Chapter 4
Elizabeth’s days had settled into a routine.
Two mornings a week, accompanied by a maid, she visited the orphanage. During those mornings she taught the young girls to sew, by making dolls and clothing to dress them in.
It was an inspiring way to teach such a task.
Each completed doll set brought joy to the youngest orphans, and a sense of accomplishment for the young seamstresses.
With the items being so small, it was both easy to obtain scrap fabrics and provided faster gratification when one of the girls held a completed item in her hands.
On the mornings she did not volunteer, Elizabeth left early for her walks, an accompanying footman at her heels.
Two days following the Gardiner’s small supper party, an invitation arrived from Lady Anne for tea that afternoon.
~ / ~
At exactly three of the clock, Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth approached Darcy House in the Gardiner carriage.
Elizabeth saw a tall, dark haired young man enter a fine equipage and watched it pull away.
Their coach slowed and came to a standstill in the recently vacated spot.
Smoothing invisible wrinkles from her skirts she readied herself to meet Lady Anne and Miss Darcy.
A footman let down the step and opened the door, assisting both ladies down from the carriage.
Elizabeth’s gaze took in the beautiful facade in front of her.
It was an impressive Townhouse with many windows glinting in the sunlight.
Mrs Gardiner knocked on the door and they waited, giving Elizabeth a moment to continue her examination of the Darcy’s home. The door opened and the butler invited them inside after reading the name on the card her aunt had presented.
“Welcome, Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet. Lady Anne and Miss Darcy are awaiting you in the Blue sitting room.”
A maid took their outer garments, and the two ladies followed the butler to a cosy room, further back in the house. It was decorated in soft blues accented with pale yellow, offering a calm, inviting feel.
“Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet.” He announced to his mistress.
Lady Anne spoke as soon as she saw her friend. “Madeline, I am so pleased you and Elizabeth could join us today. Georgiana, you know Mrs Gardiner, but let me introduce you to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, her niece. My daughter, Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
Elizabeth and Miss Darcy curtseyed.
“It is very nice to meet you, Miss Bennet.” Her voice was a little breathy, but Miss Darcy made a valiant attempt to meet Elizabeth’s eyes.
She smiled at the young girl, “And it is my pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy. I have been looking forward to it.”
“Georgiana, Miss Bennet loves to play the piano. I thought you might like to share with her which pieces you are currently practicing.” Lady Anne smiled encouragingly at her daughter. Then she guided Mrs Gardiner over to a nearby sofa, not wishing to hover over her daughter.
Elizabeth and Miss Darcy moved slowly over to a set of chairs.
Elizabeth noted her companion’s flushed cheeks and sought to put her at ease.
“I do enjoy the piano, but I would not wish to raise your expectations. I am afraid I do not practice enough to be considered good.” She smiled, “My aunt informed me Lady Anne is an accomplished pianist and your mother spoke of your playing as quite gifted.”
“Oh, well, no, I mean, yes.” Georgiana blushed, “Forgive me.”
“There is nothing to forgive. Everyone gets tongue-tied on occasion.”
With a little giggle, Georgiana spoke again, “My mother is an excellent pianist. I hope one day to be as accomplished; her playing is divine.” Blushing again, she lowered her eyes to the floor.
Elizabeth leant in close to her and whispered, “That is the best kind of music. Do you think we might entreat Lady Anne to play for us this afternoon?”
Raising her gaze, it took only a little time to realise she was being teased and giggled again. She whispered back, “If we are fortunate, she may.”
Both girls sported grins and turned impish looks on Lady Anne but looked away before they were noticed.
“Should you… like to see what sheet music is here? Mama keeps a small instrument for her personal use just over there.” She pointed to the farthest corner, near a window. “I do not think she will mind if we look over the music and perhaps, play something together?”
“I should like that, indeed. And if we are very lucky, my disappointing performance will compel Lady Anne to come and show us how it ought to be played.”
This caused Georgiana to giggle again as she led the way over to the piano.
Lady Anne had kept an eye on her daughter, but on seeing Georgiana had relaxed in Miss Bennet’s presence she turned her full attention to her friend.
“How are you, Madeline?”
“I am well, Lady Anne. Thank you for inviting us for tea. It is good for Elizabeth to get out. She is taking her role at Foundling House very seriously, which is admirable, but I had hoped she would focus more on society.”
