Chapter 29
Jane had been quick in her thinking while packing for her trip to London.
She knew that when Lizzy had left Longbourn, attending society events in town would not have been a consideration, but by the time the express from Mr. Darcy had arrived the situation had significantly changed.
Elizabeth was to stay with Mr. Darcy's aunt and would now be introduced to society as the future Mrs. Darcy.
She had not wanted her sister to be embarrassed by her attire.
Thus, she had packed all suitable evening and day dresses that her sister possessed.
Even now she worried that the best of the Bennet sisters’ gowns would not be enough for an outing with an Earl and countess.
Elizabeth had been more than glad when Jane had quietly informed her of getting a small trunk loaded on her carriage as she was returning after visiting the Gardiners.
Mrs. Gardiner had also put in some appropriate jewellery in the trunk and a note for her niece to shine during the outing.
Elizabeth had always been unconcerned with the judgement of society, but this time it was different.
She was anxious to appear to her advantage for Darcy’s sake.
Once she was back at Matlock House, she instructed the maid assigned to her to ready a suitable ensemble from the trunk for the theatre visit.
With her attire for the evening arranged, she decided to spend some time in the library before it was time to change.
Books had always helped her calm her nerves and she hoped it would distract her from her worry for the upcoming evening.
She sat down on one of the settees with a book on slavery and abolition, supposing it must be there because the Earl endorsed the subject. The weighty subject was a deliberate choice to distract her from her jitteriness.
“Miss Bennet, I see you are fond of reading.”
She was brought out of her reverie as Lord Matlock walked up to her. Rising quickly, she curtsied.
“I am not surprised,” the Earl continued. “Darcy would hardly approve of anyone who is not well informed and constantly seeks to improve the mind.”
“There are so few means by which a lady may improve her mind and remain informed,” Elizabeth replied, seating herself once more, “that I am reluctant to lose the opportunity whenever it is presented.”
“Hmm. And what else do you enjoy, Miss Bennet, besides refusing perfectly good marriage proposals?”
“My Lord, how do you know I received more than one proposal?” Elizabeth asked, flustered.
With a sly smile the Earl continued, “I have a feeling you would have received one more had my younger son been free to offer.” Observing Elizabeth's expression, he continued. “You do not seem overly surprised.”
“Colonel Fitzwilliam was a good friend to me in Kent and we spent some time in conversation.” Elizabeth replied. “He did mention that he did not have the means to marry without consideration to fortune.”
“While he was infatuated, I do not believe his feelings ran deep; for had he set his mind to it, he could have managed very well without a fortune from his bride.” The Earl paused briefly then continued with a smile.
“Seeing how matters have turned out, it is for the best. Richard and Darcy have always been close, and it would not have done for them to admire the same women.”
They sat in companionable silence for some time before Lord Matlock spoke again, “You refused Darcy quite vehemently, from what I understand. Would you have accepted Richard?”
“My Lord, I will not insult you by saying that I did not consider it. Even my friend Mrs. Collins hinted towards his preference; but before I had settled any opinion on the matter the Colonel had already discouraged any such notion. I will admit that though I had enjoyed his company I was not disappointed at the loss.”
“So there was a chance you would have accepted him even without great love,” the Earl prodded.
“I cannot say,” Elizabeth honestly replied, “But I will say this much: I rejected the two proposals I received because I did not respect the gentlemen who offered them. Though I did wish for love in my marriage, I was uncertain what love meant till I experienced it. Mutual respect, to my mind, is far more essential.”
“Hmm. So you had no consideration for fortune?”
“I would not have accepted a penniless man; between us we would never have been able to establish a home. Beyond that, I would never have preferred one gentleman over another on the basis of his fortune alone.”
“So, Miss Bennet, tell me something of your father and uncle.” the Earl said, changing the subject. “Seeing that I shall have to spend a good deal of time with them, Lady Matlock has insisted that I engage them in conversation as much as possible. I would like to be prepared.”
“Both of them are knowledgeable and well-informed. They enjoy a challenging debate and are skilled chess players. Yet for their similarities, they are very different in temperament. My uncle is far more sociable while my father is of a more taciturn nature. “
Thus, the conversation continued for some time in the same vein until Elizabeth excused herself to go upstairs and change.
