{"id":2156,"date":"2017-12-27T08:35:54","date_gmt":"2017-12-27T13:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/?p=2156"},"modified":"2021-12-17T12:26:47","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T17:26:47","slug":"chapter-12-spring-sentiment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elizabethannwest.com\/author\/readingroom\/chapter-12-spring-sentiment\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 12 A Spring Sentiment"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Well that secret didn’t last long….<\/p>

XOXOXO Elizabeth Ann West<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t

Chapter 12 - A Spring Sentiment, a Pride and Prejudice Variation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

Elizabeth returned from her unfashionable morning walk in Hyde Park to see her older sister exiting the Matlock study with Colonel Fitzwilliam.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cJane!\u201d Elizabeth rushed forward to hug her sister. \u201cIs anything the matter? Aunt? I knew I should have called the doctor last time!\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Bewildered, Jane looked at the colonel, then back to her sister. \u201cNo, no, everything is fine. What is this about Aunt?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

Frowning, Elizabeth still flushed from her exercise, and her hunger increased a notch. \u201cShe said it was a normal pain, her body adjusting. . . but I thought . . .\u201d Elizabeth looked at the colonel who was admiring a perfectly shined suit of armor and realized this discussion was not appropriate. Lady Matlock descended the stairs to find both Bennet sisters and her son.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cLovely, Miss Bennet, you have come. See, I knew she would be willing to shop; all women are.\u201d Lady Matlock took her son\u2019s arm to be escorted into the dining room to break her fast.<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cLizzie…,\u201d Jane whispered. \u201cWhat is Lady Matlock talking about?\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cSsshh, I was going to give your regrets, but now it is too late. Smile, you\u2019re going to the modiste.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cBut it\u2019s so expensive!\u201d Jane frowned as she did not wish to spend more money on gowns when she might very well need her savings, and Lydia\u2019s, to keep the family safe, once, that is, either Mr. Wickham was found, or a living arrangement could be found from the colonel. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cWhy ever did you come this morning?\u201d Elizabeth asked, but they were interrupted by the colonel returning to fetch them. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cLadies, I believe your presence is required.\u201d He smiled and gave Miss Bennet a wink behind Elizabeth\u2019s back. Jane nodded to the gentleman, thankful for his interference, but not sure how long she was going to be able to keep hiding secrets from her favorite sister. Her original plan was to avoid Lizzie\u2019s presence as much as possible, and on the very first day, she had failed miserably. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

After another pin-pricking, dress-shopping expedition, the ladies of Matlock House and guests found a pretty little pastry shop on the Promenade for refreshment. They had just made their order when Mr. Darcy arrived, much to the happiness of Elizabeth. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAnd were we successful in new silks and satins to wear?\u201d Darcy looked to Miss Mary for an answer, and the young woman smiled. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIndeed, and Lizzie and Jane even talked me into short sleeves!\u201d The table shared a laugh, and Lady Matlock began a conversation with Jane and Mary to give the couple a small amount of privacy in public. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cDid you meet with Mr. Adams? Was he able to draft all of the paperwork?\u201d Elizabeth asked Mr. Darcy in earnest. He nodded. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt was a smooth transaction.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Jane\u2019s ear pricked up at the talk of money transfers. \u201cWhat paperwork? I thought your marriage settlement was signed weeks ago.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOf course, of course, Miss Bennet. This was a new scheme devised by the lovely future Mrs. Darcy. I was only happy to be a party.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth sighed and shook her head. \u201cHe’s much too modest. I simply asked Mr. Darcy to arrange to send my dowry back to the Gardiners to help tide them over. Uncle will be out of work for nearly six months, and this is a safety net.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThough I, and my best men, will stay on top of the business to ensure inventory is handled properly,\u201d Mr. Darcy clarified. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Lady Matlock cleared her throat, looking around at the members of London society beginning to pay attention to their very inappropriate subject of money and trade. \u201cHave you heard that Hamlet opens next week? The delay has been most dreadful, but when your Ophelia falls ill, you cannot very well allow the show to go on. Darcy, you should take Elizabeth and the Miss Bennets! Opening night will be the perfect time for that golden gown, my dear. You\u2019ll make all of the other debutantes green with envy.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cI had planned to take Miss Elizabeth as a surprise, Aunt Maggie.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Elizabeth looked down at her lap, saddened that poor William\u2019s plans were spoiled. Her insides twisted at the care that he would have to surprise her thus, and she only looked up when she realized Jane was speaking. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMr. Bingley mentioned the theater, but I had yet to give him an answer.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh, not the odious Bingleys. Such upstarts,\u201d Lady Matlock frowned, \u201cI\u2019m terribly sorry, but that sister of his with her strong perfumes and unconscionable fashion choices. I will not attend if they are to join the party.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cBingley is my oldest friend. They can sit in the Darcy box.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThat is certainly fine, but you and Miss Elizabeth and the Bennet sisters will sit in the Matlock box. It is time to begin Elizabeth\u2019s acceptance into society after the ruckus Catherine caused.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cKitty? What has my sister done?\u201d Jane asked, sweetly with concern. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cNo, dear, not the younger, my sister-in-law. Lady Catherine was most vexing at a few events at the Carrigans\u2019, not that I ever accept her invitations. Her father was in trade, and she made a marriage of convenience for a title. And from what I\u2019ve heard, Miss Bingley was not singing any of your praises, either. I would be very careful around that one.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

The sour taste of bile rose up Darcy\u2019s esophagus. He had warned Charles about his sister, but apparently, it had fallen on deaf ears. \u201cI shall not extend the invitation to Charles.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

Saddened further, Elizabeth reached under the table and squeezed Darcy\u2019s hand, causing him to look at her with such loneliness in his eyes, a loneliness he only showed her. As Jane sat next to Elizabeth, she caught the brief exchange between the couple and doubled her resolve to keep Lydia\u2019s situation from the rest of the family. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cMr. Darcy, with all of the engagements you and Elizabeth will need to attend, might not Georgiana appreciate an extended visit from Kitty? I hate to impose . . .\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s no imposition What a wonderful idea, Miss Bennet! Why had I not thought to put the two young ladies together? After all, I will be sponsoring them both next Season.\u201d Darcy could already see the wheels turning in his aunt\u2019s mind. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cAs my aunt says, it is no imposition, and I will ask Georgiana\u2019s tutors to begin an evaluation of Miss Catherine. Perhaps this summer she can reside with Georgiana here in London and improve her mind.\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cOh, Mr. Darcy, I\u2019m not so sure about that. Kitty has never been too keen to learn. . .\u201d <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThat was before, Lizzie, but she\u2019s changed. She has greatly improved her mind with writing, and I\u2019m certain she would relish the opportunity to learn more.\u201d Mary spoke up. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThen it\u2019s settled. I shall send a note this afternoon to have her packed and sent to Darcy House.\u201d Lady Matlock beamed at her growing little family at the table. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

\u201cThere\u2019s no need, milady. I will share the invitation when I return.\u201d Jane smiled and received a glowing smile in return. <\/span><\/span><\/p>

After the refreshments were enjoyed, the parties separated with Mr. Darcy offering Jane a ride home in his carriage, which she readily accepted. It was the one time Elizabeth found herself to be slightly jealous of her sister. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n
\nAdvertisement<\/b>\n<\/center>\n[\/swpm_protected]<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
[swpm_protected not_for=\"3-4\" do_not_show_protected_msg=\"1\"]\n
\n\n