Chapter 17

“Attractive Lady Maria?”

Elizabeth was unsure how to respond.

“You are a beautiful young lady, soon to reach your majority. Surely you have thought of marriage?”

Elizabeth stared at her hostess for several long moments.

“I do not know that I wish to discuss this.”

Elizabeth was startled by Lady Maria gently patting her hand.

“Is the prospect so unthinkable?”

Elizabeth recognised that Lady Maria was being gentle but also was not being deflected from her goal.

“It is something that I do not think about. Your question was ‘surely I have thought of marriage?’, when the truth is that I do not think of marriage. At least I have not in more than two years.”

“You have not? Why ever not?”

There appeared to be no polite way to refuse the question.

“I do not know how to say this in a polite, diplomatic and unintrusive manner. I am surprised at the assumption I should be thinking of marriage when you yourself never married. If anything, to me you are a role model showing me that a woman can live independently without submitting to a husband.”

“It is a fair retort. Do not forget that my grandfather, uncle and brother were or are Dukes. There is a difference in our circumstances, but thank you for the compliment. I was not courted, there was nothing official between us, but there was a young man. The connection was mutual but before anything could come of it he was killed during the siege of a place called Fort Ticonderoga in ’77 in the revolutionary war with the Americans. No one else matched up to him, at least in my mind. Looking back, I suspect I had young Jeremy on a pedestal, and no one would ever supplant him.”

“I am sorry for being so ill-mannered and intrusive.”

“You have nothing to be apologise for Miss Elizabeth. As I said when you first arrived I am prying, and acknowledge it.”

“Give me a moment while I order my thoughts please. This goes back many years. Growing up, Jane and I both vowed to only marry ‘for the deepest love’. Now I was 11, maybe just turned 12, and was still a child, not yet a woman. When I first uttered it, I did not know what that phrase meant, but over the next four years this became our mantra, our armour against the comments of Mrs. Bennet wanting us married off as quickly as possible. And it contrasted with the attitude of our friend Charlotte Lucas who explicitly proclaimed she was not romantic. She wanted nothing more than a comfortable home, to stop being a burden on her family, and did not care about the gentleman as long as he had a good character. Eight years later she did exactly that, she was more consistent in her beliefs than myself.

“Everything started to change after my aunt’s death in ’07. My society and connections changed overnight and I was no longer in contact with people I had known my whole life. You know of my life over the last four years. I was repeatedly exposed to two things; the attitude of gentlemen to those in trade; and the attitude of all men to an intelligent woman. I do not know the exact date that I changed, my outlook had changed before I was even consciously aware, but I received little to no respect from men and as a result reciprocated the feeling.

“Gradually I came to dismiss all men, other than my father and two uncles. I had taken my father down off his pedestal before I came to London but still considered him a role model for a potential husband. That changed as well. The only men I respect are industrious men. My uncle lost both his legs above the knee, suffers pain in them every day yet works hard day in and day out. He afforded me the opportunity to be just as busy and I grasped it with both hands. The champagne cork has popped, it cannot be resealed.”

“No gentleman had caught your attention?”

Elizabeth paused for a moment.

“My almost immediate reaction was to blurt out ‘no’. But even considering it for a moment I think the answer is still no.”

“Why not seems a question without an easy answer but it not going to stop me asking it.”

“My experiences with men have not been positive.”

“That is a worrying response Miss Elizabeth, please tell me it is not the worst.”

Elizabeth shook her head.

“I must ask you to reconfirm that you will talk of this with no one without my permission.”

Rather than be offended Lady Maria immediately confirmed her silence.

“There are three things, and all of them deal with sex. The first is I have been propositioned to be the mistress of a gentleman three times. That is three separate gentlemen once each not the same man three times. After the third time, I do not let myself be led away from the hearing of Claire. I now remain chaperoned not just physically but verbally and aurally. No gentleman gets a private talk.”

She sighed.

“Well until Mr. Collins in November. Anyway, that is the first side of the triangle of my experiences. The second is even more unusual. There is a house of ill-repute, the Sailor’s Delight, between my uncle’s house and the offices of Gardiner Import/Export. There is a longer way to get to the offices that avoids that street but on occasion time has been of the essence and I have walked past it. Since I moved to London I have never once left my uncle’s home without at least a maid and a footman. And since before Christmas ’07 it has always been Claire and Robert. Often I would have a second footman as well.

