Chapter 31 Guests At Pemberley
Mary and Georgiana were seated at the pianoforte in the music room, intent on a new and difficult piece.
Mary stumbled again over the timing, and Georgiana had her begin the passage once more, her voice calm and patient.
Elizabeth had just come in from the tree house, where she had spent a peaceful hour reading under the canopy of leaves.
Now she stood quietly in the doorway, reluctant to disturb them.
Yet Mr. Bingley and the Hursts were expected to arrive by four o’clock, and Mary still had not permitted Ellis to trim her hair.
Early that morning, Ellis had been firm. “If Miss Mary is serious about finding herself a husband, she must allow me to cut and style her hair. Her gowns are beautiful, made of fine fabrics, and her figure is lovely, equal to that of her two elder sisters, but her hair, my lady, is a disaster.”
Elizabeth had agreed. “Thank you, Ellis. Do you have time today? I will fetch her after I spend an hour reading and will remain in the room while it is done.”
Now, standing at the threshold, Elizabeth hesitated no longer. She entered the music room, and both young women turned at once.
“Mary, I need a word with you in my room,” she said.
Mary rose at once. “Of course.”
Elizabeth turned to Georgiana. “Are you ready for our guests, dear? They arrive this afternoon.”
Georgiana’s eyes shadowed. “You are certain they are not bringing Miss Bingley?”
Elizabeth raised a brow. “Quite certain. Mr. Bingley wrote to your brother and said she is with her uncle Ambrose, who is determined to see her married to his son Augustus. Let us hope he succeeds, and we need never see her again.”
As they climbed the stairs, Mary asked, “What is it, Lizzy? Have I done something wrong?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No, my dear. But the Bingleys and Hursts come today, tomorrow is church, and on Monday the Lewises arrive. It will be our first time at the Lambton church, and we must look our best. If Mr. Lewis proves to be a kind and respectable man, I hope he will take notice of you. But first, we must do something about your hair.”
Mary sighed. “Oh, my hair. Must it be cut, Lizzy?”
“Yes,” Elizabeth said gently. “Ellis is waiting in my room. Tell me, why have you refused her before now?”
Mary hesitated. “What if she cuts it too short, or cuts it wrong? It takes so long to grow again.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Not yours. Your hair has always grown fast. I remember how Kitty and Lydia were bald forever, but you were born with hair that grew like a weed. Mama was forever trimming it.”
Mary’s eyes filled with tears. “Lizzy, Mama used to cut it badly on purpose. She said I was so ugly that it made no difference. One day, I begged her to leave it alone, and since then, she has hated me all the more. But at least she could not make me look worse.”
Elizabeth felt her throat tighten. “Oh, Mary. Ellis is not Mama. She is a skilled maid, and she will take great care. You must trust her.”
When they entered Elizabeth’s chamber, Jane and Ellis were already waiting. A chair had been placed in the center of the floor. Ellis gestured politely. “Please, Miss Mary.”
Mary sat, and Ellis draped a clean towel over her shoulders. Ruby stood nearby, watching closely; she would one day learn to trim hair herself.
Ellis examined the long, heavy tresses. “Miss Mary, you have a high forehead, but it is prettily shaped. I can cut a fringe to fall at your brows, or I can leave the length as it is. Either way, I will shorten and thin it so it may be pinned up neatly. You could wear an elegant chignon for the evening, and a looser style by day. Which do you prefer, a fringe or no fringe?”
Mary looked helplessly at her sisters. Neither could picture her with a fringe, and neither spoke.
“What do you think, Ellis?” Mary asked.
“I believe you should have a fringe. It will frame your eyes and make them appear larger.”
“Very well,” Mary said, drawing a deep breath. “Cut it.”
Ellis worked swiftly and skillfully. When she was done, the floor was littered with hair. She handed Mary a mirror. The girl gazed at her reflection for a long moment, then began to laugh and weep at once.
Jane and Elizabeth rushed to her side.
“Mary, your fringe is beautiful,” Jane said. “Why are you crying?”
Elizabeth spoke tenderly. “All is well, dearest. You look lovely.”
Mary dabbed her eyes. “I know. I look beautiful for the first time in my life. I think I am almost as handsome as the two of you.”
Jane and Elizabeth exchanged smiles over her head, and Ellis said briskly, “Yes, Miss Mary, you are beautiful. You and Mrs. Darcy are almost twins. Now, with your fringe, you have your own look. I daresay you could win any man you pleased, unless he is one of those who insists upon a rich wife.”
The three sisters laughed.
Elizabeth said lightly, “If Mr. Lewis does not suit, we shall try again in London, come November. Now, let us go; Ellis and Ruby must clean up this mess.”
