Kitty looked over at Jane and Elizabeth, then back to her mother, “Mama, I have only been in town a short time and have not been to any balls as of yet. I have only met two gentlemen so far. I have no understanding with either of them.”
“Why ever not?” Lydia demanded to know. “Why I attended no less than six balls by the time I was in Brighton for a whole week, and you have been here longer than that. I dare say, if I should have come to London with you sooner, I would have made sure Kitty went to a ball every night!”
Elizabeth looked at her younger sister, “Lydia, we have been out to the shops, to the theater, and to dine here with our aunt and uncle twice, as well with Lady and Lord Fitzwilliam. It is not as if Kitty has been locked away from society.”
“Besides, I hardly think Kitty or Miss Darcy is so desperate to marry that they have need of going to a ball every night,” Mary interjected.
“I did not say Kitty is desperate,” Mrs. Bennet snapped. “But I should have thought you would have met some of Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley’s wealthy friends by now.” Mrs. Bennet remarked impatiently.
“Mama, I have met Captain Hathaway and Mr. Fitzwilliam,” Kitty informed her.
Mrs. Bennet furrowed her brow, “Yes, but you already knew Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“Mama, Kitty is talking about Colonel Fitzwilliam’s older brother, Mr. Owen Fitzwilliam,” Elizabeth told her.
Lydia giggled, “Kitty, you must tell me; is Captain Hathaway as handsome as the Colonel?” she asked. “I do so love a handsome man in a uniform.”
“He was very dashing and handsome,” Kitty told her. “And very agreeable.”
Mrs. Bennet, “Oh, a man in uniform, how wonderful!” she began to say. “Is Captain Hathaway rich? Does his family own a grand estate?”
Elizabeth shook her head, “No Mama, I do not believe he is rich,” she told her. “Captain Hathaway is the son of Mr. Hathaway. His father grows the apples and cares for the orchards at Pemberley. Captain Hathaway is an old childhood friend of Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Darcy.”
“Oh Kitty, you must not fall in love with a farmer,” Mrs. Bennet scolded her.
Kitty rolled her eyes, “I did not say I was in love with him, Mama,” she told her. “I only said I had made his acquaintance. Besides, Captain Hathaway is not a farmer. The Colonel told me he is very well respected and that he has gone on many missions for the General.”
Mrs. Bennet shook her head in frustration, “That may well be, but have you met any rich men?” she demanded to know. “Have you met any gentlemen that you might marry?”
Kitty sighed, “Mr. Fitzwilliam is rich, Mama,” she told her.
“Is he unmarried?” Mrs. Bennet asked as she finished her tea and poured herself another cup. “What are his prospects?”
“Mr. Fitzwilliam is a widower, Mama,” Jane told her. “His wife died not long after they were married, leaving him with no children.”
“Oh well now, that is good news,” Mrs. Bennet said without thinking how it would sound.
“Mama!” Elizabeth snapped at her, “You must not say such horrible things! Mr. Fitzwilliam loved his wife very much!”
Mrs. Bennet realized her mistake, “I only meant that it was good news because now he might find happiness with our Kitty,” she said clarifying her meaning.
“Mama, Mr. Fitzwilliam was not interested in spending any time with me. He did not seek me out,” Kitty told her. “I barely spoke to him the entire evening except when he gave me his compliments on my singing.”
“Why would you not seek him out and speak with him?” Mrs. Bennet demanded to know. “I am sure if you had tried you could have found something to engage in conversation with him.”
“Mama, I did not speak with him because I was already talking with Captain Hathaway and Colonel Fitzwilliam,” she explained. “Mr. Fitzwilliam was talking with Miss Bingley.”
Mrs. Bennet began wringing her hands together and crying, “Oh no, child! You should not have wasted your time talking to a farmer’s son when you could have been talking to Mr. Fitzwilliam, who will one day be Lord Fitzwilliam! Oh, I knew we should have come sooner! Now that I am here, all will be made right. Lizzy, you must have a dinner party and invite Mr. Fitzwilliam so that he may spend time with Kitty.”
Elizabeth looked over at Jane and raised her brow. She was not sure how to respond to her mother at that moment. She was planning to have a dinner party and invite Mr. Fitzwilliam, but not for her sister Kitty to spend time with. She cleared her throat and looked back at her mother. “Mama, I believe Kitty is right. I do think Mr. Fitzwilliam preferred Miss Bingley’s company. Besides, Mr. Fitzwilliam might feel that he is too old for Kitty. I believe William said he was already one and thirty.”
Lydia laughed and snorted, “All the better Kitty, if he should marry you,” she told her. “Since he is older, he may die sooner, leaving you a wealthy heiress. Just think of what fun we could have then!”
Mary looked at her younger sister in disgust, “Lydia that is a dreadful thing to say!” she snapped at her.
Lydia looked at the disapproving looks from her sisters and shrugged her shoulders, “I was only teasing Kitty,” she said finally.
Mrs. Bennet shook her head, “What should age have to do with anything? One and thirty is not so very old, after all. Is Mr. Fitzwilliam as handsome as the colonel is?”
