Chapter Eleven

Elizabeth enjoyed spending time with the Gardiners' four children. They were delighted to see her and she spent every moment she could with them. With the Gardiners' governess she took them for walks in the park, read to Betsey, who found it difficult to sit still, and played simple duets on the pianoforte with Ella who was quieter than the others and did not join in their more boisterous games. Ella reminded her of her sister Mary, for when she was not playing the piano she was normally to be found in some quiet corner reading a book. Fortunately, she did not share Mary's penchant for giving her opinions on everything she read, nor assumed that she should keep people entertained with her piano playing.

When she wasn't with the children, Elizabeth spent a lot of time with Mrs. Gardiner, quietly working at their embroidery or going out for a ride in a carriage to one of the local heaths. Twice they had been invited out to dine, and Elizabeth had found herself in congenial company in stark contrast to the atmosphere at Longbourn. She was particularly excited to hear they were attending a summer ball.

"It is only a small affair, Lizzy, and in truth, we were a bit surprised to be invited," explained Mrs. Gardiner.

"Why is that, Aunt?"

"Well, it is Lord Roxborough's ball and your uncle only received an invitation because he conducted some business with one of his Lordship's associates. I don't understand it really, but I hear his Lordship was so delighted that an invitation was sent."

Elizabeth was worried. "But Aunt, they will not be expecting me."

"Indeed they are. Your uncle sent word that you would be staying with us and we received a very kind note, saying they hoped you would be willing to come and they look forward to meeting you."

"That is kind of them," said Elizabeth, "but I am not sure I have a suitable dress."

"If not, then we will purchase something. But do not worry, Elizabeth, you will be one of the belles of the ball."

Elizabeth thought it was very kind of Aunt Gardiner to say so, but it was unlikely that she would stand out among a large group of women. She had thick brown hair, even darker brown eyes, a tiny waist and slender wrists, but she had nothing of note. Her only hope was that she would not let the Gardiners down.

After trying on the two dresses that she had brought with her and after much consideration, Aunt Gardiner kindly suggested they purchase a ready-made dress which could be completed to fit her. Elizabeth readily agreed and one morning they took a trip to Wigmore Street where they were served in an elegant emporium by Mr. Cecil Ledgers who, with two of his assistants, fussed around them until a gown was found and Elizabeth was prodded and pinned into it. Mrs. Gardiner asked a lot of questions and insisted some lace and some ribbon was added until she was completely satisfied. Elizabeth was partly amused and partly irritated at the fuss Mrs. Gardiner was making, but when the gown was delivered to the Gardiners' house in Cheapside three days later, she was very grateful for the trouble her aunt had taken.

Now that it was the evening of the ball she was feeling rather excited. She thought of Kitty and Lydia, who would have loved to have been there with her.

"Is that alright, miss?" asked Mary, one of the Gardiners' maids, as she added a final pearl pin to Elizabeth's hair.

"Thank you."

"You do look beautiful, miss. I hope you will have lots of partners this evening."

Elizabeth hoped so to. Too often at the Meryton Assembly Rooms she had found herself dancing with one of her sisters because of a shortage of men. Although she would not know anyone, she hoped someone would be kind enough to offer her a dance.

"Is my cloak there?" asked Elizabeth, taking one final look at herself in the mirror.

Mary hung it over her shoulders and gently tied it at the neck. She was ready. For some reason she felt rather nervous.

"Georgiana?"

Mr. Darcy stood at the door of his sister's room waiting for her to respond. Georgiana, who was sitting at her dressing table while her maid hovered around her, said nothing.

"Georgiana."

Still nothing. The maid touched Georgiana gently on the shoulder and nodded towards Mr. Darcy.

Georgiana looked around. "I'm sorry, Fitzwilliam. I had no idea you were there."

"Are you almost ready? We do not want to be late."

Georgiana smiled at the maid. "Thank you, Daisy. That will be all."

"Very well, miss." The maid bobbed a curtsey and quickly left the room, shutting the door behind her.

