Page 66 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Mr. Bingley’s other sister, Mrs. Hurst, and her husband, are coming to stay at Netherfield this coming Thursday,” Jane explained. “We do not know if she has children.”

“And you think I shall discover that bit of information?” their mama asked. “Well, you are right, I will discover it. And anything else interesting about her. Your Aunt Phillips’ housekeeper is cousin to the kitchen maid at Netherfield. Alice tells her cousin all the gossip.”

Jane exchanged a droll look with Lizzy. Covering her smile with a hand, Lizzy winked at her sister. Their mother had her ways of finding out gossip about anyone.

Mary cleared her throat and opened her mouth. Lizzy and Jane both stared at her. She snapped her mouth shut on whatever quote on gossip she might have uttered and returned her attention to her meal. She frowned at her empty plate and abruptly stood.

“I think I shall have some more toast and cheese,” she muttered.

“Very good,” Jane murmured.

“Mary and I are going to the Meryton market this morning, Mama,” Lizzy said. Her mother took her usual spot at the table, and Hill filled her cup with steaming coffee. “Do you have a commission for us?”

“I do not. I mean to attend myself,” their mother replied as she reached for a pinch of pepper to sprinkle on her scrambled eggs. “Lady Lucas and I are meeting at the lending library afterward. If I purchase anything, I shall have it delivered. But you are kind to ask.”

“You are welcome, Mama,” Lizzy said.

“When do you leave?” their mother asked.

“Directly after we have finished eating,” Lizzy replied.

“If you wish a ride in our carriage, you must wait for me.”

“We will be walking, Mama,” Mary mentioned. “Thank you.”

“Very well.” Their mama focused on Jane. “When is that delightful Mr. Bingley arriving to take you out?”

Jane glanced at the walnut longcase clock standing near the door. She rose. “Soon. I shall go up and finish getting ready. Please, excuse me.”

Their mother beamed at her and waved her away. “Do not feel you must rush back, my dear. Enjoy a lovely day.”

“Thank you, mama,” Jane said, beaming at her.

*

Darcy found a livery stable to leave his gig with while he and his sister strolled through the market. He tipped the ostler and told him there would be further largesse upon their return if the ostler took good care of his horse and equipage. The young man solemnly touched his cap.

Once on the road, Georgiana, carrying a lidded basket over one arm, looked about them with keen interest at the flocks of geese and ducks being driven down the street by farmwives carrying long willow switches.

“They certainly make a racket,” she told Darcy.

“They do,” he replied. “Shall I carry your basket?’

“No need, thank you. Have we unwittingly chosen the animal side of the market to park the gig?”

“It seems so. I should have asked Bingley more about the market layout,” Darcy confessed. “Come, let us go this way.”

They slipped down a side street and circled back toward the square. When they entered the rows of stalls, they immediately began to look at the wares on offer. Half-way down the first aisle, the siblings came upon a stall covered in white sheeting. Georgiana raised her eyebrows at the proprietress.

“Are you selling no wares, ma’am?” she asked politely.

The handsome, middle-aged lady, gowned in a black dress with a white lace collar and a white mobcap adorned with more lace, curtsied slightly.

“This here’s Wycombe lace, miss, sir,” she said with obvious pride. “I keep it covered between customers on account of the dust. I’ve got collars, tippets, ruffs for gloves or sleeves, motif pieces for sewing onto gowns, bands of lace that can be used for clothin’, handkerchiefs, bookmarks, and so on. All of our lace is produced in the town of High Wycombe. Would y’care t’see some lace?”

“I would, thank you,” Georgiana said, smiling.

The woman began to carefully roll back the sheeting, gently uncovering her wares, which lay on a large crimson tablecloth.