Page 63 of The Scarred Duchess
The Bennets’ carriage arrived on Gracechurch Street early one October afternoon. Aunt Gardiner pointed Mr Legget to the servant’s entrance and ushered her nieces inside and up the stairs. Once Jane and Elizabeth had changed attire, they joined her in the parlour for tea, where the three spent an enjoyable hour catching up on the news in each household.
As usual, Elizabeth led the conversation while Jane added details here and there. “Our mother and father send their thanks.” She lifted a mischievous eyebrow. “Papa is especially pleased to have reduced the number of females at Longbourn to a more tolerable level.”
Mrs Gardiner pretended shock. “Surely you exaggerate.”
Elizabeth smiled. “Mary, Kitty, and Lydia send hugs for all.”
“Especially the children,” added Jane.
“And you may deliver them after we finish our tea.” Mrs Gardiner leant in. “Jane, your mother has informed me Mr Smyth—Lord Lambrook—seeks to reconnect with you.”
Jane blushed and looked at her hands. “Indeed, he does,”she declared. Elizabeth lightly touched her sister’s arm, a gesture that warmed Mrs Gardiner.
“He sends a posey every week. He is a most constant attendant.”
“That is good of him.” Mrs Gardiner laid a calming hand upon Jane’s forearm. “Pray allow me to caution both of you in one regard. Town isnotthe country; you must be cautious in your wording. That which is wit and admired in Hertfordshire will be fodder for gossip during the Season.”
It was obvious Elizabeth understood such advice was meant mostly for her. “Of course,” she said. “I shall be cautious in future conversation.”
“Excellent. Now, you two may give your sisters’ wishes to your cousins while I pen some notes.”
As her nieces danced up the stairs to the nursery, Mrs Gardiner sent notes to her cousins, Lady Matlock and Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She looked forward to introducing the girls to their sponsors and letting the pairs become comfortable with each other. She knew the ladies had excursions planned that fit the tastes of each—Lady Matlock would escort Jane to Kew; Elizabeth would lose herself and Lady Catherine for an hour or two at Hatchard’s. Mrs Gardiner thought the pairings exceptionally fortuitous.
Jane looked around Matlock House’s richly furnished parlour as an elegant woman in a beautiful rose-coloured gown rose to kiss her aunt on the cheek. The introductions completed, the ladies took their chairs as servants arrived with tea.
She felt Lady Matlock silently assessing her. “Yourcomposure is commendable, my dear, particularly for one so unused to being in town.”
Jane smiled, then sipped her tea, moving the veil slightly to allow it.
“Jane,” said Mrs Gardiner. “I fear you must…”
Jane knew exactly what her aunt meant. She placed her tea on the table and carefully removed her hat. When she turned back to Lady Matlock, the woman blinked several times.
“Lady Matlock, Aunt Gardiner, please include me in your planning. This shall likely be my only Season.”
“Oh yes, I agree,” replied Lady Matlock.
Mrs Gardiner, setting her tea on the table in front of her, smiled. “I see we have encountered our first misunderstanding.” She turned to Lady Matlock. “You believe my niece shall have worthy suitors and perhaps an offer or two, and Jane, you believe that once the Season ends, you shall return to Longbourn.”
Jane nodded her agreement.
“Lady Matlock, I suggest that we do, in fact, include Jane in the attendance planning to achieve your goals. A lady need not endure that which is not beneficial to her, yes?”
Lady Matlock agreed and Jane thanked her. “We have only your best interests at heart, my dear,” Lady Matlock replied, tapping her lip with a forefinger. “Miss Bennet, let us be direct with each other to avoid misunderstandings.”
“Of course, Lady Matlock.”
Lady Matlock poured tea. She enumerated her questions as she put the pot back on the tray. “First, I understand you wore a veil to hide the injuries you had suffered some years ago, but you do not need wear one to conceal your beauty, in this room or anywhere in town.”
Jane nodded in spite of her unease.
“Second, let us review your accomplishments. I will soon have an audience with Her Majesty. She will expect a concise account.”
Jane squared her shoulders. “I have competency on the pianoforte, though I am reluctant to display. I enjoy singing in duets. I speak French fluently and am proficient in Italian. I enjoy reading most subjects, especially those related to horticulture and botanicals. I eschew mathematics; that is Lizzy’s milieu. At Longbourn, I spent many a happy hour in the stillroom...”
Lady Matlock was pleased by the blonde beauty’s list of accomplishments, yet she spoke of her talents as if she were wanting. A brief touch of anger heated her breast at the affronts she must have faced throughout her young life. Then the young lady tilted her head and smiled. Lady Matlock caught her breath.She is truly beautiful!
“I enjoy dancing, but only when I am particularly acquainted with my partner.”
