Update ch 19
The phaeton easily fit the four ladies with Mr. Darcy in the driver's seat. Elizabeth and Anne were facing forward and could watch Mr. Darcy's arms as he controlled the horses. Not that either of them were doing such a thing, of course, but Charlotte and Maria noticed neither were that attentive to the conversation. While it was obvious that Anne was saving her strength, Charlotte knew Elizabeth ought to be behaving better, especially for someone who claimed to dislike Mr. Darcy as much as Elizabeth had done. Perhaps their conversation would be different now.
"Aren't the trees lovely at this time of year, Eliza?" Charlotte asked pointedly, loudly enough for Elizabeth to be drawn back into the conversation.
"Oh, yes, the new leaves have come and the trees are absolutely lovely, as are the first flowers that were planted along the road for our enjoyment." Elizabeth looked around for the first time to ensure she was actually speaking sense. Thankfully, the lane was bordered by a few daffodils. She was busy pondering Mr. Darcy, a man who suffered from having lost his family far too soon. She felt for him, and she felt she had never really noticed him before. He was very handsome, that she had already accredited to him. She wished she had more time to think in peace about what she had learned.
There was no doubt that Mr. Darcy had told her the true and correct story. She had believed the lies spread about by Mr. Wickham, and as she looked back over their conversations, she could not believe she had been so gullible. Always priding herself on her ability to read characters, she had completely failed in this instance. Mr. Wickham had even said he would not disgrace the name of Darcy in favor of the father, while he was blackening the son's character! How could she not have seen through him?
The memory of her dance with Mr. Darcy mortified her now. She had defended the cad who had attempted to elope with Miss Darcy to steal her fortune! How was she ever to ask forgiveness for such horrible behavior? Her excuse of ignorance could not be enough, for she should have been clever enough to see through Wickham. The details were there; she simply had not wished to see any goodness in Mr. Darcy and had latched onto the lies like water in a desert.
Charlotte's laughter rang out, pulling her from her thoughts. Blushing, Elizabeth smiled at her friend, a meager apology, but all she was capable of at the moment.
"I asked if you thought the rain would return today or tomorrow, Eliza?" Charlotte laughed again at Elizabeth's sigh of relief.
"No, Charlotte, for Lady Catherine has said it will not rain until Saturday, and we all know that God takes his cues from her. It would not dare to rain until Saturday."
At Anne's laugh, Elizabeth put her thoughts aside and talked of the scenery, the weather, and their hopes for a good shopping trip. Though subdued, Anne was perfect company. She was eager to be pleased with everyone. By the time they stopped at the modiste, even Maria had calmed enough to be sociable with Anne, of whom she had been in awe of since she had come to Rosings.
When the phaeton stopped, Mr. Darcy hopped down from his seat and opened the door. Maria and Charlotte descended first and waited patiently while Elizabeth helped Anne stabilize herself as Mr. Darcy helped his cousin out. He then turned and offered his hand to Elizabeth to assist her descent. She smiled shyly at him as she stepped quickly out of the carriage, careful not to put too much weight on his hand. Before she could move away, Mr. Darcy squeezed her hand so lightly, she might have imagined it. When she turned back to observe him, he blushed and looked away.
Shrugging her thoughts away, Elizabeth took Anne's arm and led the group into the modiste. She refused to watch Mr. Darcy deal with the horses from the window. After a quarter hour of dealing with measurements and looking through books and fashion plates, Elizabeth glanced outside, annoyed that the lane was empty and then frustrated that she could not get him out of her head.
"Eliza, what do you think of this color?" Charlotte came and nudged her arm. "Eliza, what has gotten into your head? You seem miles away." Elizabeth attempted to shake her thoughts out of her head. She really ought to be better than this. Charlotte moved them to a private corner before asking, "Does this have to do with a taciturn gentleman who is often staring at you? Have you come to an understanding?"
"No!" Elizabeth nearly shouted. "Well, while my preoccupation does relate to said taciturn gentleman, we do not have an understanding nor are we likely to." She looked around to see that no one was paying them any mind before continuing, "Mr. Darcy told me something of his history regarding Mr. Wickham. I was shocked and am still trying to process this information. I know not what to think at the moment. How can I choose gowns and ribbons when my thoughts are, as you said, miles away?"
"To be sure, your situation is not ideal. Let us choose your gowns and then perhaps you ought to walk home so that you can traipse through the trees and wander your thoughts into order."
Elizabeth brightened at the thought. "Very well, show me the fabric you wished to show me." They turned to a small lad that was holding a few fabrics in his arms. "Johnny, what are you doing here?" She asked without thought.
