Darcy's Ultimatum by Jennifer Joy

Author:Jennifer Joy [Joy, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Jennifer Joy
Published: 2015-03-21T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 14

“This evening, we shall do something diverting as a family. I should like to sleep before dawn and I fear that our fatigue has caused us to neglect the children.” Uncle Gardiner made his announcement after their late breakfast following the Vermeer’s ball.

“That is music to my ears, Edward. Nothing pleases me more than a night out with the family. Where shall we go?” asked Aunt Gardiner, clapping her hands together. Elizabeth could see the anticipation on everyone’s faces.

She did not care where they went so long as it was not to another ball. After Mr. Darcy danced with her, several gentlemen had asked her to dance. It sickened Elizabeth to know the gentlemen only asked because she had been seen dancing with Mr. Darcy. They had snubbed her so easily before dancing with him.

Voicing her opinion, Elizabeth said, “Please, Uncle, nothing that requires dancing. My toes could not bear it.” Unfortunately for her toes, not all of her dance partners were as graceful as Mr. Darcy had been. He was an elegant dancer.

Elizabeth’s cousins looked at each other around the parlor, uncertain what to suggest.

Jane stifled a yawn. “I too should like to sleep before dawn.”

Looking at his four children, Uncle Gardiner asked, “This evening is for your enjoyment. Where would you like to go?”

Emma now spoke without hesitation, as if she had anticipated the question for some time. “To the circus!”

This was met with immediate approval. Elizabeth brightened at the mention of a circus. She had never been to one. Jane, she noticed, sat straighter in her chair as some of the sleep fell from her eyes.

“It appears that we all think that a fine idea, Emma. We shall go to Astley’s Amphitheatre this very night,” said Uncle Gardiner in triumph.

A knock sounded at the door. They had a caller.

Elizabeth held her breath. They had not had many callers since it was found out that she and Jane had a minuscule dowry. Who could it be?

The footman entered their parlor to announce a Mr. Charles Bingley and Miss Caroline Bingley.

Elizabeth looked at Jane. She was blushing a pretty shade of pink even though this most certainly was not Mr. Bingley’s first call. Elizabeth squeezed her sister’s hand and when they looked to Aunt Gardiner, the three ladies shrieked in delight as they did every time he called.

Elizabeth and Aunt Gardiner made sure Jane was presentable, smoothing hair and straightening ribbons. Then, the adults went into the drawing room while the children went upstairs to their schoolroom.

Cordialities were exchanged. Jane sat on a settee with room enough beside her. Elizabeth watched Mr. Bingley to see if he would sit on the settee. Miss Bingley was too quick for her brother and plopped herself down next to Jane, leaving Mr. Bingley to find a chair opposite them.

Elizabeth could feel Miss Bingley’s glare as Mr. Bingley spoke with Mr. Gardiner. Elizabeth, refusing to feel scrutinized in the home of her own family, met Miss Bingley’s stare. Miss Bingley glowered while Elizabeth feigned disinterest.

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