“I never spoke to anyone who worked there, but I have eyes and ears, and so got a furthering of my rudimentary education from growing up on an agricultural estate. There were days when it felt like my blush would never subside.”

Lady Maria was exhibiting that blush right then.

“We will return to the Sailor’s Delight shortly. Now you might think this was the most outrageous thing a young maiden could be exposed to. Well I am sorry to tell you that is not the case. Let me explain the layout of my uncle’s offices. There is a reception with his team of clerks working in the open area behind it. Off the reception to the right is a short corridor with two doors. The first leads to my uncle’s waiting area with the door to his private office on the inside wall. It is here that visitors are led if they are unannounced or early for their appointment. The second door in the corridor is where all of his books and records are stored. It was also where my desk was. Think of it as three large rectangles, with the middle one split in two. My uncle’s office has doors not just to his waiting area but also to the files and out to the clerks. The reason for telling you the layout of a tradesman’s office is that there were windows between the storage room with my desk and the waiting area.

“I am sorry to say I heard more vulgar remarks, comments and observations from the men in the waiting area than I ever heard from the women who worked at the Sailor’s Delight.”

Lady Maria did not gasp but merely winced at the revelation.

“If it does not distress you can you share some of them?”

“I am still a maiden, I do not doubt your discretion rather it is embarrassing, bordering on mortifying.”

“We are both maidens but over 50 years I have been exposed to more than my share of inappropriate talk. Mostly from cousins who were not aware I was listening.”

“That is similar to my situation. The windows were sited high on the wall, just below the ceiling for ventilation, they were not masked, this was not some nefarious plot to eavesdrop. They just did not seem to care.”

Elizabeth fought her blush.

“I will get the worst out of the way first, everything to do with me. My physique, whether I could be persuaded to be a kept woman, and worst of all, speculation as to what I would be like in the. I was about to say the marriage bed, but none of them were that honourable, so the mistress bed.”

Elizabeth waved her hand over her face, trying to lessen the mortification of this admission.

“The rest was just an insight into how men act when they are alone. When ladies withdraw at the end of the meal, I now wonder if the polite men from the dinner table talk in such a manner? There were discussions of new debutantes, those in their subsequent seasons. These were often horrifyingly blunt. Endless speculation and gossip over lovers and mistresses, both men and women were commented upon. Other than the comments about myself, I think the worst were discussions on bets recorded at their clubs. Many of the bets were not honourable.”

“They talked about all that in your uncle’s visiting area?”

Elizabeth nodded.

“Of course it was not everyone, it was not even the majority. But it was not just a wicked few either. Probably something between a quarter and a third.”

“And they saw the open windows?”

“I would occasionally wonder whether they did in fact notice them. When I stood in the area and looked around, they were clear and obvious. It was as if they did not care. There were no windows between this room and my uncle’s office. And sadly, they were gentlemen and everyone there was not.”

What Elizabeth did not mention to Lady Maria was the intelligence she gathered over the years. In amongst the caddish behaviour there were interesting nuggets that, at least monetarily, outweighed the embarrassment she suffered.

“I can understand your reticence. You do not think it will change?”

“That I cannot answer. Perhaps the best way I can describe it is that if I am introduced to someone I do not immediately think the best of them and upon later acquaintance am then disappointed. Rather I think very little of them initially and am pleasantly surprised if they do not disappoint me. The key moment is how they deal with an intelligent and inquisitive woman.”

“You have explained that, despite his poor first showing, you enjoyed the discussions with Mr. Darcy.”

It was not phrased as a question but Elizabeth understood the comment.

“He listened to me. He did not question why I chose to read what I did. But at the same time, I made continual reference to my uncle, how I had acted as the mistress of his home, and that the reason for my curiosity was to aid him in his business. I did not know his background, that his uncle was an Earl, but I was sufficiently aware that he travelled in circles superior to my own. He also witnessed my outbursts against Miss Bingley. I was happy to converse with him but I had, have, no aspirations towards him. Unlike Miss Bingley, who could not be more obvious if she took out an advertisement in The Times.”

There was a comfortable silence between them for close to a minute.

“Do you wish to join and further the efforts of the Blue Stocking Society?”

“It is the most likely outcome of my life. It is only two weeks since I have returned to London, I will read and observe over the next few months until I reach my majority. My challenge is that I am no longer needed at my uncle’s offices and with his marriage I am not mistress of his home. Just as in ’07 I will have to create a new routine.”

“I would like to assist you.”

