Georgiana looked up, finally meeting Caroline’s gaze. The expression in Miss Darcy’s eyes was cautious but curious. “I’ve always wondered why you were so quick to judgement.”
“I suppose I... because I expect people to judge me quickly, too.” The low flame of discomfort flickered in Caroline’s chest. “My mother instilled the idea in me early on that we always had to be on our guard because we were always on display, and I suppose the notion took hold a little too well.” She swallowed. This was different from dipping a toe in the waters of her soul. Instead, this felt like slicing it open. “The Bingleys are not an old family like yours, Georgie. We do not have status borne from long histories, nor the same level of wealth. We cannot afford to make any mistakes regarding our connections. My cautiousness led me to callousness.”
“Putting others down does not necessarily lift yourself up,” Georgiana pointed out.
“I know.” Guilt lanced through her again, the blade twisting at the remembrance of Georgiana’s expression in the carriage. “Though I confess I wasn’t thinking so much of height and depth but more of... distance. The space betweenthemandus, as Mother would say. Here, you may read what I have written.” She offered the journal, but Georgiana waved it away.
“No, that is for your own personal use. Write in it whenever you need to work something out. That’s what I do.”
Caroline knelt beside Georgiana and clasped her hands earnestly. “I henceforth vow to be better, if only you’ll show me how.”
“Did we not already have this conversation?”
“True, but when first I asked you to help me, I did not quite know what I was asking. I think I comprehend a little more now. I shall stumble often on the road to becoming a better person, but what I do know is this: You are the only one who can help me walk that path.” Caroline widened her eyes and pouted her lips, creating the best puppyish expression she possibly could.
Georgiana looked alarmed. “Do not twist your face so. It makes you look ill.”
“Why, I am ill,” Caroline exclaimed, pressing a hand to her forehead in the most dramatic fashion she could manage. “I sicken with your dubiety. I swoon with your suspicion. I am feverish with—”
“Yes, alright, you’ve made your point.” Miss Darcy shook her head. “I really do not know why I agreed to go along with your ridiculous scheme in the first place, but I feel compelled to see it through now, for better or worse.”
“Your good opinion means the world to me,” Caroline admitted, watching Georgiana’s eyes widen. “And I hate to think that I might have lowered myself in your estimation. I know I do not always say the right thing. In fact, I rarely... And I am aware that I am a long way from...” She trailed off, shifting uncomfortably. “Do you forgive me? Say you do, for my knees are beginning to hurt dreadfully.”
“Of course I do, you goose. Please get up.”
Caroline clambered to her feet, relief spreading through her entire body in a cool wave. “And who knows, perhaps teaching me will furnish you with something, too.”
“An early grave, no doubt,” Georgiana muttered, though she was smiling. “I need a little more time to finish my correspondence. Can you amuse yourself for an hour or so? I shallcome and fetch you, for it looks as if it is clearing up outside and I expect you would like a nice, long walk before dinner.”
“You know me well.” Caroline leaned down and pressed a kiss against Georgiana’s cheek. “Thank you for being such a good friend.”
Georgiana turned away, though not quickly enough; Caroline caught a flash of the pretty blush that crept across her face. “Out, you devil, before I change my mind.”
Beaming, Caroline obeyed.
