Chapter Eleven #2
“I did.” She had confessed that opinion to few people. But this visit had hardened her resolve. She could not return to Longbourn and settle for the polite, unassuming…dull gentlemen who populated Hertfordshire. Better to remain unwed.
The other woman’s eyes softened. “I want you to know that you will always have a place in my household if you need it. You do not need to marry a man for your support. I will provide for you.”
Elizabeth’s eyes welled. “Thank you. I appreciate your support more than you know.” The lack of means was always the flaw in her plan to remain unwed. It would not be an obstacle if she accepted her godmother’s offer. And she might need a refuge after she jilted William.
It would not be a horrible future. Elizabeth would miss her family if she lived with Lady Sterling, but she would be free of her mother’s constant insistence on marriage.
“I do not deserve such bounty,” she stammered.
Lady Sterling smirked. “I beg you to recall all the idiots you beheld at London balls. Do they deserve their good fortune? Do they spend money wisely? No, they were simply more fortunate than your family. If I provide for you, it will be making better use of my fortune than they do of theirs.”
Elizabeth could not disagree.
Her godmother rose from her chair. “It is past time for my afternoon nap. But consider what I said. I would not see you unhappy with your lot in life.”
“I will.”
Elizabeth lingered in the sitting room for a long time after her ladyship had retreated.
***
The next day, Elizabeth accompanied Lady Sterling and Jane to a ball given by Lord and Lady Sudley. This affair was on a smaller, more intimate scale than previous ones. The ballroom was obviously a hastily converted dining room, with a lower ceiling and fewer furnishings.
Deciding she could not rely on William, she had resolved to dance with any gentleman who asked her.
After all, she had visited London for diversion and entertainment, not to worry over a wayward, false fiancé.
Unfortunately for Elizabeth, upon entering the ballroom, she and Lady Sterling first encountered Miss Bingley.
Jane, unsurprisingly, had taken Mr. Bingley’s arm and disappeared from view, leaving Elizabeth under the sister’s judgmental glare.
Although Miss Bingley was not the most attractive woman at the ball, nobody could fault her taste in fashion.
Her gown was au courant in a striking red-and-black satin that flattered her complexion. Red feathers adorned her hair.
Miss Bingley professed delight upon encountering Elizabeth despite her cool expression. “My dear Eliza! How fortunate! I had just positioned myself by the entrance so I might admire the ladies’ gowns.”
“You are not among them” remained unsaid.
“So much elegance and beauty on display! It really is one of the pleasures of a ball.”
Elizabeth and her godmother exchanged a look suggesting they each wanted to escape the conversation.
Staring over Elizabeth’s shoulder, Miss Bingley gave an exaggerated gasp. “I say! That ensemble is absolute perfection!”
Elizabeth turned toward the entrance. Wearing a pale pink gown that flattered her complexion, Lady Julia glided into the room. Heads turned all over the ballroom to watch the woman’s entrance.
“Lady Julia is always the height of fashion,” Miss Bingley breathed.
“I believe she is recently engaged to the second son of the Earl of Dare,” Lady Sterling said.
“You are behind the times,” Miss Bingley sniffed.
“Lord Cameron and Lady Julia appeared on the verge of betrothal, but the agreement collapsed. He retreated abruptly to his family’s country house in Middlesex in the middle of the Season!
” She tittered. “Details are sparse. But”—she whispered—“I heard that they quarreled and vases were thrown.”
“She is not engaged?” Lady Sterling’s gaze slid toward Elizabeth.
“No. Moreover, one of the broken vases was Sevres porcelain!” Miss Bingley exclaimed.
“Oh?” Elizabeth said into the ensuing silence.
“And another one was worth one hundred pounds!”
“Does Lady Julia favor another gentleman?” Lady Sterling asked.
Miss Bingley smirked in Elizabeth’s direction. “There has been no formal courtship,” she drawled. “But we all know who she favors.” Oh, yes. Lady Julia’s effusive greeting to William at the Pritchards’ ball had been memorable.
Lady Julia drew every eye as she promenaded across the floor, soaking in everyone’s attention as if it were her due. She paused every few feet to greet an acquaintance.
“Her dowry is at least thirty thousand pounds, probably more,” Miss Bingley drawled. “And who would not desire to be connected to a duke’s family?”
“Indeed,” Elizabeth murmured.
Lady Sterling regarded Elizabeth uneasily and then took her arm as if to move on.
“It would be quite a triumph for any man, even one who was quite wealthy.” A faint smile played about Miss Bingley’s mouth.
She appeared bent on provoking Elizabeth’s self-doubt and sense of inferiority. Elizabeth recognized the scheme and hated that it was effective. She wanted to respond but could not find the words.
“But now, of course, Mr. Darcy is engaged to you. So it does not signify, does it?” Miss Bingley gave her a superior smile.
Lady Sterling tugged on Elizabeth’s elbow. “Come, Lizzy, I must introduce you to Lady Sudley.” The older woman shot Miss Bingley a cool glare as they departed.
“Lady Julia is quite beautiful,” Elizabeth whispered to Lady Sterling.
“Mr. Darcy cannot possibly be yearning for a large dowry and a title if he is engaged to you. Do not let it trouble you.”
But Lady Sterling did not know that the engagement was a pretense.
Perhaps he would prefer a large dowry and a title if it became available.
Was that why William had not visited Sterling House?
Had he been courting Lady Julia? Would he request an end their arrangement so he might pursue the other woman?
There was no reason for Elizabeth to be disappointed. She had no expectations of William. Surely the heaviness in her limbs was just dread; being publicly replaced would be humiliating even though her heart was not engaged.
But Elizabeth had resolved to dance with other men tonight. She faced Lady Sterling. “Would you be so kind as to introduce me to some of your friends tonight? I would particularly like to discover new dance partners.”
Lady Sterling eyed her knowingly. “It would be my pleasure.”