Chapter 21 Visiting London
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
VISITING LONDON
Having never before travelled to London, Mary found their time in the city particularly interesting.
She enjoyed shopping for gowns even less than her sister Elizabeth, but with her aunt’s guidance in selecting fabrics and styles, the experience was more tolerable than she had expected.
The presence of Miss Darcy—who quickly invited all three Bennet sisters to address her as Georgiana—brought unexpected pleasure as well.
Mary discovered that she and Georgiana often drifted to one side during fittings, content to speak softly together of books and music while the others debated sleeves and hems.
Their tastes in music proved remarkably alike, and as Georgiana described the books she had recently read, Mary felt a twinge of regret.
How many opportunities had she overlooked by disregarding Elizabeth’s recommendations?
For so long she had confined herself to the moral essays she deemed proper, certain that any diversion beyond them was a waste of time.
Yet in hearing Georgiana speak with such animation, she began to wonder whether she had been too rigid in her choices.
Perhaps, she thought, her mind might be enriched—and her company made more agreeable—if she allowed herself a wider range of study.
“Your sister Elizabeth seems very accomplished—at least according to Brother,” Georgiana said as the two sat quietly together. “He speaks of her in such glowing terms, and I know he loves her deeply. Has she always been so confident, so… so determined?”
Mary smiled, reflecting on how others perceived her sister.
“Lizzy has always been confident and rarely shies from speaking her mind. She has a way of drawing others to her. In fact, your brother insulted her upon their first meeting, and she was determined to hate him for it. But I understand he apologised most prettily and has made amends. I admire Lizzy for her determination, but I have never had the courage to act as she does. She is nearly universally admired.”
“Then perhaps the two of us should take her for a model,” Georgiana said, still a little shyly. Yet seeing her brother so happy gave her courage, and she was eager to know her new sisters better.
They continued speaking about Elizabeth for several minutes before their conversation was interrupted.
One of the attendants brought forward a nearly finished gown she claimed would be perfect for Mary.
Made of pale blue silk, it was admired at once, and both the modiste and Georgiana urged Mary to try it on.
She hesitated, for she had always chosen the plainest fabrics, believing finery unnecessary.
Elizabeth, turning with a smile, added her encouragement. “I think that colour would suit you very well, Mary. You should try it—it may be ideal for our evening at the theatre.”
Mary soon found herself ushered into a dressing room, and in a few moments she stood before the mirror, surprised to see how the gown softened the severity of her features and lent her complexion a gentle glow.
Is it vanity to acknowledge that certain colours and cuts become me?
she wondered. She had always made every attempt to be modest, in keeping with her mother’s insistence that she was the plainest of her daughters.
Yet as she spent more time with Elizabeth of late, she had begun to change her opinions—if only slightly.
With a small but resolute nod, she turned to the attendant.
“Yes—this one will do, if it is not too much. Although I had hoped to purchase only a gown or two, I had not anticipated finding anything so fine. Of course, I still need something suitable for my sister’s wedding, but this will also serve well on several other occasions.
With a few ribbons to alter the trim, I can adjust it to suit a variety of engagements. ”
“Of course, Mary,” Jane said softly, smiling at her sister as well.
To Mary, Jane already seemed improved, even in the short time they had been in London. Perhaps being away from their mother had lifted her spirits, for Mary had noticed her sister often looked unhappy of late.
That melancholy had begun while Jane and Elizabeth were at Netherfield and had continued when Elizabeth had begun to spend more time with Mary than with Jane.
Mary suspected it had something to do with Elizabeth’s growing closeness to Mr Darcy, especially as Mr Bingley had not yet made his intentions known.
Since their mother so often proclaimed Jane the most likely to marry well, Mary sometimes wondered—though she felt unkind for thinking it—whether her eldest sister had experienced a touch of jealousy.
She was secretly pleased when Elizabeth confided the truth of her courtship with Mr Darcy to her, even though she knew she had only overheard them speaking of it and that they had been obligated to tell her.
