Chapter 2
"If I do say so myself, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you look as pretty as a peacock." Emma Gardiner stepped back and admired the elaborate hair style she had spent hours perfecting. It was the latest style, and even if her lady's maid could achieve the same look in half the time, Mrs. Gardiner prided herself on being able to personally mimic any style appearing in one of her fashion magazines. It just went to prove that patience and perseverance outweighed training and practice. Not that Emma's failure to practice was intentional. Rather, it was due to a want of opportunity. Her girls were too young to sit still for the length of time it took her to create such a magnificent coiffure, and she only had her dear niece to practice on but a few weeks each year.
"It is beautiful, but you do not think it too much for a day on the beach?" Elizabeth asked looking in the glass.
"I understand that a beautiful ball gown would be ruined by such an outing, but I see no reason one may not wear their hair as they please regardless of the setting. I know of no rules regarding hair styles in times such as these." Emma noted her niece's frown. "I see you are not convinced. But unlike a gown, your hair will not care whether left it is in this style or put into a simple bun. More importantly, your father would want you to look your best and feel pretty. Little can be done to your clothes, and I think he would be pleased to see you were breaking from convention a little with your hair style."
"I suppose you are right. Although I still feel the pain acutely, it has been six months since we lost him." Elizabeth sighed and her eyes misted up. "He always did find it amusing to challenge propriety ever so slightly. It is just," Elizabeth reached up and touched her hair, "it makes me stand out. But after all of your efforts, I cannot dream of undoing your masterpiece."
"You were born to stand out," Mrs. Gardiner said brightly. She walked to the dresser and picking up two wraps. "Let us go. We will visit the apple market and then enjoy a stroll along the seashore. It is your last day of freedom, and I know how much you love walking."
The two set off, linked arm in arm. It was a perfect day for late fall. The air held a chill, but the ground contained no puddles and remained solid. Elizabeth walked with her shoulders pulled back and head held high. At one point, they walked by a bush that was evidently the premier eatery for the local fowls, and Elizabeth cocked her head to one side listening to the furious banter of these exotic species.
Emma watched her niece with interest. She could not help but assume that the heavy cloud of grief which had engulfed Elizabeth was finally lifting. "Is that a little smile I see? I knew a pretty hair style could help the carefree, fun Elizabeth find her way out again."
"I am sorry, aunt. I know I have been gloomy as of late." Elizabeth looked down at her feet and kicked a small stone. It clattered as it fell off the sidewalk and rolled along the uneven pavement of the road.
Mrs. Gardiner gave her niece's arm a warm squeeze. "Which is completely understandable, Elizabeth. I did not intend to criticize." She reached into her receptacle and withdrew a small tin of hard sweets. She opened the lid and offered one to Elizabeth before taking one herself. "I was merely happy to be reminded that soon, you will recover. You are not made for unhappiness, my dear."
They rounded a bend and boardwalk became visible. Before either noticed the visual cues altering them to their proximity to the ocean, the smell of salt carried through the air on a cold breeze drew the ladies' attention. They hurried forward and, upon reaching the wide walkway which ran parallel to the shore, both women stopped. The enormity of the ocean was inspiring.
"Oh, may we stay here a moment?" Elizabeth asked. "I admit that I often allow my focus to grow narrow. I remain transfixed on my own woes. But to see something so vast — so expansive — it reminds me that my troubles are small when compared to our world."
Mrs. Gardiner smiled at her niece and nodded. The two stood against the railing and admired the scene before them. The ocean displayed its inky, blue-grey hues against a backdrop of cliffs. Waves silently crept forward until jumping upon the sandy shores with a crash. They reached out and tickled the edge of land with foamy fingers then rushed away to avoid retribution.
"You are right,"Elizabeth said after a minute. "I am not designed for unhappiness and it would be hard for me to remain unhappy living here. Although I will miss the beautiful woods surrounding Hertfordshire." A tear gathered in Elizabeth's eye.
