by Jennifer Joy
So, she had noticed Miss Bingley. She stood apart from the crowd, next to Mrs. Hurst, against the wall.
Georgiana followed her lead and the two disappeared into the crowd just as Mrs. Bennet stepped close enough to affect her plan. But with no daughter left for Mr. Darcy to dance with, she soon left for the table with the punch. Now, Darcy stood alone with Bingley’s sisters behind him.
“How rustic, do you not agree? We are not in Grosvenor Square.” Miss Bingley humphed and crossed her arms, tossing her head back and looking down on the occupants of the room from the height of the pedestal she put herself on.
Mrs. Hurst chuckled. “You had best take care lest you have to dance with a farmer or the son of a blacksmith.”
They laughed behind their gloved hands as they continued to exalt themselves above the crowd. Darcy had always felt it his duty to live up to his position, but he never did so at the expense of another’s dignity.
Not wanting to converse with Miss Bingley, thus participating in her open mockery, and not daring to approach the refreshment table where Mrs. Bennet sought out her next victim, Darcy stood in silence. He looked over the mass of people until he found Georgiana. She was engaged in conversation with Miss Elizabeth and another lady, who must be Miss Lucas. She was plain compared to her companions. Miss Elizabeth’s eyes sparkled in the candlelight. Her smile was genuine, and Georgiana seemed relaxed in her company. Before the song was half over, the three ladies spoke amongst themselves as if they had been friends since infancy. Darcy could not hear their conversation, but he could read their corporal expressions. By the time the song ended, Georgiana’s countenance had lightened, and she smiled like she had not done since Ramsgate.
A gentleman asked Miss Bingley for a dance. She condescended to accept, rolling her eyes at Darcy as she walked by.
Bingley returned Miss Bennet to her seat and joined him just as Miss Elizabeth returned with Georgiana.
“What a diverting gathering and such delightful company. It is my aim to dance with every lady here tonight.” Bingley’s eyes remained where he had left Miss Bennet. “Why do you not dance, Darcy?”
Not able to think of a good excuse, Darcy took too long to respond.
“Do you not like to dance, Mr. Darcy?” asked Miss Elizabeth.
“There is a lack of gentlemen in the room, William. It is a shame to see so many young ladies swaying to the music alone for lack of a partner.” Georgiana moved back and forth to the music just like the ladies she described. “You did say I could dance with acquaintances, as well as the very young and very old?” She looked toward Bingley suggestively. Darcy heard Miss Elizabeth chuckle, but he refused to make eye contact.
Darcy glared at Georgiana. She knew his aversion to dancing with strangers, and her repetitive attempts for him to allow her to dance wore on him. But, he had said acquaintances…
“That is a shame, and I aim to do my part to assist those unfortunate souls. Mr. Darcy, since I qualify as an acquaintance, might I have the honor of requesting the next dance with Miss Darcy?” Mr. Bingley extended his arm out to Georgiana after Darcy gave an approving nod.
“Thank you, Mr. Bingley.” She pursed her lips at Darcy before walking away with Bingley.
Darcy felt like he had been backed into a corner. He stood facing Miss Elizabeth, who would surely expect him to ask her to dance.
“Do you like to dance, Mr. Darcy?” she asked again.
“Not especially.” He searched for the words to explain.
“What a pity. I dearly love to dance.”
Of course she did. Darcy gritted his teeth together. Best get this done with. “Miss Elizabeth, would you like to dance?” He hesitated before extending his arm out to her.
She looked at his arm, then up to his face. “It is not my custom to force a gentleman to dance out of guilt. I prefer to dance when asked in sincerity.”
Miss Elizabeth walked away, leaving Darcy alone and feeling foolish with his arm out. No lady had ever refused him.
Elizabeth left Mr. Darcy, not even attempting to wipe the smugness off her face.
She had watched him judge her family in front of her very eyes as unsuitable. She had seen his eyes narrow at her dear, sweet sister as she spoke to Mr. Bingley. He had raised his eyebrows at Father and clenched his jaw whenever he looked at Mother or her younger sisters.
