As the carriage made its way to Bond Street, Elizabeth told her aunt about the guests they hosted at Longbourn. “We had the opportunity to get to know Mr. Bingley’s friends while they were all guests at Longbourn—Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire, and his sister Miss Georgiana Darcy.”
“The Darcys?” their aunt questioned with a curious smile. “I know them, or rather, I knew their parents. I met them when my family moved to Lambton. The village is about five miles from Pemberley. I was eighteen or nineteen at the time. We moved to Lambton when my father was given the living there. Not long after that, I met your uncle, and then we married. So, it turned out that I did not end up living there very long.”
Elizabeth was very surprised to learn her aunt had known Mr. Darcy’s parents.
“How did you find Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy?” Aunt Madeleine asked.
“They are very amiable,” Mary said with a smile.
“Yes, and Mr. Darcy invited us to go riding in Hyde Park,” Elizabeth said.
“Then we shall add riding habits to the list of items to be ordered,” their aunt declared.
“Oh, Aunt Madeleine,” Jane began, “we brought our riding habits with us—”
“I will not have my nieces riding through Hyde Park in anything less than the current fashion,” their aunt said with a smirk. “Madame Dupont is the most sought-after modiste in London. Her creations are exquisite. She may also have some gowns that are already made up and can be purchased with alterations to sizing and length. Those items can usually be ready in a day or so.”
Before long, they reached their destination. When they entered the shop, Elizabeth was amazed at all the beautiful itemsof clothing. An attractive, dark-haired woman similar in age to Aunt Madeleine approached them.
“Bonjour! Madame Gardiner, how lovely to see you.”
“Lovely to see you as well. I have brought my nieces to you. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, Miss Mary, this is Madame Dupont.”
“Please come with me. I have a private room prepared for you.”
They followed Madame Dupont to a room with three curtained-off dressing areas. The walls were papered with a repeating pattern of nosegays with pink roses. From the chair rail down to the floor was crisp white paneling. A rose-colored couch of soft velvet sat across from the dressing areas.
Two young women entered the room behind them. One carried a tea tray, and the other carried pattern books, drawings, and magazines with fashion plates.
“This is Héloïse and Colette. The three of us will take care of you. Now, shall we begin?”
A while later, they left the modiste and walked to a lady's accessory shop. Once they concluded their business there, Elizabeth and her sisters followed their aunt to the cobbler a few doors down. Twenty minutes later, they all exited the shop and boarded the carriage to head back to Gracechurch Street.
“Aunt, you have spoiled us today!” Elizabeth exclaimed.
Aunt Madeleine chuckled.
“Truly, Aunt Madeleine, you and Uncle Edward have been so generous!” Mary added.
“We are so thankful to you both, Aunt,” Jane said.
“Oh, you girls are very welcome! I am glad you feel spoiled, for that was the goal! You deserve it. Neither of you had a proper come-out with a season or two in town. On top of that, you are entering the fray a little older and without dowries. I want you to feel confident in who you are and what you have to offer. Beingimpeccably turned out can go a long way towards that. When you look your best, it is easier to handle the rest, is it not? With your new gowns, you will look just as fashionable as any wealthy young woman you come across, if not more so.”
“Lizzy and I spoke several days ago about the likelihood of encountering gentlemen who seem to be interested, but will do nothing about it because of our lack of dowry. I believe it is what I just experienced with Mr. Bingley,” Jane said.
“Hmm . . . tell me about Mr. Bingley.”
Jane told their aunt about meeting Mr. Bingley, how his interactions with her changed shortly after they met, and how he seemed to go back and forth between seeking to occupy her time and steadfastly avoiding her.
“Yes, he does seem to be confused,” Aunt Madeleine said, her eyes narrowed in thought. “It is true that many young men want a dowered wife. Some, in fact, need one. However, there are also men who are free to marry as they please. Regardless of what you girls encounter, we shall deal with it together.”
Words seemed to fail Elizabeth and her sisters. They could only smile at their aunt with love and gratitude shining in their eyes.Always,Elizabeth thought,we can always depend on Aunt Madeleine.
When they returned, Elizabeth and her sisters went to the nursery, eager to see the children. They played with their little cousins until it was time for the children’s dinner. Then, they headed downstairs to join their aunt and uncle.
“Aunt, I just remembered that I still need to send a note to Georgiana. We shall be home during calling hours for the next couple of days, shall we not?” Elizabeth asked.
“Yes, we shall be.”
