The Trouble With Horses: A Pride & Prejudice Novella Variation (7 page)

CHAPTER 7

No more sadness, no more moping
. That was the creed she whispered once more under her breath. Another morning of gray sky in London greeted her from the window and Elizabeth Bennet listened to her sister Mary snoring softly beside her. Gently rising, Elizabeth wore her nicest frock and promised herself that today would be exciting. Back home, her other sisters would be readying for the ball, and her aunt and uncle had wisely planned an outing to the theatre despite Mary's complaints that she was still too fatigued from traveling to possibly attend.

Greeting her uncle at the breakfast table, Elizabeth enjoyed a cup of tea while he drank the stronger coffee that was available.

“Do you have any new shipments coming in?” Elizabeth asked while buttering her toast. Her uncle didn't lower the newspaper as he answered that he might. Miffed, Elizabeth looked back at her plate and didn't see him lower a corner to wink at her.

Shuffling the paper closed, Uncle Gardiner realized his brother Bennet had not been overdramatic when he described Lizzie as despondent. He took a sip of his coffee and caught his niece’s eye when she finally looked up at him.

“We received a ship earlier this week, that is why I was so pressed to meet you and Mary at the inn. I am going down to my warehouses this morning if you'd like to tag along?”

Elizabeth eyes sparkled, and she happily nodded as her aunt entered the room. “We'll raid the silks you have Edward when I come this afternoon to collect Lizzie and take her and Mary to the
modiste.”

Elizabeth began to protest that she and Mary had brought plenty of dresses with them when her Aunt Gardiner gave her a quick hug around her shoulders.

“Darling, of course you did, but you're here to have a bit of fun and nothing is better than a new dress or two to wear to the exhibition and perhaps few other surprises along the way!”

Delighted, Elizabeth's eyes widened at the mention of the Royal Exhibition of antiquities from ancient Greece and Rome. She had dearly wished to see the vases and statues, but feared without a planned visit to London she would miss them before they were put away for the holiday season.

Elizabeth finished her breakfast and announced she fancied a walk in the park next door before attending to the warehouses with her uncle. The two Gardiners exchanged a look and silently agreed that was a poor idea given the circumstances. Instead, Uncle Gardiner downed the rest of his coffee, kissed his wife, and announced he was ready to depart.

In the carriage, Elizabeth watched as the London streets readied for a day of wandering wares and children quick to run any errand for a coin or two. The ride was of a short duration as her uncle purposely resided close to his warehouses though he could easily afford a more stylish neighborhood. As he opened the door and allowed Elizabeth to step in to see dozens and dozens of wooden crates before her,
her Uncle had another secret to share.

“In the far corner over there, you'll find a number of new books recently from American shores courtesy of my tobacco dealer.”

Squealing, Elizabeth wasted no time in shedding her pelisse and gloves in her Uncle's office and donning the apron usually reserved for her aunt's use.

Hours later, covered happily in tobacco dust and holding two precious treasures of novels by American authoress Susanna Rowson her aunt came to collect her with a most displeased look. Ordering Elizabeth to make use of the basin in Edward's office, Elizabeth complied with thoughts about which novel she planned to read first. As she washed up, she decided on
Charlotte Temple.

Once she was done, Elizabeth joined her aunt in the cloth area of the warehouse and found herself smiling at the prettiest apricot muslin. Images of the gown with the rosettes on the shoulder immediately came to mind and she begged her aunt and uncle for a few yards of the fabric. With laughter, the two readily agreed and Mary, Elizabeth, and Madeline Gardiner carried out yards of fabric to the carriage.

Her slippers had barely brushed the cobblestones in front her aunt's modiste when a voice called out her name.

“Miss Elizabeth! Miss Elizabeth!”

Cringing, Elizabeth regretted turning around as soon as she recognized the voice belonged to no other than Mr. Wickham.

Ever the perfectly performing gentleman, Wickham graciously condescended to carry all of the fabric from the carriage for the ladies after introductions were made. Before he could leave, Mr. Wickham generously complimented both her aunt and sister, though only the older woman seemed pleased by the attention.

