Chapter 7
Dear Jane,
What a charming idea my new brother had. Your little trips in the gig provides you time alone and familiarizes you with the neighbourhood. You married a clever man indeed.
Do not be nervous about meeting the tenants and all you must learn. You always did very well at Longbourn. Everyone will love you, how could they not?
I recently met the most darling girl. She and her mother, Lady Anne Darcy, joined us when we took Edward and Maggie to the park. Our cousins adored her and are quite keen to do it again.
Jane, did you ever have the privilege to hear Lady Anne play the piano? She is a true proficient and her daughter will follow in her footsteps. Miss Darcy practices diligently, unlike someone I could mention…
Her brother, on the other hand, is insufferable.
For all he is the son of a gentleman, he does not behave as one.
He insulted our aunt and uncle–in public!
You will laugh at me, Jane, as I believed him to be one of the handsomest men I had ever met.
It is such a shame he is a contemptible oaf.
And perhaps not as handsome as I first opined, after all.
I remain, your sister, who misses you,
Lizzy
~ / ~
Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth’s first call that morning was to visit Mrs Susan Carter. They were escorted to a beautiful morning room, awash with bright golden light.
“How nice to see you.” Mrs Carter rose to greet her friend. “Please have a seat. I shall have tea brought in.” Mrs Carter nodded to the footman at the door, then sat down again. “Miss Bennet, how are you enjoying the Season?”
“Very well. The events have been entertaining and well attended. Though, it is my time at Foundling House I find most gratifying.”
“I am sure you are doing an admirable job, Miss Bennet.”
Mrs Gardiner turned to her friend, “Susan, let me tell you about the lovely musicale we attended…”
~ / ~
Several ladies were already present when Elizabeth and her aunt entered the Mansfield’s sitting room.
“Mrs Gardiner, Miss Bennet, how nice of you to visit. I do not believe you are acquainted with everyone here. This is Mrs Emma Hastings, Mrs Charlotte Pembroke and her daughter, Miss Grace Pembroke. Ladies, this is Mrs Madeline Gardiner and her niece, Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
After all the greetings were completed, Mrs Mansfield continued, “I was just telling the ladies how my Abigail is doing. The Season can be so challenging, but she seems to be acquitting herself quite well. I am sorry you missed her. She insisted on having a lesson with her music master. The piece she has been working on has been a trifle difficult. She is such a perfectionist when it comes to her playing.”
“I thought Miss Mansfield exhibited beautifully when we heard her play at your dinner party,” Elizabeth assured her hostess. “Mr Mansfield teased his sister, but your daughter is quite talented.”
Not to be outdone, Mrs Pembroke spoke out, “My Grace’s talents lie more with painting and drawing and is very proficient. Her masters have said as much.”
Conversations soon moved to future events they would be attending over the next several weeks. Elizabeth’s attention was caught when she heard Miss Pembroke mention Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy.
“I hope he will be there as well. I heard he attended the Allen’s ball.” Miss Pembroke giggled, “He is so handsome.”
“It is a shame he is cold and haughty.” Elizabeth could not stop herself from replying.
“He has every right to be.” Miss Pembroke’s voice was shrill. “The Darcys are highly thought of in the Ton, though they are not titled. Their estate, I hear, is grand and well cared for.”
Mrs Pembroke patted her daughter’s hand, “There, there. My dear. I am sure when you next see him at a ball, we will make sure he requests a dance with you.”
Elizabeth tilted her head, “Have you not danced with Mr Darcy?”
Miss Pembroke sat up straighter and her chin rose a little higher, “Mr Darcy rarely dances.”
“Really?” Mrs Gardiner looked amused. “My niece danced with him at the Allen’s ball.”
Elizabeth did not see how it was possible, but Miss Grace Pembroke’s nose rose even higher, “Humph. I am sure he was pressured into it.”
One of Elizabeth’s brows rose as she replied to Miss Pembroke.
“If by pressure you mean he insisted on having my next available dance, and did not dance with anyone else that night,” Mrs Gardiner shot her a questioning glance, “then, by all means, call it pressure if you must.” She finished with a careless wave of her hand.
When it looked like Mrs and Miss Pembroke might respond intemperately, their hostess smoothly changed the topic of conversation.
A quarter of an hour later, in the carriage on their way to Darcy House, Mrs Gardiner looked at her niece. “How did you know young Mr Darcy danced with no one else that night at the ball?”
“Oh, well, I surmised such was the case. He did not pass my path on any of the dances.”
Mrs Gardiner kept her gaze on Elizabeth a few moments more, her look assessing.
