9. Chapter 9
T hat evening at dinner, Elizabeth found herself seated between Charlotte and Miss Darcy.
“Did I hear correctly that you and your mother and sisters are leaving for town tomorrow?” Charlotte asked. “I thought you were to leave next week.” She tipped a spoonful of soup to her lips and looked at Elizabeth.
“It is Kitty and Lydia who leave with my mother tomorrow. Lydia had begged for a holiday, and since Mama wanted to do some shopping soon anyway, she agreed to a week in London,” Elizabeth explained. “We will leave as planned, a week from tomorrow. My aunt has also invited Mary to join us.”
“How nice! I am sure she is looking forward to it.”
“She is,” Elizabeth smiled and nodded to her friend as the first course was removed.
As she waited to be served the second course, she turned to her left and noticed Mary looking at her.
“Lizzy, Miss Darcy was just telling me of how she spends her time in town,” Mary said.
Elizabeth smiled. “What do you do to occupy yourself in London, Miss Darcy?”
“I have my music lessons, of course. I ride in Hyde Park with my brother. I also spend time visiting with my relations and going to the theatre. And, on occasion, my brother will take me to an evening musicale.”
Elizabeth nodded in response, then sat back to allow the servant to serve her. After taking a bite, she turned to her left again.
“I would love to attend an evening musicale while we are in London, Lizzy,” Mary said.
“Yes, that would be enjoyable,” Elizabeth agreed.
The ladies then gave attention to their plates.
A minute later, Charlotte turned to Elizabeth to get her attention. They leaned toward one another.
“Mr. Darcy has been looking at you a great deal this evening,” Charlotte whispered with a smirk on her face. “Is there something you wish to tell me?”
Elizabeth’s face flushed. “Stop it, Charlotte,” she whispered back.
Charlotte’s shoulders shook with her mirth.
“And, no, there is nothing to tell you like what you imply. I do have some things to acquaint you with, though. Are you free tomorrow? We will be busy visiting tenants in the morning. Do you mind coming to Longbourn?”
“Not at all. Shall I come for tea?” Charlotte asked.
“Yes, thank you,” Elizabeth whispered, narrowing her eyes in disapproval.
Charlotte smiled unrepentantly.
Elizabeth turned her head at the sound of Lydia’s laughter.
She was far too loud. Lydia had clearly imbibed too much wine.
Fortunately, Jane was sitting next to her.
She spoke quietly to Lydia and took her wine glass away from her.
Neither of her parents seemed concerned with Lydia’s outburst. Papa did not even send Lydia a look of censure.
Elizabeth quickly glanced at Mr. Darcy. There were several people seated between him and Lydia.
He was also in conversation with Sir William.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth doubted he was completely oblivious.
Was it too much to ask that her family not make themselves look like such fools in front of him?
After dinner, Charlotte asked Elizabeth and Mary to play. They each played two songs. Elizabeth sang the last song she played. The guests were generous with their applause for each performance.
Elizabeth walked over to the table to pour herself a cup of tea. Mr. Darcy joined her.
“I enjoyed hearing you this evening, Miss Elizabeth. You play delightfully, and your voice is lovely," he said, smiling.
“Thank you,” she said, blushing. "Would you like more tea?"
“Yes, thank you.”
She took his cup and filled it. “How do you take your tea?”
“With milk,” he replied.
Elizabeth added a splash of milk and stirred. She handed his cup back, then picked up her own teacup.
“So,” Elizabeth looked at him with mischief in her eyes as they moved away from the table, “your sister tells me you take her to the theatre, to evening musicales, and you even take her riding in Hyde Park. I am beginning to suspect that you are an ideal elder brother who dotes on his baby sister and grants her every wish.”
Mr. Darcy simply held her gaze and grinned.
She chuckled. “Now I am convinced! I regret to inform you, sir, your secret is out.”
Still grinning, he said, “I cannot speak to being an ideal elder brother, but it would please me to know she thinks of me as such.”
“Oh, she most definitely does, you may rest assured,” Elizabeth teased with a smile. She took a sip of tea just as Jane and Charlotte joined them, along with Mr. Bingley.
Their group spent the rest of the evening in conversation until the time came to depart.
Wednesday morning, they saw their parents and sisters off, then went to sit in the drawing room.
“Miss Lizzy, a letter has come for you from Gracechurch Street,” Mrs. Hill said.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth said, taking the letter.
