2
A flowing dark green dress caught Elizabeth’s eye, and she turned to face a girl with spectacular auburn hair, who regarded her with arms folded and an expression of haughty amusement.
‘Continue!’ She waved an arm.
‘Pardon me. I did not hear you enter.’
‘Do you know the Waldstein?’
Elizabeth shook her head. ‘Lady Selborn said I could try the pianoforte.’ She rose and curtsied. ‘I am Miss Bennet.’
‘I know. Mother told me.’ The girl studied her. ‘From which you may infer that I am Lady Justina Selborn.’
Elizabeth smiled. Justina’s manner was imposing to the point of rudeness, but more overwhelming was her appearance: the abundant hair swept back to highlight the beauty of her face, with its straight nose, green eyes, strong chin, and full mouth. Her skin glowed; her expression radiated intelligence and vitality. To find all these assets collected in a single person was astonishing.
‘You disdain to give me any more?’ Justina said.
‘I could not play it without hours of practice, and perhaps not even then.’
‘Then I will show you how it sounds.’
Elizabeth stood aside as Justina swept past, freed her arms, and restarted the sonata at what seemed an impossible speed—yet with every note clear and controlled. As she rippled casually through a sequence of arpeggios, Elizabeth drew near to turn the page; a few bars later, Justina raised her hands and turned round.
‘And so forth. What do you think?’
‘A wonderful piece.’
‘And the performance?’
Elizabeth hesitated, surprised that such a brilliant pianist would need reassurance.
‘You are far more competent than I will ever be.’
‘Competent?’ Lady Justina sniffed. ‘Shall we sit down?’ She led Elizabeth to the fireside and sank into an armchair. ‘Why are you applying for this position?’
‘For the same reason anyone seeks a job. I hope I can perform the services required. And I need the salary.’
Justina smirked. ‘You are not very enthusiastic, Miss Bennet! You should have heard the other applicants, who entertained me with rhapsodies on how honoured they would be to serve as my companion.’
Elizabeth studied her, sensing that she was being tested. ‘I care little for honour, Lady Justina. I hope that serving you will be a pleasure, for us both. Whether this will prove true I cannot say, having only just met you.’
‘Indeed!’ Justina drew herself up. ‘You sound very argumentative. What is more, your dress is years old.’
Elizabeth took a deep breath, letting this sally hang in the air, before replying softly, ‘I cannot afford the latest Bond Street fashions.’
‘Now you’re angry! Was I rude?’
‘Yes. As you probably realise.’
Their eyes locked for several long seconds, then a mischievous smile formed at the corners of Justina’s mouth.
‘What shall I do with you?’
‘Throw me out, I expect.’
‘Good idea.’ She paused. ‘What did mother say? Did she give advice, as she is prone to do?’
‘She thought you needed someone to steady you.’
Justina flinched, and for a moment seemed vulnerable, her dominating manner a facade. But she soon recovered and demanded, ‘Do you agree with her?’
‘Forgive me.’ Elizabeth spoke more gently. ‘I intended no insult, but felt I had to answer honestly. At present all I know of you is that you play exquisitely. As for steadying you, I should confess that I have two excitable younger sisters and never succeeded in restraining either of them.’
Lady Justina was silent a long time, then nodded. ‘What is your first name?’
‘Elizabeth.’
‘Is that what you are usually called?’
‘Yes, except that at home I am Lizzy.’
‘Well, Miss Bennet, Elizabeth, or Lizzy, shall we go and speak to my mother?’
‘The interview is over?’
‘Unless you have questions.’
Elizabeth shook her head.
After sweeping along the corridor, Lady Justina tapped on a door, and without awaiting a reply pushed it open.
‘Shall I stay here?’ Elizabeth asked.
‘No. Come in.’
Elizabeth found herself in a small study, dominated by a wide desk and a cabinet holding books and a bust of Mozart. After quietly closing the door she nodded to Lady Selborn, who responded with a momentary raise of the eyebrows.
Justina stepped forward. ‘We have finished.’
‘With what outcome?’
A sniff. ‘Miss Bennet has been most severe on me.’
‘Oh.’ Lady Selborn threw another glance at Elizabeth. ‘So the search continues?’
‘No.’ Justina seemed to be struggling to keep a straight face. ‘I’ve decided to give her a chance, provided she agrees to accompany me to the modiste this afternoon and order some suitable clothes.’
‘Really? Please come closer, Miss Bennet.’ Lady Selborn waited a moment, before asking her, ‘Have you consented to this shopping expedition?’
‘It has only just come to my attention.’
‘Then you may have prior engagements.’
Elizabeth smiled: she rarely had engagements of any description. ‘I am free. But lack sufficient funds to buy a new wardrobe.’
‘Oh, we will pay. But do you accept the position?’
Elizabeth glanced at Justina, deliberately keeping her in suspense. ‘I would be delighted to try, under the terms you suggested. One month, to be extended if we are all happy.’
‘Splendid!’ Lady Selborn clapped her hands, and Elizabeth sensed intense relief.
‘We’ll go after luncheon,’ Justina said. ‘I can tell Dobbs to prepare the carriage.’
‘I must inform my uncle and aunt,’ Elizabeth said. ‘And collect some personal belongings.’
Justina threw up her hands. ‘Why waste time? Send your driver back with a message!’
Elizabeth sighed, and exchanged a look of understanding with Lady Selborn. ‘If the modiste cannot wait, I shall take a hackney to Cheapside later in the afternoon.’
It had struck ten o’clock in the evening, but Elizabeth was already alone in her chamber: the rule in the Selborn household was early to bed, early to rise . She had been allotted a pleasant small room overlooking the mews, and was writing a letter to Mrs Bennet. The wardrobe held her old dress and an off-the-shelf gown to tide her over while made-to-measure garments were prepared at Madame Devy’s.
Shopping with Justina was exhausting. Like a little girl dressing a doll, Justina obviously thought it was up to her to choose the designs—a point difficult to argue since the Selborns were bearing the full cost. But Elizabeth gave Justina the fight she wanted, and they did eventually compromise. After they had bought undergarments at Arpthorp’s in High Holborn, Justina offered to drive on past St Paul’s to Cheapside so that Elizabeth could inform Mrs Gardiner, and pack a few essentials. This was accomplished with no sneering over the indignity of having relatives in trade—a point in Justina’s favour compared with Bingley’s sisters.
Elizabeth finished her letter, blew out the candle, and slipped into the comfortable bed. It had been an exciting day, and the Selborns were an interesting family. Whether it would endure, she could not say. All depended on the whimsy of a young lady just entering society, and strongly aware of her beauty and talent. Still, after three dull, distressing years, Elizabeth was happy at a new chapter opening, in which she might rediscover the comfort and gaiety of her former life.