Vol 2, Chapter 9 #2
When the then Miss Elizabeth Bennet had been a guest of her late parson, she had not missed the looks her nephew Darcy had bestowed on the lady when he thought he was not being observed.
She had come close to berating the country miss, it had been on the very top of her intentions that very night until the dinner when she revealed who her family was.
That and the next day’s revelations convinced Lady Catherine that, if the two ever made a match, it would truly increase the family’s stature rather than the degrading she would have erroneously professed.
They were still a sennight from Anne’s five and twentieth birthday, but her daughter had been mistress of the estate since that fateful night.
Lady Catherine had always thought Anne as weak in mind as she was in body, but Anne had proved the fallacy of her beliefs many times each and every day since then.
Rather than feel rancour that her position had been usurped, Lady Catherine felt a deep pride in her daughter.
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When the news of the Bennet’s elevation initially reached the environs of Meryton, the population thought it an elaborate Bennet hoax, for they all well knew their friend and neighbour enjoyed a good prank.
But once the royal decree was seen with the accompanying article, the realisation sank in; it was all true.
After the news was publicised, Sir William and Lady Lucas confirmed that Bennet had disclosed the truth to them when they collected Charlotte from Kent.
Said daughter was pleased her month of full mourning was rapidly drawing to a close, and she would be almost halfway through her half mourning when she attended Jane’s and the Viscount’s wedding breakfast. She was also gratified that she was not relegated to attend only the ceremony in the church as full mourning would have required.
There was little or no time which passed during these hours that Charlotte was not thinking about Richard, where he was and what he was doing. Her love for him had grown to a stout, irrevocable love, and she was counting the hours until she saw him again.
She was most pleased her mother had accepted the invitation for Maria, and consequently herself, to travel north with the Bennets after the wedding, almost joyous to learn she would be leaving Meryton a fortnight before the originally planned departure.
All three Lucas ladies were helping with the wedding preparations in Meryton and Longbourn as a way of assisting the new Duchess.
Lady Lucas was surprised at the need to occasionally remind Charlotte to concentrate but was glad to see her daughter smiling when she thought no one was observing, as her mind appeared to be thinking of a certain former colonel.
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The prior evening, Richard had accompanied Biggs, Johns, and former captain Burnett when they met the Bennets. Both huge men accepted the position with gratitude and were immediately sent to see the seamstress to measure them.
When the Bennet parents met with Mr. Burnett, he impressed them greatly. They conferred for hardly any time before offering him the position. The former captain started that very morning, and his first task was to assist Bennet with interviewing the men Richard had organised as potential employees.
Based on Bennet’s acceptance of his recommendations, Richard added a further fifteen men, and each one of the five and forty men had been hired.
The men, some of whom had found no employment since their return from risking life and limb for King and country, and others who only had menial jobs that paid but pennies a month, could not have been happier, for their new positions paid them seven pounds a month.
For some, it was what they had been used to earning in a full year.
The men would have been loyal to the Bennets no matter what they paid, but the amount paid purchased a fierce loyalty.
Two former lieutenants were hired, one who would be in charge of the outriders and a second who would be in charge of the footmen-guards, including those who would be placed on the carriages.
Biggs and Johns, who had both been sergeants, reported directly to Mr. Burnett, as did the two former junior officers. The seamstress and three maids, who helped her as needed, were far busier than they had ever been sewing uniforms for all of the new men.
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Just before ten, Georgiana arrived, as she was included in the expedition to Madame Chambourg’s. Not long after, the Carrington coach arrived with Lady Marie. Ally and Aunt Jacqui had also joined their party.
As the new Duchess was busy working with her predecessor, she had chosen not to join the shopping expedition, for there were many logistical details when one adds almost fifty men to their household.
Their Aunt Marie’s conveyance was large, but not large enough for seven ladies to avoid having their skirts crushed and wrinkled.
Jane and Elizabeth rode with their aunts, while Esther, Gigi, and Ally rode in a Bedford carriage.
“Do you think Miss Bingley will be lying in wait, Aunt Marie?” Jane asked placidly as they started moving.
“I suspect she will be, yes,” Lady Marie averred. “You have naught to worry about. If her intention is malevolent, there are those huge men on the back of our carriage, as well as two of the burliest footmen from Bedford House.”
“Those two seem very gentle, but, like our Jane, if you anger them, or in this case threaten their charges, I have a feeling you would not like to experience the consequences,” Elizabeth opined then looked at her older sister.
“When you read the portion of her apology letter, you said you would give her the cut direct. Is that still your intention, Jane? I will take my lead from you.”
“It is. Do not forget we need to protect Gigi. She told us how the harpy used to fawn all over her in an attempt to impress William,” Jane reminded her companions.
“She will receive the same protection as any other member of the family!” the Viscountess insisted. Not many minutes later the coach started to slow as they approached Madam Chambourg’s.
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Miss Bingley was beginning to think her daily vigil was yet another waste of time when she saw Lady Marie’s conveyance halt in front of the modiste’s shop. It was closely followed by one Miss Bingley recognized as a Bedford vehicle.
She sat up straight. “Mrs. Younge, be ready to move when they…my friends exit the modiste’s.” Miss Bingley’s eyes were fixed on the entrance of said shop.
“Whatever is your pleasure, Miss Bingley,” Mrs. Younge replied. Each subsequent day she had sat with her mistress staring at the shop opposite gave Mrs. Younge a growing suspicion that her employer was not entirely stable.
Miss Bingley watched with envy as Lady Jane and the hated Eliza were assisted out of the Carrington coach by a huge, lumbering footman.
They were followed by the Marchioness of Holder and Viscountess Westmore.
Her eyes widened even more when she saw who stepped out of the trailing carriage.
She identified the youngest Bennet, Lady Es…
something, then there was a young lady she did not know, who was followed by none other than Miss Georgiana Darcy!
What a boon! The chit thought she liked her!
It was proof she would succeed as now there were two ladies who would welcome her inclusion in the group.
She watched them enter the shop. Miss Bingley was so fixated on the group across the street that she did not notice how her companion had blanched with shame when she saw Miss Darcy.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Janie, you look like a fairy princess,” Elizabeth gushed.
Jane had requested Elizabeth stand up with her, which Elizabeth had accepted joyously even before her sister had managed to finish the sentence.
As such, she was in the room with Jane for the fitting.
Her sister wanted most of the others to see her gown for the first time when the vestibule doors opened at Longbourn’s church.
“Thank you, Lizzy! It seems to me there is no further alteration needed,” Jane opined as she watched herself in the mirrors as she turned side-to-side.
“It is perfect for you, Jane; it reflects your character well. Gorgeous with hidden depth.” Elizabeth hugged her sister gently; for she did not want to damage the gown.
“Did you notice the orange monstrosity in Bentley’s Tea Room across the street?” Jane asked quietly.