Chapter 5
Mrs. Gardiner was surprised and unsure why they had received the invitation. Baron Wilson's ball would be one of the significant social events of the season, and yet they were not acquainted. That is why Mrs. Gardiner decided to ask her husband before he went to his warehouse. "Edward, my dear, I am astonished because we just got an invitation to Baron Wilson's ball. Do you have any idea why? The distinguished gentleman, it is far above our social status."
"I think I know why, my dear. Rumor has it that Baron Roger Wilson is in a very delicate financial situation and urgently needs funds; he even had to rent his estate to earn money to cover his considerable expenses. Therefore, his solicitor contacted me because Baron Wilson wishes to invest money in the new business we are starting with Reed."
"And do you plan to do business with him?" asked Mrs. Bennet curiously.
"I am not completely convinced. The amount he can invest is not enough to make him a partner, and between Reed and I, we have enough capital to start our business without other investors," explained Mr. Gardiner.
"So this invitation to this prestigious ball is to persuade you to let him participate in your business?" asked Mrs. Gardiner with a smile.
"I believe it is the exact reason for this invitation. Would you like to attend the ball, dear?" Mr. Gardiner was curious about his wife's interest in that event.
"Yes, but not because of me but because this can be a good opportunity for Jane and Lizzy. It would be ideal for them to attend a social event where they can meet important gentlemen. Do you not think, my dear?"
"Yes, I suppose it would be good for them. So, we shall confirm our attendance." Mr. Gardiner kissed his wife on the cheek and left for his office.
A few minutes later, Mrs. Gardiner shared the news with her two nieces. They were surprised but did not dislike the idea. "Tomorrow, we shall go to see my friend Madame Dubois. I want you both to look beautiful that day," said Mrs. Gardiner, hugging her two nieces.
"Aunt, please do not trouble yourself. I brought the gown I used in the Netherfield ball. But Jane does deserve a new gown." Elizabeth had come unexpectedly to Cheapside. Only Jane was supposed to be in London. But unfortunately, she was forced to flee her house because of her mother's constant complaints and attacks. So, Elizabeth did not want to cause any inconvenience to her Uncle and Aunt.
"Do not talk nonsense, Lizzy. Please do not worry about that! Believe me, your Uncle and I can afford to give our favorite nieces some lovely gowns. Besides, due to our friendship, Madame Dubois does not charge me the same as her other clients, "added Mrs. Gardiner to reassure her nieces.
"Thank you, Aunt. You and my Uncle are always so good to us," said Jane, sincerely grateful.
No one knew the Gardiners' business had been quite prosperous in recent years. They lived a modest life compared to their income, but they did so for various reasons. One was because they felt comfortable living surrounded by hard-working people like themselves. The second reason was that they had very ambitious short-term plans, so they preferred to save as much as they could to expand and diversify the family business. Mrs. Gardiner was aware of all her husband's business transactions, and she was one of his principal advisers.
The Gardiner children came into the room, and Elizabeth, seeing them, immediately said, "It is time to go to the park, Jane. Remember, I have a race to win." Elizabeth looked at Luke defiantly.
"I am sorry, Lizzy. When I was a child, you could beat me easily. But now you would best resign yourself to a loss," Luke said, challenging his cousin.
"When you were a child, Luke? Let me remind you that you are only twelve." Elizabeth loved to play and jest with her cousins, and they also adored her.
"Yes, I am twelve, not five anymore," Luke replied, almost offended, making everyone laugh.
The day was a bit cold, so they could only spend an hour in the park. Betty and Adam were eager to see her brother and cousin's race, and Jane could not help but laugh at her sister's witticisms.
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The day before, Albert made an excuse to visit the Gardiner house to have the opportunity to share with the family but mainly to get to know Miss Elizabeth a little better. He laughed at remembering how beautiful she looked when he saw her running in the park with her cousin Luke. Something was refreshing about her; she was a woman with whom, one moment, he could speak about literature and the next, he could see her playing with the children as if she were one of them. He still had not named the growing attraction he felt for her. He only knew that he enjoyed every moment he spent with her.
At that moment, he was in the study of his new house because he had moved in a few days earlier. It was a reasonably large house in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods in London. Yet, he lived alone, accompanied by a handful of servants.
"What do you think about so much, Albert? Samuel Reed asked his brother.
