Chapter 3
With Elizabeth’s new dresses nearly complete, the Gardiners felt it was time to introduce Elizabeth to their friends and society. They sat together discussing recently received invitations.
Mr Gardiner picked up one, “The Allens are hosting a ball in a couple of weeks. They live quite nearby. Here is another one… Ah, I see it is a dinner invitation.” He handed it to his wife.
“Oh, yes. This will do well.” She clarified for Elizabeth. “The Mansfield’s son is in his twenties, and their oldest daughter just had her come out. It will be good for you to meet people your own age.”
Gardiner interjected his own thoughts. “As for the Allens, we are acquainted socially. He is gentry, though not of the first circles, and like the Darcys they do not hold to the strict lines of social status. The events they host tend toward a diverse mix of society.”
Elizabeth turned imploring eyes on her relations, “I should also very much like to attend the theatre, if possible.”
Mr Gardiner grinned at her, “I have no doubt you have been holding that request in for a good while. Have no fear, Lizzy. The theatre shall be part of our itinerary. I am sure you should prefer a comedy, but if none are showing?”
“Then I shall be happy attending whatever it is and not complain a jot.”
Her uncle just chuckled and shook his head. “As long as we do not have to sit through an opera.”
Both Mrs Gardiner and Elizabeth laughed. Mr Gardiner’s aversion to opera was well known to the family.
“I do not see any invitations for a musical evening. Perhaps Lady Anne will know of one. She has a great love of music and makes a point of attending musicales during the Season. We should also ensure there are plenty of balls for us to attend. Dancing is an excellent way to meet young men.” Mrs Gardiner kept flipping through the invitations.
“There are a couple of tea invites, though only for ladies.” Her mouth pinched into a moue of disappointment.
Mr Gardiner leaned over and picked up her hand, bringing it to his lips for a kiss. “Do not fret so, my dear. The Season is still fairly young, and there shall be more opportunities coming. Just wait and see.”
“Uncle,” Elizabeth sought his attention, “I miss my daily walks, and I dearly need to stretch my legs. Do you think I might borrow a maid or footman to walk in Hyde Park? Perhaps, early in the mornings or afternoons, before it grows too crowded?”
Elizabeth’s eyes pleaded with her uncle to agree. She knew he was aware of her solitary rambles at Longbourn and strongly disapproved. He would never condone her walking unescorted in London.
“If you go early in the morning, you must take a footman. Jax is sufficiently large to scare away any men loitering in the park. One of the maids should suffice during the afternoon, when there are more people about.”
Elizabeth clasped her hands to her chest, “Thank you, Uncle. May I go now? The day is not half gone, and the children are settled with the governess and nurse. I shall take one of the maids.” Her chin dipped as her eyebrows rose in entreaty.
Gardiner chuckled and slowly shook his head. “Go… Go.... Have Lucy attend you today. We will work out a schedule for the maids to keep the peace amongst them.”
Elizabeth was up and rushing towards the door before he finished speaking. She said over her shoulder as she practically ran out, “I shall not stay out too long.”
Stepping out into the sunlight fastening the last button of her spencer, Elizabeth lifted her face to the sky breathing in and out. “Come, Lucy. I shall do my best not to tire you out.” Together, they set off in the direction of Hyde Park.
When they arrived at the nearest gate, Elizabeth chose a less populated path. She intended to walk briskly, making the most of the fresh air and exercise.
~ / ~
Darcy had no plans, but he needed to get out of the house. The confusing thoughts provoked by his parents were wreaking havoc with his head. Why could they not understand how difficult being in society was for him?
He paused for a moment at the entrance to Hyde Park.
Many of the paths were overcrowded with those who wished to see and be seen, so he chose one leading away from the crowds.
Being forced to greet and exchange civil platitudes would not be conducive to his present state of mind.
His quick pace left the strolling throng behind him, the peaceful quiet soon easing his taut shoulders.
Ahead of him on the path he spied two women.
A young lady was nearly running, her steps were so swift, whilst her maid scrambled to keep pace.
He chuckled at the image, until a turn in the lane offered him a better view.
His heart skipped a beat at her familiar shape.
It was the beautiful lady from the park.
Somehow it did not surprise him that she walked as though she were racing the wind.
He recalled every indication of her being of a lower station than him.
Yet despite that he quickened his own pace to follow.
Like a siren’s call she lured him in like no other woman ever had.
