Chapter Fourteen
Elizabeth’s spirits lifted when the carriage halted before a charming town house.
Twenty-three Gracechurch Street, its red brick facade warmed by the late afternoon sun, was as dear to her as Longbourn.
After enduring an additional two weeks at Hunsford, where every meal with Mr. Collins had been a fresh exercise in forbearance, she finally made her excuses to Charlotte, claiming the necessity of visiting relations in London prior to joining Jane for their journey to Bedfordshire, though in truth, her sanity demanded the change.
“At last, we arrive,” she remarked to her maid. “Perhaps not too late for tea?”
“I believe we are quite on time, my lady,” Danvers answered with characteristic poise.
As they ascended the steps, the butler opened the heavy oak door, its polished brass knocker gleaming in the sunlight.
“Welcome, Lady Elizabeth,” he said in greeting before stepping aside to allow them entry. “Your aunt and sister await you in the family parlour.”
“My thanks, Lambert,” Elizabeth replied, inhaling the familiar scent of beeswax that always perfumed the Gardiner’s home, then addressed her maid. “I shall require you before dinner, in approximately two hours.”
“Very good, my lady,” she replied with a slight nod of her head, her nimble fingers already reaching for Elizabeth’s gloves and bonnet.
Upon reaching the first landing, Elizabeth and Danvers parted ways, she towards the parlour, her maid continuing upward to the servants’ quarters.
The sound of quiet conversation, punctuated by the delicate clink of china teacups, drifted into the hall.
Elizabeth straightened her fichu, then pushed the door open with a bright smile.
“Have you saved a morsel for the weary traveller?” she playfully asked upon entry, meeting the warm gazes of her sister and aunt.
“You made good time. We did not expect you until much later this afternoon,” Jane said. “Was Mr. Collins’ company finally too much to bear?”
“All shall be revealed after I am refreshed,” she teased. “Even a short journey of a measly six hours over somewhat smooth roads requires some form of sustenance to recover.”
With a subtle gesture, Aunt Madeline signalled a footman to notify her husband, who had stayed home in anticipation of their niece’s arrival. The clock had not yet struck the next quarter hour when he entered the room, and gave Elizabeth a kiss on the cheek.
“Now, my dear Lizzy,” he said, arranging himself comfortably with one leg crossed over the other. “You must tell us of your time at Hunsford.”
“Charlotte seems quite content,” she replied, stirring her tea.
“The parsonage exceeded her expectations, which is not surprising. Growing up, she shared a bedchamber with her sister; while their four brothers piled into two rooms. The parsonage, with adequately sized rooms, high ceilings, and a garden twice the size of Lucas Lodge, delights her immensely. Kent itself is lovely, with rolling verdant hills, majestic oaks, and meadows carpeted with a variety of wildflowers. I spent many pleasant hours exploring the grounds of Rosings Park, the weather being so uncommonly fine that even the most determined clouds dared not intrude for longer than a few hours.”
“I am pleased Charlotte has settled so well,” Jane said. “But pray tell us more of Lady Catherine. Your letters painted quite a formidable picture.”
With eyes twinkling, Elizabeth described the parlour where the great lady received callers.
“Imagine, if you will, being escorted through an endless corridor of polished marble, lined with portraits of stern-faced de Bourghs, until you are presented to the lady of the manor in a chamber that might befit a royal audience.”
“Is it truly so grand?” Jane asked in surprise.
“Grand? Perhaps. Tasteful? Decidedly not. Such ostentation might be tolerated at court, but it becomes rather vulgar when displayed in the countryside manor of a mere baroness.”
“I had thought Lady Catherine simply the daughter of an earl, not a baroness herself. Mr. Collins spoke of little else.”
“She is indeed the daughter of an earl, yet one would think her the Queen of England by the imperious manner in which she carries herself and has arranged her home.”
“In what manner precisely?”
Elizabeth paused as she searched for words to convey the vivid scene still etched in her memory like an engraving on fine silver.
“The parlour, with its gilded mirrors and richly coloured drapes, reminded me of the royal audience chamber at St. James’s Palace, and at its centre sat Lady Catherine.
” When her aunt choked back a laugh, her hand lifting to cover her mouth, Elizabeth grinned at her.
