++**++
After supper that evening, Elizabeth sat beside her aunt and in an unusual display of nerves, asked, “Aunt, what shall I wear to dinner at Darcy House? Mr. Darcy has seen... Miss Darcy has seen all of my gowns more than once.”
Mrs. Gardiner noted Elizabeth’s slip but said nothing. “You are lovely in any gown my dear but come with me. I have an idea.”
Above stairs, they entered Mrs. Gardiner’s dressing room where her maid had three gowns laid out and by candlelight; they held each dress up to Elizabeth and finally decided on a lovely gown made of blue Bengali muslin with a sheer overlay.
“Sarah will take in the waist tonight and shorten the sleeves,” Mrs. Gardiner said. Elizabeth smiled as she held the gown up to her bosom and imagined how she would look tomorrow evening.
“And you shall wear my pearls,” her aunt announced. “They will complement the blue gown and your dark hair.”
“Miss Elizabeth’s hair would look nice with the ivory and blue ribbons woven into the braids,” Sarah added as she pulled several ribbons from her sewing basket.
The three women set to work and before retiring, the waist of the gown had been tightened to fit the young woman.
“I shall shorten the sleeves in the morning and you can try the gown before tea time tomorrow miss,” Sarah said as she cleaned up and prepared to leave for the evening. Elizabeth sat at the mirror brushing her hair and glancing at the gown hanging on the closet door several times.
++**++
Chapter 15.
Caroline’s Fashionable Arrival
The Gardiner carriage arrived in Mayfair at the appointed time and a footman came down the stairs of the great house to open the carriage door for Mr. Gardiner as he helped his wife and niece to the street. At the door of the beautiful London townhouse, the butler waited and they entered to find Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy waiting in the foyer. Their outer clothes and hats were taken by a footman.
“Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, welcome this evening!” Mr. Darcy said in greeting. Then he turned to Elizabeth and continued saying, “Miss Bennet, you are most welcome.”
Miss Darcy stepped forward to take Elizabeth’s arm and lead her to the parlour. Mr. Darcy escorted Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner where they found Colonel Fitzwilliam already waiting.
Darcy noticed the gown and pearls that Elizabeth wore; the young woman’s curves were perfection, her hair shining and lustrous, and her laugh infectious. He drew close to his sister and her guest as Colonel Fitzwilliam moved to speak with Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner.
“Mr. Darcy, your sister and I were just discussing the lack of evergreens in your home for the holiday,” Elizabeth reported.
“We leave for Derbyshire soon and upon arrival, Georgiana can decorate Pemberley to her heart’s content; a forest can be denuded to provide enough boughs to decorate the balustrades and doorways at our home.”
Elizabeth smiled and said, “At Longbourn, we festoon the parlours with evergreen but do not attempt to decorate the stairs.”
The company enjoyed a pleasant conversation for many minutes until the clock chimed the half hour. Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner exchanged glances and Colonel Fitzwilliam walked to the bar to pour himself a short whiskey.
“Brother, do you think anything could have occurred to delay the Bingleys?” Georgiana asked when another fifteen minutes passed without the arrival of the remaining guests. Darcy enjoyed the conversations with his sister, the Gardiners and Miss Bennet, and had not noticed the delay with supper.
With the time brought to his attention, he sighed and addressed the company, “I imagine that Miss Bingley wishes to arrive fashionably late and thus she delayed their departure at least until the half hour. Rest assured they will arrive momentarily.”
“If we were attending a ball, I would understand a delay,” Colonel Fitzwilliam interjected into the conversation. “But for family dinner, prompt attendance is expected.”
Just before the clock struck the hour, a footman came to the door and Mr. Darcy stepped closer to hear Jones announce that the Bingley carriage had arrived at the door.
Georgiana moved toward her brother to ask, “Shall we greet them at the door?”
Darcy shook his head, “To arrive this late, they are lucky we are not already at table in the third course.”
The late arrivals were barely in the parlour and not even greeted by their host before Jones came to the door and announced the dinner was served.
