Chapter 9

Another episode! And this one did't take me as long to write yay me! I hope you enjoy it!

Jane

The next morning Jane woke up looking forward to starting the day. The last few days had been nerve-wracking, all the strength that she had found in herself after her mother's death and Mr. Bingley abandonment seemed to fade the moment their trip to London got close. She had hidden for a week in her room after the funeral and cried and came to a realization that something had to change, that she had to make a plan, and from there she had found a new strength in herself. But when the moment to go to London got closer old doubts started resurfacing, fears of crossing with Mr. Bingley in London appeared and for a few days, Jane wavered. She did not know how to explain it to Lizzy who was always so strong and fearless, but when she had sat down with her aunt and uncle and felt their full support her strength had returned. She had support here, from an adult that she could trust, not that her father was untrustworthy but he was not involved. Jane had learned to be strong and confident, she could face Mr. Bingley if the situation arose and if she wavered she had people that would help her find her strength again.

She went down to breakfast to find that she was the last one up. There seemed to be a cheery mood at the breakfast table and Jane found herself quite hungry. As she sat down her aunt turned to Jane.

"Good morning Jane how are you feeling?"

"Very well, refreshed and eager to start the day."

"Good, we have been talking while we ate and we started making plans for today. Your uncle and I have decided to gift you a new wardrobe for the season."

"Oh aunt no, that is too much."

"That is exactly what I said as well Jane, we talked to our father and got some funds to buy a few dresses, that should be enough." Lizzy jumped to agree with me.

"I know your father gave you some funds, but that would only pay for a dress or two for each and that will not be enough. If you truly wish to make the most of a London season you must have more. Your uncle has some exquisite fabrics in his warehouses that sell to many of the most elite shops in the city, we can choose directly from there, so that will lower the cost while having dresses made from excellent quality."

"I did not know you were trading in fabrics uncle." Lizzy looked as surprised as me.

"My business was doing so well, two years ago I expanded and started with fabrics. I did not say anything because I knew if your mother found out about it she would descend on London and demand fabrics for the wardrobes of all five of you girls and I could not afford it when I started out. But I am more established now and this is a special occasion that deserves special attention."

"Indeed, so with the fabrics already chosen, we must only find an excellent dressmaker. I know one who is quite in demand and very fashionable. Since your uncle provides her with the best fabrics in London she is more than happy to make space for you both. We will pay for what the money you have will not cover. Let us do this my dears, we care a great deal about you girls and we are so pleased with the steps you are taking for your future."

She looked at Lizzy and she could see the conflict in her eyes. Jane also felt that conflict but looking and her aunt an uncle and their open and honest faces she could not say no.

"Well, that is very generous of you both and I thank you. We will accept your generous offer."

Their faces broke into smiles of joy. Jane was at least pleased with how happy that made them.

"If you are in agreement then, after breakfast we can go over to the warehouse to look at the fabrics and then we can go to the dressmaker. How does that sound?"

"That sound like a good plan aunt Gardiner."

"I still don't believe an entire new wardrobe is a necessity aunt, but I will not reject you kind and generous gift. I must admit while shopping is not very enjoyable for me overall I am very excited for the tickets to the theatre and opera that our uncle has managed to acquire." Their uncle laughed at Lizzy's statement.

"Somehow I am not surprised at this since I was thinking of you when I got the tickets. While it is a great place to socialize and get to know people I also knew that you would enjoy it immensely."

From there the discussion evolved to previous times their aunt and uncle had taken them to the theatre in the past and their favorite experiences.

The warehouse was much bigger than Jane had anticipated and the number of fabrics to choose from was overwhelming. Jane had no idea how she was going to manage to choose. Lizzy had fewer problems choosing but she also had her moments of doubts. Thankfully their aunt was there to guide them and provide perspective and after a few hours, they were done. They went back home and took an early lunch so they could go to the dressmaker early to have plenty of time.

Jane thought of Miss Bingley on the carriage ride to the dressmaker. She had always complained that the country didn't have the style that London and the upper class had, but Jane had to admit she was not a fan of the way Miss Bingley dressed. She was too overdone and with colors that did not suit her. Even if it was not completely fashionable Jane would choose simpler dresses.

They finally arrived at what looked like a very fashionable street in London. They were welcomed into the shop by a Mrs. Smith, who greeted her aunt very warmly. She guided them to the very back of the shop to a private room, the room was separated from the rest of the shop by big thick purple curtains. She started showing them different styles and designs that were in fashion and after seeing their individual taste started coming up with ideas tailored especially for both of them. Their aunt had had the foresight to think of bringing samples of the fabrics they had chosen so that Mrs. Smith could see what she would be working with.

