The Perfect Suit

Chapter Forty-Four

“ H e has not ordered a carriage to match Mary's eyes after all then,” Mr. Bennet remarked in an undertone to Elizabeth as they watched a veritable procession pass through the gates. “I profess myself disappointed, but perhaps he has redeemed himself with the interior.”

The gaze of his second-born daughter was fixed upon the scene before her and, choosing wisdom, she remained silent .

Miss Catherine Bennet, standing on his left, did not similarly disappoint him. “It looks to be a very fine carriage, Papa.”

“Aye, that it does, Kitty.”

Mrs. Bennet's excitement was clearly visible. The lace on her cap fluttered in the breeze and she took several moments to decide upon the most refined manner in which to clasp her hands. She had dressed with care that morning, selecting the best gown she had that was suitable. It was to be hoped that Lady Langley had not worn an ensemble that was noticeably finer .

Mrs. Bennet addressed her favoured daughter. “Mary! You must stand beside me, my love. How well you look in green, my dear — it suits you prodigiously well. Stand up straight, dear. Only look how fine a horse His Lordship rides — why, it is the colour of pale gold. I have never seen the like.”

Interested, Mr. Bennet regarded the horse. “It is a Turkoman horse, if I am not very much mistaken. I read in the paper that there were only two in the country. How remarkable — I had not thought I should see one with my own two eyes. John and all the stable hands will be beside themselves with excitement.”

“It seems Lord Langley does not bring only his mother.” Mary frowned, seeing that four other members of the Shirt-Sleeve Club were escorting the second carriage as it came through the gates. “At least they are more properly attired now. That is something.”

Mrs. Bennet clutched tightly at Mary's arm. “Do you mean,” she said in a voice that sounded almost pained, “that there is a duke here?”

Unimpressed, Mary nodded once. “Yes, he is the one on the chestnut horse.” Mary frowned. “It is ill-mannered of Lord Langley not to mention he was bringing others.”

“No, no…” her mother squeaked. “No, Mary, it is no such thing, my love. It is only a pleasant surprise for me — you must not take them to task as your father says you did before. What on earth will they think of us all if you will only scold them when you meet.”

“Does it matter what they think?” Mary enquired, not having considered this.

“Does it matter ? Of course it matters. Oh, I shall go distracted — I ought to have ordered a fourth duckling after all but perhaps they will not accept an invitation to dinner.”

“A duckling for a dukeling,” quipped Mr. Bennet, unable to resist, and received a smile of acknowledgement for his wit from Lizzy .

“Is there to be duck?” Lydia, standing nearby, brightened. She was not permitted out of Longbourn but she could enjoy a dinner party within quite easily. The coachmen had drawn up the horses now and footmen leapt down to be about their business, so Lydia did not pursue her enquiries.

“Your Grace,” bowed Mr. Bennet, as the man on the chestnut horse dismounted.“You are welcome to Longbourn. Good day, Lord Langley, and…forgive me, I forget all of your names.”

The Duke of Shrewsbury dismounted and made his bow. “May I make known to you again, sir, my brother, Lord Brentford, also my Lord Bromwich and Sir Robert Kilbride.”

“Yes of course. It was Lord Bromwich who soothed the horses, from what I understand, was it not?”

Lord Bromwich swept a bow, doffing his hat to the assembled group before him. “The least I could do, sir, under the circumstances. I trust the mare took no hurt with that hock — I have treated a fair few horses with sprained hocks in my time, you know, and…”

Viscount Langley interrupted him, having handed a blonde ringletted lady from the carriage. “A moment, Bromwich — I must present my mother before you rattle off about the horses, man.”

Bromwich was duly rebuked. “Beg your pardon, Your Ladyship.”

Lady Langley patted her son's hand. “I am content for His Lordship to ease whatever worries Mr. Bennet may have for his stable, Langley. I have heard my son talk of his horses often enough. Since you have interrupted Lord Bromwich, my dear, you may as well introduce us.”

A flurry of introductions was made and courtesies exchanged. Mrs Bennet, smiling with ill-concealed glee, invited the group into the house. It only needed Lady Lucas or even Mrs. Long to call at Longbourn in that moment for her enjoyment to be complete.

“You must come in from the cold, for I fear there is quite a wind and it would not do for any of us to catch a cold before next week.”

Lady Langley appeared to understand. “Miss Bennet is to be wed then, I understand.” She looked at the beautiful eldest daughter with a sweet smile and said, “I wish you joy, Miss Bennet.”

