Chapter 39
“Thomas, stay near me, dear,” called Jane. Her young cousin had a habit of running ahead of her, exhibiting his comfort at playing in the park so close to home. She shifted Felicity from her right arm to her left and lowered her to the path. “May we try walking hand-in-hand, my little girl?” Hands secured, the trio walked on as Mr Stokes closely trailed them.
“Miss…miss?” called a voice loudly from across the lane.
Turning, she saw it was the man, Mr Bingley, from the day before. Remembering how uncomfortable he had made her, Jane ignored him and continued walking.
“Cousin Jane, do you know that man?” asked Thomas.
“No, dear.” She turned to Felicity. “Ladies do not acknowledge men unknown to them. Let this be a lesson to us all.” Thomas and Felicity nodded in agreement.
Mr Bingley rapidly approached. Jane stopped and pulled the children closer to her. “Mr Stokes,” she whispered to her rear.
A moment later, Mr Bingley was face down on the ground; Mr Stokes had his arm locked behind him.
“Children, we must return home.” She picked up Felicity. “Follow me, Thomas.”
Jane heard Mr Stokes’s threats begin as she rushed the children back to Gracechurch Street.
Gardiner read the cards in his hand. The first read:
To a living angel, please grant me an audience.
The rubbish continued with the second.
I must learn the name of the master that painted you to this mortal plane.
The third had him bite his lip in irritation.
You must allow me to secure two sets for the next ball you attend.
“Edward.”
Gardiner turned as Madeleine’s tone brooked no nonsense. “Yes, dear?”
Her eyes bore fire. “You will deal with this. Today.”
He held up the cards. “What else is there?”
“Jane has ground all the flowers into herbal scents. She will not admit to her distress, yet it is evident she is unhappy with Mr Bingley’s antics.”
Gardiner nodded. “As Jane remains with Lady Matlock, these trinkets affect us more than she.” When he saw her agreement, he asked, “What shall you have me do?”
She shrugged, looking pained. “What would Bennet do should he hear of this?”
“For the present, let us ensure he does not.”
“What shall you do?”
Gardiner crumpled the cards. “I shall send a note to one who desires to be of service.”
Elizabeth gazed round the huge space. Several footmen had pushed open the wall of doors between the music room and the large drawing parlour to create a respectably sized dance floor. Mrs Annesley sat at the pianoforte with a stack of music sheets. Her smile matched those of the participants.
Mr George Darcy had his hand on his son’s shoulder. “I shall see you dance. You cannot say you are unfamiliar with any of the party.” He leant in and spoke sotto voce. “These dance lessons are for the ladies, but you cannot escape dancing with your beloved sister.”
Elizabeth smiled, seeing Mr Darcy laugh along with his father. Both bowed to Lady Catherine, who clapped her hands to gain attention.
“Where shall we start, Mr Sweet?” she asked.
“Piece one, if you please, Mrs Annesley.” He turned to the group. “Let us pair Mr Darcy with Miss Darcy. Mr George Darcy, please pair with Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth took her place across from the older man. Mrs Annesley played Handel and the four dancers moved through a truncated cotillion; Mr Sweet whispered advice regarding posture, hand placement, and foot orientation. Mrs Annesley ended the short piece with a pleasing flourish; Elizabeth applauded, as did the others.
“A change of partners, please,” called out Lady Catherine.
The next dance was an allemande. Mrs Annesley played Mozart, which was livelier than Handel. At first, Elizabeth found it easy to pair with Mr Darcy, as his great height allowed her to turn under his arms easily. The difficulty was his trying to turn under hers, as she was much shorter than he was. Their second roundabout had both tangled up; their faces were nearly nose-to-nose. Elizabeth felt her face heat up; Mr Darcy cleared his throat several times.
“Next time, we shall adjust the pairings,” offered Mr Sweet.
“I hesitate to do so. Their gyrations thoroughly entertained me,” said Lady Catherine.
The activity continued for another hour without mishap. While Mr Sweet spoke to Georgiana and Mr Darcy, Lady Catherine and Mr George Darcy were whispering.
What is that about? thought Elizabeth.
Bingley stared out the window as his leg bounced up and down. The erratic beat of his boot heel upon the floor did nothing to distract him. His thoughts focused on confirming the name of the living angel he had met at the Gardiner residence.
His sister had been rapt with attention once he had described the vision he had encountered. Even though Caroline was adamant about shedding their roots in trade, she lost her ladylike equanimity at his tale.
“Scars, you say?” she asked.
“Yes, across her nose and chin.”
“Blonde? Blue eyes?”
“Yes, and yes.”
“Did you hear anything else?”
“Hmm...at the park, I believe I heard the little boy call her ‘Cousin Jane’.”
“Yes!” she cried. “Do you know who she is? That is the elusive Miss Jane Lily Bennet, this Season’s Diamond of the First Water!”
Bingley covered his ears; his sister’s last sentence had ended in a shriek. “Please cease your caterwauling.”
“You must pursue this acquaintance. The Countess of Matlock is Miss Bennet’s sponsor. We would have access to the first circles.”
He cared nothing for that, he cared only about introducing himself to the angel named Jane Bennet. Thus he soon was in his carriage to make another attempt to court an apparition. Bingley hardly noticed when the carriage pulled up in front of the Gardiner residence. He was basking in his remembrance of the blue-eyed Venus; he wondered what she had thought of his cards and flowers. Before he could climb down from the vehicle, the carriage door opened and Mr Gardiner stepped inside, taking the seat across from him. He wore an angry expression.
“Mr Bingley, know my sentiments. Cease importuning my niece.”
“B-But,” Bingley stuttered, “why are you so against my suit?”
“Your actions have upset her. She does not desire to make your acquaintance.”
“Mr Gardiner, our families are friends of long-standing.”
“Your father and I were. You are not.”
“Allow me to be, I implore you.”
“You have besieged her with tokens! You have made no honourable offer.”
“I have had no opportunity to do so, sir,” Bingley cried, feeling desperate.
“And you will not be given one, Mr Bingley. This is your final warning between gentlemen.” Mr Gardiner stepped down from the carriage. “Do not force me to resort to ungentlemanly actions.”
As the days passed, Lady Catherine watched Elizabeth’s regard for her nephew grow; the lively young woman often blushed and smiled in his presence. Darcy, however, was more difficult to read.
Deciding she required reinforcements, she invited her brother-in-law for a walk in Hyde Park. Minutes later, they strolled the cleared paths, their breath evident in the brisk November air. George got right to the point. “I see your machinations, Madam Machiavelli. How many others have you ensnared in your web of intrigue?”
She laughed. “Lady Matlock supports the match without reservation. It was actually her idea, as I was slow in seeing the obvious.” She looked up at him. “You cannot object to the brilliance of the pairing?”
“I cannot. Bennet is among the finest gentlemen of my acquaintance. His daughters are a credit to him and his name.”
Lady Catherine patted his arm. “Good, because I need your involvement.”
“Tell me how I may assist you?”
“It is obvious Elizabeth has feelings for Darcy. I see her frequent glances at tea. She always acts quickly on my requests if she sees she may encounter him.”
“Which your requests always do?”
“As they should,” she assured him.
He laughed. “Why do we have generals? You alone would defeat the little tyrant.”
“Yes, but I have a much more important mission at hand. Do you not agree?”
“I do. My son would benefit from the lively and lovely Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
They continued walking and exchanging ideas to bring the two young people together more frequently.