Still, it signified a change in the sisters’ relationship, a subtle shifting that made Mary feel nearer to Elizabeth than ever before.
After spending several hours at Mrs Gardiner’s dressmaker, placing orders for many of the morning dresses and walking gowns she would need upon her marriage, Elizabeth and the others boarded the Darcy carriage to take them to Darcy House for tea.
Elizabeth was gratified by how quickly Mary and Georgiana had formed an attachment, especially since she herself had been occupied with the dressmaker and unable to give her almost-sister the attention she deserved.
Seated beside her aunt, she smiled softly at Mary, watching with affectionate approval as her sister stepped beyond her usual reserve under Georgiana’s gentle encouragement and their aunt’s quiet guidance.
It warmed her to see each young woman draw out the best in the other.
While Elizabeth did not yet know Georgiana well, it was clear the girl was sincerely grateful for Mary’s attentions just as Mary had developed a genuine liking for her shy companion.
Elizabeth was especially pleased that Mary had agreed to purchase a nearly finished gown the dressmaker had completed for an order that had been cancelled, for she had possessed nothing suitable for an evening at the theatre.
The pale blue gown would suit her exceedingly well, and Elizabeth looked forward to seeing her wear it.
Still, her thoughts did not remain on her sisters for long.
A flicker of unease stirred as she considered the prospect of seeing what would soon be one of her new homes.
Normally she liked to believe her courage rose to meet every challenge, yet she could not deny a measure of intimidation at the thought of entering the Darcys’ London townhouse.
It was not the grandeur of the house itself that unsettled her, but the knowledge that she would soon be its mistress.
What if I make a blunder in running the household?
What if the servants find me lacking in some way, or his relatives look on me with disdain?
At Longbourn she had often assisted her father with accounts and soothed her mother’s endless complaints, but she had never borne the responsibility alone.
Her sisters had always been near, and her parents—however inconsistent—were there to provide guidance.
The servants at Longbourn had known her all her life; they would overlook her mistakes.
But in London and at Pemberley, everything would be new.
The thought of being solely in charge made her hands tighten in her lap, her back straighten, and her eyes fix unseeingly on the window as the streets of London hurried past.
Beside her, Mrs Gardiner glanced at her with quiet concern. Elizabeth felt her aunt’s hand rest gently over hers and heard her say, “You will do very well, my dear.” Mary and Georgiana were talking intently, and only Jane seemed to notice her aunt’s soft reassurance.
Elizabeth started, then offered a small smile, a faint flush rising in her cheeks as she glanced around the carriage.
“I hope so, Aunt. It is only that I feel the weight of what lies before me. At Longbourn, I always had Papa or Mama to step in if I needed help—even if that help was not always what I wished. At Darcy House, there will be no one but myself.”
“But you are not without support, my dear,” Mrs Gardiner replied kindly. “You will have Mr Darcy, and you will have me to advise you if you need it, at least while you are in London. Do not forget that. The servants will also be anxious about having a new mistress, so you may set them at ease.”
Elizabeth’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave her aunt’s hand a grateful squeeze.
Her William had chosen her for this role and trusted her to meet its demands.
If he believed her equal to it, she would not disappoint him.
She breathed deeply, regaining what confidence she could as the carriage drew closer to its destination.
They arrived at Darcy House only a few minutes later.
Darcy himself went out to meet the carriage, assisting each of the ladies as they disembarked.
Before stepping down, Elizabeth placed her hand in his, and he felt an unaccountable surge of satisfaction.
He did not know whether she had contrived to be the final passenger or if it was mere chance, but either way, he was pleased.
“How was your visit to the modiste and the shops, my dear?” he murmured as they ascended the steps together.
“Not as tedious as I expected,” she replied with a quick grin. The expression warmed him, but he saw how swiftly it faded when they entered the house. Her eyes moved about the hall, and her countenance grew more serious, appearing almost distressed.
“Are you well, Elizabeth?” he asked, his concern sharpening.