Page 18 of Reputation, an Easy Thing to Lose (Reputation Verse #1)

Chapter 17

Jealousy and Introductions

Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, Lo ndon

15 May 1813

T he front steps of the Theatre Royal were flooded with people. The entire population of London seemed to be at the theatre to see the new Italian opera by Carlo Cocchia, Arrighetto . Most of the ton had been excited to see the production because it was rumoured that the famed Italian tenor, Tommaso Berti, who originated the leading role at the opera’s premier in Venice, would be performing for London’s opening night. Darcy was excited to attend their first high society function where he would not be required to watch Elizabeth be treated poorly.

As soon as the carriage carrying the Darcys stopped at the front of the line, Darcy jumped out, grabbed the step and handed out first Georgiana, then Elizabeth. He offered each lady an arm and then the three made their way up the imposing steps towards the entrance. Less than two minutes later, they were accosted by Lady G race.

“Mr. Darcy, Miss Darcy! What a pleasure to see you out tonight.” Lady Grace curtsied very low. Then she smiled coquettishly and looked up at Darcy through her dark eyelashes as she leaned to the perfect angle for viewing her décolletage on his ascent. “Goodwin! Come here. Look, it is the Da rcys.”

Darcy gave a curt bow to Lady Grace then turned his attention to greeting Bristol. Georgiana was left to take up the mantle of speaking to Lady Grace and make the necessary introduct ions.

“Lady Grace, how lovely to see you as well. May I introduce my companion, Miss Elizabeth Bennet? Elizabeth, this is Lady Grace Hervey, sister to the Earl of Bristol. Lady Grace, this is Miss Elizabeth Bennet, formerly of Longb ourn.”

Lady Grace turned her eyes to Elizabeth and became instantly irate. Elizabeth was wearing a gorgeous full length evening gown with matching gloves and shawl, in the most delicate pale green silk. Lady Grace knew that fabric. She had fallen in love with the silk the moment she had seen it in Mme. Devy’s shop window, but by the time she got an appointment with the dressmaker there was not enough for a full evening gown. Lady Grace had settled for a short hem, slim summer calling dress with a contrasting fabric for the bodice and no matching shawl. Now this servant had HER dress! How in the world had she been able to convince Darcy to spend such an exorbitant am ount?

“Well, Miss Elaina, that is such a beautiful gown. You are certainly lucky to have such a generous employer to spend nearly half again your annual salary on one d ress.”

Georgiana observed the look of derision on Lady Grace’s face with confusion. Elizabeth was dressed in a fashionable gown that was not exorbitant, with no added lace or embroidery. “My brother is exactly as generous as Elizabeth deserves, given her place in his house, and gladly pays the modiste’s bill. Lizzy, was not the green silk for this particular dress a gift from your Aunt and Uncle Gardiner? I believe it was one of the gowns already mostly finished by the time we made it to our appointment last m onth.”

Elizabeth nodded and patted Georgiana on the arm. “Yes, dear. I believe this was one of the fabrics my uncle sent over as a gift. As was the lovely pale blue silk used for one of your evening g owns.”

“And who exactly is your Aunt and Uncle Gardiner? I have surely never heard that name spoken in the ton before. From the quality of the silk you are wearing, I am sure that only the wealthiest of the nobility could afford to legitimately purchase such items. How is it that the daughter and sister of the Earl of Bristol cannot get a full evening gown of the same silk used to make dresses for serv ants?”

A smile graced Elizabeth’s face. “My uncle is Mr. Edward Gardiner, the third generation, sole proprietor of Gardiner Imports which supplies the London market with a variety of goods from India, China, Spain, France, before the war of course, and most recently Italy and Greece. An expansion that was financed by investments from Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and the Duke of Grafton. Every bolt of silk ever used in Mme. Devy’s shop, and her father’s tailor shop before her, has been bought from Gardiner Imports. If you think that the only people in London with enough money to access the finest Chinese silks have titles, then you are sorely misinfo rmed.”

Before his sister could reply, Bristol intervened. “Miss Darcy, it is lovely to see you again. I must congratulate you on your presentation. I hear it was a delightful suc cess.”

Lady Grace decided to take the change in conversation as her opportunity to engage with her real prey, however, when she turned around, she was thwarted again: Darcy was greeting a large group of newco mers.

“Edward, Bingley, I am glad we caught you before we entered. Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Bennet, Miss Mary, may I say how lovely you look ton ight.”

