Lizzy looked at Jane blankly and then back at Kitty. Was this their sister who only last week plotted with Lydia to visit the officers’ barracks before the men were dressed? What had become of this girl, and what were these magical powers this Mr. Darcy had to influence Kitty in this manner?
Whatever powers he possesses, I wish it were proper to somehow thank him for his unknown act of service.
Chapter 3
“Three months,” Darcy said slowly reading the letter from his aunt for the hundredth time since its arrival. He was unable to believe the time had finally come to take his bride.A Christmas wedding during the merriest of seasons. Ironic.“In three months, the dream of my mother will finally be fulfilled.”Not your dream, Fitzwilliam?He picked up his morning coffee and looked out the window. He knew the answer to that.I will honor the memory of my mother and stay resolute to the duty of both Georgiana and my mother’s namesake. He tried to hide a hint of mirth as he laughed at the irony that his future wife was named for the only woman he had ever truly loved.
“Love.” He sighed absently, tapping his fingers on the glass pane. “I will never know love, not real love as my parents did.” For a moment, the choices he would never make, would never be allowed to make, ran rampant through his mind before they were pushed aside.But, my devotion to Pemberley and Georgiana are all I will need to be happy. Eventually, Anne will produce an heir, and then he will add to my felicity.He stretched the emotional exhaustion from his muscles and crossed to the desk to finish a letter to his steward before making his way downstairs.
Though impolitic, he had remained in his room as long as possible for he had not the energy to fend off the overtures of Miss Bingley.That woman knows I am promised to Anne, yet she insists on continually attempting to draw my favor.He shook his head at her machinations. If not for Bingley… But, now with the wedding date set, her actions and words will not do.Fitzwilliam finished his letter and firmly closed the door behind him on the way to his friend’s study.
* * *
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet?”
Lizzy looked up from the rows of ribbons and lace with curiosity. Jane and Kitty had accompanied her to Meryton on the special demands of their mother to find the “perfect ribbon” for Lydia’s dress. The favored child had pouted all the previous evening that Mr. Bingley would not give two straws for her if she did not have new embellishments for her gown, and with the possibility of losing the attentions of a man worth five thousand a year, Mrs. Bennet had dispatched three daughters to rectify the situation.
Lizzy did not recognize the lady as any of her acquaintances from Meryton yet smiled at the elegant stranger before her. “Yes, I am Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Pardon my impertinence, but I heard the shopkeeper address you and wanted to make myself known. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Caroline Bingley, this is my sister Mrs. Luisa Hurst, and this is Miss Georgiana Darcy. Your father made my brother’s acquaintance a few days ago at Netherfield Park. I determined that would do for an introduction.”
“Oh, yes, my father conveyed how much he enjoyed meeting Mr. Bingley,” Lizzy said, setting aside the millinery and curtsied prettily. “My family had the pleasure of taking tea with your brother and Mr. Darcy yesterday. Unfortunately, my sister Jane and I were away.” Lizzy turned to Jane and said, “May I present two of my sisters, Miss Jane Bennet and Miss Katherine Bennet?”
“Miss Darcy was eager to make the acquaintance of a gentleman’s daughter as we will be residing in Netherfield until the Season. And after their meeting with your family, I am certain Charles and Mr. Darcy will encourage the connection with a genteel family such as yours amongst so many rustics.”
Lizzy wondered at Miss Bingley’s declaration.An odd attempt at veiled insolence?She also had a slight inclination the lady was mocking her. Instead, she turned her attentions to Miss Darcy. A petite, timid-looking girl of about sixteen. She had golden curls and large, clear blue eyes that were veiled behind long lashes. Her disposition seemed the opposite to that of her companion and Lizzy deemed she would like her at once.
“My father spoke very highly of your brother yesterday, and I am pleased to have met you. I do hope we will meet in company more often. Have you been in Hertfordshire long, Miss Darcy?”
“Only but a day,” she whispered, looking up through her lashes. It seemingly pained her to speak and Lizzy could see her expression toward Miss Bingley was more of intimidation than companionship. “My brother and I arrived yesterday morning.”
“And how are you finding Netherfield, Miss Darcy?” asked Kitty. She stepped forward and smiled encouragingly.
“Very well, thank you.” Miss Darcy looked up, offering a genuine smile to Kitty. Forcing her voice to increase in volume, she shakily continued. “This shop is very quaint. It very much reminds me of the shops near my home.”
Miss Bingley snickered before interrupting with her nasally voice. “These country villages are idyllic. Though the people are lacking in refinement, present company excluded of course, Miss Elizabeth. I do find the estate lovely. But Meryton is a curious little town in which to take a holiday.”
Lizzy arched her brow. “Yes, we rustics are honored by your condescension and welcome you to our county. Hopefully, you will find respite here and entertainment before the delights of the Season whisk you away.” She smiled sweetly and turned once more to Georgiana. “Miss Darcy, might we have the pleasure of your company this evening at the assembly?”
Georgiana shook her head sadly. “I am not yet out, so my brother and I will remain at Netherfield.”
“Your brother will not be in attendance?”If he is the same man from the carriage, it will be a sad evening indeed.
“No, he is not one for balls and parties but would go if not for the worry of leaving me alone. He takes prodigious care of me.” She smiled brightly, and Lizzy was slightly envious of not having such a brother of her own.
“And I will be staying with them as well,” Miss Bingley interjected. “I could not bear to leave my dear Georgiana alone at the house with no female companionship. We will make quite a merry party.”
Lizzy noted that Miss Darcy seemed both surprised by the revelation and not particularly pleased. They chatted a bit more about the Darcy’s journey into the country before Miss Darcy excused herself and made her way over to a display of fine ribbons. Kitty soon joined her. They were engrossed in Kitty’s one-sided conversation together while her own conversation with Miss Bingley was quite stunted. After an inelegant moment of silence, Miss Bingley curtseyed, joined Miss Darcy, and gently encouraged her to make a selection so they might depart.
Miss Darcy smiled at Kitty and said, “Thank you for your suggestion, Miss Katherine. I will inform you of how the ribbon matched my bonnet next time we meet.”
“I hope to see it!” Pleased with her new acquaintance, Kitty curtseyed as the Netherfield party prepared to leave.
After the group exited the store, Jane rapturously said, “Were they not lovely! Miss Bingley was so kind with her attentions to Miss Darcy and Mrs. Hurst’s gown was exquisite. I do look forward to meeting with Mrs. Hurst again tonight at the assembly.”
Kitty agreed with her eldest sister, emphasizing the genteel manner of Miss Darcy, but Lizzy was not convinced. “Save Miss Darcy, I believe they are more pleased with themselves than what they see!”
“Oh, Lizzy, that cannot be true. I am sure they are all kindness. Why look at Miss Bingley! Willing to sacrifice a night of pleasure to stay at home to keep her young friend company. Is that not kindness itself?” Jane’s large hazel eyes looked at Lizzy for confirmation, not believing her sister would have misjudged even that simple act of friendship for anything less than authentic.
