Chapter 1.20 #6
Leaving the Gardiner’s home, Mr Darcy’s attention returned to Lady Matlock’s note as he came to understand that he had not considered the proper way to announce his engagement to his other aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.
He knew without any doubt that her reaction would be even more violent and her words more offensive than his uncle’s had been.
Lady Catherine had long expressed her desire and hope for an alliance between her daughter and him, and though he had repeatedly spoken with his cousin Anne and ascertained that she was no more inclined to marry than he was, Darcy had never taken the trouble to enlighten his aunt.
As he never had the desire to bind himself to any woman, the problem had not been an urgent one. He had hoped each year that, seeing the year pass without an understanding between him and his cousin, Lady Catherine would realise the truth. But, of course, that had never happened.
Now, the problem was imperative.
The measures he must take to solve it were clear to him, but so were the impediments. Thus, he spent much of his time searching—with complete success—for remedies to those impediments.
As Mrs Gardiner and Jane were planning to accompany Lydia to purchase all she needed for her upcoming wedding, Elizabeth asked Mr Darcy to send Georgiana her greetings and excuses for not being able to visit that day.
She remained at home with her cousins, and especially with Becky, as the elder children were engaged with their daily lessons.
The time was most happily spent for her because, not only did she love Becky, but the little girl’s favourite subjects seemed to be Mr and Miss Darcy.
What other subjects could have been more pleasant for Elizabeth?
She found herself blushing from time to time, remembering everything that had passed between her and her intended the previous day, and she blushed even more as she remembered his thrilling, insinuating words meant for no one except herself.
And there were less than two months until he… how had he put it…?
“I shall not have to be mindful of the propriety of being alone in a room with you or worry about your family waiting for you…or about your swollen lips…”
His words resounded in her mind, and their meaning made her shiver from fear of the unknown, of her future life, and of what he expected from her.
She did not doubt his love, but she still doubted other aspects of their union, and in the last few days, she had come to understand and value Lady Matlock’s acceptance and implicit support, even if it still was a bit overwhelming for her.
Though Mr Darcy did not mention it explicitly, Elizabeth could guess that the earl’s opinion was not favourable—neither Mr Darcy nor his aunt spoke about him in front of her—and she also gave some thought to Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Mr Collins’s formidable patroness.
She was aware that the lady had her own plans and desires regarding Mr Darcy; he had informed her of that himself the night of the Netherfield ball.
So Lady Catherine would inevitably be displeased by the news of her nephew’s changed marital status.
Becky’s endless questions succeeded in diverting her from these thoughts, and she soon ceased to pay attention to anything except the girl with brown curls who was throwing herself on the floor, playing leapfrog.
Their pleasant time was interrupted by Mr Wickham’s sudden arrival.
Instantly, the pleasant mood turned sour, and Elizabeth hurried to inform Mr Wickham that Lydia and her aunt were not at home and were not expected for another hour.
Yet, he showed no intention of leaving, instead asking for permission to wait as he had some important news to share with them.
Feeling uncomfortable at receiving him alone, Elizabeth could only invite him to sit and ring the bell for refreshments.
Becky’s presence kept the conversation at an acceptable level of neutrality, and with great difficulty, the time passed until Lydia’s thrilled voice could be heard in the yard.
The three ladies entered the house surprised—only one of them pleasantly—to find their guest.
Mr Wickham’s news was regarding his commission.
Apparently, Colonel Fitzwilliam had sent him a note to confirm a new position for him in a northern regiment, and he was expected to be there in a fortnight.
He expressed his enthusiasm at the prospect of fixing the wedding date for a week hence, and then to depart—together with his beloved wife—to start a new life.
His words were so full of insincerity and forced affability that everyone—except Lydia—fought the impulse to roll their eyes and remove themselves from his presence.
Unlike her aunt and elder sister, Elizabeth yielded to that impulse and retired at the first opportunity, not leaving her room until after Mr Wickham’s departure.
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To everyone’s pleasant surprise, Mr Darcy returned a few hours later, this time with firmly set plans. First, he settled with Mr and Mrs Gardiner that Lydia and Mr Wickham’s wedding would take place in six days, and every detail was to be seen to by then.
