by Jann Rowland
“I shall tell you,” said Jane with a sidelong look at Elizabeth, “since she will not. You see, my mother has definite opinions about fashion, and they do not agree with Lizzy’s.”
“Too much lace!” cried Elizabeth, much to the amusement of her companions. “Sometimes I think my mother would create a dress in nothing but lace if she thought she could get away with it. For myself, I do not like lace very much. The battles Mother and I have fought on the subject were such that in the past few years, I have purchased gowns when in London with my aunt’s help.”
“And your mother,” said Lady Anne, laughing, “endures it, for you are getting your clothes in London, even if they are not in the styles she prefers.”
“That does not mean she will not write to my aunt, beseeching her to make my dresses fancier,” replied Elizabeth, making a face. “In the end, however, she decided it was best to ignore it, for I believe she has grown as tired of the dispute as I have.”
“A little lace is lovely,” said Madame Fournier as she entered the room, overhearing a little of their conversation. “In this instance, however, I must side with you, Miss Elizabeth. An excess of lace only detracts from the natural beauty and youthful appearance of health and vitality.
“Now,” added the madame, gesturing to a pair of girls who had followed her into the room, “let us take your measurements. Then you may browse through my fashion magazines to choose what styles you prefer, and we may move on to fabrics and other accessories.”
“And do not worry, Elizabeth,” said Lady Anne, Elizabeth being well aware her ladyship was still regarding her with amusement, “I shall not attempt to direct you.”
“Direct, no,” said Madame Fournier, “but I shall guide you. There are styles and colors which would render you both divine and have every man in London begging for an introduction. We shall create the proper effect and make you both the talk of the season!”
While Elizabeth thought the woman was exaggerating in her comments about anyone named Bennet being the talk of the season, the sight of Madame Fournier’s fashion gazettes caught her attention. With much conversation between the two sisters, each knowing the other’s preferences and what suited them, they began to turn the pages. Lady Anne and her daughter added their comments whenever the opportunity presented itself, but their main contribution was to protest against any attempt at economy.
Two hours later, the foursome left the modiste, all satisfied, especially Lady Anne, who appeared more than a little smug. Then they visited several other shops, spending another hour on the street.
It was not to be supposed that a fashionable shopping district as Bond Street was devoid of other shoppers, nor that those other shoppers would be unknown to the Darcy women. Soon after they Left Madame Fournier’s shop, a lady of about Lady Anne’s age accosted them, accompanied by a younger woman, seemingly a daughter, perhaps two or three years Georgiana’s elder.
“Lady Anne,” said the woman, an affected lilt in her voice which spoke of pride and conceit. “It is curious to see you here, for the Darcys rarely arrive in London in February.”
The look on Lady Anne’s face when confronted by her acquaintance spoke to amusement, and perhaps a hint of exasperation. “This year we wintered in London after my son spent some time with a friend in Hertfordshire.” The lady wrinkled her nose, indicating she knew the identity of Mr. Darcy’s friend. “We also have guests staying with us for the season.”
The gimlet eyes of the woman found Elizabeth and Jane, and it was soon clear she was not at all impressed by what she saw. For a moment, Elizabeth thought she might request an introduction if nothing more than to know with whom she was dealing. However, she did not, instead turning back to Lady Anne.
“Perhaps we shall meet again, but for now we must depart.”
Then with a nod, the lady turned away, pulling the young girl along with her. They had not been gone but a moment when Lady Anne spoke.
“Insolent woman! She has a much higher opinion of herself than she should, and her ambition of marrying her insipid niece to William will never be realized.”
“She seemed like a woman of much standing,” said Jane, ever the diplomat.
“You have the right of it, Jane,” said Lady Anne, “but it is all in her mind, for she is not highly placed at all.”
Elizabeth suppressed a smile, as for all that Lady Anne was not a woman given to excessive pride or a superior manner, she was still the daughter of an earl. It was clear the other woman’s obvious self-importance had offended her sensibilities.
