Chapter 6
Wearing their best gowns, Jane and Elizabeth accompanied their father to a very elegant, moderately sized home on Grosvenor Street. At least it was moderately sized compared to the homes around it. They were shown into the drawing room where Judge Darcy awaited them.
He was a few years older than Papa with the hair on the top of his head noticeably thin. Elizabeth thought it was likely a good thing that he wore a wig when fulfilling his duties as judge, since that would make him far more imposing.
“Bennet, it is good to see you again,” he said jovially. “I haven’t seen you in ages.”
Papa rolled his eyes and responded, “Yes, that is exactly what you said this afternoon.”
Elizabeth smiled a bit at their little joke and felt herself relax. With such a greeting, it was clear that Judge Darcy did indeed share her father’s sense of humor, and this made her less concerned about whether he would judge them harshly.
Dinner with the judge was both pleasant and a little nerve-wracking. He asked plenty of questions about their hobbies and their lives in general, but he did so with kindness and genuine interest.
After dinner, Elizabeth and Jane were guided back to the drawing room by a maid and served tea while their father and Judge Darcy stayed in the dining room to enjoy a bit of port.
~~~~~
After Judge Darcy had given Thomas his glass of port, he leaned back in his chair and said, “Your daughters are quite lovely.”
Thomas felt his lips twist in a scowl. “That they are,” he said.
Judge Darcy chuckled. “You don’t seem particularly pleased about it.”
“Why should I be?” said Thomas. “My wife was perfectly lovely, and she turned out to be the greatest burden I have ever taken on without providing anything in return. Jane and Elizabeth at least have some sense about them, and my next younger daughter, Mary, is studious if not sensible. My two youngest daughters, however, are disasters waiting to happen. I have no idea how I will prevent them from eloping with the first man to compliment them without locking them away.”
“For one thing, it would be helpful to them all to make it clear how dangerous such a course of action would be,” said Darcy.
“As for the rest, companions and footmen will go a long way. If it is too difficult for them to slip away, they may not even try. The right companion can also go a long way toward helping them understand their situation better.”
“And do you have anyone in particular in mind?” asked Thomas.
“I do,” he responded. “I happen to know a dowager countess who is currently in dire financial circumstances. Even with that, however, the Lady has her pride. Her services will not be cheap, if you can manage to convince her at all. It’s entirely possible that she would not wish to work for anyone without a title. ”
“Can she teach my daughters the dangers of eloping and help them recognize those who hide their true nature behind good manners and flattery?” asked Thomas.
“None better,” replied Darcy. “She married a man she loved with all her heart, but rumor has it that her life with him was not easy. Since his death, it has become apparent to all. The man left almost nothing behind, since he had run his estate practically into the ground. Additionally, he left instructions in his will that his son was to be raised by his brother rather than his wife, so the Lady has not seen her son since her late husband’s funeral. ”
“And who is this Lady?” asked Thomas.
“Lady Esther Canton, dowager Countess of Vintnor,” said Darcy.
“I see,” said Darcy. “If she is what you say, she could be quite helpful to us all. How would I go about convincing her to help my daughters?”
“I don’t mind acting as a go-between,” said Darcy.
“I could call on her directly and explain the situation in such a way as to elicit her sympathy. I would recommend a hefty salary from you, however. Would you be willing to go as high as fifty pounds per quarter plus a twenty-pound clothing allowance per annum?”
“Hmm,” said Thomas. “That is more than twice what I was expecting to pay.”
“You could easily hire an ordinary companion for fifty pounds a year or even less,” said Darcy, “however, none are quite as uniquely qualified as Lady Esther. Should one of your daughters attract the attention of a titled gentleman, she could even arrange an introduction to the queen because of her title. That alone is worth a hefty sum, don’t you think? ”
When Thomas hesitated to answer, Darcy added, “If you can hire her quickly, she would also be an invaluable resource in helping you find a second companion as well as ladies’ maids.”
“Why are you so insistent on this?” asked Thomas.
“Because Lady Esther is truly the best person I know to help you,” said Darcy.
“After meeting your lovely daughters, I can see that they desperately need all the assistance Lady Esther can give them. While Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth are excellently behaved and perfectly lovely, they are also particularly na?ve. If your younger daughters are even less sensible, they will need Lady Esther’s good sense even more. ”
Thomas thought about Darcy’s words, but before he could respond, Darcy added, “Miss Bennet, in particular, will need a great deal of protection.”
“And why would you say that?” asked Bennet. “She was, in fact, one of the least of my concerns.”
