Mr. Darcy’s Twelfth Night Chapter 4 & 5

Thanks to the wedding, the only introduction that needed to be made was between Mrs. Darcy and Miss Darcy. Though the pleasantries were exchanged in the parlor, it was only once the three women, Lady Matlock, Mrs. Darcy, and Miss Darcy, were inside the Matlock carriage that Elizabeth could begin to see her new sister’s personality firsthand. Georgiana Darcy was incredibly shy. And she sat on the bench next to her aunt, rather lost in her own thoughts, as Lady Matlock dominated the conversation.

“I applaud you for dragging my nephew out of the country and into civilization. He has not been one to dine and dance nearly as much as he ought, and I am beginning to see what a compliment your presence shall be to his life,” Lady Matlock paid Mrs. Darcy the high compliment, rather pleased with herself in her platitudes.

Elizabeth gulped, seeing parallels between Lady Matlock and the other aunt of Mr. Darcy’s she was rather poorly acquainted with, Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

“Yes, your Ladyship. Though I will confess I am a creature of the countryside myself, preferring a jaunt in the woods as much as a ballroom, any day. And I cannot claim any interest in changing, fundamentally, Mr. Darcy’s nature,” Elizabeth said, watching Georgiana’s expression more than her superior’s.

“I was warned you speak your mind most passionately. But I caution you in setting your resolve so firm. My nephew has been a bachelor these many years since his father died, but as he is now married, he will be viewed differently. The expectations are high for the Darcy family to prosper and take their place in society. You must be up to the task, my dear, or I fear there shall be consequences my nephew has not fathomed.”

Elizabeth met Lady Matlock’s gaze and caught Miss Darcy’s cringe in her peripheral vision. “There is a stubbornness about me that never can bear to be frightened at the will of others. My courage always rises at every attempt to intimidate me,” Elizabeth stated, feeling a strong sense of having had this exact conversation before. Miss Darcy’s eyes widened in shock at her new sister across from her, and Elizabeth flashed the young woman a smile.

Lady Matlock nodded, and to Elizabeth’s surprise, did not echo the sentiments of the other Darcy aunt Elizabeth knew. There was no discussion about polluting the shades of Pemberley, or unsuitableness of their match. Instead, the countess accepted her new niece’s sentiments fully, and laid out her plan.

“That was precisely what I was hoping you’d say. We shall purchase you a wardrobe to match that pluck! We are here,” her ladyship announced just as the carriage rolled to a stop. As her ladyship took her precedence to alight from the carriage first, Elizabeth started to tell her she already possessed a generous wardrobe, but stopped when she noticed the footman whispering into her ladyship’s ear. She was so distracted by the sight, Miss Darcy reminded Elizabeth to take her due.

“You must go next, Mrs. Darcy,” she said quietly, only when the pause had become longer than what was fashionable.

Elizabeth exhaled impatiently. “My apologies, Miss Darcy, I’ve lived a lifetime being the second daughter, I’m afraid my natural count is to be the third to climb down, not the second,” she laughed, putting Miss Darcy at ease.

Inside Lady Matlock’s modiste held an entirely new world to Elizabeth. First, they met Lady Jersey and made pleasantries, with Lady Matlock doing most of the talking. Somehow, Elizabeth passed muster as Lady Jersey said he adieu and promised a dinner invitation to both the Matlocks and the Darcys.

When that was done, the ladies were seated in what felt more like a high-end parlor than a shop and served tea. Elizabeth dreaded the moment she would be stood upon a stool, in nothing but her chemise, and she wondered if Lady Matlock would intrude upon that moment much like her mother always had.

But instead, the conversation continued between Lady Matlock and the shop owner’s wife, Madam Walters, as though Elizabeth and Georgiana were not even there. And truthfully, Elizabeth had to focus greatly to follow the thread of conversation because the majority of her concern rested with the young woman who had not been able to attend their wedding, despite writing four pages of felicitations to them. While Elizabeth appreciated Lady Matlock’s care for her future as Mrs. Darcy, the introduction with Miss Darcy, her new sister, was not going as she would have liked. Sitting next to the young woman, Elizabeth could feel her uncertainty as she sat stiffly and upright on the settee. 

“Indeed, I am well met at the moment. Four gowns and accompanying accoutrements could be ordered, though I am very busy this time or year, your Ladyship,” Madame Walters explained.

“Then add a rush premium, her husband is good for the coin. But we will need to see a selection of plates and samples. Are you certain a fifth and a coat cannot be managed?”

Madame Walters brightened at the explanation that Mr. Darcy could handle the bills. “It is not a question of cost,”

“Of course it is! It is always a question of cost! My niece requires your best!”

