In Pursuit of Happiness
Disclaimer: I don't own Pride and Prejudice. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Part One: Grafton House
Chapter 2: The Front Parlour
Because Jane's attention is taken up by Lord Beverley, and Grandmother Grafton's attention is occupied by the circle of matrons that had formed around her, Elizabeth is left to entertain the rest of the visitors who call upon Grafton House. She makes inconsequential conversation with gentlemen and women she's barely met, discusses family estates and theatre plays and preferred pastimes. Her guests listen raptly to her stories of life in Hertfordshire, of her annual visits to the family seat in Suffolk, laugh at all of the appropriate parts, ask questions Elizabeth doesn't care to answer about her upbringing, her family, her impressions of London and the Ton and of mutual acquaintances she hardly knows.
In all, it is a morning of repetitive, tiresome conversation, and Elizabeth is therefore glad to be diverted from the tedium by the arrival of her sister-in-law, Lady Ipswich, who brings with her Elizabeth's Aunt Gardiner, a genuine interest in Elizabeth's wellbeing, and an invitation to a dinner party she and her husband are hosting at Arlington House on Friday evening.
"Aunt Madeleine has already declined our invite," Lady Ipswich - or Emily, rather - says, chagrined, "They've a prior engagement with Uncle Tobias, it seems."
Conscious of the curious gazes on their tete-a-tete, Elizabeth is careful not to pull a face, but she wonders how Aunt Madeleine and Uncle Edward can voluntarily spend time in the company of Elizabeth's eldest Uncle Gardiner. He is a loathsome fellow, with equally loathsome habits, and Elizabeth prefers to avoid him if and whenever possible.
Mercifully, Tobias Gardiner despises Elizabeth's father, the feeling is entirely mutual, and subsequently, visits to and from the Gardiner family's estate, Appleton Park, are few and far between. Moreover, Uncle Tobias has transferred his resentment onto Thomas Bennet's children, and so any obligation Elizabeth might have felt to maintain a relationship with the man died long ago.
She does not repine the loss.
"Never mind that," Aunt Madeleine dismisses the issue. She's learned not to let any of her family get started on the matter of Tobias Gardiner. "There will be other dinner parties, I am sure. You must introduce us to your guests, dearest."
They've already greeted Grandmother Grafton and Jane, and so Elizabeth acquiesces. In doing so, she takes comfort in their presence as young women of the Ton strive to ingratiate themselves into Elizabeth and Jane's circle, as eligible gentlemen praise and flatter them in turn, as society mothers scrutinise the sisters - presumably determining their worth as wives for their sons, or threats to their own daughters' success in husband hunting - and fail to hide their pleasure or displeasure at what they find.
Mercifully, visiting hours eventually draw to a close, and the Grafton's butler, Mr Wallace, shuts the door on the last of their guests with an enthusiasm Elizabeth probably imagines.
"Shall we sit down for some tea, then?"
"Have you not had your fill, Grandmother?"
"You can never have too much tea," Grandmother Grafton intones solemnly.
Elizabeth, who is sure she has already put her grandmother's wisdom to the test that morning, nonetheless serves fresh cups for their party of five, settles back to enjoy her tea and biscuits, and listens quietly as Grandmother Grafton, Aunt Madeleine, and Lady Emily speak of Jane and Elizabeth's season thus far, of Emily and Aunt Madeleine's respective children, of their assorted endeavours in charity for London's poor.
It had taken a great deal of time for Aunt Madeleine and Grandmother Grafton to develop an easy rapport between themselves, but they'd eventually bonded over a shared care for Elizabeth and her siblings that usually carries them through. Her Grace can occasionally be relied upon to provide an unnecessary, unwarranted attack on Aunt Madeleine and Uncle Gardiner's status, but generally, she's charmed by the Gardiners' unaffected manners, by their intelligent conversation and unassuming company, and it is usually enough to see them all through.
During the conversation, Lord and Lady Ipswich's dinner party is also discussed, and although it is quickly established that Grandmother and Grandfather Grafton are also unable to attend, Jane and Elizabeth are both free, and both eager to see their eldest brother again besides.
"One would think we would see each other more often, given we are all in London," Elizabeth muses.
