“Yes, indeed. It would be wise to prepare for callers.”
Elizabeth had already considered the likelihood of such an event, and had instructed Mrs. Babcock accordingly.
***
Elizabeth was not the only one to have understood that there would likely be gentlemen callers at Darcy House. Caroline Bingley, well aware that the Stewart’s ball had taken place the previous night, had every intention of being at Darcy House in time to be introduced to those callers.
“Jane, do you plan to visit Elizabeth today?” Caroline asked. Her face and tone were the very picture of perfect innocence.
“I had thought to, yes. I am eager to hear how Georgiana found her first ball.”
“May I accompany you?”
“Of course, Caroline. Let us leave at two o’clock.”
Caroline went upstairs to consider her wardrobe. Charles had permitted her to buy several new dresses, and Caroline had indulged her taste for the opulent, despite the dressmaker raising her brows several times in dismay. She finally chose a dress in crimson velvet. The skirt was embroidered with tiny pearls, and the neckline was low enough to show off a good deal of her creamy skin. She laid the dress out on the bed.
“Alice!” she called for her maid.
“Miss?”
“Help me dress.” Caroline opened her mouth to berate the silly creature for her slowness, but recalled Mrs. Annesley’s words about the servant’s grapevine and so closed her mouth with a snap.
“For the afternoon, Miss?” Alice sounded surprised.
“Yes. You do not approve?” Caroline truly could not help the waspish tone in her voice. As if she gave a toss if the maid approved!
“It looks more like something you would wear to the opera, Miss Bingley.”
Heavens, she would have to find a new maid if this kept up! “Nonetheless, Alice, this is what I will wear this afternoon.”
Once dressed by Alice’s reluctant hands, Caroline selected a pearl necklace and eardrops and put them on. She stared at her reflection for some time before deciding that she did not yet look wealthy enough. She added a gold chain. Good. She had red slippers that were decorated with bits of gold paste; those would certainly do.
But was her face perhaps too pale? She dipped into her dresser drawer to find her small pot of rouge, and dabbed at her cheeks.
Perfect!
***
Caroline descended the staircase at two o’clock to find Jane waiting for her. Caroline was gratified when she saw Jane’s jaw drop open.
“Are you quite certain, Caroline?” Jane asked, softly.
“Of course I am certain, Jane! I would not want to insult your sister by not looking my very best at her house.” And I am certain to outshine Georgiana, who will be wearing something dull and girlish, she thought.
Upon arriving at Darcy House, Jane and Caroline saw three carriages outside. “Oh, they have visitors,” Caroline said, as innocently as she could manage.
They were admitted by the butler, and subsequently led into the drawing room, where they were announced. Caroline saw Elizabeth, Miss Darcy, and Mrs. Annesley, as well as four gentlemen in the room, including Mr. Darcy. The gentlemen rose and bowed. Elizabeth performed the introductions, presenting Jane and Caroline to Lord Fane, the Earl of Westmoreland; Sir Baldwin of Cheshire Way in Sussex; and Mr. Stanley of Overshire Park in Dorset.
Caroline did not hear the names of the latter two gentlemen; her mind had fastened immediately upon Lord Fane. The Earl of Westmoreland was here in Elizabeth’s drawing room! Here, at last, was Caroline’s chance!
She spoke at once, asking Georgiana about her ball. “Miss Darcy, I hope you enjoyed your first ball last night! Heavens, I well remember my first ball! It was at…” And she trailed off, seeing Mrs. Annesley’s eyes narrowing. Caroline heard Mrs. Annesley’s words in her mind: ‘A lady is expected to not be eager to call attention to herself…’“ Caroline gulped and stopped. She tried again. “Did you dance a good deal, Miss Darcy?”
The girl blushed and replied, “With the three gentlemen you see here, Miss Bingley, as well as my brother, of course. There were others; I think I only sat out two dances.”
Georgiana, that silly chit, had danced with the Earl of Westmoreland? And he had then come to call upon her? Truly, Caroline thought, for the millionth time, there was no justice in this world. And here Georgiana sat, entertaining that very Earl, wearing a simple day dress of the palest imaginable blue with a white sash embroidered with blue flowers. She wore blue slippers with no adornment, and her hair was tied up with a wide blue ribbon. She looked like a girl, not a woman. Caroline managed not to sniff.
Caroline, on the other hand, was the very picture of sophistication in her red dress. The saw the Earl glance at her, and then his eyes slid away. I must speak with him, she thought, and wondered how to manage it. He was speaking about how much he preferred country life – another outdoorsman! – and he and Georgiana were exchanging tales of snowstorms out in the country.