Mary looked down at the floor in astonishment. “No wonder I always suffer headaches. My hair was so heavy.”
The entire Darcy party was assembled in the drawing room when Mr. Bingley and the Hursts were announced.
Darcy’s eyes kept drifting to where his wife stood next to her three sisters.
He had to admit, Madame Cecil’s workmanship was excellent.
All four women were dressed in fine muslins in fashionable cuts, and each was elegantly dressed and beautifully coifed.
Charles Bingley entered with delight, shaking Darcy’s hand and embracing his friend.
He bowed to each of the ladies, but when he reached Jane, he took her hand and kissed it.
She smiled at him warmly, and her expression, gentle, open, and inviting, was enough to send color to his cheeks.
The young couple moved to a far corner of the room and settled on a settee, and were soon lost in conversation.
The Hursts followed, looking jovial. Darcy and Richard greeted Mr. Hurst. “How are you, Hurst? Ready to fish?”
Hurst laughed. “Indeed. Fish, hunt, and ride. I have been trapped in London too long. Bingley kept me too occupied.”
Darcy said, “I have the smoothest cognac you have ever tasted. Shall I pour you a glass?”
Hurst accepted, and he and Richard followed Darcy across the room to the sideboard. As Darcy filled their glasses, his expression turned thoughtful. “What kept you too occupied? Has something occurred?”
Hurst nodded grimly. “A family scandal, I fear. That silly chit, Caroline, tried to run away from her uncle’s house three times.
He kept a close watch over her so she did not get far, but her uncle was furious.
He sent word that Augustus had taken her to Scotland to marry over the anvil.
Charles was required to release her dowry.
The marriage certificate came by express six days ago, and all will soon be settled between the solicitors. ”
Darcy’s brow furrowed. “She married her cousin? After only a few weeks?”
“Two weeks,” Hurst said grimly. “Charles counted. It was not her choice, mind you. On her third attempt, she fled with her footman. When her cousin caught up with her, he insisted they must marry to save her name. And thank God, it is all settled at last.”
Darcy exhaled sharply. “I can scarcely believe it.”
“Believe it,” Hurst said. “I have never been so relieved. She is no longer Charles’s concern, nor mine. Her husband must bear the burden now.”
Richard muttered a low oath, then said aloud, “All’s well that ends well.” He strode off to pour himself a second glass of brandy, satisfied that the prospect of marriage to Miss Bingley no longer hung over him like a sword. She was married once and for all.
Darcy turned to Hurst quietly. “Then Charles is free to marry as he pleases?”
“Yes,” Hurst replied. “Nothing binds him now.”
“Has he decided what to do about Netherfield?” Darcy asked.
“He still holds the lease,” Hurst said, “but he has not spoken of his plans to me.”
“If he chooses to marry Miss Bennet, I hope he will purchase an estate here in Derbyshire. It would be well to have them near. I will mention it to him.”
Hurst chuckled. “You may, but I doubt he will ever live at Netherfield again. The memories of Caroline there are too sour.”
Darcy agreed. “I feel the same. She was completely out of control during our visit, and I had never seen her behave in such a manner before. I am thankful she is nowhere near Pemberley.”
Elizabeth approached. “Would you like to go up to your rooms and rest, or shall I have tea served here?”
Mrs. Hurst requested her room, and Elizabeth ordered a tray sent up.
Hurst lingered. “She is with child and naps twice each day, once in the morning and again about this time.”
Elizabeth asked. “And is she in good health and spirits?”
“She is on both accounts, especially now that Caroline is well settled.”
Bingley, turning to Jane, asked, “Miss Bennet, would you care to walk out with me?”
She rose immediately. “I should like that very much, sir.” The couple drew near to the others and announced their intention to walk in the gardens.
Richard turned to Elizabeth. “Mrs. Darcy, would you join me? Have you seen the dripping well yet?”
Elizabeth’s eyes brightened. “No, Colonel. I did not know there was one here.”
“There is a small one on this estate,” he said. “My father’s land near Matlock has several. I must take you there one day. Come, I will show you.”
Darcy, overhearing, looked up. “All is well, Richard?”
“Yes,” Richard replied. “I am taking Mrs. Darcy to the dripping well.”
Georgiana turned to Mary. “You have not seen the well either, have you?”
“No, I had no idea there was a mineral well here at Pemberley.”
“Come then,” Georgiana urged. “It is only a mile’s walk.”
Mary agreed, and soon they were all on their way.
Richard drew Elizabeth apart from the others and then asked, “When do the Lewises arrive?”
“On Monday. How far do they live from here?”