Authors: Melanie Schertz
The following day, Elizabeth, Jane, and Georgiana
were escorted by Lady Matlock to Madame Dubois’
shop. Madame Dubois was one of the finest modiste
in London, and a favorite of Lady Matlock.
Each of the sisters were taken into private rooms
to have their measurements taken. Elizabeth had
never had so many measurements taken, and she was
surprised to see the details which were taken. She
returned to the private parlor, where Lady Matlock
and Georgiana were taking tea. Once Jane returned,
the ladies began to sort through the designs, fabric
samples, and lists were made of all the items which
would be required for each sister. Elizabeth and Jane
had never owned so much clothing combined, as Lady
Matlock listed off the quantities which would be
required to be proper in society.
“I am sure there is no need for twenty gowns, Lady
Matlock. William and I are not planning on remaining
in Town for long. Once we return to Pemberley, there
will be no need for so many gowns.” Elizabeth stated.
“This is your betrothed’s list of items to be
purchased. I had insisted on at least thirty new
gowns, but he stated twenty would be enough for
now. And fifteen day dresses, night shifts, pelisses,
undergarments, cloaks, and then we will need to visit
the cobbler for new shoes and boots. Oh, and the
furrier. Pemberley winters are colder than you have
known in Hertfordshire. A fur cloak and muff will be
required. Then to the milliner, for ribbons and
bonnets. It will take some time to have everything
complete, but they should have two or three gowns
ready for you in time for the theater, then more ready
in time for the ball. And your wedding gowns will be
ready before you journey to your father’s estate.”
Elizabeth was dizzy with all Lady Matlock rambled
off. “If I added up all the clothing I have had in my
entire life, I could not claim even half of what you
claim I require now. It is far beyond what my father
can afford for two of us.”
“No, my dear girl, William has insisted the bills be
sent to Darcy House. He is seeing to the cost for both
of you.” Lady Matlock said with a chuckle.
“Papa would never accept such an arrangement.
He is proud and William’s generosity would be far too
extreme for Papa to accept.” Elizabeth said.
“Well, your father told William just that, so they
had a bet. They played a game of billiards, and the
winner was the one to pay the bills for both of you.
Your father was unaware that William was a billiards
champion when he was at the university. It was
sneaky of your intended to choose the game, but he
was determined to win.”
Jane laughed. “Papa has never been much of a
player of billiards. If it had been a chess match, he
would have given Mr Darcy a challenge.”
“I was told they flipped a coin and William won, so
he was the one to choose the game. Your father was
gracious enough with his loss, and they were enjoying
a glass of port after the match, laughing and joking. Of
course, my husband was witness to the entire affair,
and he came home quite late last night.”
“Indeed. It was a good thing that the servants at
both of our houses are as devoted. They had to assist
Henry into his carriage and then into our home.”
Elizabeth laughed. “This explains why none of the
men were at breakfast before we left. They were all
still in bed, sleeping off their overindulgence.”
“I believe my husband was complaining of a
headache just before I left the house. Serves him
right, acting like a boy accessing his father’s liquor
supplies for the first time.” Lady Matlock said with a
smile. “Maybe he will remember it the next time he is
tempted to join the younger men.”
The ladies finally ordered the clothing, and made
their way down the street to the cobbler. From there,
they arrived at the milliner, followed by the furrier.
Their final stop for the day was at a shop which sold
personal items for ladies, such as lotions, soaps, and
bath waters which were uniquely scented.
“You should stock up on what you prefer. When
you arrive at Pemberley, it will take at least a
fortnight to receive items ordered. I keep at least two
months’ supply on hand at each of the houses,
especially at Matlock. Their powders are the finest
quality I have ever come across. The lady who
designs the scents for this shop is amazing. Her
talents for blending just the right oils is beyond
anyone else I have ever known.”
