Battle of the Dragons Chapter 9, a pride and prejudice fanfic

~O~

Snobbish Dragons

Charlotte's wedding was to occur a few days after the Gardiner's departure. On the evening before Charlotte's wedding, Sir William and Lady Lucas hosted a party to celebrate their daughter's wedding as the couple had chosen not to have a wedding breakfast. Collins wanted to leave immediately after the ceremony to ensure they could reach Hunsford before nightfall.

As Lady Lucas was determined to display Charlotte's good fortune to as many friends as possible, there was no formal dinner. Instead, a buffet had been set up and guest helped themselves to their choice of food and drink while circulating.

It was something of a crush, but nobody minded as Charlotte was popular amongst their neighbours and they were all happy to celebrate with her.

The highlight of the evening for Isabella was a conversation she overheard between the couple, after Charlotte asked permission to introduce her fiancé.

'Mr Collins, I would like to introduce to you Elizabeth's aunt,' Charlotte said when she saw her friend and their most respected guest nearby.

'My dear Charlotte, as Lady Catherine is our patroness and she is a stickler for observing the distinctions of rank, we cannot socialise with members of the merchant class.'

'But Elizabeth's aunt is–'

'No, Charlotte. In this I must insist that you obey me,' Collins gently but firmly silenced his fiancée, who gave her friend an apologetic look.

Elizabeth on the other hand barely managed to keep a straight face as she was torn between anger on the Duchess's behalf or hilarity that Collins had just put paid to any consideration from the lady.

Sir William had just joined the couple to bask in the glory of introducing a duchess to his soon to be son, when he heard Collins' remark. He was about to support his daughter and correct the man when he caught sight of Isabella subtly shaking her head with an amused smile.

He went over to her as she stepped away. 'Your Grace, I apologise for my future son's remarks,' he said quietly. 'I could easily correct his attitude.'

'You would only embarrass him. There is no need to do so.' Isabella did not say that she had no wish to listen to half an hour of apologies from the buffoon. 'I gather no one has yet mentioned my connection with the Bennets.'

'There has never yet been a good time to do so,' Sir William said delicately.

Isabella took that to mean that either Collins had been so voluble that Sir William had not had a chance to mention her or, more likely, Collins had not wish to discuss the Bennets and be reminded of his rejection.

While she despised Bennet's general attitude, she had some sympathy for his willingness to be amused by the foibles of his fellow men. She had a feeling that one day Collins would learn the folly of parroting Lady Catherine's attitudes. Perhaps sooner rather than later.

~O~

Elizabeth was pleased to see her best friend married, even to a man as ridiculous as Mr Collins, since that was Charlotte's wish.

Lady Lucas was still a little miffed as Collins insisted on leaving directly from the ceremony and she could not host a proper wedding breakfast to introduce her daughter as Mrs Collins… especially to Mrs Bennet whose beautiful daughters were all still unmarried.

When they were making their farewells, Charlotte hugged Elizabeth, saying, 'I trust you to come for a visit to Hunsford, so that you can be assured that I am well settled in my new life.'

'As long as it does not inconvenience you or your husband… I shall be delighted to visit,' Elizabeth promised.

Collins had heard their remarks and offered magnanimously, 'Dear cousin, you shall be most welcome to observe how well situated my dear Charlotte shall be in our home.'

Elizabeth did not miss the smug satisfaction that implied that he expected her to be envious of her friend. Keeping a straight face she merely said, 'You are most gracious. I wish you safe travels.'

~O~

Once Charlotte was safely on her way, Isabella and the three oldest Bennet sisters also made their farewells to their family.

Mrs Bennet was a little teary since this would be the first time since her own wedding that she would be at Longbourn without any of her daughters. Kitty and Lydia had been collected by representatives of their respective schools the previous day.

Having a duchess sponsor the girls had had its advantages. At least Bennet thought so, since it meant that he did not have to expend any effort to see them settled into their new situation.

'I hope Kitty and Lydia will be happy in their schools,' remarked Jane as they travelled to London.

