Page 3 of The Marriage Game
Elizabeth was under no illusions about the appeal of being in close company with Caroline Bingley. While Caroline had appeared to accept Elizabeth’s marriage to Mr. Darcy, her envy and resentment showed in her tone whenever she deigned to speak to the new Mrs. Darcy. Elizabeth would have to make it clear to Caroline that this would not be tolerated.
Meanwhile, Georgiana’s lessons continued. Elizabeth sat in on a discussion about calling cards. She received quite an education, as she had been unaware of the finer details involved in giving and receiving cards. Meryton’s society was informal; Lady Lucas had calling cards, but they sat in her desk drawer, gathering dust.
“The purpose of giving the butler the card,” Mrs. Annesley began. “Is to allow the person on whom you are calling to make the decision as to whether or not to see you.”
“So the butler gives the card to the lady of the house,” Georgiana surmised.
“You might be calling on more than one person – a young lady of your own age and her mother, for example – so you would give the butler two cards. Either or both ladies may choose to not be at home to you.”
“Is that not an insult?” Georgiana asked, brow wrinkled.
“Well, it rather depends on the situation. It might be, yes. Or it might be that the lady is already entertaining someone she knows you do not like, and she does not wish to create an awkward situation. Or perhaps she is not well.”
“I do not have calling cards,” Georgiana said.
“Nor I,” Elizabeth added. “We will have them made up in our first week in London. We will be shopping that week as well, as neither of us has anything suitable for the Season.”
“You will be guided by the Countess,” Mrs. Annesley assured them. “In that you are fortunate. She is well aware of what gowns, gloves, shoes, and so on are necessary. But let us return to the subject of cards. Sometimes someone will leave a card just as a social nicety, with no intention of entering the house and actually seeing you.”
“The butler will know the difference?”
“Yes; if the caller asks if Miss Darcy or Mrs. Darcy is at home, it means they would like to be admitted. Otherwise, the person might just leave a card out of politeness, as an acknowledgement that you are in Town.”
Elizabeth said, “So as soon as we have our cards made up, we will make it a point to call on suitable ladies and leave cards to show that we are in Town.”
“Precisely.”
Georgiana complained, “Is all this really necessary to find a suitable husband, Mrs. Annesley? Look at Lizzy here; she did not have to endure all this and she found the best husband of all!”
“She did indeed, but her situation is to be regarded as the exception rather than the rule.”
“Lizzy, do you wish you had had a Season?” Georgiana asked.
Elizabeth shook her head. “I never seriously considered it, Georgiana. Oh, all the gowns and balls sounded quite marvelous when I was growing up, but we Bennet girls knew it was never going to happen for us. I agree that all these rules do sound quite overwhelming, so I understand your frustration.”
Mrs. Annesley laughed. “Making a suitable match in the Season is like a game; I call it the Marriage Game. If you know the rules and play by them, your chances of success are good. Learn the rules, play the game, win the prize.”
“You make it sound easy, Mrs. Annesley!” Georgiana said.
“For you, Miss Darcy, it will be. You have the right disposition, you have the financial wherewithal to live at the right address and wear the right clothes, you have the unconditional support of your brother and sister, you have the Countess of Matlock at your side, and you have me!” Mrs. Annesley laughed at herself.
“Do all young ladies have to learn these rules?” Georgiana asked.
“Those who were brought up in London Society already know them; you do not have that advantage. But do not fear; quite soon you will be – what was John Poole’s line? – ah yes, up to snuff!”
“What does winning look like in this Marriage Game?” Georgiana asked.
“Receiving and accepting a marriage proposal from a suitable gentleman. Suitable means he is kind, gentle, honourable, and able to support you and your children without difficulty.”
Elizabeth added, “And the two of you love one another!”
Mrs. Annesley replied, “That would be ideal, but of course many matches are made that do not include love.”
Elizabeth shook her head decisively. “That will not be Georgiana’s fate. Georgiana, you must promise me that even if a duke offers for you, you will not accept him unless the two of you love one another! All the strawberry leaves in the world mean nothing if you are tied for life to a man you do not love.”
Mrs. Annesley said, “You may have to remind her of this, Mrs. Darcy. The young ladies become fiercely competitive during the Season, and more than one young lady has triumphed over her fellows by securing the best title and fortune, and then lived to regret her choice.”
Georgiana looked down for a minute, and then asked, quietly, “And what does losing look like in the Marriage Game?”
Mrs. Annesley was silent for a moment before replying. “Some young ladies simply do not ‘take,’ as they say, which usually means they are not pretty or wealthy enough, or are not considered lady-like. It is unlikely that you will not ‘take,’ Miss Darcy, as you are both pretty and wealthy. Between us, we will make certain that there is nothing lacking in your behaviour and manners.”
Elizabeth added, “And it is behaviour and manners that are lacking for Caroline Bingley, as she is pretty enough, if you like that sort of sharp feature, and she has her twenty thousand pounds, as she continually reminds us.”