Chapter 7

The next morning, Elizabeth woke early and went for a ride in Hyde Park, followed by two armed grooms and Miss Carmichael. There were always several men out and an occasional lady as well in the early morning, always the most dedicated riders. Most of the ton preferred to be seen from their carriage as they paraded about during the popular hours. Those who actually cared to properly exercise a horse went out at dawn. Elizabeth found that the gentlemen found in Hyde Park in the early hours were usually the more trustworthy sorts of gentlemen. The rakes and fortune hunters did not stir from their beds until after noon. Still, Elizabeth never took chances, and took protection with her everywhere she went.

She returned to Astley House and tended her horse, making her way upstairs to wash and change after her ride. Diane was just waking, and Elizabeth would take her down to breakfast with her shortly. Sarah was waiting in her suite with her dress laid out for the day. Since she was to be seen about London at the modistes, she took particular care with her attire. It never hurt to look your best, she observed to herself. After washing quickly, she dressed and allowed Sarah to set her hair before going to collect Diane from the nursery.

They found Mary in the small breakfast room. They all chatted happily as they shared the morning meal. Elizabeth asked if Mary would mind taking Diane and Beau into the back garden after breakfast for their exercise, while she spent a half hour attending to correspondence before they left. She saw them out the French doors at the back of the house, with Andrew and Miss Carmichael following behind, and went to her study.

There was an express from Mr Bingley and his family, informing them that the party would arrive in London that day, and inquiring as to when and where they and Miss Bennet might wish to receive them. She sent a response, explaining Jane's residence in Gracechurch Street, assuring Mr Bingley that she would forward the message to her, then inviting him to pay a morning call upon Astley House on Friday morning, giving their party time to call upon Jane first.

There were a number of business letters to attend to, most of which were deferred to Banks with instructions for how to respond to each. He would write the letters while she was out that day; she would review and sign them when she returned. The invitations she left for Sarah to answer for her, declining all except an invitation to dine en famille with Lady B____ on Thursday and tea with the Dowager Duchess of St I___ on Friday.

She finished as Mary and Diane were returning inside. The nurse took over care of the child and dog, and the ladies donned their bonnets and spencers.

Elizabeth was not surprised to find only Aunt Gardiner waiting as they arrived at Gracechurch Street. As Jane's trunks were unloaded, Aunt Gardiner took Mr Bingley's letter inside to Jane, where they wrote a brief reply, inviting Mr Bingley to call on Wednesday morning and asked a servant to deliver it, then Aunt Madeleine returned outside to join Elizabeth and Mary in the carriage.

"Well! I certainly hope Jane settles down soon! The young lady is more highly strung than I have ever seen her before!" exclaimed Aunt Gardiner. "And her demeanour whenever you are mentioned is quite cold. Your uncle said to me privately before he left this morning that he hopes she settles her nerves soon, for he does not wish to tiptoe about her forever. She makes conversation quite uncomfortable whenever we mention you. It has been several years since we have visited together, but still, we have never seen Jane behave so."

"Well I cannot promise she will ever be willing to speak of me in a positive manner, but hopefully her nerves will settle once she has resolved the matter with Mr Bingley. Once he has called and made his intentions plain, she will likely feel better about her situation," said Elizabeth dryly.

"Jane is welcome to stay with us as long as she likes, but we shall not be pretending to dislike you to soothe her, Lizzy," Aunt Madeleine replied. "You grew up in my home, and I feel as if I raised you myself, and that is not going to change. We will not force the issue right away, but Jane must eventually come to terms with it."

The ladies changed the subject as the carriage neared Mr Gardiner's warehouses. They spent an adventurous morning with Mr Gardiner's clerks, digging through stacks of fabrics, and amassing a staggering pile in lovely colours. Mary was quite overwhelmed by the sheer number of silks and muslins and insisted she could never use so many gowns. Her aunt and sister laughed and teased her that if she objected, they would only double the number. Elizabeth also selected some superior fabrics for new uniforms and personal gowns that would better suit Ethel's new position as ladies maid, arranging to have the hoard delivered immediately to Madame Clarisse. Afterward, the party went to luncheon at a fashionable tea shop.

After lunch, the ladies spent the day with Mary, trying on one gown style after another, poring through fashion plates and sipping champagne-orange, a new beverage from Paris that was made from champagne mixed with fruit juice. Madame Clarisse was the only modiste to serve such a decadent beverage, as most modistes only served tea and biscuits, but an afternoon with Madame Clarisse was considered to be an event one was privileged to obtain an appointment for and Madame delivered in style.

