/ Insert usual fanfic disclaimer here /
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Part 1 - Chapter 2
When Jane and Elizabeth were finally able to retire the night before their departure to London, they prepared for bed in Jane's room, as usual.
"I am glad that we are finally going", said Elizabeth with a heartfelt sigh, plating her hair for bed. "It seems like I have been packing forever".
"Well, it's a good thing that Lydia and Kitty are not going with us, they've been back three times today to get essential items they forgot to pack." Jane replied, turning to have Elizabeth button up the back of her nightdress.
As Elizabeth started with the buttons, she said, more amused than anything "Lydia was so out of sorts when she realised that I had packed my straw bonnet, you know the one with lemon ribbons, and the baggage cart had already left. She has worn it so often I suppose she thought it was hers".
"I hope that she learns to ask permission more often as she gets older, but you must agree she did look very well in it".
Elizabeth laughed. "Oh, Jane, does she ever ask?"
"Well, she is still young, she will improve in time".
"Jane, you have an excuse for everyone. Anyway, enough about Lydia. Jane, are you excited about London? I know I am."
"I am too. I hope to finally get to truly enjoy an assembly."
"You don't enjoy them?" Elizabeth asked, quite puzzled. "But I thought..."
Jane interrupted, "It's not that I don't enjoy them, it just... you see how it is... all the attention."
"Yes I do, in fact I count on it, how I am expected at 15 to be asked to dance if I did not have the advantage of all your cast-off's".
Jane's eyes widened, "I do not cast-them off!"
"Yes, you are all that is good and kind, but you must own that many of my dances come from you having too many admirers wanting a dance and not enough dances to bestow, thus the most persistent ask me instead." Elizabeth carried on, "Remember Mrs Long's unpleasant nephew David? I must have danced with him at every assembly, but it was you that had him captivated".
"He was not unpleasant, just very attentive".
"Oh Jane, he was horrid. It was not just the spots, do remember he tried to ask you for every free dance and then if not your partner, glared at everyone else dancing with you. I, for one, was glad when he went back to Oxford."
"He was at an awkward age for young men"
"I think men are awkward at any age. Remember the widower, Mr Hunt, who was just wanting a mother for his young children, I am sure you must have been glad when Papa turned him down."
"He asked for my hand and Papa refused?"
"Did you not know, he came to see Papa the day after the Easter assembly for permission to court you. Papa was most vexed to be approached him. Put Papa in a right poor mood. I had to suffer him at his most vicious on the chess board. I don't think I won a game for a whole week."
"He was not that bad, and ... and I liked his children."
"Jane..." said an exasperated Elizabeth, "You do not seem to think ill of anyone. What about John Prescott."
"He was very attentive, but polite and well mannered".
"Mr Talbot"
"Had a large estate and offered to keep me very well." The subtle smile on Jane's lip meant it was obvious she was enjoying the game, also.
"George Lucas"
"He is younger than you, you cannot fault a boy".
I will give you that." Elizabeth paused. Then her eyes lit up, "Reverend Braithwaite!"
"He was deeply caring."
"Yes, but only about the heathen in India."
"It shows a depth of feeling and generosity for those less fortunate than ourselves."
"Oh, I suppose", Elizabeth bit her lower lip, deep in thought.
"Mr Falmouth..." Elizabeth said, rolling her eyes.
At the reminder of the most ludicrous of Jane's suitors, both burst out laughing.
After a while, Jane composed herself and turned to Elizabeth, quite serious now "Do you think I will find someone in London?"
"Of course you will, you have no end of them here."
"No, I mean not like that, you know, to find love... romance."
"Yes". Elizabeth looked hard at Jane. "Why, are you thinking about marrying?
"No ... yes ... no ... maybe", Jane looked down, "Maybe not marriage right now but definitely before long. A little romance would be nice, especially if he was sensible, good-humoured and lively."
"And handsome," added Elizabeth, "which a young man ought to be, if he possibly can, and let's not forget wealthy, to ensure he can afford having me staying with you indefinitely."
"Lizzie, do you not want to marry?
"I believe only the deepest love will induce me to enter the marriage state. So I am most likely, with so little to recommend me, to become a favourite aunt to all your children and teach them to climb trees, take long walks and play the pianoforte extremely ill."
