Page 24 of Gold and Good Sense

“If that is all you require, I believe I can be of assistance,” said Lady Esther. “I would also recommend you turn to your friend, Judge Darcy, to assist you with this as well. Through his relations, he is connected to some of the most respectable people in the land.”

“I will consider what you say,” said Thomas, “and I will begin making preparations for a journey to London as soon as possible.”

~~~~~

Thomas sent his most trusted manservant to London the following day to seek out lodgings for the family. It took a few days to find something suitable. By the time the servant returned, all other preparations had been made.

On the fourteenth of March, 1811, exactly one week after he had returned from arranging Kitty’s wedding, Thomas Bennet once again left Longbourn, though this time he was accompanied by four daughters, two companions, two ladies’ maids, and two footmen.

Mrs. Bennet did not wave them off as they pulled away, for she had been extremely resentful of not being allowed to accompany them. Not even the offer of doubling her pin money for the year soothed her disgruntled state.

Thomas did not regret his decision, though he spent many hours mourning the necessity of it. Still, his girls’ safety was his highest priority, and he was determined to protect them.

With a heavy weight on his shoulders, Thomas Bennet watched as Longbourn faded in the distance.

Part Two

Chapter 12

Elizabeth watched in the mirror as Anna, the new ladies’ maid that she shared with Mary, closed the clasp on her pearl necklace. It was the final touch to complete her appearance, and Elizabeth was certain she had never appeared to better advantage.

Her hair was pinned up and speckled with diamond-tipped hairpins that sparkled like stars amongst her dark curls. Her pearl drop earrings matched perfectly with the string of pearls around her neck, and her cream silk gown, trimmed with ribbons of dark green, complemented her complexion and figure perfectly.

She and her sisters had been in London for a week now, just barely long enough to have this gown made, though there were quite a few additional gowns that would be ready by the end of another week. This one had been rushed, however, so that it could be ready in time for dinner at Judge Darcy’s home.

Elizabeth was a basket of nerves over this dinner. While she had enjoyed meeting Judge Darcy before, this time was different. This time, he had invited most of the members of his family as well as several younger friends. It would be the first time Elizabeth and her sisters would truly mingle with those of a higher class than they had known in Hertfordshire.

“You look lovely, Miss Elizabeth,” said Anna. “There is no reason to be so nervous.”

Elizabeth huffed out a short laugh. “Is it that obvious?” she said.

“Probably not to anyone who doesn’t know you,” said Anna, “but I’ve been doing your hair for nearly a month now, ever since I came to Longbourn. I have come to learn that the more nervous you are the more your gaze bounces around, and the more you fidget.”

“You are too observant for your own good,” said Elizabeth teasingly. “Or perhaps I should say that you are too observant for my own good.” She grinned.

“It is only reasonable that you should be nervous,” said Anna. “After all, you will be meeting the sons of the Earl of Matlock as well as Mr. Darcy of Pemberley and who knows who else. I would be frightened down to my boots to meet such high people.”

“It isn’t that,” said Elizabeth. “I care not how high they are. I am simply nervous to be entering a room full of strangers, every single one of whom will be looking at me to find fault. How will I bear such scrutiny?”

“You will bear it quite well,” said Anna firmly. “After all, you have me, and I have looked over every single detail of your appearance. You look perfect, if I do say so myself, and you will carry yourself as if you believe that to be the case.”

Elizabeth just smiled at the young maid’s forceful comfort as she rose from her seat. “Thank you, Anna,” she said. Then she headed downstairs to wait for her sisters, Lady Esther, and her father. Mrs. Jamison would be staying at home with Lydia.

Jane was already there, and Elizabeth rushed forward to give her beautiful, older sister a hug. She leaned into Jane’s strength and let it calm her nerves just a bit.

Jane must have sensed how very nervous Elizabeth was. As Elizabeth let her go, she said, “There is no need to be quite so tense, Lizzy. Yes, we will be meeting many new people all at once, but that is a good thing, an exciting thing. Perhaps we will meet a new friend who will become a lifelong acquaintance. You never know. Anything could happen tonight.”

“Yes, exactly,” said Elizabeth. “Anything could happen, including that we could make fools of ourselves in front of fifty or more members of the ton. We were not made for this. We were not raised for this. Who knows what they might expect that we wouldn’t even imagine?”

“We might not imagine it, but I am certain Lady Esther and Mrs. Jamison are very aware of what is expected, and they have both trained us well,” said Jane. “If you have no confidence in yourself, perhaps you can find confidence in them.”

“You are absolutely correct,” said Elizabeth, suddenly feeling much calmer. “Lady Esther would not steer us wrong. Of that I am certain.”

Before Elizabeth could say anything else, Mary entered the room. She was wearing her new pale-yellow gown which made her appear lighter and somehow happier even though her expression was as stern as ever.

“You look lovely, Mary,” said Jane.

Mary looked as though she didn’t believe Jane, but she said nothing.