“When her fortune is combined with her beauty and her gentle personality, every man with a chivalrous bone in his body, every man who feels strong and powerful in the presence of a lady who relies on him, will be attempting to woo her. Given how particularly na?ve she is, she will find it utterly impossible to determine who is sincere and who is merely putting on a show.”
Thomas sighed. “I know I shouldn’t begrudge the money.
There is plenty to spare after all. Still, it rankles to spend more on a companion than my wife receives for her pin money.
Yet, I can’t deny that you are correct. My girls need protection, both from themselves and from the selfish men who will flock to them.
Very well. If you will make the arrangements, I would be pleased to interview Lady Esther.
If she suits us and if she agrees to the situation, I will hire her. ”
“Wonderful,” said Darcy. “Since the courts are currently in recess, I should be able to call on her tomorrow. May I bring her to your inn for an interview in the afternoon? That is, of course, assuming I can meet with her.”
“That will be acceptable,” said Thomas. “I will be visiting the solicitor in the morning, but I should be back at the inn no later than two in the afternoon.”
“Excellent,” said Darcy. “By the by, if you are planning to stay in London for more than a week, I would recommend taking a house instead of staying at the inn. It will cost the same or possibly cheaper, and it will give you more clout when choosing those you will hire.”
Thomas sighed. “Thank you for the advice. I will give it some thought.”
Thankfully, Darcy shifted the conversation to less weighty topics, and Thomas was able to rest from his burdens for a time.
~~~~~
Elizabeth was becoming bored of being stuck at the inn. They were in London, but since Papa was busy during the day, he could not accompany them shopping or sightseeing. She could not even go for a walk.
She mentioned this to Papa the next morning before he left once again for business. He talked to the innkeeper and hired a manservant to accompany the sisters for some shopping. He even entrusted Jane with five pounds to fund their venture.
Then he disappeared with one final reminder that they should return to the inn no later than two in the afternoon.
Shopping on High Street in London was far better than simply wandering around the inn as they had done yesterday. Every shop contained new or interesting things. Elizabeth experienced a sense of wonder and a twinge of guilt as she and Jane spent nearly all of Papa’s five pounds in one morning.
It was the fastest Elizabeth had ever spent money other than purchasing a gown. Though she knew that there was plenty more and to spare, it was still an odd feeling.
When they returned to the inn, there was just enough time to put away their purchases and check their appearances before Lady Esther was to arrive.
Papa had insisted that Elizabeth and Jane be present during Lady Esther’s interview for two reasons.
The first was that he did not want to hire someone that none of the sisters could like or respect, so he wanted the opinions of his two eldest daughters.
The second was that he wished for Lady Esther to meet his daughters so that she could determine if she could be of assistance.
Lady Esther turned out to be in her early thirties.
Her blond hair and blue eyes reminded Elizabeth of her mother, though Lady Esther was not quite so lovely as Mrs. Bennet.
She was a little too thin for true beauty.
Her gown was made of exquisite material, but Elizabeth could detect the signs that it had been altered a few too many times to keep up with changing fashions.
The interview went smoothly, though it was clear that Lady Esther was a little uncomfortable with the idea of working for money.
The only hiccup came when Jane asked her if she knew Latin or Greek.
The Lady was quite surprised. It was the first time she showed an expression other than placid acceptance.
Unfortunately, she did not know either language.
Even so, in the end Papa offered her the position, and Lady Esther accepted it. She would begin her duties as soon as Papa had made arrangements to take a house.
When the Lady left, Papa sighed. “That is one more thing I will need to take care of as soon as possible,” he said.
“I had hoped to not need to take a house. At this time of year, the search will be nearly impossible. Still, since both Lady Esther and Judge Darcy recommend it, I should at least try.”
Fortunately, when Papa inquired at the estate agent’s, there was a newly vacated home that was immediately available. It was used exclusively for short stays of less than a month, so it came with a full complement of servants. He took it, sight unseen.
When they arrived at this new home the next morning, Elizabeth could see at a glance why this house would be available even at the height of the Season.
It was the smallest home she had seen in Mayfair, only a little larger than Uncle Gardiner’s home.
It also wasn’t nearly as elegant as its neighbors.
Still, it was a house in Mayfair, and it certainly wasn’t uncomfortable. There were even two footmen who would be available to accompany the ladies if they wished to go out.
Lady Esther arrived that afternoon, and the following day their search for another companion and two ladies’ maids began in earnest.