Page 33 of Saving Jane
“He married a widow and once he had his fingers in her inheritance, he poisoned her.”
“And the constabulary arrested him?”
“Arrested, tried, convicted and hung.”
“Wickham is dead?”
Darcy nodded. Richard remained quiet for a few minutes before he asked, “And so, how far along are you with fallingin love with Miss Bennet?”
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Chapter 14.Georgiana’s Plans for Family Dinner
Another invitation to supper at Darcy House arrived at Grace Church Street several days before the Gardiners were to depart for Hertfordshire for Christmas. The next day, around their tea, Elizabeth and Georgiana plotted a seating chart for the dining table while Mrs Annesley oversaw their plans. The lady’s companion was familiar with the master’s requirements for the seating chart; Georgiana would act as hostess at one end of the table with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mrs Gardiner while Mr Darcy would sit at the other end with Miss Bennet and Mr Gardiner. The Bingley siblings and Hurst couple were placed in the centre of the table.
Georgiana explained her brother’s invitation to the Bingleys and Hursts to Elizabeth. “I am not certain how Miss Bingley learned of her brother’s invitation to dinner, but William told me that she pestered Mr Bingley until he begged an invitation. She did not care if the Hursts were invited but Mr Bingley included them in the request.”
“Miss Darcy, Miss Bennet, we will not gossip,” Mrs Annesley admonished the young ladies.
“Yes, Mrs Annesley,” Georgiana said. “Would you join us for supper tomorrow night?”
“Thank you, Miss Darcy, but with the expanded sitting for dinner, I will take supper in my sitting room and spend the evening with the new novel Miss Bennet brought me.”
“Tomorrow night will be our last visit until spring,” Georgiana told Elizabeth. “I shall miss our talks, reading books with you and playing duets.”
“Then we shall write many letters this winter,” Elizabeth told her friend as the door opened and Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy joined the ladies for tea. Georgiana sent for a fresh pot while Mrs Annesley moved to another chair to allow the gentlemen to sit closer to the two young ladies.
“How has your practice for the duet progressed?” Darcy asked.
Georgiana glanced at Elizabeth who smiled. “We are ready brother! I believe even Miss Bingley will be impressed.”
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After supper that evening, Elizabeth sat beside her aunt and in an unusual display of nerves, asked, “Aunt, what shall I wear to dinner atDarcy House? Mr Darcy has seen...Miss Darcy has seen all my gowns more than once.”
Mrs Gardiner noted Elizabeth’s slip but said nothing. “You are lovely in any gown my dear but come with me. I have an idea.”
Above stairs, they entered Mrs Gardiner’s dressing room where her maid had three gowns laid out and by candlelight; they held each dress up to Elizabeth and finally decided on a lovely gown made of blue Bengali muslin with a sheer overlay.
“Sarah will take in the waist tonight and shorten the sleeves,” Mrs Gardiner said. Elizabeth smiled as she held the gown up to her bosom and imagined how she would look tomorrow evening.
“And you shall wear my pearls,” her aunt announced. “They will complement the blue gown and your dark hair.”
“Miss Elizabeth’s hair would look nice with the ivory and blue ribbons woven into the braids,” Sarah added as she pulled several ribbons from her sewing basket.
The three women set to work and before retiring, the waist of the gown had been tightened to fit the young woman.
“I shall shorten the sleeves in the morning, and you can try the gown before teatime tomorrow miss,” Sarah said as she cleaned up and prepared to leave for the evening. Elizabeth sat at the mirror brushing her hair and glancing at the gown hanging on the closet door several times.
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Chapter 15.Caroline’s Fashionable Arrival
The Gardiner carriage arrived in Mayfair at the appointed time and a footman came down the stairs of the great house to open the carriage door for Mr Gardiner as he helped his wife and niece to the street. At the door of the beautiful London townhouse, the butler waited, and they entered to find Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy waiting in the foyer. Their outer clothes and hats were taken by a footman.
“Mr and Mrs Gardiner, welcome this evening!” Mr Darcy said in greeting. Then he turned to Elizabeth and continued saying, “Miss Bennet, you are most welcome.”
Miss Darcy stepped forward to take Elizabeth’s arm and lead her to the parlour. Mr Darcy escorted Mr and Mrs Gardiner where they found Colonel Fitzwilliam already waiting.
