Chapter 18
Georgiana arrived at ten thirty in the morning, bright eyed and excited. She was met in the foyer by Elizabeth and Jane, who were busy putting on their outerwear.
"Elizabeth, is Alex awake? I was hoping to see him before we went out this morning."
"Alas, he is not, and you saw him just last night, Georgiana." Elizabeth's and Jane's soft, feminine laughter filled the large entryway.
At the sight of Georgiana's lower lip pushed out in a pout, Elizabeth and Jane's laughter subsided. They shared a soft glance in commiseration. How similar to Lydia did Georgiana appeared just then. It was an expression their deceased sister sported many times, particularly when she did not get her desire.
Mrs. Gardiner bustled in smiling widely, already dressed in her pelise and bonnet. "Come, ladies. There is shopping to be done." She ushered the young ladies out the door.
High feminine tones of chatter accompanied them out onto the street and into the Darcy carriage, assisted by one of the footmen.
As Elizabeth settled on the backward facing seat she looked out the window, and the sight of a man standing across the street caught her attention. He seemed to be staring directly at them. A jerk of the horses moving forward and talk of dress styles and fashions removed the strange scene from her sight and mind.
Mrs. Gardiner was telling Georgiana the list of dresses she wanted to order for Jane. "And Elizabeth needs one or two as well. Yes, dear," Mrs. Gardiner saw her niece was about to object. "I know you are still in full mourning. Perhaps one in black and one in a grey color? While you will not necessarily be accepting calls during your mourning you still require one nice dress on the off chance someone stops by. And as I said before, they need to fit."
"Lizzy, your full mourning is nearly over, and you will require half mourning gowns before you know it." Jane clasped her hand and squeezed it gently, before letting go.
Elizabeth nodded to her aunt and let the rest of the ladies' discussion of fashion entertain her until they arrived at Mr. Gardiner's warehouses.
A clerk met them when they arrived and ushered them to the area containing the fabrics. A Darcy footman trailed behind while one remained with the carriage.
Georgiana gasped when she saw the array of fabrics lined up along walls and stocked high upon shelves.
"Oh, my. One could spend hours here." When she recollected her companions, she blushed to see three faces smiling at her.
"Indeed, one can, but not today. Come along. I know exactly what we are looking for." Like chicks, the three young ladies followed Mrs. Gardiner single file down the aisles.
She pointed at a selection each time a specific material caught her eye and the clerk attending them would grab it to set aside.
In short order, specific fabrics both muslin and satin, embroidered netting and lace were piled up. All were in shades to compliment Jane's coloring.
"Miss Darcy, as your coloring is so similar to Jane's, some of these may suit you, as well." Mrs. Gardiner turned to Lizzy, "I think one dress in black in a crepe. The days will soon be warmer and I think you will be more comfortable. For your half mourning, to start we shall choose a dove grey for an evening dress, I think. Perhaps with, Hmm… dark blue trimmings? It will go with your brown eyes. Any objections?"
Looking around at the three women and seeing none, she clapped her hands together. "Good. Let us get started." She waved the clerk over and smiled at him. "Matthew, we are ready to begin."
A mere hour later, mounds of folded fabric were being stored in the Darcy equipage and four ladies together with their hoard were on their way to Mrs. Bean, a seamstress the Gardiners have worked with for many years.
When they exited the equipage again, Elizabeth took Mrs. Gardiner aside. "Aunt, I will not be able to stay too much longer. Alex will be getting hungry." The look they shared spoke volumes. Elizabeth herself would be feeling the discomfort on her own person, with the pressure building in her breasts.
With a pat on her hand Mrs. Gardiner responded, "I know, dear. Mrs. Bean will measure you first and discuss cut and style. Then you are free to return to the house. You have money for the hackney?" Seeing her niece nod, she further inquired, "Do you trust me to design dresses for you?"
"You have never disappointed me in the past." Placing a quick kiss on her aunt's cheek, Elizabeth hooked her arm through the older woman's and followed Jane and Georgiana inside.
~ / ~
Elizabeth exited and breathed a sigh of relief, grateful she only had two gowns to worry about.
Poor Jane. They will be there for hours yet. Although, neither Jane nor Georgiana seemed to mind.
She waited on the street for a couple of minutes before an empty hackney drove in her direction. She hailed it and climbed up, giving the Gracechurch Street address. As the vehicle pulled away from the curb into the stream of traffic, a familiar sight caught her eye. The man from earlier that day was standing across the street leaning against one of the buildings, she could not make out the features of his face, but it was clear he was staring right at her. Her heart started thumping in her chest.
