Page 67 of Master of Netherfield
The next morning, the Bennet carriage made the journey into London in just over three hours with Jane and Elizabeth alternating betweenanimated discussions and deep silences. During their discussions, the sisters spoke of shopping, their forthcoming presentation and the opportunity to meet young men. In the long silences, Jane dealt with her understanding of Elizabeth’s melancholy and determined to help her sister return to her usual cheerful self while Elizabeth spent the silences in great wonderment.
‘What do I want?’ Elizabeth stared out of the carriage windows. ‘He cannot look at me... He has to marry a title... an heiress... where I am simple country lass. How shall I bear it?’
Lost in her thoughts where there were no doubts, she admitted in her heart,‘I... I love William.’The silence was deafening across the years before her.
“Lizzy... Lizzy,” called a voice.
Elizabeth turned from the window and suddenly heard the sounds of Gracechurch Street; boys calling to each other, the hooves of horses clopping on the cobblestone street, and Jane’s voice.
“Lizzy, are you quite well?”
Blushing Elizabeth replied, “My mind wandered afar, Jane. That is all.”
“Come,” Jane said in her calmest voice. “Our aunt waits at the door with her babes.”
**++**
Over the last ten years, Mrs Edward Gardiner’s patronage of a particular dressmaker brought the seamstress good coin, worthy references, and a smarter location. Her new shop had large windows on a busy street where her gowns were seen by pedestrians and passengers in carriages. A new patron of the shop was one Louisa Bingley, soon to wed Mr Geoffrey Hurst. This morning the young woman called at the shop to have the final fitting for her wedding gown and her younger sister, Caroline, attended.
Descending from their brother’s carriage, Caroline fussed, “Louisa, I remain unconvinced that this is the best shop. Certainly, there are more shops and gowns to choose from...”
“But I wanted this gown, and the material found here. Mrs Lambert has given my wedding gown her particular attention–she is determined that it will be perfection for my wedding day.”
Caroline sighed and explained to Louisa, “But her name is not known by anyone important. I doubt the paper will mention your gown in the description of the wedding unless it was purchased from one of the elegant shops.”
Not waiting for the footman, Louisa opened the door of the shop herself with Caroline following behind, a frown on her face. The footman kept his face stony, but he knew there would be words at the house from Miss Caroline because he was not fast enough to open the shop door for her sister. Thankfully, the butler generally ignored Miss Caroline’s diatribes concerning the staff and Mr Bingley paid no attention to his sister’s screeching. Inside the shop, a young woman escorted the sisters to a pair of chairs and offered them tea which they declined.
“Mrs Lambert is expecting me at one of the clock,” Louisa informed the girl.
“Yes miss,” the girl replied. “Madam is completing the pinning of new gowns for two young ladies just now and will be with you shortly.”
“On time,” inserted Caroline with a cool tone to her voice. “My sister and I do not wait on tradesmen.”
Surprised by the younger lady’s strident tone, the shop girl curtseyed and hurried into the back of the store. The murmur of voices was heard from behind the curtains and before the clock began to chime the hour, the seamstress came through, followed by a woman and two younger women who referred to her as ‘Aunt’. The shop girl carried a large roll of material–a muted rose-coloured silk–back to the counter.
“Aunt, the green and the apricot gowns are certainly enough,” the dark-haired younger woman said. “I believe the rose will do for Kitty or Mary when we return home.”
“Are you certain my dear? Jane will have three new gowns and only the two for you...”
“I have only worn my Christmas gown twice and it will do for many parties this spring.”
Eavesdropping, Caroline sneered. “Louisa, please. This shop caters to families in trade! Look at this woman and her...”
“Caroline, hush!” the elder sister fussed but the young woman ignored her sister and continued to peer at the other customers of the dress shop. While Mrs Lambert kept her face pleasant as if she had not heard the words, the shop girl’s face showed her evident surprise to hear such a disparaging remark made aloud for all to hear.
Mrs Madeline Gardiner was familiar with the prejudices of some members of ton–especially along the fringes of ‘quality society’ where new families attempted to join the ton and pretend their grandparents were not labourers or tradesmen themselves. Her intention was to gradually introduce her nieces to the vagaries of polite London society while preparing for their introduction to the queen.
Louisa rose and walked to a table away from the counter where Mrs Gardiner arranged for delivery of the gowns.
“Caroline, look,” Louisa called as she held up a length of lovely blue silk. “This colour would make an excellent gown for you. It would certainly catch some gentleman’s eye.”
With their fitting complete, Mrs Gardiner led her nieces from the shop just as the clock chimed one. “Miss Bingley, if you will come this way, we can complete the fittingof your wedding gown.”
**++**
Chapter 24.Reunion in a Tea Shop
Mrs Gardiner and her nieces rested in a tea shop after viewing the goods in three more establishments as well as a visit to the booksellers. Jane and Elizabeth were great walkers and thus far in London, their aunt had not worn them out with shopping for lace, shoes and gowns. However, she managed to surprise them today with the two guests who joined them for refreshment–William and Georgiana Darcy entered the team shop and quickly joined them at their table. Elizabeth grinned with delight to have two of her favourite people in company this afternoon. Georgiana was still dressed in grey, and her brother wore a black band around his upper arm, signalling that they were in mourning.
