A Constant Love: A Pride & Prejudice Continuation, page 5
“Catherine does not play, is that correct?”
“No, she does not. She has never had an interest.”
“Do you think she would like to learn now?”
“I can ask her,” Elizabeth said. Perhaps Catherine, with her recent increase in sense and manners, and removed from Lydia’s influence towards more frivolous pursuits, would like to reconsider the pianoforte as well. Indeed, Elizabeth had thought she detected a hint of jealousy on Catherine’s face in watching Mary and Georgiana take so much enjoyment in their playing earlier.
When she applied to Catherine with the opportunity, though, Catherine felt she was too far behind the other ladies, and still did not have much interest in learning the pianoforte; she was not musically inclined, although she did take a greater enjoyment from hearing others play now. She hesitantly offered that instead she should like to try her hand at drawing and painting.
Elizabeth relayed this to Darcy, and he promised to see if one of Georgiana’s former masters in this area would be available to provide her with instruction. Elizabeth did not know which to be more pleased about – that her formerly silly sisters were now growing more fit for company, or that Darcy had made such an effort to treat them as his own sisters.
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The morning of the dinner found Elizabeth far more nervous than was usually her nature. She flitted around the house, occasionally calling to Mrs. Wright to ensure some detail or other had been attended to. It was only Mrs. Wright’s continuing affirmations that all was set, and the realisation that she was, perhaps, acting a bit like her mother which forced Elizabeth to go to the drawing room and attempt some embroidery while Georgiana and Mary continued practising their duets.
Elizabeth had been very pleased with how all of the dresses in her wedding trousseau had turned out, but among them she had a few favourites, and she was pleased to see when she went upstairs to change that Sarah had set one of them out. It was a lovely pale yellow muslin that flattered her complexion, and Jane – whose patience made her easily the best embroiderer of all the Bennet ladies – had done the trim. Sarah could not have known this, but Elizabeth was pleased her sister would be able to see the results of her handiwork.
There came a knock at the door adjoining Darcy’s dressing room just as Sarah was finishing up Elizabeth’s hair, which Elizabeth knew to be her husband, for no one else was to use that door while the family were in residence.
“Do come in,” she said, and Darcy entered.
He was holding a jeweller’s box, and Elizabeth did not look forward to seeing its contents so much as she should have. The last time he had given her some of the Darcy family jewels had been the morning of Georgiana’s presentation at court, and he had given over the box with almost a sheepish expression on his face. She had seen why as soon as she opened it. The necklace and earrings had been terribly overset and completely ostentatious – a good choice, perhaps, to suit her court dress, but she knew she would never wear them for any other occasion. It had been a surprise to her, and a source of puzzlement, for her wedding ring, which had belonged to Darcy’s grandmother, was a beautiful little delicate piece that she loved very much.
Sarah rushed to finish the last of Elizabeth’s curls, curtsied and made her exit, and only then did Darcy approach with the box, although his expression was very different from last time – he seemed to have even the slightest hint of a smile.
“I am glad you are wearing that dress,” he said, handing her the box. “I believe these will complement it very well.”
Elizabeth prepared herself to make a positive response, regardless of what was in the box, and then opened it.
“Oh!” she gasped, for inside was a most exquisite little sapphire necklace and earrings, with a matching pair of hair combs. “Darcy, they are all so beautiful!”
“Not quite so beautiful as the woman who will wear them, but I am glad you like them,” he said, all smiles at her reception of the gift. “I was afraid they would not be done in time, but my jeweller sent them over this morning. You see, Elizabeth, my mother had a bit of a penchant for – what shall I say, substantial – jewellery. What you hold there was only a necklace and earrings, and I do not think the old setting would have suited you.”
“This suits me very much – I love them,” she said, putting on the earrings, as he picked up the necklace and clasped it behind her neck.