The good wishes were gratefully received and Mrs. Bennet, pleased to be so well comprehended, continued, “We expect Mr. Bingley, Jane's betrothed, to call this morning along with his friend, Mr. Darcy. They will be delighted to see my youngest, I am sure, they do not yet know the good news of her re…”

“ Recovery .” Elizabeth had been intently listening, and was poised to rescue. “By the time the gentlemen left the county we had been greatly concerned for our youngest sister's wellbeing.”

“Oh!” said the sympathetic dowager viscountess. “I am sorry to hear she has been so ill — but the young lady appears to be so healthy now.” The blonde lady turned her eyes to Lydia, whose attention was fixed on the lace at Lady Langley's throat and thus she had not been paying heed to the conversation.

“Lydia is not one for lying idly in bed if it can be avoided,” smiled Lizzy. “I am surprised she remained confined for as long as she did. ”

“What a blessing for you, Mrs. Bennet, to have so large a family of such fine girls. My son was adamant that I must come with him, and his friends, hearing of our visit, insisted on being my outriders. I daresay we looked as though we were travelling in great state, but it does make one feel quite safe, does it not, to know the gentlemen outside will discourage any trouble from highwaymen and the like.”

For the space of five minutes, Mrs. Bennet of Longbourn comfortably lamented the dangers that might be faced on the road with the dowager Viscountess Langley and noted with enormous satisfaction that young Lord Langley had taken up a seat as near to Mary as he possibly could. Miss Mary's satisfaction with the arrangement was less apparent.

“Should you like to see inside the carriage, sir?” he asked Mr. Bennet, who was seated on the other side of his daughter. “I am assured it is very elegant. Mama approved of my choices. Bromwich took charge of seeing that the shafts were in good order for the horses. He is a great one for that, you know, and the other gentlemen and I attempted to decide what might please you best.” He addressed Mr. Bennet but Mary was uncomfortably aware that the viscount was predominantly seeking her approval.

“Does it enjoy a green interior, by any chance, sir?” asked Mr. Bennet, disposed to enjoy himself.

“It does indeed, Mr. Bennet — how can you have guessed it?”

“Oh,” came the airy reply, “an inkling. I have a preference for green myself, so it will answer well. My mother had green eyes, you know, so perhaps that is it.”

Viscount Langley flushed and looked directly at Mary. “Green eyes are uncommonly lovely, I find. Perhaps you might come to see the carriage, Miss Mary, and…and you might decide whether or not it atones sufficiently.”

Discomfited at being so singled out, Mary straightened the folds of the dress that Lydia had insisted she wear that morning. It was narrower in the skirt than she preferred, but her younger sister had been so adamant that she ought to wear that frock and no other that she had capitulated. Viscount Langley's expression when he looked at her did not convince her that she had been right in giving in. There was something so reassuringly secure in her usual roomy grey wool that she missed. Perhaps it was the invisibility it lent her.

“You have replaced my father's conveyance with a perfectly serviceable vehicle, my lord,” Mary answered, as neutrally as she could. “I can have no judgement to pronounce on whether or not it be sufficient. ”

“Come along, Mary. These gentlemen have made an effort in reparation, so we will be gracious and admire their taste, my dear. ”

“Yes, Papa.”

Lord Langley rose and offered his arm. “Might I escort you outside, Miss Mary?”

Mary, feeling the eyes of her mother on her, shook her head. “I have walked into the room quite ably, my lord. I daresay I will manage to do the same in the other direction with little difficulty. You may, of course, follow us out.”

Disappointed but not abashed, Lord Langley dropped his arm. “Naturally, I did not mean that you needed my arm, Miss Mary. Longbourn is your home after all. I will follow you,” he said gallantly, “anywhere you care to lead me.”

Elizabeth caught the satirical eye of her father just then, and to conceal her smile was obliged to rise from her seat to go to the window. “Jane! Mr. Darcy has come — and Mr. Bingley too. May we go to greet them, Mama? I am sure they will wish to hear how much better Lydia is feeling now.”

“Yes, you may go, girls. Only do not stay outside for long. Lady Langley here is in agreement that it would not do for you to catch a cold before, Jane.”

“I will make her return indoors at the first breath of wind, Mama,” Elizabeth promised, and with Jane exited the room ahead of her father, Lord Langley, and Mary.

Mr. Bingley had only moments before dismounted at the door. He smiled broadly to see Jane approaching him, her hands outstretched. He kissed them both and after raising his head to look at her in admiration, did so again .

“My darling, you look happier than when I left you.”

