Page 29 of Regrets

“You can all faint dead away, but do not do it now,” Elizabeth snapped. “Lady Lucas, good morning.”

“Good morning, Miss Elizabeth,” Lady Lucas replied, grinning hugely. “Have you ever heard such nonsense?”

“Sadly, all too often,” Elizabeth replied. “The girls will have to be watched carefully; these men will not all have good characters.”

“I suppose not,” Lady Lucas agreed. “But you must admit that it is all very exciting!”

Elizabeth could only shake her head.

Lady Lucas continued. “I will call on your mother later today; I am certain she will want to tell me everything about last night’s dinner. I hope it was a success?”

“It certainly was,” Elizabeth said, warmly. “The company and the food were all excellent; everyone behaved well and parted with every intention of seeing one another again quite soon. The newcomers are all very agreeable.”

“I am very glad to hear it. Will they come to a card party, do you think? It is two gentlemen and two ladies, is it not?”

“It is two gentlemen and one young lady; she is the sister of one of the gentlemen. I am certain they would enjoy your entertainment.”

“Excellent. I shall certainly send round an invitation to my next card party.” With that, Lady Lucas and Maria departed, leaving Kitty and Lydia to argue over who first had the magnificent idea of fainting dead away.

***

At Netherfield, the previous night’s dinner party was the subject of much discussion. “You seemed to spend a good deal of time with Miss Bennet,” Mr. Darcy observed over ham and eggs.

“Miss Bennet is lovely, Darcy!”

“She is, I agree.”

“But?” Mr. Bingley asked.

“But nothing,” Mr. Darcy shrugged. “We are in agreement.”

“I must see her again!” Mr. Bingley banged his fist on the table in his excitement.

“I am certain that you will.”

Georgiana came in, yawning.

“You stayed up after we got home, I take it?” Mr. Darcy asked his sister.

“Oh, yes! I had a good deal to consider! I would like to know Mary better; might she not come to Netherfield?”

“There is no reason that she should not,” Mr. Darcy said, raising a questioning brow at Mr. Bingley.

Mr. Bingley agreed, “No reason at all. Invite her for tea. And perhaps her sisters, as well,” he added, thinking of Miss Bennet.

“Oh, yes; I will invite all of them!” Georgiana clapped her hands together.

Mr. Darcy thinking that the two youngest might not be a good influence on his sister, quickly said, “Perhaps just the three eldest, Georgiana.”

“Very well, Brother. Will you join the party?”

“Bingley and I generally ride out on the estate in the afternoons,” Mr. Darcy said.

Mr. Bingley protested, saying he would not wish to miss an opportunity to see Miss Bennet, but Mr. Darcy forestalled him, saying that gentlemen should not be present at a ladies’ tea. But even as he spoke, a memory of Miss Elizabeth swam before his eyes. She was not as beautiful as her elder sister, but there was something about her…something that he could neither identify nor articulate…but something…and he also could not help thinking that she did not like him.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The invitation to join Georgiana for tea came the following morning. Jane, Elizabeth and Mary were delighted to accept, while the two youngest were furious at being left out.