Usually Madame Clarisse was so busy that she never made more than two or three dresses for any member of society each season. She specialised in devastatingly beautiful creations and ball gowns for events of the highest calibre, not daily wardrobes. Only for Elizabeth and her Aunt Gardiner, and now also Mary, would Madame agree to make an entire wardrobe.

Elizabeth found Madame Clarisse through one of her veteran army guards, who guarded her house at night. He came to her with a tale about a young woman who fled an abusive father in Paris, who attempted to sell her into indentured service before she ran away. She was fortunate to find passage on a ship across the Channel by agreeing to serve as a companion and maid for the duration of the journey to a lady who would be travelling alone.

Elizabeth had Banks find the woman lodgings, and gave her work as a seamstress to help her achieve her independence. After the young woman worked on a few of Elizabeth's gowns, she realised her worth and talent, and gave her a loan to set her up in business. An arrangement with Uncle Gardiner for the first pick of his inventory of fabrics at a discounted rate helped the lady get started. Once Elizabeth and a few of her friends were seen in some of her dazzling creations, Madame Clarisse quickly became high in demand.

Madame Clarisse was able to repay the loan by the end of her first season. By the end of her second, she purchased a building in London's most fashionable shopping district and created a luxurious shop at which the ladies of London were wild to obtain an appointment. She then married the man who guarded Elizabeth's house and provided the recommendation.

Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner still enjoyed full wardrobes each season, while receiving a heavy discount on their purchases, and Mr Gardiner enjoyed being Madame's exclusive supplier. Madame enjoyed having access to Mr Gardiner's superior fabrics before the other society modistes. When Elizabeth asked for an appointment, Madame cleared her schedule without hesitation.

Elizabeth also paid Madame's assistants to provide modest, yet elegant uniforms and personal attire for all of her female staff. To work for Elizabeth was a privilege, and she insisted that appearances be kept in the highest style. All of her servants were expected to maintain the strictest standards of cleanliness, and were provided with the tools necessary to turn themselves out well attired in order to be a credit to Elizabeth's house. It also amused Elizabeth that while most ladies languished on a waiting list in order to receive two gowns from Madame each season, her female servants were daily enjoying the couture all the ladies of the ton craved.

After several hours of fittings, they concluded their business with Madame, and agreed to return on Friday after luncheon to have another fitting for several of the gowns. The gowns Elizabeth provided Mary from her own wardrobe were sufficient to get her through the week in London. The new wardrobe from Madame would follow them to Hertfordshire when it was complete.

They returned to Astley House an hour before dinner, to find a response from Mr Bingley, accepting their invitation to call on Friday. They dined quietly, and went to bed early with their books, exhausted from the long day of choosing clothes.

Tuesday was again spent shopping, this time attacking every milliner, shoemaker, and haberdashery in the fashionable district. When they returned to Astley House, Mary collapsed on the settee in the small library and gasped, "Lizzy, no more shopping, I beg you. I feel like the Princess Cinderella in the fairy tale."

"Do not worry, Mary; I believe we have found all you will need. Anything else can be acquired in Meryton, I am sure," replied an amused Elizabeth.

"I do not know how to thank you for all you've done for me. I know it was an enormous expense. I do not know how I shall ever repay you," said Mary seriously.

"Mary, I have more money than I know what to do with. I could spend ten times what I have this week without ever feeling a pinch or even noticing the missing funds. I have promised you shall be brought out as you deserve. You should probably know I have planned an extremely generous dowry for you as well, so you should get used to the idea of that now. We must not bandy the information about, because you do not wish to be chased by fortune hunters, but I will settle fifty thousand pounds on each of my sisters upon their marriage. Or if you do not marry, the funds will become yours when you are twenty-five," explained Elizabeth.

" Fifty Thousand ! That is too much! I would have felt uncomfortable with five thousand ! Lizzy, how can you afford so much, with four sisters?" Mary gasped.

Elizabeth shared the tale of her fortune with Mary, reassuring her that it was no difficulty to provide for her. "You need not worry that it is too much. Shortly before Diane was born, I purchased a number of shipyards. Once I had shipyards in every major port, I was able to acquire exclusive contracts to build ships for several leading importers, including our uncle. There are only a few smaller ports that I do not yet have shipyards in, and once I have obtained them, my business will grow even more. My income over the last three years has not been less than two hundred thousand pounds per year. And with my investments in the new steam engines and locomotives, when Her Majesty approves more railways across the country, my income should increase even more dramatically.