While Miss Darcy was perfectly charming and, admittedly, a much better mannered girl than her own sisters, Elizabeth could not say the same for Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst with their snide remarks and superior airs. They were condescending and much too good for the Meryton Assembly. Miss Bingley could have Mr. Darcy. They would make a lovely couple and could live a life of pride and misery in each other’s company.
He must really have thought he was doing her a favor by asking her to dance.
Why such a pleasant gentleman as Mr. Bingley would befriend Mr. Darcy was inconceivable to her. Still, she would have to keep a close eye on him. If Mr. Bingley sought his counsel, she had no doubt Mr. Darcy would advise against Jane.
Poor Miss Darcy. Elizabeth could only imagine what life with such a stern older brother would be like.
Chapter 10
Darcy tried to stay angry with Miss Elizabeth. Who was she to judge him when her own family was less than exemplary? If only she had not been right. He had not wanted to dance and only asked because it was expected of him. Not that Miss Elizabeth was a distasteful dancing partner— not in the least. Only, Mrs. Bennet would have rattled on and on about it until every lady in the room insisted in one way or another that he also dance with their daughters.
Though he never vocally expressed his distaste toward her family, he had made no effort to hide his reactions to their insensibilities. He had spent the rest of the evening hoping to find some fault in the eldest Miss Bennets to justify his attitude toward their family, but he had found none.
Effectively corrected by Miss Elizabeth’s rebuke, he had asked Georgiana to dance. Then, his penitence not yet complete, he had taken a few turns with different ladies around the dance floor. It had not been so painful as he had thought, thus making him feel worse for begrudgingly asking Miss Elizabeth earlier.
Taking comfort in a new day, Darcy dressed for a morning of archery. Some targets had been set up and he would help instruct Georgiana while Miss Bingley showed off her talents with a bow and arrow.
Blankets and chairs were laid out over the lawn under the shade of some trees at a distance from the house. It had not rained too much over the past few days and the ground was dry enough. They would take advantage of the brief moments of sun until the menacing clouds rolling their direction forced them indoors.
Mr. Hurst found a comfortable spot on the blanket and soon fell fast asleep. Mrs. Hurst sat next to him, affording herself with the best view of her sister. She would ensure Darcy noticed Miss Bingley by commenting on her abilities. It was no wonder Miss Bingley gave herself airs with her sister’s constant, and often undeserved, praise.
Bingley had household affairs to attend to, and Darcy let him to it. He would only interfere and advise if asked, but he believed it better for Bingley to gain the experience of dealing with such matters on his own. He was a man with an estate and fully capable of making decisions for the benefit of his household.
Georgiana stood several paces from the target. She pulled back on her bow, her leather gloves creaking as she aimed. Strands of her long, golden hair attempted to distract her as they blew in front of her face. She held her breath and released her arrow. It hit near the red circle painted in the center.
“Well done, Georgie.”
“You astonish me, Miss Darcy, with your many accomplishments. Your brother is certainly proud.” Miss Bingley gloated at Darcy.
She stepped up to her mark and aimed.
“I wonder, Miss Bingley, if I might be so bold as to encourage you to extend an invitation to a couple of ladies we met at the Meryton Ball last night. I should love to know them better, but dare not p
resume to invite them whilst residing as a guest in your home.”
“It is no intrusion at all, my dearest friend. If you wish for some company, then I am sure whoever you invite will become just as much a friend of mine as yours. We do have so much in common in tastes, I think. Who is it you want to invite?”
Miss Bingley pulled back and steadied herself.
“I think it would be lovely to invite Miss Bennet and her sister, Miss Elizabeth, to visit.”
Miss Bingley lurched forward as she released her arrow. It struck the trunk of a tree a horse length to one side of the targets. Fortunately, no humans or animals were harmed.
Darcy turned away from the group to hide his reaction. It was too tempting to laugh.
