Page 95 of A Different Impression

“You would not be a burden,” Elizabeth hurried to assure her. “Nevertheless, I agree that living with our aunt may provide the guidance and experience you need.”

Relief crossed Lydia’s face. “Then I should like to go to London.”

On the second of January, Elizabeth and William stood together to bid farewell to the Gardiners, Mary, and Lydia. They intended to stop at Longbourn for a night or two before continuing to London. Lydia remained apprehensive about meeting again with their mother, but Mrs Gardiner promised Elizabeth that neither she nor Mr Gardiner would allow Mrs Bennet to dissuade Lydia from the arrangement.

Mr Gardiner also intended to meet Robert Goulding to discuss his legacy, his intentions towards Mary, and the possibility that the couple might remain at Longbourn after their marriage, should a marriage between them seem likely. Any alterations to the house or formal arrangements concerning the estate would require Mr Bennet’s approval, but Elizabeth was relieved that her uncle would ensure Mary’s interests were considered.

The Matlocks departed next for their estate, accompanied by Anne, Richard, and Charlotte. Anne had told Elizabeth that she intended to visit Richard and Charlotte’s newly renovated manor house whilst in the area, although she would return to Matlock afterwards.

Finally, Jane and Charles left for the Hurst estate near Bath. They planned to remain for several weeks before returning to Netherfield, where Charles had extended the lease for another year. Jane had explained that they wished to experience several more months there before deciding whether to remain or begin searching for an estate of their own.

After weeks of constant company, Pemberley seemed unusually quiet, even with Georgiana and Kitty still at home. Elizabeth missed those who had departed almost immediately, though she also welcomed the return of her familiar routine with William and the children.

CHAPTER 39

A New Season

Spring was slow to arrive, but Elizabeth found ample consolation in watching the twins grow. At six months, they could sit with assistance and had begun pushing themselves onto their arms as though determined to crawl. Their babbling delighted Georgiana and Kitty, who spent considerable time encouraging them to imitate every sound they made.

By the middle of March, however, the family was preparing to travel to London for the Season. Although taking two infants to Town would complicate the journey, Elizabeth had no desire to leave them at Pemberley for several months. She and William therefore arranged for three carriages, whilst his concern for their safety provided what Elizabeth privately considered a veritable army of outriders. They would travel with the twins and one of the nursemaids, whilst Georgiana, Kitty, and Mrs Annesley occupied the second carriage. The remaining personal and nursery servants would follow in the third.

The arrangement had appeared entirely sensible whilst they were still at Pemberley. They soon learnt, however, that neither child enjoyed travelling, and frequent stops were required to feed, change, or soothe them. Georgiana and Kitty willingly entertained the twins whenever the party halted, but even with their assistance, Elizabeth reached Darcy House late on the fourth afternoon thoroughly exhausted and grateful that no engagements awaited them the following day.

After a day of much-needed rest, Elizabeth and the other adults attended church at St George’s on Sunday before gathering at Matlock House for luncheon. The twins joined them there, and Elizabeth watched with amusement as Lady Matlock fussed over her great-nephew and great-niece.

The following day, Lady Matlock accompanied Elizabeth, Georgiana, and Kitty to the modiste. Georgiana was to be presented at court that spring, and both girls would make their formal entrance into London society. Although Kitty was two years older than Georgiana’s seventeen, her experience had thus far been limited to assemblies in Meryton and occasional visits to the theatre with the Darcys.

As the preparations advanced, Elizabeth detected growing nervousness in both girls. Georgiana’s presentation and the ball to be held at Darcy House the following evening seemed to occupy her thoughts almost constantly. The occasion would be the first of its kind held there in anyone’s memory, and the ballroom, used primarily for exercise and dancing lessons in recent years, would finally be restored to its intended purpose.

Elizabeth particularly sympathised with Georgiana as Lady Matlock prepared her for the presentation, having endured the same ordeal the previous spring. The required court dress was cumbersome, and Georgiana spent hours practising how to withdraw from the royal presence without stumbling over its long train.

“I confess I am grateful no one considered a presentation necessary for me,” Kitty said one afternoon as she watched Georgiana make another careful retreat across their shared sitting room. “Having witnessed what you must endure, I am quite content merely to attend the ball.”

Georgiana laughed as Elizabeth stepped forward to straighten her train. “You would manage exceedingly well, Kitty. Indeed, I wish you were obliged to endure it with me. Still, as Lizzy is forever reminding us, we must each follow our own path. This appears to be mine, but at least we shall be together at the ball.”

The day of Georgiana’s presentation arrived far too quickly for Elizabeth. She watched anxiously as her sister performed every required movement with composure, neither stumbling nor becoming entangled in her train. Georgiana’s relieved smile afterwards assured Elizabeth that she was as pleased with the outcome as everyone else.

Darcy House became a scene of constant activity the following morning as the servants made the final preparations for the ball. Elizabeth spent much of the day consulting with Lady Matlock, answering questions, and inspecting arrangements, although William repeatedly reminded her that she need not personally oversee every detail.

By evening, Elizabeth was satisfied that everything was ready and took her place beside William to receive their guests. Georgiana and Kitty remained upstairs until most of the company had assembled, then entered on the arms of Lord Matlock and William. Elizabeth detected some anxiety in their expressions, but both held their heads high as they crossed the ballroom beneath the scrutiny of the assembled company.

She had warned them that not everyone seeking their friendship or attention would possess honourable intentions. Georgiana’s fortune would inevitably attract men more interested in her dowry than in her, whilst Kitty might be pursued because of her connexion to the Darcy family. Both girls had assured Elizabeth that they had no intention of becoming engaged during their first season. They wished to marry for affection and would accept nothing less than a man of good character who respected and genuinely loved them.

That determination did not prevent them from dancing. They began the first set with their escorts, but Lord Matlock and William exchanged partners midway through, allowing William to dance with his sister. The tenderness in his expression brought a smile to Elizabeth’s face. She knew he had difficulty accepting that Georgiana was now considered old enough to marry; he had been as much a father to her as an elder brother.

By the time William escorted Elizabeth upstairs in the early hours of the morning, she could scarcely keep her eyes open.

“We shall be inundated with callers and flowers before noon,” he predicted.

“For both girls, I expect,” Elizabeth replied.

“For both,” he agreed, although his expression suggested that the prospect gave him little pleasure.

The family gathered at Darcy House the following afternoon to discuss the ball. Jane and Charles had come from Netherfield, bringing Mary with them, whilst Lydia accompanied the Gardiners. Richard and Charlotte had also travelled to London for the occasion, and the drawing room soon filled with competing conversations.

For Elizabeth, the most significant news belonged to Mary. Robert Goulding had accompanied the Bingleys to Town and had proposed shortly before their departure from Hertfordshire. He and Mary had danced together the previous evening, and Elizabeth had been pleased by the quiet attentiveness with which he treated her sister. William later confirmed that Robert had impressed him as an intelligent and industrious young man who appeared to value Mary’s abilities rather than feel threatened by them.

The wedding would take place at Longbourn as soon as the banns had been called. Mary and Mrs Gardiner intended to return to Hertfordshire within a few days to begin the arrangements, and the rest of the family would follow nearer the appointed date.