Elizabeth stayed at Longbourn for just a couple of days; much of the time was spent with her mother visiting friends. She then rode to town to stay with Jane at the Gardiners' house. She took only her maid and the carriage staff as she did not want to overwhelm her relatives in their modest house on Gracechurch Street.
When her aunt asked what they planned to do while they were here, Elizabeth said, "While I was at Longbourn, I sent notes to the Prince and to Miss Darcy telling them when I would be arriving and this address. I received replies from both of them, although the Prince's equerry replied for him as he is so busy. Miss Darcy wants to go shopping with us and the Prince invited all of us to the theater later this week. He said there is room in the Royal Box for the four of us." She did not need to tell her aunt how excited her mother had been when this invitation arrived at Longbourn or the difficulty she had in discouraging her mother from coming to town with her.
After exclaiming over this news, her aunt said, "Well, we will have to go shopping tomorrow if you are going to be seen with the Prince. You will need new outfits for sure. You should send a note to Miss Darcy asking if she will go shopping with us in the morning. I know several modistes who will be pleased to outfit you and Jane in the latest styles."
As Jane looked worried, Lizzy reassured her. "Jane, Papa gave me money for clothes for the both of us, but I have my own funds so you will have plenty. Do not worry about the cost. We will need to look our best if we will be with the Prince. I am sure that his guests will be from the highest levels of society."
She sent a note to Miss Darcy and received the reply that she would love to go shopping with them.
As soon as she was alone with Jane, she told her about Charlotte's marriage and the Darcys' unexpected visit. She did not even hint about what Charlotte had told her about how the proposal came about or that they had anticipated their vows. She assured Jane that Charlotte would be happy in her new life.
As soon as these topics were fully discussed, Elizabeth asked, "What about Mr. Bingley? Have you seen him?"
"No, I have not. When I first arrived in town, I sent a note to Miss Bingley to tell her I was here. I received no response, so I went to the Hursts' house. Unfortunately, they were just about to go out, so I did not spend any time with them. Mr. Bingley was not there. Miss Bingley said that they would come to see me, but they did not appear for two weeks. Finally they came but did not stay long at all as they had other engagements. They said that their brother was very busy with his friends and social events. From their distant attitude, I do not expect to see them again."
"Jane, do not worry. If we are with the Darcys very often, I am sure that you will meet him as they are often together. Mr. Bingley is Mr. Darcy's best friend. We will manage to meet him somehow." She wondered if he would have a good excuse for not returning to Netherfield as he had promised. She suspected that it would be because of his sisters.
The next morning, the three ladies went to Darcy House to pick up Miss Darcy to go shopping. Elizabeth introduced her to her aunt and sister; her aunt put her at her ease by talking about Lambton and Pemberley. She had been warned about how shy Miss Darcy was, but she was soon feeling comfortable with her new acquaintances.
They did not see Mr. Darcy as he was out at his lawyer's office with some business. As soon the four ladies were in Lady Elizabeth's carriage, which in fact was the one that Darcy had left for her use, they began to talk about which shops would be able to outfit Elizabeth and Jane with the latest fashions and have them ready within a day or two. Jane and Elizabeth had little input in this discussion as they did not know the shops in town.
They first went to one recommended by Miss Darcy. When she introduced Baroness Longbourn and her sister Miss Bennet and said that they would be in the Royal Box at the theater, they received special treatment. The four of them soon decided what would look best on the sisters and they were measured with promises that their outfits would be ready in two days. They each ended up buying several more outfits than they had planned.
The second shop was one recommended by Mrs. Gardiner. It was obviously not in the same class as the first one, but upon hearing that one of the customers was a baroness, they again received special and personalized attention. Both Jane and Elizabeth felt more comfortable here and were pleased to select styles that were less fancy but made of excellent material. These outfits would be perfect for day wear and for less formal occasions than the Royal Box.
Their shopping was not finished as both ladies needed accessories to go with their new outfits. When they finally went to drop Miss Darcy off at her home, she invited them in for tea, but her offer was refused as Mrs. Gardiner said she had to get home to her children. They promised to come to Darcy House the next day.
Only Jane and Elizabeth went to visit her the next day as their aunt was busy with her children and her house. Darcy was there, working in his office, but he came out when he heard that they had arrived. "Lady Elizabeth, Miss Bennet, how good to see you again." He bowed to them very politely. "I heard that your shopping trip was successful. Georgiana told me all about the gowns and lace she saw. I can only hope that I will be able to see what you purchased while you are in town." Elizabeth was quite pleased to hear his teasing.
