Chapter 12 #2
Mr Darcy spent most of his day either in the library or out of the house; he always informed Elizabeth when he was leaving but never mentioned his whereabouts, and she did not enquire.
She was busy learning about the household, preparing for the dinner party, which would be the first she would host as Mrs Darcy, and exchanging notes with her aunt and longer letters with her sister.
Mrs Gardiner informed her that she had received a good recommendation for a noted dressmaker on Oxford Street and had secured an appointment for Elizabeth.
Her aunt suggested that she come to Darcy House to collect her niece, then they could travel the short distance to the shop together.
Elizabeth was more desirous of seeing her aunt again than purchasing new gowns, especially since she had acquired a few new ones shortly before her wedding but had been given no opportunity to wear them as yet.
She mentioned her plans with her aunt to Mr Darcy, and he encouraged her to do as she pleased.
On the day of the appointment, Mrs Gardiner arrived early, and since it was a pleasant, mild, sunny day, they decided to take a stroll and have a cup of tea at a nearby teahouse first. Jane was due to arrive later that afternoon, and the ladies discussed their plans for her stay.
They reached the shop with time to spare and looked at the window display for a little while.
A short distance from them, waiting in front of the same shop, three young ladies were talking, paying little attention to those around them.
They were all fashionably dressed, their manners revealing self-importance and an air of disdain.
“I am absolutely positive Mr Darcy was forced into that marriage,” one of them said.
“Caroline Bingley told me the woman is neither pretty, nor elegant, nor accomplished. She is the daughter of an insignificant country gentleman, with some fortune, but an orphan with no connections. Why would Mr Darcy choose her above all the other superior ladies of his acquaintance?”
“If she is not pretty, why would he even have been interested in her? We all know he has never lacked ladies’ company — and I mean ladies of real beauty and charm.
My aunt said she was certain she saw him a few times in the company of Miss Ridgewood, the opera singer.
Now that is truly a beautiful woman — I can see why men admire her. ”
“I am not sure about Miss Ridgewood, but Mr Darcy called on us a few times. And he even asked me to dance last year, at Almack’s!”
“Did he? Is he a good dancer? I have never danced with him myself — or seen him dance with anyone else for that matter!”
“That is because he does not dance anywhere, Lavinia. He is an excellent dancer. If you were able to purchase a voucher for Almack’s, you might see him.”
“I am sure he will not dance now, since he married! But if he is so fastidious about the places he dances, where could he have met the daughter of an insignificant country gentleman and been persuaded to marry her? Surely it did not happen at Almack’s!”
Elizabeth listened to the conversation with both distress and amusement. She exchanged glances with her aunt and continued to stare at the items in the windows silently. When the time of the appointment arrived, they entered the shop, as did the other three young women.
Inside, they were met by an assistant, to whom Elizabeth handed her card.
“Mrs Darcy, we are honoured to have you here! Madame Charlotte will be with you within minutes. Please allow me to escort you to your private chamber.”
“Thank you,” Elizabeth replied, then glanced at the three women, who were all red-faced.
She smiled at them and said, “Do not fret, ladies, I expected to be envied by jealous young women who were disappointed at not being Mr Darcy’s choice.
My husband and I even discussed it the other day, and we were both diverted by the notion. ”
Then she stepped into the private room, followed by Mrs Gardiner, the women’s stares burning the nape of her neck.
Madame Charlotte was a woman of middle years, elegant in attire and in manners, and she welcomed Elizabeth with polite formality and great efficiency.
Elizabeth was measured, fitted, and her measurements and preferences carefully noted for future occasions.
With Mrs Gardiner’s assistance and Madame Charlotte’s suggestions, Elizabeth placed orders for three new elegant evening gowns for special events and three morning gowns for calls.
Stays, petticoats, chemises, and shifts to go with them were not forgotten.
When their appointment ended and they were accompanied to the door, the three young women were no longer there, and the pleasant weather had turned cold, cloudy, and windy.
Mrs Gardiner was eager to return home to prepare for Jane’s arrival, and Elizabeth stepped out of the carriage in front of Darcy House, waving to her aunt as the vehicle turned the corner at the end of the street.
By that time, the rain had begun to fall, and the wind had intensified.
She hitched up her skirt and ran up the steps, but just as she was about to enter, a hand gripped her arm, stopping her.
She turned, expecting to see Mr Darcy, but instead she faced a gentleman, around the same age as her husband, with a handsome figure and a charming smile, who bowed to her.
“Excuse me, ma’am, do you happen to be Mrs Darcy?”
“Yes, I am she.”
“Forgive me for importuning you. I was looking for Darcy, but I was told he is not at home.”
“Is he not? I just returned myself. Are you a friend of Mr Darcy’s?”
“No, ma’am. I am his brother-in-law.”
Elizabeth gazed at him with a frown and increasing interest.
“Miss Darcy’s husband?”
“Yes, ma’am. I am George Wickham, Georgiana’s husband.”
The rain was pouring now, and the wind had intensified. Elizabeth’s bonnet and pelisse were soaking; so was the man in front of her.
“Mr Wickham, I am delighted to make your acquaintance! Is Miss Darcy — I mean Mrs Wickham — with you?”
“No, I preferred not to bring her out in such weather. Her constitution is rather delicate, and I did not wish her to catch a cold.”
“That was very considerate of you, but we might catch a cold if we remain here, in the rain. Let us enter.”
“Oh, I would not want to intrude, Mrs Darcy. I do not want to bother you, especially since Darcy is not home. I shall wait for him out here.”
“Nonsense! You cannot wait in this rain and cold! You are not bothering me, I assure you. Come, we shall have tea while we wait for Mr Darcy to return.”
He hesitated briefly, looked about, then finally making a decision, followed Elizabeth into the house.
She took off her coat and bonnet and handed them hurriedly to the butler, not noticing the disapproving frown of Mr Lethbridge, then invited the guest into the drawing room and rang for some tea, cakes, and brandy for the gentleman.