Elizabeth sat very still and unabashedly stared at Lady Maria.

“Why?”

Lady Maria had to stifle a laugh at the blunt question, she could see the upcoming season being very diverting.

“We have maintained a very regular correspondence for two years now. You have met my brother and his wife, and my sister and her husband. You are a gentle-born young lady who is the niece of Sir Edward Gardiner, one of the country’s newest baronets. And before you tie yourself in knots trying to figure out how to ask the question, yes it does make a difference. Not in how I think of you, how I treat you, but in how you will be perceived, judged, by the rest of society.”

“You will not attempt to match-make?”

Peals of laughter.

“Elizabeth, sorry may I call you Elizabeth? You are a very pretty young woman, who when she genuinely smiles is not just pretty but beautiful. You will capture the attention of men without any assistance from me. What I will endeavour to do is provide you with information about those men that call. I will tell you of the known rakes, and those of poor morals.”

Elizabeth chuckled.

“What did I say that was so funny?”

“I live in my uncle’s house on Gracechurch Street in the ward of Bridge. You can smell the Thames when standing outside the front door. I do not expect many callers.”

“We will discuss that later. Will you allow me to act as your sponsor in society this season? You could have a presentation to Queen Charlotte.”

Elizabeth’s face failed to hide her horror at the prospect.

“Let us hope that last one does not come to pass.”

She contemplated what Lady Maria proposed. Did she really want to go through all that scrutiny? But she had to build a life outside of Gracechurch Street.

“I will allow you to assist me, as long as your introductions include meetings with ‘ladies of letters’ not just social occasions.”

Lady Maria Leonard smiled broadly.

“I can agree to that.”

Elizabeth’s initial smile faded as she thought of a fly in the ointment, two flies actually.

“How will you introduce me?”

“How do you mean? You looked worried.”

“Just as back in our initial meeting two years ago, I should be completely honest with you. My parents, although flawed, are not a problem, especially as they will not be in town. Neither will my two oldest sisters cause any problems. However, my youngest two sisters are.”

She stopped, trying to find the right words.

“There is a good chance they could ruin the family name. And soon.”

“And your parents’ response to this threat?”

“Indifference and mocking from my father combined with encouragement from my mother.”

Elizabeth’s blush was worse than when describing the words she overheard.

“Would it be fair to say it is more likely it is a matter of when not if?”

A shame-faced nod.

“Everyone has embarrassing relatives. I will introduce you as Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the niece of Sir Edward Gardiner. Any follow up questions will merely state that the family is from Hertfordshire but you are a ward of your uncle. I doubt that any scandal, although of significance in Meryton, will travel to London.”

“Do you think that is true? I was taught, and have seen it reported in the newspapers many times, that the misfortune of one reflects and impacts on all the other siblings, especially daughters.”

“If the family were residents of London then that might be the case. And I am sure it would be the case in Meryton. I am not trying to dismiss the risk but although your surname is Bennet, you will be tied to Sir Edward Gardiner.”

“He is still a tradesman. Will the Miss Bingleys of the world not be looking for skeletons?”

“There was quite the investigation into his background. Are you aware of the Gardiner family history?”

“My mother, aunt and uncle are the three children of a country solicitor, also called Edward Gardiner. But before that I have no knowledge.”

“Yes, confusingly the men were, and are, all called Edward. Your grandfather was himself the grandson of the gentleman who established the business. He was the fifth son of a minor country squire, from Bedfordshire I believe. Second and subsequent sons have to go out into the world and establish themselves and your great, great grandfather chose the law. It is a respectable career for the son of a gentleman, although training as a barrister is preferred. That was not an option for your ancestor. As a result the descendants are deemed to be tradesmen even although the first was the son of a gentleman. There are two intervening generations but your uncle is now once again a gentleman. They are being ignored, Sir Edward is the descendant of the original Gardiner family from, I do not remember the name of the town, Dunstable maybe. Regardless he is being presented as a lost gentleman returning to his birth right.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Bathurst mentioned it when he and my sister were visiting one day. I suspect if you check back far enough, most country solicitors are descended from the families of gentry.”

“Do you think it will work?”

“To an extent. There is a degree of sophistry to how I have described it yet at the same time Sir Edward has performed services to the crown that demand recognition. And let us not forget the importance of transporting into the country the first legal brandy in nearly 10 years. That might be the most important service of them all.”

