J Croft - Mr. Darcy Takes the Plunge

Georgiana picked up a dainty dancing slipper from the display shelf and said, “Do you know Mr. Bingley’s family made their wealth from footwear several generations ago? He and his sister, Caroline, are well heeled due to their ancestors’ diligence in the cobbler trade.”

Anna Darcy grinned and added, “It is unfortunate Miss Bingley did not take during the last season. Nonetheless, I believe the sole reason she did not get a foot in the door is her relentless pursuit of our brother.”

Elizabeth had been about to try on her new boots when one slipped from her grasp and fell with a thud to the floor. Jane turned in her direction, saw the stricken expression on her sister’s face, and waited for the other shoe to drop. The younger Bennet asked with a quavering voice, “Does your brother return Miss Bingley’s regard?”

“Oh, no, not at all. Fitzwilliam is perceptive enough to recognize Caroline Bingley as a social-climbing fortune hunter. Our family is extremely fond of the amiable Mr. Bingley, but his sister is … ”

“Horrid,” Anna quickly added.

Georgiana shushed and scolded while Anna unapologetically continued to insist the description was true. The gangly young store clerk who was assisting Miss Elizabeth took the boots from her and walked to another part of the shop where he could escape female conversation and polish the footwear in peace and quiet.

Miss Darcy looked pointedly at the younger Bennet sister and emphatically stated that Caroline Bingley would never become Fitzwilliam’s wife. Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief, while Jane hoped the Bingley woman would have dignity in de-feat.

They exited the shoe shop, entered the barouche, and traveled to Bond Street, where they were disappointed by a sign on the door of the new music store that said, “Bach in a Minuet. Doorknob is Baroque. Do not rattle Handel.”

“Well, that is certainly disappointing. I had hoped to purchase another copy of the sheet music for the piece I plan to perform at the ball,” complained Miss Anna.

“Never mind, dearest, we shall return later; and you have the piece nearly memorized anyway,” Georgiana said.

Georgiana explained to Jane and Elizabeth that Anna’s pet rabbit, Herr Stewart, had nibbled the edges of her sheet music, making it unfit for use at the upcoming event. Although Anna would be attending until the supper set, she would not be dancing, as she was not yet out. “Speaking of our ball, will you ladies be shopping for new gowns?”

The Bennet sisters told their friends they had each recently purchased a couple beautiful dresses upon their arrival in London, and they only had one final fitting at the modiste before taking possession of the creations. The next step was to decide which of the two to wear. Elizabeth then asked, “What of you, Georgiana? Have you something spectacular to dazzle the eyes of a certain young man who is currently courting you?”

Miss Darcy admitted she was very much looking forward to seeing Mr. Ellis Fleming again. She then rather boldly asked whether Jane and Elizabeth had formed any attachments while residing in Town. Georgiana crossed her fingers and secretly hoped her brother and Elizabeth might make a match; she was, therefore, somewhat surprised and alarmed when Miss Bennet spoke.

“Lizzy certainly has an admirer in the city. Lieutenant-Colonel John Dun has been trying to win my sister’s regard for quite a while, though they hardly ever see one another. We do not spend much time in London, as you know. That said, he has already called five times since our arrival last month.”

“Oh.” The disappointment was evident in Georgiana’s voice. I must find a way to let Fitzwilliam know he had better step up to the challenge before it is too late. Oh no! I wonder whether Richard has invited many of his officer friends to the ball and if this nefarious Lieutenant-Colonel Dun might be one of them.

The shopping expedition became a search for accessories for the ball, and it continued most of the afternoon with only a brief stop for tea and sweets. Before parting company, the four had each purchased new gloves after a hands-on attempt to find the perfect fit. They discovered the clerk at the jewelry shop had a heart of gold, and they used common scents when purchasing expensive perfume. Georgiana had suggested a certain fragrance to Elizabeth and hoped it would prove to be a powerful in-scentive if and when her pernickety brother asked that particular lady to stand up with him.

I hope Elizabeth’s costly Eau de Cologne shall not be wasted on that prosaic, colourless Lieutenant-Colonel Don Juan, er, John Dun, Georgiana thought.

Jane patiently waited for Rachel, the maid whose services she shared with Elizabeth, to put a few finishing touches on her sister’s upswept chestnut curls.

“Those two little blossoms look very charming in your hair, Lizzy. Your handsome barbarian will be quite undone by your pretty flowers and flirty powers.”

“Thank you for the compliment, I think. I shall not allow it to go to my head; in fact, I doubt it will even find its way in through all these thick curls. By the way, whomever it is you are talking about, he is certainly not my handsome barbarian. Now, which bonnet will best perform the task of hiding what Rachel just spent such a prodigious time and effort perfecting?”

“Decide quickly, silly sister, or we shall be tardy. You would not want to sully the impeccably prim and perfectly proper impression you left on whomever’s parents the night before last.”