“I am very glad. I fear, though, that it may be some time before we can have all of the pieces re-set,” he said. “Hadley’s can only take on so much, and I do not like the idea of entrusting the work to someone new.”
“It is no worry – I rather like the idea of periodically having jewellery bestowed on me,” she said, looking back at him with an arch smile.
“Then you may count on me for periodic bestowal of jewellery. I shall leave you now,” he said, tilting her chin up so that he could lean around and kiss her. “I know you will do brilliantly tonight.”
The Bingleys were the first to arrive, and Elizabeth found Jane’s calm presence a balm to her nerves. The Gardiners came in shortly after them, giving Elizabeth the added benefit of her aunt’s being there as well. The drawing room soon filled with their guests, and Elizabeth circulated among them, ensuring they were all comfortable, and it seemed a little silly to her, but she did feel more confident in her new jewels and dress, as though she was properly armoured for the evening.
As she did meandered about the room, Elizabeth observed something that piqued her interest. She had occasionally wondered if Lady Ellen actually approved of her, or whether the lady’s manners were simply so impeccable she would never deign to behave improperly to anyone. However, as she watched Lady Ellen’s chilly reception of Lady Catherine, she understood that while Lady Ellen would never allow her manners to be anything less than excellent, she would allow just the slightest bit of distaste to show, when she so felt it.
Lady Ellen took her dislike of Lady Catherine to such an extreme that, upon seeing Lady Catherine snub the Gardiners when they were introduced, Lady Ellen encouraged the earl to go over with her and converse with them right up until Elizabeth called them all to dinner. Elizabeth felt a surge of regard that she could call such people family, and noted that the Fitzwilliams and the Gardiners seemed to get on well, which was not such a surprise – despite the difference in their ranks, both couples were intelligent, well-mannered, fashionable people.
The earl offered Elizabeth his arm, noting she was still a new enough bride that she must go in first, with Jane immediately following, a notion that was seconded by both Lady Ellen and Lady Tonbridge. When they all were seated, the dining room was much closer to properly full, and as she had anticipated, Elizabeth felt a great satisfaction in seeing so many friends and family gathered there. The footmen came in with the first remove, and Elizabeth noted happily that everyone seemed to be enjoying the food. She had generally taken Mrs. Wright’s recommendations as to which dishes Cook was best at making, and ventured only a few suggestions of her own. All went over well, and it was on the subject of the food that the viscountess first spoke to Elizabeth.
“You, my dear, are not helping my gout with such an excellent array of dishes,” she said.
“I do apologise, Lady Tonbridge, would you like me to have something else prepared for you?” Elizabeth responded.
“Oh, no, do nothing of the sort. It is my own fault for refusing to give up good food,” the viscountess said. “You have done quite well for yourself here. I would have thought you to be mistress of this house for many years, and yet you are only newly married. When were you wed?”
“I thank you for the compliment, Lady Tonbridge,” Elizabeth said. “Mr. Darcy and I were married in March.”
“Ah, the flush of young love,” the viscountess said. “And I understand there may be more young love in your household soon. I saw in the papers that Miss Darcy has recently come out into society.”
“Yes, we presented her at court less than a fortnight ago.”
“I will be certain to include your family in my invitations, then. I usually host a few balls over the course of the season. I have half a mind to try to fit one in before Christmas, as well.”
“Thank you very much, Lady Tonbridge. I am sure Miss Darcy will be appreciative.”
“You will let me know if there is anything I can do to help her,” the viscountess said. “And your other sisters, as well. I understand they are also out in society?”
“Yes, Miss Bennet and Miss Catherine Bennet are both out.”
“Excellent. I shall have to ensure I drum up plenty of suitable male partners with so many ladies to support.”
Elizabeth glanced over at Darcy, caught his eye, and smiled. She understood fully why he had introduced her to the viscountess – the woman must have had the excellent connexions of her rank, but she showed no hauteur at all, only a great friendliness and desire for enjoyment in life.