Elizabeth opened her letter and began to read. She soon let out a short laugh followed by, “Aunt Madeleine!”
“What is it?” asked Jane.
“What does she say?” Mary asked.
Elizabeth grinned at them both. “I shall read it to you.”
My Dear Niece,
Your uncle and I look forward to your visit, and so do the children!
They bring it up constantly. By now, your father should have informed you girls that we have included Mary in the invitation.
Also, I have a surprise for you girls. Your uncle and I mean to spoil you with some new gowns and things.
I say “things” because I do not want to give away everything just yet.
I simply want you and your sisters to be aware that it is not necessary for you to pack as you normally would.
Two morning dresses and one evening gown will suffice.
I have scheduled an appointment with the modiste for the day of your arrival.
It will be at two o’clock that afternoon.
Now, I realize it is asking quite a bit of you girls since you will not have much time to rest after your journey.
However, I think it is best that we take care of this right away.
It will take some days for your gowns to be ready, so putting the orders in immediately is imperative.
I shall leave it there. I wish you a safe journey!
Love,
Aunt Madeleine
“Oh my goodness,” Mary said in disbelief.
“They are so generous,” Jane said, smiling.
“They are indeed,” Elizabeth said.
A short while later, they stepped outside and were hit with a strong breeze.
“Oh, it is such a pretty day!” Elizabeth exclaimed, tying her bonnet a little tighter.
Jane and Mary did likewise, so the wind would not carry their bonnets away either. They headed out onto the estate, soaking in the warm sunshine.
A little while later, they had visited two tenants and were on their way to the third when they noticed the wind had become blustery.
They commented on it, but kept going in the direction of the next tenant farmer’s house after the wind seemed to die down.
However, when a strong gust suddenly blew each of them back a few steps, they knew it was time to go.
As they tried to make their way back to Longbourn, the wind was blowing dirt and leaves around so much they had to shield their eyes.
Spying a large fir close to the road, Elizabeth turned to her sisters, raising her voice to be heard over the wind. “Follow me!”
They took refuge behind the fir, grateful to have a break from the wind blowing in their faces.
“This is impossible!” Jane exclaimed. “How are we to endure this all the way back?”
“Should we stay here and wait it out? Perhaps the wind will subside soon,” Mary suggested.
“Yes, perhaps it will,” Elizabeth said, looking around them. “Or, perhaps, it will not.”
They looked at one another and seemed to come to an unspoken agreement to stay where they were for a few minutes at least. As they stood there watching leaves fly through the air and tree limbs roll by on the ground, Elizabeth thought she heard something.
It was difficult to say what it was over the sound of the wind, but it was definitely something.
She looked at her sisters. “Do you hear that?”
Jane shook her head.
“Hear what?” Mary asked, raising her voice to be heard over the howling wind.
Darcy and Bingley had been out riding when the wind became extremely gusty. After allowing some time to see if it would abate, they decided to return to the stables.
Darcy gave his horse’s reins over to the groom and started walking with Bingley towards the house. Suddenly, he stopped and turned back to the groom. “Have my carriage readied and brought around as soon as possible,” Darcy said.
“Yes, sir!” replied the groom.
“What is it, Darcy?” Bingley asked as they began walking again towards the house.
“Let us get inside first,” Darcy said, speaking loudly to be heard over a sudden gust of wind.
When they entered the house, Darcy turned to Bingley. “I just remembered that Miss Elizabeth was planning to visit tenants today with her sisters. It is possible they have also been caught out in this wind just as we were, but they are more than likely on foot,” Darcy explained.
Bingley nodded in understanding. “I will go with you.”
“Thank you,” Darcy said. “I am going to have Georgiana come with us just in case there is a need for propriety’s sake.”
Bingley raised his brows at that. “Good thinking.”
Hearing the sounds of the pianoforte coming from the music room, Darcy knew where to find his sister. He walked into the room, and she looked up in surprise.
“William, are you already back from your ride?” Georgiana asked.
“We had to cut it short because the winds are very strong outside.”
“Really?” she asked, turning to look out the window.
“Yes . . . Georgiana, I have called for the carriage. I want to make sure Miss Elizabeth and her sisters are not out on their estate in these conditions. Bingley is to accompany me, but I would like for you to come as well.”
“Of course, brother!” She stood and walked out of the room with him.