Kitty was not sure what to say to her mother, “Yes, he is handsome, Mama,” she told her. “But I do not think he likes me.”
“Why should he not like you?” Mrs. Bennet demanded to know. “I dare say, if you would only put forth a little effort, he will like you very much. You said he liked hearing you sing, did you not?”
Kitty nodded her head, “He said as much to me when we were at Hallowell,” she told her. “But Mama, just because he liked hearing…”
Mrs. Bennet heaved a sigh and rolled her eyes. “Kitty, you know nothing of the arts of allurement. How do you expect to catch a husband if you do not listen to me?” she told Kitty, her voice filled with exasperation. “Now, Lizzy will have a dinner party, and you must sing for everyone. That will give Mr. Fitzwilliam reason to come and speak with you.”
Elizabeth listened as her mother ignored everything they said and continued scheming about how would be best to place Kitty in the path of Mr. Fitzwilliam. She stood up and walked down the hall to the study where she found her father sitting near the fire with a cup of tea, reading his books. “My dear Papa, is this where I shall find you for the rest of your stay here in London?” she teased him.
“Yes, I believe it is,” he said as he sipped his tea. “Your uncle was kind enough to allow me the use of this room while we are here and I am happy to accept it.”
“Well, I am glad that you are so happily situated, but Mama has already determined that I am to have a dinner party in three days’ time, so I am afraid you shall have to come to Windham House,” she informed him.
Mr. Bennet rolled his eyes and sighed, “She will have you giving parties and balls every night if she could, Lizzy,” he told her. He shifted in his chair, “Have one dinner and no more,” he warned her. “I will not be a nuisance to you or my son-in-law while we are here. Your aunt and uncle have already extended invitations to the theater, and we are to go and join the Lucases the day after next.”
“Charlotte is in town as well, you know,” Elizabeth told him. “She came with Lady Catherine de Bourgh and Miss Ann de Bourgh.”
Mr. Bennet sighed heavily, “I suppose that means I shall enjoy the company of Mr. Collins as well,” he said sarcastically. “Oh well, perhaps I will have the good fortune of catching a winter cold, and then I shall not have to see anyone.”
Elizabeth laughed but before she could say anything Kitty appeared at the door, “Mama is asking for you, Lizzy,” she told her.
It was late in the day by the time Elizabeth returned to Windham to find her husband reading in the library. She smiled when she saw him sitting there looking so relaxed and enjoying his
book. She almost hated having to tell him of her visit with her mother. She knew he would not be pleased when he learned that her mother was already making trouble with her outrageous demands to hurry and marry Kitty off to the first available rich gentlemen to come along.
Darcy looked up as Elizabeth walked over towards him. “So, my dear wife, are your parents and sister well?”
Elizabeth nodded her head. “Yes, they are all very well,” she assured him.
Darcy did not miss the discouraged tone in her voice. He set his book aside and stood up to walk over to her. “What is it, Elizabeth? What is the matter?”
She sighed heavily, “Mama is at it again, this time with Kitty. I promise you now that she is here, she will make us all miserable.”
Darcy took her in his arms, “What is Mrs. Bennet about now?” he asked her.
Elizabeth shook her head. “Oh William, first she began in on poor Mary about the wedding, then she moved on to Kitty not having attended enough balls, and finally, she insists that Lydia be allowed to join us in going to Lady Knowles’s ball tomorrow evening.”
Darcy stiffened at once, “Elizabeth, I do not believe that is wise,” he told her. Lady Knowles’s ball is by invitation only. As the hostess, she carefully chooses each guest herself before extending an invitation. This ball will not be like the ones in Meryton, or I dare say the ones in Brighton. Lydia will not enjoy herself, I am sure. While there may be some in attendance that are among the militia officers, there will not be many,” he told her. “To be truthful, there will be those in attendance at the ball who will disregard her completely. They will not even speak to her. There are those who will think it unseemly for her to attend without her husband here to accompany her, especially when one considers her present condition,” he said. “Lydia’s attending the ball will markedly hurt your younger sister’s prospects as well as Georgiana’s chances of meeting the right kind of eligible young men.”
Elizabeth furrowed her brow, “I must say, William, you almost make me nervous now about going myself,” she told him feeling somewhat apprehensive. “Will those in attendance disapprove of me as well?”
Darcy released her from his embrace and shook his head, “Of course not, you are my wife,” he told her. “They would not dare look down on you.”
Elizabeth’s eyes narrowed, “But what if I were not your wife?” she asked him. “Do you believe they would think ill of me then?”
“Elizabeth, I did not mean to imply that you or your other sisters were in anyway unacceptable because of your connections,” he said without really thinking.
Elizabeth arched her brow, “My connections?” she repeated his words.
Darcy sighed deeply as he walked over to the window, “Elizabeth, I think you should sit down,” he told her.
She creased her brow and sighed just a little, “All right William,” she said as she walked over and sat down on the sofa. “What is it you wish to say to me concerning my connections?”
