Chapter 12
TWELVE
The following day, Elizabeth was sitting with Lady Romsley, who, almost as soon as she had arrived, insisted they go shopping.
The lady claimed that it was “absolutely required.” She added, “I long to spoil you. You are my niece, which gives me the right. If you do not believe me, ask Georgiana. She will tell you of the numerous gifts she has received from me and the excursions we have taken. Since you and I have been separated all these years, there is much lost time we must make up for.”
Seeing Lady Romsley’s tender smile and the sorrow deep in her eyes, Elizabeth nearly wept.
So much had happened in such a short time, starting with Mr Bennet finding his sister’s letter and the other documents pertaining to her circumstances.
No, the events began even earlier, when she had refused Mr Collins and Mrs Bennet had become angry at her, and soon after, witnessing Jane’s disappointment at Mr Bingley’s failure to return to Netherfield. It left her feeling overly sentimental.
There were two matters Elizabeth wished to raise before they proceeded with the day. One in particular would gnaw at her and rob her of enjoyment if it was not addressed.
“You are very kind, and I shall not attempt to convince you it is not necessary,” she said.
After a brief pause, she continued. “I am aware that Bramwell, Fitzwilliam, and Mr Darcy called on Mr Gardiner yesterday. He informed Mrs Gardiner and me at dinner.” The countess’s expression became wary, and Elizabeth was quick to reassure her.
“None of us take offence that they, and you and the earl, wish to know more about him. I imagine you have further questions about the Bennets too.”
Lady Romsley sighed as though relieved. “I own I was curious. My sons and nephew all liked him very well.”
Nodding, Elizabeth went on. “He said they had a pleasant chat, including about the money left by my father. Apparently, Lord Romsley would prefer Mr Bennet and Mr Philips allow him to sort the business out, determine where it is after all these years, and what have you.”
“It is Sterling money, and my husband and brother might be best positioned to ensure it is available to you, although Mr Bennet must be included and none of us would deny him his rights. I do not know what is necessary.” Lady Romsley gave a small shrug.
“We should leave such matters to the gentlemen to sort out. The earl will speak to you about it another day. You are such an intelligent young lady, you will wish to understand what is happening and help decide what to do with your fortune. My husband intends to write to Mr Bennet about it and to assure him that he is more than willing to take on your care. We share you as a niece, and Mr Bennet has been responsible for you all these years. It is our turn now.”
“That is very generous of you—”
“Not at all,” the countess interjected warmly. “If you had ended up on our doorstep rather than Mr Bennet’s, we would have welcomed you and raised you as our daughter, just as Mr and Mrs Bennet did.”
Elizabeth blinked several times and silently chastised herself for being ridiculous.
She did not know why she was feeling overwhelmed this morning.
Perhaps it was simply because she knew the countess had been unsure when she had first learnt of her.
But that ended the moment we met, she reminded herself.
It might also be because she was on the brink of taking another step into a new life, one removed from what she had always known.
Straightening her spine and meeting the countess’s eye, she said, “I have decided to accept your offer to stay with you.”
Lady Romsley grasped her hand. “You have? That is wonderful!”
Elizabeth laughed, delighted at her aunt’s reception of the news.
“I was thinking of coming on Thursday, if that suits. The Gardiners will go to Longbourn, and I would like to be at Gracechurch Street to assist Mrs Gardiner while she makes her preparations. With four active young children, I know she would appreciate it if I were there to distract them.” Usually, the Gardiners would travel to Hertfordshire on Christmas Eve and remain there a week, but her uncle’s business had altered their plans.
This year, they would go on the nineteenth and return soon after Christmas.
“You are such a darling girl to want to help her. I am prepared to wait. After all, I have gone all these years without you. Even though I did not know there was a you to miss, I find myself full of regret for what we have lost.” Lady Romsley waved a hand as though brushing away what she had just said.
“I refuse to become maudlin. My husband assures me my sentiments are natural, from the sadness to the joy, but I do hope they settle soon.”
Struck by her kindness and the knowledge that they were both experiencing a strong mix of emotions, Elizabeth laid a hand on the lady’s.
“I wish it had been possible for us to know one another when I was a child, but whenever I think of the past and it makes me sorrowful, I recall that we have years ahead of us to be aunt and niece.”
“I understand why my brother did not name Robert or me—or my husband, more likely—your guardian, certainly not while my father lived, and I am grateful your mother had the foresight to leave such a thorough letter for her brother. I would wish to know everything about their life together, but since I never expected to know anything, what she wrote is a true gift.”
Elizabeth laughed, mostly to lighten the mood.
“But we can all wish Mr Bennet had not misplaced it for so long. Rather that he realised his father-in-law had returned it to him and the information was not lost to a fire. He does feel dreadful about it.” That was one reason why he would not complain about her prolonged absence from Longbourn.
Lady Romsley chuckled, but it was obviously forced. “Well, you are here now, and I insist on exercising my right to spoil you.”
Despite a tinge of discomfort at the notion of someone she was not very familiar with spending large sums of money on her, Elizabeth agreed.
“The earl and I always host a ball on Twelfth Night, which you will attend, of course, and there are other parties we shall go to,” the countess added. “We must ensure you have proper gowns and accoutrements. I wish to show you off, you see?”
