Irritated at being ignored, Caroline spoke up. “I think I am capable of selecting fabrics now that I understand your requirements, Jane.”
“Very well; you select them and I will let you know if I approve of them.”
Caroline began to sputter, causing Jane to add, “And if I do not approve, Charles will not pay for them.”
That ended Caroline’s verbal objections, though she continued to throw angry glances in Jane’s direction. It took three hours to plan new gowns for Caroline, by which time both ladies were feeling in need of refreshment.
“There is a lovely tea shop one block down,” Madame reminded them.
Thanking Madame and arranging for the dresses to be delivered to Bingley House, Jane and Caroline made their way to the teashop. They found a small table and sat down, grateful for the opportunity to rest.
“Look,” Caroline whispered. “Is that not Mr. Darcy’s aunt, the Countess of Matlock?”
Jane twisted around to look. “It is, but you have not been introduced to her, Caroline.”
The Countess saw the two ladies looking at her; she recognised Mrs. Bingley and Miss Bingley at once. Mrs. Bingley was Elizabeth’s sister and should not be ignored, but the Countess had no wish at all to show any familiarity with Miss Bingley; thus, she nodded in a friendly manner to Mrs. Bingley, but did not so much as look at Miss Bingley.
“She nodded at you, Jane!” Caroline hissed. “You can introduce me to her!”
“No, Caroline; she must request the introduction. You know that!”
“But in this case –“
Jane would not be moved.
Caroline got to her feet.
“Caroline, she will give you the cut direct, and you will be finished in Society.”
Caroline hesitated and then finally sat back down, as Jane breathed a sigh of relief.
Chapter Eighteen
After giving the matter a good deal of thought, Caroline decided to take Jane’s advice. Being completely friendless in London was intolerable. Thus, she sent out invitations for tea once again, this time to some of the “nobodies” she was acquainted with from Miss Gravely’s School for Young Ladies.
The Honourable Miss Worthington was the daughter of a Baron with a five thousand pound dowry, but she was so plain-faced that no one had ever paid any attention to her. The Honourable Miss Batten was the daughter of a Baron as well, but her father was in desperate straits and she had no dowry at all. Miss Taylor was the daughter of a merchant, with a ten thousand pound dowry. Miss Davies was the daughter of an attorney; she, too, had ten thousand pounds. Miss Johnson was the daughter of a highly successful Harley Street surgeon with a twenty thousand pound dowry. They were nobodies…like Caroline.
Miss Taylor, Miss Davies, and Miss Johnson had accepted Caroline’s invitation; Miss Worthington and Miss Batten had declined. Elizabeth and Miss Darcy would attend as well; this would show the “nobodies” that Caroline had important connections.
The day of the tea party arrived. Caroline was dressed in one of her new gowns, a lovely sea green accented with darker green ribbon about the bodice, neckline and hem. She prowled around the drawing room, checking that everything was in order. Jane had made the necessary changes to the décor of the room, so there was nothing to be ashamed of there. Caroline knew that Jane could be counted on to present elegant foodstuffs, so she need not be concerned about that. Caroline fussed with the flowers a bit, removing a few that looked as though they might begin to droop by the end of the day. Then she called in a servant to build up the fire a bit more.
Jane walked in, noiselessly, watching Caroline move nervously about the room. Poor Caroline, Jane thought. No friends at school? It was her own fault, of course, but she must have been utterly miserable. When would Caroline learn that her determination to “better herself,” as she put it, was resulting in nothing but her own unhappiness? She hoped these “nobodies” would show Caroline some kindness.
***
“I suppose I must go,” Georgiana said. Her voice held no enthusiasm.
“It would be rude not to,” Elizabeth said, gently. “Is there a reason you would prefer to stay at home?”
“The last tea party at Bingley House was so very dreadful; the young ladies she thought were her friends were so unpleasant! I do not wish to watch it happen again.”
Elizabeth hesitated, and then decided to trust her younger sister by marriage. “If I tell you something about Miss Bingley, will you keep it to yourself?”
“Of course, Lizzy.”
“Jane told me that poor Miss Bingley had a dreadful time at school and does not actually have any friends.”
Georgiana opened her mouth and then promptly closed it again.
