Chapter 38 Rules Of Engagement
“Elizabeth, now that we have settled your day gowns and the three ball gowns, we shall turn our attention to your linens. Properly constructed stays shall do much to improve the profile of your bosom. We must also purchase gloves, silk stockings, and slippers. I have already prepared a list of everything you require.”
Lady Helen glanced toward Georgiana.
“Tomorrow we shall spend several hours at Harding Howell purchasing stays, under linens, and the like. Niece, you may also shop for your own needs. I perceive that you have grown since we last ventured out together.”
Once Elizabeth finished her meal, Lady Helen instructed her to write down all the songs she was accustomed to performing at home. When she had finished writing, Lady Helen held out her hand.
“Bring me the list, Elizabeth. I wish to examine your repertoire.”
Elizabeth observed the tireless woman marking several titles on the page.
“You know a number of lovely ballads, my girl. I have marked the pieces I wish to hear first. I shall select the best six, and then we shall proceed from there.”
Elizabeth played and sang through each selection, and once she finished, Lady Helen handed her a sheet of paper upon which six songs had been listed.
“These first four are the pieces you shall perfect under the guidance of the music master. I shall work on the final two myself, for I already know them, and they prove somewhat more difficult than the others. We shall reserve them only for occasions when some hostess appears determined to run you into the ground.”
“Elizabeth, I dislike admitting it, but those hostesses with daughters of marriageable age shall be exceedingly angry that Fitzwilliam selected you as his intended, and they are not above embarrassing you so thoroughly as to frighten you from their circles or even drive away your suitor.”
“My lady? Perhaps it would prove best for Fitzwilliam and me to marry quietly and avoid society altogether.”
“No, that shall never answer. Your successful entrance into society shall lay the foundation for Georgiana’s own entrance one day and afterward for that of your children in their turn.”
Lady Helen fixed her with a stern look.
“You shall devote many hours to the study of these four pieces, missy, or I shall know the reason why. At present, nothing bears greater importance than your preparation to enter a society far elevated above any you have previously known.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“Never imagine, Elizabeth, that the cats of society shall treat you kindly. The marriage mart is a fiercely competitive arena, and though my nephew already stands promised, do not believe for one moment that there are not women who would rejoice to boast that their daughter succeeded in stealing him away from another.”
Lady Helen fixed her with a pointed look.
“Keep that firmly in mind whenever you feel tempted to neglect the study of these new accomplishments.”
She then directed her attention toward Georgiana.
“My dear, you shall spend several hours each day with Elizabeth. You play well enough to instruct her upon the pianoforte yourself. Should she encounter any difficulty mastering these four pieces, you shall provide additional instruction.”
“Yes, Aunt Helen.”
“And you shall attend the deportment lessons so that you may afterward drill her yourself.”
“Yes, Aunt Helen.”
“Very well, Elizabeth. We have finished for the evening. Fitzwilliam shall arrive soon to collect you. Would you care for a drink while we wait?”
“No, thank you, Lady Helen, though I should like to ask a question, if I may.”
“Yes, of course.”
“In Hertfordshire, I count all the marriageable ladies among my friends. None would dream of competing for a gentleman who had already shown a decided preference for one of us. What shall I do, that is to say, how ought I to respond should Miss Honeyfield, Lady Isabella, or some other disappointed contender create a public scene?”
Lady Helen considered the question carefully.
“Elizabeth, you display great good sense in considering beforehand how you ought to conduct yourself under such circumstances. Since we cannot predict precisely what may occur, we shall instead discuss the general principles by which a lady of quality should govern herself.”
She folded her hands in her lap.
“In such a situation, your first response must be to remain still and listen. However, should the woman threaten violence, you must move away from her immediately and protect your face. Only last year, Lady Mirabell nearly had her eyes scratched out by a young debutante who believed herself entitled to Lord Warwick’s affections regardless of his own inclinations. ”
Both Elizabeth and Georgiana looked deeply concerned.
“I have never witnessed such a spectacle either before or since. Most young ladies understand that such behavior destroys their hopes of marrying well, for no gentleman of consequence wishes to shackle himself to a harridan.”
Lady Helen leaned back in her chair.
“The second principle is this: always act the better woman. Should some foolish miss insult or berate you in public, merely smile graciously and say, ‘Indeed,’ in precisely such a manner as to suggest that you find her entirely de trop. If that fails to crush her pretensions, then simply remove yourself from her company, though do not turn your back upon her.”
Her mouth tightened with remembered annoyance.
“I witnessed a beautiful young debutante dragged to the ballroom floor by another young woman who seized her by the hair and pulled her down. That time, the dispute centered upon a gentleman who had been toying with both women at once.”
The following day, the music master presented himself at Sir Gareth’s townhouse promptly at eight o’clock.
Elizabeth had already progressed well into the first hour of her four-hour lesson when Mr. Darcy and Georgiana were announced.
