The limited number of guest rooms in the Gardiners’ London house meant that Jane and Elizabeth shared a room, Mary and Kitty shared, and a very unhappy Lydia slept in the nursery. Her young cousins were much too young to share with. The eldest was only eleven years old. It was almost enough to send her into a tantrum, but just before she lost control of her temper, the nurse offered to allow Lydia the extra bed in her room next to the nursery. It was meant for a wet nurse but there was currently no need for one. Lydia jumped at the chance and happily left her young cousins behind.

They had arrived early and decided to make a quick trip to the shoemaker before dinner. Mrs. Bennet declared they had much shopping to do and no time to waste. Mrs. Gardiner had taken the liberty of choosing a few patterns for Elizabeth that she thought her niece would like, but they still needed to be fitted. Her wedding dress had been made in Margate along with a few other pieces, but her mother insisted that the wife of Mr. Darcy must have an impressive trousseau. Mr. Bennet tried to rein her in, and in the end succeeded a little, but he still cringed at the thought of the bills that would soon be arriving.

Elizabeth made orders for several new pairs of slippers, walking boots, half boots, and a warmer pair for winter. Plans to visit the modiste, the draper, the furrier and glove maker were made for the next few days and Elizabeth already felt exhausted just thinking about it.

Mr. Darcy sent around a card saying he would call Thursday morning if Elizabeth would be available. Mrs. Bennet was torn between telling him there was too much to do to sit around waiting for calls and giving him whatever he asked for to avoid angering him. In the end, it was decided that Elizabeth would stay home with her father and await Mr. Darcy while her mother, sisters, and aunt went shopping for their own apparel.

When Darcy finally arrived in Gracechurch Street, Elizabeth was seated in the front drawing room where her aunt received visitors. Her father was in her uncle’s study; he felt that with both doors open and only a small hall between them, nothing untoward would occur. Elizabeth stood and curtseyed when Darcy entered the room and before she had fully straightened, he was standing before her and taking her hand.

“Dearest,” he said softly, “are you well?”

“Yes. And you, sir?”

“Yes, very well now you are come.” He pressed her hand to his chest and gazed into her eyes until she flushed from the scrutiny.

“Please, be seated.” She sat on the settee and he joined her, sitting close enough to press his leg to hers and rest their still-joined hands on his knee.

“Was your journey pleasant?” he asked.