Page 22 of Mr. Darcy Comes to Town

“Mary,” Jane gasped.

Lizzy looked down at her humble, utilitarian gown. “You are right. I will change. But, go ahead, pray. I will catch you up.”

The Meryton lending library occupied a cozy Georgian townhouse where large windows overlooked the high street, allowing bright light to illuminate the gathering space within. A smartly liveried attendant opened the door to admit the Bennet sisters.

“Thank you, Harris,” Jane said, leading Lizzy and Mary into the refined space.

“Yer welcome, miss,” the older man said, his impressively curled mustache twitching. “There’s a nice orange spice tisane on the hob today. And,” he added portentously, “new crates full of novels, were bein’ opened yesterday eve.”

“Excellent,” Lizzy said, beaming. Harris beamed back.

Once inside the paneled and carpeted space, the three sisters encountered several acquaintances with whom they paused to exchange news. Mary, however, hastened toward the counter where she returned three books. Lizzy excused herself and joined her, placing her own returns on the counter. A wiry gentleman nodded respectfully to her. His wife bustled over to Lizzy.

“How did you like these, Miss Elizabeth?” she asked.

“Very well, Mrs. Moore,” Lizzy told her. “I hear there are new novels in. What do you recommend?”

“Well, miss, we have a two-volume tale, written by a lady, called The Schoolmistress,” Mrs. Moore said, reaching behind her and finding the books on a shelf labeled “New arrivals”. She set them on the counter.

Lizzy opened the cover to the titlepage and read aloud, “‘A Moral Tale for Young Ladies’.” Making a face, she closed the cover and pushed the two volumes back across the counter. “Not for me, I think.”

Mrs. Moore put the books back on the shelf and brought forward a single book. “We are fortunate to have the first volume of Sense and Sensibility by a new author.”

“What did the publishers say it is about?” Lizzy asked.

“It is the story of three sisters and their mother who are left virtually penniless after the death of the sisters’ father,” Mrs. Moore revealed. After Lizzy’s eyes widened, the proprietress explained further, saying, “It is a love story, miss.”

“And when will the other volumes arrive?” Lizzy asked.

“We were promised them early next week.”

Lizzy nodded. “Very well, I will borrow it. Kindly wrap it in paper and keep it here at the desk for me to pick up when I am ready to leave.”

“Good choice, Miss Elizabeth,” Mrs. Moore said.

Lizzy smiled and turned to see if Mary had finished, discovering her sister still in serious discussion with Mr. Moore. Looking around, she spied Jane sitting at a tea table with Charlotte Lucas, their particular friend.

I wonder if Maria is here.

The crowd shifted and Lizzy spied Charlotte’s sister sitting with them. A member of staff arrived at the table with some tisane. She made her way through to the table and took a seat.

“Good morning, Charlotte,” Lizzy said, smiling. “Maria. How are you both?”

“Exceedingly well,” her friends said simultaneously.

“You are looking lovely today,” Charlotte mentioned, nodding at her yellow riband trimmed white day dress. “Yellow suits you more than anyone else I know.”

“You helped me choose the design of this spencer,” Lizzy reminded her, grinning. “If I look good it is because you have excellent taste.” She looked at the teapot. “That tisane smells delightful. I see they provided us with some honey, too.”

“Shall I pour?” Charlotte asked, being the eldest at the table.

“Yes, please,” Maria said, nodding so vigorously that her warm brown curls bounced.

“Jane tells us you have a new friend,” Charlotte said as she began to pour the golden tea into the cups.

“Yes, indeed. His name is Jeffry, and he is guinea pig,” Lizzy informed her with enthusiasm. “Do you know anyone who is missing a guinea pig?”

Charlotte and Maria both shook their heads.