Her aunt put an arm around Elizabeth's shoulder and pulled her into a gentle embrace. "I understand Mrs. Parker is a lovely woman. And although this is a different view than the ones you are accustomed to, from an objective standpoint is it not just as appealing?"
Elizabeth nodded. "But I would trade all of the lovely views in the entire world if my sisters and I could remain together." The single tear that had escaped now lead a rebellion. Elizabeth's cheeks grew damp.
Emma again opened her bag, this time, searching for a handkerchief. Finding one, she held it out for her niece to take. "My mother used to tell me that I would find some use for all these handkerchiefs I needed to make in an effort to improve my embroidery."
A small chuckle, or perhaps a tiny sob, escaped Elizabeth as she dabbed at her eyes and dried her cheeks.
Watching her, Emma's eyes now too threatened to betray her cheery exterior. "Elizabeth I am so sorry…"
Elizabeth's tears stopped flowing and she turned to face her aunt. "You are not permitted to blame yourself. You have done more than you could afford and more than you ought." Elizabeth grabbed her aunt's hand and pulled her forward, indicating that she was ready to resume walking. "Besides, even if you could keep us indefinitely, Mama intends to remarry once it is proper to do so. She believes it is the only way to support a family of six. Unfortunately, I cannot say she is mistaken. Once she is remarried, it would spark rumors if her daughters continued to live with her sister."
"Nonsense," Emma said, "At least you and Jane are old enough that it is plausible you would choose to stay with a relative who lived in town. I know that would not be your entire family, but surely it is better than staying here by yourself."
"My mother rarely spoke sense when Papa was alive, but she now she has developed a practical side. On the day we left, she told me that relying on charity alone is foolhardy, and she is right. I am very grateful you helped me find this position but I ask no more. We both know that if my father was alive, it would only delay this inevitable event."
"No!" Emma looked at her niece, brows furrowed. "You would have married, Elizabeth! You still might."
Elizabeth shook her head. "Perhaps I may have been taken in by Jane to act as a governess, but I would not have married. I promised myself long ago I would only marry for love. I discovered too late, my standards for love are too high. Acting as a companion to Mrs. Parker is not so very different than being a governess. Father's accident may have pushed me into the next phase of my life, but it did not alter its course."
The women reached a popular lookout along the boardwalk. Both stopped and again admired the views.
"I think I can be happy here," Elizabeth said. "It looks so powerful, yet it calms my spirits."
Mrs. Gardiner's gaze was fixed on a point near the horizon and a frown took hold of her face. "I am sure you could, but the air has taken on a distance chill and the clouds rolling in are dark. They appear to be heavy with rain." She pointed to an area many miles from land. "You can see it rains out at sea. I think it is time we head home." She turned toward the street.
"Please," Elizabeth pleaded. "May I return on foot? The clouds are not moving quickly, and once it rains, I will be unable to take another stroll until the roads again dry. I promise to walk quickly, and if I am caught by the rain I will hail a hack."
Mrs. Gardiner looked back toward the water and studied the sky overhead. "Alright, my dear, but do not dally. I predict the storm will hit within an hour." She hailed a cab, and after saying goodbye, Emma climbed into the carriage. The driver pulled away and the wheels clattered against the cobblestones.
Elizabeth began walking in the same direction as the carriage. She watched it grow smaller as the distance between them grew. As the carriage was approaching a curve in the road, a gale of wind hit her and a flash of white caught Elizabeth's attention. She looked to her left just in time to see a bonnet with a while satin ribbon floating by. She reached out and grasped the long ribbon. With the bonnet in hand, Elizabeth turned to the task of locating its owner. A young girl of fifteen was standing across the street one hand touching her head. She was turning in circles scanning her surroundings.
"Have you misplaced this?" Elizabeth called, holding the bonnet out toward the girl.
