A Fair Prospect

by Cassandra Grafton

Darcy and the Colonel glared at each other for a moment, before a movement at the window to the left of the doorway caught their eye. Georgiana stood at the music room window, watching them, and she raised her hand in a hesitant wave.

  Forcing a smile, Darcy lifted a hand in response, nodded to his cousin and turned on his heel, striding purposefully up the steps and back through the open study windows.

  The Colonel shook his head at his cousin's departing back and turned to grin reassuringly at Georgiana, whose wary gaze had moved from where her brother had been stood to her cousin's face. Fitzwilliam rolled his eyes, tilted his head in the direction of Darcy's study and shook his head at her, relieved to see the concern upon her features ease and the quick smile that graced her face.

  Bowing deeply, the Colonel raised a hand as she waved in response and turned to follow his cousin.

  ~o0o~

  Having enjoyed their afternoon tea and the opportunity to catch up on each other's news, a lull in the conversation in the drawing room at Gracechurch Street left Elizabeth more than conscious of her concealment of much regarding her sojourn in Kent, to the point that she had failed entirely to mention the gentlemen who had been in residence at Rosings. Keen to deflect any possible attempt by her companions to question her further about her stay with Charlotte, she reverted to the theme of their extended party by way of diversion.

  “I am looking forward to seeing Nicholas this evening, Aunt. Is he much altered since we last met?”

  “Dear Nicholas,” Mrs Gardiner smiled at her nieces. “He has been such a joy in my life – as have you both, my dears. But altered? I think you will find him as teasing and exacting as before. He seems as ill- disposed as ever towards bearing his own company, and he is certainly most keen to see you, Lizzy, and makes no secret of it!”

  “Indeed, we have spent every day in his company since his arrival from the country, have we not, Aunt?”

  Mrs Gardiner laughed. “Jane is quite correct. I begin to wonder if it would not have been easier on your uncle's horses had we all taken up residence at Grillons!”

  “Then he does not come to Gracechurch Street often?”

  “Oh but he does – with persistent regularity!” Mrs Gardiner smiled. “And we are, without fail, delighted to see him. Yet he will continue organising outings and expeditions, and all are across Town. I believe he has something planned for every day going forward, and I do not know how my housekeeper is managing the demands we have made of her over the upkeep of our attire!”

  Elizabeth’s smile faded as she recalled her minimal wardrobe. “Pray, child, is something the matter?”

  “No indeed – at least, nothing too dire, yet I do have a confession to make, Aunt. The clothing I have with me is likely to prove inadequate for any length of stay in Town, and it has been further depleted by the soiling of one of my better gowns and the only coat I chose to bring away. I fear they may both be beyond remedy.”

  Jane’s countenance assumed a concerned air but her aunt merely shook her head.

  “Dear girl, what misadventure has found you this time?”

  “But Lizzy!” Jane leaned over and laid a hand upon her sister's arm, her expression earnest. “What has happened? Were you in any danger; have you suffered any injury?”

  “Dearest Jane,” Elizabeth shook her head, pushing aside the memory of her fall and its outcome. “I am quite well, I assure you.”

  Meeting two pairs of enquiring eyes, Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders. “I was merely caught in some extremely inclement weather, and my clothing took the brunt of the rain and the subsequent dirt underfoot. I must own that I hoped you would be able to recommend someone, Aunt, who might restore them to wearable condition. There were such limited means at the parsonage, and I would so dearly like to retain the use of them. Indeed, without my coat I shall be unable to venture out of the door at all unless the sun graces us with its presence!”

  Mrs Gardiner nodded and got to her feet. “Then come, let us repair to your chamber, consider the damage and see if we cannot find a solution.”

  Chapter Twenty Nine

  Once upstairs, Elizabeth laid the dress and coat upon the bed, that her aunt and sister might examine them and draw their own conclusion. For a moment, Mrs Gardiner studied the staining along the hemlines and ran a hand over the texture of the fabric, paying particular attention to her niece's coat.