"My husband left fifty thousand to me, in addition to my dowry of thirty thousand still being my own. He left thirty thousand for Diane as her dowry, as well as Windmere Estate in Kent, and I will settle at least another seventy thousand upon her at her marriage, or likely even more. And if I never remarry or have more children, she will inherit all of my estate, which includes a vast sum of money, as well as Netherfield Park and Astley House here in town."

Mary could not get over the idea of being so well provided for. She always thought of herself as poor, and always believed that if she ever did marry, she would be lucky to find a humble parson to wed. She still would not mind marrying a parson, she mused. But now she would never need to fear poverty.

*****

Wednesday was quiet during the day except for a brief scuffle in the Hall, when an earl who planned to marry Elizabeth attempted to force his way into the house in his frustration that Elizabeth never had the knocker put up since arriving in town. He had been knocking anyway and demanding admittance to no avail.

"Lord Medford, what is the meaning of this?" bellowed Elizabeth as she descended the stairs to the chaos of three footmen restraining the swearing earl. Miss Carmichael and several other manservants rushed into the room, swords and pistols raised.

"So you are here! I knew it! I was not fooled by your keeping the knocker down!" shouted Lord Medford angrily as he picked himself off the floor.

"I never pretended not to be here. I have openly attended church on Sunday, and I have been seen about town shopping with my sister," replied Elizabeth. "The knocker will not go up this week, for I am not accepting callers. My visit will be of short duration, and I have no time to entertain whilst I am here."

As Lord Medford began looming over her in an attempt to intimidate her, Elizabeth continued. "Lord Medford, I find your habits of courtship rather alarming. It is customary for a gentleman to receive some encouragement from a lady before he presses his suit. I have given you no encouragement, and I am not even accepting any callers to my home, yet I find you forcing entry as if you own the place. What have you to say for yourself?"

Lord Medford began shouting about women knowing their place, and how he would take care of her impertinence when they were wed.

"We will never be wed, Lord Medford, not only because you have yet to even ask me, but because I do not welcome your addresses, nor will I give you leave to pay them. As you can see, I am extremely well protected here. If you attempt anything of this nature again, I will have no choice but to use deadly force in my own defence."

She cut the gentleman off further as he began shouting about his rank. "I do not care if you are an earl of the realm, sir. You have broken Her Majesty's laws of land and property, and if you do so again, I will defend myself against you. Do not come here again."

At Elizabeth's nod, the footmen seized the middle aged earl and threw him into the street. "There will be something in the society columns about this tomorrow, I am sure," Elizabeth said as Mary peeked out from the music room.

"I can see what you mean about fortune hunters, Lizzy. Was that man really an earl?" asked Mary curiously.

"You could never tell by his behaviour, but sadly, yes," replied Elizabeth. "However, let us not dwell on such unpleasant matters. Are you excited about our trip to the theatre tonight? Have you decided on a gown?"

"Lizzy," said Mary excitedly, "I cannot wait to attend the play tonight! Much Ado About Nothing is my favourite comedy. Sarah and Ethel helped me select an opera gown from your wardrobe that they assured me you would likely never have worn, but I think it is perfect for me."

"Every season I buy an entire wardrobe, and every season I barely use half of it. I fail to take into account my own quiet nature since losing my husband. I never attend all the events of the season. I am a social person, but I only attend what I must each year to remain in good standing in society, so that when I help bring out my sisters and later my children, they will be well received."

Aunt and Uncle Gardiner, and also Elizabeth's Uncle Hexham and his wife and daughters joined them for dinner, followed by the play afterward. Jane preferred to stay home and watch the children, much to Uncle Gardiner's grumbling.

Elizabeth advised her uncle to be patient with Jane, and made plans with her aunt for Elizabeth and Mary to take the Gardiner children along with Diane to the London Zoological Gardens to see the menagerie the following morning after breakfast. Elizabeth made it clear that Jane was welcome to join them if she wished, but there was no pressure for her to do so. The party enjoyed their evening at the theatre. Many stopped by Elizabeth's box to obtain introductions to Elizabeth's younger sister, who was already rumoured to be well dowered, thanks to the speculation of society, and be the first to return to their friends with information about the quiet and gentle girl.

