Page 6 of The Sole Love

Elizabeth looked from her aunt to Jane. Surely Lord Mansfield knew little about the Bennet sisters, and this was only a ruse to draw Jane out of the house. However, for once, Jane liked the idea of shopping, probably thinking that she would be able to excuse herself from actually going to the theatre.

They spent a lovely morning strolling and shopping in Oxford Street, buying muslin and trimmings for the dining room as well as gloves, stockings, caps, and some exquisite bonnets. Then they went to Franks in Wigmore Street, where they found ready-made gowns and pelisses. Finally, a smile appeared on Jane’s face when she found an elegant bluish gown that perfectly suited her delicate figure. For the first time in months, the mirror reflected a resplendent young lady admired not only by her sister and aunt but also by the shopwoman, who said, “You look splendid, miss. You could go to Almack’s dressed like this.”

The elegance of the shop, the smiles surrounding her, and finally even her own reflection in the mirror visibly changed Jane’s spirits. At last, she seemed calmer, happier, and more confident. The smile did not leave her face, for the gown required a few accessories: a shawl and a delicate necklace set with stones of the same colour. The pleasant bustle surrounding her brought her back to a world she had almost forgotten.

Still in the street, she embraced her aunt and sister, silently thanking them for their patience and tenderness, for comforting her without ever pressing her to recover before she was ready.

“Yes, Uncle was right. I have been sad for too long,” she declared once they were in the carriage, and the ladies surrounded her with happy smiles, while her cousin Claire, the Gardiners’ elder daughter, who had accompanied them that morning, nestled affectionately against her, making no secret of her admiration.

To Mr Gardiner’s delight, dinner that evening was as animated as it had been in those days when his nieces were merely cheerful young girls. They let Claire recount the adventures of the day, so pleased was she to have been included in the ladies’ world.

“Everybody admired Jane!” she declared at the end of her story.

“Now, Claire,” Mrs Gardiner said, “Elizabeth was also much admired, and I am sure I could say the same of you.”

Suddenly, the next evening’s visit to the theatre became an anticipated event, and Jane agreed that she liked the idea of going out, even if it were only to exhibit her new gown.

Secretly, she still hoped to meet Mr Bingley, or at least his sisters, and receive some news of him. Staying at home could never bring about such an encounter. In vain she had waited for him to pay a call. That was clearly not going to happen. Consequently, she had to go out, to the theatre and dinners, just as Uncle Gardiner insisted she should. She looked at him with great affection; he was so considerate towards everyone, and there was no doubt that he dearly loved them.

“I am so grateful that you endured my sadness, and I agree that it is time to let the past…be past.”

It was the most hopeful thing they had heard from her in some time, and Mr Gardiner nodded approvingly.

“Your despondency saddened us all. You will shine at Covent Garden tomorrow. Lord Mansfield has rented a box from a prominent member of the ton for the Season, and I am sure you and Elizabeth will be admired by all of London.”

“And me?” Claire asked, making a funny face.

“You, miss, will have to wait at least eight years before receiving such an honour,” her mother replied lovingly.

Claire resembled Jane and was sure to follow her cousins in beauty. Mrs Gardiner wondered once again how the two sisters could be so different. Jane was blonde, with a fair complexion, while Elizabeth had the colouring of her father: green eyes, dark brown hair, and a slightly darker complexion. The green gown she had chosen perfectly complemented her skin and eyes. If Jane stunned at first sight, one had to look at Elizabeth a second time to discover not only her beauty and unique charm but also her poise and self-confidence.

Yet both her nieces possessed far more than beauty. They were intelligent young women with rich inner lives, and Mrs Gardiner hoped they would find gentlemen who could appreciate their qualities. She did not particularly like Mr Bingley and hoped that a sensitive, steadfast man might one day win Jane’s heart. As for Elizabeth, Mrs Gardiner suspected that Mr Darcy might be the right man for her, and it was important that they have an opportunity to discover whether they truly suited each other.

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The following afternoon was devoted almost entirely to preparations for the theatre. When Elizabeth and Jane finally descended to the drawing room, where the Gardiners were waiting for them, husband and wife exclaimed together in genuine admiration. The girls looked magnificent.

Jane lowered her eyes shyly before their enthusiasm, as was her habit, while Elizabeth smiled and made a little turn. She was rarely interested in what she wore. Still, that evening her new gown and the little jewelled watch she had received from her uncle made her unexpectedly happy.

As was customary, once they arrived at the theatre, they waited in a long line of carriages before reaching the imposing entrance and its columned portico. From the carriage window, Elizabeth gazed suddenly and eagerly at the multitude of people arriving on foot and by carriage, elegant, animated, eager to see and be seen.

She no longer tried to hide the truth from herself. She wanted to meet Mr Darcy, and the theatre was obviously a place where Jane might also encounter Mr Bingley. Elizabeth glanced at her sister as they mounted the steps and found in her the same mixture of anticipation and pleasure she felt.

The entrance hall was crowded when they arrived, and great chandeliers shone above the gathering. They made their way through the vestibule and up the broad staircase until an attendant showed them to their box.

The corridors leading to the boxes were sufficiently spacious for patrons to pause, exchange greetings, and encounter acquaintances. Indeed, just outside their box they met Lord Mansfield’s family. His amiable wife greeted Mrs Gardiner with genuine pleasure and observed the girls with interest as they curtsied before her and her two sons, James and Arthur Mansfield.

As they entered the box, Mrs Gardiner soon concluded from the girls’ expressions that neither gentleman they had hoped to meet was present. Their disappointment was slight but evident to her, even though they continued to smile.

Even after they were seated, they kept glancing at the other boxes, hoping the two friends might yet appear.

At first, Elizabeth and Jane paid little attention to Lord Roderick Mansfield’s sons. Still, when it became evident that neither Mr Darcy nor Mr Bingley was in attendance, they turned their attention to James and Arthur Mansfield. Their obvious pleasure in such elegant surroundings and their willingness to converse with the two young gentlemen were excellent signs. Disappointed at first, they quickly recovered and enjoyed the evening.

The young gentlemen were delighted by the young ladies. Both spoke eagerly and laughed with them, and the evening concluded with numerous invitations to dinner, rides in Hyde Park, and a ball the following Monday at the home of one of their parents’ friends.

“Please, Mrs Gardiner, Mr Gardiner, do come to the ball,” Arthur said, though in truth he was looking at Jane.

Mr Gardiner exchanged an amused glance with Lord Mansfield, since nobody particularly wanted to see them at the ball; it was the two young ladies who had captured the Mansfield sons’ interest.