Madeline, Jane, and Mary curtsied their greetings while Lady Grace took a moment to critically inspect the women. Though she would never have asked to be introduced to such low people, this was apparently Elizabeth’s family. The aunt and uncle in trade plus some sisters, perhaps. The aunt of Georgiana’s companion was an attractive woman of a slightly older age than Darcy, though not much older, with an extremely fashionable evening dress made of the highest quality silk. Elizabeth’s sisters were both wearing well -m ade , fashionable dresses of silk in flattering colours for each sister’s particular complexion. Convinced that the family of Georgiana’s companion was somehow leaching off Darcy, Lady Grace decided to try again with Georg iana.

“Miss Darcy,” Lady Grace started abruptly, “did you accompany your companion when she shopped for her clothes this season, or did she go on her own for her fitt ings?”

“Lady Grace, I’m not sure of the purpose for your question, but Elizabeth and I always go to Mme. Devy’s shop toge ther.”

“And you are certain that you received all of the items ordered? None were directed to a different add ress?”

“Why would our dresses be delivered to a different address?” Georgiana looked between Lady Grace and Elizabeth in confu sion.

Elizabeth was not blind to the insinuation being made, but was keen to avoid any confrontation in the full view of the whole of the ton . “I am sure that Lady Grace is just inquiring about our experiences with Mme. Devy. Have you had some trouble with your own modiste, my lady? We could made an introduction if you are looking to change to Mme. Devy’s shoppe.” Elizabeth patted Georgiana’s hands to try and calm her ne rves.

“Excuse me! I have been frequenting Mme. Devy’s shoppe since my own coming out several years ago. I certainly do not need an introduction to get an appoint ment.”

Snapping her fan shut, Elizabeth put on a relieved expression. “That is well, then. I am sure you are quite well -a cquainted with her exemplary level of service, and not implying that something unsavoury has occu rred.”

“I believe you know exactly what I am implying, Miss Emma .” Lady Grace gave Elizabeth a look of loathing and glanced pointedly at Jane and Mary.

Georgiana was starting to wring her hands together in distress. “Dear Georgie,” Elizabeth said, “is that not the Earl of Nottingham’s carriage just there? Shall we go say hello to Mr. Finch? Please excuse us, Lady Grace. Enjoy the performance tonight.” Georgiana was too distressed, then distracted with Bernard Finch, to make a polite exit.

Turning back to her brother and the Gardiner party, Lady Grace found that Darcy was engaged in a business discussion with several men. Unwilling to request an introduction to any of the other people, Lady Grace moved away.

“My lord, I am sorry to say, but I believe your sister has abandoned you.” Mary Bennet quietly directed Bristol’s eyes to the top of the stairs, where indeed Lady Grace was greeting acquaintances at the entrance to the buil ding.

“I dare say she has. Well, with so many people milling about, I am sure that she cannot have need of me just yet. But I really should follow her to our box. Will I see you again, Miss Mary?”

Mary started at this question. She was not the kind of person whom many remembered or asked for extended discourse. Having been told her entire life she was plain, and being of a quiet disposition, most tended to forget Mary was even present. Bristol, however, had been immediately impressed with the Bennet sisters, Mary in particular. From the moment they arrived, it was obvious that the eldest Bennet sister was attached to Bingley. But what was most intriguing to Bristol was that none of the Bennet sisters had immediately taken up simpering to either himself or D arcy.

Since taking the title to Bristol, the elevated younger son had only felt as if he were the fox hearing the horn when in the presence of young unmarried ladies. It had not always been such. For nearly his entire life, Goodwin Harvey, aspiring clergyman, had been invisible. The contrast was quite disconcer ting.

In fact, this phenomena of ascension in the eyes of the ton was a common topic of conversation between himself, Bingley, Darcy, and Richard Fitzwilliam. During their university days, Goodwin and Richard had been overlooked by the ladies due to their obstacles in inheriting, while Bingley had been overlooked because of his heritage. Darcy had been pursued constantly by the most beautiful and wealthy ladies of the ton , even before his father’s untimely death. The other three had shown little sympathy for Darcy’s plight. They understood the need to help protect their friend from attempts to entrap him, but true sympathy had not come until three days after the funeral for Bristol’s father and brother. The young man, now the Earl Bristol, had accompanied his mother to the modiste, for a private appointment to have several of her dresses turned into mourning attire and to obtain black lace for trimming the others. Suddenly, he was accosted on Bond Street by several young women wishing to ‘pay their respects’ to the Dowager and new Earl. Bristol was so unaccustomed to such treatment that he merely stood in the street, gaping at the growing mass of ladies and matchmaking ma mmas.

Since then, he had been unable to go to any social event without constantly having to fend off women. Every simple morning call turned into rumours of affection and courtship. Thankfully, his good friend Darcy did not laugh at his change of circumstance. Instead, Darcy had clapped him on the back and given him sound advice for avoiding the matchma kers.