After some more polite conversation, he said, "Now, if you will excuse me, I have some work to do. However, Georgiana told me you have been invited to the theater by the Prince. I will also be at the theater that night, but in my own box." He smiled at Jane. "I invited the Bingleys to join me, but I did not mention that you would be there. I will look for you." He then left them to return to his office. Elizabeth was pleased that he was helping to have Mr. Bingley meet her sister, but she wondered how his sisters would react. She hoped they would not expect to be invited into the Royal Box.
The ladies enjoyed their tea, then Elizabeth asked Georgiana to play something for them. She agreed, but only if Elizabeth would play as well. All in all, the three of them greatly enjoyed their visit. When Darcy heard the piano, he opened his office door and did not get much work done after that.
Two mornings later, Jane and Elizabeth returned to the shops for their new outfits. With only some very minor adjustments, several of their gowns were ready for them to take home. Of course, their Gardiner cousins wanted to see what they had bought, so they had to model them for everyone. While both cousins knew that the children's approval was easily won, their positive responses pleased them to no end.
The day they were going to the theater arrived and the ladies all dressed in their finest. Lady Elizabeth's maid made sure that their hair was just right for such elevated company. When they arrived at the theater, all the attention they received was on Jane because of her beauty. No one knew Lady Elizabeth or the Gardiners, so they were basically ignored until Lord Margison came to greet them to escort them to the Royal Box. Then everyone began to wonder who they were as they all knew the royal equerry.
As they were going up the stairs, Lord Margison noticed that Lady Elizabeth was looking around, obviously hoping to see someone. "My Lady, are you looking for someone special? Perhaps I might be able to assist you." He did not add that the Prince had told him to look after their guests to make sure that their every whim was satisfied.
"Mr. Darcy said that he would be attending tonight with Mr. Bingley and his sisters." She lowered her voice so Jane would not hear the next sentence. "Mr. Bingley admires my sister and I was hoping they would meet. I am worried that his sisters have been trying to keep them apart."
"My Lady, I will look after that for you. You may depend on me as I know about Miss Bingley and the Hursts." Lady Elizabeth was surprised to hear this; their reputation must be well known in town.
When they arrived at the Royal Box, they were all, including Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, greeted very warmly by the Prince. Lady Elizabeth introduced Jane to him and he said, while kissing her hand, "Miss Bennet, you are a beautiful lady. I should have expected nothing less from Lady Elizabeth's family. I know that we will excite much attention and envy tonight and many people will be requesting introductions to you both." He introduced them to his other guests, almost all of whom were Lords and Ladies so and so. Elizabeth had worried about the reception that the Gardiners might receive if they were known to be in trade, but no one said anything about their status. In fact, Mr. Gardiner seemed to know one or two of the gentlemen. She assumed that he must have had some business dealings with them at some time.
While they were busy greeting the other guests, Lady Elizabeth noticed Lord Margison whispering in the Prince's ear. She thought that it would be about Mr. Bingley. As soon as she had met all the other guests, she went back to the Prince and whispered, "How are Lady Augusta and Lady Emma? Are they still in Ramsgate?"
"Yes they are. They are both doing very well. They asked about you. You made quite an impression on Lady Emma."
When the play was about to begin, the Prince insisted that the sisters sit on either side of him in the front row of the box. Elizabeth noticed that almost everyone in the theater was watching them in such exalted company, most likely wondering who they were. She unconsciously sat up straighter and just smiled. Jane appeared to be unaware of the attention they were generating; she was her normal serene, but beautiful self. It was fortunate that they did not realize that some people in the audience assumed that such attractive ladies with the Prince must be only his latest love interests.
When the Prince sat, then and only then did the play begin. The actors were very good and did justice to Shakespeare's words, bringing the play to life. Elizabeth was soon absorbed in the action on the stage and forgot about the attention she and Jane continued to receive.
At the intermission, a footman brought refreshments for everyone. Elizabeth was surprised to see Lord Margison come in with Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. She glanced at Jane and saw her blushes. She saw that Mr. Bingley had not noticed that they were in the box as all their attention was on the Prince.
Lord Margison announced, quite formally, "Your Royal Highness, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy and Mr. Charles Bingley. His Royal Highness, Prince Augustus Frederick." Both gentlemen bowed very respectfully to the Prince.
"Darcy, how are you? I hear that you had an adventure coming from Derbyshire. Bingley, it is good to meet you."
"Your Royal Highness, how did you hear about my trip? My sister and I were caught in one of the worst blizzards I have ever experienced while we were passing through Leicestershire. We found refuge with Lady Elizabeth at Hinckston Abbey."
"I try to keep informed." He said this quite nonchalantly, then nodded to Lady Elizabeth. "Did you not notice my guests? I believe you both know Lady Elizabeth and Miss Bennet?"
