Page 67 of Regrets

“Little brown pills, ”Georgiana said. “My cousin took them three times a day, every day, with meals. And they worked wonders for her!”

“Oh, my!” Mary said. “What were they called?”

“Triticum!”

Elizabeth’s hand shot to her mouth; Mr. Darcy snorted.

“What is it, Brother?” Georgiana asked.

“They were doubtless just bits of bread, rolled up to look like pills,” he said.

“But why would you say that?” Georgiana demanded.

Elizabeth spoke, merriment shining from her eyes. “Because Triticum is the Latin word for wheat!”

Georgiana gasped. Then she looked at Elizabeth and said, “Do you know, I tried one once, though Aunt was angry at me for taking one of Anne’s special pills, and it tasted just like brown bread! To think how serious everyone was about those pills!”

“Did someone demand that the doctor prescribe something?” Mr. Darcy asked.

“Well, Anne told the doctor that Lady Catherine would not be happy if she was not given some medicine,” Georgiana recalled.

“That explains it,” Mr. Darcy said.

“I would never have guessed it really was just bread, though,” Georgiana said, ruefully.

“Latin does come in handy!” Elizabeth laughed.

Mr. Darcy looked at her, this lovely country girl who studied Latin; she looked at him. Their eyes locked, and then Elizabeth quickly looked away.

Chapter Fifty-One

Georgiana decided to put Anne’s idea of having George be invited to tea into action immediately. Surely Miss Bingley could be of use, since she had decided to be Netherfield’s hostess.

“Miss Bingley, I wondered if I might have a moment of your time.”

“Of course, Miss Darcy.”

“I have a …a friend who is here in Meryton, and I would like to invite him to tea.”

“Him? A man?”

“He is in the militia, actually, but he and I grew up together.”

“I am not certain that I understand, Miss Darcy,” Miss Bingley said, blankly. “You wish to have a militiaman come to tea? Likely his commander would not even permit it! And does Mr. Darcy know of your desire to have him come here?”

Georgiana had a sudden feeling that involving Miss Bingley had not been such a good idea after all, but she pushed on, determinedly. “Well, that is the difficulty, Miss Bingley. He and my brother had a falling out, and I am trying to mend fences.”

Miss Bingley said, “I see. Well, I will seek Mr. Darcy’s permission before proceeding.”

“No, no, that is the problem! My brother will not consent, and so the fences will never be mended!”

“You seem greatly agitated, Miss Darcy. I truly do wish to be of help to you, but you must see that I do not wish to cross your brother. He is your guardian, after all. I tell you what I shall do, then; I will ask my own brother’s opinion of the matter. Will that satisfy you?”

Georgiana saw no choice; she agreed.

***

“She wants what?” Mr. Bingley actually yelled at his sister.