"Alistair has no interest in the society events you are both attending," Emily explains, apologetic.
"He's much like his father in that regard," Grandmother Grafton opines, but the comparison isn't meant kindly. Elizabeth bites her tongue on the comment that it is a trait she and her brother share.
"It's perhaps for the best. He'd likely call out any and everyone who shows any interest in either of you. He's very unhappy to see you both in society, your brother."
As Aunt Madeleine hides her mirth in her teacup, as Jane and Elizabeth roll their eyes and exchange long-suffering smiles, Grandmother Grafton clicks her tongue, unsurprised and reluctantly amused. "That boy."
Emily laughs, good-humoured. "He's harmless, truly. He'll mislike it, but he'll not stand in the way of his sisters' happiness."
"His care is endearing," Aunt Madeleine says, "Not many brothers are so considerate."
"And yet, Jane, Elizabeth, and their sisters have been saddled with three of them."
"We are glad for it," Jane says earnestly, "We have the best of brothers."
"Except when they vex us, of course."
Emily grins. "Naturally."
"Are they well?" Aunt Madeleine wonders, "We've not heard from Cedric or Nathaniel in some time."
Grandmother Grafton rolls her eyes. "Why am I not surprised?"
Her Grace doesn't expect an answer from the rest of them, and neither does she receive one. Instead, Emily sips her tea, and answers madeleine's initial enquiry.
"Last we heard, Cedric is well. Staying out of trouble, by some miracle."
"Nathaniel is as he always is," Elizabeth contributes, "Poor correspondent, preoccupied with his horses."
"He still has no interest in marrying, then?"
"He's not indicated an interest in anyone to me," Elizabeth replies, "I am hardly a confidant, however. I assume Alistair or Cedric would no better."
"Alistair's not said anything," Emily preempts the question, "But as sisters do, I imagine brothers keep each others' secrets."
"That is likely," Aunt Madeleine opines.
The conversation continues in that fashion, as the older women strive to hear all they can about Elizabeth and Jane's brothers and sisters, their parents, their extended family and friends in Hertfordshire. Jane and Elizabeth answer what they can, their information received from correspondence between themselves and their younger sisters, and they ask and receive answers to their questions in turn. In all, it's a pleasant hour spent in beloved company, and Elizabeth, despite her flagging energy, is disappointed when the visit comes to an end.
"Take heart, Lizzy," Emily squeezes Elizabeth's hands, "We shall see each other again tomorrow evening."
"And I must endure another night at the theatre before then," Elizabeth replies bleakly, unenthused by the prospect of yet another opportunity for eligible gentlemen to infringe themselves upon her notice. She ought to be flattered by their attention, but all Elizabeth can muster is a great sense of fatigue, and it is barely March. How on Earth will she manage to navigate the Ton until the end of May? "Friday evening seems very far."
Once more, Emily squeezes Elizabeth's hands, a sympathetic grimace on her face. She hasn't any comforting words to offer, however, and so she releases her sister-in-law into Aunt Gardiner's awaiting embrace. Elizabeth takes strength from it, manages a sincere smile for both of them, and sees them off with a little more joy in her heart.
At least in London, she consoles herself, she is able to see her loved ones - Lord and Lady Ipswich, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, Grandmother and Grandfather Grafton - with a regularity she is unable to enjoy in Hertfordshire.
If that means she must endure all the rest of London alongside them, then so be it.
-!- -#-
Author's Note: The thing about 19th Century England is that couples generally had a lot of children, a number of whom probably wouldn't survive to adulthood. With my interpretation of the Bennet family, I'm sort of trying to explore this, because with an age difference like Darcy and georgiana's, I imagine Mr D Sr and Lady Anne experienced a number of miscarriages, stillbirths, so on and so on. I feel like it could create a lot of interesting parallels for E and D as they grow together. Guess we'll see how I go.
But holy moly, you guys and gals. Blow me away, why don't you? It's fine, really, I can deal. Thanks so much for the encouragement. Analysis paralysis is still a thing, but I'm trying to not let it take over my muse. Fingers crossed it doesn't.
Anyway, I hope you've enjoyed the chapter. Until next time, -t.