Second, he asked for a favour, as an urgent matter required his immediate attention.
He intended to make a short trip to Kent two days hence to inform Lady Catherine personally about his engagement and the subsequent changes it would entail for his future.
He was reluctant, however, to leave his sister, so he asked that Elizabeth stay with her for the duration of his trip, which would be no more than a few days.
He also pointed out that this would afford an opportunity for Elizabeth to become accustomed to the house in which she would soon be mistress.
It took the Gardiners only a short time to agree to his plan, and Elizabeth was delighted and flattered that he would entrust his house and his sister to her care.
Mr Darcy’s third piece of business was to deliver another note from his aunt to Elizabeth as Lady Matlock was not familiar with the Gardiner’s address.
She opened it without delay, and she was very pleased with its contents.
Lady Matlock had extended an invitation for Mrs Gardiner and Jane to accompany her on a shopping expedition to Madame Claudette’s “if Mrs Gardiner has not already made appointments with her personal dressmaker.”
The invitation was issued with great elegance and diplomacy.
As Lady Matlock did not know the Gardiners’ financial situation—and Madame Claudette was not only the most famous but also the most expensive seamstress in town—she was offering an opportunity for a dignified refusal in case the expense was too much to bear.
Mrs Gardiner understood the hidden meaning of the note and urged Elizabeth to accept the invitation with gratitude, answering in the same diplomatic way.
My aunt insisted on expressing her deepest gratitude for your generous invitation.
As her previous attempts to make an appointment with the famous dressmaker had unfortunately been unsuccessful due to Madame Claudette’s immense popularity and limited time, she would now be happy to accept such an appointment in company with you, Lady Matlock.
Lady Matlock was satisfied when she received the reply, for it contained the complete answer to her unwritten questions.
∞∞∞
The ‘visit’ to Madame Claudette took more than three hours, and afterwards Elizabeth was exhausted.
Lady Matlock had been very polite—if not exactly friendly—to both her aunt and Jane, whose beauty and sweetness she had openly admired.
She had agreed with the selections for Jane and Mrs Gardiner’s gowns, but to Elizabeth, Lady Matlock had been simply overwhelming.
From the very beginning, she declared that Elizabeth’s gown would be a gift, and Elizabeth wisely decided to say nothing other than express her gratitude.
It was then that Lady Matlock truly sprang into action.
Elizabeth was given the chance to choose the model of her gown, but the rest was up to her future aunt.
In selecting the fabrics to be used, she asked Elizabeth whether there were any particular jewels she intended to wear.
Upon hearing that Elizabeth was to wear the Darcy ruby set, she nodded in satisfaction and informed Madame Claudette that she was to find “the best fabric to suit gold and rubies, along with Miss Elizabeth’s complexion, hair, and eyes. ”
It took her an hour to find something appropriate, though Elizabeth everything saw was astonishingly beautiful. Indeed, she teased, she could hardly be expected to decide!
However, any complaints Elizabeth made were in jest, for in truth she was deeply grateful to her ladyship for all the trouble she was taking with her and for her gracious condescension towards her and her family.
The gowns Jane and Mrs Gardiner ordered were exquisite; as for her own, she felt breathless just thinking of the softness of the fabric and the colour—different from anything she had ever seen before.
An inner smile lit her face as she thought of Mr Darcy’s reaction upon seeing her, and she imagined the feel of the delicate fabric against her skin when he touched her as they danced.
She had no opportunity to meet him in his house that day, instead spending the time with her aunt and sister before returning directly home when their business came to a satisfactory conclusion. Lady Matlock promised to visit her and Georgiana at Darcy House the next day for tea.
As he had some business before his departure, Mr Darcy was not able to call at Gracechurch Street that evening; Elizabeth retired for the night slightly disappointed, hoping that she would have the opportunity to speak to him briefly the next day.
∞∞∞
Mr Darcy called the next morning with Mr Bingley. In addition to escorting Elizabeth to Darcy House, he brought an invitation from Georgiana for Jane and the Gardiner children to visit her as they had promised a few days before during dinner.