Chapter 7 Escape to London
Mrs. Gardiner glanced at the small watch suspended from the chatelaine at her waist. “Goodness me, look at the time. It is half past two. Your sister may already have arrived, and here we linger in the garden.”
The three women entered the house, and Mrs. Gardiner addressed her footman. “Has Samuel returned with my niece?”
“No, ma’am. They have not yet returned.” He took their outerwear. “Cook has prepared a light luncheon for you. Shall I have it set out?”
“Yes, thank you, Christopher. We shall go upstairs to change out of our walking dresses and then come down to eat.”
“Yes, mistress.”
Mrs. Gardiner delivered Edward to his nurse and then retired to change her dress. By the time the three women descended, the front door was thrown open, and Jane was ushered inside.
Elizabeth hurried forward and wrapped her arms around her beloved sister, with Aunt Maddie and Lydia following close behind.
“Come, my dear niece. I am quite delighted to see you rescued from your mother at last. We were on the point of sitting down to a late luncheon. Will you join us, or would you prefer to go upstairs and change your gown?”
Jane laughed. “I have no clothing with me, Aunt, unless Lizzy will permit me to borrow a gown.”
“Of course,” Elizabeth said. “I shall come with you and help you dress. We shall join you shortly, Aunt, but please do not wait for us. I know you are both hungry.”
“I am starving, Aunt Maddie,” Lydia said. “It is quite late.”
As the two sisters ascended to the second floor, Elizabeth spoke in a low voice.
“Jane, we met the most amiable gentleman today in the park. He has beautiful red hair, an excellent figure, and such handsome features that you will swoon the moment you lay eyes upon him. Best of all, he has invited us to dine with him tomorrow.”
Jane laughed. “Lizzy, I have not seen you so animated in years.”
“With a mother such as ours, who can afford animation. Yet, I believe you will be taken with Mr. Bingley the moment you see him. I very nearly was myself.”
She opened the door. “This is my room.”
They examined Elizabeth’s dresses, many of which had once belonged to Jane. Elizabeth drew out a gown of sapphire blue.
“How about this one?”
Jane took it in her hands. “Yes, that was one of my favorite gowns.”
Elizabeth fastened the small buttons down the back of the gown, and once Jane was dressed, they went down together to rejoin the others. The two elder sisters served themselves, and when they were seated, Mrs. Gardiner addressed the footman.
“Christopher, you may leave us. Please close the door behind you.”
“Yes, mistress.”
Mrs. Gardiner then turned to Jane. “Well, my dear, how did matters proceed? I read your uncle’s letter to your father. Was he much displeased?”
Jane’s expression turned grave. “Mary was in the drawing room with Mamma when Samuel was admitted to the house.” The women drew nearer, attentive to every word.
“He asked for Mary first and handed her Lizzy’s letter, then asked for my father and was shown to the study.
Mary read Lizzy’s letter aloud, and we were both astonished.
She locked the door while I rose from my bed and hastened into a gown.
Mary gathered my night things and necessities while I pulled on my stockings and slippers and did what I could with my hair.
I left a note of explanation and apology to Papa with my sister, then, with my night bag in hand, we crept down the servants’ stairs and out through the kitchen door.
No one was about, and we were not seen.” She reached for Elizabeth’s hand and pressed it as if for reassurance.
“We ran to the hermitage and waited what felt like an age. I began to fear that I had been left behind. At last, we saw the hired carriage approach. Samuel leaped down from the bench and handed me inside. He gave this to me.”
Jane produced a thick envelope from her reticule and handed it to her aunt.
Aunt Gardiner turned it over in her hands. “It is addressed to your uncle, yet I shall open it, as Edward will not return for several days.”
She broke the seal and drew out several pound notes and a folded letter.
“It is a short note,” she said, and then she read it aloud.
Edward,
There is no need to be so severe in your judgment of my conduct, or my lack of it.
I am well aware of my failings without your dwelling upon them.
I have enclosed the full tuition for the year and will also have my brother, Phillips, execute a change of guardianship for Lydia, which should allow you to act on her behalf in any matter relating to her well-being.
As regards Jane, I understand your concerns.
I would say that I should never have given my daughter to that man, though I know neither you nor Jane will be inclined to believe me, thinking me too weak to stand against my wife.