The boy nearly dropped his bundles at the surprise of being recognized. The matron of the shop, Mrs. Feathersmith, noticed the interaction and replied for the boy. "When Miss de Bourgh is in my shop, only the best fabrics will do, so when I knew that she was coming, I ordered a quick shipment from Mr. Gardiner's Imports. Johnny and his brothers are delivering the fabrics a little later than I would have liked." She turned to Johnny and hurried him along his task of unloading their cart into the back room before she turned her attention to Elizabeth. "Do you know Johnny?" From the look the matron gave, it did not speak well for Elizabeth that she did.
"Mr. Gardiner is my uncle. When I was younger and visited my uncle in London, I would sit in his shop and teach the working boys to read and count."
"Mr. Gardiner is a very respectable tradesman if I ever knew one. Everyone wishes to buy from him."
"How well I know it." Elizabeth responded. "We are very proud of the business he has grown. Ever since he took over from his father, he has improved the quality and price."
Mrs. Feathersmith sniffed in discontent, "It is unusual for a gentleman's daughter to be proud of a tradesman."
Elizabeth laughed. "I have no use for people who would disregard a sensible man for such notions. The world is changing, and gentlemen will either change with it or fade away." Surprised their conversation had taken such a political turn, Elizabeth moved to observe the fabrics. The yellow muslin was very fine. "I believe I shall have two dresses made from this. One will be a morning dress and another will be…"
"A ball gown!" Anne quickly interjected.
"Anne, you are replacing my burned gowns." Elizabeth said quietly. "I have not lost a ball gown, nor should I have need of a ball gown in the next weeks that I will be here."
Anne waved a paper in her hand. "Lady Metcalf has invited us all to her home for a ball. You must have a gown made. That shade will be perfect. Most ladies will wear white, but you will be as radiant as the sun in that pale yellow." Anne finished with a coughing fit.
Instead of fighting with Anne, Elizabeth found a cup of water for her. When Anne was done, she looked extremely tired. "Very well, a ball gown as well, Mrs. Feathersmith." Laughing, Elizabeth declared that Anne knew just how to get her way.
Charlotte then interrupted to introduce Elizabeth to Lady Metcalf, who had entered the shop to order a dress for her ball and was pleased to give Anne the invitation she had planned on delivering to Lady Catherine at Rosings. Elizabeth spoke with Lady Metcalf for half an hour while Charlotte, Anne, and Maria were measured and selected their dresses. Then, the five of them set to work picking patterns for Elizabeth, for Lady Metcalf seemed very similar to Lady Catherine in that she felt she should have a say in the matter. Elizabeth was too amused to bother, especially when the end result was dresses that would suit her well without being too expensive.
They left the shop to find Mr. Darcy leaving the book shop. He joined the ladies and noticing that Anne was leaning heavily on Elizabeth's arm, suggested they all stop for tea before returning to Rosings.
Elizabeth agreed gratefully and led the way to the teashop Anne said she preferred. After an hour of sitting together and ignoring the odd gazes of the other customers of the shop, Elizabeth declared she wished to walk home. Mr. Darcy immediately sought to discourage her, but she stood firm that a walk would do her good and be perfectly acceptable in this weather. "It is only two miles. I am not such a weakling as to not manage two miles."
"I know that, but the heat might bother you, and no one would be around to notice your distress," he said, not entirely sure his reason was sound. He simply did not want her to go without him, but he was needed to drive the carriage.
"I shall provide escort." Colonel Fitzwilliam announced from behind them. Everyone turned to welcome him to the shop.
"I have just returned from Caldwell's cottage, where I was seeing to the repairs of his roof and found everyone had abandoned Rosings. I had to bribe three servants before I found out your location. Here I am, and I am at your service, ladies."
Elizabeth beamed at him. "Yes, I shall enjoy walking with you."
"You mistake me, madam. I meant to provide the driving service. I am too tired to walk. I shall escort Miss de Bourgh, Mrs. Collins, and Miss Lucas home. Mr. Darcy may then escort you."
Elizabeth's smile fell. She was not ready to spend so long with him again. She needed time to think. There was nothing to do but agree.
Mr. Darcy, having noticed her rejection, silently accepted his role. He moved to speak with the patron of the shop and then offered Elizabeth her arm. "We ought to begin so that we are not late for tea at Rosings."
Elizabeth noticed his stony expression and felt horrible that she was the cause. Had he not suffered enough?
AN: I hope you are enjoying my story. The hard part of this week (standardized testing) is over. smooth sailing from here on into the weekend. My evaluation was stellar (turns out I am good at this teaching thing, should be after 15 years). Getting observed Thursday, then in 2 weeks I have to assist leading a PD for teachers (my first). EEK! Well, don't worry about it until later. Instead, I think I'll just bring ODC just a little bit closer, if I can. Should we have them get rained out?