Lizzy
I would love to see Jane now, she reflected. But I am in no humour to contend with Caroline just yet!
***
Dinner that night was a quiet family affair. Mrs. Annesley watched Georgiana sip her soup from the side of her spoon, and smiled approvingly.
“Mrs. Annesley, I see you watching Georgiana; may I ask that you correct me if I do anything that is – well, not quite right?” Elizabeth asked.
“I will certainly do so if that is what you wish,” Mrs. Annesley replied. “But you seem to have a natural elegance, Mrs. Darcy. I have never seen anything improper in your dining habits, or in any of your behaviour, come to that.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Mrs. Annesley, I thank you. I have done many improper things, I assure you, but I am happy to know that my aunt’s instructions as to cutlery have your approval.”
Georgiana was interested. “What improper things have you done, Lizzy?”
“Oh, climbed trees, played at sword fighting with the Lucas boys, all sorts of things. My mother quite despaired of me! Oh, and there was this three-mile walk from Longbourn to Pemberley that was frowned upon mightily, even by your brother!”
A bit flustered, Mr. Darcy said, “No, indeed, I told Caroline Bingley that your eyes were brightened by the exercise.”
“No wonder she hates me!” Elizabeth replied, laughing.
Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy gazed at one another for a moment, love shining in their dark eyes.
Yes, Georgiana thought, watching them. I want someone to look at me like that!
Chapter Five
The Bingleys arrived shortly after breakfast the following day. Jane went immediately into her sister’s arms, saying, “I know it is far too early for a proper call, but I could not wait another minute!”
“I am so happy to see you, Jane! And what fun we shall have together!”
Once the two sisters separated, greetings were exchanged between the Darcys and the Bingleys.
Caroline waited impatiently, tapping her foot, and leaped into the conversation as soon as she could. “I am shopping on Bond Street tomorrow, Georgiana. Will you not join me?”
Mr. Darcy thought it best to nip this familiarity in the bud at once. “Miss Bingley, I must ask you to call my sister Miss Darcy.”
“What?! But we are such friends!”
“I think not. It would be best for you to refrain from too much familiarity with her during the Season.”
“I see,” Caroline Bingley bit out testily. “I shall certainly try to remember your injunction.”
“In any case,” Elizabeth interposed. “The Countess has already assured us that she would oversee our shopping expeditions herself.”
Jane said, quickly, “How very kind of her!”
“Yes, she plans to be very involved in Georgiana’s Season.”
Caroline could not be contained. “The Countess is rather old, is she not? I suspect she is notau courantof current fashions.”
Georgiana surprised everyone by saying, “Miss Bingley, my aunt isau courantwith everything that is tasteful and proper, I assure you.”
Just then, Taggart entered the drawing room and said, soberly, “The Countess of Matlock to see you, Mrs. Darcy.”
His words caused some consternation. Mr. Bingley and Jane understood immediately that they should leave, but Miss Bingley insisted upon them staying so that she might be introduced to the Countess. Mr. Darcy ended the debate by saying, coolly, “Miss Bingley, it would be up to the Countess as to whether or not she wishes to be introduced to you. Just now, I suspect that she would not, and you would be subject to some embarrassment as a result. It would be best for you to depart and hope for an introduction at a later date.”
Elizabeth whispered to Jane, “I will come to Bingley House as soon as I can.”