Whatever your opinion, I have also enclosed fifty pounds toward a new wardrobe for Jane, as I imagine my daughter must have fled with little more than the clothes she wore.
Ask her to write to me from time to time, so that I may know how she fares away from her mother.
I must confess my surprise at learning that she was not ill, but only pretending.
That does not accord with my understanding of her character, yet I see now that she must have been greatly distressed by the plans Mrs. Bennet was forming on her behalf.
Tell Jane that had I known she believed I would permit her to marry Mr. Goulding, I should have acted more quickly to put an end to my wife’s designs.
You have my thanks for all you are doing for Jane and Lydia. Send Lizzy back to me as soon as you are able.
Regards,
Thomas Bennet
Jane wiped tears from her eyes as Madeline Gardiner finished reading the letter aloud.
Elizabeth grumbled. “How dare he suggest that Jane overreacted, and claim that he would never have permitted our mother to plan such a match. I begged him to act to save Lydia from that blackguard, and he would not lift a finger. Now, he expects us to believe he would have acted for Jane. I do not believe it.”
Jane spoke through her tears. “He has always allowed Mamma to have her own way, and he would have done so again with Mr. Goulding. It makes me think she would rather see me dead than lose her security and her home when our father dies.”
Elizabeth’s voice was sharp with anger. “Mamma has no scruples, and Papa no resolve, and it is we who are made to suffer.”
Lydia sat quietly, listening as her sisters spoke against their parents. At last, she said, “Lizzy, I have always believed you were Papa’s favorite, yet today you speak ill of him. I do not understand.”
“I have loved Papa with my whole heart, Lydia, but I have learned through his failure to bestir himself on our behalf that he does not truly love any of his daughters. He values his own comfort above all else. Do not expect him to act, for he will not. That is not love. It is selfishness.”
Lydia then turned to Jane. “You are Mamma’s favorite. You can do no wrong in her eyes, yet today you say she does not care whether you live or die. Can this be true?”
Jane met her gaze. “I am very angry with our mother. She meant to marry me to Mr. Goulding, a man who has likely brought about the deaths of his two wives. She knows the gossip as well as anyone, yet she planned the match regardless. She would have sacrificed me to preserve her own comfort. I am angry for what she has made me endure these past days.”
Mrs. Gardiner listened in silence as the elder Bennet sisters spoke.
When they had finished and found themselves with nothing further to say, she observed, “I hope this does not sound too trivial, in light of all that has passed, but you have nothing suitable to wear to Mr. Bingley’s dinner tomorrow.
We have time to visit my modiste. Clara often has gowns that were ordered and never claimed.
Let us see whether we may find something appropriate for dining out. ”
Lydia remained behind with Edward and his nurse while the two elder sisters accompanied Mrs. Gardiner to her modiste.
Mrs. Clara Duvall had only six ready-made gowns, but fortunately for the sisters, there was one that suited the color of Jane’s eyes, and Elizabeth chose one in rose that complemented her complexion.
The gowns were fitted, and Madame Duvall assured them the necessary alterations would be completed by the following day.
They then purchased underclothes, shoes, and stockings for Jane, as she had brought nothing but her nightclothes, hairbrushes, and a few small necessities. When all was settled, they returned to Gracechurch Street, took a light supper, and retired for the night.
Jane crept into Elizabeth’s bed. “Lydia did not throw a mighty tantrum as she is accustomed to do at home, when Aunt advised that only you and I were going shopping.”
Elizabeth laughed quietly. “Lydia knows that Aunt Maddie will not tolerate inappropriate behavior.” They continued conversing in low voices about their parents and their many failings until exhaustion overtook them both and they fell asleep.
The following day, Elizabeth convinced Jane and Lydia to walk with her in a nearby park, after which they returned to the Gardiners’ home and spent an hour playing with little Edward.
Mr. Bingley sent his groom with a note to Gracechurch Street, informing them that his carriage would arrive to collect the ladies at half past six.
Their gowns were delivered before noon, and the two sisters tried them on to ensure the fit. The gowns proved well-fitted, and when all was settled, the three ladies went upstairs to rest in preparation for the evening.
