“If only balls did not have so much dancing and more discussion,” Miss Bingley sighed. “What say you, Mr. Darcy?”
Miss Bingley was sure she was gratifying Mr. Darcy’s sensibilities with her description of a ball she imagined he would enjoy.
Darcy turned around as the object of his obsession had disappeared behind a stand of trees. “What you are describing would not be a ball, Miss Bingley,” Darcy drawled. “I do not object to a ball as long as I know those attending, as I will in this case.”
She was not happy with his reply, but Miss Bingley did not say any more as the last thing she wanted was to provoke Mr. Darcy into disagreeing with her yet again.
~~~~~~~/~~~~~~~
“Is that another letter from Wills?” Tiffany asked her younger cousin.
“It is,” Georgiana averred. “I will read it to you if you like.”
“As long as there is nothing personal you would not want me to hear,” Tiffany responded.
“Tiff, you know I have no secrets from you,” Georgiana assured her cousin. She opened the letter and began to read.
22 November 1810
Netherfield Park, Hertfordshire
Dearest Giana,
I miss you my dearest sister and as much as I would have enjoyed you being here with me, I would not force you into the company of one with whom you do not feel comfortable.
“Wills knows you dislike Miss Bingley and her sister intensely, does he not?” Tiffany enquired.
“I-I have not told him that…exactly. After my almost elopement, I do not want to give William any reason to be upset with me,” Georgiana explained.
“Giana! Wills would not be cross if you told him how you truly feel,” Tiffany insisted. “Like Andy and Rich would for me, your brother would do anything in his power to make sure you are happy.”
“What of his friendship with Mr. Bingley? I would not want to be the cause of a breach between them,” Georgiana stated plaintively.
“Miss Darcy, excuse me if I interject,” Mrs. Annesley said gently. Giana nodded her permission. “Lady Tiffany has the right of it. Your brother would do anything to make you happy. I have seen Mr. Bingley around his sister. He is aware of, let us say, her deficiencies. If your brother took steps to make sure Miss Bingley no longer importuned you and it caused a problem between him and Mr. Bingley, the friendship would be a very weak one indeed.”
Giana looked to her cousin who was nodding her agreement with vigour. “I suppose I will talk to William when I see him next,” Georgiana decided. She returned to the letter.
I am sitting in the drawing room and silly me, I thought when Miss Bingley saw I was busy with a letter, she would leave me be. No such luck. She interrupts me constantly and has asked me to send her warmest regards to“dear Georgiana”no less than five times already.
Please tell me in your next letter. Did you ever give Miss Bingley leave to address you so informally? I know neither Rich nor I have done so.
If only Miss Elizabeth was in the drawing room, she would have drawn Miss Bingley’s attention. She has such an easy way of countering Miss Bingley’s barbs and rudeness.
So many times when in company with Miss Elizabeth, I have to fight my mirth from bubbling over. She is so witty and intelligent that Miss Bingley can never quite work out when Miss Elizabeth is putting her in her place and making sport of her.
I am continuing this letter in my chambers. I could no longer concentrate on what I wanted to write to you with Miss Bingley buzzing around my head like an errant housefly.
Bingley and I stopped by to make sure Miss Bennet (Miss Elizabeth’s older sister, the one who has taken ill) and Miss Elizabeth were both well.
They were. Miss Elizabeth decided to spend the evening with her sister and forego dinner and the drawing room with the rest of the residents. She stated she wanted to be able to be with her sister who was vastly improved. My belief is she chose not to put herself in Miss Bingley’s company. As she told my friend, Miss Bingley does not intimidate her in the least.
My hope, Giana sweetling, is that your spirits are much recovered and I will repeat what I have said before: I hold you blameless for Ramsgate. The blame lies at the feet of that blackguard who tried to insert himself into your life and the faithless companion who was in league with him.
Enjoy your time with Aunt, Uncle, and Tiffany. Have you seen much of Andy and Cilla? Are they still in London or have they returned to Hilldale already?
As I promised, we will be together for Christmastide. I will let you know when I plan to return to Darcy House.
With my warmest regards,
