Caroline sniffed, and then sailed out after her brother and Jane, nose high.
Once the Bingleys were gone, the Countess swept in. “You have been here for less than a day, and you already have visitors? Heavens!”
Elizabeth realised with an unpleasant start that she would have to explain to the Countess that Caroline Bingley would be invited to a number of teas and dinners, as well as Georgiana’s come-out ball, and doubtless the Countess would not approve. She swallowed and began, “Aunt Eleanor, you may recall that my elder sister, Jane, is wed to your nephew’s dearest friend, Charles Bingley.”
“Of course; I met them at your wedding,” the Countess replied.
“Yes. Well, Miss Bingley has been living with my sister and Mr. Bingley, and has managed to make my sister’s life rather – well, trying, I suppose one might say.”
The Countess snorted. “Trying! I should say so! I saw the chit at the wedding, though I was wise enough not to ask for an introduction. I can tell you that I formed no good impression of that ill-bred, rag-mannered upstart!”
Elizabeth swallowed and opened her mouth to continue, but her husband stepped in. “Aunt, we are trying to do Charles and Jane a good turn by helping Miss Bingley find a husband this Season.”
The Countess’ eyes opened wide and she gasped aloud. “You cannot mean that this Bingley person will be a frequent guest at Darcy House!”
Mr. Darcy went on. “Yes; we hope that by exposing her to a wider circle of acquaintances, she will find herself a husband.”
“It will do Georgiana no good to be seen as that woman’s friend!”
“You are right; we are walking a rather narrow path here. We want to introduce Miss Bingley to some of our acquaintances without giving the impression that we are anything more than casual friends.”
“Darcy, the mere fact that you are socialising with Miss Bingley indicates your approval of her. You know that as well as I.”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I do know, Aunt. All I can say is that we will do the best we can do.”
Elizabeth added, “And surely there can be no possible objection to Georgiana. She is likely to be one of the diamonds of the Season!”
The Countess shook her head. “Not likely; there are at least half a dozen young ladies out this Season who are considered extremely beautiful, and they each have dowries equal to Georgiana’s or more; there is a duke’s daughter out this year with fifty thousand pounds! In any case, Georgiana is pretty enough, with her blonde hair and dark eyes, and her dowry is more than respectable. It is likely that she will struggle with the amount of attention she will receive without being considered a diamond.”
“She is far less shy –“ Elizabeth began, but the Countess interrupted her.
“Do not let her be seen in close company with that Bingley girl. Further, Elizabeth, your sister is everything lovely, and Darcy’s friend, Mr. Bingley, is unobjectionable, but under no circumstances are you to introduce Miss Bingley to me or to the Earl.”
“We understand,” Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth chorused.
The Countess then moved on to other business. “Elizabeth, I plan to present you to the Queen as well as Georgiana.”
“Me?!” Elizabeth shook her head adamantly. “No, no, but I thank you for your kind thought, Aunt Eleanor.”
“Yes, absolutely. Your presence will calm Georgiana. In addition, being presented will help establish you as a hostess, which will also help Georgiana. Come, are we not all ready to do our part for our dear girl?”
Elizabeth could not argue with the Countess’ logic, but she quailed at the idea of wearing one of the elaborate costumes required by the Queen and standing for hours – hours! – in the palace, waiting for her turn. “I suppose you are right,” she said, finally, with a sigh of unhappy resignation.
“I am usually right,” the Countess agreed. “Now, then, get your boots and cloaks! It is time to go shopping!”
Chapter Six
Elizabeth, Georgiana, and the Countess spent an entire week shopping. Elizabeth and Georgiana agreed that it had been fun for the first few days; after that, they no longer enjoyed the exhausting process of being measured, selecting fabrics, and looking through innumerable fashion plates. The Countess, on the other hand, was utterly indefatigable.
“How does she do it?” Georgiana whispered to Elizabeth. “She must be, what, fifty years old!”
“I do not know,” Elizabeth replied. “But I suspect the secret is that she is enjoying herself, while we are not.”
***
Finally – finally! – they were done. All their orders had been placed, and elegant calling cards had been printed.
Elizabeth knew it was far past time to visit Bingley House. She had sent brief notes to Jane, apologising for her absence, but she knew Jane would be feeling hurt. She could delay no longer! The butler admitted her immediately, and ushered her into the drawing room. Jane rose at once to embrace her. “I thought you had forgotten me,” she whispered.
