What did Mr. Darcy think of her now? Things had happened so fast, she had not looked at him, and now she would wonder and doubt.
“Mr. Collins will not want to marry any of you, and what will happen to us then? He was our last hope!” Mama wailed.
The full weight of what had happened overwhelmed Elizabeth. Not only was she a disgrace, but her sisters were ruined.
And it had all been her doing.
CHAPTER 35
Georgiana’s rage increased with every step Elizabeth retreated until the door closed behind her injured friend. Her blunder had not gone unperceived by Mrs. Hurst—E.B. meant Elizabeth Bennet—and now Georgiana realized what Mr. Bingley’s sisters had been up to over the past week. Thank goodness the rains had slowed their calls, or else the damage would certainly have extended beyond the company now milling about within Netherfield’s walls.
Feeling wretched for handing those awful women the information they needed to take down a young lady so far superior to them, Georgiana turned to face Miss Bingley, who tried unsuccessfully not to look smug.
Georgiana’s blood boiled. In that instant, she made a choice. She would be a good friend to the person most deserving of her friendship and would do her best to undo the damage she had helped cause. Lifting her chin andtaking a deep breath to ensure that her voice would carry, Georgiana said clearly and emphatically, “Shame on you!”
The whispers quieted, and everyone turned to her. She looked them over, doing her best imitation of her aunt Catherine’s imperiousness. She wanted them to feel judged, criticized, and every inch as censured as they had made Elizabeth feel just now. “Shame on all of you!”
Miss Bingley tittered at her side. “The only one to act shamefully has departed.”
Georgiana’s gaze snapped to Miss Bingley. “There is nothing shameful about her. She does not pretend to be something she is not.”
“She pretended to be a man,” said someone from the crowd.
Georgiana leveled her gaze in the direction from which the argument had arisen. “She used a man’s name to sell her paintings. Many artists over the years have done the same. Miss Elizabeth is a talented artist and alady.” The emphasis she put onladywas met with several quiet protests, but Georgiana did not care. She had to do what she knew in her heart to be right. “Miss Elizabeth ought not be punished for putting the needs of her family ahead of her own reputation.”
At this, she turned to face Miss Bingley. Unlike Georgiana, she was concerned with how she appeared to the majority. “You use the word rather loosely if you can apply it to Eliza Bennet,” she said, watching the reaction of those around them all the while.
“Likeartistapplies to you?” Georgiana said, wanting nothing more than to wipe the self-satisfied smirk off Caroline Bingley’s face.
Miss Bingley paled.
Mrs. Hurst chimed in, her manners and speech patronizing. “Of course you would take Miss Eliza’s side. We can hardly cast any blame on you, Miss Darcy. You are a victim of her treachery, just as we so nearly were. Rather, I wish to extend an apology to you for allowing her to stay here during her sister’s convalescence and thus exposing you to her company and influence. What a disagreeable impostor she proved to be.”
“Impostor?! The only impostor I am aware of is right here.” Georgiana glared at Miss Bingley.
The lady widened her eyes innocently, fanning her fingers over her chest, feigning surprise at the accusation. “I have no idea to what you refer.”
Georgiana refused to play her game. Holding her stance, she said dryly, “An impostoranda bold-faced liar!”
Mrs. Hurst snapped. “You forget yourself, Miss Darcy. Is this how our hospitality is to be rewarded, with scathing accusations made in front of all these witnesses? For shame! I shall have to take this up with your brother.”
Georgiana felt the ground shift under her feet. She was in the right, but Mrs. Hurst had made her look like the villain.
Richard cleared his throat. There was a twinkle in his eye. “Let us set aside the accusations?—”
“Thank you, Colonel! Spoken like a true gentleman,” agreed Mrs. Hurst.
Had she known Richard better, she would certainly not have been so agreeable.
“I am glad you agree, Mrs. Hurst, as there really is only one solution to this madness. If Miss Bingley wishes to prove herself above accusation, then let her prove it. That is easy enough.”
“I-I hardly know what I am supposed to prove,” Miss Bingley huffed before clasping her hands together and saying boldly, “I have nothing to hide.”
Richard grinned. “Then this should take no time at all. Georgiana will state what she believes you to be guilty of, and you will have the opportunity to disprove her claim. If she is wrong, then she will issue a public apology and beg for your forgiveness.” He looked directly at Georgiana. “Will you not?”
Georgiana agreed without hesitation.
“Very well, now that we are understood, what is your charge against Miss Bingley?”