“She is still young, not yet eighteen.”
Madeline’s eyebrows shot up. Lady Anne laughed sheepishly.
“I asked. What can I say, I am entirely intrigued. Your niece Jane is a beautiful young lady, and I am pleased to hear she is now happily married. Your Elizabeth though, has a little something in her air which I find most attractive. Especially since she has not a clue how tempting the young men will find her.”
Mrs Gardiner sighed. “And that would be her mother’s fault.
” She shook her head. “Mrs Bennet’s eldest and youngest daughters take their looks from her.
She has crowed for most of the girls’ childhood on how beautiful they were, and the others could not compare.
Mr Gardiner and I tell Elizabeth at every opportunity what a beautiful young lady she is, and her kind heart matches that beauty. ”
The two women remained quiet for a moment. Allowing the soft tones of music to wash over them. Until a wrong note was played and a burst of laughter erupted from the corner.
“Girls, what is that racket?” Lady Anne got to her feet and stood, arms akimbo. The large smile on her face belied any true upset.
“Oh, Mama, will you not come and show us how this piece should be played.” Georgiana beseeched her mother with wide, guileless eyes.
“Hmmm, I am wise to your trickery, my dear, but since you asked so politely, very well. I shall play some of it for you. Madeline, you do not mind?”
“Not at all, my lady, hearing you play is ever a treat.”
Lady Anne settled herself on the piano bench and began to play. Elizabeth was in heaven. She now understood what people meant when using the term “true proficient”. For such was the music she was hearing. Every note, every crescendo and pianissimo, sought to fill the listener with pure emotion.
In the end, Lady Anne played it all the way through and finished to silence. Then, loud clapping filled the void, and Lady Anne flushed a dainty pink.
“That was magnificent!” Elizabeth breathed. “I would play all day if I had but a fraction of your talent.”
“Thank you. You are all very kind. Practice, I am afraid, is the secret ingredient. Practice and more practice.”
“Even with practice, many will never be able to play as well as you, your ladyship.”
The older woman met Elizabeth’s gaze and replied firmly, “You will not know, unless you try. Never limit yourself based on what others might think or say about you. We are, all of us, more than any one person’s opinion.”
Elizabeth nodded slowly. She felt a hidden message there, something profound meant only for her.
Almost as soon as the music stopped, two maids entered carrying tea and cakes. “Come, let us partake and discuss an outing to the park. Should you like that, Georgiana?”
“Yes, indeed.” Georgiana blushed, but smiled shyly, “I should very much like to meet your children, Mrs Gardiner. Might we feed the ducks, as well?”
“I think that might be arranged.” Lady Anne replied, her smile one of contentment, seeing her daughter happy and at ease.
The rest of the visit was spent discussing the details for the outing and acquainting Georgiana of Mrs Gardiner’s two oldest children.
~ / ~
Mr Gardiner was busy transferring the day-to-day responsibilities of running the warehouses to his manager and head foreman.
He would thereby be free to pay more attention to the growing concern of his new office–meeting clients, hosting potential investors, and investigating new opportunities for the future.
His reputation for solid investments with successful returns was growing. More gentlemen were contacting him with the hope of future investment opportunities.
He remained after breakfast one morning, to go over the newly received invitations with his wife. Congratulations on the Gardiner’s step up in residence were arriving from wealthy investors and friends. Included were requests for their presence at varying social occasions.
Husband and wife discussed the invitations separating them into two piles.
Those from friends, and may therefore be declined or deferred without insult, went into one pile.
Another was compiled from invitations sent by investors and as such, required special attention.
Once they were in agreement, they applied to Elizabeth, asking if any of the others interested her.
“Aunt, I am not sure I understand why you wish for my opinion. You know I am here to spend time with you and my cousins.”
Her aunt levelled a look at her, and Elizabeth flushed, looking away.
“Lizzy, I will pretend you did not just sound like a ninny. Beyond the invitations your uncle and I have decided on attending, do any of these remaining attract your interest. There are several balls over the next few weeks, and I know you enjoy dancing.”
“I do indeed. However, if I am not acquainted with anyone, what gentleman will request a dance?” Elizabeth thought she was being quite clever.