“Supper already?” asked Miss Bingley as Mr. Darcy took Mrs. Gardiner and Elizabeth on his arms and lead the procession into the dining room. Fitzwilliam offered Georgiana his arm and Mr. Hurst lead his wife forward.
“Charles, what is the meaning of this rush? We have barely removed our coats and immediately we are shuffled off to the dining room.”
Miss Bingley was disappointed that she would have no time to speak with Mr. Darcy.
Bingley sighed. “We are an hour late Caroline – Darcy does not hold with the ‘fashion’ of late arrivals.”
At the door of the dining room, Miss Bingley discovered yet another disappointment – she was seated in the centre of the table, away from their host and hostess. Before she was able to unfold her napkin, the footmen had placed the first course on the table and withdrawn.
Frowning once again, she realized that none of her favourite dishes were within reach and she was regulated to beef and legumes in this course.
Across the table, she watched her sister and brother enjoying the meal and conversation with their dining partners. To her left sat Mr. Gardiner – a tradesman! Her brother on her right talked with the Bennet girl and ignored her attempts to steer the conversation into the decor of the dining room.
++**++
Chapter 16.
Miss Darcy’s Displeasure
The first course at the Darcy dining table was shortened but the second and third courses were full length and even Mr. Hurst was satisfied with the foods served at the table. At the end of the meal, Darcy prompted Miss Darcy to rise and lead the ladies into the parlour while the gentlemen retired to the game room for drinks and cigars.
The conversation in the parlour was stilted because Georgiana was uncomfortable leading the conversation. When Mrs. Gardiner excused herself for a few moments, Elizabeth attempted to continue the conversation by asking Miss Bingley about the latest fashions.
“Why are you interested in fashion, Miss Bennet?” the lady asked. “You certainly do not have the funds to participate in current fashion.”
Georgiana and Mrs. Hurst attempted to join the conversation but Miss Bingley ignored them, adding, “Louisa, see what comes of a silly country girl meeting people of quality. She comes to dinner in a reworked gown from last year, wears her aunt’s pearls and thinks she can capture a great man’s attention.”
Elizabeth blushed with embarrassment at Miss Bingley’s characterization of her gown. She touched the strand of pearls – her aunt’s thoughtfulness in loaning the precious gift to her for the evening would not be degraded in this manner. But before Elizabeth could respond, Georgiana turned in her seat and addressed the sister of her brother’s friend calmly but with a very clear voice. “Miss Bingley, I remind you that you are a guest in my home and Miss Bennet is my friend.”
“Your friend, Miss Darcy?” asked Caroline with an exaggerated air of drama. “How can you be friends with such a girl?”
Now Elizabeth joined the fray as she asked, “Which is it Miss Bingley? When first we met you thought I was as old as yourself at four and twenty, but tonight you characterize me as a ‘girl’. You have such a varied opinion of me I am at sixes and sevens to understand your meaning.”
“Then allow me to be rightly understood ‘Miss Barnacle’ – you are a piece of fluff from the country come to town to work for your relations in trade. Do not think I do not know of your sister!”
Elizabeth grew pale wondering how Miss Bingley could have heard of Lydia’s disgrace but she had no further time for consideration for the verbal attack
continued. “And you put yourself forward, letting Miss Darcy think you are quality folk – everyone knows your sister will marry the parson who serves Mr. Darcy’s aunt. You are nothing but a penniless shop girl playing dress up.”
“Caroline, lower your voice,” Louisa pleaded but Caroline brushed off her sister’s hand.
“Mr. Darcy will take care of this matter when he joins us!” Caroline Bingley insisted as she sneered at Elizabeth. “He must order her from the house like the worthless maid-of-all-work that she is.”
Louisa Hurst sighed after she glanced at Georgiana Darcy’s face. She had seen that same angry look on Mr. Darcy’s face last summer and Caroline had been the cause of the Darcy anger that time as well. Now, all their efforts over the last four months to return to Mr. Darcy’s good graces were wasted. Georgiana whispered to Elizabeth for a moment and then moved toward the parlour door as Mrs. Gardiner returned to the room.
“Excuse me for a moment, Mrs. Gardiner,” the young hostess said as she stepped into the hallway and spoke firmly to the two footmen attending the door. The men glanced at the master’s young sister, bowed and then hurried in opposite directions in the hallway.