Darcy knew he had not chosen the best way to begin what he wanted to share with her. He looked out the window and watched as those from the higher social status went about their business. He knew all too well there were those from London society, those like his Aunt Catherine, who would still look down upon Elizabeth because of her lack of connections and her father’s lack of wealth. He turned back around and saw her sitting there waiting for him to speak to her. He searched for where to begin, “Elizabeth, I would be remiss if I did not warn you; It is quite possible that there will be those in attendance at tomorrow evening’s ball who will not look kindly on my marrying you,” he told her honestly.
“Why ever not?” she demanded to know.
“Because, my darling, there are those who think themselves superior to anyone who is not from their social circle and rank,” he told her. “I do not mean to hurt you. But in all truth, you, Jane, Kitty, and Mary would never have been invited to Lady Knowles’s Ball if it had not been for myself, and Bingley. You would have been snubbed as inferior company.”
Elizabeth thought about what he said. She knew he was right; it was one of the reasons she was so fearful of coming to London with him. In times past when she came to stay with her aunt and uncle, it was under different circumstances. The Gardiners of Gracechurch Street, while very respectable people, did not move in the same circles as the Darcys and Fitzwilliams of London. Elizabeth chewed her bottom lip and considered what to say. “William, why should we go then?” she asked him. “If it is as you say and I am only being tolerated because of you, why should we spend our time with these people?”
Darcy sighed, “Because, darling, it is what is expected,” he told her. “Besides, I know once people get to know you, they will see that their narrow-minded notions about rank and privilege do not hold any true value.”
Elizabeth was doubtful that would be the case, “I love you, William for saying so,” she said as she stood up and walked over to him. “I think you are very kind in believing such things. However, it has been my experience that those who are filled with haughtiness and pride rarely change their view of things.”
Darcy raised his brow, “Well, I certainly hope that will not be the case. However, I still must insist that you write your mother a note and tell her that we are very sorry, but Lydia cannot accompany us tomorrow evening. Write and say that the guest list was decided long ago before we knew they would be in town,” Darcy told her. “That will spare any injured feelings, I should think. It is how this must be; under no circumstance can Lydia be allowed to come.”
“Is that a command, Mr. Darcy?” she asked him, somewhat defiantly, as she looked up at him.
Darcy saw the look in her eyes and softened his tone, “I would never order you to do anything, Elizabeth,” he told her as he reached out and pulled her into his arms. “I will, however, ask you very tenderly to please heed my warnings in this and write the note. I promise you, there will be other balls that are not so exclusive that we will attend, and if you like, Lydia may attend as well. But I think on this occasion, I know of what I speak.”
Elizabeth considered what he said. “William, I never considered having Lydia join us in going to the ball Lady Knowles is holding. I have already informed my mother of such, but now I find myself unsure if I should like to go either,” she admitted to him. “I will readily admit, Lydia’s behavior can be wild at times, but…” she began to say when he interrupted her.
“Elizabeth, I would not ask you to go for my sake,” he told her. “But this ball will be of great importance to Georgiana. She will be seen on this occasion by those in the highest levels of society. Then, once Mr. Godwin and Mary are married, we will hold a ball for Georgiana here to formally announce her coming out. It is vital that we have the support of Lady Knowles in this. She holds a great deal of power in London society. If she were to reject Georgiana, it would not go well for my sister. Her chances of making a good match would be decidedly ruined. I would be very grieved if this were to happen. So, I am asking you to please do this, for Georgie’s sake?”
Elizabeth was moved by his care for his sister, “Of course I will, William,” she assured him. “I would never want to do anything that would harm Georgiana’s chances of finding someone to love.”
Darcy smiled, “Thank you, darling,” he whispered just before capturing her lips with his.
Chapter Seven
Elizabeth and Darcy came into the dining room to join the others for breakfast. “Oh my, this looks wonderful,” she said as she looked over all the selections their head cook had prepared. “Sara has outdone herself this morning. I must remember to go in and tell her so,” she said as she sat down.
Darcy sat down next to Elizabeth and fixed himself a plate of kippers, eggs, buttered toast, and cold ham. “I believe Sara has prepared some herring for us as well as the kippers this morning,” he said as he poured himself some coffee.
Caroline looked over at Darcy and smiled, “Everything is prepared perfectly, Mr. Darcy,” she complimented him.
“But then, it always is whenever we have stayed with you here at Windham.”
Darcy did not respond to her, so Elizabeth answered. “Thank you, Caroline, for saying so. I will let Sara know you have enjoyed what she has prepared for us.”
Caroline feigned a smile, “Yes, please do,” she said rather coldly.
“Please pass on my compliments as well,” Charles said as he ate his eggs and ham. “Everything is delightful. In fact, I think we shall have to walk twice around the park after being fed so well.”
Jane smiled. “Charles and I have decided to go for a walk this morning around Hyde Park. The weather has been so mild it would be a shame to spend all our time indoors if we do not have to,” she said, then asked. “Would you care to join us, Lizzy?”
Before Elizabeth could answer, Caroline interjected. “Walking around the park in the morning is pointless as no one will be there to see you. Charles, you know very well the best time to go is just after five in the afternoon. That is when anyone who truly matters will be out.”
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