“Yes?” Elizabeth prompted her.
“Well, I do not see how anyone would want to be her friend, considering her behaviour.”
Elizabeth tried to hide her smile, but Georgiana was not fooled.
“You agree with me, I know, Lizzy! That last tea party – she knew those ladies were not her friends, but she invited them anyway? Heavens! Who is she inviting this time? Duchesses? The Prince Regent?”
“No, quite the opposite. This time she is inviting the young ladies that she previously considered to be unimportant, so she did not bother with them at school.”
“And she has ignored them all these years, but they are coming to Bingley House for tea? I must say, that is very kind of them! Oh! Or are they attending just to be cruel to her, do you think?”
“I rather fear that will be the case. So you see why we must attend.”
“To support her! Oh, of course I will come!”
Elizabeth smiled. Her faith in Georgiana’s kind heart had not been misplaced.
***
Elizabeth made it a point to arrive at Bingley House early; she wanted to be there to give Jane and Caroline whatever encouragement they required. Jane, of course, was as serene as ever; Caroline was clearly nervous, fidgeting with her necklace until Elizabeth feared the string would break.
“Caroline, may I offer a word of advice?” Elizabeth asked, gently.
Caroline looked at Elizabeth in surprise. “I suppose so.”
“Show your school acquaintances your very best manners as Mrs. Annesley advised; show them that you know the rules of the game.”
Caroline looked at her doubtfully.
Jane added, “My sister is right, Caroline. Continuing your past behaviour would be a mistake. I suspect that you were not kind to them at school; you must show them that you have changed.”
The butler then announced Miss Taylor and Miss Davies. The two ladies had arrived together.
“This is rather a surprise,” Miss Taylor said, after introductions had been made. “I must say, Miss Bingley, that I had not expected to hear from you after all this time.”
Miss Davies nodded her head, adding, “It has been some years since we left school and we have had no word from you at all.” Her tone was cool.
Elizabeth interjected quickly, “Miss Bingley is rarely in Town, you understand.”
“Rarely in Town? Where do you live, then?” Miss Davies asked.
Caroline answered, “I live in Netherfield, an estate in Hertfordshire, with my brother and his wife, Mrs. Bingley, who is hosting us today.”
Jane immediately added, “It is such a pleasure to have Caroline with us, but I fear that some gentleman will snatch her away from us now that we are in London for the Season.”
Miss Bingley then said, in the warmest tone anyone had ever heard from her, “And since I have been here, I have longed to see my old friends from Miss Gravely’s School.”
The two ladies traded skeptical glances, prompting Georgiana to head off any disparaging comments by saying, “Miss Taylor, is it possible that I have met your brother?”
The young lady smiled. “You have, indeed; he speaks a good deal of the charms of Miss Darcy!”
Georgiana blushed and murmured her thanks.
The butler then announced Miss Johnson. Introductions were made again, and the young lady settled herself in a chair near the fire. As this was the final guest, Jane pulled the bell cord to request refreshments.
The ladies spoke for a time about the doings of their previous school fellows. Miss Davies asked, “Has anyone seen or heard from Lady Alicia of late? She seems to have disappeared.”
Miss Taylor spoke up. “I have extended a number of invitations, but she has always declined. We were not close at school, so I suppose I should not be surprised.”
