Except for a few fittings for gowns, an appointment with the cobbler, and a visit to the milliner, the ladies had completed their shopping, and spent much of the week visiting museums and playing with the Gardiner children. Although the youngest Gardiner, Miss Laura, was precious in her own right, she spent much of the time with her nurse and could not play so much as the others. Master Edward, Master James, and Miss Olivia were much livelier. Georgiana, who adored children, was most pleased to spend her days playing with toy soldiers and dolls for the boys had decided that their soldiers must rescue the fair maidens from the villains keeping them captive.
Mr. Darcy was very much engaged during these days, having much neglected his business and estate matters while in Hertfordshire. It was well, he thought, for he needed time to ponder what advantages and disadvantages a match with Elizabeth Bennet might bring. Not until the dinner at the Matlocks did he spend more than an hour in her presence.
On that evening, he was the first to be ready for the ball. He supposed it was fitting, for he was the only gentleman in the house, therefore he had less thought that must go into his dressing. His valet knew his tastes, and Darcy was simply required to appear to be clothed. Kitty and Georgiana descended next. Both looked lovely. Georgiana wore a new gown of pink muslin embroidered with silver spangles. Kitty wore a similar gown, but it was white with gold spangles.
It was not for another half hour complete that the eldest two Miss Bennets descended the stairs. Miss Bennet looked lovely, as she always did. The lilac gown made her blue eyes look bright and brought out the pink in her cheeks. The sight of Miss Elizabeth was something else entirely. Her gown was white with green ribbons. He thought perhaps he had seen it before, but it had been made over since then. Her hair was done as it often was for parties and balls. Her jewellery was a necklace and earrings that he certainly recognized. Yet, for all that she looked entirely familiar, she looked lovelier than any woman he had ever seen.
He, by duty, could not offer her his arm. He was obligated to escort Mrs. Annesley and Miss Bennet, leaving his sister, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Kitty to walk together. It was a tight fit into the carriage, for it only just fit six. He might have taken two carriages, but it was less than a mile journey. Yet, he wished he had, for he was entirely distracted by Miss Elizabeth's nearness throughout the ten-minute carriage ride. Seated to his left, her leg brushed his every time the carriage jostled about.
"Are you well, sir?" asked Miss Bennet.
"Perfectly," he replied with a smile, "It is simply warm in the carriage with so many people. I should have had us take two carriages. I apologize, ladies."
"It is no trouble," said Miss Elizabeth, "for our family only has one closed carriage. It is the same size as yours, and we have sat seven in it before. Typically, Father will take the gig, but that will not do if the weather is poor."
"Of course not," said Darcy, "I fear that my gig gets very little use, for it seems when I think to use it the weather becomes poor."
When they arrived at the Matlock townhouse, Elizabeth was immediately impressed with the splendour. Darcy house was certainly finer than anything in Hertfordshire, but it had more of the feel of a home about it. Matlock House felt like a museum—that one must look but not touch anything. The ceilings were painted with murals – no doubt created by great artists. There was much gilding on the furniture and the upholstery was all velvets and the finest silks.
"The whole house is not like this," whispered Colonel Fitzwilliam to Elizabeth, "Tis only the formal wing of the house where Mother brings people she wishes to impress."
Their party joined all the other guests in the drawing room. They were introduced to many titled people and others that were likely the sons and daughters of titled people. When they went into dinner, Elizabeth was relieved to find that -as a lowly gentleman's daughter- she was seated between Mr. Bingley and a Mr. Bickering. Mr. Bickering was an amiable man with charming manners. He was the son of a tradesman but had recently bought an estate in Kent. His estate was very near to Rosings Park, so he knew Lord and Lady Matlock through his proximity to Lady Catherine.
"She is a most…intelligent woman," said Mr. Bickering, having sought to compliment the lady, for he did not know who could hear their conversation.
"Indeed, sir," said Elizabeth, "I have not met her ladyship, but my cousin, Mr. Collins is her parson and speaks very highly of her. Mr. Collins has only recently become engaged to my friend, Miss Charlotte Lucas, so perhaps I may have occasion to meet her in future."
"Oh," said Mr. Bickering, his eyes growing wide, "Mr. Collins is to marry?"
"You seem surprised, sir," said Elizabeth, barely containing her laughter.
"I- She- Well, she must be a singular woman. I wish them well," said he, "I am a little acquainted with Mr. Collins. He recently most generously gave me advice on the arrangement of my closets, per her ladyship's advice. I responded that I have nothing to do with the arrangements of my closets, for I should not like to disrupt the systems that my housekeeper has put into place. He seemed most put out that I would not take his advice."
"Ah, yes. I have heard of the shelves," said Elizabeth, "I do wonder at it. For shelves may do well enough for men, but Miss Lucas will bring gowns and she will not be able to hang them."
"I had not considered gowns," said he with a laugh, "but I do agree that may cause an issue for your friend."
