Chapter 8 - London Encounters
The next morning Elizabeth received another letter from Mr Collins. Elizabeth unfolded the crisp parchment, her fingers tracing the elaborate loops of Mr Collins' handwriting. She reminded surprised that his writing was so elaborate. The faint scent of ink and bee's wax wafted up from the page, a stark contrast to the stuffy air of the morning room.
Most of the letter contained Lady Catherine's advice on what wedding clothes she should be buying, and from where and how they should be transported. Her ladyship had been very particular on these matters; she decided to answer it later as they had a busy morning planned; there were several shops Mrs Bennet wanted to visit. She did however write to her father. It was not a long letter, for she found that she could hardly write.
The bustling streets of London assaulted Elizabeth's senses. The clatter of carriage wheels on cobblestones, the shouts of street vendors, and the mingling aromas of fresh bread and horse manure created a cacophony that was both exhilarating and overwhelming.
They returned to Gracechurch Street tired but pleased, while they had not been able to do all that they had planned they had managed to do most of it. Mrs Bennet's chief source of good humour was that she had overheard two very fashionable ladies in one of shops they had been in talking about the Middletons' ball and how much they wished they were connected enough to be attending.
The ball was in just over a week's time and there was a great deal to be done, for both the ball and Elizabeth's wedding. Mrs Bennet talked over every detail, Mrs Gardiner listened patiently and gave her opinion, however Elizabeth could not. She just agreed with whatever her mother wanted. What did it matter to her, what her gown looked like, or what lace it was trimmed with? No, she was marrying Mr Collins, she had begun to see her wedding day as the end.
But she was not given to dwell on unpleasant things, no indeed she focused all of her attention on her sister for fear that it would drift back to either Mr Collins or her father.
Mrs Gardiner came over to where Elizabeth and Jane were sitting sorting out their purchases.
"Well Lizzy you must have made quite an impression on Lady Rowena." Her aunt smiled at her, "for this note has just arrived for you."
Elizabeth read the note quickly, "She invites us all to dine at their house on Thursday night."
Mrs Gardiner smiled, "that is quite unexpected attention from such a quarter."
"She writes that she has also asked her cousins and their friend, Mr Bingley."
Elizabeth glanced at Jane to see her blush slightly, "and that they are expecting her brothers as well as the older brother's wife."
"It sounds like it will be quite the party then," her aunt replied. "We must accept, of course."
ooOoo
The image of Elizabeth, her eyes sparkling with mirth as she delivered a particularly witty remark at Netherfield, flashed unbidden in Darcy's mind. He could still hear the musical lilt of her laughter, see the way her whole face lit up with joy. It was in that moment, he realized, that he had first begun to fall for her.
Darcy was pacing - he seemed to be doing that a lot lately. Lady Rowena had invited Georgiana and himself to dine with her family, and she had also mentioned that the Bennets would be attending. He did not know what to make of her lately, but he thought that she might believe he had an attachment to Elizabeth Bennet. However, she knew as well as he did that she was engaged to another man.
He could not turn down the invitation without upsetting his sister and his uncle's family and that would not be at all worth it. And Georgiana, she was improving. She had actually had a proper conversation with a person she had never met before. It was just typical that that person would be none other than Elizabeth Bennet.
"I must put her out of my mind," he said out loud. But the more he saw of her the more painful it was to be in her company, however when he stayed away he felt like he was going to die.
He could not understand why she had done it. He knew she did not love Mr Collins, every look had suggested that she could not stand him. He stopped by the fire and stared down into it.
Georgiana knocked quietly on the door at that moment, her bonnet in her hands.
"Brother, is everything alright?"
He looked around at her, "Yes, I'm just concerned over some business that is not going as well as it should."
"I'm sure you will fix it," she said gently, "you always fix everything."
"I think this might be beyond any fixing I can do."
"Have faith, brother. The carriage is here."
"Yes let us go, we don't want to keep Bingley and his sisters waiting."
ooOoo
Caroline Bingley paced by the window, irritation evident in her quick steps. Weeks in town, and they'd barely seen Charles or Mr Darcy. Her eyes narrowed as she considered her options. The Hursts' connections weren't enough; only a marriage into the Darcy family would secure the social standing she craved. But Charles seemed determined to attach himself to Jane Bennet, of all people. Caroline's lip curled at the thought. The Bennets, with their small estate and few connections, would do nothing to further their family's aspirations.
