by Anne Morris
Aunt Gardiner scheduled one small dinner party that first week. Four of Mr. Gardiner’s business associates were invited. Two were married, two were not. The fact that there was an uneven number at the table did not seem to disturb anyone, and Elizabeth enjoyed the attentions of Mr. Fisher and Mr. Salter, the two unmarried men. Mr. Salter even came to call after church on Sunday to take tea with Elizabeth and the Gardiners. Mrs. Gardiner had plans for another, larger dinner party later the next week.
On Monday, all of London was shocked by the news of Prime Minister Spencer Perceval’s death at the hands of an assassin.
There was some regrouping in the Gardiner household during the next few days. The assassin had been a merchant, and Mr. Gardiner feared some backlash against those in his line of work. But it appeared that the man had been deranged and acted on his own. He had no real cause except a list of grievances he felt the government should have righted, and for which he thought he should have been compensated. Nevertheless, the Gardiners kept to themselves for a fortnight while all of London spoke of nothing but the news about Perceval’s death, his assassin’s trial, and the culprit’s hanging.
Such sensational news frightens some people but enthralls others. Mrs. Gardiner heard from a friend, Mrs. Eyers, that she was to come to London for a visit. Mrs. Eyers had retired to Weymouth as it provided her a simpler and cheaper place to live than London after losing her husband. But Mrs. Eyers still had many friends to call on in London should she decide to visit. And with such news, it was time for a visit. Mrs. Eyers set herself up in some rooms and called on her circle of friends, of which Mrs. Gardiner was one, as they both had come from Derbyshire.
Mrs. Eyers’ late husband had owned a small estate in Dorset which her son inherited on the death of his father. She had moved to Town to launch her daughters into society. Once seeing them wed, the lady had then moved to Weymouth. Though older than Mrs. Gardiner, that did not exclude a close friendship between the two women. She called on her friend within a day of being settled in her rooms.
The visit was confusion and noise and emotion as there was family news to cover, but London news as well. Mrs. Eyers was delighted to meet Miss Bennet, and she expressed an interest in having a young person to whisk around with her since all three of her daughters were settled and married.
The lady suggested Elizabeth come calling with her as she made the rounds at the houses of her other friends, having a strong idea as to why Elizabeth was staying with the Gardiners. Mrs. Eyers’ circle of friends was wider than that of the Gardiners, who socialized mostly with other men of business and a few gentlemen. But Mrs. Eyers’ social circle consisted mainly of the gentry and even included a few peers.
Elizabeth was dutifully picked up in the lady’s carriage many mornings to pay those calls. By the end of the week, Elizabeth had received an invitation to a dinner. This was followed by an invitation to a musical program. She realized her circle of acquaintance in London was growing beyond what she had ever imagined it could be. Elizabeth also found her evenings’ entertainment rather captivating and consuming.
Often, she had looked down on those ‘delights of the Season’ which many espoused about London. But whether it was Mrs. Eyers’ specific acquaintance, or whether it was that Elizabeth had been wrong in her estimation of what constituted ‘entertainment,’ she did not know. But Elizabeth had to admit that she was enjoying herself to a great extent.
Some families were already heading home to the country by the time June rolled around, but others were not, and the Season was by no means over. While Mrs. Eyers said she had been so fortunate as to obtain vouchers to Almack’s for her third daughter, she did not suggest such a venture for Elizabeth. There was, however, a burgeoning of invitations to various events to consider, and even an invitation to a ball—a private ball—which came in the mail. It was given by a Viscountess as well! Elizabeth could not believe the turn of events.
What had been viewed as a more dutiful visit, knowing she was to come with the idea of possibly finding a man to wed (but not being convinced of ever finding such a creature) and having once held such a negative view of London society, everything had been turned on its head. If the society she found was so delightful, might she meet some excellent gentleman as well? But would there be one who would take a penniless girl? Elizabeth thought she should set few expectations for herself as she moved in a far different set of people than she had anticipated.