While the ladies curtsied, Elizabeth kept her eyes on Mr. Bingley. She was pleased to see that his eyes opened wide in surprise, then a broad smile appeared on his face. He walked over to them. "Miss Bennet! Pardon me, Lady Elizabeth, I did not intend to slight you." He then turned back to Jane. "I did not know you were in town. When did you arrive?"
Jane was blushing. "I have been here all month. Did your sisters not tell you? I called on them several weeks ago."
Elizabeth could see his jaw clench in anger. "They did not tell me. Where are you staying?"
"With my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner. Your sisters came to call on me there. May I introduce you to my aunt and uncle?" He acquiesced, and Elizabeth could see that he was even angrier. She made the introductions. Bingley had great difficulty believing that this fashionable couple were the tradesmen that his sisters had so disparaged, especially as they were in the Royal Box with the Prince. With his gregarious manners, he easily made polite conversation with them.
Before they left, Bingley looked at Jane and asked, "May I call on you?"
Jane hesitated for a moment, which was long enough for Bingley to begin to worry about her reaction to him. "You may," she finally said. Jane almost added that he could explain himself when he came, but she restrained herself. Bingley was relieved that her agreement to his calling on her indicated that she would allow him to renew his attentions to her. Elizabeth was proud of how her gentle sister handled his request.
Just then the warning bell sounded for the second act, so the two gentlemen said their farewells to the ladies and to the Prince. Elizabeth wished she could be in Mr. Darcy's box when Mr. Bingley confronted his sisters. She hoped that he would allow his anger free rein.
This is what she missed.
As soon as they re-entered the Darcy box, Mr. Bingley said to his sisters, "Well, that was interesting."
Miss Bingley said, "Why did Lord Margison want you and Mr. Darcy? I did not know that you knew him."
"I did not know him, but he knows Darcy. He took us to the Royal Box."
Miss Bingley became very excited. "The Royal Box! Who was there? Who did you meet?"
"Lord Margison introduced me to Prince Augustus Frederick."
"A prince! Charles! Why did you not come to get us? I would love to meet a prince." She thought that meeting a prince would open more doors for her. She began to plot how she could use this introduction, even if it was only to her brother.
"That is not all. He had some guests with them."
"Who? Anybody important? Did you make some good connections?"
"Somebody very important, at least to me. Miss Bennet was there with Lady Elizabeth." He looked closely at his sisters with fire in his eyes. "Why did you not tell me Miss Bennet was in town? She said she called on you and you returned her call."
"Now, Charles, you can do much better than that country bumpkin. There are so many superior ladies here in town. Look at all the wonderful ladies you have met already. Having met the Prince, you will meet even more."
"I do not need to meet any other ladies; I do not want anyone except for her. Caroline, when we get home, we will have to talk. Now be quiet so we can enjoy the rest of the play." Poor Bingley heard not one word that was said on stage as he was so upset with his sisters.
Miss Bingley was not at all pleased to hear his words or his abrupt attitude towards her. No matter what she tried, those pesky Bennets always seemed to be where they should not be. She began to plan how she might be able to meet the Prince. She expected that she would be able to convince her brother to acquiesce to her demands as he always had in the past.
At the end of the play, the Prince told Lady Elizabeth and Miss Bennet that a ball was scheduled to be held at St. James's Palace later in the week and that they would receive formal invitations to it. This excited them both as they remembered how Sir William Lucas kept talking about dancing there. The Prince later instructed Lord Margison to send invitations to the two ladies and to Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley. He pointedly did not include Bingley's sisters in his invitations.
When they arrived at Gracechurch Street, the Gardiners with their nieces were still euphoric about having spent time with the Prince and his guests. Elizabeth could see that Jane still had a pleased smile on her face. She herself was satisfied that Mr. Bingley had been informed of his sisters' duplicity. She had thought that they were the main reasons why he had not returned to Netherfield.
Bingley could barely restrain himself until they arrived at the Hursts' house where they were staying. His sisters tried to defer any conversation with him until some time later, preferably never, but he immediately began to berate them for not telling him that they had met his angel and that she was here in town. After seeing her again, he realized how much he thought of her.
The next day, he removed himself to his club after vowing not to subsidize their spending any more. When he received the invitation to the ball at St. James's Palace, he did not tell them about it. His not staying with them made this much easier for him to keep this secret from them.
Darcy's arrival at his home was quiet as Georgiana was long abed. However, the next morning, she insisted that he tell her about his evening. He did so and even mentioned how pleased Mr. Bingley was on seeing Miss Bennet and how annoyed he was at his sisters that they had not told him that they had seen her. Georgiana was most interested in how the Bennet ladies were received by the Prince and his guests, but Darcy assured her that they were received very well by everyone.