Chapter 1.27 #2
Anne de Bourgh did not look well at all, and she did not seem to display any improvement during her stay in town.
She barely left her bed, and her pallor and weakness became worse, a fact that worried Lady Ellen and made her suggest they should ask the opinion of other doctors.
However, Lady Catherine gave no consideration to her suggestions or her daughter’s illness.
She repeatedly claimed that this was Anne’s usual state of health, and if she felt worse, it was only because of her nephew’s engagement to an upstart.
As for Mr Darcy himself, her ladyship had not an opportunity to see him. She avoided visiting his house again but she did send him a note, demanding a private conference with him. His answer was brief, cold, and of an impertinence that left her ladyship breathless.
Lady Catherine, my education, as well as my respect and affection for our family, forbid me to express my opinion freely regarding the events caused by your ladyship’s presence in my house.
Except for that, I consider any other topic of conversation between us to be of very little interest to me, and so shall I remain for as long as necessary until Miss Elizabeth—soon to be Mrs Darcy—is treated with all the respect due my wife.
A letter of apology would be a promising start.
For the moment I shall only add, God bless you and my cousin Anne.
Lady Catherine left London fully convinced that she would never speak to—and maybe not even see—her nephew again. Accepting that Bennet girl and apologising to her were beyond her imagination.
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During the last fortnight, Lady Matlock had found a surprising delight in spending time in the company of her niece, as well as Elizabeth, Jane, and the Gardiner girls.
For more than thirty years, her closest family had consisted of her husband and two sons, so the company of three young ladies and two little girls gave her many pleasurable moments.
She concluded more than once to herself and to her husband that Darcy’s alliance with Elizabeth Bennet also brought great benefit to her, more than she could have imagined when she had decided to accept the country girl into her family.
Her delight with Elizabeth grew with each visit, as did her gratitude for the remarkable changes and improvements in her niece Georgiana.
Lady Matlock did not fail to express her approval—starting with the very first morning after the ball—when the report she gave to Georgiana, Mrs Annesley, and Mrs Hamilton was so favourable that Elizabeth’s cheeks were constantly flushed with the honour of receiving so many compliments.
The only moment of serious disagreement occurred when Lady Matlock insisted that Elizabeth order all the gowns needed for her trousseau at Madame Claudette’s, and that she herself be allowed to pay for them as a gift.
Elizabeth expressed her gratitude and welcomed Lady Ellen’s advice regarding her purchases but decidedly refused to accept such a payment arrangement, saying that she would feel as if she were taking advantage of her ladyship’s generosity.
She tried not to give offence and insistently repeated that the most important gifts were Lady Matlock’s kindness and affection.
In the end, she won the little argument, supported by Mrs Gardiner, who was in possession of a very generous amount of money from Mr Bennet—more than sufficient for any necessary purchases, even from the most famous dressmaker.
Therefore, Elizabeth, under the supervision of her present and future aunts, ordered a wedding gown and three others.
Another event, embarrassing for Elizabeth and most diverting for Lady Matlock and Mrs Gardiner, occurred when the nightgowns were to be selected.
Elizabeth could not decide on anything as her cheeks burned and she could barely express her opinion.
Her companions selected a few models of the latest fashion, which Elizabeth declared she would never dare to wear in front of a man, even if he was her wedded husband.
As both ladies tried to hide their amusement and exchanged knowing glances, Elizabeth could do nothing but conceal her embarrassment and try not to think of the moment she would wear the gown, daring or not.
When the order had been completed and Madame Claudette gave them the final bill, she was no more expensive than any other good dressmaker in town.
Neither Elizabeth nor her aunt failed to understand that Lady Matlock had an arrangement with Madame Claudette, but to make an issue of it would only generate embarrassment for both parties.
Elizabeth contented herself with thanking her future aunt once again, and the matter was put to rest. The last days in London were full and quite agitated for Elizabeth.
Although she was in the same house with Mr Darcy the entire day—sometimes the Gardiners’ house, sometimes his—she had few opportunities to speak to him aside from some polite conversation.
Mr Darcy seemed determined to share her time with everyone, and he used his own time to finish a variety of business matters with his solicitors.
He was near her all the time, though she barely saw him.
She concluded, however, that it was a wise decision of his to keep his distance as she had many things to occupy her attention.