Elizabeth found it difficult to decide which
fragrance she preferred. She loved the rose blended
with lavender, the honeysuckle and orange blossoms,
the lemon and spice, and several others. Finally, she
settled on four different blends, ordering soaps, bath
waters, lotions, and powders. Lady Matlock
announced that the purchases from this shop were
her personal gift to her future niece and Jane.
Georgiana was even gifted with a small selection of
her favorite scents.
The ladies arrived at Darcy House near tea time,
exhausted, but appearing to be in better condition
than the men. Darcy and Mr Bennet were not in the
best of conditions, after overindulging in Darcy’s
private stock of port the night before.
Lady Matlock had made changes in the schedule
she had planned, cutting out three of the dinners she
had accepted. The ball was the talk of the Town, as
everyone wished to meet the young lady who had
finally captured the heart of Fitzwilliam Darcy. They
had also heard that the young lady was a distant
member of the royal family, and such news brought
speculation as to why she had been hidden from
society.
Margaret learned of the ball, and changed her
plans, deciding her niece would need family support
at the ball. Lady Matlock was thrilled to invite Lady
Margaret, and the news brought even more
speculations.
Darcy opened an invitation for Elizabeth’s
extended family to stay at Darcy House, but Margaret
decided to stay at the townhouse which was owned
by the Duke of Brunswick. Her cousin had given his
approval for Margaret’s family to stay at the
townhouse anytime they were in Town. She arrived
at Darcy House a short time before they were to
attend the theater.
“Lizzy, you look wonderful. I was so concerned
after hearing of your accident, but you appear to be
fully recovered.” Margaret said as she embraced her
niece.
“Sadie is nearly recovered, and I still have an
occasional twinge in my ankle, but I believe the worst
is over.”
Darcy chuckled. “Heavens no. She is granted
travel privileges after assisting me in finding
Elizabeth. Her dedication to my betrothed has won a
special place in my heart.”
Elizabeth smiled. “She is resting on my bed at the
moment. She is not sure she likes being in Town, as
she loves to roam the countryside.”
“Much like Lizzy.” Jane stated with a grin. “I have
heard that dogs can take on the personality of their
owners. In this case, I must agree with the
assessment.”
“Well, I wish to give Sadie my personal gratitude
for her role in the rescue of my niece. And Mr Darcy,
you have my gratitude as well.” Margaret placed a kiss
on the cheek of a very red faced Darcy.
“Well, you should. Sadie is dear to me, as are you.”
Elizabeth also placed a kiss on Darcy’s cheek. “I
cannot imagine my life without both of you.”
The ball was the talk of London society. Lady
Matlock could not be more pleased with the evening,
as even the jealous mammas and their perturbed,
unmarried daughters had a difficult time finding fault
with Elizabeth.
The gown Elizabeth wore was the palest yellow
silk, a gown which Elizabeth had always dreamed of.
The neckline was daringly low, which frustrated
Darcy to no end. He enjoyed the view of his intended,
but he did not enjoy having every other man in the
room ogling Elizabeth’s assets. If Darcy had been able
to have his way, he would have locked himself and
Elizabeth away for the evening, not allowing anyone
else the chance to caress her form with their eyes.
The gown was beautifully stitched, with small
seed pearls forming intricate patterns. Her hair had
been braided in many tiny braids, which were then
pinned on top of her head, weaving and flowing about.
With her luscious brown locks, the tiny seed pearls on
hair pins enhanced the look. And she wore the
necklace and earbobs which had been gifted to her by
Princess Augusta. Elizabeth felt elegant for the first
time in her life.
“I swear, I am a princess in a fairy tale. When I
wake in the morning, I will find I am the little cinder
girl once again.” She said to Jane.
“Lizzy, you have always been beautiful. My
mother should not have been so cruel to you when
she spoke of your appearance. She should not have
been so cruel in all the things she said of you.”
“Let us not think of Fanny Bennet today, Jane. We
are both ready to go down the stairs and into the
arms of the men we love.” Elizabeth said as she
squeezed Jane’s hand.
Fortunately for Bingley, Jane had not chosen such
a neckline on her dress, preferring to be more on the
modest side. Even so, Bingley did not appreciate any
other men watching Jane closely.