"What is it, Fitzwilliam?" asked Georgiana, turning back to the mirror and looking closely at her reflection.

"I came to remind you that we should soon be leaving. We don't want to be late."

Georgiana shrugged. "I'm not sure that I want to go."

Mr. Darcy stifled an impatient sigh. He did not find it easy to deal with Georgiana in her present mood of melancholy. "We agreed this would be a pleasant invite to accept."

"I did not agree," said Georgiana, looking at him through the mirror. "You and cousin Richard did."

Darcy wondered how long Georgiana was going to be angry with him. His sister had always been shy, but incredibly sweet-natured. Now he did not recognise her. Ever since she had thought herself in love and he had put an end to her relationship, she had turned on him. She was obedient and agreed with anything she was asked to do, but he knew inside she was seething with resentment. He had never raised his voice to her, and he didn't want to, but she had recently tried his patience a great deal with her surly ways.

"Cousin Richard and I did think you might find a ball agreeable. It would be impolite of us to cancel now, but if you really want to stay at home…"

"To spend another evening by myself…" muttered Georgiana, looking very disconsolate.

Darcy felt a flash of guilt. Georgiana had spent a great deal of her time with only a maid for company, while he'd been busy with issues at Pemberley. "I'm sorry," he said quietly. "Your cousin and I have agreed that we should find you another companion."

"And will I have a choice in who you select?" asked Georgiana.

"I think you can trust Colonel Fitzwilliam and myself to choose someone who is suitable."

Georgiana gave an unladylike snort of disgust and angrily got to her feet. "I very much liked my last companion and it was you who chose to dismiss her."

Darcy's eyes narrowed. He did not like Georgiana questioning his judgement. "And you know why. That woman was not to be trusted."

Georgiana looked as if she was about to dissolve into tears and Darcy's guilt increased. He did not want to hurt his sister in any way but Georgiana's former companion had worked against his wishes and allowed her to indulge in an unsuitable relationship with a scoundrel. It was only lucky that Georgiana was not now married to him.

He tried to soften his voice. "Georgiana, I do not want you to be unhappy."

"But you took away from me the man I loved."

Darcy did not wish to hold this conversation with his sister. He did not find it easy to talk about affairs of the heart especially to his sister who was ten years younger than himself. And she was far too young to understand anything about love.

"I have told you already that you have to trust me in this matter. Wickham did not love you. He was only interested in your fortune."

"But it is my fortune and therefore I can choose to share it with who I like."

Darcy saw the stubborn look on her face and realised there was nothing to be gained by arguing about it. "Georgiana, you do not know what you are talking about. Now we will speak of this no further. I will wait downstairs for you."

He dropped a kiss on his sister's head and left the room to seek out his cousin.

Colonel Fitzwilliam was in the library drinking some wine, dressed for the ball.

"Is Georgiana ready?" asked the colonel.

Darcy poured himself some wine. "Almost. Fitzwilliam, I am worried about her. She is not the Georgiana I once knew."

"Darcy, that is to be expected. She has had her heart broken."

"She was only fifteen. She thought herself in love but it was complete nonsense."

"Not to Georgiana. She was devastated, surely you understand that?"

Darcy looked embarrassed. He didn't understand. "It was more than two years ago. Surely she should have recovered by now? I feel as if I no longer know her. This cannot go on."

"Nor will it," said the colonel. "You need to give her more time. Having a new companion for her will give her a new interest. We thought sending her to stay with different relatives would be a good idea, but alas I think we have made things worse. Georgiana needs some stability. A new companion will provide that."

Darcy knew he was right, but still had his doubts. "And if she turns out to be another Mrs. Younge?"

"She won't," said the colonel hastily. "We were deceived by that lady. Darcy, you must not worry so much. After our visit to Kent, we will find Georgiana another companion."

Darcy stifled a groan and continued to sip his wine. A visit to Kent, pressing estate matters at Pemberley, and a recent disturbing letter from his good friend Charles Bingley, all of which needed his attention. He found it difficult to deal with his sister's broken heart.