Jane sighed. “As her sister, I suppose it is my duty to do so; but she very firmly believes that she need not lower herself to take instruction from anyone, let alone country girls like me and Lizzy.”
“Then she will not find a husband who is not a fortune hunter, I fear,” Mrs. Gardiner said.
“Aunt, at this point, I would happily turn her over to a fortune hunter!” Jane exclaimed. Then she reddened. “I should not have said that,” she added, looking at her hands.
“You are amongst family, Jane; say what you think. So she has been that unpleasant, has she?”
“Oh, Aunt!” Jane looked up. “It has been quite dreadful! Everything I do is criticised. Everything I wear is wrong. Every dinner I order is in some way lacking. Everything – everything! I do not know how much longer I can bear it.”
“I am surprised your husband has not taken her in hand, Jane.”
“Charles is too kind a person to do so, I am sorry to say.” Jane shook her head sadly.
“You know, I think Caroline will learn some humility this Season,” Elizabeth remarked. “She will attend a few events and be soundly rebuffed. Then she will understand that something needs to change. I hope so, in any case.”
“What do you have planned, Lizzy?” Mrs. Gardiner asked.
“Oh, many things. Georgiana must become known, so I will host teas for young ladies, hold dinner parties, go to the theater, and of course Georgiana must have her come-out ball after her presentation. Aunt Gardiner, you and Uncle must attend her ball.”
“Oh, Lizzy, no. Our presence can hardly help Georgiana’s cause.”
“I will hear no objections, Aunt. Society will survive the presence of a brilliant merchant and his elegant and lovely wife for one night!”
Chapter Eight
The next day, the Countess sent a note telling Elizabeth to expect her for tea. All three Darcys, as well as Mrs. Annesley, waited in the drawing room; at the appointed time, the Countess was ushered in.
“I have the list,” she informed them, after enquiries as to health had been satisfied.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy exchanged wary glances. “The list?” Mr. Darcy asked.
“Yes, of course; the list of eligible gentlemen who will be in Town for the Season.” The Countess looked at them in astonishment. “I am certain I mentioned it, did I not? No? Well, in any case, all of you must familiarise yourselves with this list, so that you will immediately know which callers to encourage and which to discourage. I have also noted which of them have female relatives with whom you, Elizabeth, should become acquainted.” She flourished a piece of paper.
Feeling uncertain, but understanding what was expected of her, Elizabeth rose and took the paper from the Countess’ hand. “Thank you, Aunt Eleanor,” she said.
“You may very well thank me, for it took me the better part of two hours to compose. Make copies, Elizabeth, so that you may each have one.”
Elizabeth returned to her seat beside Mr. Darcy, and they looked at the list together. A quick skim revealed:
Eligible Gentlemen for the 1815 Season
Lord Fitzmaurice, Marquess of Lansdowne, thirty-nine years of age, mother is Lady Margaret, sister is Lady Charlotte
Lord Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, forty-one years of age, mother is Lady Catherine
Lord Fane, the Earl of Westmoreland, twenty-five years of age, mother is Lady Amelia, sister is Lady Agatha
Lord St. John, Viscount Bolingbroke, twenty-nine years of age, no female relatives
Lord Stewart, Viscount Emerson, twenty-nine years of age, mother is Lady Emmeline, sister is Lady Charity
Lord Preston, Viscount Gormanston, thirty-two years of age, mother is Lady Emma
Lord Julian, Baron FitzWalter, thirty-seven years of age, no female relatives
Lord Russell, Baron de Clifford, twenty-nine years of age, mother is Lady Edith
The list went on and on, including the names of gentlemen who did not have titles, but had substantial holdings in some part of the kingdom. Elizabeth reflected briefly that her own husband’s name had doubtless been on lists like these for many years!
