Page 4 of A Sisterly Bond

“Indeed? What an extraordinary coincidence. So you are acquainted with both my brother and Mr Bingley?”

“I am. I must say your brother, as well as Mr Bingley and his sisters, spoke very highly of you, Miss Darcy.”

Casting a quick look at her sister, Elizabeth noticed a slight change in Jane’s countenance; she was likely measuring Miss Darcy as a worthy rival for Mr Bingley’s attention, and the young girl’s reply seemed to support that notion.

“My brother is always so kind to me, and he gives me more credit than I deserve. And Mr Bingley is such a good friend. He has mentioned several times a family living at…Longbourn, I believe?”

“Indeed. Longbourn is our home,” Elizabeth said, taking the opportunity to introduce her sister and aunt. Mrs Gardiner expressed her pleasure in making the acquaintance, while Jane remained pale and silent.

“What a pleasant surprise,” Miss Darcy repeated. “I am so glad to meet any friends of my brother’s.”

“We are honoured to meet you, Miss Darcy. I just wish it were under better circumstances. My little accident was harmless but embarrassing, and my appearance must be terrible. I am glad Mr Darcy is not here to see me — he has the strongest opinion of propriety.”

A frown appeared on Miss Darcy’s face, and Elizabeth realised her tone had perhaps betrayed too much mockery.

“I hope Mr Darcy is in good health?” she immediately continued.

“He is, I thank you. He is visiting some estates in Oxfordshire and Surrey that required his attention, so he will be out of town for a while.”

Elizabeth breathed with some relief, then glanced at Jane again and boldly added, “I know Mr Darcy is most diligent with his duties. His friend often mentioned as much. I hope Mr Bingley is in good health too.”

The statement about her brother seemed to please Miss Darcy, who replied lightly, “I trust he is. I have heard nothing to suggest the opposite. But I have scarcely seen him in recent months, since he returned from Hertfordshire.”

Once more, Elizabeth glanced at Jane, who was now flushed. “My sister has been in town for more than two months now, but she has sadly not encountered Mr Bingley. He must be very busy. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst suggested as much.”

“He might well be. I do not see Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst very often either, especially when my brother is away.”

Again, Elizabeth exchanged a look with her sister and her aunt. Miss Darcy did not seem to be an intimate friend of Miss Bingley’s, as the latter had proclaimed several times.

“Miss Elizabeth, are you sure you are not hurt?” the young lady insisted. “Should we not fetch a doctor?”

“Oh dear, most certainly not! I am mortified that I concerned you, and again, I am grateful for your kindness. Such grace and generosity is rarely seen in a stranger, especially—” She almost said ‘especially someone of your situation in life’, but she checked herself just in time. She was certain Mr Darcy would never have stopped in the middle of the park to assist a stranger.

Elizabeth was pleased when her aunt interjected, though she did not expect Mrs Gardiner’s statement.

“Miss Darcy, you have certainly inherited grace and kindness from your beloved mother and generosity from both your parents.”

The object of the praise changed colour before she responded with a voice obviously filled with emotion, “Thank you. I struggle to uphold their legacy, and I am certainly not as successful as my brother. My parents, unfortunately, died a few years ago.”

“Yes, I know, and the news saddened me deeply. I am sure it pained everybody who had the privilege of knowing them even briefly.”

At such a response, Miss Darcy’s puzzlement became even more apparent, so Mrs Gardiner continued with heartfelt politeness.

“I grew up in Lambton and lived there until I was fourteen years old, when my family moved to London. I had the honour and pleasure of meeting Mr Darcy and Lady Anne several times, and even of experiencing their generosity — like everybody in Lambton.”

“Oh dear,” Miss Darcy whispered, and suddenly her eyes became blurred with tears. She turned her head to hide her distress, and Mrs Annesley tried to comfort her.

“Miss Darcy, I am so sorry that I troubled you,” Mrs Gardiner said. “I did not mean— Please forgive me…”

“No, no, please do not apologise. In fact, I thank you. I rarely meet people who knew my parents, other than those from my close family, and it always touches me…”

She regained a bit of composure, then added, “This day, these extraordinary coincidences, have overwhelmed me a little, I admit. But I am so grateful for them.”

“So are we, Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth responded, and Mrs Gardiner nodded her agreement.

The girl seemed to hesitate briefly before she spoke again.

“I was wondering…do you often ride in Hyde Park?”