“Can we not marry tomorrow and be done with
it?” Bingley asked. “I do not wish to wait any longer.
And look at the way all those dandies are looking at
you. Once we are married, they had best stay away.”
“Charles, you have no need to worry. You have my
heart, nothing they can do or say will ever change
that.” Jane said as she wrapped her hand around his
arm.
Lady Margaret was pleased to stand beside Lady
Matlock as guests awaited the announcements.
Though it was already known that Elizabeth had been
accepted as a member of the royal family, and it was
known that Elizabeth and Darcy were engaged, the
crowd waited for the official announcement.
Mr Bennet and Lady Margaret made the
announcement, welcoming Elizabeth as a great, great
granddaughter of Duke Ferdinand Albert of
Brunswick. Lady Margaret read a letter which Queen
Charlotte had sent to announce Elizabeth.
Then Lord and Lady Matlock took the floor in
announcing their pleasure in the upcoming nuptials of
their nephew, Fitzwilliam Gerald Darcy, to Lady
Elizabeth Amelie Bennet.
After the engaged couple enjoyed the first dance
with each other, they were forced to separate for
several sets. Mr Bennet claimed the second set with
his daughter, while Lady Margaret claimed her future
nephew’s hand for the set. Lord and Lady Matlock
claimed the third set with the betrothed couple, and
Charles and Jane claimed the fourth set. It was not
until the dinner set that Darcy was able to claim his
fiance’s hand once again.
“It will be over soon enough. And we leave for
Longbourn the day after tomorrow. We will have a
week there, before the wedding. Then Georgiana will
be returning to Town with your aunt and uncle, while
we make our way to Pemberley, where we will have
an entire month alone.”
“With all the people at Pemberley, it will be
difficult to actually be alone, but once I have you
behind a closed door, I plan to pretend we are on a
deserted island.” Darcy growled, his eyes smoldering
with passion.
“I will be pleased to join you on that deserted
island, Mr Darcy.” Elizabeth said, lightly licking her
lips.
“Dearest, please do not behave in such a manner.
The sight of your moist lips is almost more than I can
bear. If your tongue glides over your lips once again, I
will embarrass our family by claiming those teasing
lips here and now.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Very well, William. I will
refrain. Now, let us concentrate on the dance steps,
before we make fools of ourselves and end up falling
to the floor.”
The carriages arrived at Longbourn, coming to a
stop in front of the main house. Mr Bennet was
greeted by his long time housekeeper and butler, Mr
and Mrs Hill.
“Welcome home.” Mrs Hill exclaimed, pleased to
see her Master and his two eldest daughters. “It is
wonderful to have you all home.”
Elizabeth embraced the elder lady. “Hill, I cannot
begin to tell you how pleasant it is to be here. I know
you have met Mr Darcy before, but as he is now my
fiancé, I believe you should be officially introduced.
Mrs Jemima Hill, this is Mr Fitzwilliam Darcy of
Pemberley. William, this is Mrs Hill, the wonderful
woman who assisted in caring for me all of my life.”
“Madame, I cannot thank you enough for all you
have done for my fiancé. She has told me many things
you have done, and how dear you are to her. You will
always be dear to my heart for such kindnesses.”
“Oh, Mr Darcy, I am certain that Miss
Lizzy…forgive me, Lady Elizabeth has exaggerated my
actions. I did no more than any good housekeeper
would have done.”
Elizabeth placed a hand on Hill’s arm. “I will have
none of that. I have been Lizzy to you all of my life,
and I refuse to have you calling me Lady Elizabeth
now. And I would not exaggerate all that you have
done. If anything, I have not listed even half of what
you have done.”
Everyone entered the house and were shown into
the drawing room. “Mr Darcy and Mr Bingley, we
were told you are opening Netherfield Park, as the
guests who will be arriving will be far more than the
inn at Meryton can hold. If that was incorrect, we can
change the room assignments easily.”