“Of course I am.” Jane's voice did not waver. “I will always be happier to see you return than when you leave, Charles. But it is not only that…Lizzy, will you say it?”

Lizzy had approached Mr. Darcy and had half held out a hand to him after he dismounted from Albion. Her hand dropped, however, when she was addressed, and she flushed, realising that she had reached for him .

“We have excellent news at Longbourn, but perhaps you have already heard it from the town?”

Mr. Darcy said nothing, but studied her face intently. Charles shook his head and answered, “We have been only to the barracks last night and have not encountered a single acquaintance since we returned. Tell us, is it all that we hope for? You received my letter, I hope.”

“All that we hoped for and more,” said Lizzy simply, trying not to stare at Mr. Darcy. “You will hear from the local populace in Meryton that Lydia has recovered. She is even now downstairs with Mama and my other sisters.”

Her hand was taken and pressed in Mr. Darcy's, so gratified was he to hear of Miss Lydia's safety. Happily, Elizabeth returned the pressure of his fingers and looked into his eyes with a speaking expression .

Jane had been lifted at the waist by Mr. Bingley and spun around rapidly, surprising a laugh from her. Lizzy laughed also.

“Charles, my dear, you must not — we are observed. Within there are ever so many people. We had better go inside, I suppose.”

“I will follow in a moment, Jane,” said Lizzy. Mr. Darcy looked at her curiously but, obeying the squeeze of slight fingers, remained beside her as Jane and Mr. Bingley went within .

“I will be brief, sir. I had only wanted to express my gratitude to you — your actions, Mr. Darcy, have safeguarded our family name.”

“I beg that you will not trouble yourself. It is a trifling service, Elizabeth.” He caught himself and added, “I beg your pardon, Miss Elizabeth.”

Lizzy laughed, wishing she knew how to tell him that she liked the sound of her name on his lips. “It is not trifling in the least, sir. There are few things more precious to a family of women than reputation, after all.” There was a brief hesitation before she spoke again. “I hope you will tell me if you incurred any cost that I might repay…it is not difficult to see that Mr. Wickham is a man largely motivated by greed. ”

The corners of Mr. Darcy's mouth lifted fractionally, but he shook his head. “I ought to have done more last summer. I would not have you feel indebted in any way.”

“I cannot agree. You are not responsible for him, after all.” Lizzy placed her free hand lightly on his arm and playfully added, “The best way for me not to feel indebted is to permit repayment — Lydia is our sister, after all, and what you have done for us all cannot be quantified.”

“I am relieved she is safe. Recollect that I am brother to Georgiana, Miss Elizabeth. I know what it is to fear for reputation. The greater fear — that Miss Lydia might not be safely found — is past. I cannot tell you how pleased I was just now to find you in a better state of mind than when I left you here.”

It warmed her to hear him say so. That he had acted for her sake was plain. “There is another service you have done me, sir. I am afraid when we left Hunsford I was not able to express my gratitude to you properly for your escort.”

Darcy glanced down at the hand Elizabeth had kissed when they stood in the lane in Kent and said only, “There is no need for any of that. I had been half wondering, on that journey, if I ought to provoke an argument between us. It worried me more than anything to see you so docile and meekly doing precisely as you were bid.”

She laughed. “As to that, you need not fear a reprisal, I am sure. Had I not trusted you, Mr. Darcy, you might have found a far more troublesome charge.”

“Lizzy!” Kitty called from the doorway, and his pleased expression faded as Elizabeth belatedly removed her hand from his with pink cheeks .

“Shall we go in? It is a little cool out here, I believe.”

Lizzy nodded and took the arm that was offered her. “You said something similar once before, Mr. Darcy — during your aunt's ball. ”

He nodded at the memory. “I said a great many things that evening, Miss Elizabeth.”

“You say that as though you regret your words.” Lizzy, her thoughts fixed on how Mr. Darcy had looked when he had declared that he could not think of anything but her, tried to conceal her dismay .

Glancing down at her expression, he smiled suddenly but, seeing that Miss Catherine was within earshot, remained silent .

“Lizzy,” repeated Kitty, “Mama wishes you to come in and write a letter of introduction for Lady Langley to take to our aunt and uncle in London.”

“I beg your pardon — can you be speaking of the dowager viscountess Lady Langley, Miss Catherine?”

Kitty, too shy to speak to directly to Mr. Darcy, nodded.

“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner?” Elizabeth's brows rose. “I will, of course, but what can Her Ladyship want from them?”

“Apparently,” said her sister, “Uncle Gardiner's reputation precedes him.”