CHAPTER SEVEN
The Viscount and Viscountess Keysham had a modern house, and its facade was well-lit as Mrs. Eyers’ carriage approached. The Gardiners had not been invited. It was to only be the two women in the carriage for the evening.
“It looks like it shall be a crush,” remarked Mrs. Eyers. “I hope you enjoy dancing; you shall have your fill.”
“I do,” replied Elizabeth as they waited their turn to alight. They proceeded into the house to greet the family. They were a young couple, recently married. Mrs. Eyers said they were holding the ball to establish themselves. Elizabeth understood that the Viscountess had been a friend to one of Mrs. Eyers’ daughters.
The ballroom sparkled with candles; there were whispers of a midnight supper, and promises of dancing until all the candles burned down to stubs. Elizabeth considered she had never been promised so much dancing. Assemblies at home occurred on set days and with strict times of commencement and completion. But at Meryton assemblies, she knew all the attendees, and here she knew only a half dozen people. Dancing required a partner, and to find a partner required introductions. And introductions did not happen quickly, though at a ball, they did occur.
None of the men she had met at her uncle’s house was in attendance, but one man she had been introduced to during in her trips to various drawing-rooms with Mrs. Eyers was on the dance floor. After the first set, he solicited Elizabeth’s hand. After their set ended, he introduced her to some friends. Her circle widened. Mr. Lacy introduced her to Mr. Follet, and they danced—and so it went. Somewhere along that ever-widening circle she met Captain Mallory. He had not come with family, but with a whole company of friends in red coats who were eager to dance. Elizabeth did not want for partners then and even wondered if she would ever sit down should she wish for a break. She enjoyed taking supper with Captain Hale, and one of those red-coated men she was introduced to was his superior, Colonel Fitzwilliam.
He was an exceptional gentleman, and Elizabeth enjoyed her time on the dance floor with him immeasurably. He was not handsome, but in air and address, Colonel Fitzwilliam was indeed a gentleman. His conversation captured her attention, despite the hour, and despite the situation of their being on a dance floor. Elizabeth found herself delighted more by their discussion than by the dance. When their set ended, and he escorted her back towards Mrs. Eyers (who sat speaking to friends), he suggested they partake of refreshments, and after informing Mrs. Eyers of such, they went in search of lemonade or whatever a Viscountess offered to cool her guests’ parched throats.
Colonel Fitzwilliam did not attempt to maneuver her out onto a terrace alone, or into a shadowed corner, but after their drink, he offered Elizabeth his arm, and they walked around the ballroom which was beginning to thin as it was well after midnight. They talked together, and Elizabeth thought that she had never enjoyed a conversation with a gentleman more. Overall, the evening could not have been more delightful, though when he returned her to her chaperone’s side, she welcomed the suggestion that they call it a night.
Mrs. Eyers had a lot to say about Elizabeth’s evening. Elizabeth thought that Mrs. Eyers must have missed the busyness of London society as she listened to her chaperone discuss all of her dance partners in turn, and was enjoying this chance to return to drawing-rooms and ballrooms and to have a young woman to escort around. Elizabeth hoped that her chaperone would not be the type of woman who would promote her interest where it was not wanted (or where Elizabeth was not interested). However, Mrs. Eyers was shrewd, and while she noted Colonel Fitzwilliam’s extra inte
rest in Elizabeth, she was not willing to let that hold weight (especially as it had been at the end of a long night of dancing), so she discussed what she knew of each young man while they rode back to the Gardiner’s house.
***
Elizabeth had some visitors on the afternoon following the ball at the Keyshams. No one called in the morning because some people had been out until almost dawn, but a number of gentlemen did come to call. They were all short, polite, social calls. Merely a quarter of an hour to sit in the Gardiner’s best drawing-room to pay their respects to Miss Bennet and her aunt, and to Mrs. Eyers, who also came along to see. She stayed beyond the requisite time period.
