Chapter Eight: Fortune's Fool

Jane and Elizabeth had arrived at their Aunt and Uncle Gardiner's in Gracechurch Street by evening, but, despite the theater being open, were much too tired from their journey to do much other than keep to their rooms and sleep. Both were glad to be with their dear aunt and uncle; and Elizabeth especially was eager to escape from her mother and sisters, though her father had been sorry to see his girls go, assuring them that he would not hear two words of sense spoken together while they were gone.

"Well," said Elizabeth when she and her sister were alone, "our aunt has promised to take us both to shop tomorrow, so that we may catch up with the latest fashions."

"I believe that I shall enjoy myself. And I have just written another letter to Caroline Bingley, informing her that we have arrived in town."

"Did she never reply to the one you wrote her from Longbourn when we first learned of coming to stay in town?"

"I fear that it may have gotten lost," returned Jane mournfully.

"Indeed? Or perhaps she simply chose not to read them," suggested Elizabeth, with her decided dislike for both of Mr. Bingleys' sisters very much rekindled, especially when she supposed that they were the principal means of detaching their brother from Jane. She could not see why on earth they would want him to marry Miss Darcy, for Mr. Wickham had not painted a favorable picture of her.

"Surely there would be no occasion for ignoring my letters, Lizzy. I cannot think that they are so bad. Well, if they do not reply to my latest letter in a fortnight, I shall call on her in Grosvenor Street."

"And I will accompany you, so that she will know that I have not been deceived."

"Lizzy!"

Elizabeth merely smiled in reply. Jane declared that she was quite tired, and they both resolved on going to bed early. They would need to rest for all of the festivities which the morrow would bring. However, despite Elizabeth being quite tired, she could not manage to fall asleep immediately. She worried over Jane's imminent discovery that Miss Bingley was not the good friend which she thought her to be; and feared any meeting with either of the gentleman. Mr. Darcy was perhaps the last man on earth that she wished to see, and would hardly be able to bear the torment that her sister would go through if they were to see Mr. Bingley.

"Lizzy, it is time for breakfast," called one of Elizabeth's young cousins from outside of her bedchamber. Elizabeth, who had overslept, quickly pulled her covers away, yelled that she would come down soon. She dressed with great haste, not taking too much care with her appearance, too much in a rush to call for a servant. She was already late for breakfast! Her hair was a bit unkempt, but she thought that she looked suitable enough, and after gazing at her reflection in the mirror for a few seconds with mild satisfaction, quickly made her way to the dining parlor where her aunt, uncle, cousins, and sister sat.

When they had finished eating, Jane, Elizabeth, and Mrs. Gardiner set out for a day of shopping. Mr. Gardiner announced that he had business to tend to, though if he didn't, confessed that he did not see himself deriving any pleasure from browsing through bonnets, ribbons and dresses. The children had not yet learnt to care for their appearance, and would much rather stay at home. Therefore, the three ladies gained no further companions.

"Oh! Lizzy! Come here, and tell me, do you not think that bonnet absolutely charming?" cried Jane, as a particular window display had caught her eye.

"'Tis quite lovely; and of course, you would look well in what ever you wore, Jane," said Elizabeth. Their aunt walked over and examined it, and declared that she liked it very much as well; and all three were resolved on entering the shop, till a reflection in the window caught Elizabeth's eye, instinctively causing her to turn around to see if her eyes had betrayed her.

They had not. She saw none other than Mr. Darcy passing them in the street, and her unabashed gaze caught his eye, causing him to stop. She quickly turned back towards the shop, though it was too late; for Jane and Mrs. Gardiner had noticed this peculiar reaction of Elizabeth's, and saw that Mr. Darcy was boldly approaching them.

"Jane, help," whispered Elizabeth desperately, taking her sister's arm and walking off in another direction. Mrs. Gardiner, seeing the perverseness which such a situation would bring on, did not attempt to stop them, though this did not seem to deter the gentleman.

"Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth," said Mr. Darcy formally when he had gotten close enough, and bowed politely, giving the two Miss Bennets no choice but to stop. Both curtseyed, whilst Elizabeth looked off in the distance for something of interest to cause her to excuse herself. Mrs. Gardiner approached, examining Mr. Darcy curiously.

"This is my aunt, Mrs. Gardiner," said Jane to Mr. Darcy, though Elizabeth was quite unable to speak. Mrs. Gardiner curtseyed, and greeted him with cold civility, feeling all of the hurt which she supposed that Elizabeth had gone through. All four stood aloof for several moments, all at a loss for words. Elizabeth wondered why he had approached them, if he did not intend to say anything of interest.

"Excuse us," said Elizabeth finally, and the three ladies quickly walked off. Mrs. Gardiner could not help but look over her shoulder as they walked off, wondering at how such a man could have possibly led Elizabeth to fall in love with him.

They did not speak of the encounter for the rest of the day, and Elizabeth attempted to remain tolerably cheerful, but could not help but be affected by the accidental meeting. She hoped that they might never cross paths again, though she would always be a bit paranoid every time that she went out. Jane could not help but notice that her sister was not quite in spirits, so when they had all returned to the house in the evening, said,

"I am sorry that we saw Mr. Darcy today."

"Apology is quite useless now. I assure you that I will think no more of it, though I confess it did give me some displeasure."

"I hope that you do not think ill of him for it, Lizzy! It was surprisingly attentive that he should acknowledge us at all; and he could not mean any harm, for he does not know about the rumors, or that there is no truth to them."

"If he knows nothing of the rumors, why would he acknowledge us at all?" asked Elizabeth bitterly.

"I do not think that Mr. Darcy is quite so lacking in civility as you seem to believe."

"That, my dear Jane, is a quite singular opinion. And, regardless if he meant ill on meeting us, I should still dislike him."

Jane, realizing that her sister could be incredibly stubborn in such things as this, said that she meant to write to their father, and departed to the drawing room, where there was a small writing table which she could utilize. Elizabeth attempted to think no more of Mr. Darcy, as she had promised her sister, though it seemed that her thoughts continually wandered back to him. Had he heard the rumors? What did he think of her? Why had he felt it necessary to greet them? Why did she care what he thought at all? It was all quite distressing.

They were all to go to the theater that night, though Elizabeth found herself distracted, in utter terror that she would turn around and see Mr. Darcy once again. She was constantly looking over her shoulder, and starting her seat every time she heard a voice that was remotely similar to his, and walked much more quickly than the others cared to going to and from the theater.