“Poor Mr. Collins was summoned forward like a trembling subject before his sovereign. Once he reached a certain point, of which I am convinced has a designated mark in the carpet, he stopped and genuflected. He did!” she exclaimed at her family’s collective gasps.
“He bowed so low, I feared he might either lose his balance entirely or press his nose against the carpet. Most telling of all was Charlotte’s perfect composure throughout this display, which led me to believe this was their daily ritual. ”
“Poor Charlotte,” Jane murmured.
“She chose her path with full knowledge of what lay ahead,” Elizabeth replied, her dark eyes flashing with indignation. “You cannot tell me you did not see the deficiencies of his character when he stayed with us those few short days.”
“I confess, I kept my distance whenever possible,” Jane admitted, her fair complexion colouring slightly at the confession.
“As did I.” Elizabeth took a small sip of her tea before continuing. “Yet, I cannot help but sympathize with Charlotte’s predicament. Not merely for binding herself to such a husband, but also in the fact that they must subjugate themselves in such a manner.”
“But, as you once pointed out,” Jane reminded Elizabeth gently, “Charlotte made this choice willingly. Did she not tell you that it was better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life?”
Elizabeth’s mouth curved into a wry smile at the memory.
“Indeed, she did; though I doubt she anticipated dining on those words every day of her married life. Mr. Collins’s ridiculous behaviour in Meryton was merely a foreshadow of his true nature.
I shudder to think how he would simper and fawn had he knowledge of our elevated rank.
His obsequiousness would be unbearable.”
“You did inform Charlotte, did you not?” Jane asked. “She would be most distressed if you had not confided in her. She is, after all, our dearest friend.”
“Be at ease, I disclosed everything, and she has sworn secrecy until her family writes, which they will once the Turners take possession of Longbourn.” Elizabeth placed her teacup on its saucer and released a weighty sigh, contemplating the commotion that would soon engulf their quiet village.
“The gossipmongers of Meryton shall exhaust their horses and tea supplies in their haste to spread the news.”
“Aunt Phillips will relish at being the first to share any notable intelligence, though Uncle Phillips will surely lament the expense. Tea remains a luxury, despite our family’s fortunate connection to dear Uncle Edward,” Jane remarked, casting an affectionate glance towards their uncle.
“Have no concern, my dear niece, I shall ensure my brother incurs no debt over hosting those chattering busybodies.”
Aunt Madeline offered the biscuit tray to her husband before turning to Elizabeth. “What other news from Kent?”
“Well…” Elizabeth said, relishing the long pause, knowing that what she was about to share would surprise everyone. “Lady Catherine’s fondest hope has been realised.”
“Whatever could that be?” Jane queried, a slight frown wrinkling her brow. “We know Mr. Darcy did not propose to his cousin.”
Elizabeth was surprised, and wondered how her sister had come by this information.
“Although Mr. Darcy did not propose, Miss de Bourgh did marry her cousin, just not the one her mother had designated. She exchanged vows with Colonel Fitzwilliam two weeks ago, by Special License, no less.”
“Oh my, this sounds worthy of a Shakespearean comedy,” Aunt Madeline said with a light laugh.
“I will not bore you with all the minutia, but suffice it to say, Miss de Bourgh merely informed Lady Catherine she was marrying her cousin, and that they would reside in Derbyshire for the next three months.”
“I presume this fortunate cousin conveniently possesses such an estate in that county?” Aunt Madeline enquired.
“He does not. They will lodge at his father’s estate, Wyndhaven, near Matlock.”
Aunt Madeline’s expression registered surprise. “The earl’s son?”
“His second son, who serves as a colonel in His Majesty’s Light Dragoons.”
“Lizzy,” Jane began. “How did you learn all this?”
Warmth rose in her cheeks.
“Mr. Darcy himself revealed all to me, in a letter.”
‘A letter!” Jane gasped, her blue eyes widening to perfect circles. “You are not betrothed, he has only asked to call on you.”
Elizabeth sat back in her chair, surprised again that her sister was so well informed.
“You know Mr. Darcy has asked to call on me?”
“He paid us a visit last week. It was quite unexpected.”