As he hurried his steps, he searched for some excuse to be chasing down a young lady. Spying a pink flower on the ground he picked it up.
“Miss… Miss!”
“Miss Lizzy, I think that man is calling you.”
Elizabeth looked around and saw a young man advancing rapidly in her direction. As he came near, she heard Lucy gasp.
Elizabeth could not fault the maid’s reaction, as her own pulse quickened upon his approach.
She examined him, noting something familiar about his looks.
Surely, she would have recalled meeting such a handsome man.
From his shiny black hair to the toes of his buffed Hessian boots, he was every inch a gentleman.
Deep blue eyes stared at her, a half-smile quirking his mouth to one side.
Raising her chin to bolster her courage, she asked imperiously. “Why do you follow me, sir?” She willed her cheeks not to flush, yet felt heat rise in them all the same.
“Forgive me, madam.” Darcy offered an elegant bow. “You dropped your, ahem, you dropped this.” He pulled out the flower he had kept hidden behind his back and held it out.
Elizabeth raised one brow, “I do not believe I did, sir. That flower could belong to anyone.” She looked around as did he, and both saw there was no one else around.
When she saw his cheeks flush with colour, she relented. “It is a pretty flower, though. ’Twould be a shame not to give it due appreciation.” She smiled bashfully and took the flower from him.
“Indeed. And there is no one better to appreciate a pretty flower, than a pretty lady.” The colour on his cheeks deepened and spread to the tips of his ears.
Elizabeth laughed. “You are too charming by half, sir. Though I am afraid it would not do to stay in this isolated manner any longer.” Her maid had begun to shift her feet, signalling her discomfort. Elizabeth turned to go.
“Wait!”
She paused. “Sir?”
“Might I know your name?”
She sent him a mock expression of shock, her right hand pressed to her chest, “We have not been introduced.”
Darcy cleared his throat, “Well, how might I be introduced to you, madam?”
She threw him an impish look and with the maid, took slow steps away from him, calling over her shoulder, “I am in Town for the Season, sir. Mayhap our paths will cross at one event or another.” Her light laughter washed over him in the otherwise quiet.
Once they were a distance away, she shared a wide-eyed look with Lucy. “My goodness, but he was handsome.”
When their giggles subsided Elizabeth entreated, “Not one word, I beg you. Not one word to my aunt or uncle. They would never permit me out again.”
Darcy grinned, amazed at his daring. If she was here for the Season, they may yet be introduced.
~ / ~
Elizabeth stood in the drawing room, nervously smoothing her hands down the skirt of another new dress.
This one was fashioned for evening wear, in a soft peach colour, nearly a match to the healthy glow of her cheeks.
The lines were simple, with only a little embellishment of embroidery along the neckline and sleeves.
Mrs Gardiner’s modiste was excited to design for Elizabeth’s curvier figure.
“I am aware the fashion of the moment is tall and slender, but I will let you in on a secret. Men like a fuller figure. Oh yes, some say they prefer the willowy woman, all tall and slender, but if you ask them behind closed doors, most will admit to preferring a ‘Woman’.” The last word said in a deeper voice with eyebrows shooting up high.
Mrs Gardiner coughed, “Yes, thank you, Mrs Bean.” She shot Elizabeth a glance, and noting her niece was flushed a deep pink, continued quickly, “here are the fabrics we picked from my husband’s warehouse. Let us discuss which will be best for the ball gowns.”
Elizabeth chuckled now to herself. After all the hours of fittings she endured, she became accustomed to Mrs Bean’s forthright habit of speaking. With her hair elegantly arranged, a matching ribbon intertwined amongst the curls, Elizabeth felt nearly as beautiful as Jane.
Mr Darcy and Lady Anne arrived before the rest of the guests. Mrs Gardiner was excited to show Lady Anne several of the rooms completed to her satisfaction. Elizabeth trailed after them, leaving the two men to enjoy a drink.
“Madeline, you have quickly made this house your home. It is beautiful; exuding warmth and comfort, together with subtle elegance.”
Mrs Gardiner blushed, pleased with the compliment, “I admit, it helps to have a husband with connections for acquiring unique items. We await one of his shipments with pieces I wish to use in some of the other rooms.”
At the sound of the door knocker again, they returned to the drawing room, and soon enough an older couple entered with a young man in tow.
Mr Carter, a long-time investor in Gardiner’s business, walked directly to the two gentlemen to introduce his son.
Mrs Carter approached Elizabeth’s aunt, who greeted her warmly.