Jane swatted Elizabeth for her impertinence, and still smiling, pushed Elizabeth out of her room.
The next morning the hired coach and four left only a little late, as expected Mrs Bennet had last minute nerves and had to double check her instructions to the Phillips's. Mr Bennet had planned for this and had told her they were leaving a good half an hour before he had asked the coach to arrive.
The road to London was in reasonable condition as the weather had been fairly dry for late spring, so they made good progress. The party started happily, chatting amicably, but a comment by Elizabeth about her visiting Vauxhall Gardens caused a sharp rebuke from Mrs Bennet about the proper behaviour for a young lady. This put Elizabeth out of sorts. Without Elizabeth's contribution, the conversation turned to fashion, which displeased Mr Bennet. He then copied Elizabeth in morosely staring out the window. When Mrs Bennet's mind turn from fashion to getting Jane married or at least betrothed while in London, even Jane found little to contribute. When Mrs Bennet realised she was carrying the whole conversation herself, she took umbrage and also fell silent.
The strained atmosphere carried on until both parents fell asleep. At this point Jane and Elizabeth were able to converse quietly about the upcoming time in Town. Jane confided that she was worried that her mother would push her into accepting her first offer, given Mrs Bennet married at 17. Elizabeth promised to assist in thwarting Mama's plans if she could, but told Jane that she had plenty of practice in holding off unwanted suitors herself, so she should have no problem on that score. Elizabeth told Jane about all the attractions of London that she intended to go to. When she mentioned a visit to Vauxhall Gardens again, Jane reminded Elizabeth of her mother's prohibition. When Elizabeth replied that she would go anyway, Jane was shocked. Elizabeth laughed, saying it will only be a problem if mother finds out.
After a long day of travelling, the Bennets arrived in London. Mr Gardener met them at the rented house. The recently build townhouse everything the Bennets had hoped for. The only complaint Mrs Bennet could give was that it was not in a truly fashionable part of town. As the baggage had left the day before, it had already arrived, so they were able to change before heading to the Gardener's for an evening meal. After the meal, the Gardeners surprised Jane and Elizabeth with an invite to the opening night of a new production of Mozart' opera The Magic Flute at the Royal Opera House in Covent Gardens. This was in less than a week. While the invitations were extended to Mr and Mrs Bennet, the Gardeners knew that they would likely decline, which they subsequently did.
The next few days were spent in frantic activity, Mrs Bennet took the girls to all the best warehouses to select the fabrics, lace and ribbons needed to complete a fashionable wardrobe ready for the London social season. While Mrs Bennet was in her element, Jane and Elizabeth found it exhausting, due to the constant need to moderate their mother's purchases. Both liked simple, clean lines and classical colours and patterns, a far cry from Mrs Bennet's taste which was often flamboyant and, at time, quite ostentatious. Thankfully, the girls had a very capable ally in Mrs Gardener, who was able to make many changes to fabrics and designs to be more in keeping with the girl's tastes. Mrs Gardener was even able to tone down Mrs Bennet's new dresses, ostensibly to avoid her overshadowing her own daughters. Whatever the excuse, it worked.
They were introduced to Mrs Gardener's own modiste, who quickly picked up on the girl's desires for cut and style and, through sly compliments and misdirection, Mrs Bennet almost ceased to have any input into the girls new clothing. She was even able to promise the first of the dresses before they were to go to the Opera in only a few days time. Jane and Elizabeth were overjoyed, they had noticed how drab and out of date their formal evening dresses, that they wore with such pride at the Meryton assemblies were, in compared to the fashions around them.
The first week passed quickly. Of Mr Bennet, they saw little. He spent most of the time in his study, when he was not visiting the attorney, working on the case. Elizabeth was able to spend a little time with him, but only when she was not busy with her mother. Mr Bennet discussed the court case with her, something Elizabeth found fascinating, even if she found the intricacies of the Chancellor's Court baffling. Informed of this, Mr Bennet laughed, then replied that he found it equally baffling, so his explanation to her was probably more confusing than helpful.
