“Yes!”
Elizabeth considered a moment. “We are intruding more on your brother’s business than I am comfortable with, Georgie. Let me say I declined because… because… well—”
She grasped for the right way to say it.
“Because I do not care for bulls.”
The Bull Pen
Georgiana laughed. “Are you afraid of the bull’s horns?”
“I mostly do not care for their short temper, disagreeable nature, and general unpredictability.”
Both ladies chuckled.
Elizabeth sighed louder than usual. “Georgie… I hope you do not mind my calling you that.”
“Of course not. It is as if we were sisters.”
Georgiana blushed at the declaration, but to her credit, neither lowered her eyes nor cowered.
“Perhaps it is. Is it true that you have no female friends or relatives your own age?”
“Yes, and while I will not press you, I hope you understand that having a real sister would surpass having a friend who is almost like one.”
The young girl’s plain declaration, instead of her previous insinuations, should have startled Elizabeth, but it did not. The young lady would either be her sister, or she would not. Georgiana’s desires would play little part in the matter. The present question was whether either lady could benefit the other.
“Sometimes sisters can be quite disagreeable, so be careful what you wish for. Do you know about my arrangement with Anne?”
“She is to stay at Longbourn and act like a long-lost and definitelynotwealthy friend of a distant relative. As I understand it, she is to live the life of a Bennet sister for a few months. I confess to being jealous.”
Elizabeth fell silent; Georgiana seemed to understand her need for reflection.
“I would consider offering you the same, as there is little difference to my parents between one extra girl and two… but… but… I think—”
Georgiana leaned forward eagerly. “My brother told me you were quite the problem solver. I could not bear toaskfor your help, but if you happened to have a good suggestion, I would not find it amiss.”
The entire visit had worked inexorably to that moment since she entered the house; or perhaps since she left the Yellow Parlour; or perhaps it had been brewing since Ramsgate.
“I have no idea if I can help you, so let us return to basics. My sister Mary is recently wed, and my elder sister Jane soon will be. That means Icouldbring both you and Anne to stay at Longbourn without overly stressing our resources… but—”
Georgiana looked curious, but not distressed. “But? But what, Lizzy?”
“But I am not at all certain it is the best option foryou. It is probably not the best for me either, but I would make a sacrifice on my part if I believed I did my best to help you. I am not convinced it is the ideal solution.”
“Would you mind explainingwhy?”
Elizabeth considered it for some time, because she did not know why. She had an instinct it would be the wrong move, and must work it out.
“Let us take a few minutes to refresh ourselves, then have tea and some of those excellent biscuits. I wish to speak clearly. That means I mustthinkclearly, which means I need a few minutes of quiet reflection. Pray do not take it amiss.”
“Since you will give me your undivided attention, I cannot imagine a possible complaint.”
~~~
Elizabeth returned to find Georgiana and Mrs Annesley waiting. They took tea and settled into ordinary drawing-room conversation, which was restful.
“Mrs Annesley, would you be willing to tell me your background, if it is not prying? How did you become a companion?”