When the Gardiner party arrived with three beautiful ladies in attendance, Bristol initially hid himself behind Darcy to avoid unwanted attention. After observing that none of the ladies were vying for Darcy’s special attention, Bristol decided to be polite and request an introduction. Instead of the usual fawning, the Bennet sisters continued their conversations after the pleasantries were observed. Bristol, feeling an odd sense of peace in the countenance of Mary Bennet, asked her how her season was progressing. They spoke on a surprising range of topics for the short duration of their conversation. They discovered that they both shared a love of scriptures, both preferred the poetry of Edward Perronet to Byron, and both believed that they should like nothing more than to spend their lives working for God’s ch urch.

Mary had not fawned over him. She did not agree with everything he said, and in fact she had challenged him on the true meaning of one of Perronet’s most famous pieces. Bristol had to be honest in that she was not as beautiful as her older sisters, but he found her modesty attractive, and she had beautiful features with a pleasing look in her eyes. She had even laughed at something he said, really laughed, instead of tittering like so many ridiculous ladies of the ton were wont to do. This Mary Bennet had no pretence. She was genuine, and it appeared her sister was as sweet and genuine in her interaction with Bin gley.

“I cannot say for certain if I will see you again, my lord,” Mary replied, “but we are frequently in the company of the Darcys, and my aunt has accepted several generous invitations from them this season. I certainly hope that we will have the opportunity to speak a gain.”

Bristol smiled brightly. “Excellent! I shall look forward to it. Now, I really must follow my sister.” Bristol bowed low over Mary’s hand then bounded up the stairs, taking two at a time.

Elizabeth and Georgiana returned in time to see the final exchange between Mary and Bristol, but there was no opportunity to ask questions. Bernard Finch had also joined the group as well.

“Finch, it is nice to see you this evening.” Darcy extended his hand to his long -t ime friend. As he was not completely blind to the moods of the women in his life, from Georgiana’s slightly blushing countenance and Elizabeth’s wide eyes bobbing between Georgiana and Bernard, Darcy decided to issue the intelligent, well -m annered solicitor an invitation for their last box seat. “Will you not join my sister and our guests for the performance. I believe we have exactly one seat left.”

Georgiana exclaimed, with much more feeling than was usual, “Oh, yes, Mr. Finch. Do join us! We have such a merry party this evening. And after, we are all having supper at Darcy House. We could easily include one additional seat at the t able.”

“I am most grateful for the invitation. My family has no set plans for this evening, so I am happy to join you.”

Elizabeth snapped her fan shut and clasped her hands together in delight. “That is most wonderful indeed. But I believe we should move off the stairs now and make our way to the box. Come, Mr. Darcy, will you not help my aunt up the stairs?” Darcy immediately offered one arm to Elizabeth and the other to Madeline Gardiner. Jane and Bingley were already several steps ahead, with Edward escorting Mary. With no other man left to attend her, Bernard happily offered Georgiana an arm and followed the Darcy party into the the atre.

Just as the Darcys moved out of sight of the carriage lane, a beautifully liveried landeau stopped in front of the theatre. First to step out was Reginald Hurst, who promptly held out his hand for his great -a unt , Lady Sefton. Next out was Louisa Hurst, and finally came Caroline Bin gley.

Arriving in such a stylish equipage, with one of the most recognizable and elevated ladies in the whole ton brought exactly the attention Caroline had hoped for. Smiling and waving at titled persons simpering towards Lady Sefton, Caroline pretended that she was already a highly placed lady. And soon she would be, in truth. Tonight was a calculated attempt to increase the pressure on D arcy.

Since his father’s death, Darcy had always taken his operas with his Matlock family. The Darcys’ traditional box was still maintained by the Darcy family, but it had been let back to the opera house to sell for the past five seasons. Caroline had meticulously planned her introduction into the Matlock box this evening, which she hoped would end with an accepted invitation to the Darcys to join their party in Lady Sefton’s nearly -e mpty box.

It would have been easier if her useless brother had accompanied them tonight, as Darcy was more likely to come with his best friend, but Bingley had insisted he already had an engagement this evening. No matter, Caroline planned to push Darcy to accompany them with the opportunity for Georgiana to converse with Lady Sefton ahead of the Almack’s invitations, expected next week. Naturally, Darcy would not allow his baby sister to accompany them alone. So, both brother and sister would end up relocating to the more spacious position conveniently devoid of any meddlesome aunts and rich, attractive cousins - b y -m arr iage .

Unfortunately, for Caroline, when she finally managed to elbow her way into the Matlock box, there was only Lord and Lady Matlock, their second son, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam and their daughter, Lady Marianne, with Lady Catherine and Miss Anne de Bourgh: all people Caroline did not want to see. After false pleasantries from the ladies and hearty welcomes shared between Hurst and Richard, Caroline asked about the whereabouts of Georgiana and D arcy.