'You can be certain that at least Lydia will be sure to let us know if she finds the school less than congenial,' Elizabeth replied, although it was anybody's guess if she was trying to reassure Jane or simply being sarcastic. Jane assumed the former and Mary the latter.

~O~

Deveril House was a revelation and delight to Elizabeth. None of the sisters had ever visited such a grand residence, but Elizabeth thought the location perfect, as they were opposite Hyde Park.

Isabella noticed Elizabeth's reaction to the park. 'Yes, you may walk in the park to your heart's content, as long as you are accompanied by a footman. Normally I would suggest a maid as well, but I do not know any maids on my staff who can keep up with you.'

Elizabeth graced her aunt with a slightly chagrined smile. 'Am I really so obvious?'

'No, of course not,' Isabella reassured her niece. 'A blind man might have missed the glow of pleasure when you realised that Hyde Park is conveniently located. But it is about to get dark, so you will have to wait until the morning to walk in the park. But do not be concerned, you will have an opportunity to stretch your legs exploring the house.'

With a final wistful look at the park, Elizabeth followed Isabella and her sisters into the house, the door of which was already held open by yet another footman. The sisters were not disappointed. The interior was just as grand as the exterior.

It was modern, having only been built within the last fifty years and contained all the latest conveniences. But like the house in Meryton, it was decorated with understated elegance, and despite its grand dimensions, the house still felt like a home.

A few servants stood ready in the foyer and Isabella introduced Mr and Mrs Carter, the butler and the housekeeper.

Mrs Carter informed them, 'I have assigned Rose, Anne and Lucy as the maids for the Miss Bennets.' The maids curtsied as they were named. 'Their rooms are prepared, and hot baths will be ready in a few minutes, as I thought you would want to warm up after your journey.'

'I knew I could rely on you to ensure our comfort,' Isabella said with a smile to Mrs Carter. 'We shall meet in an hour for tea.'

~O~

The maids each escorted one of the sisters to their rooms on the family floor. Elizabeth was delighted but unsurprised that her room was decorated predominantly in shades of green.

While Anne helped Elizabeth undress, she could hear water splashing in the next room. 'Your bath should be ready when you are, miss,' Anne explained with a nod towards the door .

When Elizabeth entered the bathing room, she smiled to see a big tub almost full of steaming water. Once she had carefully eased into the hot water, she lay back with a blissful sigh. 'I certainly could get used to baths like this,' she murmured.

~O~

The following morning, Elizabeth did get the walk in Hyde Park which she had been promised. She returned just in time for breakfast, glowing from the brisk walk in the cold air.

The rest of the day was not as enjoyable for her or Mary, as Madam Dupont, Isabella's modiste, visited Deveril House with three assistants, as Isabella had threatened. Although compared to such appointments with their mother, it was a significant improvement. At least Elizabeth did not have to argue about the amount of lace with which she was comfortable.

Mary was uncomfortable simply choosing more flattering colours, but Isabella's encouraging attitude made the day endurable for her. The styles she chose were still simpler and more modest than her sisters, but she had to agree that softer colours were rather nice.

Jane simply enjoyed herself. She had the patience to stand still while being measured, and then sit and view a multitude of fashion plates. And, like Elizabeth, she enjoyed that for a change her taste was being considered.

On the other hand, Madame Dupont was delighted to have the chance to design dresses for three attractive ladies, each of whom was very different from her sisters. Another bonus was that Mrs Gardiner had kept her promise and sent bolts of the best fabrics from the latest shipment in colours which she judged would suit the sisters.

Madame Dupont was heard to murmur, 'Now, those fabrics are worthy of my designs,' as she happily examined the materials.

~O~

While they waited for their new dresses, Isabella and the sisters visited the Gardiners.

While they were enjoying tea, Madelaine Gardiner suggested, 'If you are looking for accessories to go with the new dresses, we could visit Edward's warehouse. We have received several shipments of new wares.'