  “Though dyeing the fabric to a richer hue is certainly an option, I believe it might be best if we were to take the opportunity whilst you are in Town to order a new one?”

  Elizabeth ran a hand over the material. “I am sure your advice is sound, Aunt, but I am particularly fond of this; I do not wish to dispose of it. Could we not at least attempt the darker shade before committing to a replacement?”

  “Of course, my dear.” Mrs Gardiner patted Elizabeth's hand, before glancing sideways at her. “We shall take it with us in the morning when we attend our appointment with the dressmaker.”

  Elizabeth looked up at this and then, catching her sister's eye, she laughed. “And is this something that you were going to advise me of once we were in the carriage, Aunt? I can assure you that I have almost outgrown my reluctance to attend the dressmaker!”

  “Indeed, Lizzy?”

  Her niece had the grace to look a little guilty. “Well, suffice it to say that whilst it will never be my favourite pastime, I believe I can tolerate the experience with more grace than I did when younger!”

  “More grace, my dear? I believe it was a question of less elusiveness! If it had not been for your efforts I am certain your uncle and I would never have realised our home contained quite so many opportunities for concealment!”

  Elizabeth laughed. “You attempt to distract me, Aunt! For what reason are we to make such a visit?”

  “A couple of weeks ago, Jane and I ordered some new gowns to be made up. Your uncle had once again received a delivery of some particularly fine fabrics, including the most delightful silks. He bade me order a dress for you as well. Jane helped to select the design and colour, for she understands your preference best. There are always belongings of Serena in the house, and we used one of her gowns for measurements as you share a similar frame.”

  “Oh Lizzy, the fabric is truly most beautiful." Jane's eyes shone. "Our appointment on the morrow is for final fittings and for the length also to be determined with your gown, for we shall need them this coming Monday.”

  Elizabeth's smile widened. “I am most grateful! How kind of Uncle Gardiner to allow us such a treat – but what is the necessity for dressing so well on Monday? Has Nicholas managed to secure an audience with the King himself?”

  “And well might you mock such an occasion, Lizzy, but I am confident you will be pleased with Nicholas' invitation all the same. There is to be a May ball hosted by his aunt, Lady Bellingham, at her home. You may recall that you were introduced to her?”

  “But of course! She is a most formidable lady by appearance, and indeed reputation, yet I found her perfectly cordial.”

  Jane looked a little uncertain. “To be sure, Lady Bellingham is a little intimidating.”

  Mrs Gardiner patted her on the arm. “I suspect that her manner varies dependent upon how close a vicinity she is in to the other presiding custodians of Almacks. When in company with only her immediate family, she displays a much less strident demeanour, and I believe Nicholas' father holds much sway over her Ladyship, and in the company of her brother – and by default, his children and their close acquaintance – she is perfectly amiable. And connections Nicholas may have, but the ability to obtain sufficient invitations to Almacks is beyond even his charming manners, relative or not!”

  Elizabeth smiled at her aunt. “Then Uncle's timing is fortuitous, is it not? Do you think we shall pass muster in our new finery?”

  Jane responded in all seriousness: “Dear Lizzy, you will be delighted with Madame Eliza's work. We examined some finished models when we took the fabric along to her premises. Her needlework is quite
exquisite.”

  Elizabeth directed her curiosity towards Mrs Gardiner. “How is it that we do not visit your usual dressmaker?”

  “Sadly, she is not so able now, Lizzy. She finds close work rather trying on her sight, and though she has two promising apprentice needlewomen, they are not yet of sufficient standard.”

  “Well, I am certain to enjoy ample wear of this wondrous new gown, for I am poorly equipped for all the society that would appear to be awaiting. Will it suffice for a walk in the park, do you think?”

  Mrs Gardiner laughed and got to her feet. “It most certainly will not, my dear, and to your good fortune, I will add one other.”

  Walking over to the cupboard doors that lined the opposite wall of the chamber, Mrs Gardiner pulled them aside before saying over her shoulder. “I must assume you have not examined your closet since the maid unpacked for you, Lizzy?”