Is that the same man who watched us board the Darcy carriage in front of my uncle's home? The clothing seems similar, but I did not get a good look at his face, and the beard covers much of it. I shall have to let Mr. Darcy know what I saw, in case someone is targeting Georgiana. An honorable and dependable gentleman such as he would without doubt, move heaven and earth to safeguard his own sister.
Elizabeth heard Alex crying for her as soon as she entered the Gardiner home. His needs swept the unusual incident from her mind and it was some time before the memory resurfaced.
~ / ~
Darcy House
Darcy was in his study focusing on correspondence when he heard his sister return. Eager to know how her day went, he rose and went out to the entryway to meet her.
"Brother." Came her happy cry of greeting.
"Georgiana, you enjoyed yourself, I take it?"
"Indeed, we had ever so much fun." Georgiana had removed her outerwear and approached Darcy.
He signaled for refreshments to the butler and guided his sister to their favorite parlor. A smaller room compared to the one used for visiting guests, but the decor still maintained the warm and inviting feel from when their mother, Lady Anne, had decorated it.
Seating her and then taking the chair next to her, he inquired if it was a successful trip and if she found something to her liking.
"It was wonderful. Mr. Gardiner's warehouse had a vast selection of fabrics. Mrs. Gardiner knew exactly what she was searching for though. Both for Miss Bennet and for Elizabeth. As my coloring is similar to Miss Bennet's I chose a couple of fabrics she did, but our designs will be very different, of course."
"Of course." was Darcy's solemn reply.
"They are such kind, and joyful ladies. Nothing like the cold calculating ladies of the Ton. Do you not think Miss Jane Bennet is beautiful?"
A quick intake of breath stuck in Darcy's throat and he had to cough to clear it before he could speak. "She… is a striking woman." He began tentatively. Yet, the image of dark brown eyes and curls was what burgeoned in his mind at that moment. "I beg you not to foster thoughts of matchmaking. Both you and I have expressed a desire to make our own choice." His stern look finalized any daydreams she might have in that direction.
Refreshments arrived at that moment and Darcy allowed her chatter about the details of her day wash over him as they shared the tea and cakes.
The sound of Elizabeth's name being mentioned brought him out of his wool gathering. "What is this about Mrs. Carrington?"
"She had to return to Gracechurch Street earlier than the rest of us because of Alex." A pink stain colored her cheeks but she continued, "Elizabeth traveled back to her aunt and uncle's house by hackney. She and Mrs. Gardiner were aware of her time constraints, so she was measured first and her two dresses discussed before she left."
"She took a hackney? Alone?"
"It was not very far. Miss Bennet informed me Elizabeth was used to being independent from her time living in Plymouth."
Georgiana watched her brother's lips tighten and wondered if perhaps she should not have mentioned it to him. "I am sure she encountered no difficulties."
A clock struck the hour bringing to mind their lack of plans for the remainder of the day.
"I am grateful for the reprieve of a quiet night in with just the two of us. However, do not forget we have obligations to Lady Matlock tomorrow. Do you recall where we are invited to, Georgie?"
"I do not. I shall check the invitation before going up to rest." She sighed. "It is a shame Lizzy is in mourning, it would be so much fun to attend events with her by my side. And Miss Bennet too of course, though she is as reticent and shy as I."
"I doubt society would be kind to either woman, seeing as they are not from the first circles." Privately, Darcy agreed with her. A small smile hovered on his lips as he thought how different these events would be with Mrs. Carrington on his arm. Then it disappeared. Mrs. Carrington and her sister would not even be accepted for afternoon tea, let alone an evening gala.
"We must find events or occasions we can all go to. Perhaps a lecture or visit to the museum?"
"Georgie, they have only just arrived in Town. Let us give them time to work out their own plans and schedule. After all, Mrs. Carrington cannot even attend a dinner until she enters her half mourning."
With a sigh, Georgiana agreed. Tea was finished in silence, each occupied with their own ruminations.
~ / ~
Gracechurch Street
After her morning excursion for new dresses Elizabeth was happy to be back with Alex and resting. When she joined the family again in the afternoon, she apologized to her aunt.
"I beg your forgiveness for taking your maid away from her work to watch over Alex. The first thing I will do when I receive the inheritance is hire a nurse for him."
"It is well, Lizzy. We all understand this is temporary. I beg you not to be uneasy. Your uncle's business is doing very well. We have even discussed the idea of moving to a more refined location."
"Have you?"
"Yes, but for now we have decided against the idea. He does not wish to lose precious family time by traveling further to his warehouse and office. We have put off the idea until the children are a little older, which is not really that far off. Then, where we reside will have a larger impact, especially on the girl's prospects."
Mrs. Gardiner laid her hand on Elizabeth's arm. "Pray, be easy. About the maids, and the dresses. We have not seen you since July, and you have been through so much. It is our pleasure to pamper you, and Jane, a little."
