Page 5 of The Marriage Game
The Bingleys arrived shortly after breakfast the following day. Jane went immediately into her sister’s arms, saying, “I know it is far too early for a proper call, but I could not wait another minute!”
“I am so happy to see you, Jane! And what fun we shall have together!”
Once the two sisters separated, greetings were exchanged between the Darcys and the Bingleys.
Caroline waited impatiently, tapping her foot, and leaped into the conversation as soon as she could. “I am shopping on Bond Street tomorrow, Georgiana. Will you not join me?”
Mr. Darcy thought it best to nip this familiarity in the bud at once. “Miss Bingley, I must ask you to call my sister Miss Darcy.”
“What?! But we are such friends!”
“I think not. It would be best for you to refrain from too much familiarity with her during the Season.”
“I see,” Caroline Bingley bit out testily. “I shall certainly try to remember your injunction.”
“In any case,” Elizabeth interposed. “The Countess has already assured us that she would oversee our shopping expeditions herself.”
Jane said, quickly, “How very kind of her!”
“Yes, she plans to be very involved in Georgiana’s Season.”
Caroline could not be contained. “The Countess is rather old, is she not? I suspect she is not au courant of current fashions.”
Georgiana surprised everyone by saying, “Miss Bingley, my aunt is au courant with everything that is tasteful and proper, I assure you.”
Just then, Taggart entered the drawing room and said, soberly, “The Countess of Matlock to see you, Mrs. Darcy.”
His words caused some consternation. Mr. Bingley and Jane understood immediately that they should leave, but Miss Bingley insisted upon them staying so that she might be introduced to the Countess. Mr. Darcy ended the debate by saying, coolly, “Miss Bingley, it would be up to the Countess as to whether or not she wishes to be introduced to you. Just now, I suspect that she would not, and you would be subject to some embarrassment as a result. It would be best for you to depart and hope for an introduction at a later date.”
Elizabeth whispered to Jane, “I will come to Bingley House as soon as I can.”
Caroline sniffed, and then sailed out after her brother and Jane, nose high.
Once the Bingleys were gone, the Countess swept in. “You have been here for less than a day, and you already have visitors? Heavens!”
Elizabeth realised with an unpleasant start that she would have to explain to the Countess that Caroline Bingley would be invited to a number of teas and dinners, as well as Georgiana’s come-out ball, and doubtless the Countess would not approve. She swallowed and began, “Aunt Eleanor, you may recall that my elder sister, Jane, is wed to your nephew’s dearest friend, Charles Bingley.”
“Of course; I met them at your wedding,” the Countess replied.
“Yes. Well, Miss Bingley has been living with my sister and Mr. Bingley, and has managed to make my sister’s life rather – well, trying, I suppose one might say.”
The Countess snorted. “Trying! I should say so! I saw the chit at the wedding, though I was wise enough not to ask for an introduction. I can tell you that I formed no good impression of that ill-bred, rag-mannered upstart!”
Elizabeth swallowed and opened her mouth to continue, but her husband stepped in. “Aunt, we are trying to do Charles and Jane a good turn by helping Miss Bingley find a husband this Season.”
The Countess’ eyes opened wide and she gasped aloud. “You cannot mean that this Bingley person will be a frequent guest at Darcy House!”
Mr. Darcy went on. “Yes; we hope that by exposing her to a wider circle of acquaintances, she will find herself a husband.”
“It will do Georgiana no good to be seen as that woman’s friend!”
“You are right; we are walking a rather narrow path here. We want to introduce Miss Bingley to some of our acquaintances without giving the impression that we are anything more than casual friends.”
“Darcy, the mere fact that you are socialising with Miss Bingley indicates your approval of her. You know that as well as I.”
Mr. Darcy sighed. “I do know, Aunt. All I can say is that we will do the best we can do.”
Elizabeth added, “And surely there can be no possible objection to Georgiana. She is likely to be one of the diamonds of the Season!”
The Countess shook her head. “Not likely; there are at least half a dozen young ladies out this Season who are considered extremely beautiful, and they each have dowries equal to Georgiana’s or more; there is a duke’s daughter out this year with fifty thousand pounds! In any case, Georgiana is pretty enough, with her blonde hair and dark eyes, and her dowry is more than respectable. It is likely that she will struggle with the amount of attention she will receive without being considered a diamond.”
“She is far less shy –“ Elizabeth began, but the Countess interrupted her.
“Do not let her be seen in close company with that Bingley girl. Further, Elizabeth, your sister is everything lovely, and Darcy’s friend, Mr. Bingley, is unobjectionable, but under no circumstances are you to introduce Miss Bingley to me or to the Earl.”
“We understand,” Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth chorused.
The Countess then moved on to other business. “Elizabeth, I plan to present you to the Queen as well as Georgiana.”
“Me?!” Elizabeth shook her head adamantly. “No, no, but I thank you for your kind thought, Aunt Eleanor.”
“Yes, absolutely. Your presence will calm Georgiana. In addition, being presented will help establish you as a hostess, which will also help Georgiana. Come, are we not all ready to do our part for our dear girl?”
Elizabeth could not argue with the Countess’ logic, but she quailed at the idea of wearing one of the elaborate costumes required by the Queen and standing for hours – hours! – in the palace, waiting for her turn. “I suppose you are right,” she said, finally, with a sigh of unhappy resignation.
“I am usually right,” the Countess agreed. “Now, then, get your boots and cloaks! It is time to go shopping!”