Chapter 36 Silk And Deportment
“Mr. Darcy feels the same. After we are married, we will travel directly to Pemberley and remain for the rest of the year. I look forward to learning all about my new home and neighbors, but heaven knows when I shall see you again. You reside in the south, while I shall live in the north.”
“We will do very well, Lizzy. We may travel to visit one another if not on Easter then at Christmastide, after the harvest has ended and people enjoy more leisure.”
“Yes, of course. I shall miss you, Jane. Already, I feel the distance growing between us, for the men in our lives have come between us.”
“Lizzy, you grow too melancholy. It is only natural that we should fall in love, marry, and leave home. Can you imagine the alternative? Remaining spinsters beneath the same roof for the remainder of our lives with Mamma and our cousin Mr. Collins? No, my dear. I could not be happier on this side of heaven than I am with Gareth.”
“Of course, Jane dear, but I feel the breakup of our family keenly. First, Lydia, then Mary, and now you are gone from home forever. I shall marry and then depart for the wilds of the north.”
Jane laughed, amused by her sister’s melancholy.
“Lizzy, you are exceedingly mournful today. I am two and twenty. I would have soon been on the shelf.”
Both ladies directed their attention toward the window when the sound of a carriage drawing up before the townhouse reached them.
Mr. Darcy was soon shown into the drawing room. Elizabeth’s eyes traveled down his tall, muscular form before returning to his face. A lock of hair had fallen over his left brow, and her gaze lingered upon his full lower lip.
She must have stared too openly, for there was a glint of amusement behind his eyes as he bowed.
Having been caught staring, there remained nothing for it but to return his smile.
She curtsied. “Mr. Darcy.”
“Miss Bennet. My aunt and sister await in the carriage, for Lady Helen insists the entire day must be devoted to outfitting you for three balls.”
He turned toward Jane and handed her two letters.
“Lady Helen has obtained invitations to the ball of her intimate friend, Lady Sophia, and to Lord Morton’s ball, which is said to be the most distinguished event of the season.
According to my aunt, if we attend these two balls, we shall have been introduced to all who signify within the higher circles. ”
Jane accepted the invitations and curtsied. “Thank you, Mr. Darcy. I am much gratified by this mark of civility.”
“Do not offer your gratitude too quickly, ma’am. If I may borrow an old Swedish expression, you ought instead to prepare yourself to run the gauntlet while dressed in your most expensive gown.”
His response drew smiles from both sisters.
“It shall prove no punishment, sir, to spend an evening dancing through the night, but rather something out of the childish fairy tales Lizzy and I favored in our youth.”
“Very well, ma’am, but do not say I failed to warn you.
In my experience, most young women prove exceedingly severe in their criticism of any lady they regard as competition.
Thus, attending a ball may more properly be described as enduring an ordeal, though you may escape the worst of it since Beaumont no longer stands as quarry, now that you are married.
I confess, however, that I fear for Elizabeth. ”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled. “Is that because the reserved Mr. Darcy has reached the advanced age of eight and twenty, and none have yet succeeded in coaxing him into the blissful state of matrimony?”
“Am I now to become the object of your witticisms, darling? Once we are married, I shall have greater liberty in answering you, but in the meantime, my aunt shall be displeased if we keep her waiting much longer.”
Once settled into the carriage beside Mr. Darcy, the Countess outlined the day's engagements for Elizabeth.
“Miss Bennet, after we conclude our business with the modiste today, you shall accompany me to Matlock House, for I have engaged a hairdresser of considerable reputation in town. He shall cut your hair and instruct you in the most becoming manner of dressing it, so that your charms may appear to best advantage.”
Lady Helen continued without pause.
“I have also engaged masters in dance and deportment, as well as Georgiana’s music master, to attend you daily for the next three weeks.
You shall apply yourself to their instruction in every particular, and I expect you to devote all your leisure hours to practicing the pianoforte.
Once they declare you prepared to go out upon morning calls, I shall take you out on visits. ”
She then directed her attention toward Fitzwilliam.
“And you, sir, shall spend time at your club and make it known that you are betrothed and that the wedding date had already been fixed before the unexpected passing of your near relation occasioned a delay. Make it perfectly clear that yours is a love match. By the time you attend Lady Sophia’s ball, no one should remain in any doubt as to the reason you have betrothed yourself to a previously unknown milkmaid from Hertfordshire. ”
Darcy flushed. “Aunt Helen, please…”
Elizabeth intervened, placing a hand upon his arm.
“Sir, if this shall ease our path and preserve Georgiana’s marriage prospects, you must not imagine that I take offense in any degree. I remain grateful that Lady Helen exerts herself so greatly on our behalf. All three of us ought to be deeply grateful to her.”
He placed his hand over hers.
“Very well, my dear. I shall do exactly as I am instructed and shall endeavor to be happy while doing so.”
He handed his womenfolk from the carriage and promised to return at the appointed hour. Elizabeth winked at him before turning away to follow her ladyship into the shop.