“It is a wonder to see you here in London, Mr. Wickham. Were you not anticipating Mr. Bingley's ball tonight?” Elizabeth asked, with a raised eyebrow.

“Regrettably, I was most inclined to attend the ball but a lowly soldier like myself must make his way in the world and the good impression of his superiors is the surest way. Colonel Forster had a most pressing message to headquarters and the good Captain Carter allowed me the pleasure of delivering it.”

“How happy for you that missing the ball will come with its own benefits.”

“Forgive me, Miss Elizabeth, but you too appear to be forgoing the ball. I hope there was no painful reason for your absence?”

Elizabeth gasped that Mr. Wickham would bring up the gossip of Meryton, but calmed herself expertly. Today was determined to be a happy day even if she had to force every moment to be so.

She laughed to cover her true emotions. “Fear not, Mr. Wickham. My sister Mary and I were planning to visit my aunt and uncle for ages.”

Mary took a deep breath through her nose and sensed that her sister was struggling to keep up the charade. Steeling herself for conversation she rarely deigned to engage in, she felt it was her Christian duty to be helpful.

“We are planning to visit the Royal Exhibition in a few days, and the theatre this evening. It's unfortunate that you must hurry back to Hertfordshire, Mr. Wickham, and are unable to enjoy London.”

“Indeed, with the streets so nearly deserted, it feels like we have the whole city to ourselves!” Elizabeth again chuckled and looked at Mary, beaming at the sister she had never given enough notice. She breathed easier knowing that Mary was on her side to help stymie the vicious words and lies being swapped like extra vegetables from the garden.

“How fortunate then that I am able to inform you I have a week of leave to enjoy the sights and diversions of London myself! Mrs. Gardiner, with your permission, I would be delighted to escort you and your nieces to the Royal Exhibit perhaps on Monday?”

Wearily, Mrs. Gardiner thanked Mr. Wickham and gave him the direction of the home so that he may call.

