Elizabeth huffed. “You know I will accept Jane’s choice, little though I like it or approve of it. I will rest easier when I see her again. She seemed so sad and disconnected those last weeks before she married Mr. Collins. I wonder if she hoped, with each reading of the banns, that Mr. Bingley would appear and protest.Icertainly did.”
“Jane has always been a private soul. She will share all with you when she is ready.” Aunt Gardiner stood. “I am off to Bond Street in search of a gift for your uncle’s birthday. Will you join me? We might go to Gunter’s for ices when we are finished.”
“And Hatchard’s?” Elizabeth smiled. A visit to her favorite bookshop was certain to cheer her.
Aunt laughed. “If you like. Now, run and fetch your things. The carriage has been called.”
Elizabeth did as she was bid and hurried from the room. Ten minutes later, they were aboard the carriage and traveling to the finer parts of town.
After browsing several shops, Aunt Gardiner and Elizabeth entered a watchmaker’s establishment. The display cases held several fashionable pieces suitable for a gentleman.
“Your uncle recently lost his watch to the Thames,” Aunt Gardiner confided. “It was pulled from his waistcoat when it snagged on one of the ship’s rails.” She bent over the display case, admiring the engraved front of a particularly fine silver watch. “This will do nicely. Mr. Gardiner prefers silver.”
“That is a wonderful choice, madam,” the proprietor said. “I engraved it myself.”
“What is the inspiration for the design?” Elizabeth asked curiously. The proprietor opened the case and withdrew the watch, placing it on a velvet cloth before Elizabeth and her aunt. Elizabeth noted immediately that the watch was engraved with intricate scrolling around the edges. There were vines and flowers woven throughout, twisting around an empty shield in the center.
“I can engrave whatever you like in the shield.” The proprietor anticipated Elizabeth’s question.
“I believe Uncle will like it.” She turned to her aunt. “Perhaps we might select a new fob as well?”
“I agree.” Aunt Gardiner turned to the man assisting them. “We will take it. I would like aGengraved in the center. And that fob there will suit my husband nicely.” She gestured to a simple silver fob that matched the watch.
The man nodded and led Aunt Gardiner to the counter, where he carefully recorded the details of the order. “All will be ready ina week’s time,” he told her, wrapping the watch and fob in a soft cloth and pinning the order to the fabric.
“Thank you,” Aunt Gardiner replied. They took their leave and made their way to Hatchard’s, the bell to the shop jingling on the way out. A display in the window of a haberdashery caught Aunt Gardiner’s eye, and when she pointed it out, the pair moved in that direction.
They entered the shop, and Aunt Gardiner moved to the display. Elizabeth wandered further into the store, admiring the array of ribbons and selecting several for her younger sisters.
“Charles has not been the same since November, Caroline, and you know it.”
Elizabeth jumped as she recognized Louisa Hurst’s voice coming from somewhere in the store.
“Nonsense. Our brother is simply in need of diversion. We were successful in keeping him in London, and now he has gone to Scarborough until April. When he returns, we will encourage him to attend as many events of the season as possible. He will meet someone new and forget all about Jane Bennet.”
Caroline Bingley’s acidic tone soured Elizabeth’s stomach. Her words confirmed what Elizabeth had always thought—Mr. Bingley’s sisters had conspired to keep him from Jane.
No longer wishing to hear what the sisters were saying, Elizabeth moved away. She thought to confront them but did not feel equal to facing the conspirators responsible for destroying the happiness of her most beloved sister.
She met her aunt at the door to the shop and they departed without further comment. Hatchard’s served to distract Elizabeth for a time, the overheard conversation put aside in favor of browsing the treasures found in a bookshop. An hour later, the pair settled at a table in Gunter’s, sipping on their ices despite the frigid air outside.
“Miss Bennet!” Elizabeth heard her name and turned.
“Mr. Darcy.” Her tone held surprise, though she ought not to be so shocked at encountering him here. He had a house in town. It was not so unexpected to see him in London, especially at Gunter’s. Ices were popular amongst all classes.
There was a young lady on his arm. Her blond hair peeked out from beneath her bonnet, and she eyed Elizabeth and her aunt with interest.
“What an unexpected pleasure to find you here,” Mr. Darcy said, bowing. “Will you introduce me to your friend?”
Elizabeth nodded reluctantly. “This is my aunt, Mrs. Madeline Gardiner of Gracechurch Street.” She watched his expression, noting the slight tightening around his eyes. “Aunt, this is Mr. Darcy.”
“It is a pleasure to see you again, sir,” Aunt Gardiner said. “It has been many years. I believe your sister was but a child when last we met.” Aunt turned to the young lady.
“I did not think I had the pleasure of your acquaintance, madam,” Mr. Darcy said stiffly. The surprise in his eyes had turned to suspicion.
“It would be a great compliment if you remembered me, unlikely though it is.” Aunt Gardiner chuckled. “My father owned a small estate near Lambton. Cresswell Manor was my home.”
“Miss Turpin?” Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened. “But it has been—”