*****

Thursday was a lovely day for November, the sun shining more brightly than Elizabeth could ever remember for the time of year. She went for her morning ride, as she always did, returned to curry her horse, and went inside to bathe and change.

On her way down, she collected Diane from the nursery and went to the breakfast room where Mary was serving herself from the sideboard. The three chatted about the upcoming day as they ate, Mary just as excited as Diane about the excursion and expressing a deep desire to see the giraffes.

After breakfast, Elizabeth and Diane went below stairs to the kitchens, where they were presented with an enormous picnic basket by the cook. They returned to the hall where Mary was waiting. The trio exited the house and stepped up into the carriage with Miss Carmichael and they were on their way to Cheapside.

Again, Elizabeth was not surprised when Jane was not waiting with the children when they arrived in Gracechurch Street. "Jane prefers to wait at home in case Mr Bingley calls again." explained Aunt Madeleine.

"I am sure we all wish her an enjoyable morning of it, Aunt, but that does not excuse her from greeting her sisters!" Mary said indignantly. "Lizzy has gone to great trouble to save Jane from being cast into the night. Jane should, at the very least, exert herself to say good morning!"

"I agree with you, Mary, but Jane has been extremely touchy since she arrived. We would like her to settle in and be comfortable here before we bring up the subject," replied Aunt Madeleine.

"I shall not insist that Jane owes me anything, not even civility if she finds me unworthy of it. However, Mary has done nothing wrong that I am aware of, and it may be some time before they see each other again. I would think Jane would wish to see her before she goes," Elizabeth said gently.

"Jane believes I am disloyal to Mama, and that I have allowed you to buy my affections," said Mary hotly. "But after seeing what Mama has done to Jane, who is supposed to be her favourite, what will she do to me when one day I catch her attention and she remembers that I exist? I will not apologise for declining to sit about and wait to be turned out into the dark."

"Nor should you, Mary," soothed Elizabeth. "I have yet to do anything for you aside from buying you some clothes that aren't grey or black, which is the least you should have received from your parents. None of your sisters were compelled to give up every little embellishment to please Lydia. Yet Mama saw fit to deprive you to keep Lydia quiet. It's unacceptable for our family to treat you so shamefully, while trying to make you feel guilty when you prefer being cherished as you deserve. But let us not spoil the day with such thoughts. Let us have a happy day with the children. I always enjoy treating them when I am in town."

Elizabeth and Mary did indeed have a happy day with the children. Mary was astounded by the giraffes. Elizabeth always enjoyed seeing the giraffes as well. They always seemed such gentle, yet majestic creatures. She was grateful to be able to view them, yet always felt a great sadness that the animals were taken from their home, and were compelled to live in a climate they were not meant for.

At the end of their visit to the menagerie, they met their two footmen, who set up their picnic blanket in the park. Once Andrew saw them settled, he went to a vendor nearby and obtained some hot cider for their party. The children fell upon their luncheon like ravenous wolves, the two nannies assisting those who needed help, and making sure the children did not mess their clothes. After they all finished their excellent repast, followed by some very tasty cakes, they all relaxed upon the blanket, resting and enjoying the unseasonably warm sunshine. After a pleasant hour of watching the clouds and speculating with the children what animals they looked like, Elizabeth and Mary rose and herded the children back to the carriage.

When the Gardiner children were returned to their home, and the ladies returned to Astley House, they agreed that the morning had been long and tiring, and they would both relax and have their tea in their rooms that afternoon. After transferring her sleeping toddler to the nurse, Elizabeth and Mary went to their rooms to rest a while before changing clothes to join Lady B______ for dinner.

Mary had never seen anything so chaotic as the dining room of Number Five Bruton Street, and she had grown up at Longbourn with a fishwife for a mother. Lady B______ was all that was gracious and kind of course, but Mary had never considered what Longbourn might have been like with the addition of several brothers. It was pandemonium. Her father always complained about the noise of ladies, but Mary did not think the men were any quieter.

Elizabeth chatted happily with Lady B______ as Mary became acquainted with her children. She had no idea how to speak to the incredibly handsome adult sons but she thought she rather liked Lady B______'s daughter E_____ and also her friend P______. She could not imagine what it would be like the next day when they called upon Elizabeth's friend the duchess.

The next morning Mary was so nervous about meeting a duchess that she could barely drink her tea, her cup clattered on its saucer so terribly. "Do not laugh at me, Lizzy!" exclaimed Mary as Elizabeth giggled.

