25. Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Five
January 1812 Elm House, London Elizabeth
T heir first foray to Bond Street was uneventful. Madame Dubois exclaimed loudly over the ‘belles jeunes mesdemoiselles,’ going here and there in her shop and selecting the fabrics she thought would compliment them most. Mary needed encouragement for the bolder designs, but with bolstering from Aunt Maria, Susan, and Elizabeth, she ultimately decided to listen and selected several elegant and refined gowns.
It was the second visit thither that proved to be the most diverting. They entered Madam Dubois’s shop for their fittings and were shocked to observe familiar figures standing at the counter. Having scheduled Madam Dubois’s time for the previous appointment to avoid being disturbed, they had not bothered to do so for the fitting, and so expected other clientele to be present.
What they had not expected was to find Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst standing at the counter, berating one of the seamstresses for her ‘shoddy work’ on a gown.
“I demand that you compensate me for the trouble,” Miss Bingley declared snootily. “I should say at least half the price be deducted. Why, look at this beadwork! Atrocious!”
The seamstress stood silently, cheeks flushed, and eyes cast down. Elizabeth wondered where Madame Dubois had gone. She did not give the impression that she would tolerate such abuse of her staff.
Lady Elmwood stepped forward. “Hello, Gisele,” she said kindly. “Is Madame Dubois available for our appointment?”
“ Non , Madame, though she will be shortly. My mistress was called away but will return. She instructed I ask if you and the misses wait until she returns.”
“Excuse me, but I believe we were here first.” Miss Bingley cut in, turning a haughty gaze to Lady Elmwood. Her eyes narrowed when she noted Elizabeth and Mary, and she sneered.
“Miss Eliza, what a surprise. I did not expect to see you in this part of town. And Miss Mary. This must be your aunt and one of her… children. Pray, what brings you from Cheapside?”
Susan opened her mouth to protest. Elizabeth nudged her and shook her head, winking conspiratorially.
“I am certain you heard my aunt say that we are here for fittings, though it seems there will be a delay until our appointment.”
“Madame Dubois serves tradesmen?” Mrs. Hurst sneered, a look of disgust on her face. “I believe it is time that we patronize another shop, Caroline, some place that does not need such low-born patronage to survive.”
The two ladies said nothing more, but turned on their heels and glided off. The door slammed behind them.
The party inside was silent for a moment before bursting into laughter.
“Oh, what a spectacle!” Susan said, wiping tears from her eyes. “Who was that, Elizabeth?”
Chuckling, she replied. “That, my dear cousin, was the Miss Bingley I wrote so fondly of last autumn. The other woman was her sister, Mrs. Hurst.”
Madame Dubois bustled in. “Pray, excuse my tardiness, your ladyship,” she said. “Such chaos!”
“It is quite alright, Madame, though I believe we have lost you a customer or two.”
The seamstress quickly related the tale, and they all chuckled anew.
“Ah, those two are not amongst my favorite customers. Their custom will be no loss. The gown Miss Bingley ordered will probably not sell. It is an overly adorned mess of beads, lace, and ribbons. The coloring did not suit her at all.”
“Perhaps, madame, if I were to remove some of the adornment, it would look better?” Gisele spoke softly, and Elizabeth’s heart went out to the poor girl.
“ Oui, ca suffit. Now, let us get these ladies fitted and on their way!”
After the fittings concluded, they went first to Gunter’s and then to Hatchard’s. After recovering from the tortuous fitting, as Elizabeth called it, they explored the bookshop for some time.
“Your new gowns will be ready in time for Lord Craven’s soiree,” Aunt said as the carriage arrived at Audley Street. “He is a great friend of your uncle’s, and his wife is one of my longest acquaintances.”
“Do they have any eligible sons?” Elizabeth asked suspiciously.
Aunt Maria chuckled. “Indeed, they do. Fear not, my dear, for I shall not press you to marry where you do not hold affection. That would be far too cruel.” She winked and smiled.
They disembarked and went inside. Elizabeth did not remove her outerwear. Instead, she asked her aunt if she might go to the park.
“I am in great need of stretching my legs,” she said. “I walk every day in the country, as you know, and I have not had a good ramble since we left Longbourn.”
“Take Jones or Smith with you,” Aunt Maria said. “Hyde Park is but a short walk away.”
