Mrs. Gardiner turned at once to her youngest niece. “Lydia, you will no longer take your meals with us. You are still a child, and such behavior is not fitting. A mature young woman does not groan at the table. Your luncheon will be sent to the nursery, and you will dine with little Edward for the remainder of your stay. You are excused.”
Lydia looked first to Jane and then to Elizabeth for support, but both sisters met her with disapproval. When Lydia left the room, Elizabeth rose and closed the door of the breakfast parlor.
“Aunt, I am uneasy for Lydia. If she is thwarted, she may attempt something rash.”
“I share your concern. I have given instructions to the footman. She is being watched and will not be allowed to leave the house. All the doors are secured except the front entrance and the servant’s entrance through the kitchen.”
“Cook has always guarded the kitchen, and Christopher attends the front door, so we need not fear.”
“Does Nurse Ruth know of Lydia’s unruly temper?”
“I warned her the day Lydia arrived. The note you placed in my hands was enough to alarm me, and I took precautions from the first hour.”
Mrs. Gardiner paused, then asked, “Lizzy, is there any chance this Mr. Wickham might come to London in search of Lydia?”
Jane gasped, and Elizabeth’s hand rose to her mouth. “I hope not, Aunt. Lydia had no opportunity to give him our direction, yet I cannot say what Kitty or even Mamma might reveal if he were to inquire. He is a man of pleasing appearance and polished address. I would not dismiss the possibility.”
“I hope your uncle returns without delay. In the meantime, I shall caution Christopher. If he observes a well-favored gentleman lingering near the house, he is to inform me at once. Now, girls, go upstairs and change while I write to Mr. Darcy.”
Four hours were spent at Madame Duvall’s shop. Once again, Clara dispatched her assistant along the Strand to search for evening gowns suitable for Jane and Elizabeth. While they waited, the three ladies examined patterns and considered fabrics, and both sisters selected materials for two additional evening gowns. These would not be completed for at least a week.
“When will the day gowns be ready?”
“I have engaged additional help, madam, and they should be completed within two days. The evening gowns, however, will require at least a week.”
Clara appeared troubled, but Mrs. Gardiner answered, “It is well. You have served us admirably on short notice.”
When the assistant returned, she bore only two evening gowns.
“Madame, these are the only gowns in suitable colors and sizes that may be altered in time.”
“You have done well, Bettie. Miss Bennet, please follow Bettie. She will assist you.”
She then turned to Elizabeth. “This gown will suit you in both shade and form. Maria, take Miss Elizabeth and assist her. We shall have both fitted, and the gowns will be ready by the sixteenth.”
The ladies returned to Gracechurch Street in silence, their spirits worn by the day. Once inside, Mrs. Gardiner said, “My dear nieces, you have exhausted me. I shall rest for a time and join you again at dinner.”
Chapter 13: Dinner on Grosvenor Square
March 14, 1811
Elizabeth stood at the head of the stairs and looked down into the foyer, searching for Mr. Darcy. She and Jane had watched his carriage draw up before the house, yet he was not immediately within. A moment later, she saw him enter with Georgiana upon his arm. He lifted his eyes and found her where she stood upon the second-floor landing, waiting and watching.
His countenance brightened into a smile as their eyes met, and her heart was suddenly overflowing with happiness. He led his sister to the foot of the stairs, and together they waited as Elizabeth and Jane descended. She saw his eyes upon her, his gaze passing over her before returning to her face. Color rose in his cheeks, and his evident pleasure brought warmth to her own.
As always, he was impeccably dressed, yet in evening attire, there was an elegance to him that, if such a thing were possible, heightened his beauty. She could not look away.
When she reached the final step, he extended his hand.
“Miss Bennet.”
He bowed over her fingers and pressed his lips to her knuckles. Though her gloves remained between them, she felt the heat of the contact, and a shiver of sensation traveled up her arm and settled deep within her.
Her breath caught at the force of her own reaction to so small a gesture, to the intentness of his gaze, and to the pressure of his fingers upon the hand he still held enclosed within his own. This did not feel as though he regarded her merely as a companion to his young sister. It spoke of desire, of passion held carefully in check. His cheeks remained flushed.
She curtsied. “Mr. Darcy.”
Then she turned to Georgiana. “You look lovely. Is this a new evening gown?”