She was looking out at the street while she waited for the carriage; Louisa was still upstairs getting ready.
Charles arrived at the door, "Are you ready, Caroline?"
"Yes," she stood, "Louisa will be down in a moment. Mr Hurst has already gone out, he had an appointment he could not from which he could not excuse himself."
"Darcy and Miss Darcy will be here in a minute" Charles said checking his watch. "Did you see the note from Lady Rowena Fitzwilliam, Darcy's cousin? We are to dine with them on Thursday."
"Yes, it was very kind of her to consider myself and Louisa when we are not very well acquainted." Caroline said. "I have written to accept of course. I hope you do not mind me doing so without speaking to you first."
"Not at all Caroline, I only met her the other day with Darcy, but she seemed like a very pleasant young lady. She has also invited the Miss Bennets and their uncle and aunt. Where is Louisa? Oh I forgot to mention Miss Elizabeth Bennet is engaged to Mr Collins. They will be here any minute, in fact I think I hear them."
There was the sound a carriage drawing up at the house.
"Louisa?" He walked briskly up the stairs.
Caroline's face, light up. Miss Eliza Bennet was engaged to be married, this news delighted her to no end. And to Mr Collins no less!
So there would be no escaping the Miss Bennets, she would have to call on the at Gracechurch Street after all. There was no avoiding it. But if she had to have the Bennets as family at least she might to be able to get Mr Darcy as her own husband.
ooOoo
Georgiana was worried about her brother, for he was not at all himself, and she watched him silently all the way over the Hurst's house. He was often quiet and always reserved but she had never seen him like this. She had mentioned her concerns to her cousins, Lady Rowena and Lady Henrietta, the former had questioned her and between them they had come to the conclusion that whatever it was that was bothering him had happened in Hertfordshire. Lady Henrietta, on the other hand, had not been at all interested and left the room soon after the conversation had started.
Georgiana was much closer in age to Lady Rowena then she was to Lady Henrietta and as such as the two youngest cousins they tended to be drawn together, while their older siblings talked of more important matters.
Fitzwilliam was staring out of the window lost in thought, a frown on his face. They were to spend the day with the Bingleys. Since it was such a fine day, despite it being the middle of winter, they were to go to the Royal Gardens and walk for a while.
Fitzwilliam stepped out of the carriage to help Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst into it, and once the entire party was safely within they set off.
The gravel crunched under their feet as they entered the Royal Gardens. Despite the winter chill, evergreens stood proud against the grey sky, and a few hardy flowers clung to life, their petals dusted with frost.
Miss Bingley, in unusually high spirits, peppered Georgiana with questions about her cousins. "And Lady Rowena, is she much in society?" Miss Bingley asked, her breath visible in the cold air.
Georgiana hesitated, glancing at her brother. "Fitzwilliam?" she prompted gently.
Fitzwilliam, who had been staring absently at a frost-covered rosebush, started slightly. "I beg your pardon, what was the question?"
As Georgiana repeated it, she noticed Mr Bingley's concerned look. He soon drew Fitzwilliam away, their low voices barely audible over the call of a winter bird.
"Is your brother quite well?" Miss Bingley asked, her eyes following the gentlemen.
Georgiana forced a smile. "Just some business concerns," she said, hoping Mr Bingley might succeed where she had failed in drawing out her brother's troubles.
ooOoo
"Come now, Darcy," Bingley said to him. "You need try and cheer up a little."
"Thank you, Bingley," he replied, "for your concern."
"I didn't even know you liked her that much, the way you are always bickering."
"Neither did I, I can assure you I was quite surprised to discover it myself."
"Have you spoken to her?"
Darcy laughed, "And what would I say to her?"
"Well, I didn't mean about the engagement, more just to see where the conversation goes. You never know, she might mention it herself." Bingley was really concerned for him, even Darcy could see that.
"I don't know if I am even able to have a conversation with her any more, the power of speech seems to be beyond me at the moment."