Their next and final stop was at Darcy House. Giving the butler her card, they waited until he returned and showed them to the same pretty sitting room. Mrs Gardiner saw Lady Anne was having tea with her daughter, “I beg your pardon. We are disturbing your private time.”
“Not at all, my daughter and I are happy to see you. I had just entertained my last caller and Georgiana attended. It will be some years until she is out, but it is never too soon to learn the ways of callers and drawing room etiquette. Pray join us. I shall send for additional cups.” Lady Anne signalled to a servant.
Elizabeth curtseyed and took a seat near Georgiana. “I hope you do not feel we are encroaching on your time with Lady Anne.”
“Oh no, Miss Bennet. I mean, I do enjoy having a break from my studies, and I love spending time with Mama,” She giggled, “but I am happy to see you, too.”
“Miss Darcy, I should be happy if you called me Elizabeth, or Lizzy, as my cousins do.”
“And please call me Georgiana, or Georgie.” The young girl replied shyly. “Mama told me she saw you at a ball. What was it like?” The young girl's expression was one of wonder.
Elizabeth described the event and her dances until Mrs Gardiner interrupted them.
“Lizzy, I was just telling Lady Anne how well your time is going at Foundling House.”
Lady Anne offered Elizabeth a soft smile, “Your diligence with the orphans reflects well on you.”
The two older ladies turned back to their own conversation, and Georgiana turned a quizzical look on Elizabeth. “Might I know what you have been doing?”
Elizabeth explained about the dolls and clothing project.
“The girls are so industrious in their efforts. I love seeing their faces as they complete a doll with a set of clothing. And most do not mind bestowing them upon the younger girls. Their little faces light up with pride over their accomplishments.”
“What a lovely idea. I have never made my own doll.”
“We make them at Longbourn to add them to the Christmas boxes for tenants with young girls.”
“That is so kind of you.” Georgiana’s eyes were contemplative as she looked at her mother.
Elizabeth hid a smile, wondering if Pemberley’s boxes would contain dolls for the tenants next Christmas.
~ / ~
“Fitzwilliam, we are attending Macbeth at the Theatre Royal this evening. The Gardiners will be joining us in our box.”
Darcy sat up straight. “Will Miss Bennet be there?”
“Never mind Miss Bennet. Is it possible for you to behave yourself in company?”
“Fear not, Mother. I shall be most courteous.” He walked away sporting a grin.
The Darcys arrived at the theatre first and waited near the entrance for the Gardiners.
Darcy felt a thrill when she entered. His focus remained on her whilst she and her relations divested their outerwear.
She was radiant in a pale-yellow gown, with white embroidery, it showcased her figure to perfection.
The candlelight reflected off her skin and gown.
More than one gentleman’s eyes followed her as she crossed the lobby.
The two small parties met and exchanged greetings. Their group drew a crowd when friends and acquaintances joined them. Several remained, wishing for an introduction to Elizabeth.
One such gentleman, after introductions, did not hesitate in engaging her in conversation. “Miss Bennet, beauty must run in your family. Your sister made quite a splash last year. Has she accompanied you?” His eyes roamed, as if seeking someone.
“No, sir. My sister is happily married now.” Elizabeth tilted her head, “As you see, I have come to take my share of London’s entertainments.”
“Ah…” his expression fell before he could compose it, then he gave a little cough. “Are you having an enjoyable visit?”
Before she could reply, a snide female voice floated over their small group, “I do not see what is so special about her. She certainly has none of her sister’s beauty…” The voice faded away leaving an uncomfortable silence.
Willing her face not to flame, Elizabeth swallowed and forced a bright smile. “Indeed I am, sir. Mr and Mrs Gardiner are gracious hosts and I enjoy meeting new people. Balls are especially a favourite of mine.”
Frowning, Darcy had looked around in an attempt to see the speaker who must be blind! Still frowning, he remarked, “Surely there is more to do in Town than dancing.”
Elizabeth’s smile shifted into a smirk, “Aye. Tonight we intend to see a play.” Everyone in the near vicinity laughed, and one courageous gentleman slapped Darcy on the back.
The uncomfortable moment passed and several conversations broke out.
Some discussed the play they were to see that night, others gossiped about an event they had attended the night before.
Darcy focused entirely on Elizabeth. He listened as she shared her opinion with confidence.
“There is something magical about watching the drama unfold before us. It is as if one has been transported to another time and place. Shakespeare was bold as he described the betrayals of kings and the Macbeths’ madness.”