Elizabeth was enough of a cynic to know that was the truth. But at the end of a long gruelling day she returned to Gracechurch Street having agreed to allow Lady Maria present her to society. As the carriage rumbled from Mayfair back home Elizabeth did wonder if she had made a mistake.

Her sponsor had no doubts about the arrangement. Even before the carriage had reached its destination she was writing a note to her good friend the Countess of Matlock. There was much to discuss.

--

“William, you seem unhappy to be returning to London?”

Georgiana Darcy’s voice was quiet, almost lost in the noise of the carriage on winter roads. Her brother considered his sister’s words. She was shy, what little confidence she once had, lost from the events of the previous summer, and rarely questioned him. He would answer any questions she raised if it would aid the recovery of her spirit.

“I cannot pretend that leaving Pemberley is not painful. Listen to me, painful is too dramatic. It is the place that I am most happy and leaving it, to travel anywhere, saddens me. But it is necessary, part of my duty to the family.”

“How do you mean?”

“Taking part in society is not something that I enjoy. And to the extent that you can be good or bad at it, I do not think I am very good.”

Georgiana considered the way her brother phrased his response.

“Could you explain that last point further brother?”

Darcy was happy to talk, engage his sister in an extended conversation.

“As the Master of Pemberley, I have two main responsibilities. There are countless others but these are the two that I have come to realise are the most important. The first is as the guardian of the estate. The family came to England with the Conqueror and have owned the lands that comprise the current estate since the end of the 15 th century. So I have 300 years of history to continue, to live up to. When our father died suddenly I did not feel ready to take over. I had hoped, thought, that there would be at least two more decades for me to learn at his side, gradually come to understand all the aspects of the estate. Sadly that was not the case. I was not yet 23 when he passed and the first two years after that event are nothing but a blur. I was fortunate to have a good steward, a young industrious man, and I think that we learned together. We did not repeat our mistakes, and were fortunate the mistakes we did make were not too serious. After more than five years I am more comfortable in my position and understanding.

“All of this has taken place at Pemberley, with people I have known all my life, and where there is forgiveness for mistakes. It has been hard work, there have been tough times, yet I am not daunted by the role thrust upon me. It was far too soon, and I miss our father every day, but you deal with life as it is, not as you want it. Which brings me to my second key responsibility, to provide an heir to carry on the Darcy name and to maintain Pemberley and its surrounding estate. And that process is almost the exact opposite of learning to be the Master of the estate.

“Coming into my inheritance at the age of only 22 transformed me into a prize worthy of a serious chase. As the heir I was already in the sights of the matchmaking mamas but now that I was the Master in my own right, well I was extremely eligible. And I do not deal with this situation at all well. The whole process is just so. I am not sure I can find the right words. I mean I just called courting and marrying someone a process. The largest obstacle is the chasm between what I am looking for in a wife and the Mistress of Pemberley, and how the ladies vying for that position present themselves.”

“Again, can you explain that?”

Darcy might have happy to engage his sister in conversation but Georgiana Darcy was finding this equally fascinating.

“There is little substance to them. I know this will sound silly but it feels like there was a meeting where it was decided what young ladies should discuss. I do not know if any men were invited but I definitely was not.”

Georgiana giggled and her brother basked in that simple sound.

“I know, I did say it was silly. It comes across as insipid. And I do wonder at how much of it is real. The closest example of a married couple in our lives is our aunt and uncle. The Countess is the furthest thing from an insipid young debutante. Did she hide her competence, did she have to hide her competence, to make a good match? I do not feel I can ask the Earl why he married his wife, although with each passing season I come closer to asking the question, whether it is inappropriate or not. So to return to your original question, I do not think I am very good at taking part in society because I find a large section of that same society to be of no interest to me. Despite the fact, by far, the most important remaining responsibility I have is to continue the family.

“Therefore, I am horribly conflicted, taking part, but at the same time trying to keep everyone at arm’s length. Both Richard and Bingley mock me about the Darcy glare, the device I use to keep annoying people away from me. And sadly, the list of annoying people gets longer after every event.”

He scoffed at himself.

“Am I too presumptuous to ask what you are looking for in a wife?”

“No my dear sister, you are not. Because it is a question that I do not know the answer to myself. The best I can explain is that I know what I do not want. I am determined to make more of an effort this season, my responsibility to our family demands it.”

Georgiana Darcy watched her brother put on an enthusiastic mien, but thought back to her initial question. He hardly looked happy at the prospect, and she suspected that was his true feelings on the matter.