Immediately upon noticing the high colour in the cheeks of the three ladies in the room, Mrs. Gardiner stepped to her niece’s side to take her hand and ask calmly, “Are you well my dear.”
“Only tolerably, Aunt,” replied Elizabeth. Mrs. Gardiner turned around to view the other ladies – Miss Bingley’s colour remained high but Mrs. Hurst appeared in distress.
“Mrs. Gardiner, have you...” Mrs. Hurst attempted once to diffuse the situation with new conversation but no one paid her any attention and she fell silent as Georgiana returned into the parlour and moved to stand in front of Miss Bingley.
Once there she announced, “Miss Bingley, I am sorry that you have developed a severe headache and cannot remain for the entertainment portion of our evening. I have summoned your carriage and sent for Mr. Bingley and Mr. Hurst. Jones waits with your wrap at the door. Good night.”
Then Georgiana curtseyed, turned her back on Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst, and drew Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner away to a sofa some distance.
“Miss Darcy! You cannot dismiss me! I am your brother’s special guest!” protested Caroline as Mrs. Hurst pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and began to cry. Caroline rose from her seat and moved across the room toward Georgiana who kept her back to her dismissed guest.
“I am speaking to you Miss Darcy!” Caroline insisted as she drew close but Mrs. Gardiner caught Caroline’s eye and halted her progress with the look. The door of the parlour opened again as Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr. Hurst, and Mr. Bingley returned.
“Caroline, what is this about a headache?” Charles Bingley asked approaching his sister. He halted his progress when he realized that all of the ladies were agitated and then he sighed, recognizing that his sister had created a scene again.
“Charles, you must speak with Mr. Darcy immediately.” Caroline pointed at Elizabeth and continued her diatribe. “This girl is attempting to ingratiate herself into the Darcy household.”
Georgiana turned around now and addressed her brother’s friend gently but firmly, “Mr. Bingley, I fear that Miss Bingley suffers from a severe headache and wishes to return to your home. I have summoned your coach and Mr. Jones will have your wraps...” Now Georgiana looked once again at Miss Bingley and added, “And I have already said ‘good night’ to Miss Bingley.”
When Darcy stepped into the room with Mr. Gardiner, he found Colonel Fitzwilliam standing with Georgiana, Mrs. Gardiner and Miss Bennet. Charles argued with his younger sister as Mr. Hurst comforted his wife and drew her from the sofa.
Seeing the host appear at the door, Caroline turned from Charles and approached the man. “Mr. Darcy! You must hear me! That girl is teaching Miss Darcy to be rude to guests in your house! She has dismissed me! You cannot allow such behaviour in your house!”
“Caroline, be silent!” Charles commanded but his sister sneered and turned back to Mr. Darcy.
Glancing toward Georgiana, Darcy saw his cousin take his sister’s arm and smile at her, letting him know all was well with his sister.
“Come Miss Bingley, let me escort you to your carriage,” Darcy said to move the woman from the presence of his other guests.
++**++
When the door closed behind the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy, Mr. Gardiner hurried to his wife’s side and spoke to his niece. Colonel Fitzwilliam asked Georgiana to explain the events that lead to her dismissing Miss Bingley. Richard was pleased to see the fierce Darcy determination in her face as Georgiana explained first Miss Bingley’s cruel words to her friend, then her own polite admonition and finally the second insult.
“I had no other choice Richard; I offered Miss Bingley the polite fiction of a headache to explain her early departure but she refused to remove herself gracefully.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed to Elizabeth and said, “I no longer doubt your concerns regarding my family’s contentious acquaintances Miss Bennet.”
++**++
Chapter 17.
Mr. Darcy’s Christmas Plans
In his warehouse, Mr. Gardiner looked up from his account books as one of his journeymen entered his office with a card in his hand.
“Mr. Darcy wishes to speak to you sir,” the young man said.
Mr. Gardiner rose to his feet. “Show him in please and ask Mr. Carter to bring tea will you?”
“Very good sir,” the journeyman replied as he hurried from the office.
