Chapter Two #2
After they returned to where they had begun, they ascended yet another staircase.
Jane still had her hand in the crook of Captain Wentworth's arm, and Captain Benwick awkwardly offered Elizabeth his own.
She gave him an encouraging smile, and he slowly returned it, though his strange posture did not relax.
Elizabeth feared he would make a dismal suitor for whomever the Goulding ladies intended him, and hoped it was not herself, though she was content at least to see the other captain gazing at Jane as if she were a goddess walking the earth.
It was just what was right and proper, in the estimation of her devoted sister.
To Jane’s obvious disappointment, the gentlemen were led in the opposite direction by Lady Dorothea. Lady Rosamund brought Elizabeth and her companions the other way around the open corridor and down another wide passageway, with bedrooms on either side.
Jane and Elizabeth were shown into the second and third rooms, which Lady Rosamund indulgently informed them overlooked the sea and afforded a splendid view.
“There is also a small shared parlor and dressing room between the bedchambers, which features a charming balcony with a little arbor of flowers. It is such a cozy little place to take tea in the morning before dressing. Blanche and I once shared a suite in the family wing with just the same situation.”
Elizabeth smiled widely at the generosity that she suspected to be preferential treatment. Surely not every room could boast a view of the ocean. “I see my uncle has been spoiling you at his warehouses, and now you intend to do the same for his nieces.”
“Oh, he has! He has kept my sister and I in the finest silks this last year, with the prettiest lace I have ever beheld in my life, and some of the smartest slippers and hats I have ever possessed. My, how I could go on! And so, my dears, my sister and I mean to favor the pair of you just a little while you are here. You have excellent rooms, and you are amongst the first arrivals; the other half of the ladies are not expected until Monday. What do you say to that, Miss Bennet? You shall have two nights of sharing a certain captain with only your sister, Miss Smith, and Miss Bixler. And do not despair, Miss Elizabeth, for if the other captain does not please you, you are soon to meet a colonel and a viscount, and several gentlemen of quality.”
Aunt Madeline pressed her lips together to hide a laugh as she and Elizabeth exchanged a look of amusement at Lady Rosamund’s rambling.
Jane and Elizabeth thanked the good lady, and they were shown into their suite as Lady Rosamund led the Gardiners into the room across the hall, assuring them that the bachelors would be kept far away, up on the third floor.
Jane and Elizabeth held hands as they entered Elizabeth’s room together and exclaimed over the tasteful elegance of every detail in the furnishings and decor.
They next explored the shared parlor, which was indeed small and snug, and then peeked into Jane’s room to ascertain that the charming gold and pink shades pleased her as well as the muted blue and silver of Elizabeth’s chamber.
When they returned to the shared parlor and dressing room again, promising to dress there together daily, a maid entered and offered to serve them tea on the balcony while they waited for their trunks to be brought up; she would wait within to dress them for dinner.
Jane and Elizabeth happily accepted and seated themselves at the small table beneath a trellis covered in creeping vines and fragrant flowers.
“It is like a fairy palace,” Jane sighed as she gazed out across the cliff side and the glimmering blue sea beyond it.
Elizabeth wondered if the price of such luxury would be the company of certain gentlemen of their acquaintance, but she refrained from saying so. She was full enough of praise for all that she had seen; to her surprise, it was Jane who began to speculate on who they might meet with.
“So, Lizzy, there is a colonel for you to meet – and a viscount! Perhaps Colonel Fitzwilliam and his elder brother? I presume he must have such a one, as he is the second son of an earl.”
“I suppose he must, for Mr. Collins would not let me forget his noble rank, but the colonel never mentioned any of his relations, except for an exceedingly disobliging sister, whom he painted as a most amusing creature. But I beg you would not tease me about him – or Mr. Darcy – else I should be moved to suggest that perhaps Mr. Bingley has lately found himself the heir to a viscountcy. He would have to be, I think, to stand a chance against the profoundly good-looking Captain Wentworth.” Elizabeth waggled her brows, for though she had not been impressed by his appearance, it was clear that Jane was in awe of the rugged sailor.
Jane smiled sweetly. “Oh, very well – I will not tease you, if you do not tease me – not yet, at least.”
“Ha! Very well. I am sure I can behave myself until the men begin truly falling at your feet.”
For a quarter of an hour, they took refreshments together and speculated idly about what sort of companions they might encounter.
Jane hoped the other young ladies would be amiable and the gentlemen handsome and affable, and to this wish Elizabeth added a desire to find ample opportunity to sketch a wide variety of new and interesting characters.
As uncertain as she had been about meeting with Mr. Darcy again, as she sat ensconced in such idyllic surroundings, she resolved to hope that all the characters she met with would be new.