"Oh, thank you. Yes." The girl left the level sidewalks and hurried toward Elizabeth. In her rush, she teetered upon the slightly uneven road.
"Please stay there," Elizabeth called as she nimbly hopped across the street. Once she stood facing the girl, she returned the bonnet and took note of the stylish ensemble the girl was wearing. The girl's face was pretty and her eyes stared at Elizabeth with admiration.
"You crossed with the grace of a cat," the girl stammered.
Elizabeth pointed to the cobblestones. "My boots are very good for walking and this surface is very even compared to the paths that run behind my — what used to be my home."
The girls looked down at her skirt and blushed. "I am afraid I have not dressed with the weather or with a walk in mind. I found myself here rather — unexpectedly." She looked back to Elizabeth and smiled. "I am Miss Georgiana Darcy. I cannot thank you enough for retrieving my bonnet." Another cold wind blew. Georgiana held onto her bonnet with clenched fists and Elizabeth noticed she shivered.
"You have no coat," Elizabeth said for the first time appreciating how underdressed Miss Darcy was. "You'll catch your death out here if we don't get you indoors." Elizabeth scanned the street. "There is a shop that appears open down there. If you wait inside, I will call you a cab." Elizabeth removed a shawl she had worn over her coat. "Here," she said handing it to her new acquaintance. "It is not enough, but it will help a little."
Georgiana nodded, took the shawl and wrapped it around herself. As two walked down the street, large rain drops began to fall. Georgiana hurried to the edge of a line of buildings and huddled under the elves. She looked up to see what had become of her new acquaintance.
Elizabeth was completely amused by the circumstances. She looked up at the sky and allowed the rain to wash over her. "It seems we've been caught in a storm," Elizabeth laughed. She imagined what she must look like. All of her aunt's labors would be destroyed.
Elizabeth's laugh was infectious. Georgiana gave a little giggle. "It is hard to remain worried or upset when surrounded by such cheer," she shouted. "Are you not embarrassed or concerned what others might think?"
Elizabeth withdrew her eyes from the clouds and focused on Miss Darcy. "That I do not repel rain?" she asked. "I am merely mortal. Why should I expect to remain dry when caught in the rain or foresee a sudden storm before it begins?" Elizabeth joined Georgiana under the eve. "I am a touch uncomfortable, however, and think you must be even more so. Let us go find a warm fire. I have it on the highest authority that this will prove the best cure." Elizabeth's kind voice and self confidence bolstered Georgiana's own self-assurance.
The two continued on their quest to locate a cozy shop and were soon rewarded. When they entered the establishment the proprietor's eyes grew wide. He ushered them toward the fire, procured two seats from a storage area in the back of the shop, and assured them he would send a boy to find them a carriage. The women settled in, and Elizabeth's predictions that warmth would prove healing came to fruition.
"Now, Miss Darcy, I shall introduce myself. I am Miss Elizabeth Bennet and I am most curious as to how you found yourself unexpectedly outside and why you might be worried or upset."
"You could tell I was worried upset?" Georgiana asked as she wrung her hands.
"I have not have the opportunity to observe you sufficiently to make any such guess. I know you are troubled as you told me it was hard to remain worried or upset when surrounded by cheer."
"Oh," Georgiana looked to the ground and bit her lower lip.
"I will not pry. After all, we have only just met. But it has been my experience that when one reveals so much about one's inner turmoil so early on during an acquaintance, it is because the need to unburden one's self is great. And often it is easier to speak to a stranger who is unfamiliar with the situation." Elizabeth stood and removed her wet coat. She walked to the fire and held the wet side to the flames.
Georgiana chest rose and fell with a deep breath. Her shoulders slumped. "You are right," she said in a small, thin voice. "I am troubled."
Elizabeth returned to her seat and leaned in toward Miss Darcy.
Georgiana lifted her blue eyes and studied Elizabeth. "May I tell you my tale without fear of judgement?"
"Of course," Elizabeth answered.