Wickham bowed and smiled as he exited the shop. He couldn't believe his luck, both to stumble across Miss Elizabeth and to hear of their plans. So perhaps he had watched the Gardiner carriage from his own horse once he learned where Darcy's little mistress had scurried away to, but he wasn't surprised to see the woman shopping for finer things. It would take more charm than usual, but he was determined to weasel his way in and take away the first woman he had seen Darcy pay attention to in years. After all, he owed Darcy a comeuppance.

~~~
♥~~~♥~~~

Netherfield Park was illuminated with torches for a full mile from the drive to the grand staircase entrance and Darcy was finishing his preparations as his older cousin barged into his room.

Without so much as a word, Richard helped himself to a glass of Darcy's personal brandy and found a comfortable seat by the fire.

“A toast! To never needing to worry about the color of my dress coat!” Richard grinned devilishly as he drank more of the spirits and Darcy scowled at him in the mirror.

Darcy fastened his cufflinks and poured himself a glass as well.

“You won't be so smart when you are sought after as the son of an earl.”

“Second son of an earl. Far too low, even for these mamas.”

Darcy shook his head. He could think of one particular mother who would have no qualms at all about throwing her daughters into the arms of an army colonel, earl's son or not! “I think you underestimate the perceived value of the military in this neighborhood.”

Richard shrugged as a petite hand knocked on the door and Georgiana Darcy stood very demurely in a gown of all white. Both gentlemen stood up and bowed as she curtsied and giggled and Darcy had to catch his breath. His sister was a grown woman before him, and all he could think of was the small, knock-kneed little girl who begged him to give her ride after ride on her pony.

“Georgie, you look splendid!” Richard was the first to approach his cousin and kiss her hand.

Frowning, Darcy realized the number of militia men who would be in attendance, though not a particular one he had managed to manipulate into running an errand to London, he offered his arm to his sister.

“Don't worry Brother, I shall not dance and simply observe this evening.” She tried to break through his frozen facade with a smile and was rewarded with a view of his usually disguised dimples.

“I'm sorry Georgiana, this is more difficult for me than I imagined. But better a ball in the countryside for your first exposure to the marriage market than the drawing rooms of Lady Sefton.”

Together, the orphaned siblings of Pemberley descended the stairs as the receiving line came to a close. Happy his cousin and sister had arrived, Darcy was able to forgo the first set with Caroline Bingley as his cousin, the second son of an earl, took precedence over himself as a lowly, though wealthy, gentleman.

Darcy escorted Georgiana close to Miss Charlotte Lucas and made the introduction hoping to see Elizabeth nearby. As Miss Lucas conducted the heavy lifting in the conversation with Georgiana, she interrupted Darcy's not-so-subtle inspection of the ballroom.

“She won't be attending tonight.” Charlotte whispered as Lady Lucas had happily taken over amusement of Georgiana and introduced her other daughter Maria.

Giving Miss Lucas a furtive glance, Darcy pretended to not know who she was talking about.

“Miss Elizabeth. Her father sent her to London because of the gossip swirling around about you two.”

Panic-stricken, Mr. Darcy paled as he listened quietly to the horrific rumors that were circulating about him and Miss Elizabeth. He took great pride in always behaving as a gentleman and now the one woman of true wit and kindness he had ever met was a victim of society's biting tongue. It would not do, not do at all.

Checking that his sister was in safe hands with the Lucas women who as a lowly titled family were already planning calls on Georgiana in London, Darcy offered to escort Miss Lucas to the punch bowl where he could see Mr. Bennet merrily drinking and observing his neighbors. He couldn't very well march over to the man with the entire county watching his every move.

As the two made their way, Mr. Darcy was stopped in his tracks by a short, greasy looking man who bowed ridiculously low and spoke with too large a volume.

“Mr. Darcy! May I humbly pay my deepest respects to your honorable person? Your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, my most generous and magnanimous benefactress, did beseech me to visit my cousin of the estate I shall inherit and I was most delighted to hear of the great service my cousins were able to serve you upon your most unfortunate accident.”

Shaking his head at the utter nonsense this man had spouted, Mr. Darcy was on edge as he spied Mr. Bennet beginning to move away from the punch bowl.

“Pardon me, I didn't hear you name, sir.”

“Oh, forgive me, I was most negligent in my introduction. It's Mr. Collins, sir, I am the most humble parson of your Lady Catherine.”

“Yes, yes” Darcy answered quickly, keeping a keen eye on Mr. Bennet as he weaved between the groups of people standing around and exited the ball room entirely. “Er, Mr. Collins, have you had the pleasure of meeting Miss Lucas?”

“Why no, I should say not--”

“Wonderful, I was just thinking that perhaps Miss Lucas would care to join the next set?” He looked down upon her and was a little surprised to see Miss Charlotte staring back at him with utter jubilation in her eyes. Thankfully, he had measured the toadying man of his aunt with great care and his intention was carried out.

“I would be most humbled Miss Lucas if you would join me for a dance.” Mr. Collins proudly offered with his chest puffed out.

Glancing at Mr. Darcy and Mr. Collins back and forth, Charlotte struggled for an answer before accepting Mr. Collins' hand. If she didn't accept, she would be prevented from dancing for the rest of the evening, even if she wasn't likely to receive many partners. Perhaps Mr. Darcy would ask her to dance later.

No longer caring who saw him, Mr. Darcy dashed out of the ballroom to look both directions for signs of Mr. Bennet. Seeing no visible indication of where the man had escaped to, for a moment he feared that perhaps Mr. Bennet returned home after seeing his daughters and wife safely delivered. Deciding he'd worry about that possibility if he couldn't find the man in the few rooms open for the ball, Darcy started in the dining room to see if Elizabeth's father had simply been hungry.

Only Mr. Hurst and a few men he didn't recognize were loitering around the refreshments but seeing Mr. Hopkins talking with Sir Lucas did spark Darcy's memory. Elizabeth loved books and he seriously doubted that she derived that love from her mother.