"Samuel, what are you doing here?" Albert said, very surprised.
"What kind of welcome is that, little brother?" Samuel approached and hugged him affectionately. "Answering your question, I am here for several reasons. First, I had to come to London to close some contracts for our company, and my father asked me to see if you needed any help, and our mother asked me to make sure you eat all your soup before bed."
"Well, are you not a wonderful jester, older brother?" Albert laughed. He did not like that his father thought he needed supervision. But he was very close with his two brothers, so he told Samuel bout his business partnership with Mr. Gardiner. He also told his brother about how he had developed a friendship with his new partner and his family.
Samuel realized Albert was especially interested in one of Mr. Gardiner's nieces but preferred not to comment. His brother had always been a little genius in everything related to studies and business, but he was rather shy with the fair sex. Few women could follow his conversation, and he was not surprised that his brother was attracted to an apparently quite clever lady.
Samuel was thirty-two, married at twenty-seven, and had two twin children, almost four years old. He had not studied like Albert because he had learned from his father and grandfather everything necessary to run the family business, and he worked with his father.
"Since you are here, Samuel, I want you to join me for a ball I was invited to. So you will have the opportunity to meet the most distinguished people in London society," Albert said sarcastically.
"Let me guess, a bankrupt noble looking for money?" Samuel asked.
"You are always very perceptive! Indeed, the same old story. They despise us and look down on us until they need our money," replied Albert.
"I shall be in London only for two weeks. You know that Judith is almost in the last month of her confinement, and I do not want to miss the birth of my daughter," Samuel said, smiling.
"How do you know your child will be a girl?" asked Albert curiously.
"I do not know, but I am praying that she is a girl. Our family would not stand another foolish boy; there are already too many of us," Samuel replied with a laugh.
"You are correct, brother. It is time that we have a girl in our family."
Samuel and his brother stayed up late conversing about family and other subjects. Samuel would stay for a few days, and he wanted to take the opportunity to spend time with his beloved brother.
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Sarah Wilson looked at herself in the mirror over and over again. She wanted to be sure she would be the most beautiful at the ball. She had promised her father that she would save the family from both economic and social ruin. She belonged to a family of a noble lineage that had always been wealthy and socially prominent. For as long as she could remember, everyone wanted to be friends with her father and enjoy the benefits of associating with London's most elegant and distinguished gentleman.
However, rumors began to circulate when her father had to rent the family estate to earn money to afford what they once took for granted. She did not want to face the embarrassment of public ruin and was willing to do anything to prevent it.
Sarah had spoken with his father's solicitor, and he explained that the fastest way to generate funds was to invest in commerce and business. But even so, due to the little money they had to invest, it would be many years before they could make enough profits to solve all their financial troubles. That is why Sarah decided to sacrifice herself and marry a wealthy tradesman. Unfortunately, wealthy nobles men were unwilling to marry dowryless women like her.
She had three candidates, and that night at the ball, she would try to see which option was more feasible. Her first candidate was Peter Daniels, a gentleman with distant ties to trade but with a very ambitious mother who probably would not want her son married to a woman without a dowry. The second was Albert Reed, a young and reasonably wealthy tradesman with no family who could step in and complicate matters. Finally, there was Charles Bingley, a handsome but spineless gentleman whom she should approach through his sisters.
'One of those three men will be my future husband, the one who will pay for each of my luxuries and those of my family,'Sarah thought, smiling.
'It is time to accompany my father. The guests will arrive soon.' Sarah looked at herself again in the mirror, convinced that no one could overshadow her beauty and that all the men would desire to dance and converse with her.
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Mr. Darcy arrived on time, as was characteristic of him. It was difficult for him to accept that new tendency to be late everywhere. Upon entering the mansion, he greeted the Wilsons quickly and looked for a place where he could go unnoticed. Fortunately, Miss Wilson did not try to converse with him this time. She was beautiful but cold and calculating, unable to love anyone but herself, and he could never admire a woman like that, no matter how beautiful or well-connected she was.
Lord and Lady Matlock arrived shortly after. Unfortunately, Richard was in the north and had to endure his Uncle's complaints and his Aunt's hateful comments for a time. Also, Lady Matlock hated Sarah Wilson for some reason, which he did not know and preferred not to know.
So when he saw his friend, Bingley, he had the perfect excuse to escape from his family, at least for a moment.
