by Jann Rowland
“And what do you expect from your visit?”
“Only what I know of London,” said Elizabeth. This interview was odd, for Mr. Collins could always be counted on to speak in flowery superlatives; at present he was almost making sense! “There will be society, I am certain. Other than that, I am eager to visit Jane, and my other relations too.”
The mention of Mr. Gardiner prompted a sneer of distaste as it always did. Though offended on behalf of her absent family, she had no thought of saying anything to Mr. Collins, for she wished for an expeditious end to this interview.
“That is true,” was the man’s curt reply. Then Elizabeth was treated to a return of his verbosity. “It appears to me, Cousin, that you have not understood the opportunities inherent in the situation your sister has invited you into. For Mr. Bingley, as great a man as he is, must have many acquaintances, some of whom you might find agreeable. There is also the possibility of being thrown into company with Mr. Darcy, who is as prominent a man as ever lived and is, you know, nephew to my former patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”
Mr. Collins paused, a peculiar expression came over his countenance and he added: “Though, now that I consider the matter, I do not know that her ladyship would approve of Mr. Darcy’s consorting with young ladies such as you, given his family obligations. But I suppose it cannot be helped since he is great friends with Mr. Bingley.
“However that may be, I abjure you, Cousin, to remember your place and not set your sights high, for you must treat a man such as Mr. Darcy with silence and respect. Though the opportunities I have mentioned will be extensive, I abjure you to remove any thought of Mr. Darcy from your mind and, instead, fix your attention on those who are more attainable.”
Though Elizabeth had some inkling of what Mr. Collins was saying—a wonder, as so much of his discourse was nigh incomprehensible—she did not think there was any reason for him to warn her away from Mr. Darcy. Elizabeth had no knowledge of these family obligations of which Mr. Collins spoke, but she could not imagine Mr. Darcy fixing on her as an object of interest.
“No, Mr. Collins, of course not. My purpose in going to Jane is, as I have already said, nothing more than to visit with her. Mr. Darcy will be in evidence, but I expect nothing from the gentleman.”
Elizabeth thought her words would placate Mr. Collins; instead, he regarded her, a severe frown etched upon his homely countenance. Why was the man angry now?
“It is well that you have some sense of your own good. However, it seems to me you yet take no thought as to the possibilities inherent in your residence in London, so I fear I must speak plainly. There will be many gentlemen in London, and while your portion is small, one may be induced to favor you with his attention. Take every opportunity to encourage this, for you cannot remain single forever. I am certain you must want your own home, Cousin. Seize this opportunity and ensure it does not forever pass you by.”
While some might have pointed out that Mr. Collins had not spoken as clearly as he had promised, Elizabeth had not missed his inference at all, regardless of the torturous route he had taken to explain himself. As it happened, Elizabeth agreed with him in that she wished for her own home and did not want to live under his roof. What the man failed to consider, however, was the fact that she was not yet even nineteen years of age!
Then again, perhaps he had considered it. Elizabeth knew that he did not want her in his home, and as her years were still tender, he must consider her return with the least favor. Elizabeth would not be on the shelf for some years yet, her prospects for marriage would not begin to dim until she was at least five and twenty. Another six years in his house was not palatable for either, which led the man to abjure her to find a husband as soon as may be.
“I shall take every opportunity presented to me. Have no fear of that.”
With a clipped nod, Mr. Collins dismissed her, freeing Elizabeth to the bliss of being out of his company. Elizabeth curtseyed and made her way from the room with unseemly haste—or so it seemed to her. Not wishing to see anyone, Elizabeth went to the stairs and began to climb when a voice arrested her.
“Lizzy?”
Turning, Elizabeth noted Mary standing in the door to the sitting-room, regarding her. It appeared she had some knowledge of the interview Elizabeth had just endured, for she glanced at the door to her husband’s room before looking back at Elizabeth.
“Remember what I told you, Lizzy. Do not concern yourself.”
“Thank you, Mary,” said Elizabeth, returning her sister’s comment in the same quiet voice to avoid drawing Mr. Collins’s attention through the door. “I shall remember.”
