Mr. Darcy raised an enquiring brow at Mr. Bingley when he saw Miss Bingley preparing to join them in the Bingley carriage that afternoon. Mr. Bingley replied with a quick shrug.
All four Bennet sisters were in the parlour when their visitors arrived. They were surprised to see Miss Bingley, as she had been absent since Mary had spoken about Miss Bingley’s unfortunate letter to Jane, but they hid that surprise behind polite smiles.
Jane began, “How kind of you to visit us, Miss Bingley. I hope you have been well?”
“Oh, exceedingly so, as I am never ill,” she replied. “And Miss Darcy and I have had such a fine time practicing our duets, have we not, Miss Darcy?”
Georgiana could scarcely refute it, so she agreed after only a slight hesitation.
“She is an outstanding performer,” Elizabeth put in. “As you yourself are, Miss Bingley; I do not wonder that your duets delight the entire household.”
Mary listened to the exchange in astonishment. Were good manners really nothing but polite lies? How had she never realised it before? She had every intention of keeping to her new resolution to no longer hide her feelings, but for now she resolved to say nothing. Unless it was really needed, of course.
Elizabeth watched Georgiana shift uncomfortably in her seat. No one could feel easy with Miss Bingley here, but there was nothing to do but to get through it. She had an idea. “Perhaps we might all walk to town?”
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley rose with alacrity. This sounded a far better option than sitting in the parlour exchanging polite noises and hoping Miss Bingley would behave herself!
But it was not to be. “Oh, but first I have a bit of news,” Miss Bingley caroled loudly.
“News?” Jane said. “What sort of news?”
Miss Bingley pulled a letter from her reticule. “Well, imagine my surprise when I learnt that Miss Lydia appears to no longer be in Brighton! Did you not tell me – and everyone, for that matter – that she is in Brighton? How is it that she has simply vanished?” Her tone of triumph could not be mistaken.
Ha! Mary thought. She spoke at once. “I have not the pleasure of understanding this situation, Miss Bingley. How is it that you have news of our sister?”
Miss Bingley waved the letter. “My dear friend Clarissa’s maid has a brother in the military, and he is stationed in Brighton. It was a simple matter to ask her to –“ Here she stopped, realising her mistake.
But it was too late. Mary pounced on it. “A simple matter to have your maid write to her brother, enquiring about my sister? Such effrontery! Whatever can you mean by such an action?”
Kitty added, “As it happens, Lydia left Brighton to go to London. Since you are so eager to share letters, allow me to share her latest with you.” With that, she pulled the letter she had written from her pocket and read it aloud to their stunned audience. She finished by shoving the letter under Miss Bingley’s nose. “Here it is!”
Mary said, “If you have any further questions about my sister Lydia, I hope you will apply to us directly, Miss Bingley. You need not trouble any maids for news.”
Jane rose to her feet. “I believe we must ask to be excused from company today, Miss Bingley, Miss Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy. I am certain you understand.”
Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley rose at once, murmuring their regrets and apologies, but Georgiana cried out, “But I did nothing!”
Elizabeth ran to her and hugged her, whispering in her ear, “It is all right, dearest. Come back tomorrow with your brother.”
Georgiana had to be content with that as she followed her brother from the room.
***
Caroline had never before seen her brother so angry. In truth, she had not thought him capable of it. The veins on his neck throbbed and his face was an odd colour of purple. She had to find a way to calm him down before he did himself an injury. “Charles, I was just trying –“
“I believe we are all aware of what you were trying to do. You have likely set my courtship back a month or more.”
“I tell you, there is something odd about their sister Lydia –“
“And if there is or is not, it is none of your concern, Caroline.”
“Do you not see that your choice of a wife affects my own prospects, Charles?”
“I do not care in the slightest. Tell me, did Louisa have any part in this?”
“No; she knows nothing of it.”
“Excellent. Begin packing at once, Caroline; you are off to Aunt Beatrice in the morning.”
