Chapter 12 The Theatre Royal
The following morning, two bouquets were delivered to Gracechurch Street. Mr. Bingley sent Jane an arrangement of white roses and forget-me-nots. About half an hour later, a second bouquet arrived for Elizabeth, composed of a dozen red roses.
The card tucked among Elizabeth’s flowers was written in Mr. Darcy’s bold, heavy hand.
Miss Elizabeth,
Pray do me the honor of joining Georgiana and me at the theater next week on the sixteenth of March.
I leave the choice of play to you. As You Like It is playing at Drury Lane.
Should you prefer a tragedy, Adelgitha is to be performed the same evening at Covent Garden.
I defer to your judgment and to that of your sister.
Charles assures me that either will suit him, provided Miss Bennet is agreeable.
Kindly have your aunt send your reply to No. 18 Grosvenor Square, Mayfair. Georgiana and I hope to see you then.
Yours sincerely,
Fitzwilliam Darcy
The three ladies exchanged smiles, and Jane and Elizabeth clasped hands and indulged in a small dance in the hall.
Lydia entered and looked between them. “What is the cause of all this happiness?”
“Jane and Elizabeth have received invitations to the theater from Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy.”
“I wish to go to the theater. Jane and Lizzy have all the pleasures. They went to Vauxhall Gardens yesterday, and now they are bound for the theater. It is not fair.”
Mrs. Gardiner took Lydia’s hand and drew her closer.
“My dear, that is no manner in which a genteel young woman ought to conduct herself. You are not yet sixteen, and you are no longer out. I have considered asking your uncle to take you and me to Vauxhall Gardens when he returns, but should you behave ill, he and I shall go alone, and you will remain at home with the nurse.”
Lydia stood silent for a moment, then declared, “I shall write to Mamma and tell her how unfairly I am treated here.”
“You may do as you choose, my dear,” Mrs. Gardiner replied, “but your father has entrusted your guardianship to your Uncle Edward. From this time forward, he and I shall determine what you may and may not do. If you conduct yourself with propriety, you will accompany us to Vauxhall Gardens. If you do not, you will remain here with little Edward. Do you understand me, Lydia?”
The young girl stared at her aunt, then answered, “Yes, Aunt. I understand.”
“Very well. Come, girls, let us go in to breakfast. We must speak of evening gowns suitable for the theater. Neither of you possesses anything fit for the occasion.”
Lydia opened her mouth, then thought better of it and remained silent.
Mrs. Gardiner turned to her youngest niece.
“You conducted yourself well, Lydia, in refraining from complaint. You are not out and will not be until your elder sisters are married. The pin money must first be devoted to Jane, who will be two and twenty in November, then to Elizabeth, who will be one and twenty in March. After them, Mary must be settled, and then Kitty. You will not be out until you are nineteen or twenty, about the age Elizabeth is now.”
Lydia frowned, her mouth falling open.
“If you wish to accompany us to Vauxhall Gardens, you will close your mouth and compose your countenance. Such an expression is unbecoming in a young lady of your age.”
Lydia shut her mouth at once and moved to the sideboard to prepare her breakfast plate.
Mrs. Gardiner then addressed Jane and Elizabeth. “We shall return to Clara’s shop. I did not see any evening gowns yesterday, but she may send her assistant to inquire among the neighboring shops. We will depart directly after breakfast.”
They spoke of gowns and suitable accessories until the meal concluded and continued the discussion throughout the drive to the shop.
Elizabeth felt a deep satisfaction that Mr. Darcy had chosen to invite her, of all people, to the theater.
The thought of spending an entire evening in his company, attired in a proper evening gown and received as though she belonged to his circle, stirred her deeply.
Had he known that red roses signified romantic love and admiration?
Even desire? She was drawn from her reverie by Mrs. Gardiner.
“Lizzy, my dear, it appears to me that Mr. Darcy has selected you as a companion for his sister.”
The pleasure she had felt sank at once. Of course.
His interest lay not with her, but with Georgiana.
He had been careful to say that his sister had never been to Vauxhall and that she would be one of the party.
The invitation to the theater followed the same thread.
