Chapter 40
Caroline had asked Elizabeth if the Hursts might be invited for a dinner. Caroline had hoped she could meet with them and apologize for her behavior and was loathe of doing this in Grosvenor Street where their last argument had occurred. Elizabeth thought it was a good idea and readily agreed. Healing a family rift, where feasible, was always desirable. Also, inviting the Hursts for dinner so soon after their arrival was a mark of distinction to which Elizabeth could not be insensible. Any assistance that could be offered to the Hurst or Bingley families would be offered. So the invitation had been eagerly issued and equally eagerly accepted and the following evening the Hursts arrived in good time for sherry prior to dinner. Caroline had considered meeting them in the entrance hall to apologize in private. But she rejected the idea as too sly. Elizabeth had encouraged her to share compliments within hearing of others. This might also apply to apologies. Everybody there would already know she had been rude and presumptuous to her sister and brother-in-law. The Hursts were announced in the drawing-room where all the proper greetings were performed. After everybody had been seated and Elizabeth had requested the sherry be brought, the customary niceties and inquiries were exchanged.
Before her nerves could dissuade her from speaking, Caroline began, “Louisa, Frederick, I am most particularly grateful you accepted the invitation to dine with us for I wanted to apologize to you both. I have been most rude to you and unappreciative of everything you have done for me. I am sorry. It was thoughtless and selfish. I am attending to my shortcomings and I hope you both can forgive me.”
This speech quite surprised the entire party and by unspoken agreement, it was unanimously decided to let Louisa respond to her sister’s humble act of contrition. Louisa stood and went to her sister who also stood up and they embraced. Both were crying and talking quietly. Fitzwilliam, who had been trying to catch Mr. Hurst’s eye, nodded at him the encouragement he needed to join the two women. He hugged his sister-in-law and said that all would be forgiven if she did not delay dinner. Everybody laughed, recomposed themselves, and resumed their seats. Even Elizabeth and Georgiana were wiping their eyes!
Dinner was a cheerful and relaxed affair. Fitzwilliam proposed a toast to new beginnings and happy families. Louisa still possessed a substantial amount of anticipation to see how Caroline conducted herself and was pleased to see Caroline’s polite attentions to the entire Darcy party were without any of her prior ingratiating behaviour towards Fitzwilliam. Her pronouncements were polite and well-reasoned and in proper proportion to what should be said during a family dinner. No hostility or insincerity to Elizabeth could be discerned. No false flattery was offered to Georgiana. And Caroline’s exertions appeared to be warmly received by the family, all of whom had had ample opportunity to scrutinize her evolving manners and mindset over the prior seven months. It was promising and gratifying to Louisa to know that such an alteration in her sister could indeed have been affected. She had a fresh source of hope that her future intimacy with her sister would promise every felicity and enjoyment that could be wished for by two sincere friends. Following dessert, the ladies removed to the drawing-room and the gentlemen remained in the dining-parlour with their port. Mrs. Parker briefly brought Catherine into the drawing-room so that Louisa could be introduced to the newest member of the family. Louisa pronounced her a beautiful child with an amiable temperament.
“I must say, Caroline appears to be quite altered from our last encounter with her. Perhaps we should have let her move in with you years ago!” chortled Frederick.
“It is all Elizabeth. I’ve done nothing. Elizabeth and to a lesser extent, Georgiana have befriended Caroline. Elizabeth has been teaching her about friendship and being true to oneself. If I had to make a recommendation to Charles today, I would say that Caroline is more than capable of living independently with a companion.”
“Well, Louisa and I cannot thank you enough for affecting this change. We are most gratified.”
The gentlemen removed to the drawing-room and conversation flowed for the rest of the evening.
