Chapter 8 Thick as Thieves
Lady Matlock’s first two rounds of callers went well.
The first had been a trio of elderly ladies, who were easily pleased.
The second, a group of young ladies, just wanted to satisfy their curiosity.
Every day, Elizabeth inspected the flower arrangements and the polishing of the silver.
Satisfied with both, she waited for further callers to arrive by pacing the library.
It was unfortunate that Darcy was away at White’s or he would have offered some much-needed distraction.
The knock was subtle, but the sound carried to the library, and Elizabeth waited patiently for the calling card.
When Mr Gilbert handed her a single card, she was initially relieved it was only one lady, but then she read the name: Princess Augusta.
Could the queen have sent her daughter to seek information about Elizabeth’s grandmother?
The two had once been thick as thieves—friends since childhood.
Mayhap her grandmother had reconciled with her brother and had written to Queen Charlotte to aid her granddaughter’s introduction into society?
She hastened to greet her guest in the entrance hall, with all the trepidation her lack of experience ensured.
The only rule she remembered was not to speak before she was spoken to…
The princess was a tall and regal lady, a little past her prime, but the crinkles around her eyes bespoke someone with a sense for the ridiculous.
After the introductions were made, she escorted the lady to the parlour and asked how she liked her tea.
Princess Augusta wanted two sugars and a dash of milk, and Elizabeth made it with steady hands. The princess studied the cup.
“This is a pretty set, but did not Lady Anne have set of Meissen chinoiserie?”
“I do not know,” Elizabeth admitted. She had not looked in every nook and cranny, but the silver set she had found was pretty and looked formal.
“It is most likely locked away in a cupboard. It is a shame because I simply adore everything Chinese and was anticipating seeing the late Lady Anne’s most praised porcelain again.”
“I am humbled, Your Highness. I shall enquire as to its whereabouts at the first opportunity.”
She should have exerted herself more to know her new home, that was certain, but Darcy’s charms were so much more alluring than rummaging through cupboards.
The princess rose from her chair and began strolling about the room. Unsure of what to do, Elizabeth studied the floor. Should she follow Her Royal Highness or allow her a moment of privacy?
“What a lovely gui,” the princess remarked, looking at a particularly ugly and tattered food vessel. “Zhou dynasty, I believe. I have one similar to this, but I distinctly remember Lady Anne having one from the Shang dynasty.”
With no concept of what Princess Augusta was talking about, Elizabeth remembered seeing something similar to the jade-coloured bronze in the library.
It was to be hoped that she would not make a complete fool of herself if it were something completely different.
She liked the princess, who had not asked a single probing question about her upbringing or connections.
“I believe it is in the library. It would be my pleasure to show you.”
“Yes, I thank you. That would be lovely. It has been above ten years since I last enjoyed the sight of it.”
“Were you intimately acquainted with the late Lady Anne?” Elizabeth asked whilst the ladies moved to the library.
“Oh yes, we came out in the same Season and became close friends from the first ball we attended. It was a great loss when she died.”
In light of this development, it was not so strange that Darcy thought himself above her in station. But he was not prone to boast, which was probably why he had made no mention of his connection to royalty. Not that they had spoken much about his mother, who had died nearly a decade ago.
The gui stood on a table by itself and was slightly less worse for wear than the one in the parlour.
“It is such a beautiful piece,” the princess said. “I am a connoisseur of Chinese artefacts,” she informed Elizabeth. “What I do not know is not worth knowing. Of course, this one is of no great value beyond the sentimental.”
Elizabeth could readily believe it was not worth too much as her father had a similar vessel in his book room, and he could not afford anything of great expense.
“I simply must have it!”
Beginning with a loud thump, Elizabeth’s heart accelerated.
What should she do? Nothing in her life had thus far prepared her for how to respond to an unreasonable request from a princess, who demanded to be gifted a specific piece of art you owned.
What her grandmother had taught her was that a count could take what he wanted, even what was not his, and nothing could be done about it.
Given that Augusta was a princess and daughter of the ruling sovereign, would denying her request be regarded as treason?
Was she allowed to decline, or would opposing the request ruin the Darcy name—or worse, would she hang?
Bearing in mind the grievances a count could inflict, what was a tattered old terrine worth?
When was the Shang dynasty? If only she had studied Chinese history, but she had been more interested in the philosophical Greeks and the Roman Empire.
A mistake, it would seem. She glanced at the princess, who pursed her lips and looked at her with an intent she could not decipher.
“I cannot possibly—” Elizabeth began tentatively, but watching Princess Augusta’s frown deepen to a scowl, she amended her rejection, “—decide without conferring with Mr Darcy.”
“It is a silly bowl in which to serve food, but I am allowed eccentricity in my dotage and collect quirky guis. Oh! Have I misunderstood? Are you not the lady of the house?” Princess Augusta questioned with wide, bewildered eyes.
