“Shall we adjourn to White’s and see whether we can ferret out the gossip?”
Distasteful as the notion was to Darcy, he agreed readily.
Chapter 17 Adding Insult to Injury
Elizabeth could hardly look at her mother. Embarrassment burnt in her cheeks. Her family now knew the full extent of the futility of her efforts to conquer theton. There was no chance of winning the war when every battle ended in a thorough thrashing. It was a miracle that Mr Darcy did not yet despise her, though he must be regretting marrying a country maiden of no consequence. A pang shot through her heart. Should she have behaved more bashfully? Bowed and scraped before the illustrious peers of the aristocracy? No. No one enjoyed being subjected to obsequious flattery.
“Do you know whether Mr Darcy will be joining us?” Elizabeth asked a nearby footman.
“No, ma’am. Mr Darcy left half an hour ago with Lord Downshire.”
“Thank you,” she replied mechanically, as her husband’s absence was something to be grateful for.
Lord Downshire was one of Mr Darcy’s friends who had accepted the invitation to her ball then had chosen to forgo attending the event without furthering an explanation. His presence in the house could not foretell anything pleasurable.
“I am shocked. No, grieved at your failure to entice thetonto come to your ball. Something must be done, and we, the Bennets, have nothing to be ashamed of. I suggest we attend every event and prove the nidgets wrong.”
Elizabeth sighed. “We have already attempted that to no avail. I was a fool to believe people, in general, had more sense. I have been judged without evidence, knowledge, or a trial.”
“I shall summon Lydia. Where is it that the militia are encamped… Oh, it is Belle Vue Field. I am certain the officers in Brighton cannot compare to the peers in town. It is a shame that Jane will not be able to join us for another six weeks, but I have four other daughters who are almost as beautiful. Together, as a united front, we shall enter society with our renowned beauty, liveliness, and poise. All heads will turn in our direction.”
Which was exactly what Elizabeth feared the most. Lydia was certain to make a spectacle of herself, Kitty would follow her lead, and Mary would preach Fordyce’s lessons.
“No! Please, do not.”
“We need new dresses. I shall write to your father and demand that he send us a substantial sum,” Mrs Bennet continued, unperturbed.
“I have no need of more dresses,” Mary protested. “Mr Darcy has already purchased more than I could possibly want.”
“He has?” Mrs Bennet squeaked, a dangerous glint in her eyes.
“Please, Mama. Mr Darcy has been very generous, and we cannot expect him to do more than he already has,” Elizabeth objected.
“Leave it to me, dearest. I have more experience than you in convincing a gentleman what he ought to provide.”
Elizabeth rose abruptly, sending her chair reeling back before it clattered to the floor. “You will do no such thing! Mr Darcy is my husband, and he will not be extorted for money. I have my pin money, Papa must exert himself, and we shall purchase the fabric you need from Uncle Gardiner at a reduced price.”
Only afterwards did she realise that she had agreed to the scheme. Mrs Bennet’s sly smile irked her further. Could it have been her plan all along?
#
A sullen Lydia arrived a week later, escorted to town by Mr Bennet.
“See!” her father whispered in Elizabeth’s ear when he delivered his youngest daughter to Grosvenor Square. “Lydia is no worse for wear and just as silly as when she left Longbourn weeks ago. I dare say the influence of Mrs Forster has not changed your sister one iota.”
“Then we must thank the Lord for his divine intervention,” Elizabeth grumbled. “You should advise Reverend Hinshelwood to preach about fortuity in his next sermon.”
“I have no intention of returning to Longbourn,” Mr Bennet drawled. “Not immediately, at least.”
“But…you hate town.”
Elizabeth had not expected Mr Bennet to remain in London, and the question of bedrooms immediately raised concerns. Darcy House was large, with a basement where the kitchen, scullery, and various storage rooms were situated. Above were two drawing rooms and formal and family dining rooms. On the first floor were the entertainment rooms, the music room, the library, and Mr Darcy’s study. The six bedrooms were on the second floor, beneath the servants’ accommodations and nursery in the attic. As she, Mr Darcy, Miss Darcy, and Mrs Bennet all had one each, and Mary and Kitty occupied the fifth, there was only one left, which was reserved for Colonel Fitzwilliam. Her musings were abruptly forgotten by Mr Bennet’s reply.
“I see no reason to forgo the pleasures of town now that your grandmother has reconciled with her brother.”
“She has? When? I thought she had decided not to pursue an amity due to her disgust for sea voyages.”
“Some weeks ago, I believe. She changed her mind when the weather took a pleasant turn. And if it had not, she could have travelled to Ritterhof by carriage.”
