CH. 17 Off to Matlock's Party
Georgiana smiled at her brother and future sister sitting across from her in the carriage. She was very excited for the evening because she had been invited to be a part of it. It was a nice change to look forward to, being in the room rather than eavesdropping from a hiding place or through the floorboards.
Elizabeth filled the silence, "I suppose Lady Matlock has read the announcement in the paper. She seemed delighted with the news the other day."
Fitzwilliam's eyes shined brightly in the dim light as he smiled at her. Rather than answer, he opened his coat to retrieve a small box from his inside pocket. Elizabeth's eyes grew large once he opened to display its contents to her; she had never received a gift so extravagant before. "The pendant belonged to my mother; I thought that perhaps you would like it. There was some damage to the embellishment that I had fixed when I visited with the jeweler and purchased the chain."
She viewed the large garnet with delicately embellished gold vines surrounding the stone with entwined small yellow sapphires, and breathed, "It is lovely." Elizabeth lifted her eyes to meet her fiancée's and thanked him quietly. She was unsure how to act since she desperately wanted to fling herself into his arms, but could not bring herself to touch him in such an intimate manner with Georgiana looking on.
He removed it from the velvet container and unclasped the chain. "May I?"
Elizabeth eagerly turned and lifted her hair to display the back of her neck, allowing him to fasten it on her. When she straightened in her seat, she touched her gift with her gloved hand. Fitzwilliam was pleased with her response; his eyes were filled with emotion when they met hers, bestowing a kiss on the knuckle of her other hand.
Georgiana, though slightly embarrassed to witness such a romantic moment, became eager thinking about life after the wedding. Pemberley was sure to be filled with much laughter and joy once Elizabeth came to be its Mistress!
Georgiana leaned forward and asked to see. "It is beautiful on you, Lizzy."
Fitzwilliam agreed, "Indeed. Though, it pales in comparison to the radiance of the lady wearing it." His comment caused Elizabeth to blush prettily.
The coach lurched to the side and came to a stop in front of the Fitzwilliam's townhouse. A footman quickly came forward to drop the stair and open the door for Darcy, who in turn assisted his two favorite ladies down from the coach and up the front steps.
The small group was on time when they entered the drawing room where Lady Matlock, the Earl and Colonel Fitzwilliam were gathered. Lady Matlock was sitting sipping her wine and listening to the banter between her husband and son as they played a game of chess. When the group entered she stood, "My dears, I am so happy that you have arrived."
Darcy nodded and greeted his relations, "Aunt Helen, I believe you have already made the acquaintance of Miss Elizabeth Bennet." She laughed and he continued, gesturing to the other two gentlemen who had come to their feet, "Elizabeth, you already know my aunt and cousin. This is my uncle, Lord Richard Fitzwilliam. Uncle, may I present my betrothed."
Elizabeth smiled and greeted the Fitzwilliams with a curtsy as Georgiana went over to her relations to greet them warmly. The Earl and his family were very close to the Darcys, especially since the death of their parents. Darcy and the Colonel were always in each other's company as children sharing confidences and getting into mischief, so his uncle had regularly taken on a parental role with young Darcy. After the death of Lady Anne and then later Mr. Darcy, Lord Matlock assumed the role of guide for the grieving Darcy siblings. He had hoped to counsel Fitzwilliam on estate matters, address questions regarding guardianship of Georgiana, and also bring him out of his introverted state—though Darcy did not ever seek his advice.
Lord Matlock stepped forward and took both of Elizabeth's hands, "I am very pleased to meet you, Miss Bennet." He had a friendly smile and a tall stature. His eyes looked into hers and attempted to ascertain her intelligence and the match compatibility. Regardless of what his sister, Lady Catherine, had to say about Elizabeth he was very willing to accept her into the family with open arms, as long as she was worthy of his nephew, whom he regarded as fondly as a son.
Elizabeth appeared to be unmoved by his scrutiny and diplomatically said, "Thank you, My Lord. I am pleased to meet you as well. I do hope that your trip was without incident."
Before Lord Matlock could reply, an unfamiliar voice came from the open door. "Do leave the girl alone, Richard, before you scare her off." Elizabeth turned to see an elderly woman with an authoritative presence walking forward with the assistance of a cane. The many tassels and layers of lace on her costume and matching hat, added to her regal air.