“Oh, do leave off, Jane! I am embarrassed enough already at that absolute bumble-broth. Although Georgiana and Anna said nothing disparaging yesterday, I wonder what their parents must think. What must he think of me?”

“Are you referring to Mr. George Darcy or his son? If the latter, it is blatantly obvious what he thinks, Lizzy.”

Elizabeth blushed, snatched up a bonnet at random, and hurried down the stairs. She and Jane encountered their father in the foyer as he was preparing to join some London friends at his club.

“Pleasure-bound again, girls?” Mr. Bennet greeted his girls. “I happened to notice a carriage with a certain rather impressive crest on its door parked at our curb. Are you leaving us to spend more time with the rich and illustrious Darcy family?”

When his daughters acknowledged they were, indeed, invited on an outing with those friends, Mr. Bennet said, “As I understand it, George Darcy is richer than Croesus, who, by the way, was the king of Lydia … but I digress. George Darcy is so wealthy … ”

“How wealthy is he, Papa?” Lizzy dutifully asked.

“He is so wealthy that when it rains, he spreads out large books for his guests to wipe their feet on; and those are the tomes that dry men’s soles.”

“I am embarrassed to admit I am not familiar with the reference,” Jane said.

Lizzy stopped giggling and explained, “‘These are the times that try men’s souls’ is a quote from The American Crisis by Thomas Paine, Jane.”

“Well, I do not know of which times that author was speaking, Lizzy. But you and another Thomas are trying my soul right now; so please refrain from being a pain before we cause an English crisis. The carriages are waiting. Make haste.”

A footman opened the door to the Darcy barouche, and the Bennet sisters were surprised to find only Georgiana and Anna inside. Elizabeth beckoned her father over and made the introductions. With his easygoing, open and friendly manner, Mr. Bennet quickly gained the admiration of the occupants. He handed his daughters into the carriage, wished them all a pleasant day, and entered his own equipage. The Darcy siblings expressed their delight at having met the gentleman and were further pleased by Jane’s next words.

“Our mother also wishes to make your acquaintance, so kindly pass along this invitation to your parents.” Jane retrieved the note from her reticule and handed it to Miss Darcy. “In it she asks your family to dine with us within the week, if you have an evening free of engagements. Any night shall be fine with Mama. Your family has been very kind to us, and we hope to return the hospitality.”

Lizzy impatiently asked, “Yes, but will your parents and brother not be joining us today?”

“Jane, Elizabeth, I am so sorry. There has been a slight change of plans.” An exasperated glance passed between Georgiana and her sister. “Our widowed aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, is rather … unwell. Our cousin, Anne, lives at Rosings Park with her; and there are times when she requires assistance from the family. Mother and our uncle, the Earl of Matlock, take turns attending to the, ah, matter. As it was our mother’s time to go to Kent, she and our father were summoned by express just this morning. But as soon as Fitzwilliam completes a couple of errands, he will be meeting us at the Royal Academy.”

Miss Bennet said, “I hope the poor dear lady has a speedy recovery from her malady.” Her comment was met with looks of skepticism from the Darcy sisters.

Lizzy also expressed her regret their aunt was afflicted and then remarked that the Darcy family and their relatives seemed particularly partial to the names Anne and Fitzwilliam. “I would imagine the similarity might become somewhat confusing.”

“Not really, Elizabeth. You see, Anne and Anna were so called after Mother; and I obviously have the feminine form of George, for my father. As to ‘Fitzwilliam,’ in our family, the heir’s Christian name honours his mother’s maiden one.”

“So, let me get this straight. If your brother married, say, a Miss Darby, would their first-born son be referred to as the darling Darby Darcy of Derbyshire?”

“Lizzy!”

“Jane, I meant no disrespect. All the same, I admit I am quite curious. Please forgive me, Georgiana and Anna.”

Georgiana giggled. “It is not an unbendable rule set in stone, Elizabeth, just a tradition. At any rate, I am rather hopeful my discriminating brother will marry someone with a last name that would also serve nicely as a first, such as Grant, Blake, or Nelson. Why, I believe Bennet would even be a very nice given name for a boy.”

Elizabeth blushed and quickly changed the topic. While they made their way to the Royal Academy, the young ladies discussed a subject that always made them energetic – the upcoming ball.

A dapper gentleman paced at the main entrance of the Royal Academy. When the awaited carriage came to a halt, he waved away the footman and helped his two sisters and Miss Bennet alight. Miss Elizabeth was the last to exit, and he held her hand a little longer than necessary and gently stroked the back of it with his thumb. Even though they both wore gloves, he and she momentarily forgot to breathe while they enjoyed the thrill of that first fleeting caress. He reluctantly released her, bowed, and greeted the ladies politely; but his gaze never strayed long from the pretty brunette with the sparkling, intelligent eyes. Fitzwilliam Darcy considered Elizabeth the very epitome of femininity, and they exchanged admiring glances and shy smiles until Georgiana spoke.