Recovering in good time, Miss Bingley said, “Only at your insistence, my dear. Otherwise, I would never extend an invitation before a month had passed. I shall invite them to dine with us tonight as soon as we have completed our archery practice.”
“Thank you, Miss Bingley. You are very generous, and I am sure we shall become the best of friends with the Bennet sisters.”
Miss Bingley managed a small smile, but her eyes hardened as she was coerced to do something she very much did not want to do.
With encouragement from Mrs. Hurst, her aim improved over the course of the hour and Georgiana’s excitement grew at the anticipation of dinner with the Bennets.
“They may choose not to come. It would pain me to see you disappointed,” Miss Bingley said hopefully.
“If you write them, they shall come. What lady would not want to enjoy your company when offered the chance?”
“Well, you do have a point there.”
Darcy bit the sides of his cheeks. Manipulation was new to Georgiana, yet she was a master. So long as she used it for good, Darcy enjoyed watching her speak up for what she wanted.
A blast of wind blew the dark clouds closer and chilled their group. They hurried back to the house and the sitting room where the fires would be lit.
Darcy asked Georgiana to meet him in the library. They could speak privately there, since the residents of Netherfield Park saw that particular room more as an adornment than a practicality.
He paced in front of the windows, waiting, and watched the clouds come in like ocean waves threatening to drench anyone in its wake.
Light footsteps padded across the carpet. “Is everything well? I hope you do not think me impertinent for getting Miss Bingley to invite the Bennets to dine. Their company is so enjoyable, I do not wish to be long without it.”
Darcy sighed. There were moments when he looked at his little sister and saw the five year old girl with gold ringlets and missing front teeth. He would blink and in her place was a poised young lady who, only moments ago, had bent the will of Miss Bingley to accomplish her end.
“No, rather I am impressed. But, I am also curious as to what caused you to voice your wish so persuasively.”
“I am so accustomed to having my decisions made for me, I have decided that if I want to be treated as a mature young lady, I had best speak my opinions.”
Darcy winced. He was not so bad as that, was he? “Is this the work of Miss Elizabeth?”
Georgiana bristled, though there was no need for her to do so.
Darcy added, “It is my inclination to be decisive. I know it.” How could he explain so that she would understand? Did he understand? The expression on Miss Elizabeth’s face when she refused to dance with him came to the fore. She would accept ill-treatment from nobody. She had been decisive in their brief moments of conversation. These admirable qualities were what Georgiana lacked. She was shy from a lack of confidence and completely unaware of her strength. Darcy had seen a glimpse of it that morning, but she needed so much more before entering Society or even considering an attachment.
“You do not disapprove, then?”
“No. If one evening in Miss Elizabeth’s company has strengthened your fortitude, I would not discourage your friendship with her. I know I do not speak such things aloud, but I want you to know that I believe you every bit as capable and accomplished a lady as Mother was at your age. She would be as proud of you as I am.”
Georgiana’s chin quivered. “Thank you.” A tear trickled down her smiling cheek.
Her strong reaction shook Darcy. He was a man of few words, but surely this was not the first time he had told her something so important.
“I miss her, William.”
“I do too.”
Smiling through her misty eyes, she said, “Have you noticed how similar in personalities the Bennet sisters are to Mother and Father? Miss Bennet is everything serene and kind— just like Mother— whereas Miss Elizabeth reminds me of my memory of Father. She makes me feel that life is an adventure. I could confide in Miss Bennet, and she would comfort my mending heart. Miss Elizabeth would find a way for Wickham to pay for his duplicity.”
Darcy laughed at her comparison. “I do believe you are right. We shall enjoy the evening in their company.”
“Mr. Bingley will be happy to see Miss Bennet.”
“Yes, he does fall in love easily.” Darcy crossed his arms.
“I think she returns his affection.”
“Do you? I find her indifferent.”
“No, Brother. She is just like me. She is shy.”
“I remain unconvinced, and I intend to warn Bingley if I see no sign of attachment on her part.”