The morning of their first London outing their first dresses arrived. Jane's new gown, a ravishing concoction in robin-egg blue jacquard silk with silver thread embroidery was extremely flattering to her pleasing figure and enhanced her natural beauty. Elizabeth's classical sage-green lustring silk gown with a bodice embroidered in playful curlicues of copper thread made her appear several years older. Both girls exclaimed how well the other looked, and Mrs Bennet was in raptures, declaring that, her designs of course, were perfect.
After an early dinner, they dressed and put up their hair while waiting for the Gardeners. Their abigail was putting the finishing touches to Elizabeth's hair when the sisters heard them arrive. Impatient to show off, Elizabeth tried to get up, but Jane retested her hand firmly on Elizabeth's shoulder, forcing her to stay until the final ribbons had been wound through her hair.
Now ready, they came down the stairs together, arm in arm, to the stunned looks of admiration from everyone assembled at its base. After a few moments, the elders were able to speak, offering the most fulsome of compliments. Even Mr Bennet forwent his usual sarcasm for comments that were entirely complimentary. He looked every inch the proud father. Knowing they had to leave to get to the theatre soon, Mr Gardener interrupted the praises of the parents and ushered the blushing sisters to out the carriage. Then, he and Mrs Gardener climbed in, their departure taking place to the sound of Mrs Bennet's non-stop raptures.
Outside the theatre was a mad tangle of town carriages, curricles, phaetons and hansom cabs. It took nearly as long to get from entering Bow Street to stopping outside the theatre than it had getting to Bow Street in the first place. The delay played havoc on the Misses Bennet's nerves. Elizabeth, in particular, ruined her lace handkerchief and had to leave it in the carriage.
The Royal Opera House, both inside and out, was beyond anything either young lady had seen or experienced in London before. It was not just the rich, flamboyant architecture but the equally rich and flamboyant attendees. Looking around in amazement, both girls realised how much wealth and fashion was on display. Even dressed in the most elaborate gowns they had ever owned, they felt like country bumpkins in comparison. After giving the Misses Bennet time to calm and become accustomed to the occasion, the Garderners gathered them up and escorted them to their box.
Making the introductions to Mr and Mrs Carmichael, who they were sharing the box, Mr Gardener, let Jane and Elizabeth to the chairs at the front of the box, while the older couples paired up in the seats at the back. The men had done business together for many years and it was to no one's surprise they started the latest political situation on the continent, and how that was affecting trade. Both the married ladies discussion centred on their families, although the Carmichael's eldest three were older, her younger two were about the same age as Mrs Gardener's eldest two.
Jane and Elizabeth did not feel snubbed by the others, they were too occupied looking at the activity around them. Even before the opera had started there was a play in its own right being performed in front of them. They could look down on the commotion below; the young bloods, the dandies, commoners and ladybirds all vying to places in the stalls. Looking up and around they saw members of the ton, some in sombre formal attire, others dressed in finery that must have cost more than the Bennets spent on clothes in a whole year, and a few were in the most outlandish costumes.
Elizabeth was at the edge of her seat, leaning on the parapet. Constantly looking this way and that, trying to see everywhere at once. In particular, she liked to imagine the relationship between the people she saw in each box; were they couples courting, already married, maybe just siblings? Those two were quite obviously in love, that couple must have had a fight, and – rather shocking – was that a Lord and his mistress! Elizabeth thought it must not be his wife, as she could not imagine a well bought up lady wearing a gown that revealing. Jane sat much more demurely, upright, just absorbing the atmosphere, but happily looked when Elizabeth directed her to one box or the other.
Neither had been sated when the lights were lowered and the performance started. Jane and Elizabeth were transfixed and stayed as they were before the opera started. This was unlike anything performed by the various groups of travelling players that visited Meryton periodically. Mr and Mrs Gardener shared a secret smile at the behaviour of their nieces, before concentrating on the opera before them.
During the intermission, Mrs Gardener recommended that her nieces stay in the box as the corridor outside became a terrible crush. She did send Mr Gardener out to get drinks and he returned with refreshing lemonade for everyone. A few acquaintances called in and were introduced, but soon Act Two commenced, and everyone's focus was on the stage before them.
Jane and Elizabeth were carried away by the drama, the music and the emotions invoked, so at the final curtain they felt quite drained. They were happy to take their Aunt's advice to wait for the first crush of people to move on before attempting to leave themselves. They returned home in a state of euphoria that lasted for several days.