"I don't believe that for a minute," Bingley said. "No I have seen the way you two speak to one another, she does not speak to anyone else like that. Even her sister has commented on it."
"She has?"
"She has indeed, and if you would like I can ask some more questions of Miss Bennet?"
"No, I would not have her thinking-" Darcy replied, no it would not do to have her thinking anything odd of the situation.
"Cheer up Darcy, she is only engaged. She is not married yet."
"No, she is not married yet."
ooOoo
Jane and Elizabeth waited on Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst the next morning after they had discussed it again, while their mother and aunt were busy elsewhere. Miss Bingley received them more warmly than Elizabeth had expected and was surprised and pleased to that Miss Darcy was engaged on a similar call.
Miss Bingley greeted Jane with effusive warmth, expressing delight at her winter visit to town.
The discussion briefly touched on the upcoming Middletons' ball, an event that clearly held great social importance for Miss Bingley.
The drawing room was oppressively warm, the air heavy with the cloying scent of Miss Bingley's perfume. Elizabeth's tea had long since gone cold, the delicate china cup still full and forgotten in her hand as she engaged in conversation.
The visit passed off pleasantly enough, Miss Darcy seemed more comfortable in the company of the two sets of sisters and her companion, Mrs Annesley, and without any of the men there. Elizabeth soon realised that the best way to get Miss Darcy to speak was to engage her in conversation on her own, she did not speak willingly in front of the rest of the group. Elizabeth had quite a long conversation with her on the subject of music, however Miss Darcy seemed more inclined to speak of her brother, which Elizabeth interpreted as her not seeing him very often.
"You must have had quite a lonely childhood Miss Darcy, there is quite a age gap between yourself and your brother?" Elizabeth asked her while they were standing apart from the rest.
"I believe some would consider it lonely," Miss Darcy replied, "but we spend a great deal of our time with our cousins."
"And are they nearer in age to you?"
"Anne is a few years younger than Fitzwilliam, as is Lady Rowena," Miss Darcy said thoughtfully. "although my other cousins are all older."
"Growing up in a house with four sisters must have biased me," Elizabeth laughed, "but I would have liked to have a brother, it would have made things easier." she said more to herself then Miss Darcy.
I should have liked to have even one sister," Miss Darcy smiled, a hint of wistfulness in her voice. "But my brother…" she paused, her eyes brightening, "Fitzwilliam has always been there for me. He's more than just a brother, really."
Elizabeth felt a twinge of something—surprise? curiosity?—at Miss Darcy's words. "He sounds quite devoted," she said carefully, her mind racing to reconcile this image with the proud, aloof Mr Darcy she thought she knew.
"Oh, he is," Miss Darcy nodded eagerly. "I don't know what I'd do without him. He's always so…" she trailed off, searching for the right word.
"Kind?" Elizabeth supplied, recalling their earlier conversation.
Miss Darcy's face lit up. "Yes, exactly! He's the kindest person I know."
Elizabeth found herself smiling despite her conflicted feelings. "How fortunate you both are," she said softly, a note of something like regret colouring her voice.
"Miss Eliza," Miss Bingley called from across the room, her voice syrupy sweet. "We had not congratulated you on your engagement to Mr Collins. You must allow us to do so now. You will be very happy, I'm sure."
Elizabeth felt her smile freeze on her face. She opened her mouth to respond, but for a moment, no words came.
Miss Darcy, oblivious to Elizabeth's discomfort, turned to her with wide, curious eyes. "You're engaged, Miss Elizabeth? How wonderful! Is it very romantic?"
The innocence in Miss Darcy's question struck Elizabeth like a physical blow. She swallowed hard, acutely aware of Miss Bingley's sharp gaze and Miss Darcy's earnest interest.
"It's… quite a recent development," Elizabeth managed at last, her voice sounding strained even to her own ears. "Mr Collins is… very attentive."
As the words left her mouth, Elizabeth felt a wave of something akin to despair wash over her. She looked away, missing the flash of concern that crossed Miss Darcy's face.
"How delightful," Miss Bingley said, her tone suggesting she found it anything but. "I'm sure you'll make a charming couple."
Elizabeth nodded mechanically, suddenly longing for the quiet of Longbourn's gardens, far from the suffocating politeness of this London drawing room.