Eventually, they were able to decide on everything they wanted. Jane was exhausted and a bit boggled by the number of dresses that their aunt had pushed for. She recognized that she would eventually need and use every one of them, but the social demands of Hertfordshire had not accustomed her to this.

While their aunt Gardiner came to an agreement with Mrs. Smith about which dresses would arrive first Lizzy asked for permission to go outside, she looked like she was feeling cooped up and was cravings for a bit of fresh air.

Lizzy

She was in such a hurry to leave the room and the shop after being cooped up there for hours that Lizzy accidentally ran into a young girl who had just entered the shop.

"I am so sorry!" Lizzy said feeling terrible about running into the poor girl. She didn't look any older than 15 or 16. She was not alone, behind her was an older woman.

"I was just feeling so cooped up after a few hours of going through designs and embroidery and fashion trends that I was not looking where I was going, I just was delirious for some fresh air."

"It is alright I understand the feeling." The young girl barely whispered out those words, Lizzy had to make an effort to understand her. She was clearly very shy, and after being almost run over by a stranger she was clearly having problems talking. Now Lizzy felt even worse and decided to do something about it.

"You must forgive me I feel wretched about this. Let me introduce myself I am Elizabeth Bennet, nice to meet you." She said it with calm words and a smile on her face in an attempt to calm down the poor girl. And it seemed to work as a small smile appeared on her face.

"All is forgiven, Miss. Bennet, I am Georgiana Darcy and this is my companion Mrs. Annesley."

She was left stunned by that statement. What were the chances that on their first day in London they would cross paths with someone related to Mr. Darcy? And while she had never met Miss. Darcy before she had heard of her. It seemed like an age ago that she had talked to Mr. Whickam. With the funeral, the mourning period and working with Mrs. Taylor to improve herself she had not talked or seen Mr. Whickam. She had barely thought of him, her mind busy with all their plans. But she did recall the conversation she had had with him, and he had claimed that Miss. Darcy was as extremely proud as her brother. Lizzy looking at the girl could not see it, she was just exceedingly shy. Miss. Darcy interrupted her thoughts managing a few more words.

"If I may ask... are you from Hertfordshire? My brother mentioned a Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Hertfordshire and I was wondering if you were her." She whispered as her face turned red in embarrassment at asking her such a question. And that surprised her even more. Mr. Darcy talking about her? What sort of disapproving things had he mentioned?

"Indeed I am her. I am surprised that you brother mentioned me at all?"

"Well... when he wrote..." Miss. Darcy was suddenly at loss of words and her face turned a greater shade of red and looked downwards. Her companion Mrs. Annesley saw Miss. Darcy's difficulty and moved forward to help her out.

"Miss. Darcy, we should let Miss. Bennet get her fresh air, we have an appointment we will be late for if we dawdle here in the parlor."

"Yes, of course, Mrs. Annesley." She seemed to get her voice and a bit of her courage back and turned to Lizzy. "We have an appointment to keep."

"Of course Miss. Darcy, sorry for keeping you."

Before Lizzy could open the door to leave the shop, Miss. Darcy turned and spoke to her. She was wringing her hands and she was having difficulties forming words as if her courage had failed her again.

"I was wondering... I mean... if it would please you..."

"Yes, Miss. Darcy?"

"I have heard so much of you... would it be possible to call on you? I would like to get to know you better." That left Lizzy flabbergasted. Thankfully at that precise moment, Jane and her aunt arrived.

"Lizzy are you still inside? Oh, who is this young lady? Is she a friend?"

"We just met aunt. Aunt, Jane meet Miss. Georgiana Darcy, Mr. Darcy's sister, and her companion Mrs. Annesley, and these are my Aunt Mrs. Gardiner and my elder sister Miss. Jane Bennet. "

Jane face turned one of shock. "What a coincidence, it is nice to meet you, Miss. Darcy."

Mrs. Annesley could see that her charge was a bit overwhelmed so she took over for Miss. Darcy. "Miss. Darcy would like to call on you all to get to know you a bit better, she has heard of you nieces from her brother's time in Hertfordshire."

Her aunt smiled and took a card from her reticule and handed it over with a smile.

"It would be our honor, here is my card."

They all said goodbye and Lizzy, Jane and their aunt left the shop and got into the carriage to go back home. Both her aunt and Jane questioned her about what had occurred with Miss. Darcy. Lizzy did not know how to respond as she did not know what had happened either. Mr. Darcy had talked about her to his sister? Miss. Darcy wanted to get to know her? These were not things that Lizzy would have anticipated. And what about Mr. Whickam? She hadn't thought of him in months, but his account on Miss. Darcy was certainly wrong, a less proud girl Lizzy had not met. As confused as Lizzy felt she was suddenly looking forward to Miss. Darcy's call.