The dinner continued on through the second remove, and when that was nearly finished, the earl stood with his glass in the air.
“I believe we are still within a reasonable range of time to again toast the Darcys and the Bingleys on their marriages, and especially Mrs. Darcy for hosting such a fine dinner.”
The toast was gladly picked up by most of the rest of the table, Lady Catherine excepted, and Elizabeth blushed as his praise was echoed.
“And I would be remiss if I did not also toast Miss Darcy, on her recent presentation at court,” the earl continued.
This toast was seconded by all, and Georgiana blushed even more deeply than Elizabeth, looking somewhat mortified to be singled out. She had the good fortune, however, of sitting near Catherine and Mary, and following the comforting glances her friends provided, she was able to gently nod her thanks to her uncle.
The ladies retired to the drawing room soon after, where Mrs. Gardiner chose a safe topic in asking for a description of Georgiana’s presentation at court. This was readily provided by Lady Ellen and Elizabeth, both of them periodically applying to Georgiana for her impressions of the event. The time passed quite enjoyably, aside from the occasional interjection from Lady Catherine about how she might have done things differently, had she been in town for Georgiana’s presentation, to Lady Ellen’s increasing irritation.
“I must hear Georgiana play the pianoforte,” Lady Catherine said, not long after the gentleman had re-joined them. “As many of you know, I have an unsurpassed love of music, and I simply must hear how Georgiana gets on.”
Georgiana looked to Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley with terror; she had never performed in front of half this many people before.
“Miss Darcy and Miss Bennet, perhaps you might play us one of your duets,” Elizabeth suggested.
Mary, as always, was eager to perform, and all but dragged the more reluctant Georgiana over to the pianoforte. Elizabeth’s suggestion had been effective: Georgiana took comfort in sitting down on the bench with a friend. They played delightfully together, and were roundly applauded by all in the room. Mary all but glowed – never before had her playing been met with such reception. Georgiana seemed more relieved than anything else, but Elizabeth hoped this would be the first step in her taking more comfort in playing for an audience. Her musical accomplishments would not be nearly so useful if she was not able to exhibit.
After a second duet, Georgiana was compelled by Mary to play a piece on her own, which she did, a bit shakily at the beginning but beautifully by the end, when she had managed to forget her audience. She then encouraged Mary to play a few pieces, which Mary readily agreed to.
Lady Catherine was in raptures when Mary had finished; she continued to share her love of music with all in the room, and her delight in seeing two young ladies who applied themselves so diligently in practise. Mary sat down next to her and basked in her praise, discussing the frequency of her practises and all the things she did to try to improve herself, and generally deflecting Lady Catherine’s attention from everyone else in the room, which all seemed grateful for.
It was only after Lady Catherine’s carriage departed Curzon Street that Lady Tonbridge approached Elizabeth and Georgiana, and beckoned Mary to come over and join them as well.
“I too had a great enjoyment of your music tonight, Miss Darcy and Miss Bennet, although perhaps not so effusive as others,” the viscountess said. “My gout has settled in my hands and I can no longer play, so I miss it greatly. I have formed a musical club so that I might have music in my house with some frequency, and I should like it greatly if the two of you would join us. We meet for tea and music, every Monday evening.”
“That sounds delightful,” Georgiana said. “I thank you for thinking to include us.”
Mary looked as though she was about to faint; to have such enjoyment of her playing in the course of the evening, and then to be asked by a viscountess to join a musical club was nearly more than her spirits could bear.
“I should like that as well,” Mary managed, finally. “It is so wonderful to be met with such appreciation of music as I have seen thus far in town.”
“Ah yes, Miss Bennet, there is much to feed the soul of a lover of music here. I shall have to have you all to the opera in my box.”
The viscountess’s carriage was called then, and she took her leave, as did much of the rest of the party. The Bingleys, first to arrive, were also last to leave, but no one had any complaints about this. Charles and Darcy retired to Darcy’s study for a final glass of brandy, and Jane sat down with her sisters.