“That was Lady Eugenie Clark,” offered Georgiana, “and the younger lady was her niece, Miss Yates.”
“Lady Eugenie is the daughter of a baronet and the wife of a baron, and her elevation has gone to her head.” Lady Anne turned to the sisters and smiled. “We need not concern ourselves for the likes of her. There will be others who are more amiable.”
And indeed, there were. In time, Lady Anne introduced them to several others, and most proved to be much more welcoming then Lady Eugenie had been. Though Elizabeth could not remember all the names, nor did she think she would pair what names she did remember with the faces, she was generally well pleased with their reception.
“Do not concern yourself if you need a reminder of whom you have met,” said Lady Anne when Elizabeth made this observation. “You shall meet with them all again—and many others besides. We would not wish to overwhelm you.”
When they returned at length to the house, Elizabeth found herself fatigued and wishing for a rest in her room, and she knew Jane was no better. They stepped through the doors, the servants on hand to take their outerwear, and then moved further into the house, chatting as they went.
“The Bingleys are not due to arrive for several more hours,” said Lady Anne. “If you wish to return to your rooms, there is plenty of time to do so.”
“Ladies,” came the voice of Mr. Darcy, the gentleman executing a perfect bow at the sight of them. “I hope your day was enjoyable. I had not known you were to go out.”
“We went shopping and had so much fun!” exclaimed Georgiana. “Though not all was agreeable, for we encountered Lady Eugenie and Miss Yates. I am certain you have been longing to be in company with your future fiancée.”
Georgiana giggled at the expression of utter distaste which came over his countenance, but Elizabeth, who was watching him, thought she detected something else in his manner. It was gone in a moment, but the look he shot at his mother suggested curiosity for their destination and activities. The old feeling of disdain for this gentleman welled up within Elizabeth’s breast, though she tamped down on it—had she not made the same objections to the day’s activities?
“Come, Elizabeth, Jane,” said Georgiana, beckoning to them and making her way to the stairs. “We should sort through your purchases, and I should like a rest before we are forced to endure Miss Bingley this evening.”
Not at all averse to finding her way to her room, Elizabeth pushed thoughts of Mr. Darcy to the side and followed Jane up the stairs. Whatever the gentleman thought, she was certain Lady Anne would set him straight.
As it turned out, Elizabeth’s guess concerning Mr. Darcy’s feelings was accurate, though Darcy had no notion the young lady had seen through his expression. Watching Miss Elizabeth as he was, he noted the easy rapport she had developed with his sister, not that it was at all surprising. During his time observing her in Hertfordshire, Darcy had developed a firm opinion that the woman could charm even the worst curmudgeon and pulling a smile from him.
“What is it, William?” the voice of his mother sounded, drawing his attention back to her.
“I beg your pardon?” asked Darcy, his thoughts jumbled by his observation of Miss Elizabeth.
“It is there is something bothering you. Will you not share it?”
Darcy shook his head. “It nothing more than my thought that it may not be for the best to show so much favor to the Miss Bennets.”
“Why?” asked Lady
Anne, far blunter than Darcy might have expected. “Are they somehow undeserving of our attention?”
With exasperation, Darcy shook his head. “I have nothing against the Miss Bennets, Mother. However, they are unknown to society, and the mere fact you have seen fit to invite them to stay with us will spawn rumors. Taking them to Bond Street and purchasing new dresses for them will no doubt set tongues to wagging.”
“Who is to say they are not purchasing their own gowns?” asked Lady Anne. “I have not made an issue of it, and I know the shopkeepers are discreet enough to avoid spreading rumors, lest they risk losing my custom.”
“That will not prevent the rumors,” said Darcy. “You know society needs little excuse to gossip.”
“Then let them. When it is not confirmed, they will move on to other tittle-tattle, and I am convinced the Bennet sisters will do much to focus the attention on themselves rather than any purchases I have made for them.”
