Page 2 of The Countess and Her Sister

A week passed before Lady Augusta heard news of Mr. Darcy’s arrival in London; he promised to call the following day.

The family at Matlock House had not yet formally entered society, though they were to attend a ball that night.

Though Elizabeth was in no great hurry to begin attending balls and parties, she joined Rebecca in teasing the dowager that her ladyship feared Jane might meet a handsome beau and have her heart captured before Mr. Darcy could come amongst them.

Thus it was with some reluctance that Lady Augusta had to cry off accompanying her young people to the ball.

“My head is in agonies,” she sighed softly.

“I believe I have been far too worried for you, when I know it is hardly helpful to fret – and I need not fear that you are up to it, Jane. You will do splendidly tonight without me – but you must not miss the occasion on my account. I have done myself a harm in thinking too much upon it. But there is little chance in you losing your heart to anybody before Darcy calls in the morning – only do not stay out too late. Richard may try to be responsible, but I fear Rebecca may harangue poor Richard into tarrying if she really enjoys herself.”

Jane gave her mother an affectionate kiss on the cheek. “My lady, I will promise to enjoy myself just the right amount.”

“And I shall do everything in my power to enjoy it all far more than Rebecca, as much as she loves frightening all the dandies.” Elizabeth grinned as she applied a damp cloth to the dowager’s brow.

“But you must rest. We have been to every modiste in London this last week, though you refuse to ever own to the slightest exertion.”

“I may not be a Fitzwilliam by blood, but I have the constitution for it. I am never ill; I am quite put out. But if it was the mad fashion rampage that has done me in, I shall declare it was worth my present megrim. You must take every opportunity to enjoy yourselves, and tomorrow when I am recovered, I shall hear all about it.” Lady Augusta gave them each a soft pat on the cheek before leaning back against the plush pillows of her bed.

Jane and Elizabeth bid her good night and slipped quietly out of the room.

They were already dressed for Lady Thurston’s ball; Richard and Rebecca awaited them downstairs.

The ladies had ordered new gowns for their emergence into society, and they each wore the first of their purchases that had been finished only the day before.

Elizabeth wore a pale green gown with elegant beading and embroidery across the bodice and hem that perfectly matched the emerald and gold flower pins Rebecca had loaned Elizabeth for her elegantly arranged chestnut curls.

Jane’s gown was an absolute wonder in silk, shimmery cobalt that made her blue eyes sparkle.

A small coronet of diamonds and sapphires had been woven into her silver-blonde hair, and a matching necklace with a massive gemstone at her throat completed the stunning effect.

Even so, Jane appeared uneasy. “Lizzy….”

“What is it, Jane?”

“You know that I worry for my appearance, ever since….”

Jane had suffered a difficult pregnancy, from which she had little time to recover before the sweating sickness spread across England.

She had become ill just weeks after Lord Robert died, and the illness had weakened her for many months after it passed.

She had grown thinner, paler, her face devoid of the innocence of youth.

But she was still beautiful, if more mature in her elegant features.

Unfortunately, their Mrs. Bennet had not seen it that way, and had spoken thoughtlessly of Jane’s lost bloom when the sisters had visited Longbourn just days before their father died.

A year later, it still clearly bothered Jane.

Elizabeth silently cursed her mother’s inconsiderate nonsense.

“Jane, you are sure to be the loveliest creature in the room wherever we go. First, they will all see your beauty, and after speaking with you they will be sure of it, for your perfect face is accompanied by the kindest and most devoted disposition. In body and heart, you have only been made stronger and better by all that has happened, and it shows in the very depth of your gaze. You are a very worthy woman, and it shows.”

Elizabeth stroked her sister’s cheek, and Jane covered her hand, letting out a hum of contentment.

“I am so lucky to have you. I cannot imagine what my life in London would have been without you, and I am very glad you will be with me for the next part. It shall be better, I am determined to believe it.”

“And if half the men at the ball do not end the night in love with you, I shall be much surprised.”

Jane laughed, leading Elizabeth toward the stairs. “You may yet. You are in very fine looks, too. You will be a highly sought after partner.”

When they reached the bottom of the stairs, Richard made a great charade of fainting into Rebecca’s arms at the sight of the ladies.

