Darcy longed to scoff. “You have known her for how long?”
Bingley grinned. “Long enough.”
Why isMr. Darcy staring at me?Was he trying to make her uncomfortable? If so, he succeeded in his task.
Elizabeth’s mind returned to the crushing revelations of the morning. She could do nothing about her parents, nor did she have any power over her sisters. Elizabeth was determined to improve herself. Therefore, she would begin with Mr. Darcy since he was close friends with his cousin. If she could be nice to the master of Pemberley, she knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she could be empathetic with anyone.
Her new purpose was to give no one reason for complaint against her. She would rise above harmful speech about her family. She would improve her reputation.
When the sermon ended, her resolve lasted until she stepped outside the chapel door right behind the Bingley party, including Mr. Darcy. There, Lydia and Kitty were standing with three officers. Elizabeth could not keep from overhearing Lydia’s loud pronouncement.
“La, Mr. Chamberlayne, is this not the perfect chapel in which to be married? If only Mr. Wickham were here. I could be by his side as his bride this morning and warming his bed this evening.”
Kitty giggled.
Oh, good heavens!Mortified that the Bingley party likely heard and were disgusted that Lydia made such a comment in public, Elizabeth looked to her parents for help. Seeing her mother fussing over Jane, pushing her toward Mr. Bingley before leaving to gossip with Lady Lucas, Elizabeth knew she would be of no assistance. Her father rolled his eyes at his youngest daughter. Elizabeth’s anger boiled. Breathing deeply, Elizabeth marched over to her sisters.
Pinching Lydia in the soft skin behind her upper arm until she yelped, she said, her tone as composed as possible, “I beg your pardon, gentlemen. My sisters are needed at Longbourn. Good day to you.”
“Wait! Who needs us? Nobody, that’s who,” Lydia whined, and Kitty echoed each syllable. It mattered not. Neither had the strength to overcome Elizabeth’s determination.
Grabbing their wrists, she pulled them toward her father. When she was close enough that nobody could overhear, she hissed, “You are singularly responsible for the conduct of these children. They are yours to train to be proper ladies who can appear in public without embarrassing the family. Do something!”
He snorted. “Who are you to tell me how to raise these girls? They are uncontrollable.”
“Why is that?” She retorted without giving an inch. “You do as you must, Papa. However much I love my sisters, they are not my responsibility. They are yours.”
Letting go of Kitty and Lydia, she brushed her palms together as if washing them off. “Your view of your daughters is incorrect, for there have been many times when both Kitty and Lydia have shown extraordinary compassion to others. They act foolishly and carelessly because they lack guidance. Do something.”
Without waiting for his reaction, she walked away from him toward where Jane stood with their good friend, Charlotte Lucas. Jane’s face was pale. Charlotte’s was as red as a tomato. Refusing to let her younger sister’s poor conduct continue to affect her, Elizabeth lifted her chin.
“You are looking well, Charlotte. I do believe that shade of blue brings out the color of your eyes, dear friend. Do you not agree, Jane?”
“I surely do.” Jane’s inherent kindness and honesty gave Charlotte confidence as she accepted that Elizabeth wholeheartedly meant what she said.
Charlotte stepped away to attend to her mother, who was frantically waving for her eldest daughter’s immediate presence just as Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley approached. Lady Lucas likely wanted to share the latest tittle-tattle she heard from Francine Bennet.
Elizabeth easily noted from her sour expression how displeased Miss Caroline Bingley was that Mr. Darcy was in company with the Bennets. While Jane was ill at Netherfield Park, Miss Bingley’s goal was clear. She would become whatever and whomever Mr. Darcy desired to capture his attention. From Elizabeth’s point of view, Miss Bingley’s efforts met with little success.
Mr. Bingley and Jane immediately began speaking about the upcoming ball. In truth, Elizabeth was as eager as they were to open the dance with Colonel Fitzwilliam.
Mr. Darcy asked, “I do not see Mrs. Hammond here today. Is she well?”
“How kind of you to ask, sir. One of her neighbors needed help with an ill child. The mother is expecting her sister to arrive tomorrow from London. This will allow Mrs. Hammond to be well-rested for the ball.”
“Very good. I, too, am looking forward to being in her company.”
Pausing to see if there was anything else he wanted to add, Elizabeth noticed his fingers flex. Something unnerved him.
Keeping in mind her vow to improve her circumstances if possible, she was determined to be pleasant. “Sir, you have a discerning eye. The ribbon you chose for her, when placed against the lace, is exquisite. Tell me, do you select accessories for your sister too?”
He chuckled. “Not at all. I asked Georgiana for her help. You admire her discerning eye. I have no idea of how to please a woman worthy of being pleased when it comes to ribbons and bows.”
“Mr. Wickham said that he has difficulty judging whether a color is green or red when they are put alongside each other. Do you have the same challenge?”
When Mr. Darcy inhaled sharply, Elizabeth realized that this was not the first time he had reacted negatively at the officer’s mention. “I beg your pardon if my question made you uncomfortable, sir. Pray, disregard my wild talk.”
“No, no,” he reassured her. “Wickham is the subject I wished to discuss with you. If I might have a moment? Perhaps if we stroll to the carriages and back?”
