Chapter 10

Hello everyone I know it's been ages since the last time I updated but I'm back and I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Lizzy

Miss Darcy called a few days later, she came with her companion, Mrs. Annesley. She looked a bit nervous and she spoke very low but between Jane and her they managed to get her talking. The more they talked the more she liked Miss Darcy. Aunt Gardiner and Mrs. Annesley were getting along well and having a nice conversation.

"So Miss Darcy how long will you be staying in London?"

"I'm not sure Miss Elizabeth, it depends on my brother. Whenever he goes back to Pemberley I go with him, but if he is not there I normally stay at Darcy house here in London with Mrs. Annesley. I would rather be at Pemberley, as would my brother, but business, family obligations, and friends often keep him away. How long will you and Miss Bennet stay in London?"

"Jane and I will be staying for the season. Our aunt an uncle have some plans to take us to the theatre and the opera and will also introduce us to some people."

"I am so glad that my brother still thinks I'm not old enough for a London season, all those parties and people, I am not really up to it. But you and Jane will do wonderfully you'll see, you might even cross paths with my brother, I am sure he would be delighted to see you again."

Lizzy doubted that Mr. Darcy shared Miss Darcy's enthusiasm but stayed silent. Georgiana seemed to have a misguided idea of their acquaintance with Mr. Darcy and she wondered what it would mean future interactions with Miss Darcy. Would Mr. Darcy disapprove? Would he forbid a closer friendship? Lizzy realized she would be saddened if that were the case.

"I am not sure that we will be moving in the same circles as your brother Miss Darcy." Jane answered politely, but she was clearly trying to end that topic of conversation but there was no need as Mrs. Annesley stopped her conversation with aunt Gardiner and approached Georgiana.

"Miss Darcy I think it is time for us to go, your brother will be waiting for us, we have been longer than we anticipated."

Georgiana's face fell in disappointment but stood up all the same and approached aunt Gardiner.

"Thank you, Mrs. Gardiner, for having us. I've had a wonderful time."

"It was a pleasure Miss Darcy."

She then turned to Jane and I. "Do you have any plans tomorrow?"

"We do, we are going to the Opera in the evening and we have to go by the shop and make sure that our opera dresses are finished and fit us well. But we are free the day after tomorrow." Jane responder before Lizzy could. Lizzy was a bit worried about where this was going.

"Then the day after tomorrow, I would like to invite you to Darcy house for some tea."

"We would love to Miss Darcy, we will be there."

"Wonderful, I will see you then."

They said their goodbyes and left. Aunt Gardiner turned to us.

"That went very well, don't you think girls?"

Jane

Aunt Gardiner was very happy about how the call with Miss Darcy had gone and brought it up during dinner. Although Jane could see that there was something that made Lizzy a bit uneasy even though she was also happy.

"I think it went very well, Miss Darcy is a sweet girl and I would like to deepen our acquaintance with her. Don't you Lizzy?"

"I would also but we have forgotten about Mr. Darcy, he might not want us to socialize with his sister."

"Miss Darcy didn't seem to think her brother would mind.

"Because Miss Darcy is a sweet girl, but Mr. Darcy, if you care to remember, didn't think very highly of us. I'm sure he will object. And have you forgotten that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley are good friends if we deepen our acquaintance with Miss Darcy we might see him again. Are you ready for that eventuality?"

Jane had been thinking about that possibility since Miss Darcy had left. In the beginning, Jane hadn't been sure. Mr. Bingley had hurt her deeply, but the more she thought about it the more she wanted to see him. Not because she still harbored hopes or feelings, she wanted to see how she would handle herself. Jane had grown stronger, Bingley's departure had taught that she had to be stronger and the true test would be when she came face to face with him again. Since her awakening, she had sometimes wavered, her new strength and confidence coming and going. But this would be her final test, how she would do when she faced Mr. Bingly. As much as she dreaded it, a part of her wanted to face him, to prove to herself that she could do it. Remain strong in the face of the man who broke her heart.

The next day they went to pick up their dresses. They tried on the ones they would take to the opera to make sure they fit correctly. Jane looked at herself in the mirror and thought it was the most beautiful dress she had ever worn. It was dark blue with a scoop neckline that was a bit more daring than she normally wore but still modest. It was simple and elegant as Jane liked it, it had some small details in pink that matched the blue and enhanced her coloring very well.

Lizzy, in contrast, was in bright yellow. Jane thought she looked very well. It made her dark hair and bright eyes stand out. Jane thought she had never looked better. The materials their uncle had provided and the dressmaker her aunt had taken them too were clearly excellent. She had a feeling that the dresses would help them have a great start to their season.

They took their time to get ready, Jane could see Lizzy's excitement. She had heard a lot about the opera from their aunt an uncle but she had never been able to go. She had read all about the opera they would go and see as they would not be able to understand it as it was in German. Jane was looking forward to seeing it as well having heard such wonderful things about it, but she was more nervous about other things. How would their first public appearance go? Would they meet people? Would they go completely unnoticed? If it was the former, would they be people that they would wish to further an acquaintance with? If it was the latter, had it been a wasted of opportunity?

All of these thoughts were rattling in her head on their way to the theatre. Lizzy and Uncle Gardener were talking enthusiastically about the opera but she could feel her aunts gaze looking straight at her.

"Are you well Jane? You seem preoccupied."

"I am well aunt, just worried. This is our first outing and I am a bit scared of things going badly."

"Jane you worry too much. It is just an opera, it is our first outing. Don't go with any set plans except enjoying yourself, see where it takes you. If you torture yourself with worry, nothing good will come out of it."

Jane nodded and smiled back. She understood intellectually what her aunt meant, but the twist in her stomach would not go away. Finally, the carriage stopped and it was time for them to enter the theatre.