered if perhaps you will be attending the ball at Barrington Place tomorrow evening.”
Jane Bennet smiled angelically and looked at her mother, who said, “I believe we will be attending, yes.”
“Might I have the honor of the first dance?” Lord Haywood asked.
“Oh yes, thank you,” Miss Bennet said, her cheeks pinking attractively.
“And may I have the second set?” Sir Ian asked eagerly.
Caroline watched with satisfaction as Mr. Sterling claimed the third set, while her brother, who looked rather thunderstruck, finally asked for the supper set.
Her shoulders relaxed, and she released a soft sigh of relief.
Jane Bennet was, undeniably, one of the most beautiful women in London. She was also charming, kindly, had truly elegant manners, and was stepsister to one of the Season’s great heiresses.
All of this meant that while Charles might wish to marry Jane Bennet, there was no indication that she had any interest in him. Based on the admiring countenances of the newly arrived gentlemen, Miss Bennet might be able to gain a member of the minor nobility for a husband.
Caroline leaned back in her chair and took another sip of tea. It seemed she did not need to worry much about separating Charles from Miss Bennet.