Madame Walters calmly sipped her tea, and Elizabeth’s cheeks burned with embarrassment. Her mother negotiated similarly when they shopped in Meryton, and the experience was similarly unpleasant. As the main subject of the fuss, Mrs. Darcy felt honor bound to find her voice and find it quickly.

“Madame Walters, I wish to thank you for making time for me today. I understand you’ve done so without great notice?” Elizabeth asked, and the highly desired mantua-maker nodded while Lady Matlock sat uncomfortably, rather astonished that the new Mrs. Darcy would undermine her efforts so brazenly. “I believe that our family’s plans to leave London so early were in particular out of desire to see Miss Darcy. As she is now here,” Elizabeth turned to smile brightly at the young woman next to her, including her in the conversation, “I do not believe there is quite the rush on my items.” Finally, turning towards Lady Matlock, she added, “If we could select a fifth look and a coat to be made, delivered within the fortnight, I should be most grateful.” Elizabeth finished and rested her final gaze on Madame Walters.

The woman held a slackened expression, and silence reigned in the shop. The seconds passed and the only sign Elizabeth gave of discomfort was taking a deeper breath, then sitting up straighter in her seat. Slowly, Madame Walters raised her left hand and held it up in the manner of a queen giving a great edict. A line of young women began to file out from the back rooms, each one carrying something new. The refreshments were replaced with fresh cut fruit and more delicate desserts, baskets of fabric samples were carried in, and the table before them was suddenly full of sketches of the latest fashions from Paris.

“You knew I would like her,” Madame Walters commented, before leaning forward to adjust the fashion plates based on her own tastes for her newest client, Mrs. Darcy. She quickly put aside the designs more fitting a maiden than a married woman, but likewise jettisoned any fashions too matronly for the youthful exuberance before her. Elizabeth watched with fascination as the overwhelming display became a lineup of just a dozen dresses.

“Let’s just say, I had my suspicions,” Lady Matlock answered, leaning forward to match Madame, and instantly pressing two designs in the line towards her. “These two, for certain.”

Elizabeth Darcy cleared her throat, making both older women laugh.

“Forgive me, but am I not to be consulted?” she asked, good-naturedly as Madame Walters slid the two Matlock chosen designs back into line. “Hmmm, let me see,” Elizabeth said, inspecting the first plate, a long evening gown with sleeves to the elbow. “No, thank you, I believe I would feel quite restrained,” she commented, looking to Miss Darcy to include the young woman.

“Oh, but Madame could modify the sleeve to an open cut with a ribbon tie,” Lady Matlock tried to defend one of the two designs she had selected, but Elizabeth shook her head.

“Mr. Darcy has probably not told you yet, but I dearly love to dance. And I never wear gowns with a sleeve in a ballroom if I can help it,” was all Mrs. Darcy would say, without explaining further that when she danced, she did so with such vigor, she routinely flushed with heat from the experience. But she had expressed enough that no one asked for more. Still, Elizabeth did not wish to be contrary for the sake of being contrary, so she smiled at her new aunt and pushed the second design she had selected, an evening gown with a cap sleeve and a v-styled neckline forward. “But could the bodice be cut in a similar style to this gown?” Elizabeth asked, but Lady Matlock interrupted.

“No, my dear, the entire point of a gown like that is to show off your ample bosom. Many ladies cannot dream to wear such a gown until they have had a child, but you, with your figure, would look sublime!” Lady Matlock complimented Elizabeth, making her turn red in embarrassment.

“Yes, but I’m not accustomed to wearing my neckline in that style—”

“Of course not! I should hope your mother was not encouraging such a fashion for her daughters before they were married!” Madame Walters teased, not knowing that Elizabeth’s mother had in fact suggested a more risque display of her décolletage on more than one occasion, but that Elizabeth’s own modesty had won out. Thus, Mrs. Darcy felt even less comfortable in the discussion. 

A small cough next to her brought everyone’s focus to Miss Darcy, who they had almost forgotten was there.

“I believe that my brother would love such a gown on you, Mrs. Darcy, and perhaps Madame could also fashion a lace topped petticoat and one plain to go with the gown?” Miss Darcy’s voice grew quieter and quieter as she lost her nerve halfway through her attempt to defend her new sister. But Elizabeth nodded vigorously as she understood her sister’s plan halfway through.

“Yes! That would allow me to try the gown in both fashions, a more open one, or one with a slight touch of modesty,” she reinforced Georgiana’s plan. “And the main gown, would that be in a similar powder blue?” Elizabeth asked, referencing the fashion plate before them.

