Page 22 of Mr. Darcy’s Diamonds

“Yes! Come.” Caroline grabbed Elizabeth’s hand and pulled her out of the room and up the staircase. “I will show you the fashion plate that inspired it and the fabric sample the modiste gave me. They are in my bedchamber.”

Despite her earlier misgivings, Elizabeth felt completely included that day by both Caroline and Louisa. They spoke of gowns and balls and Louisa’s betrothed. It was all so romantic, and Elizabeth thought it would be exciting to put her dance steps to use while wearing a ball gown such as those in Caroline’s magazines.

That evening, she recited her experiences to Aunt Gardiner.

“Are you wishing to come out next year, Lizzy?” Her aunt sounded worried, so Elizabeth thought carefully before giving her answer.

“No,” she replied after a few minutes’ contemplation. “I have no desire to consider marriage for several years or even to be courted. I like dancing and fancy gowns, but it is not about the beaux, although I liked hearing of Louisa’s courtship. Today…I felt what I have not since Jane was younger. I was a part of carefree conversation.”

“So, you have made some friends?” her aunt asked gently.

“I believe I have.” Elizabeth was content. The Bingley sisters had not provided deep conversation, but she had passed an amiable afternoon.

“Caroline wishes to help me select new gowns.”

“Oh, that is a fine idea. You have purchased nothing new since arriving in London although your Uncle Bennet set aside funds for your use. Shall we visit the shops together this week?”

Elizabeth grinned. “I would like that very much. I had hoped you would come. Caroline says I am not fashionable enough, but I do prefer a simpler style than she wears at home. Will you help me to find a compromise?”

“Of course, my dear.”

With her aunt supporting her, she could now be happy. The Gardiners and Bingleys were all in trade, and all had accepted Elizabeth. The daughters of gentlemen around Meryton had been unkind to her for years. She remembered that the Lucases had been the kindest people in Meryton, and they were also from trade. Despite all of Caroline’s aspirations, perhaps tradesmen were more tolerant and less concerned with social classes than gentlemen were.

Chapter Twelve

The next weeks became a flurry of visits. Caroline and Elizabeth were together most days at one of their homes, and Louisa often joined them. Elizabeth met their father a few more times, and she thought he was nearly as kind as his son had been the one night she had met him.

Elizabeth was amazed at the changed atmosphere from Gracechurch Street to George Street. In truth, the journey was one of her favorite parts of calling on her friends. She and a maid traveled in the carriage west through Cornhill and then Cheapside, which was slow but vibrant with its crowds of laborers and shoppers, past St. Paul’s Cathedral with its massive dome, on to Oxford Street and ending up two blocks north of Portman Square. She was excited to catch glimpses of parks and trees along the route. Given the warming weather, she persuaded her friends to walk through Portman Square most days. The people here wore fashionable dress and were not in such a hurry to get somewhere else.

She felt guilty using her uncle’s carriage so often, but her aunt really did wish to stay at home more lately and told her not to worry. On days her aunt needed the carriage, Caroline would visit Gracechurch Street or, more often, the friends would not meet. Not for the first time, Elizabeth thought of the benefits of having a horse in London; she missed riding and travel would have been easier, but it was likely impractical, as well, so she did not mention it.

Slowly, after the success of their walks, Elizabeth attempted to introduce more of her interests to the Bingley sisters, as she could speak of gowns and parties and beaux for only so long. When she found herself growing restless in their company, she asked about their favorite areas of study. That led to the girls speaking only in French for half a day, which in turn led to many misunderstandings, as neither Bingley sister had a firm grasp on the language. Elizabeth spoke more slowly and chose simpler words, but the experiment would endure only one afternoon.

After many attempts to discover Caroline’s academic interests, Elizabeth was excited to learn that she liked art. Caroline drew a little and had been considering requesting a painting master but thought it would be dull without Louisa. They decided to take painting lessons together, and the Bingley’s largest drawing room—one of the rooms that would host Louisa’s wedding ball—would be the perfect location for their studio.

After a week, Caroline began to say they should have hired a dancing instructor instead. Elizabeth agreed to the plan but wanted to continue her painting and wondered how they could dance without more people. They decided to wait until her brother returned from school the following month. In the meantime, Elizabeth learned all she could from the painting master—who had more experience both painting and teaching than her previous teacher at Longbourn—and spoke to Caroline of history and philosophy. Caroline had learned the basics in her seminary but had little interest in any scholarly subject.

“You are far too bookish, Eliza.” Caroline let out an unladylike groan. “Men want to look at pretty things and listen to uncomplicated conversation and music.”

Her beliefs and priorities were evident in the accomplishments she prized most. Caroline preferred the pianoforte and elocution, as well as adorning her gowns and bonnets with ribbons and lace. She and Elizabeth played duets together or supported each other in their solos. Caroline’s playing was more advanced than Elizabeth’s, having had top instructors at her seminary, so the older girl helped her with difficult pieces she was determined to learn.

Many times, they diverged in their interests but maintained their burgeoning friendship. While Caroline and Louisa netted purses, painted screens, or practiced quilling or japanning, Elizabeth sketched their handicrafts or drew them engaged in their activities. Other times, she read or embroidered nearby.

Caroline said her final year at her seminary would fully prepare her to manage her husband’s home. Elizabeth was thus reminded that Mary and Jane had prepared in a similar way, so she asked Aunt Gardiner again for lessons. This time, her aunt agreed. She continued to write to Uncle Bennet about his progress in finding tutors for her, but she was earnest in furthering her education in other important ways while she waited.

“Girls, I would like to introduce you to someone,” Mr. Bingley said one afternoon while his daughters were decorating small wooden boxes with rolled paper and Elizabeth was reading.

They all stood as Mr. Bingley stepped aside to reveal a timid girl who looked to be about her cousin Lydia’s age or a little older.

“Louisa, Caroline, Miss Elizabeth, this is Miss Darcy, the sister of one of your brother’s friends,” Mr. Bingley said. “Miss Darcy, my daughters Miss Bingley and Miss Caroline, and their friend Miss Elizabeth.”

The girls all curtsied and stared awkwardly at each other.

“Please make Miss Darcy feel welcome, girls. I must…I will be in my study if I am needed.”

Caroline and Louisa resumed their seats and took up their paper craft again before the younger sister asked disinterestedly, “Miss Darcy, have you ever tried quilling?”

“No,” was the faint reply.