She walked close to Elizabeth, looking her up and down, and continued to speak, "William, I was afraid that this creature was a fabrication. But I can now see that you have, in fact, chosen a wife."
Fitzwilliam smirked fondly at the woman, "I was unaware that you were in town, Gran. Elizabeth, this feisty young lady is Lady Esther Fitzwilliam."
Lady Esther raised a brow at her grandson. "Do not compliment me with your smooth words. I assure you that they will not win you any favor beyond what you deserve. Save them for your lady." She smiled to soften her words. "Nevertheless, I am pleased that you have brought Miss Bennet and Georgiana to visit with me."
Fitzwilliam murmured, "Of course," as Lord Matlock defensively said, "What makes you think I would give her a hard time? I simply want to know if she indeed belongs in the family."
Elizabeth spoke before Darcy or his grandmother could. "If you please, I am right here. I do hope that you find me worthy of your family. However, since Fitzwilliam has already asked for my hand, certainly you would not wish to diminish his judgment on the matter, especially when he worked so diligently to acquire my acceptance." Her little speech earned her a proud look from her betrothed and one of admiration from the Fitzwilliams and Georgiana.
The dowager Countess looked upon Elizabeth with a small smile and a twinkle in her eye. "I do believe the next Mrs. Darcy has the tongue to defend herself. I do believe you have met your match, William."
Lady Matlock laughed and wound her arm through Elizabeth's. "I daresay our family get-togethers are anything but boring. Come my dear and have a glass of sherry." She then looked to a footman to request the wine. She led Elizabeth to a settee and joined her on the seat. Taking up her wine, Helen smiled in anticipation for the evening conversations.
Georgiana sat on the other side of Elizabeth and whispered, "I do believe that you have won over Granmama. Her presence was a surprise; she rarely ventures from her home outside of Sussex."
The gentlemen were seated around the room to better situate themselves in proximity to the ladies to encourage conversation, enjoy the pleasant company of family and familiarize themselves with the newest member.
The Gardiners and the other two Bennets arrived with Mr. Bingley shortly thereafter. Lord Matlock was very interested to discuss Mr. Gardiner's business, judging from his fashionable dress, he assumed that Mr. Gardiner did well in trade. Most of the Earl's investments were in property and farm goods.
Mrs. Bennet was surprisingly quiet when they first arrived. She was very proud of her daughter's new connections but felt inadequate and out-of-place in the grand home. Since she was kept busy during the dressmaker's fitting, she did not make the acquaintance of Lady Matlock prior to the invitation to her home. When Lady Matlock politely asked Mrs. Bennet how she was enjoying London, Mrs. Bennet briskly replied in a voice that gained volume with each sentence, "Oh I do love London! It is a shame that Mr. Bennet is so attached to his quiet library, or I am quite sure that we would enjoy town more often. Lizzy and Jane both regularly visit with the Gardiners. They do so love their little cousins and attending the theater with my brother and sister. I am sure to miss my girls terribly when they marry, though I am so thankful that my daughters will be able to visit Longbourn often. Jane, of course, will be close by at Netherfield. I will have to visit Lizzy all the way in Derbyshire, I am sure, but since Mr. Darcy also has a house in town, they must spend time here." Mrs. Bennet planned to continue but was thwarted by Lady Matlocks blank expression and wide, blinking eyes.
Lady Esther, owning a candid personality, said, "Mrs. Bennet, I am sure your daughters and future sons find it very fortunate indeed to be so much in your company." The reactions around the room were priceless to the Lady, who often enjoyed speaking for the subsequent reaction. Mrs. Bennet smiled. Mr. Darcy bit his lip and met Elizabeth's eyes while she pressed her lips together to keep from laughing. Mr. Bingley furrowed his brow in dismay and looked to his grinning betrothed who was fighting the urge to roll her eyes. Georgiana looked at each face around the room, not sure if she should introduce another topic.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was laughing when the other guests arrived.
AN: I thought this was a good place to stop for now to give you a little more. I find it more challenging to write about several characters in one scene because I want to account for them all, which is why the party is taking so long to write.
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