“Prussian blue!” Madame Walters exclaimed, pulling a piece of the rich, blue silk from the basket and holding it out for Elizabeth’s inspection. “Yes, feel the damask,” she said, offering the fabric swatch to her client. Mrs. Darcy readily accepted the expensive piece of silk and her eyes widened. “Hold it up, if you please, against your complexion,” Madame Walters instructed and Elizabeth obliged, feeling slightly awkward as she hesitated. But Madame Walters became so animated, that Elizabeth only lightly blushed as she complimented Elizabeth’s skin tone and high cheekbones.

“That should be your gown for Twelfth Night and I shall lend you my sapphires if Darcy doesn’t have any here,” Lady Matlock pronounced, and as Elizabeth tried to say she couldn’t possibly accept, Georgiana grew more bold to push a design forward herself. The gown had not only a plunging V-neckline like the first, but three rows of flounces on the skirt hem and instead of cap sleeves, the sleeves were short and pushed off the shoulder completely.

“What about this one in that emerald silk?” Georgiana asked, earning a nod of approval from Madame Walters.

“This young one has a good eye. Will you be debuting this Season?” she asked, watching Miss Darcy carefully.

When the direct question caught Miss Darcy off guard, Elizabeth interrupted to agree to the gown and reach for the emerald silk, handing back the Prussian blue. The matter was dropped as Elizabeth eagerly asked questions about changes to that gown, and was soundly dismissed as well.

After three more designs were chosen, plus a riding habit that Elizabeth explained she did not need but was overruled by both Lady Matlock and Miss Darcy, the last selections included two coats, with one lined in fur for when they went to Pemberley later in the winter.

With agreements made for two gowns to be delivered that week, and the remaining items within the fortnight, Mrs. Darcy’s order was carefully noted on parchment by one of Madame Walters’ assistants. Finally, despite her earlier embarrassments, and desire to return to her husband’s side, Elizabeth felt bold enough to ask if it was time for her measurements to be taken.

“Measurements? Here?” Madame Walters looked confused, especially as her next client for the day had arrived. “No, my new friend, I shall visit your home tomorrow with my assistants with the fabrics we have selected. We always fit our clients in their homes where they are the most comfortable,” she explained, finding the unassuming airs of Mrs. Darcy utterly refreshing compared to the conniving social climbers she usually dealt with.

Elizabeth Darcy thanked Madame Walters for her time and expertise, and promised to give the new designs a fair consideration.

“Absolutely, for once others see your figure wearing my designs, I shall not have an appointment available from now until July!” Madame Walters jested, and they all shared a laugh. Then she made sure to add she would always make time for Lady Matlock and Mrs. Darcy. Finally, turning to Miss Darcy, making it clear she had not forgotten her earlier question, she spoke to the youngest woman in the party directly. “And when you debut, you must come see me. We shall accentuate your height so that you turn heads like Aphrodite herself!”

Miss Darcy mumbled her appreciation for the compliment, and the Matlock carriage was called to take them back to Darcy House. When they were safely in the carriage, Elizabeth finally had the nerve to confess what had bothered her the most about the appointment.

“I did not ask to see the final bill and now I am afraid my husband will be very cross when he learns all that we have purchased,” Elizabeth lamented as they slowly made their way through the afternoon traffic of Mayfair.

“The bill? What silly worry is there over that? Fitzwilliam will pay it, and that is that. You cannot have thought to embarrass him by acting like a pauper. My dear, in London it is all about how you appear to be. And thankfully in your case, my nephew is more than flush to carry the day. He might gripe or complain because he has never had to dress a woman in Town. But you will need three to four gowns a day during the height of the Season.”

Elizabeth’s stomach felt to have fallen somewhere by her knees at the very idea of a wardrobe so large! “But then my clothing would need their own carriage to get home to Pemberley!” she exclaimed and both Lady Matlock and Miss Darcy laughed.

“A carriage and a wagon are necessary for my clothing. Lord Matlock grew so tired of it, that now I keep a full wardrobe in both Town and country!” Lady Matlock explained light-heartedly, and Elizabeth chuckled along. 

Her letter to Jane would have to include not only the most enjoyable shopping experience she’d ever had for a gown, but also warn her dear sister at the sheer number of frocks she would have to avail herself of before she and Mr. Bingley could expect to spend a lengthy time in London.

No wonder Miss Bingley was always so talkative about her fashion! For Elizabeth to procure such a wardrobe in addition to what she already owned, she would need to visit the mantua maker nearly every day for weeks on end! She was just about to remark as much, but the carriage finally slowed in front of Darcy House. It was just well, she was honestly afraid if she pointed out such a ridiculous commitment to shopping would be necessary to buy that many gowns, Lady Matlock would begin to make appointments!