Chapter 9 An Invitation to Vaux Hall Gardens
When the evening drew to a close, Mr. Bingley stood at the entrance, assisting Jane with her cloak. Mr. Darcy remained nearby, as did Mrs. Hurst.
Miss Bingley, plainly displeased, scarcely concealed her impatience for the ladies’ departure, cherishing the hope that Mr. Darcy might yet remain and allow for a more private interval. That hope was dashed, however, for Mr. Darcy had already requested his carriage.
As they waited in the entryway for the carriages to be brought round, Mr. Bingley turned to Mrs. Gardiner.
“Madam, if your nieces are not already engaged, would you permit them to join me tomorrow after two o’clock for a visit to Vauxhall Gardens? There is to be a hot air balloon ascension, and perhaps the Miss Bennets might like to witness it; indeed, they may even consent to ascend themselves.”
Elizabeth looked to Jane and saw her sister’s eyes widen, very likely in alarm. Elizabeth herself felt only a quickening thrill. She had never seen a balloon, much less imagined ascending in one.
“Mr. Bingley, my nieces have no prior engagement tomorrow, and if they wish to attend the ascension, they may do so. Though,” she added, amused, “from Jane’s expression, I suspect you will find it difficult to persuade her that ascending in a balloon is indispensable.”
Mr. Darcy spoke then. “I shall attend you, Charles. I believe Miss Elizabeth would relish the adventure. If Miss Bennet prefers to keep her feet firmly upon solid ground, I will ascend with her sister instead. In that way, both ladies may enjoy the gardens according to their own inclinations.”
He turned to Elizabeth. “I must say, Miss Elizabeth, you will never see a finer view of the city than from such a height.”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened, and Mr. Darcy pressed, “What say you, Miss Elizabeth? Will you join us?”
She glanced first at her aunt, who nodded in approval, before answering. “Yes, sir. I should like it above all things.”
Mr. Bingley turned once more to Jane. “Miss Bennet, may I persuade you?”
Jane hesitated, then answered. “If I may be assured that I can observe the ascension from the safety of a nearby bench, I shall agree with pleasure.”
“Excellent,” Mr. Bingley said. “We shall call for you at two. Mrs. Gardiner, I will have your nieces home sometime after ten, and certainly before midnight.”
A few minutes later, the carriages drew up at the door. As Bingley assisted the other women, Mr. Darcy detained Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth, my sister Georgiana, who is fifteen, has just come to me from Derbyshire. Might I introduce her to you? And, if you would not dislike it, perhaps I might bring her with us tomorrow and show you both the pleasure gardens. She has never been before.”
Elizabeth drew a breath, only then realizing she had been holding it.
“Mr. Darcy, I should like that very much. A new adventure is always better shared.”
“Thank you. Then until tomorrow.”
He bowed and handed her into the carriage. Moments later, they were gone.
Jane clapped her hands. “Aunt, do I imagine too much in believing that Mr. Bingley may be forming an attachment?”
Mrs. Gardiner regarded her with measured thought.
“He certainly takes pleasure in your society. Yet as we do not know him well, who is to say that he does not begin in this manner with every pretty young woman he meets, only for his ardor to cool within a few weeks, when his attention is caught by someone new.”
Jane’s countenance clouded in a manner so earnest that it was comical, and both of her relations laughed.
“Mr. Bingley does like you very much, my dear, but I agree with Aunt Maddie. You should guard your heart until you know his character better. You remember Alexander Lucas, and how devoted he appeared, only to depart for university and vanish from your life entirely.”
Jane’s eyes narrowed. “Charlotte says he is touring in Germany and then travels to Greece, and that he is not expected home until later this year.” This thought inspired a sigh.
“I had quite forgotten Alexander, and how completely he disappeared from my life. Yet he was very young at the time, Lizzy. Only seventeen.”
“That is true,” Elizabeth said. “Aunt, what would you suppose Mr. Bingley’s age to be? Four or five and twenty?”
Mrs. Gardiner considered. “Not so much as that, Lizzy, he is a young man, no more than three and twenty. A man may well know his own mind by that age, so we may allow ourselves some hope in that direction. Still, this was only our second meeting with him. Jane, I do advise caution, particularly where his sister is concerned. She is a social climber, and you may be certain she does not consider the Bennet sisters sufficiently elevated for her brother. Your credit will fall still further when she learns that you have no dowry to recommend you.”
Jane straightened in her seat. “Very well, Aunt. Your point is taken, and I shall be careful. Yet as I sit in this luxurious carriage, provided because he thought a hackney beneath me, I cannot help but hope.”
This observation caused the ladies to laugh until Mrs. Gardiner spoke again in a serious tone.
“Jane, my dear, you have nothing suitable to wear tomorrow.”
She turned to Elizabeth. “And you, my girl, cannot tour Vauxhall Gardens with Mr. Darcy, who is impeccably dressed, while you wear your mended walking gown. We must set out early tomorrow for a visit to Clara. Perhaps we may find something for you both, and while we are there, it would be prudent to place an order for additional gowns.”
The following morning, the ladies were waiting at the door when Clara, Aunt Maddie’s modiste, unlocked it and admitted them.
A gown that suited Jane in both color and style was soon discovered, but nothing already made up could be found for Elizabeth.
Clara dispatched her assistant to the best shops along the street while the fitting for Jane began.
Elizabeth sat with Mrs. Gardiner and reviewed the pattern books, then the bolts of fabric that were brought forward. After some consultation, several were set aside for her use.
At length, the assistant returned with a bundle wrapped in a linen sheet and laid it upon the table. When it was opened, Elizabeth saw that she had four gowns, each in a color and size likely to suit Elizabeth.
After she had tried on the four gowns, Mrs. Gardiner said, “Lizzy, we shall take these three gowns. They might have been made for you. With little alteration, you will wear them with good effect.”
Elizabeth lowered her voice. “Aunt, are you spending Jane’s money upon me?”
“Your uncle has already resolved upon the matter. He intends to stop at Longbourn and give your father a lecture that is long overdue, and he will request the funds required for your clothing. He is not blind to your situation. You wear mended garments passed down to you, while your youngest sister is dressed like a queen. There is injustice in such treatment. Lydia, at her age, ought not to be out in society, much less spending the pin money that should serve her elder sisters in making their appearance and securing a husband before they grow too old and are left upon the shelf.”
Elizabeth took her aunt’s hand. “This kindness must come from you, Aunt, and I thank you for it. If Papa is to be pressed for the money, then I consent to the purchase.”
During the course of the day, Elizabeth’s thoughts often turned to the previous evening.
For a man who was so obviously a wealthy gentleman, Mr. Darcy had been remarkably amiable throughout dinner and had directed frequent though scarcely perceptible smiles towards her.
He had often appeared amused, and afterward had spoken generously in praise of her song.
Then the thought occurred that no one had compelled him to escort her to the pleasure gardens.
As her spirits rose at this proof of attentiveness, she remembered his request that his younger sister accompany them. It was as much for his sister’s sake as for her own that he had offered himself as escort, perhaps more for the sister.
Elizabeth began to question whether she was meant merely to serve as a companion to the young girl. She drew a breath and rebuked herself. There was no cause for excitement. This was not a romantic engagement. It was, in truth, an entertainment arranged for his sister.
Still, she had never been to Vauxhall, and she resolved to enjoy herself, whatever his motives might be.