"You are too kind, Aunt. Thank you."
Jane entered, trailed by her two female cousins. She went to sit by her embroidery basket and Esther and Maggie followed with their own embroidery projects.
"Jane, what do you think of asking Miss Darcy if you might visit the Royal Art museum together?
"I would really not rather go if you cannot join us."
Elizabeth gave her sister a compassionate look. "I am still in mourning, but that does not mean you should forgo interesting outings."
This quiet Bennet sister raised one brow and smirked, "Does it follow I should find art interesting?"
Her performance, a fine copy of her younger sister's general behavior, evoked peals of laughter, and Elizabeth's shocked expression. "For shame. Abominable tease. Very well then." She sniffed. "You do not deserve to witness the fine art on display. Instead you shall take our cousins to the park tomorrow. Aunt, should you mind if we disrupt their day a little bit?"
Excited squeals from the young girls met this suggestion, but a look from their mother quelled their exuberance.
"Eddie will need to work on his studies, but you two and little Walter can go. For a short while, at least. You will need to mind your studies when you return."
"Yes, Mama," two little voices echoed, but smiles adorned their little faces.
Now Elizabeth sighed. "I wish I could join you. I am sure it will be another fine day."
~ / ~
Darcy House
The next morning an ebullient Lord Matlock showed up at Darcy House.
After exchanging greetings and a request for coffee was placed, the two men sat in comfortable chairs by the hearth.
"Darcy, I tell you this is the strangest situation. The earl of Carrington started pressing for the funds soon after learning of his son's death. Mr. Haversham, the attorney, who is well aware of the laws of inheritance would not comply. However, he was too scared to free the funds to Mrs. Carrington as the earl kept sending ever more demanding and threatening letters. Vicious things they were, too. Never write a letter to an attorney, Darcy, unless you are prepared to back it up in court. He may be weak as a worm, but the man was clever enough to save every bit of correspondence the earl sent."
The earl shook himself free from an unbid image of the vitriol spewed on those pages. "The correspondence ceased suddenly nearly a month ago. But Haversham was still too scared to do anything in the widow's favor."
The interruption of coffee arriving wreaked havoc on Darcy's fortitude. He took in a full breath and let it out slowly. His uncle was an accomplished orator and would tell the story in his own way and time.
"After doing a little digging to find out what changed a month ago, I discovered the most remarkable news. It would seem the earl is dead.. Some kind of accident on his Estate. Goodness knows why that bit of news did not spread like wildfire between the gossips of the Ton.
"Your widow should have no difficulty claiming her inheritance, but just in case I made sure a bug was put in Haversham's ear to let him know she had friends in high places. I personally would be checking in to make sure it was all handled forthwith!"
"Dead. Unbelievable, and yet I wonder at no mention of Lord Carrington's death being mentioned in the papers. The death of an earl while not a catastrophe is still newsworthy. Still, you have my gratitude, uncle. This was a good thing you did. Making an effort to be of assistance will be a boon for Mrs. Carrington and her son."
"Well, yes… Well… It was my pleasure, Darcy. I was happy to help."
They enjoyed coffee and speaking for a while longer. Both men were grateful the air between them seemed to be easing. What little family they had now was too important and fragile to remain at odds.
"Uncle," Darcy stopped, not knowing how to ask what he wished to or even if he should. "you know I am not contemplating remarrying at this time. This is Georgie's time to shine. But, I have been giving thought to what kind of woman I would like to commit to…"
Lord Matlock's eyes had a pinched look to them. "Yes…?"
"I do not believe she will be of the Ton, or from the first circles. No one has caught my eye." He rushed on to say. "But I still find the ladies lacking. Good Lord, they do not have an original idea in their heads. Not one of them can think beyond what they expect I wish for them to say. Can you imagine a vacuous woman like that trying to shoulder the responsibilities Pemberley demands? Are my mother's shoes to be filled by a woman who cannot comprehend the many tenants she will be required to foster?"
A quick glance at Lord Matlock showed his expression had altered to one of contemplation. "You do have a point, I admit. Still, it is not as though you have yet met every single lady of marriageable age. Do not be hasty, Darcy. Someone will present herself in due time." He stood to leave, and Darcy accompanied him out to the foyer.
When Lord Matlock departed, Darcy contemplated how to get the news of this happy conclusion to Mrs. Carrington.
I could send a note to Mr. Gardiner, but if they have questions, it might be best to tell them in person. Should I have Georgiana send her a note and see if they are available?
He quickly checked the time. Still within visiting hours. He dithered over his decision.
Darcy straightened to his full height and pulled down his waistcoat. These actions were punctuated with an affirmative nod. I will ask Georgiana if she will accompany me.