Darcy House, October 15
Dear Charles and Jane,
I hope you are both recovering well from your two blessed events. How are little Charlie and Lizzy? Is it too soon to ask about any family resemblances? I hope your projects in Barrington have been completed to your satisfaction. I will enjoy hearing about them. We have arrived in London and it has been quite busy. All of the purchases for Pemberley’s saloon have been completed. I was able to visit the illustrious Mrs. Piedmont and view HER sitting room which was the inspiration for Elizabeth’s plans for the saloon. Mrs. Piedmont was very gracious and I enjoyed meeting her. I particularly liked her sitting room and think its replication at Pemberley will look very well with the rest of the house.
I have been negligent in not mentioning before now that Fitzwilliam and Georgiana’s cousin Brigadier Richard Fitzwilliam of Matlock in Derbyshire has survived the war on the continent. Mayhap you have already heard about this from Elizabeth? He returned to Pemberley where he is still currently domiciled for rest and recuperation. He is recovering nicely from his trials on the continent. I enjoyed visiting with him this summer and am happy to call him a friend. He is a very brave man and has endured much. I daresay he will rejoin us in London before the year is out.
Louisa and Frederick have waited upon us at Darcy House. They joined us for a lovely dinner. I have apologised to them for my behaviour and I believe they have forgiven me. Louisa was very sweet and Frederick, as usual, was an eloquent orator! But it was a very cordial scene and went off better than I deserved, I am sure. I hope to call upon them in Grosvenor Street next week.
I met an interesting gentleman here at Darcy House. He is a friend of Fitzwilliam and Georgiana’s and they have known him for years. He is a builder here in Mayfair and some of the surrounding areas. His clientele is very upscale and I very much enjoyed meeting him. There was a little mistake regarding his expected time of arrival and so he waited upon me in the drawing room for over an hour whilst the family was from home. Do not worry, Brother, I was properly chaperoned and he apologised very politely for the misunderstanding. But it was an interesting opportunity to simply converse at length with a gentleman. He is handsome and engaging with much prettier manners than I would have expected from a builder! Oh, I’ve forgotten to say, his name is Mr. John Buckworth of Upper Wimpole.
The Wentworth ball is to be held within the next week and I am quite nervous and excited. I wish you were both here so that we could go together. You dance so well together and I am sure we would all enjoy beholding the Wentworth’s ball room. I am sure it shall be an enjoyable evening!
Yours, etc.,
Caroline
Chapter 41
The next few days were to be spent in pursuit of fashion and Elizabeth invited Lady Matlock to join them in the cause. Much shopping was needed in anticipation of Georgiana’s coming out the following year and both Lady Matlock’s and Caroline’s input would be invaluable. Caroline was immensely pleased! In all the time she had known Mr. Darcy, she had never before been introduced to his family beyond Georgiana and the Brigadier. So it was an honour to be introduced to Lady Matlock. Upon her arrival, Lady Matlock was in unusually good spirits and she unceremoniously presented Georgiana with her vouchers for entrance into Almack’s! Everybody was quite delighted for Lady Matlock had taken this upon herself. They thanked her repeatedly for her preemptive efforts at Georgiana’s coming out! Caroline would enjoy telling Louisa about their days of shopping. She was flattered at being included in the high profile excursion, but she also wanted to help her friend have a smooth introduction into London society. Georgiana’s presentation gown was a particularly daunting task and would take months to complete, as had Elizabeth’s gown. With her more modest upbringing, Elizabeth could not help but privately consider such a garment a disgusting waste of money that simply could not be avoided. The presentation gown was to be as gaudy as it was useless, for i
t could only be worn once at Georgiana’s presentation at court. At the time of her own presentation, six months after her wedding, Elizabeth had not known what to do with the unwearable gown after the ceremony, and so it remained at Darcy House. This time however, Elizabeth had already made a furtive inquiry of Mrs. ------ whom she understood to have had some financial reversals, but whose daughter would be eligible to be presented at court the year after Georgiana. She had discreetly offered the future dress to her acquaintance to be redesigned or poached for materials in any way that would benefit her acquaintance’s daughter whilst avoiding detection by the spiteful ladies of the ton. Her offer was graciously, if not tearfully, accepted. The two girls had similar colouring so Elizabeth was reassured that any fabrics selected for Georgiana would also be becoming on the other young lady in question. Georgiana agreed that the ostentatious presentation dress would indeed likely be a travesty to the eye. She was most gratified that hers would ultimately be used to help a girl whose family was in financial difficulty. It made her feel better about wearing such an ornate design and spending so much of her brother’s money. She agreed with Elizabeth’s contention that it was better if she not know to whom the dress was being donated. She may, after all, be a future friend. Lady Matlock was happily recognizing that the improvements in her young niece had survived many months and were likely to be permanent.