All her insecurities of appearing inadequate returned once more in her mind.
She had no false modesty and knew that neither her looks nor her conversation would invite criticism; yet her lack of wealth and connection would provide sufficient matter for gossip.
The maid assigned to her by Lady Matlock was competent and assured her that she looked very becoming.
Still a tight knot lingered in her stomach, refusing to be dismissed.
Her unease endured until she descended the stairs to find Darcy waiting just below.
With trepidation she approached him and took his arm.
“You are enchanting.” he said, looking up at her, adoration plain in his eyes. In that moment she knew that, so long as this man stood by her, nothing could rattle her.
Soon they were boarding the carriage and setting off for Drury Lane. Mrs. Ashcombe had offered to collect the party from Gracechurch Street and they were to occupy the Darcy box. Elizabeth and Darcy, however, were to be in the Matlock box with Lord and Lady Matlock, the Viscount and Georgiana.
Upon their arrival at the theatre, they went directly upstairs to the box, preferring to wait there for the rest of the party rather than in the crush at the entrance. As the others arrived, introductions were made after which Lord Matlock spoke.
“Mr. Bennet, I would like to invite you to sit in our box. We are soon to be family.”
Mr. Bennet accepted the invitation with graciousness and joined the Matlock party.
The Viscount however declared that he would prefer the Darcy box for he proclaimed that the play was too frivolous to engage him, and he would much rather spend the evening gazing upon the handsomest woman in the theatre.
With that he offered his hand to a blushing Jane.
The performance passed in relative silence in the Matlock box, where Elizabeth was seated between Darcy and Lord Matlock.
Behind her sat her father with Lady Matlock and Georgiana on either side.
Mr. Bennet could hardly have failed to notice how solicitous Darcy was of Elizabeth.
He had presented her with a pair of lorgnettes, likely a family piece by the look of them.
A gesture that would not be missed by others in the theatre.
Mr. Bennet found himself approving of this public endorsement and of how Darcy could not refrain from looking at Elizabeth every few minutes.
Elizabeth, though clearly absorbed in the performance, had a ready smile for her beau every time their eyes met.
He was certain that they held hands away from prying eyes for much of the evening.
His Lizzy was happy, and he could hardly begrudge her that.
Turning his attention to the next box, he found Jane blushing profusely.
The Viscount appeared to be flirting with her outrageously, while Mrs. Ashcombe was simultaneously poking her young son to woo the lady.
The result was a fumbling young man, wide-eyed and stammering, attempting to speak over the smooth and practiced Viscount, who continued to extol Jane’s flawless beauty.
Mr. Ashcombe seemed equally intimidated by Jane's perfection and his mother's commands.
As the performance came to an end, many of Darcy and Matlock’s acquaintances came by and were introduced to Elizabeth and Jane.
Some openly curious, others trying to slyly gain information on the two beauties.
Elizabeth was introduced as a dear friend of Georgiana, and the Bennet family a close acquaintance of Darcy.
Mr. Bennet was proud to see both his daughters poised and confident without any anxiety apparent.
He vowed that his younger daughters would not be an embarrassment to their sisters in the future.
He would guide all three of them to become respectable ladies.
The supper at Darcy House was an entertaining affair where Georgiana performed a duet with Elizabeth to everyone’s applause.
Then, inspired by the play they had just watched, it was decided that everyone would enact a few lines.
Mr. Ashcombe very flamboyantly enacted the ghost who had no idea he was dead and kept getting offended when nobody responded to him.
The Viscount continued to flirt with Jane as he enacted the lover’s lines.
Realising Jane’s shyness and embarrassment, Mrs. Ashcombe interfered and recited the heroine's lines in her best romantic voice to the Viscount. This caused hilarity all around especially when the Viscount completely in the lover’s character proposed to Mrs. Ashcombe.
As the evening came to an end everyone was well satisfied. While the rest of the party were busy with taking their leave Mr. Bennet quietly spoke to Darcy.
“I think you should get the settlement papers drawn, Sir.” Then taking the last sip of his drink he walked out leaving an astonished Darcy rooted to his spot.