Darcy did not respond, the frustration of his mother’s continued attention to the two ladies making him more than a little cross. When he did not speak, Lady Anne stepped forward and put a hand on his arm.
“Do not concern yourself, William. There was a simple reason for this morning’s excursion—the Bennet sister’s evening wear, while the rest of their wardrobe is fine, was not up to the standards of society. Miss Bennet and her sister are our guests for the season, and I would like them to make a good impression on society, not only to justify our attention but because they are estimable ladies in their own right.”
“I suppose they must reflect well on us,” said Darcy, though grudgingly.
“That is exactly it. I have every confidence in their manners and deportment, but I would be a poor hostess if I allowed every supercilious matron and jealous miss to disapprove of them because of the way they dress. Now that we have ensured their evening wear will be of a certain quality, I am certain we will not be required to shop in such a fashion again. Besides, it appears Miss Elizabeth does not have much of a taste for it and would protest if I insisted upon it too often.”
The amusement in his mother’s voice alerted Darcy to her growing affection for the dark-haired beauty. “I might have thought any young woman would enjoy shopping, not least of all when another was paying for her purchases.”
“And you would be incorrect in this instance, and I will thank you not to cast shade on Elizabeth’s character.”
Noting his mother’s severe look, Darcy put out a hand in surrender. She was placated, but only after she indulged in a few more moments of glaring.
“If you have not noticed by now,” said Lady Anne, “Elizabeth is a woman of a different stripe from most ladies in society, whether high or low. It was only after much persuasion that we convinced her of the necessity, for she made many of the same objections to our outing as you did yourself.
“The Bennet sisters are not artful, William. They are not grasping, they have no thoughts of climbing the ladder of society, and they certainly do not behave as if they feel the world owes them everything they desire. If I am not very much mistaken, we are to host a young lady tonight who is the very epitome of that description.”
“I have no choice but to endure her if I wish to keep Bingley’s acquaintance.”
“I do not suggest you throw her off, William. My only suggestion is that you watch Miss Bingley’s behavior and contrast it with that of the Bennet sisters. If you are honest with yourself, I am certain you will come to the correct conclusion.”
Lady Anne patted his arm once again. “For now, I should speak with the housekeeper and the cook to ensure all is ready for tonight. Then, I shall not be averse to seeking my own room for a time.”
Darcy bowed and his mother moved away. For a time, Darcy stood in the hall, looking in the direction his mother had disappeared, though seeing nothing of his surroundings. A woman of confidence and intelligence, Darcy knew she would do as she pleased, not that he would attempt to direct her.
That evening went about as well as Lady Anne had any right to hope, and from several perspectives. It began when they were preparing for the evening, and Lady Anne, having readied herself early, went to the Bennet sisters’ suite, knowing they were preparing for the evening together with Georgiana. The laughter from the younger sister’s room alerted her to their activities, and she walked into the room, noting Georgiana’s shining eyes and amusement, confident her daughter’s new association with the women was a benefit to her daughter, who had always been of a shy disposition.
“Will you be ready soon?” asked Anne upon entering. “Our guests will arrive before long.”
“We will be soon, Mama,” replied Georgiana. “We are attempting to determine what Elizabeth should wear tonight.”
Anne focused her attention on the younger Bennet. “I was not aware that you were of such a vain disposition that it required you an hour or more to choose which dress will suit you most.”
The girl blushed, much to Anne’s delight. “I am not, but Jane and Georgiana took issue with that I intended to wear.”
An excellent opportunity, thought Anne as she moved toward the closet. As she rummaged through the dresses, she found what she was looking for, an ivory gown the same hue as the one Elizabeth had worn to the Netherfield ball, which had drawn such glances of appreciation from her son. It was not so elaborate or so fine as that dress had been, but Anne thought it would do well for an evening entertaining guests and, more importantly, would provoke William’s approval.
When she suggested it, Elizabeth directed a look at her, and Anne wondered for a moment if she suspected ulterior motives. Then Georgiana and Jane exclaimed their approval, and the decision was made. It was all worth it when Elizabeth descended the stairs for supper.