So with a variety of differing mindsets, the foursome set out. Lady Matlock, Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Caroline spent a considerable amount of their time and Fitzwilliam’s money at various linen drapers, modistes, and mantua makers over several days so that Georgiana could select fabrics and be fitted for numerous evening-dresses and ball gowns. This was a new experience for Georgiana as the dresses and gowns would be more revealing than any attire she had worn before. Many of the gowns would tastefully expose her décolletage. New bonnets and headdresses must be selected from the finest milliners. She was also purchasing her first full length gloves for some of the gowns were short sleeved or off-the-shoulder. Georgiana received instruction on removing her new gloves whilst eating and putting them back on for any dancing. This was rather fun, for Georgiana could envision future balls with Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, Caroline, Aunt Fitzwilliam, and Richard all in attendance! She would feel safe under their combined scrutiny whilst she danced the night away meeting various potential suiters! The four ladies finished all of their shopping and having assured all the dressmakers that nothing was needed until early next year, retired to Darcy House to plan the outfits needed for the upcoming ball.
Elizabeth, Lady Matlock, Caroline, and Georgiana had all agreed on the selection of Caroline’s exquisite ivory ball gown with a trimmed champagne colored overskirt for the Wentworth’s ball. It had a flattering bodice with delicate embroidery and shorter sleeves. Caroline had chosen a gold necklace set with golden citrine stones and matching earrings. She agreed to wear only a simple silk bandeau in her coiffure at Elizabeth’s suggestion. Her hair was done in one of Clara’s designs using curling tongs to create large curls around her face and a loose chignon where large ringlets were allowed to spill out down her back, creating a waterfall effect. She looked very beautiful and very nervous. Elizabeth looked striking in her cerulean blue crepe over-dress which she wore over her trimmed white satin slip. Clara had styled her hair in a coronet braid which was wrapped into a tight bun at the nape of her neck. Loose curls escaped to frame her face. Sapphire jewelry from the Darcy family jewelry collection adorned her ears, neck, and wrist. Mrs. Parker presented Catherine for her goodnight kisses as they would not be home until the next morning. Georgiana wished them a pleasant evening and said she wanted a full recounting the next day!
Following their arrival at the ball, Fitzwilliam, Elizabeth, and Caroline waited through the receiving line. One of the ladies they had spoken with at the new tea house, a Mrs. Tipton, a renowned gossip, approached them.
“I am glad to see you could squeeze in some entertainment around all of your other activities, ladies!” she said before hurrying off.
“Remind me to send her a thank you note,” Elizabeth laughed.
Following their greetings and introductions to the Wentworths, the threesome entered into the ball-room. Lady Matlock was already arrived and proceeded to greet her nephew, niece, and Caroline, then performed the introductions to her friends, Mrs. Barton, her daughter, Miss Barton, and her son Mr. Stephen Barton. Pleasantries were exchanged by all and Caroline took the first opportunity of complimenting Miss Barton on her gown. She made sure that Lady Matlock and Mrs. Barton heard her compliment and they appeared pleased. Mr. Barton quickly thereafter made his application for her hand for the first set. She graciously accepted. Lady Matlock was quite popular and soon a crowd had formed pinning them all together in close proximity. Several gentlemen had asked for dances, a Mr. Findley from Buckinghamshire, Mr. Grey from Bath, and Mr. Hanson from Shropshire. Elizabeth looked over Caroline’s dance card so she and Fitzwilliam could be sure of joining her during any dances she was forced to sit down in want of a partner. Upon stepping out of the crowd to get some fresh air, Caroline noticed Mr. Buckworth standing within a very short distance and smiling at her.