What was there to say? She would allow her aunt to indulge herself, as long as she realised it was not necessary to purchase her niece’s affection. They might have missed a great deal, but the way to make up for it was not through fine fabric and jewellery.
After the countess had spoken to her housekeeper about preparing a bedchamber, ‘for Miss Sterling’, Elizabeth and her aunt were off to the shops.
Shopping with Lady Romsley was an experience unlike any Elizabeth had previously had.
The Bennets were by no means poor, but it shocked her to see the countess spending as freely and as much as she did.
Yet, Elizabeth did not protest when her aunt insisted they order several gowns for her that were finer than any she had ever possessed.
“You have lovely clothes,” Lady Romsley assured her, “but I trust you will understand I mean no insult when I say that something more will be expected of my niece.”
The words left Elizabeth momentarily dizzy, as they had in the past. She, the niece of a countess?
The notion made her recall Mr Darcy’s altered manner.
Did he even realise how obvious his arrogance was?
He would not even extend himself to be polite to her when she was simply Elizabeth Bennet—even before he had learnt she was adopted—but as soon as it was revealed that she was Elizabeth Sterling, she became acceptable.
I have always hated that sort of superiority, and I always shall!
No doubt, his selfish disdain for those he considered beneath him was what had made him object to his friend’s interest in Jane, as she supposed he had.
At that moment, it struck Elizabeth that she might encounter Mr Bingley and his family in town. If she did, should she attempt to speak to him about Jane?
Just as she and the countess were preparing to depart the modiste’s, two elegant ladies entered. Lady Romsley immediately smiled and greeted them with obvious pleasure.
“Mrs Darcy, Miss Darcy, what a lovely coincidence! How do you do?”
At the name, Elizabeth started, her interest in the women enhanced.
The ladies curtseyed, and brief commonplaces were exchanged before the countess turned to Elizabeth, saying, “You must allow me to introduce my niece. Perhaps my nephew has told you about her.”
“He has,” the younger woman said, her silvery-blue eyes meeting Elizabeth’s. “I have longed to meet her, but my mother and I did not wish to intrude on your happy reunion.” She appeared eager to say more.
“You are never an intrusion, my dear,” Lady Romsley said.
The gentleness in the countess’s voice made Elizabeth wonder if there was a special relationship between them. She presumed the ladies were related to Mr Darcy, but that did not mean they were closely connected to the Fitzwilliam family.
Lady Romsley performed the introductions, calling her ‘Miss Sterling’, which sounded odd, despite Elizabeth’s attempts to accept it as her proper name.
“Mr Frederick Darcy is the younger brother of my nephew’s father,” she explained.
“He and Mrs Darcy have five other children, all younger than Miss Darcy.” Addressing Mrs Darcy, she asked, “Are they in town, or have you left them in the country?”
The answer was that the four youngest were in the country, “where the air is healthier,” and her eldest son, Freddie, currently a student at Cambridge, would likely join his brothers and sisters for Christmas rather than come to London, even though it meant he would miss the Twelfth Night ball.
“I am so anticipating the ball,” Miss Darcy said, grinning. Elizabeth had the impression she would have bounced on her toes in enthusiasm, if it were not improper. “It is why we are here. My mother insists I need a new gown, and like a sensible young lady, I have no objections!”
When she laughed, Elizabeth felt free to do likewise. Miss Rebecca Darcy’s inviting demeanour was enough to assure her that, should they spend much time together, they would become friends. How odd that I seem to like everyone about Mr Darcy except him!
They chatted for a brief moment about their mutual quest to find attire for the ball, Lady Romsley insisting they find an occasion to meet before then, and they parted soon after.
While in the carriage, driving to a warehouse where Lady Romsley preferred to shop for gloves and the like, she explained that the families had long known each other.
“As I told you, my husband and Hugh Darcy were good friends even before he married my sister-in-law Anne. Since they were boys, really, and with Frederick Darcy less than two years their junior, he, too, was included in their circle.” She smiled and said, her tone wistful, “I have reason to hope that the connexion between our families will become even deeper. Bramwell wishes to marry Miss Darcy.”
“How wonderful! Are they engaged?”
Lady Romsley shook her head. “Not yet. I am afraid she has been…a little resistant to his attempts to attach her. I do not blame her. He has not always been as serious as he should be. Too busy enjoying the carefree life of a wealthy young gentleman. He never gave his father or me reason for concern,” she added hastily.
“But this last year or so—really, since Miss Darcy entered society and he has got to know her—he has become the man I always knew he would be. I try not to meddle in my sons’ lives.
My parents did far too much of that, and I always vowed I would never be so oppressive.
But I do hope he succeeds in winning her regard. ”
Elizabeth appreciated hearing Lady Romsley’s confidences.
It made her feel like part of the family.
And knowing that a romance was brewing added a special flavour to the season, which was already so full of joy, thanks to discovering the truth about her father and the nearness of Christmas.
As she looked out the window and took in the passing streets, her thoughts drifted unexpectedly to Mr Darcy.
I wonder what he thinks of his cousins possibly marrying.
She recalled Mr Collins proclaiming that Mr Darcy was to marry another cousin—Miss de Bourgh, who lived near his parish in Kent and was the daughter of the earl’s sister.
No one had spoken of the de Bourghs much, and Elizabeth was curious to know when she might meet them.
It will be interesting to see what sort of lady Mr Darcy finds acceptable as his bride!