“I am,” Elizabeth confirmed, restoring her pride. She was not about to show any weakness in assuming her position. Even her own husband believed her inferior birth to be an impediment…
“Mrs Darcy, you are a new bride with limited experience in managing a large house and are clearly not yet accustomed to your role. Husbands do not interfere in household matters—they are too busy with their own affairs, just as you would never presume to meddle in Mr Darcy’s business.”
“Certainly not.” Elizabeth agreed and could see the merit in Princess Augusta’s explanation.
Was her husband attached to the bowl? Or was it an old relic a previous ancestor had treasured that no one liked but had not thought to remove?
It was all very vexing… “Yet I do not know whether Mr Darcy is sentimentally attached if it was a favourite of Lady Anne’s. ”
The laughter following her statement was disconcerting.
“My dearest Mrs Darcy, have you ever encountered a man who cared the slightest for what their food was served upon?” Princess Augusta entreated incredulously. “I assure you, the decision of what to display and what to offer a royal connection is entirely yours to make.”
The princess had an edge to her voice, and Elizabeth could feel her patience dwindling.
Besides, her arguments held some truth. Mr Bennet preferred to know as little as possible about household matters and would never know whether any particular piece was present or sold at the nearest pawn shop.
The only surprise was that her mother had not taken advantage of his inattention and pawned their possessions, piece by piece, to increase her perpetually depleted pin money.
If she swapped the one in the parlour for the one in the library, Darcy would still have an ugly Chinese bowl to admire, and she could please the princess, who could do much to ease her introduction into the haut ton.
It would not do to offend such an august connection when she brought no one of significance to the marriage.
She nodded, though she had no intention of concealing what she had done from Darcy.
“Shall I have it wrapped for safe travel?”
“That will not be necessary,” Princess Augusta demurred. “I prefer to hold it myself for the short drive back home. Oh dear, look at the time. I have quite outstayed my welcome, and I have more calls to make this morning. It was a pleasure, Mrs Darcy.”
Elizabeth curtsied deeply, and when she rose, Her Highness had already departed.
Moments later, Darcy returned, and she hurried to move the remaining Chinese artefact to the library.
#
Darcy was relieved to be home. Even a short morning away from his wife had proved to be too long, and he could not wait to see her.
Especially carrying the gift he eagerly anticipated seeing her wear.
White’s had been a disappointment. It was not a boast to think he was sought after amongst the gentlemen, even those of elevated rank, and he was usually invited to join a debate or two, but not today.
Everyone was either nose deep in a newspaper or engaged in engrossing conversation.
Those who did approach him made sport of his marriage, so he had thought it better use of his time to visit a jewellery shop.
“Elizabeth!” He stooped to shouting the minute he entered the house and was delighted to see her emerge from the library. She was slightly out of breath, which in turn made her bosom heave in a most delightful manner.
“I have a present, but I suggest we adjourn to the mistress’s chamber for the unwrapping.”
Elizabeth’s mouth curved into a smile. “You should not have.”
“Yes, I should!”
“Then what are we waiting for?” She clapped her hands, spun round, and rushed up the stairs.
Darcy followed, taking two steps at a time.
“Turn around,” he demanded.
Elizabeth’s eyes widened for a brief moment before they took a sultry turn that stirred his blood. Then she turned her back to him, as ordered.
“Close your eyes.”
“How mysterious you are today, Mr Darcy,” Elizabeth teased but obeyed.
“Keep your eyes closed. No cheating until I tell you to open them.”
“I am your humble servant, sir.”
Darcy barked a laugh and untied the ribbon about the box. “There is nothing humble about you, dearest, but I am pleased that you are, at least, cooperating. I am certain it is most contrary to your nature.”
He walked two circuits round her before fastening the necklace, densely set with faceted almandine garnets, around Elizabeth’s long and elegant neck.
Elizabeth gasped as the cold metal touched her skin and raised her hand to adjust the pendeloque drop. Mr Darcy swatted her fingers away before she reached it. With a firm grip on her shoulders, he turned her towards the room’s largest mirror and bent to whisper in her ear.
“Open your eyes.”
The sizeable necklace complemented Elizabeth’s lovely neck, and the red gems glittered in stark contrast to her pale skin.
“I am flabbergasted,” Elizabeth whispered. “It is exquisite!”
Her back straightened and her chin rose even higher as she turned her head from side to side to admire herself in the mirror. Darcy lowered his hands to rest upon her slim waist.
“Thank you!” she breathed. “If you continue to provide me with lovely gifts, I shall become terribly spoilt ere long.”
“You deserve it for being so winsome and bewitching.”
Elizabeth turned in his arms and rose on her toes to kiss him.