Chapter 38
They next saw their cousin in Longbourn, and he was to remain some weeks with their father, as all the Bennet ladies were to remove to London for the season.
The ladies of the household, including Mrs Bennet, remained but one night after his arrival, to see him settled before heading off in the family carriage.
Mary, Kitty, Lydia, and Miss Farnsworth were accompanying them to London, for although the youngest girls were not yet out and Mary was not coming out in London this year, it was decided they deserved a treat.
There was one other reason for the inclusion of the younger girls; the addition of Miss Farnsworth as a companion was a boon to Mrs Bennet as she managed the girls' coming out in London.
The Bennet carriage pulled up outside the house on Connaught Place.
The grand five-story house directly faced Hyde Park, and Mrs Bennet looked well pleased with the property her brother had rented for them for their stay in London.
Elizabeth was also pleased, and Lydia exclaimed that it was fit for the Prince Regent himself, which made the rest of the party laugh.
The door was opened by a butler who had grey hair and an air of grave importance, which Elizabeth had to own was impressive.
He bowed and introduced himself as Williams. Mrs Bennet acknowledged the introduction and introduced her daughters and Miss Farnsworth in turn.
Once inside the property, Williams introduced Mrs Kennedy, the housekeeper, whose Irish brogue was light and pleasing to the ear.
She was in years a match to Mrs Bennet but was more rounded in figure than the lady.
The interior of the property was no less impressive than the exterior, and the Bennet ladies did not await a guided tour; instead, they took themselves upstairs to select their own bedchambers.
Mrs Bennet and Miss Farnsworth remained below, allowing the housekeeper to bring them through the reception rooms before asking her to provide a light meal for the party.
The first night in the house in Connaught Place was filled with discussions on plans for the morrow.
The next day, their aunt Gardiner arrived to accompany them all to the modiste.
All the Bennet ladies were in need of updated wardrobes for their London season.
However, this was most true for Mrs Bennet, Jane, and Elizabeth, all of whom would be attending various assemblies and balls in the coming weeks.
They were a jolly group as they exited the carriage and entered the modiste, which their aunt had recommended, having purchased from the shop before.
Lydia was the most impressed of the group.
Madame Lanchester’s designs were regularly featured in La Belle Assemblée.
Lydia had attempted to recreate some of her designs, and the Bennet girls never thought they would be in a position to purchase an original from the famous modiste.
Mrs Gardiner had made appointments for them all, as the famous modiste was in high demand. The extended size of the Bennet party and the fact that they needed numerous items for their London wardrobes, meant that they would require a large amount of time for their fitouts.
Madame Lanchester began the consultation with Mrs Gardiner and Mrs Bennet, taking details of the requirements for Mrs Bennet, Jane, and Elizabeth’s wardrobes first. Only when these were agreed were Kitty and Lydia considered.
When Lydia’s turn came, Madame Lanchester found in her a knowledgeable young lady.
Once she discovered this, she encouraged her to examine the materials and accoutrements herself, much to Lydia’s delight.
Madame Lanchester’s staff then took over in measuring the ladies and selecting materials as per Madame Lanchester’s instructions.
The ladies were above two hours in the shop when they heard the bell on the door ping, and two finely dressed matrons entered.
It was evident by the fashions they wore and the jewels on their fingers and at their throats that they were a step above the Bennets in society, and all the ladies curtsied to them accordingly.