Chapter 11
The following month was spent very pleasantly. There were more social events in the neighborhood than there usually were, because everyone wished to get to know Mr. Bingley and his friends. Mr. Bingley’s sisters were also invited everywhere, but they were far less popular than the men of their household. Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst tended to hold themselves apart, and when they did converse, it was clear that they were not particularly pleased about it.
They did develop a preference for Jane’s and Catherine’s company. Jane was quite the sweetest, most elegant young lady for miles around, and Catherine was Georgiana’s particular friend. Since Miss Bingley was always trying to be closer friends with Georgiana, Catherine was naturally included in Miss Bingley’s circle.
The fact that they had attended the same school didn’t seem to factor into Miss Bingley’s preference for Catherine, since Miss Bingley never mentioned it at all.
It was clear from the beginning that Miss Bingley had her sights set on someday marrying Mr. Darcy, though it was also clear to most that she had absolutely no affection for the man, nor did he have any affection for her. Georgiana had never liked the lady, simply because she was so mercenary towards her brother, but Georgiana was forced to spend time with Miss Bingley anyway since their brothers were such close friends.
Nearly every day, Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley made their way to Longbourn to visit Catherine. They often practiced piano harp duets together, but they also spent many hours simply chatting or sewing together.
Their music practice was frequently used as an excuse to escape Miss Bingley’s company, but Catherine could never regret such subterfuge, especially since they did actually practice. It was so effective that Miss Bingley altogether stopped attempting to accompany Georgiana on her visits within only a week.
Throughout that month, Catherine saw Lord Hilldale many times. He always greeted her as Kitty, which often startled those who heard it, but it made Catherine laugh inside. Despite being in company with him and even conversing with him many times, she could not say that she knew him any better.
Lord Hilldale’s conversation was always full of the inconsequential, discussions of the weather, observations of their surroundings, and pure silliness. The only thing Catherine could say for certain about him was that he clearly had a sense of humor fueled by a childlike approach to the world.
Though Catherine would never admit it aloud, she occasionally wished she was a carefree child once again, free from the constraints of manners and politeness. Lord Hilldale’s behavior often fulfilled that wish for a few brief moments. With him, she could once again feel the childlike wonder that made everything feel fresh and new. With him, she didn’t need to mind her manners or her expression quite so much. The way he talked to her, the fact that he called her Kitty, made her feel less stuffy and less uptight than she had learned to be at Mrs. Gordon’s school.
~~~~~
Over the next few weeks, Elizabeth saw Mr. Darcy several times in company. Each time, he made a point of speaking with her, and while they conversed everything around them seemed to fade away as their conversation flowed naturally and easily. She sometimes felt herself mesmerized by his gentle gaze or by his comforting voice.
Yet, every time they parted, she felt cold and heavy as if someone had dumped a bucket of water over her head. She often saw him conversing with Kitty and Miss Darcy in a similar way, and Kitty was clearly more comfortable with him than Elizabeth was.
It was so unfair. Kitty and Elizabeth were sisters. Their station in life should be equal, but Kitty’s fortune, which she acquired through a mere fluke, made Kitty so much more eligible, so much more equal to Mr. Darcy.
Two weeks after the assembly, Sir William Lucas threw a party for many of the local inhabitants, including the Bennets and those from Netherfield. Sir William’s eldest daughter, Charlotte, was a particular friend of Elizabeth’s, and the two of them seldom kept any secrets from each other.
At one point in the evening, after Elizabeth had experienced her most recent wave of jealousy, Charlotte approached her. “Mr. Darcy seems to be paying you a great deal of attention,” she said.
Elizabeth felt her mouth twist in a grimace. “No more than he pays Kitty,” she said, hoping to stop Charlotte from this particular line of questioning.
“That is not how it appears to me,” Charlotte said, disappointing Elizabeth’s hopes of getting out of the conversation. “He only ever talks to Kitty when they are bothconversing with Miss Darcy or when they are talking about her. Have you not overheard their conversations?”
Elizabeth had not. In fact, she avoided them as much as possible whenever they were together. As much as she was jealous of her sister, she had no desire to interfere with their interactions. “No, I haven’t,” she said.
“Well, you can take it from me,” said Charlotte, “Mr. Darcy has absolutely no romantic inclinations toward Kitty. Towards you, however, is an entirely different matter.”
The idea was tempting. To be able to believe that she was somehow special to the man who inevitably drew her attention whenever he was near would be the height of delight. She could not allow herself to succumb to that particular siren song, however. Doing so would inevitably lead to heartbreak.
“He treats me no differently than he does anyone else,” Elizabeth said in what she hoped would be a quelling tone of voice.
“Well, if you do not wish to discuss Mr. Darcy, perhaps you would rather talk of Mr. Bingley,” said Charlotte. “He seems to be growing in his attachment to Jane.”
“He does, indeed,” said Elizabeth. Relief that she could stop talking and thinking of Mr. Darcy flooded her. “I believe Jane is beginning to return his regard.”
“Is that so?” asked Charlotte. “Her expression is always so serene, so steady, that I could not tell.”
“She is hard to read,” agreed Elizabeth, “but in this case you can see her attraction by noticing the rapidity of her speech. Under normal circumstances, she is measured and thoughtful in how she speaks, but with Mr. Bingley her thoughts flow from mind to mouth much more quickly.”
“I never noticed,” said Charlotte. “I only hope she can express her feelings well enough that Mr. Bingley is aware of them.”
Elizabeth did not respond. There was nothing to say. Surely, if Jane and Mr. Bingley continued to interact as they had done for the last two weeks, then their feelings for each other should be entirely plain to them both.
After a moment of silence, Charlotte said, “Well, I believe it is time for you to pay the piper. This evening’s entertainment isn’t free, after all. You, in particular, must sing for your supper.”
Elizabeth attempted to protest. “I do not know why you are always so insistent on this, Charlotte,” she said. “My skills at the piano are entirely lacking. Why do you insist I play for everyone?”