“Good, for I had no intention of taking the carriage.” Elizabeth laughed. She waited patiently as Jones was summoned, and then the two made to depart.
“Be back in an hour, Lizzy. We have lessons to review.” Mary’s reminder caused her to grimace. Dear Aunt Maria had been reinforcing their society training since their arrival at Elm House.
Jones opened the door, and she stepped back out into the sunlight. The day felt a little warmer than when they left that morning. Most would not venture out, but Elizabeth was no wilting violet. Even the coldest temperatures had not kept her indoors at Longbourn.
January in London was dull and gray. Smoke rose from chimney stacks and wet, muddy water drizzled down the streets. She could see her breath billowing out before her as she walked, and the cold nipped at her nose and cheeks.
The entrance to Hyde Park stood ahead of her. There would be no lush green grasses or trees full of leaves today, but she did not mind. The park had many walking paths where she could stretch her legs, and she intended to come every day that she could.
Jones trailed behind her, giving the illusion of solitude. Nevertheless, she sensed his presence. It was both comforting and annoying to be so protected, but she had vowed to follow her aunt's strictures that she be accompanied.
“Miss Bennet!”
She turned in surprise. I do not know many people in town, she thought. Her surprise turned to irritation as she recognized Mr. Darcy striding toward her. He held a walking stick in one gloved hand. The other held a letter that he tucked into his pocket.
He came to a stop by her side and bowed. He smiled, and she blinked. Never had she seen the expression on his countenance. It rendered his already handsome visage into something more remarkable. Granted, a smile was always better than a frown. Perhaps that was why it appealed to her.
“Mr. Darcy, good day, sir,” she said politely.
“I had no idea you were in London,” he said smoothly.
She thought he sounded rather pleased with it, but she wondered if she misinterpreted his tone. Did he not think of her as beneath him, looking only to find fault?
“Yes, my sister and I are guests of my aunt and uncle. We will be in town until at least June.”
“Hyde Park is a long way from Gracechurch Street. Your uncle is very kind to send you in his carriage.”
She frowned. “We were already close,” she said, prevaricating. “And I am not alone. Jones looks after me, for my uncle has decreed I must not walk alone in London.”
“May I join you on your stroll?” he asked politely.
Surprised again, she nodded automatically. He extended his arm, and she took it bemusedly.
“I must say, I had no thought of encountering you here,” he said. “I am very pleased. Tell me, which sister accompanied you to town?”
“Mary is my companion. Though my uncle wished for me to have a season long ago, he allowed me to wait for my sister. Mary, you see, is very timid and did not wish to come out on her own.”
“I thought all your sisters were out.”
She nodded. “In country society, yes, but not in town.”
He fell silent, and they strolled without speaking for a moment.
“Is Miss Jane Bennet also in town?”
How do I answer that without giving anything away? she wondered. Finally, she said, “She is, though, not staying with my uncle.” She did not wish him to know her true circumstances. Mr. Darcy had proven himself to be proud and haughty. He thought of himself as above his company, and she would not tell him her situation just to gain his good opinion. If he cannot like Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the penniless daughter of a country squire, then he is not good enough for the wealthy alternative. Fortune or no, I am the same in essentials.
“We were all surprised at Mr. Bingley’s sudden decampment,” she hedged. “I do hope that nothing serious kept him from Netherfield.”
“Bingley found that his business in town was rather more encompassing than he thought at first. That and other family matters sadly prevented him from returning to Hertfordshire.”
She made a noncommittal noise. “Does he intend to give up the lease?”
Mr. Darcy shrugged indifferently. “I cannot say for certain, though it is likely. Bingley is in search of an estate to purchase, and Netherfield Park does not provide that option.”
“Then he disliked the area?” she probed further, wishing to understand if the man’s abandonment had ought to do with Jane’s behavior.
“No, I believe he found much to admire in Hertfordshire.” Mr. Darcy cleared his throat nervously.
“Yes, and I believe those in Meryton and thereabouts took great pleasure in his company. Mr. Bingley is an engaging, gregarious man.”
“And very wealthy,” he murmured.
“I beg your pardon, sir,” Elizabeth said crisply, halting her progress. “Do you mean to accuse me of finding Mr. Bingley’s company desirable because he has a fortune? I assure you, Mr. Darcy, that I am in the habit of evaluating an acquaintance based on their character, not the contents of their bank account.”