At precisely half past six, Mr. Bingley’s carriage drew up before the house, and the ladies were handed inside.
Elizabeth turned to her sister and, laughing, said, “If Mr. Bingley does not fall in love with you this evening, then I am no judge of character.”
“Lizzy, he may as easily fall in love with you. Allow me to meet the gentleman before you dispose of me so readily.”
“He is suited to you,” Elizabeth replied. “He is amiable, soft-spoken, and kind. His hair is not unlike yours, though his is touched with red and yours is of a purer gold. He reminds me of you, in both beauty of mind and of form, and for that reason, I believe him to be your perfect match.”
All three women were laughing at Elizabeth’s raptures when the carriage entered Mayfair, where the streets were broad and the houses large and imposing.
The ladies fell silent as they progressed along the street until the carriage came to a halt before a handsome townhouse, neither the largest nor the smallest among its neighbors.
They were handed down and shown into the front hall. As they removed their outer garments, Mr. Bingley came around the corner and halted at the sight of them. His gaze fixed upon Jane, and whatever greeting he had intended remained unspoken.
Elizabeth observed him with satisfaction. She had seen such a reaction in other men upon first meeting Jane. She then looked to her sister and found her equally affected, standing as though struck dumb and insensible to her surroundings.
Elizabeth smothered a laugh. It was exactly as she had predicted.
Mr. Darcy appeared moments later, and Mr. Bingley recovered himself enough to offer his welcome. Mrs. Gardiner then made the necessary introductions.
Mr. Bingley offered his arm to Jane, and Mr. Darcy escorted Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth, one on either arm.
They were shown into a drawing room of generous size, elegantly furnished, where a woman with copper colored hair sat at the pianoforte, engaged in a demanding sonata.
All took their seats in silence until the piece was concluded, after which Mr. Bingley presented the ladies to his family.
During the introductions, the pianist rose and approached Mr. Darcy, slipping her arm through his.
Elizabeth observed that she was a tall, full-figured woman with a narrow waist and flaring hips, and that she stood nearly eye to eye with Mr. Darcy.
She pressed herself against him, staking her claim.
Her voice was lowered to an intimate tone, but his expression remained unreadable.
The lady did not appear satisfied with his response.
Her gown was fashioned from fine silk in a shade of burnt orange, which heightened the pallor of her skin and deepened the copper of her hair.
She was a handsome woman, and Elizabeth perceived at once how striking a pair she and Mr. Darcy made, not only in appearance but in the expense of their dress and the confidence of their bearing.
Elizabeth then turned her attention to Jane and Mr. Bingley. He had led her sister to a chair near the fire and was positioning a screen to guard her from any draft. Once he was assured of her comfort, he addressed Mrs. Gardiner and asked what she preferred to drink.
“Ratafia, sir.”
Elizabeth watched him cross to the sideboard to pour the drinks for Jane and her aunt and was startled when Mr. Darcy spoke. She turned and found him standing so close that she might have reached out and touched him.
“Miss Elizabeth, may I offer you a drink?”
“Yes, sir. Negus, if you please.”
He stepped away, and Miss Bingley approached her. Her gaze traveled over Elizabeth from her hair to her slippers, pausing at her bosom and her hips. Elizabeth watched her expression change. Miss Bingley made it plain that she did not like what she saw.
“Miss Eliza, your figure is quite boyish. I pity you. Full-figured women are much admired by gentlemen of fashion. With your figure, you will never secure a husband.”
Elizabeth caught the woman’s eye and held it.
“Then it is fortunate, Miss Bingley, that I am not in pursuit of one. You need not expend your pity upon me, for I am contented as I am. It has been my observation that women of fuller figure often gain greatly in size after their first confinement, and I am quite satisfied with the advantages nature bestowed upon me.”
Miss Bingley’s eyes narrowed. “Upon my word, you give your opinion very decidedly for one who has not been accustomed to moving in the upper circles of society.”
Elizabeth had no opportunity to reply, for Mr. Darcy returned with her drink.
There was a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he remained at her side.
Elizabeth then watched as Miss Bingley bent all her efforts toward pleasing him with clever quips and conversation, which, unfortunately for the lady, rapidly slid into obsequiousness.
He must have quickly tired of it, for he soon excused himself.