18. Chapter 18
E lizabeth and her sisters arrived at their uncle’s home at a quarter to eleven.
She thought it a very handsome townhouse with its light-gray exterior and shiny black door.
Gracechurch Street was certainly not considered a fashionable part of town, but it was a very respectable neighborhood, home to many well-to-do tradesmen, such as her uncle.
Matthew was assisting them down from the carriage as Uncle Edward and Aunt Madeleine came out to greet them.
“Girls! Welcome!” Uncle Edward exclaimed.
“Thank you, Uncle,” Jane replied.
They all exchanged hugs and kisses on the cheek.
“It is so good to see you, girls! We have been looking forward to your visit!” Aunt Madeleine said.
“So have we!” Elizabeth replied.
“How was your journey? No problems, I hope?” Uncle Edward asked.
“No, none at all, Uncle,” Mary assured him.
“Good, good. Come into the house then,” he invited them.
When they entered the drawing room, the first thing they heard was Lydia complaining about having to leave London. However, when Lydia saw her uncle walk into the room with his eyes on her, she immediately ceased her ranting. They greeted their mother and younger sisters before sitting down.
“How are things at home?” Uncle Edward asked. “Did Longbourn suffer any damage from the storm?”
“We found a couple of cracks in some windows in the attic, but that is it,” Elizabeth said. “We were very fortunate. Netherfield Park is only three miles from Longbourn, yet the house was severely damaged. It will have to be torn down now.”
Their mother and youngest sisters gasped.
“Is that so? The newspapers did say the storm caused considerable damage,” Uncle Edward said.
“I cannot believe it!” Mama said. “Netherfield is to be torn down? Oh, but what about Mr. Bingley? Were he and his guests in the house?”
“Yes, they were, but they managed to get to safety in time,” Jane replied. “After the storm, they all came to Longbourn for shelter and were our guests until Monday, when the London Road was cleared.”
“Mr. Bingley was a guest at Longbourn all those days? Jane, I hope you took advantage of the situation and used your wiles to make him fall in love with you!” Mama said.
Jane looked horrified. “Mama! I did no such thing!”
Mama rolled her eyes and looked to the ceiling. “Why could I not have been there? Who could have known events would take such a turn? He will never come back now. There is not another house to let in the village!”
Elizabeth was grateful when Aunt Madeleine suggested that Kitty and Lydia tell them some of the things they had been doing on their visit. The change in topic was timely.
After luncheon, Aunt Madeleine, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary went upstairs to change. When they came back down, they were not surprised by the conversation taking place.
“Brother, I think the girls and I should stay here,” Mama insisted.
“I am sorry, but you must leave as planned,” Uncle Edward replied.
“But we have not been to any balls or parties. How will they meet young men?” Mama asked, her brows pinched together.
“Fanny, Lydia is a child—and a spoiled one at that. She belongs in the nursery, and that is clear to everyone but you. I will not take her out in society. She has no regard for proper behavior. All she seems to do is complain, boast, or flirt wantonly with men. If you continue to encourage her, Fanny, it will only be to her detriment. As for Kitty, she may be of age, but she is clearly lacking in maturity and good sense. The girl chooses to imitate not the proper behavior of her elder sisters, but the poor behavior of her younger sister! That being the case, I will not be taking her to any balls or parties either.”
Kitty stood by with a look of remorse while Lydia wore her usual petulant expression.
“Edward, I am sorry to interrupt, but the girls and I need to leave,” their aunt said, with a hand to her husband’s back.
Uncle Edward turned to face his wife. “Of course, my dear. The carriage is out front waiting for you.”
“Thank you, darling.”
Aunt Madeleine said her goodbyes, then stood aside so Jane, Elizabeth, and Mary could hug their mother and younger sisters goodbye as well. Then they followed their aunt outside to the carriage.
As the carriage made its way to Bond Street, Elizabeth told her aunt about the guests they hosted at Longbourn.
“We had the opportunity to get to know Mr. Bingley’s friends while they were all guests at Longbourn—Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, and his sister Miss Georgiana Darcy. ”
“The Darcys?” their aunt questioned with a curious smile.
“I know them, or rather, I knew their parents. I met them when my family moved to Lambton. The village is about five miles from Pemberley. I was eighteen or nineteen at the time. We moved to Lambton when my father was given the living there. Not long after that, I met your uncle, and then we married. So, it turned out that I did not end up living there very long.”
Elizabeth was very surprised to learn her aunt had known Mr. Darcy’s parents.
“How did you find Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy?” Aunt Madeleine asked.
“They are very amiable,” Mary said with a smile.
“Yes, and Mr. Darcy invited us to go riding in Hyde Park,” Elizabeth said.
“Then we shall add riding habits to the list of items to be ordered,” their aunt declared.
“Oh, Aunt Madeleine,” Jane began, “we brought our riding habits with us—”
“I will not have my nieces riding through Hyde Park in anything less than the current fashion,” their aunt said with a smirk.
“Madame Dupont is the most sought-after modiste in London. Her creations are exquisite. She may also have some gowns that are already made up and can be purchased with alterations to sizing and length. Those items can usually be ready in a day or so.”
Before long, they reached their destination. When they entered the shop, Elizabeth was amazed at all the beautiful items of clothing. An attractive, dark-haired woman similar in age to Aunt Madeleine approached them.
“Bonjour! Madame Gardiner, how lovely to see you.”
“Lovely to see you as well. I have brought my nieces to you. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, this is Madame Dupont.”
“Please come with me. I have a private room prepared for you.”