"Miss Lucas is...practical, I should say is the best way to describe her. I daresay she shall do well enough. She will rearrange the entire parsonage to her liking and then convince Lady Catherine that it was her ladyship's idea to begin with. She is the eldest of a large family, so she has a great deal of practice managing people."
"And what of you, Miss Elizabeth. I know that you have at least two sisters, but what else might you tell me of yourself and your family. I have only heard of yourself and Miss Bennet from Bingley, primarily Miss Bennet."
"Yes, I do not wonder at his not mentioning any of the rest of us," said Elizabeth, "for is not general incivility the essence of love? I am one of five sisters. Jane is the eldest, then myself. Next is Mary, who is recently Mrs. Wickham. Then Kitty and Lydia."
"The younger was married before the elder?" said Lady Matlock, who heard her last statement, "How singular."
"I do not think, your ladyship, that it would promote sisterly affection to prevent the younger from marrying her favourite because the elder is not inclined to marry early," responded Elizabeth.
"And all of your sisters are out?" asked Lady Matlock.
"Kitty and Lydia are only out in Hertfordshire, not London."
"With your elder sister betrothed, your mother must now focus her energies on you, shall she not?" asked Lady Matlock.
"She is yet focused on my sister's wedding," said Elizabeth, "so I would not know.
"Do you all play and sing?" asked Lady Matlock.
"I do, a little," said Elizabeth.
"And your sisters?"
"Mary is quite accomplished at the pianoforte," said Elizabeth, "and Jane sings. Kitty has begun to learn the pianoforte only recently."
"Only recently?" said her ladyship, "but she must be nearly eighteen."
"Indeed, I am seventeen," said Kitty.
"You ought all to have learned from a young age," said her ladyship, "but I suppose it is well that you are learning now. No doubt you have many opportunities to practice at Darcy House."
"Indeed!" said Georgiana, "Both and I both quite agree that nothing brings us so much pleasure as listening to the Miss Bennets play and sing."
"Then you must play for us after dinner," said her ladyship.
"And your father," said Lord Matlock, "is he much known in London?"
"No, sir. My father does not like Town. I often come to visit my Aunt and Uncle Gardiner," said Elizabeth gesturing to where her aunt and uncle sat.
"Yes, I have known Mr. Gardiner many years," said Lord Matlock, "I invested in his company when he had but two ships and one warehouse. Much of what you see about you is paid for by his good sense."
"I have meant to tell you, Father," said Lord Barlow, "that Sir William and Lady Lucas are in the same neighbourhood as Longbourn, the Bennet estate."
"Indeed?" said Lord Matlock, "Do give Sir William my regards. I have not seen him in some years, but I do remember his friendship fondly from university."
The conversation then drifted towards other subjects as other gentlemen chimed in about such and such acquaintance from university and the doings of all of their mutual acquaintances.
"Darcy, what are you about?" asked his uncle in a whisper as they poured themselves more port from the side table.
"I do not know what you mean," said Darcy.
"You know perfectly well what I mean. You cannot seriously be considering Miss Elizabeth. She may be a gentleman's daughter, but who are her connections? I like Gardiner well enough, but I do not wish him to be my relation. And her sister married Wickham of all people."
"Wickham is a dear friend, my lord. I will not have you disparage him. He has done well for himself and is now a fine man doing well in his career."
"Yes, Darcy, in his career. You are not the son of a tradesman trying to break into gentility. You are a Darcy and a Fitzwilliam. Why will you not consider any of the ladies your aunt has tried to introduce you to? You will not even dance with them. You have not even tried to find a wife among your own set."
"I will not dance with them because I do not like them, Uncle."
"Then what of Anne? Or perhaps Willamina?"
"I have told you several times that I will not marry either of my cousins. Anne is too ill anyhow. And Willamina is only a year older than Georgie. I have no wish to marry a child."
"She will be seventeen in March," said Lord Matlock, "and she is not a child. I may be biased as her father, but I think the match would be a good one for both of you."
"Yes, Uncle. She will be seventeen in March. As Georgie will be sixteen in April. I have told both you and all of my aunts that I do not think cousin marriage healthy, particularly in our family where there have never been enough heirs."
"So you wish to marry a country chit with nothing to her name but that which Bingley gives her? Besides that, she has five sisters. She will not give you heirs."
"Pemberley is not entailed. I am unlikely to inherit any title, so it does not matter if I have a dozen daughters. I simply require an heir of either sex."
"You could marry a duke's daughter," said the earl. "In fact, let me introduce you to Lady Diana, the daughter of the Duke of Cumberland."
"Uncle, I do not desire an introduction to Lady Diana," said Darcy, "Why do you not introduce her to your own sons? Richard needs an heiress."
"As do you if you shall refill the coffers that will be diminished when Georgiana weds."
"I shall refill them with wise investment, not my marriage mate," said Darcy.
"You are a fool, Darcy," said Lord Matlock.
"Love makes fools of us all," Darcy said, setting down his glass and going into the drawing room with determination.