Lady Catherine’s shrill voice rose above the group. “Darcy has taken back his box on the other side of the theatre. I cannot imagine why, though he says that with Georgiana out, they should maintain their own box and invitations. But I still insist that it is rather ridiculous to have just the two of them in a huge box all alone when their closest relations and dearest friends are all over here with plenty of seats to accommodate them, and even the companion, if Georgiana insists on bringing her. I wrote Darcy a note about this yesterday but did not receive any reply. Their party should look positively e mpty.”

The assembled group looked towards the opposite set of boxes where Lady Catherine was pointing, just as the Darcy box curtain was pulled back to reveal a rather merry, large party. Caroline, Lady Matlock, and Lady Catherine all looked sourly at the cast of persons entering one of the most exclusive and visible set of seats in the whole theatre. Darcy’s tall frame could easily be seen holding back the curtain. Lady Marianne was the first to voice the question everyone was thin king:

“Who is that beautiful blonde lady in the dove grey d ress?”

Caroline was having a hard time holding in her ire, so Louisa spoke up. “That is Miss Jane Bennet. She is Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s eldest sister. The rest of the party appear to be the Bennet’s Cheapside relations and of course, our brother.” She turned to Caroline. “How strange that he did not tell us he would be here tonight as a guest of the Da rcys.”

“Yes,” Caroline practically snarled. “How very str ange.”

A ringing sound came from the stage, which signalled to everyone that the show was about to begin. Hurst directed his family out of the Matlock box. “Come, Caroline, let us take our seats. Have a lovely evening, Lord Matlock, Lady Matlock. Fitzwilliam, nice to see you a gain.”

Caroline took a seat in the back of the box near the railing. To an outside observer, she was calm and presented the appropriately disinterested visage which was so popular amongst the young ladies of London. Inside, however, she was seething. The Darcy box was forward of her own accommodations, so the last row of seats inside the box, where Darcy and Elizabeth sat, were invisible to all but the one or two boxes at the very front of the theatre. For the first act, Caroline stewed in her seat, sending curses towards her brother for not getting her an invitation to Darcy’s box. With only low people connected to Elizabeth otherwise invited to the evening’s party, Caroline was sure she could have been the one sitting next to Darcy in the last row, nearly invisible to the rest of society. But instead, she was on the other side of the theatre, not even able to catch his eye.

Ever since Georgiana’s debut ball, Caroline had been trying to get an audience with Darcy. However, she had been thwarted at each attempt. The Darcys had not accepted any dinner invitations to the Bingley or Hurst homes, and she was being outmanoeuvred by Darcy’s aunts. Lady Matlock and Lady Catherine both had their own agenda for Darcy’s future bride and had been making it difficult for any lady, other than Lady Fiona, Lady Miranda, or Anne de Bourgh, to get more than a few seconds of private conversation with the man. At three events where Caroline and Darcy had been in company together, they had not even shared a formal gree ting.

It was time to adjust her p lans.

As soon as the curtain fell on the first act, Caroline rose from her seat. “Sister, Lady Sefton, I believe I need some refreshment. Please excus e me.”

In the hall, after she grabbed a glass of wine from a passing servant, Caroline found her intended prey. “Lady Elizabeth Shrewsbury! How lovely to see you this eve ning.”

Lady Shrewsbury waved at Caroline and walked toward her. “Oh, Miss Bingley! Yes, it is a lovely night. I see your brother is entertaining the Darcys and their party this evening. Tell me, is one of those lovely ladies the companion about whom we have heard so much this se ason?”

“Of course, my brother is always happy to entertain our good friends. In fact, the lady in the green dress is Miss Elizabeth Bennet. The other young ladies, other than Miss Darcy, are Miss Elizabeth’s sisters. It is such a kindness by Miss Darcy to host her companion’s family tonight. I am sure they would otherwise not be able to enjoy such a refined eve ning.”

“I am sure Mr. Darcy and Miss Darcy are nothing if not kind. Why did you not join them?”

Caroline took a sip of her wine, then leaned in as if she was going to give Lady Shrewsbury some secret. “I would always be happy to be in company with Mr. and Miss Darcy, but you know how men are with gossip. Mr. Darcy does not want too much attention paid to the connection between our houses before formal announcements can be made.”

“And is an announcement expected soon?”

Sighing, Caroline put on a sorrowful expression. “It is a woman’s burden to wait, my lady. Mr. Darcy is fully devoted to Miss Darcy’s debut season, and my own brother is not inclined to press the issue. I have only my absolute belief in his honour and our long -s tanding friendship to sustain me. Though, if Miss Darcy’s season is a success, I would expect an announcement before the Regent’s ball.”