'Just in time for the start of the season. I would guess that things are rather busy at present.'

'Indeed. But Edward has set aside some of the nicest items. After all, we have to ensure that our family does not have to settle for second best.'

~O~

Mrs Gardiner and her guests had only been at her husband's emporium for a short while when they were hailed by another customer.

'Isabella, it is good to see you. It has been much too long.'

At the greeting Isabella turned and with a delighted smile she replied, 'Eleanor, it is good to see you too. Are you getting ready for the season too?'

'Indeed. I had not heard that you were in town. Why did you not let us know?'

'We only arrived two days ago and are only just settling in. But come, I would like you to meet some of my family.' At a nod from her friend, Isabella indicated Gardiner, who had come to assist them with their selections. 'This is my nephew, Mr Edward Gardiner, the owner of this wonderful warehouse, his wife, Mrs Madeline Gardiner, and three of my great nieces, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet and Miss Mary Bennet, of Longbourn in Hertfordshire. Family, this is Lady Eleanor Fitzwilliam, the Countess of Matlock.'

After they had exchanged the customary courtesies, Lady Matlock exclaimed with a smile, 'It seems that you were successful in finding your family. I hope that you will be available to come to tea sometime soon.'

'Perhaps next week?' Isabella suggested.

'That would be perfect. I will send an invitation.' Not wanting to disrupt their shopping any further, Lady Matlock took her leave.

~O~

That was a successful shopping trip,' Isabella commented after dinner that evening.

She and the sisters were ensconced in her small sitting room in front of a roaring fire.

'I have never bought so much in a year,' Elizabeth said. 'I still cannot believe that I would need that many different gloves and whatnot.'

'We will be making many calls, and you must always look your best. But I am pleased that we encountered Lady Matlock today. She is a very useful acquaintance to have.' Isabella suddenly sported a mischievous grin. 'Although I must warn you, Elizabeth. She does have a nephew with whom you are familiar.'

Elizabeth wondered about that comment until inspiration struck. 'Surely not. I thought Lady Matlock was all that is charming and amiable. Mr Darcy could not possibly be her nephew.'

'I am afraid, he is. But do not trouble yourself too much. He spends as little time as possible in London. But I thought to warn you, do not hold her relatives against her. She has been my dear friend for the last thirty years.'

~O~

Madam Dupont's seamstresses worked feverishly, and it was only a couple of days later that Isabella took her nieces to her shop for a fitting of the first half of the order.

The sisters endured two hours of trying on one dress after the other to make the final adjustments. By the time they stepped out of the last dress, which was being fitted, the first two for each of them were ready to wear or take with them.

On Isabella's advice, the sisters left the shop clad in exquisite day dresses, covered by new fur lined cloaks.

As they were leaving, a footman placed al their packages in the carriage, and Isabella said, 'As a reward for your forbearance, I shall buy you a treat. There is a wonderful teashop a few doors along.'

'Do they have hot chocolate?' Elizabeth asked perking up.

'They do indeed. And they also have wonderful pastries.'

Taking the beaming smiles as agreement, Isabella led the girls to the teashop. As they were about to enter, a party of three young women exited.

The strawberry blonde in the lead was looking bored as her eyes travelled over Isabella until they reached Jane who was next to her. Suddenly her gaze sharpened. She took on a haughty expression, raising her chin and giving a sniff as if an unpleasant small had wafted past. Turning her head away, she brushed past Isabella as her friends followed her.

Jane, who had opened her lips to utter a greeting, closed them again as she heard the woman say, 'I do not know what things are coming to with all the riffraff in town…'

The voice faded as the women entered a carriage.

Isabella raised a brow when she saw Jane's stunned reaction until a quiet chuckle from behind them roused her companion.

Elizabeth's voice was a little breathy with laughter as she declared, 'Oh dear. Should I feel pity for Miss Bingley for getting it so wrong?'

'That was Miss Bingley?' Isabella asked. When the sisters confirmed it, a delighted, and possibly malicious, smile spread over her features.

~O~