“Mr. Buckworth, I did not know you would be here!”
“Well, I had other plans, but the Prince Regent cancelled on me at the last minute.”
Caroline laughed at his banter. “I am glad to see a familiar face tonight. I confess, nobody of my acquaintance is here except for the Darcys and Lady Matlock. I’ve just been introduced to Lady Matlock’s friends, the Bartons. We are being devoured by the crowd of people.”
“Well then, Miss Bingley, I should have no trouble in securing some space on your dance card. May I request the supper set?”
“The supper set? I –”
“Is that too much commitment for one evening?” he teased.
“No sir, that is, I would be honoured, thank you.”
The musicians had finished their opening performance and the couples had begun lining up for the first dance. So Caroline made her farewells to Mr. Buckworth and they parted ways as she went to line up with Mr. Barton. He moved well and spoke mostly about members of the aristocracy.
“How long have you been acquainted with Lady Matlock, Miss Bingley?”
“Not long at all. I was recently introduced to her Ladyship by the Darcys. I accompanied Lady Matlock and her niece, Miss Darcy, along with Mrs. Darcy on a very productive shopping tour here in town. Miss Darcy has her coming out next season. Have you known Lady Matlock long?”
“Yes, indeed. My parents have known the Fitzwilliams for years. My father and Lord Matlock went to university together. My sister Cassandra is married to Lady Matlock’s nephew, Lord ------ and lives in Surrey.”
“Her Ladyship is a very affable woman and she positively dotes upon her niece. Tell me, Mr. Barton, do you know everybody in the room?”
Caroline had engaged in this conversation before; with other men, at other balls, about other members of the Peerage whose families they had been friends with for generations. It was all rather mundane and impersonal, but also it was very exclusive. It was an exclusive club to which she was not a member. Normally she would flatter the gentleman into continuing his recitation of who he knew on the guest list and how long he had known them. She had asked her customary question tonight by habit rather than by intention. But this ball was to be different. Tonight she had resolved to attempt different kinds of conversation. After all, she could not ascertain a gentleman’s suitability by merely listening to him recite the names of people in the room!
After a pause due to a separation of the partners, the couples reunited and Miss Bingley changed the direction of the conversation by inquiring, “Mr. Barton, do you and Miss Barton often get to travel to Surrey to see your sister, Lady ------?”
She could tell he was surprised by her question, but they spoke in some detail about how his younger sister missed their older sister since her recent marriage. Caroline could empathize, she told h
im, admitting she also would sometimes miss her sister when she had been too long from London in Cheshire. They conversed about family and travel very agreeably and sooner than expected, the dance was over.
After the dance, Mr. Barton began escorting her back to the Darcys. He smiled down at her and looked at her curiously. “I thank you Miss Bingley. I had heard of you before, but you were not at all what I expected. I hope our paths cross again.”
She curtsied.
Caroline’s dances passed swiftly. Everybody was polite and very proper. She tried to avoid her normal questions and instead endeavored to be more personal but also still polite. She had varying degrees of success. She did notice Mr. Buckworth dancing once with Miss Barton. He appeared to be enjoying himself. Her dance with Mr. Grey from Bath was quite enjoyable as he was charming and a very good dancer. He was a pleasant looking man and spoke well. His family had a terraced house in the Royal Crescent. They discussed the Pump Room and the Assembly Rooms at Bath with great spirit and interest. He particularly enjoyed taking the waters. Caroline confessed that she enjoyed the socialising more than actually drinking the water. Mr. Grey had laughed and said the only reason that was unusual is that she was admitting to it. Caroline and Mr. Grey exchanged their farewells with great politeness. Elizabeth inquired of her how her evening was progressing. Caroline confessed that she was trying new things and attempting to avoid her familiar forms of address. Elizabeth encouraged her to continue her efforts and they would discuss everything after the ball.
By Charm or by Choice Page 27