She clenched the arms of the chair she sat in. “What a horrible thing to do, William. Would you ruin the happiness of your friend and of a deserving young lady. I know I do not yet know her well, but I believe it to be true and will believe so unless proved wrong.” She spoke with a firmness Darcy rarely heard from her.
Holding his hands up, he said, “I am not so unjust as to speak before examining all the evidence. I would never act on a judgment unless I was certain.”
“Love is an art, not a science. You cannot force it between glass and look at it through a microscope. I am shocked at you, William. For one who spoke so eloquently on the subject not long ago, you do not seem to recognize it when it stands in front of you. Anyone could see their affection was mutual.”
“Do not worry yourself. I shall say nothing without first consulting with you. You are a better judge of your sex than I am. I will defer to your opinion.”
Satisfied, she sat back and retracted her fingers from the arms of her chair.
“I wonder…” she started. She stared at him with such a look that made him fidget in his chair. She was scheming.
“What do you wonder?” he asked, not sure he wanted to hear the answer, but curious nonetheless.
She bit her lips and smiled. “Never you mind. I think you shall find out soon enough, if I am not mistaken.” She tapped her finger against her chin.
Had he walked into a trap?
Georgiana rose and took a couple steps toward the door before turning back. “I think our dinner with Miss Elizabeth will be diverting, do you not?”
Why should she mention Miss Elizabeth without including Miss Bennet?
Chapter 11
Rejoicing echoed through Longbourn House. An invitation for Jane and Elizabeth to dine at Netherfield Park had been extended from their esteemed neighbor, Miss Bingley.
Though the younger Bennet sisters resented that they had not been included in the invitation, their mother’s excitement soon allayed their hurt pride— that and the promise of a trip into the Meryton to look at the wares in the shop. Elizabeth, full of optimistic caution, was pleased Jane would have the opportunity to be in Mr. Bingley’s company even though it meant spending an evening with his malicious sisters. She did look forward to seeing Miss Darcy.
“I do not for a moment think Miss Bingley issued the invitation without the encouragement of Mr. Bingley. Oh, my beautiful Jane, you shall be married by the end of this year,” Mrs. Bennet said, intoxicated with the success of her plan. After all, it was she who had encouraged Mr. Bingley to notice Jane with her comments— so
she frequently remarked to anyone in the room.
Elizabeth bit her tongue and let herself feel happy for Jane. She did not often agree with Mother, but she too was certain someone other than Miss Bingley was responsible for the invitation. If she were the betting sort, she would lay her money on Miss Darcy. Who could blame her for wanting to widen her circle outside of the rigid views held by her brother and Miss Bingley?
“What I do not understand is why she included you in the invitation, Lizzy? Perhaps that unpleasant friend of Mr. Bingley took a fancy to you.” Mother fanned her red face.
“Thank you, Mother.” Elizabeth shook her head and sighed.
“Do not speak so, Mother. Mr. Darcy was not so unpleasant as you imply. Did he not dance with several ladies during the course of the night? And he was perfectly attentive to his sister.”
Elizabeth knew Jane would manage to say something kind about Mr. Darcy. She was incapable of speaking ill of anyone. It was true enough what she said about Mr. Darcy dancing with the other ladies, but it only made the sting of his insincerity in asking her all the more painful.
Father entered the room. “The carriage is being polished up so that my girls may arrive in style.”
Mother gasped. “Oh, but no! They must not take the carriage. They shall ride on horseback to Netherfield Park.”
Silence overtook the room.
“My love, you see the clouds outside. Surely it will rain.”
“Precisely, Mr. Bennet.”
Had Mother gone mad? “We shall arrive wet,” exclaimed Elizabeth.
“Exactly! Your figures will show to greater advantage in wet dresses—”
“Immodesty is the seed from which impure thoughts and immorality grow,” interrupted Mary in all her sternness. For once, Elizabeth agreed with her.
“Be that as it may, these things often require a helping hand. If we are very fortunate, one of you will catch a chill, thus prolonging your stay.”