“Lizzy, you have done so wonderfully! To host such a large dinner, and with such nobility, too, in your first attempt.”
“It is nothing compared to hosting a wedding breakfast for near on eighty people,” Elizabeth teased her sister.
“That is different; all Charles and I had to do was ensure we had enough seating and food.”
“Nonsense, Jane, it was quite an event. Since you are too modest to admit that yours was a larger feat, I must put forth that we were both successful. There, now, you cannot argue with that.”
“No, I cannot.” Jane smiled at her sister before they both dissolved into a fit of giggles not very befitting of two married ladies. At the moment, neither of them cared.
Chapter 6
If the Darcys had known what a disturbance Viscountess Tonbridge’s invitation to join the musical club would have on their household, they might have discouraged Georgiana’s and Mary’s participation. Beginning the morning following the dinner, they both began practising so fervently that Darcy was forced to have the ballroom opened so that one or the other could use the pianoforte in there when they were not playing duets, and the house resounded with music every day until they all left to take the promenade in Hyde Park.
Mr. Palmer came for his lesson with Georgiana, and was compelled to add Mary as an additional client. Mary, wild with enthusiasm before her first lesson, was reduced to tears following it; Mr. Palmer had criticised her technique, and her pride, and said they must break everything down before they should build it back up again. After a few hours of quiet reflection, however, she came to see that he was correct, applied herself to his recommendations, and saw enough early improvement to encourage her to continue practising with what he said in mind. He had also, upon hearing her sing, told her she had not the voice for it, and should keep strictly to playing; this was much more difficult for her to accept.
Catherine entered into her first drawing lesson with no such expectations of her own talent. She had tried sketching things on her own from time to time, so it was not the first time she had held a pencil, but she was completely open to all of Mr. Shaw’s guidance. With Georgiana and Mary focused so entirely on the piano, she had ample time for practise, and she worked carefully on the exercises Mr. Shaw gave her, only wishing from time to time that they might go shopping, or do something else a bit more lighthearted.
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Monday came, and with it the first musical evening at Lady Tonbridge’s that Georgiana and Mary were to attend. Mrs. Annesley conveyed them there, and Catherine retired to the conservatory to practise drawing the plants, leaving Elizabeth and Darcy alone in the drawing room after dinner. He sat down beside her and leaned back against the sofa.
“Peace at last,” he said. “Do you think perhaps we could start sending them over to Lady Catherine’s house to practise? After all, she does have a true love of music.”
“I think this amount of practise might test even Lady Catherine’s love,” Elizabeth laughed. “I only hope their level of talent is equal to the rest of the club, or we will have no peace until it is.”
“It does at least give me an opportunity to have an evening alone with my wife,” he said.
Elizabeth reflected that for all her teasing, these last few weeks must have been hard on him. To have so many visitors in the house, and to know that their time in company was only to increase as Georgiana’s engagements began in earnest, could not be easy for someone who was not by nature fond of society. She resolved to watch him closely and suggest they retire to Pemberley for a few weeks if his discomfort was too great; she expected shy Georgiana would not mind a break from company, either.
“Yes, it has been quite a long time since it has been just the two of us,” she said. “What do you say I entertain us on the pianoforte?”
Many of the servants heard the laughter this question prompted, and all that did, smiled. They had always felt grateful to be working for a kind and fair master, and that he had brought to the house an equally kind and fair wife, one who was so clearly a love match, pleased them all very much.
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Breakfast in the morning brought a full recounting of all that had occurred at the musical club. The ladies described Sir Robert Morris, who played a surprisingly delicate flute, and Lady Julia Barton, who was quite skilled on the harp, as well as several other young ladies, accomplished on the pianoforte, and a few other gentlemen who played the trumpet, violin, and other instruments that Elizabeth soon lost count of in Mary’s excited description.