Both Elizabeth and Mr. Steele rose when the siblings entered the room.
“Mr. Darcy.”
“Steele. Thank you for working Miss Elizabeth into your busy schedule. I know this arrangement has likely occasioned some inconvenience.”
“Not at all, sir. My wife managed to reschedule the other pupils.”
Mr. Darcy inclined his head. “I am pleased to hear it, sir. And how do you find Miss Elizabeth?”
The indulgent expression upon his face delighted Elizabeth. He plainly believed there could be no fault either in her person or in her performance.
Mr. Steele appeared to recognize the gentleman’s partiality and therefore framed his response with care.
“Her voice is superb, sir, though untrained. I feel certain that within four weeks, her performance will bring her credit in any drawing room in London, provided she devotes the necessary hours to practice.”
By this time, Mr. Darcy had drawn near his betrothed.
“No matter how much she improves, or does not improve, I already find her performances deeply affecting. She moved me to tears the very first time I heard her sing, sir. I believe any man would agree with me upon hearing her.”
Mr. Steele chuckled. “Yes, sir, any man certainly would, but Lady Helen assures me that the young women vying for the attentions of the finite number of eligible gentlemen shall prove far less charitable. Therefore, Miss Bennet has promised to exert herself sufficiently to attain a level of proficiency that shall not bring a blush to her sponsor’s cheek, sir. ”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes settled fondly on Elizabeth.
“May I hear you sing, darling, before I am obliged to leave you?”
She turned toward Mr. Steele, who nodded.
“Miss Elizabeth, sing The Elfin King.” Turning to Darcy, he explained, “That is the piece we have spent the past hour perfecting, sir.”
Elizabeth began to play, and then her voice rose in song. Before she finished, Mr. Beaumont and Jane had quietly entered to listen.
When the final notes faded, Mr. Darcy requested another piece.
She sang The Cruel Mother.
Once she had finished, Mr. Darcy reluctantly excused himself, and Beaumont accompanied him to the door.
“Beaumont,” Darcy said, “I must show my face at White’s this morning. Lady Helen’s orders. Richard is occupied with the Customs officials, but expects to apprise me of the current state of the smuggling ring. Will you accompany me?”
Beaumont grinned. “So, you are to play the besotted suitor?”
Darcy pinched the bridge of his nose between thumb and forefinger while squeezing his eyes shut. “Yes, something of that nature. It goes strongly against the grain, but I agreed to do my part.”
“I shall join you. I confess I enjoy witnessing a man eat humble pie. You are now paying for all the years you spent looking down your nose at eligible young ladies, breaking hearts and dashing hopes.”
Darcy looked appalled. “I swear I did no such thing.”
“Not intentionally, perhaps, but the effect remained the same. When a man enjoys your appearance and is as wealthy as Croesus, there can scarcely be any other outcome, particularly when he remains unmarried.”
Beaumont clapped Darcy upon the shoulder. “Do not take it too hard, Darcy. We all know the damage was done unintentionally.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana ate a light luncheon before the deportment and etiquette master presented himself.
Jane joined the two ladies, and the women spent the next four hours learning how deeply to curtsy to every rank of peer, how to conduct introductions, and how to comport themselves under a variety of social situations.
All three were exhausted by the time Mr. Elias Butler departed for the day. Lounging upon the chairs and couch facing the hearth, they sipped tea and ate lemon cakes.
“Lizzy, I never realized how much I did not know. I can scarcely blame Caroline Bingley for looking down her nose and declaring me a country chit, for indeed that is what I am.”
Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled with merriment. “As are all the Bennet sisters. Georgiana, I marvel that your brother did not dismiss me as a milkmaid and flee screaming rather than permit himself to succumb to my charms.”
She turned toward Jane. “Lady Helen declares that once he entered my company, he never stood a chance.”
Georgiana reddened.
Elizabeth took her hand and pressed it affectionately.
“Yes, I heard that particular pronouncement. I pretended otherwise because I did not wish to distress you. But, my dear, you must not fear. I hold your Aunt Helen in very high regard and feel only gratitude for all she is doing on my behalf. Nothing she says or does shall injure my feelings unless she truly turns against me. Otherwise, she shall possess my eternal gratitude.”
The next four weeks passed in precisely this manner. Each evening, Elizabeth fell into bed exhausted, and each morning she woke longing for Mr. Darcy.
Between her lessons, fittings, and endless shopping expeditions for the countless items Lady Helen deemed necessary, the couple scarcely enjoyed a moment together.
Mr. Darcy remained at Elizabeth’s side for as long as Lady Helen permitted, though she generally sent him away within ten minutes of his arrival.
Each night, when he came to collect his sister, he found some excuse to draw Elizabeth aside, exchange a few quiet words, steal a kiss, and then he went reluctantly on his way.