"I apologise, I just cannot help it. Mary, once you have met her grace, you will feel like a goose for allowing your nerves to plague you so. Shall I call for your salts?" chuckled Elizabeth.

"Heavens, I am becoming Mama!" cried Mary, laughing.

"You must gain control of your nerves, Mary, or Mr Bingley will think you like him!" Elizabeth teased.

"We cannot have that! The gentleman smiles too much. He is a better match for Jane," observed Mary.

"Very sensible. I believe you are right," agreed Elizabeth.

Mr Bingley and the Hursts were shown into the parlour. "Mr I feel more sure of it each time we meet," said Mr Bingley with a dreamy expression.

"And is Mr Darcy well? Did he remain behind in Meryton?" asked Elizabeth curiously, and in an attempt to change the subject before Mary, who appeared to be steaming from her ears, could say anything about Jane's angelic nature.

"Mr Darcy did accompany us back to town, but he left immediately almost as soon as we arrived," said Mr Bingley worriedly. "He expected to meet his sister here in town, but received an express that she never left Pemberley because she is profoundly unwell. Darcy was out of his mind in his haste to leave. His sister and his paternal grandmother are all that is left of his immediate family."

"I have met Mr Darcy's grandmother once through our mutual friends here in town. They mention her often, though she seems to come to town but rarely," said Elizabeth. "That is very troubling news, hearing that Miss Darcy is ill. I know how Mr Darcy worries for her already. He has spoken of her each time we have met."

"I hope to hear from him soon with news of the matter. He should have reached Pemberley by Thursday, as long as there was no trouble on the roads. We are all very fond of Miss Darcy," replied Mr Bingley.

"We shall keep the Darcy family in our prayers," said Mary quietly. There was still quite a bit of the devout in her, though she had mostly abandoned her sermons and lectures.

"I hope you left all well in Meryton. We were sorry not to have time before our trip to take our leave of the neighbourhood, but since it will be such a short visit, it will be alright, as long as we make the rounds when we return," said Elizabeth.

She had put a good deal of thought into how she would manage the situation when they returned to Meryton. Her stepmother would never consider keeping the story private, even for her own sake. Who knew what the two younger girls or the servants would say in the village. Whether Mr Bingley or the Hursts could bring a report of the gossip would set the stage for how Elizabeth approached the neighbourhood when she and Mary returned.

"Though we had not the time to call upon everyone before we left, we did call upon the Lucases, the Gouldings, the Phillips and the Longs. Like you, we hope that since we will return to the neighbourhood sometime soon, we may call upon the rest when we return," said Mrs Hurst.

"And how did you find our Aunt and Uncle Phillips?" asked Elizabeth easily. Mrs Phillips would be the very first one to have information about Longbourn. She and Mrs Bennet were thick as thieves. Mrs Phillips had never been unkind to Elizabeth specifically, but she had no ability to hold her tongue. If she learned anything from Mrs Bennet or the younger ladies, she would have shared it with the Bingley party the moment they arrived in her sitting room.

"Mr and Mrs Phillips were both well when we called," ventured Mr Bingley tactfully. "They indicated that it was rather a surprise to the neighbourhood that Mrs Bennet allowed the young ladies to accompany you to town."

"And the Lucas family? I hope they are all well. Charlotte Lucas is my dearest friend, much like another sister to me," Elizabeth said, digging subtly.

"The Lucas family all seemed in very good health and expressed much the same surprise as the Phillips at Miss Bennet and Miss Mary's visit to London," answered Mrs Hurst, understanding what Elizabeth was looking for. "Two interesting things that were mentioned in both households, was that there is an upcoming visit expected to Longbourn from a cousin no one has ever met, a Mr Collins I believe? And Colonel Forster's militia has arrived, and will be making camp in Meryton for the winter. These anticipated events seem to have gained the attention of most of the neighbourhood."

"How interesting. I have never met my father's Cousin Collins before," Elizabeth replied, exchanging glances with Mary.

Mrs Hurst looked at the clock and saw the time for a polite visit had passed and stood. "Lady Astley, thank you for your kindness today. We truly appreciate your understanding and generosity towards our family. My brother has decided to remain in town for a time, but Mr Hurst and I will likely return to Hertfordshire next week, and keep house for him until he returns."

"We thank you for your visit, Mrs Hurst, and I hope you will call on us at Lilac Cottage when you return to the neighbourhood. Mr Bingley, I do hope you enjoy your stay in town," replied Elizabeth knowingly, as she stood to ring for a footman. Mr Bingley would remain in town, likely to court Jane, while the Hursts would return to Hertfordshire to look after his interests and reputation in Meryton, in case gossip from the events at Netherfield and Longbourn began to circulate.

