Page 26 of The Marriage Game
For Georgiana, whose head was now empty of suitors and full of piano notes, Wednesday next came far too soon. For Elizabeth, who wanted nothing so much as to put this Royal Tea behind her, it seemed to take forever. Mr. Darcy, listening to the complaints of his womenfolk, could only think that it would have been far, far better had they remained in Derbyshire. Did Georgiana really have to have a Season? Was there not some suitable young man in Derbyshire she could have married? Well, it was too late now for such regrets.
At any rate, Wednesday next came at last, and the ladies spent two hours dressing and another two hours with the Countess and her maid. The Countess supervised the placing of every pin and every jewel. Elizabeth complained, “This is even worse than the presentation!”
The Countess agreed, equably. “At the presentation, there were many ladies in the room with you. At this Tea, it will be just the two of you and Her Majesty.”
“And uncounted numbers of maids and footmen, no doubt,” Elizabeth said.
“Yes, but it is unlikely that Her Majesty will be looking at them.”
Finally, they were ready. Mr. Darcy waited at the foot of the stairs as they walked down, followed by the Countess. “You both look stunning,” he assured them. “I will accompany you to the Palace and wait for you.”
“Will you not find the waiting tiresome?” Elizabeth asked.
In response, Mr. Darcy held up a book. Elizabeth stepped closer to see the title: The Odyssey, translated by William Cowper, 3rd edition. She smiled. “You purchased this on Papa’s recommendation?”
“Of course; he and I will have much to discuss when next we are in company,” Mr. Darcy said.
It was a source of great satisfaction to Elizabeth that her husband and her dear Papa had become such good friends.
“Let us go and get this over with,” Georgiana urged them.
“I will want to hear all about it!” the Countess exclaimed.
“Come to dinner tomorrow night,” Elizabeth suggested. “We will be celebrating today’s event. But fair warning – the Bingleys will be here, as will the Gardiners.”
The Countess nodded. “Very well; I shall bring Richard. Please seat him beside Miss Bingley.”
“Really?” Elizabeth was puzzled.
“Really,” the Countess replied, smiling serenely. “He deserves it.”
***
Mr. Darcy sat in his carriage outside St. James for two hours. He checked his pocket watch frequently. Did tea really require two hours? The Odyssey had proved engaging enough for the first hour, but when Ulysses was relating to Alcinous the details of his voyage to the infernal regions, Mr. Darcy found himself becoming restive. He left the carriage and walked for a time, keeping an eye out for his wife and sister.
Finally, he saw them being escorted to the carriage by several footmen, and he had to all but run to be there in time to help his two ladies in. “Well?” he enquired. Both broke out into huge smiles.
“Thank heavens it is over!” Elizabeth said, pulling the feathered turban off her head and scattering pins all over the seat.
“Georgiana?” he asked.
“It was terrifying at first, Brother, but once I sat down at her instrument – and oh, you should have seen it, all gold and studded with gems! – the music poured out of me! And the Queen clapped ever so hard, and said I must be a genius!”
“At which point, our Georgiana blushed to the roots of her hair, executed a perfect curtsey, and thanked Her Majesty in a clear and calm voice!” Elizabeth added. “I could scarcely believe it; our shy and retiring little sister has become a strong young lady!”
“Strong enough to be a countess, think you, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked.
“Ah! So is that where this newfound strength has its roots?” Mr. Darcy asked, looking at Georgiana worriedly.
Georgiana gave a small shrug. “I do not wish my marital choices to be restricted as a result of being perceived as weak. I know I did not do well at Matlock House when speaking with Lady Amelia, and I am determined to be stronger. Is that not a worthwhile goal?”
“It certainly is,” Elizabeth said, quickly. “But we hope you will select someone you can love, Georgiana. Marriage is for life, and it is not always easy, even under the best of circumstances.”
“But you and Brother seem so happy!” Georgiana protested.
“We are, and I thank you for observing it, Georgiana, but we have our differences. It is only because we truly love one another that we are able to sit down together and discuss those differences,” Mr. Darcy answered. “If a gentleman is not willing to listen to his wife –“
“And admit that he might be wrong!” Elizabeth put in.
“Then the marriage is unlikely to succeed,” her husband finished.
“And how do I know if he is willing to listen and admit that he might be wrong?” Georgiana demanded.
“That is what a courtship is for,” Elizabeth said. “The rules are then relaxed a bit in order to give the couple some time to learn more about one another. A rushed marriage is always a mistake.”
***
That night, Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy spoke again about the difficulties that an engagement between Georgiana and Lord Fane would create.
“Do you think we should tell her our fears about Ramsgate coming to light?”
“Not yet,” Elizabeth advised. “It might still come to nothing. We know that his mother does not approve of the match, and her feelings might very well sway her son. I do not think Georgiana has really made up her mind about Lord Fane, as she likes Mr. Stanley quite a bit as well. But that might just be wishful thinking.”