Very shortly, the door opened again and the visitor entered.
“Good morning, Darcy,” Mr. Gardiner greeted his business partner and now friend.
“Gardiner, good morning,” the tall, quiet man replied as he bowed. “I thought we should discuss our plans for the factory in Derby. My sister and I travel north in a few days and I do not plan to return to London until spring. I can meet with my stewards and secretaries in the north this winter to move our plans forward.”
“Excellent! We shall want to build beside the river to use the water to...”
The two men discussed plans almost an hour and Mr. Darcy made an extensive list of questions to ask his steward in Derby. As they completed their plans, Mr. Gardiner asked, “Would you care to come to supper this evening? I am certain my niece would be pleased to see you.”
“Thank you but I must decline,” Mr. Darcy replied. “I have a family obligation tonight. My sister and I attend my uncle and aunt for supper with my cousin before he receives his deployment orders.”
Mr. Gardiner nodded. “We leave for Hertfordshire tomorrow – Tuesday – to spend Christmas with my brother Bennet and his family.”
“Hertfordshire is only three hours from London with a good horse,” Mr. Darcy observed.
“Indeed,” Mr. Gardiner replied. “When do you travel north for Christmas?”
“My sister and I shall travel north Friday week, once I complete the last of my business in town. We must be home for Christmas and the New Year; my uncle, the Earl of Matlock, likes to grandly summon all of his kith and kin to his estate for Twelfth Night.”
“I am certain Elizabeth will miss her friends from Darcy House.”
Mr. Darcy smiled and nodded his head, “I heard my sister and Miss Bennet express such sentiments at the close of their visit.”
Mr. Gardiner smirked and watched the younger man blush but then Mr. Darcy continued, “Sir, I wonder if we might impose on your brother and stop for tea on our way north on Friday next?” The young man continued in a nervous manner, “I know it is unusual to request an invitation to tea but... but I believe my sister’s spirits will be lifted if she could surprise Miss Bennet and visit one last time before Christmas.”
Mr. Gardiner smiled broadly. “A visit to Longbourn will be most welcome I am certain. My sister provides an excellent tea. Shall we say noon on Friday next?”
“Noon will be excellent. We shall visit for a time and then travel on
to Buckinghamshire before night.”
“Very well, I am certain that my niece will be pleased to introduce you and your sister to her family.”
++**++
Chapter 18.
Elizabeth’s First Meeting with Mr. Collins
The Gardiner coach was packed with children, nanny and trunks when it left Gracechurch Street on Monday morning. The weather was cold and the sky cloudy but cheery conversation in the carriage made the time pass quickly. Mr. Gardiner and Elizabeth took turns reading from a book of children’s adventures and rhymes while Mrs. Gardiner and Nanny took turns holding Henry who fussed a bit.
When the carriage reached Meryton, Elizabeth lay the book aside and pointed out the different buildings to Edward and Emily.
“We have only one livery in Meryton,” she told them. “Everyone must bring their horses here to be shoed. And there are only two shops with lace and cloth, one butcher and only one bookseller.”
“Lizzy, how did you manage?” asked young Edward in a teasing tone. “Only one bookseller?”
“I have only bought two books the entirety of my stay in London!” Elizabeth argued.
“But you read every book in the house!”
The carriage arrived at Longbourn just before noon and the inhabitants of the house poured out with wraps and bonnets to greet the arrival of the Gardiners and Elizabeth.
“Oh Lizzy, I missed you!” Jane said as she embraced her sister while Mr. Bennet greeted Mr. Gardiner, Mrs. Bennet fussed over how much Emily had grown, and Mary and Kitty greeted Edward. The servants handled the trunks and packages, the coachman drove the carriage around the house to the stables and everyone returned to the warmth of the parlour.
Mrs. Hill brought a refreshing tea and the ladies were soon alone as the gentlemen departed for the study to enjoy a small thimble of port.
Elizabeth waited until her mother was involved in a discussion with Mrs. Gardiner regarding the latest fashions from London before she turned to Jane and asked, “Where is Mr. Collins? I thought from your last letters that he had returned to Longbourn for second visit.”
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