There was a bit of a commotion involving two young ladies who had evidently imbibed too much punch, one of whom lookedto be Elizabeth’s sister. Mr. Darcy’s first instinct was to feel offended by such lack of manners; but then he recalled that he had no business forming opinions about young ladies. How he wished that his own sister’s worst error in judgement involved nothing worse than too much punch!
***
“And to think that Mr. Bingley danced with you twice, Jane! Doubtless he is already planning his proposal.” Elizabeth was lying on her side on their bed, watching her sister put her hair into its nighttime braid.
“You do love to tease me, Lizzy! But he really was – well, the most gentlemanly gentleman I have ever met.”
“I daresay he will call tomorrow, and that will be the start of it.”
“And if he does, Mr. Darcy will come with him! There, Lizzy, I can tease you as well!”
“There is nothing to tease me about; we only danced once, and we spoke more about his sister than anything else.” But the faint blush on Elizabeth’s cheeks revealed more interest than she let on. She could deny all she liked to her sister, but she could not lie to herself; Mr. Darcy was a very handsome man, and she could still hear his low, velvety voice in her mind! But he had a large estate, and so was very likely out of her reach. She would put him from her mind.
“Perhaps he will bring his sister to visit us?”
“I hope he does; poor girl, cooped up in Netherfield with that haughty Miss Bingley for company.”
“I did not meet Miss Bingley.”
“You must count yourself fortunate. I spoke with her briefly, and she seemed intent on making certain I understood that she wassuperior to me because she lives in Town and is wealthy, despite the fact that she does not come from a landed family.”
“Her costume was …overdone.”
“Overdone? You are too kind, Jane; it was completely absurd.” Elizabeth flopped onto her back in disgust.
Benevolent Jane could not agree. “I suppose that is high fashion in London.”
“Perhaps; certainly, she was trying to impress us all. But say what she will, she cannot claim social superiority, no matter how absurdly she dresses.”
Chapter Nineteen
Jane and Elizabeth’s Bedroom
Girls! Girls! Come down at once!” Mrs. Bennet’s shrill voice carried from downstairs.
Mrs. Hill poked her head into Jane’s room. “There are callers from Netherfield; you will want to get to the drawing room as soon as you can.”
The two girls scrambled to straighten their dresses and their hair before making a hasty descent down the stairs and into the drawing room. Elizabeth could not resist poking Jane in the side as they moved down the step. “I told you he would call,” she whispered.
“Hush, Lizzy!”
As they walked into the drawing room, Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy rose to their feet and bowed. There was a young girl sitting beside Mr. Darcy; she rose quickly, dropped a shallow curtsey, and returned to her seat without once raising her eyes from the carpet.
This must be Miss Darcy, Elizabeth thought. And yes, she certainly is shy. Or scared to death! But she is not ugly, not at all.
Mrs. Bennet welcomed their guests with a good deal of fuss, and ordered a tea tray at once. Her motherly instincts focused at once upon Georgiana. Mrs. Bennet had no education to speak of and was not intellectual by nature; in truth, she was born to be a mother, and as such, she knew a hurt child when she saw one. This Miss Darcy was certainly that.
As soon as the tray was brought in, she made it a point to inquire after Georgiana’s tea preferences, and fixed her a plate of tarts from the tray. “Miss Darcy, I daresay you will enjoy Cook’s jam tarts; they are famous throughout the neighbourhood! But I can have sandwiches brought here in a trice, if that is your preference.”
Georgiana stared down at her feet, uncertain of how to reply. Mr. Darcy put his hand on his sister’s and spoke for her, saying, “My sister enjoys jam tarts, Mrs. Bennet; we both thank you for your kindness.”
Mrs. Bennet replied, “I have five girls, Mr. Darcy, so you must believe me when I say that I am very fond of girls, and wish nothing more than to have another young girl to spoil with treats and ribbons! Miss Darcy, you are very welcome here, and have but to whisper a word in my ear for anything you need.” Her voice was everything warm and compassionate, and there could be no doubt that she meant every word.
Mr. Darcy could scarcely believe the benevolence and generosity that was being extended to his beleaguered sister. Georgiana felt it as well; she looked up and a small, shy smile spread across her face. “Thank you,” she murmured. “You are very kind.”
Happy to see that a small inroad had been made into the girl’s protective shell, Elizabeth spoke up. “Miss Darcy, I understand you play the pianoforte; is that right?”
The girl looked down again and mumbled something unintelligible. Her brother answered for her. “She certainly does, and she is very proficient.”
