Chapter 14
November 5, 1813
Dear Catherine,
I have news both wonderful and frightening. Last night at dinner, Fitzwilliam told me that it was time for me to make my debut in London in January, since I am turning eighteen that month. You know how much I have dreaded this day, but it must be done. I suppose I have some experience, having attended a few events among family and friends here at home and in Hertfordshire, but this is an entirely different thing. At least he is not insisting that I be presented to the Queen. I would likely fall flat on my face and embarrass my whole family and all my ancestors.
At least it will be Elizabeth who chaperones me everywhere. I have grown quite fond of Mrs. Annesley, who is still my companion, but she is a bit stuffy when we are in company. I would not wish to have her stiffness make me even more hesitant than I naturally am.
Well, that of course is the frightening news. The wonderful news is that I have permission to invite you, Lydia, and Mary to join us. Won’t that be delightful? We may all make our debuts together. Well, I suppose you spent last winter in London with the Bingleys, so I guess it isn’t a debut for you, but it will be for Lydia. As for Mary, I don’t even know if she will accept the invitation, but I wanted to issue it anyway, so she doesn’t feelleft out. I do hope she is willing to join us, but I know she is quite opposed to London and everything in it.
Catherine, I do so hope your father permits this. I haven’t seen you since you left London last May. I always love receiving your letters, but there is nothing quite like a cozy little chat in person. I am quite dying to see the new gown you wrote about in your last letter. Though you described it as well as words can, color is so difficult to put into words. I want to see this infamous shimmering green silk for myself.
Do write back as soon as you can to tell me who will be joining me for my Grand Adventure in London next year. Please, make certain Mary understands that she would be very welcome, and that this isn’t just a pity invitation. I quite like your sister as she is very relaxing to be around.
Your Dearest Friend in the World,
Georgiana Darcy
Catherine put the letter down and stared out the window, thinking. Of course, she knew she would accept Georgiana’s invitation. She was always glad for anything that got her away from Longbourn.
The moment that thought crossed her mind, Catherine berated herself. She liked her home, and she loved her family. It was only that every day was the same. Technically, there was plenty to do, sewing, painting, playing her harp, visiting friends, but it all seemed to blur together after a while.
What Catherine was pondering, however, was whether Lydia was ready for a season in London. The Darcys moved in the highest circles at times, though they also had some friends who were a little lower down, like the Bingleys. While Lydia had improved a great deal over the last two years, she was still justa bit more energetic than was usually seen among the upper-class ladies. At least she had stopped speaking and laughing too loudly.
Catherine was almost certain Mary would decline the invitation. She liked society so little that she didn’t even attend all the local social events. She would be quite overwhelmed in London, especially among the constant flow of parties and balls that encompassed a true London Season. Even Catherine had not experienced that, though she had heard tales from a few of her classmates that she still kept in touch with.
Last winter, Papa had insisted she spend time in London with Jane in hopes that she would find a husband. She had never explained to him that she planned to never marry, since she knew Papa would not be happy with that. She had gone to visit Jane, but they hadn’t gone to many parties, because Jane was pregnant at the time and not feeling very well.
It had been fun, nevertheless. Even with Jane’s condition, they had been able to go shopping and visit many places of interest. Since it was all interesting, Catherine didn’t mind not going to parties or balls. All such events carried with them the expectation of courtship, and the older she got, the more Catherine disliked such expectations being placed on her when she had no intention of fulfilling them.
Now, Georgiana was inviting her to experience a London Season, where everything was about matchmaking. Walks in the park were so that one could be seen and possibly catch a gentleman’s eye. Balls and parties were there for the purpose of getting to know each other to see if attraction could turn into love. If Catherine went, every single moment of every single day would, in some way, be focused on catching a husband.
On the other hand, she could not refuse Georgiana’s request, nor did she wish to. Catherine knew that Georgianahad been terrified of this since they first learned what a London Season was about. Now that Georgiana’s time was here, Catherine could not abandon her to face it alone.
Catherine simply did not wish to face the hordes of gentlemen that would attempt to win her favor, or at least win her fortune. She was not arrogant, but she was knowledgeable enough to know what it would be like. She had even experienced it to a small degree when visiting Jane last year. This year would be on a whole different level.
Catherine sighed and stood up from the window seat, tucking her letter in her pocket as she did so. She went to the music room where Mary was most likely to be. Lydia was visiting the Lucases with Mama, so Catherine could talk to her when she returned.
She opened the door to the music room. Since there had been no sound coming from it, Catherine had assumed that it would be acceptable to disturb her sister.
“Mary, do you have a moment?” she asked.
Mary was sitting in a chair reading a book. A quick glance told Catherine that the book was on the history of music.
Mary looked up and closed her book. “Of course,” she said.
“I received a letter from Georgiana,” said Catherine. “She is to make her London debut this coming winter, and she has invited you, Lydia, and me to join her.”
Mary wrinkled her nose in distaste, almost exactly as Catherine had expected she would. “I wouldn’t mind going to London,” said Mary. “I quite enjoyed visiting Aunt and Uncle Gardiner when Mama took me this past summer. There is much to see, and it quite makes up for the unpleasantness of the city, but I don’t think I would enjoy the social rigors of a true Season. What do you think?”
“If you are asking me if you should go, I cannot answer that,” said Catherine. “I can tell you that it will be far more socially demanding than anything you have experienced before. Balls or parties nearly every other day, almost daily outings in parks or pleasure grounds, frequent shopping both for making purchases and simply to be seen.
“On the other hand, you might meet someone you like, or you might enjoy all the sights of the city that you would not otherwise be able to see. Only you can say if the potential gain is worth the exertion.”
“Will you be going?” asked Mary.
“I will. Georgiana is counting on me to support her,” said Catherine.