They followed Madame Dupont to a room with three curtained-off dressing areas. The walls were papered with a repeating pattern of nosegays with pink roses. From the chair rail down to the floor was crisp white paneling. A rose-colored couch of soft velvet sat across from the dressing areas.
Two young women entered the room behind them. One carried a tea tray, and the other carried pattern books, drawings, and magazines with fashion plates.
“This is Hélo?se and Colette. The three of us will take care of you. Now, shall we begin?”
A while later, they left the modiste and walked to a lady's accessory shop.
Once they concluded their business there, Elizabeth and her sisters followed their aunt to the cobbler a few doors down.
Twenty minutes later, they all exited the shop and boarded the carriage to head back to Gracechurch Street.
“Aunt, you have spoiled us today!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Aunt Madeleine chuckled.
“Truly, Aunt Madeleine, you and Uncle Edward have been so generous!” Mary added.
“We are so thankful to you both, Aunt,” Jane said.
“Oh, you girls are very welcome! I am glad you feel spoiled, for that was the goal! You deserve it. Neither of you had a proper come-out with a season or two in town. On top of that, you are entering the fray a little older and without dowries. I want you to feel confident in who you are and what you have to offer. Being impeccably turned out can go a long way towards that. When you look your best, it is easier to handle the rest, is it not? With your new gowns, you will look just as fashionable as any wealthy young woman you come across, if not more so.”
“Lizzy and I spoke several days ago about the likelihood of encountering gentlemen who seem to be interested, but will do nothing about it because of our lack of dowry. I believe it is what I just experienced with Mr. Bingley,” Jane said.
“Hmm . . . tell me about Mr. Bingley.”
Jane told their aunt about meeting Mr. Bingley, how his interactions with her changed shortly after they met, and how he seemed to go back and forth between seeking to occupy her time and steadfastly avoiding her.
“Yes, he does seem to be confused,” Aunt Madeleine said, her eyes narrowed in thought.
“It is true that many young men want a dowered wife. Some, in fact, need one. However, there are also men who are free to marry as they please. Regardless of what you girls encounter, we shall deal with it together.”
Words seemed to fail Elizabeth and her sisters. They could only smile at their aunt with love and gratitude shining in their eyes. Always, Elizabeth thought, we can always depend on Aunt Madeleine.
When they returned, Elizabeth and her sisters went to the nursery, eager to see the children. They played with their little cousins until it was time for the children’s dinner. Then, they headed downstairs to join their aunt and uncle.
“Aunt, I just remembered that I still need to send a note to Georgiana. We shall be home during calling hours for the next couple of days, shall we not?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, we shall be.”
Elizabeth quickly penned the note and instructed a servant to deliver it to Darcy House. Afterwards, she came and sat next to her aunt.
“Well, girls, it took another thirty minutes after you left with your aunt, but I finally got your mother and sisters on the road,” Uncle Edward said. “I also entrusted Matthew with a letter and some documents for your father. I want to tell you girls about them as well.”
Elizabeth, Jane, and Mary looked intently at their uncle, waiting for his next words.
“In the past, I have seen your efforts to make Lydia behave. I have also seen that most of the time she does not listen to you. This is in large part due to the fact that my sister indulges her. I know my sister also encourages all of this flirting, no doubt telling the girls it is the way to get a husband. I suppose it is no wonder Kitty is so confused.” Uncle Edward said, shaking his head.
“However, the boldness and the flirtatious behavior Lydia displays with men is dangerous. One day, someone is going to take her up on it. In my letter, I have described in detail how Lydia has carried on wantonly every time she has left the house. I implored your father to consider the fact that Fanny will never have the sense to correct Lydia’s behavior.
So, by doing nothing, he gives Lydia the power to destroy each of her sister’s lives.
Because she will ruin herself. The only question is when. ”
“Do you think Papa can be convinced to take her in hand?” Elizabeth asked.
“I suggested to your father that he allow a school to take on that responsibility. Lydia needs to be in an environment where disobedience and defiance will not be tolerated, no matter how much she whines and complains. I investigated a few of them, and I included information on the two best options based on reputation and cost. I also suggested he consider whether Kitty should attend a school as well. Perhaps it will do her good to be away from both Lydia and her mother. He must decide.”
“I think Kitty would quite enjoy attending a finishing school,” Mary said.
“If that is what he chooses to do, there is also information on finishing school options included among the documents. I told him I would be informing you girls of the possibility that Lydia may not be home when you return, and possibly not Kitty either. I hoped it would put a little pressure on him not to procrastinate. I also reminded him that with his sensible daughters here in London, no one is keeping an eye on Kitty and Lydia. Therefore, anything can happen. In addition, I mentioned that since you three were even now preparing to meet new people and would soon draw the eyes of worthy gentlemen, he surely would not allow an undisciplined and rebellious daughter to ruin your prospects.”
“It sounds like you were very blunt with your brother, and understandably so. Our nieces are in a very precarious situation as long as Lydia goes about unchecked,” Aunt Madeleine said.
“Which is why I felt I must intervene. Bennet will ignore this situation for as long as possible. By presenting him with the best options, I hoped to make the process easier for him so that he may act without delay.”
“Thank you so much, Uncle, for intervening on our behalf," Jane said. "If Lydia can be taken away to school, it will be such a relief!”
“I know it will. Let us hope that your father acts quickly and decisively.”
Later, they had almost finished dinner when a message arrived for Elizabeth. She opened it and read.
“Georgiana says they will call tomorrow and they look forward to meeting you and Uncle,” Elizabeth said, looking first at her aunt and then her uncle.
“Then I shall make sure to be here for the visit,” Uncle Edward said with a smile.