Elizabeth Arrives in London Part I

Hello! I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday season. Both of my children were home (which hasn’t happened since May 2021) and we got to spend LOTS of time together while we quarantined. (I even convinced my daughter to watch P&P&Z with me.) 😀 Yep, COVID got us, but we are all well now, they are back to their normal lives, and I don’t have to run the dishwasher twice a day anymore. 😂

I’m apologizing in advance as I had to cut this scene in half. (On the up side, with all the down time over the holidays, I was able to write three chapters so I’m getting closer to done.) For those of you just joining or wanting to reread the prior posts, here are the links:

What if?, What if? Part II, The Letter, Elizabeth’s Perspective, A Walk at Rosings, A Walk at Rosings Part II, What to Do About Wickham, Return to London, Meet the Gardiners, Meet the Gardiners Part II, and Meet the Gardiners Part III, Return to Hertfordshire, and The Problem with Wickham.

(Please forgive any typos – this has not been formally edited.)

The coach carrying Darcy, Georgiana, Bingley, and Philip made its way through the busy streets of London.

“Are you certain they are expecting me?” Georgiana asked for the second time as she wrung her hands. “Miss Elizabeth has just arrived and may not wish to entertain strangers.”

Bingley smiled. “Miss Bennet and Mrs. Gardiner were insistent that you join us as your brother and cousin were already included in our group. They did not wish you to dine alone and were eager to meet you.”

“Mrs. Gardiner spent time in Lambton as a young girl,” Darcy added to ease his sister’s nervousness. “She is familiar with our family. I am certain she will have stories to tell us of our parents.”

Georgiana’s countenance lifted. “Do you think she knew Mother?”

“I suppose we will learn soon enough. Their home is on the next street.”

His sister’s eyes widened, and her complexion paled slightly, so Darcy laid a hand upon hers and gently squeezed her fingers. “They will love you,” he whispered in her ear.

Georgiana nodded but did not say anything further. The carriage drew to a stop and Darcy squeezed his sister’s hand once more when the footman opened the door. He stepped out and then assisted Georgiana from the coach, leading her to the door while Bingley and Philip followed.

The door opened as they approached, and voices could be heard from upstairs. As they were handing off their outerwear, a small form darted towards them while “Thomas!” was heard from the floor above.

“You came! I told our Lizzy you would.” Master Thomas Gardiner rushed forwards and hugged Darcy’s leg. “Did you bring your horse?”

Darcy bent down to be on the boy’s level. “I am afraid I was unable to do so. Bingley and I shall have to return another day for you to have another ride in the park.”

Thomas turned as he realized there were several other individuals in the foyer. His eyes grew large when he saw the officer. “Who’s that?” he whispered in an only slightly softer voice.

“We must wait until we are presented to your parents for introductions.”

The boy blushed but took Darcy’s hand and followed the housekeeper up the stairs to the parlor.

“It appears you neglected to tell us of your new friend,” Philip whispered behind him as Georgiana giggled.

Darcy could only smile and allowed the lad to tug him along at a slightly faster pace than was proper but met his deepest desire to see Elizabeth again.

“See, Lizzy! I told you he would come.” Thomas looked up at Darcy with large eyes. “A gentleman always keeps his promise, right Mr. Darcy?”

“That is correct,” Darcy replied, though his gaze was fixed on the vision before him.

The family party had risen when they entered, all grinning or attempting to hide their amusement, but Elizabeth’s countenance glowed with what might have been embarrassment; her colour was high and she would not meet his gaze directly for any length of time.

“Welcome, Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley,” Mr. Gardiner said with a slight chuckle. “Mr. Darcy, will you do the honours and perform the introductions?”

“Of course,” Darcy replied as he turned to his sister and smiled reassuringly. “My sister, Miss Georgiana Darcy, and my cousin, Colonel Philip Fitzwilliam. May I present Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Lucas.” He looked down at the boy by his side. “This is Master Thomas Gardiner, the young lady standing slightly behind Mrs. Gardiner is Miss Rose Gardiner, and if I am not mistaken, the young lad in Miss Elizabeth’s arms is Master Alexander Gardiner.” This won him a surprised but pleased smile from the lady.

Everyone exchanged pleasantries and they found their seats. As no seat was available by Elizabeth, Thomas led Darcy to the nearest chair and announced, “He didn’t bring the horses today, so he has to come back another day. You can walk with him then, Lizzy, and I will ride with Mr. Bingley.” He looked at Philip and grinned. “Or maybe the colonel would take me for a ride.”