She was useful. She was the friend his reserved young sister lacked.
Elizabeth drew a long, slow breath. “Yes, Aunt. Mr. Darcy’s sister has no friends in London. She likes me, and that is why I am included.”
Though this observation destroyed every prospect of her own for what at first had promised to be a romantic evening, Elizabeth was not formed for ill humor, and it could not dwell long on her spirits.
She reasoned with herself, and her cheer soon returned.
“I am very well pleased, Aunt. Though Mr. Darcy is no suitor, he has invited me to be one of the party. He could very well have attended with only his sister on his arm. I shall wear a lovely evening gown and attend a play at Drury Lane or Covent Garden. I am fortunate to enjoy this treat, at least once in my life.”
Mrs. Gardiner patted Elizabeth’s hand. “It is a fine opportunity for you to enjoy an evening out with a gentleman of high society.” Then, with her usual practicality, she continued, “Now, my girls, go upstairs and change your gowns for another day of shopping while I write to Mr. Darcy. Which shall it be, the comedy or the tragedy?”
Jane turned to Elizabeth. “You must choose, Lizzy. I care little which we see, provided Mr. Bingley is present.”
“Then the tragedy. I know the comedies by heart, but I have never heard of Adelgitha. I should like very much to see a new play.”
Lydia groaned and muttered that it was not fair.
Mrs. Gardiner turned at once to her youngest niece.
“Lydia, you will no longer take your meals with us. You are still a child, and such behavior is not fitting. A mature young woman does not groan at the table. Your luncheon will be sent to the nursery, and you will dine with little Edward for the remainder of your stay. You are excused.”
Lydia looked first to Jane and then to Elizabeth for support, but both sisters met her with disapproval. When Lydia left the room, Elizabeth rose and closed the door of the breakfast parlor.
“Aunt, I am uneasy for Lydia. If she is thwarted, she may attempt something rash.”
“I share your concern. I have given instructions to the footman. She is being watched and will not be allowed to leave the house. All the doors are secured except the front entrance and the servant’s entrance through the kitchen.”
“Cook has always guarded the kitchen, and Christopher attends the front door, so we need not fear.”
“Does Nurse Ruth know of Lydia’s unruly temper?”
“I warned her the day Lydia arrived. The note you placed in my hands was enough to alarm me, and I took precautions from the first hour.”
Mrs. Gardiner paused, then asked, “Lizzy, is there any chance this Mr. Wickham might come to London in search of Lydia?”
Jane gasped, and Elizabeth’s hand rose to her mouth. “I hope not, Aunt. Lydia had no opportunity to give him our direction, yet I cannot say what Kitty or even Mamma might reveal if he were to inquire. He is a man of pleasing appearance and polished address. I would not dismiss the possibility.”
“I hope your uncle returns without delay. In the meantime, I shall caution Christopher. If he observes a well-favored gentleman lingering near the house, he is to inform me at once. Now, girls, go upstairs and change while I write to Mr. Darcy.”
Four hours were spent at Madame Duvall’s shop.
Once again, Clara dispatched her assistant along the Strand to search for evening gowns suitable for Jane and Elizabeth.
While they waited, the three ladies examined patterns and considered fabrics, and both sisters selected materials for two additional evening gowns.
These would not be completed for at least a week.
“When will the day gowns be ready?”
“I have engaged additional help, madam, and they should be completed within two days. The evening gowns, however, will require at least a week.”
Clara appeared troubled, but Mrs. Gardiner answered, “It is well. You have served us admirably on short notice.”
When the assistant returned, she bore only two evening gowns.
“Madame, these are the only gowns in suitable colors and sizes that may be altered in time.”
“You have done well, Bettie. Miss Bennet, please follow Bettie. She will assist you.”
She then turned to Elizabeth. “This gown will suit you in both shade and form. Maria, take Miss Elizabeth and assist her. We shall have both fitted, and the gowns will be ready by the sixteenth.”
The ladies returned to Gracechurch Street in silence, their spirits worn by the day. Once inside, Mrs. Gardiner said, “My dear nieces, you have exhausted me. I shall rest for a time and join you again at dinner.”