As the foodstuffs were consumed, there were many questions about Elizabeth’s past. She simply smiled at each of the questioners, agreeing that she was indeed a country girl of no importance whatsoever, and she had been very, very lucky in securing the interest of as important and eligible a gentleman as Mr. Darcy.
Caroline snorted very loudly the second time Elizabeth had said this, and Elizabeth finally said, “Caroline, did you wish to say something?” Then she turned to her guests and said, “Miss Bingley was there when Mr. Darcy and I met.”
Caroline could not resist, of course. “I recall he was not impressed at first, Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth laughed gaily. “No, not at all! But his opinion obviously changed at some point.”
Caroline went on. “How well I recall how you looked when you walked three miles to Netherfield to nurse Jane!” Her tone was not friendly.
Jane began to look worried, but Elizabeth leaped in. “Yes, that was the first time Mr. Darcy began to think his first opinion of me might be wrong.”
“Were you very ill, Mrs. Bingley?” Mrs. Dunfred enquired, kindly.
“I had a rather bad cold,” Jane said. “But it was my own fault for riding in the rain. I sent a note home in the morning, saying that there was nothing much wrong with me, but Elizabeth would not be satisfied until she had seen me with her own eyes.”
“The horses were needed at the farm, so I walked.” Elizabeth shrugged. “Anyone who is close to a sister would have done the same. I fear Miss Bingley was rather scandalised, but Mr. Darcy told me later that he thought my eyes had been brightened by the exercise.”
“And it showed a good deal of sisterly love, which I am certain meant a good deal to him, given that he has a sister of his own,” Lady Amelia Fane said firmly.
Caroline fell silent, not about to contradict the mother of an earl.
Both Jane and Georgiana then spoke warmly about what a wonderful sister Elizabeth was, and how very lucky they were to have her. Caroline scowled, but said nothing.
The conversation than moved on to the social events expected for the Season. Almack’s was discussed at length, of course, with speculation as to who would receive vouchers and the best way to go about procuring them.
“Have you received a voucher, Geor – Miss Darcy?” Caroline asked, correcting herself in time.
“Not as yet, no, but I suspect my aunt will manage that for me,” Georgiana replied, not fully aware of how dearly such vouchers were coveted and how very,verydearly Caroline wished she might have one.
“Oh, yes, the Countess of Matlock will doubtless secure vouchers for you and Mrs. Darcy,” Lady Amelia said, nodding decisively.
“I hear it is not all that enjoyable,” Elizabeth said. “But of course I will go to support my sister.”
“It will do you no harm to be seen at Almack’s,” Lady Russell said. “My son, Edmund, will be there, as I believe he intends to marry this year. He has been reluctant in the past, but evidently something has changed.”
“Are all gentlemen reluctant to marry, do you think?” Elizabeth asked. This was a highly successful question in terms of creating a spirited discussion, as it was a full twenty minutes before that enquiry had been adequately deliberated, with the ladies evenly split between the belief that all gentlemen were reluctant to marry and the belief that all gentlemen were eager to marry.
As the conversation progressed, the young girls began trading seats so that they were clustered around Georgiana, laughing and giggling. Elizabeth looked on, gratified; she very much wanted Georgiana to have friends when she first ventured into a ballroom or dinner. She noted that none of the girls had wanted to sit beside Caroline.
Abruptly, Lady Amelia Fane asked, “Will you be at Lady Stewart’s ball next week, Mrs. Darcy?”
“Yes, as will Miss Darcy.”
“I shall look forward to seeing you both there,” Lady Amelia replied.
Elizabeth and Georgiana had brought their cards to Stewart House and had been delighted when Lady Stewart not only brought cards to Darcy House, but had also requested entrance. It was this visit that had resulted in the invitation to the ball. She had been invited to Elizabeth’s tea, of course, but had sent regrets due to an earlier commitment.
When both conversation and foodstuffs had been exhausted, the guests departed with thanks and promises of reciprocation.
“Jane, Caroline, stay a bit,” Elizabeth whispered as adieus were exchanged.
Jane and Caroline waited while the other ladies accepted their outerwear from Taggart and climbed into their carriages. Georgiana lifted an enquiring brow at Elizabeth who shook her head, slightly. Immediately understanding that her presence was no longer required, Georgiana thanked Elizabeth for a wonderful afternoon, curtsied to Jane and Caroline, and ran upstairs.
Elizabeth wasted no time. “Caroline, I was not pleased with you today.”
“I did nothing –“
“No; you know very well that you were trying to show me in a bad light. Look here, I am trying to help you! Why are you so reluctant to accept my conditions?”