“I have heard,” Mr. Darcy corroborated, “Mr. Gardiner hailed as the man to know if one wishes to invest capital for a good return. My own uncle was eager for an introduction.”

Miss Elizabeth Bennet, laughing, could not immediately reveal why she found this information so entertaining. “I beg your pardon, I will strive to control myself — it is only that I was thinking of Miss Bingley, that is all. ”

Happily, Mr. Darcy seemed to appreciate the direction of her thoughts and she was not obliged to say anything further as they entered the drawing room. Mrs. Bennet instantly greeted them and, pleased that all of her exalted visitors were already well known to one another, proceeded to enjoy herself immensely for the next half an hour.

Longbourn

My dear Aunt ,

A thrill of anticipation went through me at the close of your last letter. Bedecked in your finery for Jane's wedding, indeed! I do trust that you will not disappoint me now, Mrs. Gardiner, by appearing in anything less than the finest of your jewels and perhaps that delightful damask gown we ourselves assisted in sewing when we were with you. How long ago it seems now .

Do not permit such a thought as vulgarity to enter your heads, I beg you. I encourage the both of you to be as ostentatious as is possible, for there will be those present at Jane's wedding (it is only nominally Mr. Bingley's wedding also) who desire an introduction to you. Strangely enough, your reputation for being as fastidious a dinner guest as can be found in London has preceded you — reaching the ears of even the dowager Viscountess Langley, who will also be present .

Mama instructs me to include within this note an assurance that Lady Langley is a person known to us, as is her son. I believe, my dear aunt, that along with half of London society, the viscount and his mother are eager to put a portion of their considerable fortunes into my uncle's hands. Do not, I beg you, hesitate to decline the acquaintance if the Langleys are not quite exalted enough for you to do business with. Your good opinion must be assiduously courted, after all .

You will recall, I suppose, the club of young men who so irritated Mary? A promise was made to replace Papa's carriage, and I can report to you that this very morning the promise was fulfilled. Mary grudgingly accepts that this at least shows good character. She is embarrassed, I believe, at Papa's inordinate amusement. Without directly saying so, Lord Langley made it perfectly plain that the interior of the new carriage was covered in a velvet intended to pay homage to the green of Miss Mary Bennet's eyes. She was unable to deal with his presumption as she would have liked (is it presumptuous for a gentleman to note the colour of one's eyes, I wonder?), for he had brought his mama with him, and it is evident that Lady Langley as good as believes that Mary will become her daughter-in-law one day !

Her Ladyship is a youthful-looking woman for her age, with a quantity of blonde ringlets and a taste for wearing as much lace as she can. She dresses well, is a charming conversationalist, and is unapologetically a little foolish. We met many a titled lady in town whom I disliked, but I have refrained from prejudice and will say that Lady Langley, although more childish than a woman in her forties ought to be, is a pleasant new acquaintance. Mr. Darcy quietly informed me that Her Ladyship was born a de Bourgh — she is therefore the sister-in-law of his aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, with whom I crossed swords whilst I was yet in Kent. Lady Langley, it seems, is on the most sisterly of terms with Lady Catherine, by which I mean that they quarrel incessantly whensoever they meet. I recommend Mr. Darcy as a companion when new introductions are made, Aunt, for he is a fount of the most interesting information.

It was as fine a first visit as you can ever imagine. Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley happily arrived to call on us at the same time that the Duke of Shrewsbury, Lord Brentford, Viscount Langley, Lady Langley, Sir Robert Kilbride, and Lord Bromwich were there. You may now take a few moments, Aunt, to imagine Mama's ecstasies when Maria Lucas came through the gates just as our visitors were taking leave of us.

Poor Maria — she had come only to bear news of the latest Meryton scandal. I believe that by the time Mama had introduced Lord Bromwich she was ready to flee back through the gates again, but Kitty called her attention else we would not have heard so soon of a delightful piece of justice.

Mrs. Forster, it transpires, has been weeping all day, for her husband informed her that Mr. Wickham has had, this very morning, to run the gauntlet and has subsequently been branded for desertion. Meryton can speak of little else. He has been universally shamed for cowardice — I do not think he will be invited into any of the genteel homes in the area after this. If he cannot be publicly censured for all the wrongs he has done, I am content that this is a fitting and just end.

There is more, so much more that I suspect but dare not commit to paper just now, Aunt. I will save up my conjectures until I see you again soon and perhaps you will lend me your wise ear for a few moments at dearest Jane's wedding.

Yours etc ,

Elizabeth.