Colonel Fitzwilliam was one of the gentlemen to call, and though Mrs. Eyers was not present when he was there (he was one of the last to call that afternoon), his manners and attentions recommended him to Mrs. Gardiner. When the afternoon came to a close, and they were assured that there would be no more callers, Mrs. Gardiner could not help but sit with her niece for a few minutes to discuss all of these changes.
“So Elizabeth, you had quite the evening,” was Mrs. Gardiner’s opening.
“I did indeed,” agreed her niece. “I do not know when I have had a more delightful one.” Elizabeth explained a little quickly (because she knew the Gardiner children were wanting their mother) how her opinion about London society was changing. Elizabeth expressed her conclusion that before she had thought that they were not many people here with sense, but they were only people in the pursuit of pleasure and frivolity—selfish enjoyments. But Elizabeth realized now that if those enjoyments included the society of others and incorporated intelligent conversation, they must be respectable people. Her aunt agreed, pressed a kiss to her cheek, and then hurried away to see to her children.
There were a few more callers the following morning at Gracechurch Street. Then, after a midday meal, Elizabeth bustled out into the small garden behind the house to hunt any flowers which were in bloom. She took a pair of scissors with her with the idea of arranging flowers in a vase in the drawing-room for her aunt’s pleasure. Elizabeth knew Mrs. Gardiner would enjoy such a treat, but was often occupied with her children—and now had the added burden of greeting her callers and chaperoning such visits.
Elizabeth finished her task and was in her room changing her dress as she had stained it a little when one of her aunt’s maids entered.
“Miss Bennet, you need to come to the drawing-room right now!” cried the girl, quite flustered.
“What is it, Nellie?” asked Elizabeth.
“There are visitors, Miss Bennet, visitors to see you. There’s a Countess who’s come to call!”
Elizabeth had been buttoning up her dress, but she froze at the mention of such a distinguished visitor. “A Countess?” she replied softly. “I don’t believe I’ve been presented to any Countesses since I’ve come to London.”
“You must hurry!” insisted the maid who was both amazed and cowed at such a distinguished visitor calling at Gracechurch Street.
“Help me!” cried Elizabeth, and Nellie set her to rights. Elizabeth looked quickly at her reflection; a few hairpins were adjusted and then she ran down the stairs to ascertain precisely who had come to call. Elizabeth opened the drawing-room door, stepped in, and saw that there was more than one visitor. There were two women and one man. The man was Colonel Fitzwilliam. There was an older lady, whom she assumed was the countess and a young woman. They all stood in greeting. Mrs. Gardiner had tea things laid in front of her in anticipation.
“Miss Bennet,” said Colonel Fitzwilliam, and he bowed to her very properly. “May I present my mother, the Countess Langley.” The Countess gave Elizabeth a curtsy. “And my sister, Lady Emma Fitzwilliam.” There was a pretty smile on the young woman’s face, but she curtsied quite properly, and then Mrs. Gardiner was inviting them to all take their seats.
Elizabeth’s mind was in a whirl as she had never wondered about the colonel’s parentage; she never considered that his father might be an Earl, but why would she? She also wondered about the reasons for this call; why was he presenting Elizabeth and Mrs. Gardiner to the Countess and his sister? But first there must be polite conversation, even should there be an underlying reason for presenting Countess Langley to her. Her aunt’s eyes kept moving between the colonel, Elizabeth, and the Countess. They must speak of the weather; they must speak of small and indifferent topics first before the real reason would be broached.
Lady Emma appeared older than Elizabeth, though it was difficult to determine her exact age. She was definitely not a debutante. The young woman was not shy, but joined readily in the conversation and seemed as interested as the Countess was in Elizabeth and asked almost more questions than her mother or the colonel. Lady Emma discussed recent events, balls, soirees, and outings she had attended, and people she had met with a familiarity and a comfort level which showed that she was satisfied with her lot as the daughter of an Earl. Lady Emma Fitzwilliam was happy, content, confident, and knew where she stood in society.
There were questions about family that were woven into the conversation, and Elizabeth and her aunt did their best to answer them. They spoke of Mr. Bennet and the Longbourn property and Hertfordshire. The Countess mentioned that her husband’s property was also in Hertfordshire, though they were on opposite ends of the county.
“Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet,” the countess said as she rose, “we should love to have you to supper.” Mrs. Gardiner could not help but glance at her niece before she accepted with her usual grace. Goodbyes were then given between the parting members and the hosts after a date was agreed upon, and the visitors left.
When assured that they had truly gone, Mrs. Gardiner turned to Elizabeth and could not help but express her excitement and joy. “Colonel Fitzwilliam and the son of an earl! Elizabeth! I believe your mother would not have been more pleased. But,” she took her niece’s hands in her own and looked directly in her eyes, “how do you feel about him?”
“Aunt, he is certainly an estimable gentleman to be sure, but how am I to know my own heart after meeting with him only a few times?”
“Colonels, and especially the second sons of earls, are not known for having large purses, Elizabeth. I would caution you,” remarked Mrs. Gardiner with a more serious tone in her voice, though her eyes still expressed her admiration and expectations of this gentleman. “Unless you are deeply in love with him, to know what you are getting into.”
“He is certainly a gentleman, aunt,” declared Elizabeth. “I like him very much.”
“His manners speak volumes and that he had his mother and his sister call on you says a lot, Elizabeth,” said her aunt.
***
Elizabeth wished that she had a decent gown to wear, but had to choose from among those that she had brought to town though there was the one gown which Mrs. Eyers had persuaded her to purchase which she was glad of having. But the colonel had seen her in it before at the ball. Could she wear it a second time?
Mr. Gardiner, when he was told of the up-coming supper, was quite surprised. Elizabeth was not sure if Uncle Gardiner assumed that his merchant friends should be sufficient company for her, or if some one or other of them had expressed an admiration for Elizabeth which her uncle had not shared with her. Because they were men of business, they were not in the business of calling for tea like a gentleman, who had free time. And because of the incident with Prime Minister Perceval, their evening plans had changed, and Mrs. Gardiner had not sponsored any more dinners.
Elizabeth wondered if her uncle was not a little nervous, though he jested about great men and peers. He was congenial and affable as they were shown up the stairs and into the drawing-room at Fitzwilliam House. It was to be a small party that evening. To even out the numbers, so there would be equal numbers of men and women at the table, there were unknown people in the room.
Countess Langley, Lady Emma, Mrs. Gardiner, and Elizabeth represented the women. Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr. Gardiner were the two men known
to her, but to round them off there were two strange men. One was an army friend of the colonels, Captain Martel, but another was the colonel’s cousin, Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth thought that Captain Martel had been in the circle of people who had attended the ball at Viscountess Keysham’s that past evening. He was a man of average height, barrel-chested, and with a particular strength, and agility about him which spoke of his years as a soldier. Martel appeared to be of comparable age to his friend and colleague, Colonel Fitzwilliam. The cousin, Mr. Darcy, seemed younger. He was tall and handsome with dark hair. Elizabeth peered at him briefly, attempting to perceive some likeness between the two cousins, but was unable to do so before the colonel, with his sister in tow, came up to her and whisked her away to a seat.
It was evident that the colonel was eager for her to get to know his sister. Elizabeth did not need encouragement in that regard. There was a lot to like about Lady Emma Fitzwilliam for all that she was so talkative; Lady Emma reminded Elizabeth of her sister, Lydia, though Lydia’s talkativeness was of a selfish nature and usually about Lydia’s lack of opportunities in life. But when Lady Emma spoke, she shared information about friends and family; she could expound upon anecdotes with ease. Emma seemed just as eager to talk with Elizabeth as her brother was.
When dinner was announced, Elizabeth was surprised that it was Mr. Darcy who escorted the countess into the dining room. Elizabeth wondered who he was. If he was related to the colonel, he must be an illustrious man, but she speculated on whether he was related to the earl or the countess.
Elizabeth and Lady Emma had a tete-a-tete when the women separated from the men after the meal as the countess sat with Mrs. Gardiner.