With a nod, Mary returned to the sitting-room, leaving Elizabeth to continue to her room. Once therein, she sat on her bed for a moment, pondering the situation. Elizabeth knew Mary would prevail against her ineffectual dolt of a husband; however, she also knew that Mr. Collins would take his defeat with petulance, lessening her comfort in this house as a result. Jane’s invitation was becoming more appealing by the moment.
The Bingley carriage arrived the next morning, and after a quick breakfast, Elizabeth called John, Longbourn’s footman, to carry her trunks down and load them on the vehicle. Then Elizabeth, dressed in a traveling dress with her warmest pelisse over top, prepared to enter for the short journey to London.
The farewells she shared with her family were perfunctory from Mr. Collins, affectionate from Mary, while Mrs. Bennet’s were only silly. Elizabeth had known she was not her mother’s favorite daughter, for Mrs. Bennet considered her incomprehensible, but given her wailing and gnashing of teeth, Elizabeth might have thought her mother about to expire at the very thought of her absence.
“Do not concern yourself, Mama,” said Elizabeth, at length silencing her mother’s tears. “I shall be very well in Mr. Bingley’s care. It is even possible I shall find more in London than I bargained for.”
Mr. Collins frowned, not understanding her inference, but Mrs. Bennet brightened and exclaimed: “Yes! That is it! You must come home with a beau, and Jane and Mr. Bingley shall help you!”
“One can never know the future,” said Elizabeth, noting that Mr. Collins had caught on and was giving her a commanding look.
Ignoring the man, Elizabeth said her final farewells to her family and boarded the coach, and a moment later, the driver coaxed the horses into motion, and they were off. Soon her family, Longbourn, and everything she had ever known and loved slipped into the distance.
Never one to allow melancholy to take hold of her, Elizabeth turned to the maid who sat across from her and smiled. “Thank you for coming all this way to escort me to London. Might I have your name?”
“It is Lucy, Miss,” said the girl. “And it is no trouble. My mama always said I had a bit of the wanderlust. It is not far from London to Hertfordshire, but I enjoyed the journey nonetheless.”
“I can well understand that sentiment. How long have you been in Mr. Bingley’s employ?”
“More than two years now, Miss. My brother also works as a footman for Mr. Bingley.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Then I hope you will forgive me for pulling you from your duties.”
“Not at all! In fact, your coming to London is to be a promotion for me, for Mrs. Bingley has chosen me to serve as your abigail.”
Surprised, Elizabeth opened her mouth to speak and then checked herself. Mr. Bingley was wealthy enough to provide maids for his wife and sister, and now that she was to live with him in London for a time, it made sense he would do the same for her.
“I will share a secret with you, Lucy,” said Elizabeth, leaning forward in a conspiratorial pose. “All my life, I have shared a maid with my five sisters, for the estate we just left is not at all large. I have never had an abigail assigned to see to my needs alone.”
The girl caught the ironic tone in Elizabeth’s confession and giggled. “Then I shall pamper you and show you how you cannot do without me.”
“That may be too much for my sensibiliti
es to withstand,” replied Elizabeth, grinning at her companion. “But I shall endure it if I must. You should remember, however, that when my time in London has elapsed, I shall return to Hertfordshire.”
Distress fell over the girl and she blurted: “But Mrs. Bingley said you were to live with them!”
Shaking her head, Elizabeth replied: “That is possible, but not yet decided. At present, let us simply say that whenever I am with the Bingleys, your attendance will be welcome. I do not know if that will always be the case, however, and I would not wish to disappoint you.”
“Oh, there is no fear of that,” replied Lucy, relaxing again. “Once you experience Mr. Bingley’s house, I expect you will not wish to leave it again.”
It was more probable that Mr. Collins would force her from Longbourn to stay with the Bingleys than the wonders of Mr. Bingley’s home would induce her to stay forever. This observation she kept to herself, however, for Lucy could know nothing of Mr. Collins, and it was not wise to speak of such things to servants.
