Page 51 of Elizabeth and Caroline
She did her best, as the dance wore on and she stood there alone, not to feel sorry for herself. She had long ago learned that if she was self-pitying, it only made people like her less.
Finally, the dance ended.
Elizabeth sought her out alone, Mr. Darcy going off to join a small group of men in one corner. “Good evening, Caroline,” said Elizabeth. “You look lovely.”
“Good evening, Eliza,” said Caroline, smiling at the other woman with a feeling of genuine joy. Only Elizabeth made her feel as if she actually was welcome. It was a good feeling, a feeling of belonging. “What is this?” She pointed to the reticule on her friend’s dress, buttoned there at the top of the skirt. “Did you have this made yourself?”
“I thought I spoke to you about it,” said Elizabeth. “It’s part of my plan.”
“Oh,” said Caroline. “Your plan to do what exactly?”
“To ingratiate myself into society and establish both of us as forces to be reckoned with and to, ultimately, find you a husband.”
Caroline smiled. “Well, something simple, then.”
Elizabeth laughed, her expression sunny. “Obviously, yes. Quite simple.” She gestured with her head. “Come.”
Caroline followed her friend out of the room where the dancing was taking place and into an adjoining room, not the first room they’d come in, but another. Here, people were seated on settees and couches in small groups, little areas set up for conversation.
“Do you know anyone?” Elizabeth whispered to her. “I seem to have forgotten to have my husband make introductions as he was supposed to be doing before you arrived.”
“Oh, truly?” said Caroline, wincing. “Well, certainly, I’ve been introduced to everyone in the room, but—”
“Lovely,” said Elizabeth, prancing her way over to the most lively and crowded conversation spot. There were a number of people there, including a baronet and his wife and three women who were all countesses. Caroline would never have intruded on a conversation with these people. They would not be pleased, she thought.
But Elizabeth pushed her way in and smiled at all of them.
The conversation went on for a moment or two. They were talking about some issue with someone’s carriage wheel, it seemed. But it died out as one of the countesses gave Elizabeth a withering look. “And we have some newcomers, it seems.”
“Ah, yes,” said Elizabeth. “My very shy husband is rather awful with people, but my friend Miss Bingley here will be good enough to introduce me.” She grinned at Caroline.
Who was tongue-tied in the presence of such people, who was appalled at Elizabeth’s cheek. This was not done. Thiswas not the way introductions were conducted.
“Yes, as she says,” Elizabeth continued, “I am Mrs. Darcy.”
“Yes,” said another of the countesses coldly. “We have heard about you.”
“Truly?” said Elizabeth squaring her shoulders. “Well, that is gratifying, I must say.”
The countess smirked at her. “We’ve heard all manner of things about you.”
“You’ve been talking about little old me when you haven’t even been introduced to me?” Elizabeth let out a trill of delighted laughter. “Well, tell me, am I everything you hoped for?”
“Honestly,” spoke up the baronetess, “I thought you’d be prettier.”
“Why is that?” said Elizabeth, all innocence. “Because you thought I must have some charms to have entrapped my husband when our match is as unbalanced as it appears?”
Caroline practically choked. Elizabeth could notsaythings like that. What was she doing? This was not going to do anything to ingratiate them into society or to help Caroline find a husband. This was disastrous.
“Well,” Elizabeth continued, “you must wonder what it is that I do have, then, if I am actually quite a bit plain?”
“You’re not,” said the baronet, smiling at her as he took a drink of his lemonade, as if he and Elizabeth were sharing a good joke. “Plain, that is. And you mustn’t mind my wife. She told me she’s quite intrigued by your reticule there.”
“Oh, this?” Elizabeth pointed to the place where her reticule was buttoned to her dress. “Do you like it? I was thinking to myself, why don’t we have someplace sensible to keep our belongings, and I had this made.”
None of the women said anything. They all glared at her.
Elizabeth beamed. “Your dresses, of course, are quite lovely.”
