“Dear Jane, are you feeling better?” Miss Bingley enquired insincerely. “Miss Eliza.”
“Miss Caro, good morning to you,” Elizabeth returned with a deadpan look on her face. “As you can see by her presence, Jane is much better.”
“My name is MissCarolineBingley,” Miss Bingley sneered.
“As mine is MissElizabethBennet,” Elizabeth riposted.
“I heard Miss Lucas call you Eliza,” Miss Bingley insisted.
“She and her family are the only ones from whom I accept being called Eliza. They do not use the name as a form of derision but rather from friendship,” Elizabeth returned.
Miss Bingley looked over at Mr. Darcy and was able to tell he was not at all amused with what she had considered her witticisms. She sniffed and went to make herself a plate.
For the rest of the meal, other than Mr. Bingley and Jane who had their heads together speaking quietly, there was little conversation between the rest of those at the table.
Elizabeth placed her knife and fork together and moved aside slightly making it easier for the footman to remove her plate. “Jane, unless you need me, I will take a walk in the park,” Elizabeth said.
“Go Lizzy, it has been a few days since you have been able to exercise. I am well taken care of in the house,” Jane responded.
She stood, curtsied to those in the parlour, retrieved her bonnet from the butler, and then headed for the front doors. As soon as Elizabeth left the breakfast parlour, Miss Bingley forgot, or cared not, that her sister was still seated within.
“We do know MissElizais a great walker, after all.” Miss Bingley tittered into her hand and was joined in that by her sister.
“Did MissElizabethnot point out but minutes ago you do not have her permission to address her thusly,” Darcy stated rather firmly.
Rather than respond, Miss Bingley found the food on her plate rather interesting. She did not look at anyone. Instead, she sat with her head down pushing her food around on her plate until Mr. Darcy, Miss Bennet, and her brother left the dining parlour.
“Caroline, take care. You will alienate Mr. Darcy and then how will you induce him to offer for you,” Mrs. Hurst opined.
“Do not worry so, Louisa.MyMr. Darcy cares not for that low-born hoyden. The sooner she and Miss Bennet return to that hovel they call an estate, the better.” Miss Bingley stated nastily. “With their so-called estate being entailed, they will lose their status as gentlewomen when their father is no more.”
Louisa Hurst was sure her sister was wrong, but she would not tell her that. The last thing she wanted was for Caroline to have a tantrum and begin abusing her verbally as she had done many times in the past.
Rather than rebut her sister, Mrs. Hurst returned her attention to the food on her plate.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
Darcy had to fight his inclination to go walk in the park as well andquite by chancecome across Miss Elizabeth and her lithe figure as she took her exercise. It was less than four and twenty hours before the temptress would be gone.
He decided to go to the library—if one could name a room with so few books with that hallowed moniker— and seat himself with a book because it was one of the few places in the house Miss Bingley never entered.
Before he did, he watched Miss Elizabeth as she walked along one of the paths in the park. Behind him, he could hear the hum of conversation between Miss Bennet and Bingley.
Rather than the library, he told himself he would remain in the drawing room instead to guard propriety so Miss Bennet and Bingley were not left alone. He had to admit with the doors wide open and a footman just outside, he was not needed in the room, but he wanted to keep watching Miss Elizabeth.
“When your mother was here, I told her I would have you name the date for a ball to be held here once you were well again,” Bingley told Miss Bennet. “What say you to the first Friday in December? That would allow for more than a fortnight to plan and make sure there is enough white soup ready.”
Just then, Miss Bingley and the Hursts entered the drawing room. “Charles, you cannot be serious about holding a ball in this unsophisticated place,” Miss Bingley interjected.
“I most certainly am serious,” Bingley replied firmly. “If you are not up to organising it, I will request Louisa replace you as mistress of the estate.”
“Of course I am able to make the arrangements,” Miss Bingley huffed indignantly. “I was just concerned that some of our party will not enjoy such entertainment.” No one missed how Miss Bingley looked at Mr. Darcy’s back as she said the last.
“You mean Darcy? If he chooses to, he is welcome to hide in his chambers and sleep, but a ball we will have,” Bingley turned back to his angel. “The seventh day of December is not too soon is it?”
“For my part, no, that would not be too soon,” Jane averred.
“Then it is decided, the ball will be held here on that night,” Bingley insisted.