When she arrived in London, Elizabeth greeted Jane and Mr. Bingley, falling into her sister’s arms laughing and crying, while Mr. Bingley welcomed her in his usual ebullient style. Caroline Bingley was present, and if her greetings were more cursory, at least they were cordial. With Lucy’s help, Elizabeth was soon ensconced in her room, readying herself for the rest of the day, reflecting on how wonderful it was to be in Jane’s company yet again.
“Given what I know of your character, Elizabeth,” said Mr. Bingley that evening when they sat down to dinner, “I expect you will find great enjoyment in London. The season started some weeks ago, but it is still early enough that there shall be ample opportunity for enjoyment.”
“And I anticipate it, to be certain,” replied Elizabeth, taken by his enthusiasm. “Do you keep a hectic schedule, or do you prefer to limit the number of events you attend?”
Mr. Bingley laughed. “You know me well enough to apprehend that I am fond of society and rarely receive an invitation I prefer not to accept. Having said that, I find myself willing to limit my activities of late, for there is far pleasanter company at home.”
While Elizabeth caught Miss Bingley’s huff of annoyance, she ignored the woman in favor of Mr. Bingley’s comment. “Then I salute you, sir, for I find Jane’s company to be the best one could obtain.”
“Lizzy!” scolded Jane, though it was clear she was not displeased.
Mr. Bingley laughed and grinned at his wife. “Then we are agreed. Fear not, however, for we shall suppress our desire for each other’s company and ensure you are not bored with us.”
“There is no fear of that,” replied Elizabeth.
“There is always something to do in London during the season,” continued Mr. Bingley. “I know you are fond of balls, and there is no shortage of those. We can also expect to attend parties, dinners, and as Jane informs me of your penchant for the theater and music, we shall indulge in those things too. Darcy has already promised me the use of his box at any time convenient.”
“Then it is well you have so many friends,” replied Elizabeth. “I hope to meet as many as may be arranged.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Elizabeth caught sight of Miss Bingley’s sharp glance in her direction, though Elizabeth could not determine why the woman was angry. Her comment had been all that was innocuous.
“Yes, well, you can expect society much superior to anything you have ever experienced before,” said Miss Bingley, the familiar sight of her nose raised high in the air filling Elizabeth with glee. “London is not the hinterlands; the people are more refined than you can imagine.
“I would recommend, however, that you keep a firm grip on your impertinence, Eliza, for your brand of comporting yourself will not be acceptable to those among whom you will move.”
“Not a bit of it!” exclaimed Mr. Bingley, directing a quelling look at his sister. “There is nothing the matter with Elizabeth’s manners and I would ask you to refrain from such insinuations. I have little doubt she will cut a swath through the gentlemen, and the ladies will become fast friends.”
Miss Bingley sniffed and turned away. “If she can control herself.”
“There is little reason to suspect she cannot move in this society, Caroline,” replied Mr. Bingley. “Darcy himself has informed me he found Elizabeth to be refreshing, for he enjoyed her company at our wedding.”
When Miss Bingley shot Elizabeth a hard glance, Elizabeth thought she understood. As she was determined to earn Mr. Darcy’s favor and provoke a proposal, Miss Bingley would not react well to Mr. Darcy saying anything complimentary about her, even if Elizabeth could not imagine the gentleman taking an interest in her.
A comment designed to placate the woman was on the tip of Elizabeth’s tongue when she reconsidered. It was not Elizabeth’s duty to stoke Miss Bingley’s vanity. Let the woman think what she wished—Elizabeth had no desire to show deference to her.
“I found Mr. Darcy interesting too, Mr. Bingley, for he was an excellent gentleman. Shall we see him again soon?”
“Darcy is in Kent at present,” said Mr. Bingley, ignoring his sister’s deeper scowl, “but I expect him back within the week. Darcy is not fond of society and takes every opportunity to absent himself whenever he has the excuse.”
“I never would have guessed,” said Elizabeth with a laugh, thinking back to Mr. Darcy’s behavior in Hertfordshire. “Then we must occupy ourselves until he returns. I have no doubt we are equal to the task.”
