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“No, I am not upset. In fact, it was a useful way to share information between different family members. Just as I did not know of her presence, or connections, here in town, Richard was unaware of who remains in Hertfordshire. I think we should both call her Miss Bennet as that is how she is known here in town. If I talk of Hertfordshire I will address the Miss Bennet I met there as Miss Jane. Let me ask you a question in turn. Did I shock you with the tale of her battles with Miss Bingley?”
Georgiana stopped and considered the question.
“The first evening did not seem that different from verbal battles here in town. Miss Bennet was a touch blunter than I have heard before but other than that no. The second evening, I have never heard anything like it. Yes, Miss Bennet’s response was shocking, but so was Miss Bingley’s insinuation. I have thought about it this morning and again it is the bluntness of her response that is so unusual. The words, the disgusting insinuation that Miss Bingley made was exactly that, an insinuation. Miss Bennet did not employ such a device. She just spoke plainly. Sitting here the next day, the insinuation and response are both shocking, but it is Miss Bennet’s plain spoken-ness that I find fascinating.”
“I can see why you would think so.”
“Why did you ask her to dance at Mr. Bingley’s ball? I find that act to be the most surprising.”
“Until last night I had not really thought back to that evening. Let me see. The weather had been ghastly in the week before the event, so I had been trapped in the house. Even before then, in the preceding fortnight, I had only seen Miss Bennet from a distance in Meryton, the nearest town to Bingley’s estate. In the run up to the ball I had been ‘trapped’ at Netherfield Park with Miss Bingley and the rest of the party. So, I had daily reminders of Miss Bingley’s unsuitability, while only memories of Miss Bennet. As I mentioned last night, on her penultimate morning while in residence we had sat and had an interesting discussion while we broke our fasts. Miss Bingley made me, makes me, tense. Miss Bennet did the exact opposite. When she arrived for the ball I saw her and before I knew it I had asked her to dance the first with me.”
“The first William? You never dance the first.”
Despite these being his own memories, Darcy was still taken aback with this realisation.
“You are right. How remarkable.”
Rather than continue the conversation Georgiana employed the lesson she had learned from her aunt the night before. She said nothing and left to practice at the piano.
Chapter 21
“I am afraid it is a day for a long walk, I have much thinking to do.”
Elizabeth’s words to Claire and Robert produced a theatrical groan, which just made them all laugh.
“At least it will just be the flat paths of Hyde Park, no hills to be climbed.”
Soon they were through the gate of the park and striding out. They walked all the way to the west end of the park, close to the bounds of Kensington Palace, before Elizabeth spoke.
“We should do this more often, on days when it is not raining or snowing.”
Her face was flushed but she was smiling, her eyes sparkling.
“Did you solve what was troubling you?”
Elizabeth nodded slowly.
“I have a plan that I am going to discuss with my uncle. I will send a note when we return to Hanover Square and request for him to send his coach.”
She said nothing further and so Claire did not pry.
“What are your impressions of the last month? In fact, it is not even a month, barely three weeks past.”
Robert stepped forward so that he was on the outside of his wife, not the normal position for a footman but there were no others out so early on a cold February morning.
“You wish us to be candid as normal?”
“Of course.”
“Lady Maria is a matchmaking mama, just more subtle than the rest. And I know she is not your mama but that minor matter is of no concern to her.”
“Why?”
“More difficult to discern. Part of it is that she likes you. You have spoken of how Miss Bingley took an immediate dislike to you, it was something within her. I think that Lady Maria is the exact opposite of that. She was always predisposed to think well of you given that you rescued her niece but how she treats you is several stages beyond that. I cannot answer as to whether she sees her younger self in you but I would not be surprised.”
“Robert?”
Robert Smith was a watcher of the world, much envied by fellow footmen whenever their paths crossed. To have been allowed to marry so young was a constant conversation starter when talking to other servants. Elizabeth did not know it but she was known to many servants of the Ton, and most thought well of her.
