“We could walk along Oxford Street and visit the shops,” she said excitedly, “or we might go to Harding Howell. Either would be entertaining. But, if we walk along Oxford Street, I have heard there are a few shops at the far end, along one of the side streets, that sell exotic birds.”
“That sounds truly delightful,” Elizabeth replied. “Just the thing. Let us do it.”
She slipped out of bed at once. “I will ring for my bath. We may take breakfast up here after we are dressed, if you like. It will save the servants some trouble if we eat upon trays.”
Georgiana nodded. “I will ring for Jenny and let her know of our plans and that we are to go shopping today.”
Later that morning, Elizabeth and Georgiana were handed down from the smallest of the Darcy carriages. The coachman was instructed to return for them in four hours, and they began their walk along Oxford Street, followed by two footmen in full livery.
Elizabeth could not help but feel conspicuous with such splendid attendants following discreetly behind them. She smiled to herself at the absurdity of it.
Georgiana said, “I do not know where the exotic animals are sold.”
“Perhaps your footmen know of such places.”
Georgiana turned at once to the taller of the two men.
“Dunn, I wish to see exotic birds. Can you direct us?”
“Yes, Miss Darcy. There are two or three merchants off a narrow road at the far end of Oxford Street. When the carriage returns, I will ask Gibbs to drive us there.”
Contented with this answer, Georgiana said, “Then let us begin here, Lizzy. This is one of my favorite haberdasheries. You will find that it is large and well-stocked.”
Both women paused at the window. Elizabeth had never seen so grand a shop in her life. There was certainly nothing so large or elegant in Cheapside, where she had shopped with her aunt.
They entered, and Elizabeth was astonished by the vast assortment: fans, stacks of silk stockings, lace and ribbons, plumes, and costume jewelry made of paste.
She and Georgiana stopped before a display of delicate muslin handkerchiefs, edged in fine lace and beautifully embroidered. Elizabeth was just thinking they must cost a fortune when a shrill voice cut through the air.
“Why, Eliza, fancy meeting you here. I should have expected to find you shopping in Cheapside.”
Miss Bingley stood before her, speaking loudly enough to draw attention.
Elizabeth curtsied. “Miss Bingley. Mrs. Hurst.”
Caroline Bingley barely returned the civility, but Mrs. Hurst smiled broadly and curtsied in earnest.
“Miss Elizabeth,” she said, “I do not see your sister.”
Elizabeth answered, “No, my sister is at home with my aunt.”
Miss Bingley’s eyes narrowed as she noticed the liveried footmen standing nearby.
“I say, Miss Eliza, are those Mr. Darcy’s footmen?”
Her gaze swept the shop at once, as though searching for the gentleman himself. Then her eyes fell upon Georgiana.
“Why, Georgiana, I did not see you standing there.”
She curtsied, though her attention continued to wander about the room before she turned back to the young lady.
“Is Mr. Darcy with you?”
“No, Miss Bingley. My brother is out of town for some weeks.”
“Oh, I see,” Miss Bingley said, her tone sharpening. “Surely you are not out shopping with Eliza?”
Mrs. Hurst discreetly elbowed her sister and hastened to intervene.
