Page 101 of To Love And To Cherish
A carriage rolled up, and they all rushed to the window. A tall, elegant woman descended, and moments later the butler announced: "Lady Helen, Countess of Matlock."
She entered and took them in at a glance. "Well, well. You must be Mrs. Darcy."
"Yes, my lady," Elizabeth curtsied.
"And your sister, I presume. You look very much alike."
After Elizabeth completed the introductions, Lady Helen stepped closer to her. "My dear, you will do very well. You are elegant, and blessedly, you do not screech."
The countess laughed. "Fitzwilliam could never endure a screecher."
"Indeed," Elizabeth smiled, "he would not tolerate it."
"Let us sit," said the Countess. "I am Aunt Helen to you."
She kissed Georgiana and assessed her. "My dear, I can nearly see your ankles. Fitzwilliam tells me you visited Madame Dupree’s?"
"Yes, Aunt. We chose habits and day dresses, but no evening or ball gowns yet."
"Good. We shall see to that." She turned to Elizabeth. "I will host a ball for you and Fitzwilliam in eight weeks. Elizabeth, have you received instruction in etiquette?"
"No, Aunt Helen."
"Then a master shall come tomorrow. You need at least six weeks. You must be prepared for society, if not for your own sake, then for your future children."
She continued, "If you approve Abby Gibbs, she and I will accompany you to Madame Dupree’s to select your ball gowns. You shall need at least three. I cannot persuade Fitzwilliam to attend any more than that."
The three women found this most amusing. Elizabeth smiled and began to relax.
"Miss Abby Gibbs," the butler announced.
Lady Helen greeted the maid. “Abby, this is Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy. Elizabeth, I’ve known Abby for several years. Everyone knows her, for she transformed Mrs. Danville, a very plain young woman, into someone quite striking. Abby is remarkably skilled at dressing hair and designing gowns to flatter any figure.” Turning to Abby, she asked, “Have you taken a new position?"
"I serve the Fitzroy sisters, my lady. Miss Elena Fitzroy is to come out next year."
"I see. Agnes Fitzroy will be cross with me, but I am used to that. May we hire you away?"
Abby turned to Elizabeth. "Will I be permitted to visit my family in Tideswell?"
"Yes," said Elizabeth warmly. "We will see you delivered and returned on your free day."
"Then, Mrs. Darcy, I shall be honored to serve you."
Lady Helen smiled. "Good. We begin at once."
When the maid had gone, Lady Helen asked, "Do you play? What are your accomplishments?"
"I play and sing, Aunt Helen."
"Then sing for me now. I must know whether to hire a music master."
Elizabeth sat at the pianoforte and sangSweet William’s Ghost.
"A lovely voice," Lady Helen said. "But you must practice more on the pianoforte. Your skills at playing do not match your lovely voice. I will send a master. Elizabeth, you will learn three or four songs very well, just enough to get you through the next twelve to sixteen weeks. I doubt we will keep Fitzwilliam in town any longer than that."
She rose. "Now, I must leave. I have much to plan. We shall dine with the Viscount in four days. My son Phillip and his wife will help ease your way into society."
After she left, the girls turned to one another. Georgiana spoke first: "Well, Elizabeth, at least we shall be well dressed."