“I meant no insult to you , Miss Bennet,” he said apologetically. “You have always struck me as a kind, thoughtful young lady with strong morals. It is only that my friend has recently realized that ladies often pursue him for other reasons beyond mutual attraction.”
She let her temper cool, first picturing Jane’s mercenary tendencies of the last few months, and then remembering Mr. Wickham’s probing. Yes, I believe I know what Mr. Bingley feels, to a point. “I thank you for your accolades, sir.” In truth, his praise startled her, for it was very unexpected. Did he not think her—and Mary—to be only tolerable?
They continued walking, Jones trailing behind. She contemplated the conversation, wondering at Mr. Darcy’s kindness and affability. He had never behaved so in Meryton. Was this yet another situation where a man’s character hid behind outward appearances? For had not this gentleman seemed overtly disdainful, prideful, and arrogant?
“Will you be in town long?” she asked. He likely frequented the same circles as her aunt and uncle, and encountering him would be inevitable. Then he would learn her true worth and his true nature would show itself.
“I am for Pemberley in mid-February,” he said. “My sister is in town with me, and we will both go. When all the arrangements for spring planting have been completed, we will return to town. After I deposit Georgiana with my aunt, then I am to go to Kent for a few weeks.”
“That sounds as though you will be very busy,” she said. “My aunt and uncle plan to keep us very occupied as well. It will be a miracle if I manage to walk every day.”
“Do you plan to return to Hyde Park?” he asked.
“Yes, for it has the most walking paths so as to satisfy my need for exercise.”
He paused and turned to look at her, that unfathomable expression he had so often employed at Netherfield once again on his face. Suddenly, she wondered if she had mistaken its meaning. Certainly, she could not believe that after their amiable conversation, he looked only to find fault. Perhaps he disapproves of me using Hyde Park.
“I hope to encounter you again, Miss Bennet.” He said this solemnly, the expression in his gaze making her heart do a little somersault. “This has been a most agreeable afternoon.”
She swallowed and glanced away, suddenly uncertain of herself. “Well, yes, it has been,” she said.
“I am afraid I must be going now. Georgiana expects me for tea.”
Nodding, she replied, “My aunt will be expecting me as well.”
He bowed and departed. She watched him go, feeling perplexed and a little anxious. As she turned back toward Audley Street, she mulled over the conversation, attempting to decipher any hidden meaning, especially regarding Mr. Bingley and his unexpected departure.
He knows something more than he said, she mused. Did the gentleman leave because he surmised Jane meant to marry him for his wealth? Did Jane mean to do so? She did not confide her feelings to me, so it is impossible to tell if she genuinely cared for him or not.
Whatever the reason, Elizabeth had washed her hands of the situation. Her stepsister’s actions were no reflection upon Mary and Elizabeth’s behavior.
When she arrived at Audley Street, she removed her things and went upstairs. She splashed water on her face and allowed Millie to fix her hair before going downstairs to the drawing room.
“Ah, there you are!” Aunt Maria sat at her writing table, a stack of invitations before her. “I have just had word that my dear friend, Lady Matlock, has arrived in town. She invites us to tea at her home in two days. Her home is on Mount Street.”
“I shall be pleased to make new acquaintances,” Elizabeth replied, taking her seat. “But that only accounts for one invitation. What are all of those?” she pointed at the stack. The one on top had a dark blue seal with an elegant coat of arms pressed into the wax.
“I have yet to go through those,” the countess admitted. “Most are from close friends, but there are a few from hostesses who invite us every year, even though we usually decline. This year, I think, we will probably accept.” She picked up the sealed missive on the top. “This is from Lady Sefton. Not only is she a patroness of Almack’s, but she is a close, personal friend. And this is from Mrs. Scott. I usually decline invitations to her soirees. They are rather too well attended for my liking, though only the crème de la crème receives invitations. I think we ought to accept this year. It will provide many opportunities for you both to meet young men.”
Mary looked as though she had swallowed a lemon, and Elizabeth chuckled. I wonder if our aunt realizes that Mary and James have formed an attachment. She did not think so, and Elizabeth would not be the one to inform her. No, that task belonged to the happy couple.