"Darcy, it is good to see you, my friend," said Mr. Bingley cordially. Mr. Darcy greeted his friend warmly, and less enthusiastically, he greeted his two sisters and Mr. Hurst.
"Mr. Darcy, what a joy to see you at this fabulous event. It must be a delight to dance in such a beautiful ballroom." Caroline hinted at Mr. Darcy in every possible way to ask her to dance. She imagined dancing the first set with the man of her dreams before all those important people.
Mr. Bingley and even Louisa and Mr. Hurst were a bit embarrassed to see how Caroline so blatantly flirted with Mr. Darcy and how he ignored her. So Charles decided to converse with his friend and interrupt his sister. "I see that your Aunt the Countess is here. I think you will have to dance tonight," Bingley said, jesting.
"Do not worry, Bingley; I have no intention of dancing with anyone. I am here because my Uncle asked me to come, but I shall return to my house as soon as I see the opportunity," Mr. Darcy replied seriously. He hoped Caroline understood that he did not like to dance and would not dance with her or anyone else.
Jane and Elizabeth were in awe of the splendor of the Wilson Mansion. It was a beautiful and elegantly decorated house. Both sisters did not notice how many looked at them in admiration. Jane wore a light blue dress, highlighting the color of her skin and eyes. Elizabeth wore a cream dress that looked perfect with her green eyes and dark hair.
"Uncle, you have to promise to dance with me. I do not want to be seated all night," Elizabeth said, smiling.
"Why do you say that, Lizzy? You will see how there will be a line of gentlemen waiting to dance with you," said Mr. Gardiner, proud to see how beautiful and elegant his nieces looked.
Caroline had resigned herself from dancing with Mr. Darcy but decided to stay by his side to avoid potential rivals, especially Miss Sarah Wilson, who looked stunning as always.
Mr. Darcy was losing his patience listening to Caroline and her sister criticize all the women around them. But suddenly, he saw Elizabeth Bennet entering the ballroom. He was not sure if he was dreaming. She looked even more beautiful than at the Netherfield ball, dressed in an elegant gown and neatly coiffed, like any lady from the first circles.
"Miss Bennet? Oh, Miss Bennet is here," said Mr. Bingley, immediately leaving to greet Jane. Mr. Darcy was so intent on looking at Elizabeth that he did not realize what was happening around him.
Caroline and Louisa saw Jane Bennet enter the ballroom with an elegant woman, and they panicked. However, it was too late when they tried to prevent Charles from seeing her. He was already on his way to greet her.
"Mr. Darcy, this is a tragedy. What should we do now?" Caroline asked. But she immediately realized that Mr. Darcy had barely heard what she said because he was distracted, observing something or someone. She followed his gaze and saw with horror that he was staring at Eliza Bennet.
Mr. Darcy realized that Caroline was watching him and came back to reality. "There is nothing you can do, Miss Bingley. If Baron Wilson invited Miss Bennet to this ball, she has the same rights as you or I to be here."
"You are correct, Mr. Darcy. I think we better accompany Charles to prevent him from doing something foolish. You can dance with Miss Eliza, just as you did at Netherfield, if you wish," Caroline mockingly added as she glared at Elizabeth.
Mr. Darcy coldly responded. "As I have previously stated, I have no intention of dancing tonight." However, just as he said that the first chords began to sound, he saw Albert Reed approaching Elizabeth, and within seconds, he was accompanying her to the dance floor.
"I see that Eliza Bennet does not need your assistance. Mr. Darcy. Obviously, she already has someone to dance with, and she looks delighted," Caroline maliciously remarked as she walked away in search of her brother.
Meanwhile, Mr. Darcy could not take his eyes off Elizabeth and could not help feeling uneasy. She looked so happy dancing with Albert Reed. At that moment, and more than ever, he wondered what kind of relationship they had.
P&P
Many thanks to everyone who leaves supportive comments and enthusiastically follows the story.
For those who didn't understand my previous comment, let me clarify. When I first published this story, especially at the beginning, many wanted Elizabeth to fall in love with Albert and marry him. But as I also told you, I don't write stories where E&D don't end up together, marry others, have other people's children, or are unfaithful. So, it was hard for me not to betray my non-negotiables and keep Elizabeth and Darcy together :)
In the next chapter, many interesting things will happen at the ball.
Saludos,
Yo