“I shall have no time to woo Eleanor – what a pity – for I am sure I must spend the evening managing the tremendous coterie of handsome lords vying for a place on your dance cards. Only the best for my favorite sisters. Rebecca will only consume more cups of punch than sets she dances.”

“Which is how I should like it,” Rebecca snarled. “Lady Thurston delights in surrounding herself with preening coxcombs and tedious bores, I cannot imagine why. But she does provide satisfactory libations, which shall be my solace.”

Richard made a droll face but set about ignoring his sister. “I must dance the first with you, Jane; it will make a statement that you are under my protection. Lizzy, shall I torture you in asking for the supper set?”

“You mean to spare me from enduring the meal with a tedious coxcomb or preening bore?”

“I shall deny you the delight you would take in such a fine specimen for your study and amusement, and instead subject you to my own wicked observations.”

Elizabeth laughed and turned to Jane. “We are a family of misanthropes; you are our only hope, Lady Jane.”

Just as her companions expected, Jane Fitzwilliam was an instant darling amongst the guests of the ball, whom Elizabeth found to be mostly fashionable and genteel. Their hostess was very civil, and the great crowd of people all eyed the countess’s party with respectful curiosity.

Amongst the first introductions were the Fitzwilliams' cousins who had lately arrived in London. General Tilney was Lady Augusta’s brother by marriage, a widower who matched the dowager in formidable composure and decided opinions.

He spoke chiefly to Richard, seeming to think little of the ladies beyond introducing them to his three children.

Captain Frederick Tilney, Mr. Henry Tilney, and Miss Eleanor Tilney were presented to Jane and Elizabeth; the general then left them to their own devices in furthering the acquaintance.

Jane smiled at Miss Tilney, extending her hand affectionately. “It is a pleasure to meet you at last. I have enjoyed corresponding with you since you wrote to congratulate me on my marriage.”

Since residing with her sister for nearly two years, Elizabeth knew of Miss Tilney; Jane had begun to read her letters aloud to Elizabeth, and in time Elizabeth and Miss Tilney began to pass greetings to one another through the letters Jane wrote and received.

Within a few minutes, the ladies were all using one another Christian names as they spoke of their excitement at the occasion.

The Tilney brothers both recommended themselves to Rebecca with alacrity, and she gave them her wickedest smiles and most mischievous looks as she bantered with them.

The elder wore military regalia and a severe countenance, but the younger, Mr. Henry Tilney, was lively and playful in the face of Rebecca’s raillery.

Elizabeth let out a wistful sigh as she studied him, and whispered to Jane, “My goodness! He looks rather like Sam Lucas, who you were once so partial to!”

When he spied Elizabeth and Jane observing him, Mr. Tilney came to speak with them.

“Countess, you are enchanting. My father has instructed me to pay you every attention, and my sister has bid me not plague you overmuch with my nonsense. Miss Bennet, are you of the opinion that I have acquitted myself well with Lady Rebecca? Am I likely to please your sister? You are so very beautiful yourself that I may grow impudent in my endeavors to earn the favor of all the ladies of Matlock House.”

“Henry, you are horrid,” Eleanor said with a gasp, but a smile tugged at her lips.

Elizabeth gave him a slow, deliberate sweeping gaze of appraisal and then smirked. “Praise of my sister is more likely to impress me than praise of myself, though I am not beyond a little vanity. But Lady Jane requires more than such irrefutable truths as the mere observation of her beauty.”

“A woman of style and substance – my cousin was a lucky man. I must discover what it is that you require, my lady – dare I hope that at present you desire a dancing partner? I am perfectly ready to amaze you.” Henry Tilney gave a bow of his head as he extended his hand to Jane.

Rather than taking his hand, Jane offered him her dance card. “I have promised Richard the first, but I have the second set available.”

He wrote his name with tremendous flourish before turning to address Elizabeth. “And you, Miss Bennet? Do say that you shall stand up with me while I rally every power of pleasing at my disposal.”

She nodded her assent, grinning in spite of herself. “You may take it as an opportunity to purge yourself of all the nonsense I suspect may be at the tip of your tongue, sir.”

He placed a hand on his heart. “You understand me already, Miss Bennet.”