“Thomas,” Mrs. Gardiner said with a hint of censor in her tone.

The boy blushed and lowered his gaze, but Darcy was certain he did not repent his statement, especially when Philip agreed to the plan.

“Well,” Mr. Gardiner said as he stood and laid a hand upon his eldest’s hair. “You have seen the gentleman as we agreed, now it is time to return to the nursery.”

Thomas frowned but turned to Darcy. “Will you come tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow is Sunday,” Elizabeth said as she stood and adjusted Alexander on her hip before taking young Rose’s hand. “Mr. Darcy may prefer to remain at home on the Sabbath.”

“But he could come with Mr. Bingley. He’s here every day,” Thomas said with all the innocence of childhood, causing Philip to hide his laugh with a cough.

“We will discuss the possibility later,” Mr. Darcy said, holding Miss Elizabeth’s gaze. “I would have no hesitation to visiting on Sunday but would not force my presence upon the family as they might have other plans.”

“Did you hear that, Lizzy? He wants to come tomorrow, too.” Thomas grinned, first at Elizabeth and then at Darcy.

“We will see,” Elizabeth said as she motioned for him to say his goodnights.

Thomas performed a perfect bow and said good night to the party, followed by Rose whose curtsey was a bit wobbly and her words barely a whisper. Little Alexander hid his face on Elizabeth’s shoulder.

“I shall return as soon as they are settled with the nurse,” Elizabeth said, then left the room.

“Your son is delightful, Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner,” Philip said with a large grin. “I assure you; it would be a pleasure to accompany my cousin and Master Thomas on a ride in the park.”

“Oh no,” Bingley chimed in with an impish grin. “Darcy is to walk with Miss Elizabeth if she is agreeable. You would be taking my place as Master Thomas was to ride with me.”

Philip raised a brow in Darcy’s direction, but Miss Bennet began a conversation with Georgiana before anything more could be said on the subject.

“Miss Darcy, Miss Lucas is of a similar age as you. She has just arrived from Kent where she and Elizabeth were visiting her sister who is married to our cousin, Mr. Collins. He serves as the rector in Hunsford.”

The young ladies, who were seated together but had said nary a word beyond the normal pleasantries, looked at one another with similar timid expressions.

“Then my aunt is his patroness. How did you find Lady Catherine, Miss Lucas?” Georgiana asked tentatively.

A blush rose on the lady’s cheeks as her gaze fell to her hands which were folded in her lap. “I confess I found her ladyship somewhat intimidating.”

Darcy, who was sitting near enough his sister to hear the exchange, suppressed a smile.

“So do I,” Georgiana responded in a softer voice as she leant closer to Miss Lucas. “Fitzwilliam never forces me to visit as he knows she makes me exceedingly nervous.”

Miss Lucas’s head rose, and shock suffused her countenance. “But she is your aunt.”

“It makes her no less frightening.” Georgiana glanced at Darcy and Philip. “I believe that is why Fitzwilliam always insists that the colonel accompany him when he visits her.”

Darcy’s smile grew and he winked at his sister.

Miss Lucas’s jaw dropped open, but when she saw the exchange between the siblings, she covered her mouth with her hand and giggled.

“Do you like music, Miss Lucas?” Darcy asked.

“I like to dance, and I have had lessons on the piano, but I am not very good. I never perform in public as I cannot keep the rhythm.” She met Georgiana’s gaze. “Lizzy, that is Miss Elizabeth, plays. Everyone in Meryton prefers to hear her play compared to most all the other ladies, but she insists she is not very good. Lady Catherine even had her play at Rosings, more than once.”

Georgiana’s eyes grew larger. “She has played for my aunt? Fitzwilliam said he enjoys listening to Miss Elizabeth play, but I would never be able to perform before Lady Catherine. She is far too demanding.”

Miss Lucas nodded. “Lizzy was not intimidated by Lady Catherine.” She looked about before adding. “In truth, I think she laughed at her ladyship, especially when Lady Catherine insisted she would have been proficient if she had ever learnt to play.”

“Oh, my aunt insists she would excel at everything she has never done.” The two shared a look and giggled behind their hands.

Guilty secret: I keep looking for reasons to write scenes with Thomas. I love him!

I hope you enjoy Maria Lucas and Georgiana Darcy sharing their fears of Lady C. It just felt so right to me.

I’ll finish this scene next month and will hopefully have an update on the writing. Take care, be safe, and listen to your body! Be well everyone!