  “Indeed not, for I received an urgent summons to take tea!”

  Mrs Gardiner pulled forward from the back of the closet three of her niece's better gowns, including the evening dress she had had made up for the Netherfield Ball.

  “There! These will at least render your appearance acceptable, shall they not?”

  Elizabeth's eyes widened and then she laughed. “Last I saw, they hung in the closet at Longbourn!”

  “As soon as the invitation was extended to make some stay with us, your uncle sent an Express to Longbourn, seeking permission from your father for the change in plan and asking your mother to return a box containing some of your better gowns and accessories to Town.”

  Somewhat relieved, though she did not stop to examine the reason why her appearance should concern her so much on this occasion, Elizabeth examined the hem of the soiled dress on the bed.

  “My bonnet took a rather severe beating too,” she confessed. “Not that I can bear to wear one unless there is inclement weather.”

  “In Town, my dear, you ought to wear some form of head covering when we are out.”

  Elizabeth sighed as she met her aunt's eye, and nodded reluctantly.

  “Do not concern yourself. We have several items here of Serena's, including a couple of Spencers. With the warmer weather approaching, either will suffice, I am certain, and you may borrow whichever you prefer. You share a similar lightness of figure, though you are much the taller.”

  Jane smiled at her sister. “There, Lizzy. You have all the clothing you could possibly need to enjoy a sojourn in Town.” Then she laughed and patted the dress on the bed between them. “I was going to ask if you were pleased, but I forget to whom I am speaking! You would be perfectly content with only these dear items restored.”

  Elizabeth laughed and shook her head. “Certainly not. I must own to being quite excited! Is it a phase, do you think, or am I regressing? I fear I may have spent too much time with Kitty and Lydia of late, and without your soothing company, Jane!”

  “Lizzy!”

  Elizabeth merely smiled and turned to her aunt. “Does Madame Eliza have a workshop nearby?”

  Mrs Gardiner shook her head. “Alicia Harington recommended her to me some time ago, and she wrote a note of introduction which Nicholas brought with him after I had written to her and described the bolts of fabric. In truth, I have promised one to her also.”

  “Then we are to cross town?”

  “Yes, we are, though this is one outing for your uncle's carriage that has not been precipitated by Nicholas' design!”

  Elizabeth's smile faltered as the realisation dawned that Mayfair was likely their morning destination. Then she shook her concerns aside; it would prove too large a coincidence if she were to come across Mr Darcy when venturing into that neighbourhood for a few hours. Surely she could visit the district without detection?

  Pushing the notion aside, she smiled at her aunt and let out a contented sigh. “Then I shall look forward to our adventure!”

  ~o0o~

  Having resealed Mr Darcy's letter as hurriedly as possible, for fear that accident or temptation might reveal any of its content, Charlotte carefully folded it inside the one she had then penned to her friend, and ensuring that the direction was clearly legible, she again applied the seal to some wax before getting up and leaving the room.

  She paused as she passed the tray in the hallway where correspondence was normally left for a servant to take to the post, the letter in her hand. She had neither the desire nor the reason to think so ill of her household as to consider them underhand enough to seek to determine the contents of any letter, but some instinct warned her not to leave this particular package there. No – this she must personally place into the postman's bag herself, and without delay.

  Indeed, had it not been that sending for an Express rider would have roused suspicions in her husband and might well cause all sorts of awkward questions upon the letter's delivery in Town, she would have sent it by that method – for she had little doubt that whatever its content, Elizabeth would have had no intention of leaving this letter where it might be accessible to anyone but herself. Whether her friend had even missed it, Charlotte could not answer, but the sooner it was restored to its rightful owner, the better for all parties.

  Once the seal had dried, Charlotte tucked the letter into her pocket and made her way out into the garden. She had considered any and every possible reason for Mr Darcy to take such a step as addressing Elizabeth by letter, but nothing made any sense. With a sigh, Charlotte pressed her fingers to her forehead. She would resolve to think on it no more in the hope that Elizabeth's response would alleviate any concern.

