Chapter 34
It was not until the beginning of December that Elizabeth venture to London for a visit to her Aunt and Uncles. She had planned on staying through the New Year, and as there was plenty of room for Will and Becky, she brought them to town with her. The Gardiner cousins adored their little baby cousin, each taking turns in seeing who can get him to laugh or repeat their names, while Elizabeth, and her Aunt and Uncle watched.
Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, though not belonging to the first circles of society, did have a wide array of friends and acquaintances. There were parties, dances, and excursions to the theater, which delighted Elizabeth to no end. She had all new clothes since her mourning ended and in some ways she felt like a young girl entering society for the first time.
Mr. Hines was a frequent guest to Gracechurch Street and whichever dinner or party Elizabeth had been invited to. He and Mr. Gardiner were becoming good friends, each joyfully talking of their business and giving and receiving advice from the other. He was a good dancer and intelligent in his conversation. Elizabeth felt, given time, she could fall in love with Mr. Hines, and she felt instinctively he would be amenable to the idea himself.
One evening they were entering the Opera House, Mr. Hines having procured four tickets in a box an associate owned. Elizabeth's eyes glittered at the finery around her, so many lit candles, and women dressed in their jewels. Elizabeth had on a simple string of pearls that had belonged to her Mother, and felt slightly under dressed for the occasion, but was determined to enjoy herself. She peered over the crowd of people until her eyes rested on that of Mr. Darcy, and a woman on his arm she could only surmise to be his wife.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" Her Aunt asked.
Tearing her eyes away from Darcy who had not yet seen her, she looked into her Aunt's face, nodding. "Yes, I thought I saw someone I knew."
Her Aunt peered over the crowd to discern whom her niece could be referring to when the gong sounded and the crowd began to shift and move to their seats. Keeping her head down, she followed Mr. Hines and her Aunt and Uncle up velvet covered stairs and to their box. Their tickets indicated they were seated in the rear row, and soon the row in front of them were filled as well.
"Excuse me," a familiar voice said.
Elizabeth looked up into the eyes of Mr. Darcy. He had accidentally kicked her chair as he passed, and when he saw Elizabeth he stopped.
"Mr. Darcy," Elizabeth quickly said, rising from her seat, "what a surprise to see you here."
Darcy, speechless, looked from her to her companions. "May I present my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner," here they, along with Mr. Hines, rose from their chairs, "and Mr. Hines. Mr. Darcy of Pemberley."
They each greeted the other wherein Darcy found his voice. "May I present my cousin, Lady Matlock, and my sister, Miss Darcy."
The Countess smiled at her, though the warmth did not reach her eyes. She looked Elizabeth up and down, gave a simple "how do you do," before taking her seat. Georgianna however greeted her enthusiastically and would have talked further, had not the orchestra started the prelude.
All throughout the Opera Elizabeth felt ill. She took furtive looks at Mr. Hines, who fidgeted in his seat. When the intermission started Elizabeth feigned a headache and asked to be taken home. She had rushed out of their box with her Aunt and Uncle, hoping to not come into contact with Mr. Darcy, but as they were headed towards the exit he caught up with them.
"Leaving so soon?" He asked, glaring at Elizabeth's arm entwined in Mr. Hines'.
"Yes," Elizabeth gave her excuse.
"My sister has asked for me to invite you Darcy House this Wednesday for tea."
Elizabeth gave a weak smile, "I do not know, Mr. Darcy."
"Please say you'll come. I know she is quite fond of you."
"Perhaps," she curtsied to him, then left the building.
The silence in the coach permeated the air around them, though Elizabeth didn't dare break it. It was left to Mr. Hines, who said, "I have heard of the Darcy's. Pemberley is in Derbyshire, is it not?"
"Yes," was all Elizabeth would allow.
"He is related to the Earl of Matlock, correct?"
"Yes, the Earl is his Uncle."
"I have business with some of Matlock's people."
The coach deposited the Gardiner's and Elizabeth at the house on Gracechurch street, then left with Mr. Hines inside. Mrs. Gardiner made to have a chat with Elizabeth, but her Uncle shook his head, and escorted his wife up the stairs and to their room.
As she lay in bed Elizabeth's mind kept going over all her encounters with Mr. Darcy, and her body awoke, longing for his touch. She wept bitter tears into her pillow, realizing that her love for Darcy had never diminished, and no matter how she tried, loving Mr. Hines would never equal that to Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth continued her charade of illness the next day, asking not to be disturbed. She kept to her room, venturing to the nursery for a quarter hour, before taking refuge once again. Her Aunt had arrived behind the maid that carried the tea tray, and she asked if Elizabeth was feeling well. Elizabeth gave some excuse to her Aunt, hoping she would not divine the truth. Towards the evening she finally roused from her room and took dinner with the family, though declined the dance they were to attend that evening.
The next day was Wednesday and Elizabeth had changed her mind a dozen times as to whether she would attend Georgianna's tea. She had dressed for the occasion, then returned to her room in a huff, only to get up and go to the door once again. Finally she realized that Mr. Darcy would hardly be at home entertaining his sisters guests, and how she longed to see Georgianna again.
Darcy House was a tall, imposing edifice resembling the architecture of the Baroque period, built from a dull gray stone which seemed to be the predominate building material for the houses on that street. She told her Uncle's coachmen to return in a half an hour, then started up the steps to the house. She was let inside and ushered up the stairs to Georgianna's sitting room, a half dozen young girls and their Mama's or companions in attendance.
"Mrs. Collins!" She exclaimed, rising from her seat to welcome her guest.
Elizabeth looked around, feeling herself being sized up by the women around the room. Georgianna seated Elizabeth next to herself, asked how she liked her tea, and poured it accordingly. After introductions were made the talk was mostly of the latest parties, and Balls yet to be, even a smattering of gossip.
"And how is your dear brother?" One girl asked before sipping from her tea.
"He is doing as well as can be expected." Gerogianna replied.
Elizabeth looked questioningly at Georgianna who apologized before explaining. "Mrs. Darcy did not survive giving birth to their child."
Elizabeth's heart stopped and the room felt as if it was beginning to spin. She dropped her cup, the contents spilling onto the carpet, those closest to her pulling their skirts out of the way of any splashing.
"I am sorry," Elizabeth said, bending over to retrieve her cup, but before she could reach it a footman had stooped in to gather up the cup and saucer and spoon.
"Are you feeling well?" Georgianna asked, placing her hand on Elizabeth's arm.
"Yes, I just felt dizzy." Looking around the room at all the faces staring back at her caused her face to turn red.
Georgianna gave her a searching look before redirecting the attention away from Elizabeth onto a safer topic. After composing herself Elizabeth tried to share in the conversation, before excusing herself from the room.
"If you'll excuse me," Georgianna said to those in the room, "I must see Mrs. Collins out."
Georgianna entwined her arm in Elizabeth's before she could refuse, and was being pushed along out the door and down the stairs. "Are you sure you do not wish to rest? I could have a room prepared for you."
"No, I must be going," Elizabeth replied.
They continued their journey to the door where Elizabeth received her gloves and jacket. "I should dearly like to see you again," Georgianna said just before she left. "I do not have any engagements scheduled tomorrow afternoon. May we visit?"
Elizabeth smiled, nodding her head. "Why don't you attend me at my Uncles?"
After giving Georgianna the directions, she bade her farewell, and left the house, thankful the coach was prompt and waiting for her.