“There will be plenty to do, Lizzy,” replied Jane.
With this lively conversation—though Miss Bingley abstained—they passed the rest of dinner. Elizabeth was eager for the coming experiences, for she felt her time in London would be memorable.
Chapter VII
For Miss Bingley’s forbearance, Elizabeth could only be grateful. This did not mean the woman was kind or helpful, for Elizabeth could not imagine her being so, not when she had spent every moment in Elizabeth’s company proving she held all Bennets in unconcealed contempt.
Rather, Elizabeth appreciated that Miss Bingley was not much in evidence for the first few days of her residence in Jane’s London home. It must not be palatable to Miss Bingley, Elizabeth thought, to be confined to her brother’s home during the season, for during those first few days, the Bingleys did little socializing. Though Elizabeth thought she could have attended events directly after she came, Jane counseled patience.
“There is no need to begin at once,” said her sister, “and as I am new to this schedule myself, I prefer a slow increase rather than jumping in with both feet. Besides, as I informed you before, your wardrobe is insufficient for the season and must be refreshed.”
“Then I shall be guided by you, Jane,” was Elizabeth’s only reply.
Miss Bingley stayed with her sister, Mrs. Hurst, those days, content to remain at a distance from her brother and the newly arrived Elizabeth. On the few occasions Elizabeth saw Miss Bingley, it seemed like the sneer with which she regarded them was permanently etched upon her features. That this stance would change, Elizabeth had no doubt; if nothing else, when Mr. Darcy returned to London, Elizabeth knew Miss Bingley would be eager to take up residence in Mr. Bingley’s home again, hoping she would be thrown into the gentleman’s company.
Thus, Elizabeth’s first week in London was blissful in that it was free of the encumbrance of Miss Bingley’s presence, and they were much engaged in visiting the shops of Bond Street. While Elizabeth had never appreciated shopping before, Mrs. Bennet’s absence meant it was much more relaxing and enjoyable than she had ever experienced in the past.
“It amazes me you have found such an excellent modiste,” said Elizabeth after they left the dressmaker’s that first day. “And so soon after coming to London.”
“I would not have found her—and she would not have accepted me as a client—were it not for Miss Darcy.”
That name had become a subject of interest for Elizabeth of late, given Mr. Collin
s’s veneration of Mr. Darcy, and Elizabeth’s own experience with the gentleman. One could not spend much time in Miss Bingley’s company and not hear of Mr. Darcy, and her words considering his sister were similar. Elizabeth had little notion of how praising a man’s sister to the heavens—and when he was not even in her presence—would induce him to see her with greater favor, but the constant return to the subject proved Miss Bingley thought it would.
“Madam Fournier is not the most exclusive modiste in London,” said Jane, pulling Elizabeth’s attention back to her sister, “but we could not afford the best, nor is our standing high enough to be accepted there. Madam Fournier creates divine gowns, and she is pleasing to visit.”
“Oh, aye,” replied Elizabeth, for the Madam’s gentle nature had impressed her. “What of Miss Darcy?” asked Elizabeth, curious of Mr. Darcy’s sister. “Is she all that Miss Bingley said she is?”
Aware, though she was, that Jane could not make a derogatory comment about anyone, Elizabeth had long learned to decipher her sister’s words to come to an accurate picture of what she was saying. If Jane approved of something, she would not stint in praising it, whereas she would instead settle for diplomacy otherwise. Regarding Miss Darcy, her response was immediate and enthusiastic.
“She is a wonderful girl,” said Jane. “I have only met her a time or two, you understand; she is shy but friendly. The introduction she provided to Madam Fournier was by letter, given without hesitation, and accepted with alacrity.”
“And shall I meet this wondrous creature?” asked Elizabeth.
“Yes, I suspect we shall see much of her, though she is only seventeen and not out. It would be best to wait until Mr. Darcy returns, for at present, she stays with her aunt, Lady Susan, who is, you know, the wife of the Earl of Matlock. I would never dream of attempting to visit such an illustrious personage on the strength of a tenuous acquaintance.”