  Conscious suddenly of the changing light indicating the rapid progression of the afternoon, she secured her shawl about her shoulders and hurried down the path and out onto the lane that led to Hunsford village.

  ~o0o~

  Mayfair was fully cloaked in darkness and, undisturbed by any passing carriage, the peace of Mount Street was complete. Candlelight flickered through windows as yet uncovered, causing ghostly shadows to shimmer across the railings, the silence broken only by the sporadic neigh of a horse stabled in the mews that ran behind the houses.

  Behind its dignified façade, the drawing room of the largest house in the street was filled with a beautiful melody, a fire burning brightly in the grate that, along with the glow from the many candelabra, contributed to the warmth that pervaded the room.

  Leaning back against the worn leather of his armchair, Darcy’s gaze was drawn neither by his sister at the pianoforte, or the Colonel in the chair opposite, but by the sky outside. As it had darkened from blue to indigo, and finally to black, his eye had been caught by the sight of a pale moon that stared moodily back at him from its lofty perch above the rooftops. Yet his thoughts, despite the severe reprimand he bestowed upon himself, were firmly fixed in another part of town.

  ~o0o~

  The dinner hour had been over for some time in Gracechurch Street and from her position at the drawing room window Elizabeth bestirred herself. At her aunt’s request, she had come to close the drapes, yet she had found herself transfixed by the beauty of the night sky, and in particular an early summer moon just visible through the new leaves that were opening up on the trees that lined the street.

  With one last lingering look at the heavens, she released the ropes that restrained the curtains so that they fell swiftly and heavily into place and ran a hand down the fabric to ensure its evenness before returning to seat herself next to her aunt. Accepting a cup of tea from her, Elizabeth then turned to continue her observation of her sister.

  Jane Bennet’s attention had been lost to both her companions for some time; lost in fact since the bell was pulled and her uncle and Nicholas had excused themselves to partake of a post-dinner glass of port with the newly arrived guest.

  “I suspect we shall have to occupy ourselves until the gentlemen join us, Lizzy.”

  The quietly spoken words brought Elizabeth’s attention back to the lady by her side, and she turned towards her aunt with a smile.

&n
bsp; “Indeed. Let us hope that Jane rouses herself sufficiently upon their return. From what I have heard, poor Mr Bingley struggled to draw any response from her this morning.”

  A sense of unease passed through Elizabeth as she uttered these words, and she turned to regard her sister again. Jane faced slightly away from them, staring into the fire, the abandoned book upon her lap testament to her distraction. Conscious as she was of her sister’s concern over protecting her heart, Elizabeth feared that her efforts might effectively seal her fate once and for all – if Mr Bingley had been convinced of her lack of interest in Hertfordshire, what might the gentleman make of her efforts to disguise her true feelings?

  “Lizzy? My dear,” Mrs Gardiner rested a hand upon her niece’s. “You are quite as distracted as your sister!”

  “Forgive me, Aunt.” Elizabeth hesitated, then added in a low voice, “I am concerned over the effect of Mr Bingley’s reappearance.”

  Mrs Gardiner followed Elizabeth’s gaze to where her other niece sat. “You worry for Jane’s spirits, her having rallied so recently?”

  “Yes, though I have concern also for Mr Bingley.” She turned in her seat. “Dear Aunt, all I wish is that, whatever the outcome of their re- acquaintance, it is one that leaves neither suffering.”

  “My love, it is a good wish, but the interference of others before now would appear to have led to much mischief. We must allow them to find their own way.”

  Appreciating that her aunt’s advice was sound, Elizabeth nodded just as the sound of laughter out in the hallway heralded the gentlemen’s approach and, getting to her feet, she could not help but glance anxiously in Jane’s direction as the door opened.

  Chapter Thirty

  “My dear,” Mr Gardiner crossed the room to take his wife’s hand before turning back to face his companions. “As you see, we have been joined by Mr Bingley. I have just had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, but we refrained from tarrying too long in my study, for he wished to pay his respects to the ladies before departing.”