Elizabeth and Mary sat down to talk after the visitors left. "Lizzy, I cannot believe Mr Collins is visiting Longbourn. And a regiment is coming as well? Mama must be having fits!" exclaimed Mary.

"Indeed, to be a fly upon the wall at Longbourn now would be quite interesting, I am sure," said Elizabeth. "But never fear, we shall visit the neighbourhood when we return, and hear all about it."

"What could the gentleman be like, I wonder?" mused Mary.

Elizabeth related to her sister how her father's cousin was the dreadful parson near Windmere who had carried Lady Catherine's edicts to the entire county regarding Elizabeth's exclusion from the community. She and her late husband attended church in a neighbouring village in order to avoid Hunsford, but their reception in the county was still chilly. Sir Christopher believed that part of Lady Catherine's grudge was due to a rivalry with his mother in the ladies' youth when Lady Catherine was a new bride in the vicinity. Apparently the idea that her rival's son had gained a knighthood was more than the woman could tolerate.

Elizabeth wondered if the parson would make the connection when they met and what his reaction would be. He had never before indicated that he knew of the connection, and indeed, he was so obtuse as to refer to her as Lady Aston while in Kent. She would tolerate no disrespect from him, if he did make the connection. Kent had been Lady Catherine's domain for many decades, and Elizabeth saw no reason to pursue a rivalry with an elderly woman in the countryside. However, Hertfordshire was her own home village, she was a titled lady herself, and the granddaughter of an earl.

"Our father used to describe his cousin as an illiterate, ill-tempered brute, and I am aware that their relationship was resentful and intolerant at best," answered Elizabeth. "I do not know if Papa has kept tabs on the man but I have. The cousin that Papa quarrelled with died a few years ago. His son is a silly, nonsensical man."

"I am glad not to be at Longbourn while this man is staying there," observed Mary. "I confess, I worry for my sisters."

"I am sure Papa will not allow them to come to harm. He is neglectful, but I cannot imagine him allowing his relation to come and abuse his family while he is still living," replied Elizabeth practically. "We shall find out the news when we return."

"But we shall arrive on Saturday and not go about our calls until Monday!" Mary wailed. "It will be days before we learn anything worth knowing."

"I have an idea. Let us send a card round to Charlotte Lucas by express, inviting her to join us after church on Sunday, and inviting her to stay the night. Now that Mama has allowed me to have you 'to visit' and to take Jane to town, I am sure Lady Lucas will not mind if Charlotte comes to us for a visit. Charlotte will have all the news. Since it is regarding our own family, we need not feel as if we are spending Sunday afternoon in gossip," Elizabeth said.

The plan was agreed upon, and a note was dispatched to Lucas Lodge by express, and another to Lilac Cottage, requesting the maids to prepare an additional room and imploring the cook to prepare what was needed for Sunday's meals, since Elizabeth would not be home in time to visit the kitchens and prepare something on Saturday.

*****

The ladies enjoyed an early luncheon before leaving for Madame Clarisse's shop for Mary's final fittings. The wardrobe was advancing very satisfactorily, quite stunning in fact. Little in the way of alterations needed to be made. Indeed, about a third of the order was already finished, and could go with them to Meryton. The rest of the gowns would be delivered to Lilac Cottage when they were ready. Ethel and Sarah made a brief visit during the week for Ethel to be measured by Madame Clarisse's assistant. Her new uniforms and four personal gowns would be delivered to Hertfordshire.

They returned in time to change for tea and spent an enjoyable late afternoon with the delightfully French Duchess of St I___ who peppered Mary with questions about her beaux and her time in London. Her Grace's sister in law was present as well, with her stunningly beautiful twin daughters, who were kind, authentic girls who Mary knew she would feel comfortable befriending if she were to see much of them in the future.

"Go ahead and say it, Mary," Elizabeth teased as the carriage made its way back to Astley House.

"Very well… I am a silly goose…" admitted Mary good naturedly, while Elizabeth laughed at her.

Mary was fatigued after the most exciting week she had ever experienced, so both ladies took their dinners in their rooms that evening. Elizabeth took the opportunity for a long bath, and to look over the last of the correspondence she must answer before they left town the next morning. Mary also enjoyed a long bath, and spent the evening by the fire with a book.