“Did you see the way William almost devoured the sight of Elizabeth?” asked Georgiana with a giggle a short time later.
“I knew how it would be,” replied Anne, unable to keep the self-satisfaction from her voice. “Do not forget how he watched her when we were at Netherfield.”
“While attempting to give the impression he was not watching her,” added Georgiana, allowing her mirth free reign.
As William attempted to avoid the young woman’s obvious allure, the Bingley party arrived and were shown into the room. And then it was proven that Elizabeth was not the only Bennet sister in a position to dominate a gentleman’s attention. The way Mr. Bingley entered the room, his addresses to all so perfunctory as to be nearly rude, spoke without possibility of another interpretation as to his affections.
“Miss Bennet,” said he, stopping to kiss her hand almost reverently. “How wonderful it is to see you again. I hope your journey from Hertfordshire was everything comfortable.”
“It was excellent, Mr. Bingley,” said Jane, a rosy blush suffusing her cheeks. “Now we are in London. I would not wish to be anywhere else.”
“Excellent!” exclaimed Mr. Bingley, a beaming smile covering his face. Taking her hand, he guided her to a nearby sofa and refused to be moved from her side the rest of the evening.
William mustered the will to remove his eyes from Elizabeth to watch the renewal of Mr. Bingley and Jane’s acquaintance, and Anne watched as he studied them for several moments. Then he caught Anne’s eye, and when she shot him an arched brow, he shrugged and turned away. Though the poor boy thought he did not immediately turn back to his contemplation of Elizabeth, Anne knew better. So did Miss Bingley, it appeared.
“What a fine thing it is to be in such company this evening,” said she to nobody in particular. “We are all—or most of us are,” amended she with a glare at the Bennet sisters, “almost as good as family. In fact, I cannot wait until the time comes when our families will share a closer connection.”
Of those near enough to hear her words, Elizabeth looked skyward and shook her head at such blatant scheming, while Anne said nothing. If she was at all correct, she thought William too immersed in his study of Elizabeth to have heard her, which left only Georgiana.
/>
“I apologize, Miss Bingley, but I do not understand your meaning. Perhaps I might persuade you to speak clearly?”
“Why,” said Miss Bingley, “I refer to the ties which bind us together, ties which cannot be broken asunder by those persons who rely on subterfuge to impose upon families of consequence. In fact, I have often thought your turn of mind was similar to my brother’s. I, for one, would be delighted to one day claim a closer relationship with you, dear Georgiana.”
Georgiana’s ability to stifle a laugh was admirable, in Anne’s estimation. “Perhaps we are similar, Miss Bingley. But then again, you must remember the saying ‘opposites attract.’ It seems to me that your brother is happy where he is at present.”
With a sniff of disdain, Miss Bingley looked to Lady Anne. “Have your guests settled in? No doubt they are awed by the surroundings, which are far finer than anything they have ever before experienced. How generous it is of you to sponsor them.”
“They have settled in as if they were residents of this house; I thank you for your solicitous inquiry. And your words about the closer relationship between our families may bear fruit.”
Miss Bingley preened until she noted where Anne’s gaze rested. No one had to look at Mr. Bingley and Jane to determine the state of their feelings, but William was at that moment sharing a hesitant conversation with Elizabeth. When the full meaning of Anne’s words became apparent, Miss Bingley turned a little green, excused herself, and went to sit beside her sister.
“That was almost cruel, Mother,” said Georgiana, though the laughter in her voice superseded any reproof.”
“You must own, the woman deserved it,” replied Anne.
Then she turned back to her guests. Already she was anticipating the evening more than any event she had in some time.
Chapter VII
For all Elizabeth had heard of the season in London, the beginnings of their stay with the Darcys were far tamer than Elizabeth had thought to expect. When asked, Lady Anne informed them that many of the families of high standing preferred to be fashionably late and many of the true spectacles were thus delayed.