Your brother, William
“It is the most he has mentioned Miss Elizabeth,” Tiffany postulated. “I think I would enjoy meeting her.”
“I as well, but what would she think of me if she discovered my folly?” Georgiana worried.
“The only way she would do so is if you told her, and if you did, she would be worthy of the knowledge,” Tiffany stated with surety. “She sounds nothing like that harpy who would use such information for her own benefit.”
Georgiana’s face showed deep worry. “What you said made me think about Aunt Catherine. If she knew, she would use it to apply pressure and force William to marry Anne.”
“If ourdearaunt ever sunk so low, she would be rejected by all of us in the family, we would never know her again,” Tiffany insisted. “Do not forget, Papa is the executor of Uncle Lewis’s will and he is able to exert much control over Lady Catherine.”
“I forgot about that,” Georgiana averred as she visibly relaxed.
Giana put the letter aside and thereafter the two girls sat on the bench in front of the pianoforte to work on duets.
Chapter 11
For the first time since she arrived at Netherfield Park, Jane Bennet enjoyed a full dinner in the dining parlour. When she had arrived initially, some days past, she had not been able to last more than half of the meal before becoming sick and having to be put to bed. Now here she was, seated next to Mr. Bingley who looked perfectly happy with himself to have her placed next to him at the table.
For Bingley’s part, he was more than pleased to have his angel at his right hand, her younger sister seated to his left. When he had told Caroline how he wanted the seating arranged for dinner she had initially balked at the idea of Miss Bennet sitting next to him.
Suddenly her opposition had disappeared like wisps of smoke being blown by a strong wind. Bingley had assumed—correctly—his sister had realised with Miss Bennet next to him, her younger sister would be close to her and far away from Caroline, and more importantly, Darcy, at the other end of the large table.
Caroline had placed Louisa next to Darcy and Hurst next to her on the other side. Even though there was a distance between the two groups at the ends of the table, Bingley did not miss how pleased Caroline was to have Darcy next to her and Miss Elizabeth far away from her prey.
He had warned his sister, in no uncertain terms, against being snide or rude, even in the smallest measure to their guests. The penalty was banishment to Scarborough and a drastic reduction in her allowance.
Bingley was well aware he would have to apologise to Darcy for the seating arrangements later. The formidable Darcy mask was in place and if he responded to Caroline at all, it was with monosyllabic replies.
Elizabeth was too pleased to be seated across from Jane in a dining parlour to care about the four at the other end of the table. She was deriving too much pleasure from seeing Janey looking like her normal, healthy self.
Knowing how much pleasure Jane took in Mr. Bingley’s company, Elizabeth only responded when one or the other spoke to her directly, which was hardly at all. The two, Elizabeth judged, were well on their way to falling in love with each other.
Some years past, just before Jane was pushed out by their mother at the tender age of fifteen, Jane and then twelve-year-old Lizzy had sworn they would only marry for the deepest love and a healthy respect.
Their parents had loved one another at first, but without respect and with no meeting of the minds, their love had withered and died. It was not a fate either of the eldest Bennet daughters would agree to suffer even if it meant they never married and had to go into service to provide for themselves.
At his end of the table, Darcy was suffering the inanities and cloying attentions of Miss Bingley. If only he had never confessed his attraction to Miss Elizabeth’s fine eyes to her. Ever since then, she had redoubled her attempts to gain his favour.
He was aware Bingley had told her—on numerous occasions—her desires regarding himself would never—under any circumstances—be gratified. It seemed Miss Bingley saw and heard only that which fit her preconceived notions.
It was times like this when Darcy missed Richard even more. His cousin could deflect the most determined fortune hunter or social climber—Miss Bingley was both—away from himself, an ability Darcy wished he had.
Thankfully, after what to Darcy felt like an interminable period, dinner came to an end. Usually, being such a small party, the men eschewed separation of the sexes, but on this evening, Darcy needed a break from Miss Bingley so he requested one.
When Miss Bingley heard Mr. Darcy’s request, she flattered herself that Mr. Darcy shared her feelings and was trying to cut the amount of time to a minimum he would have to be with the lowborn Bennets.
Normally she would ignore her brother’s edicts about politeness, however, she had seen something in his eyes which told her Charles would follow through. This time it was no idle threat. It was hard, but so far she had held her tongue, much against her own inclination, regarding the hoyden. She could not take a chance in the drawing room before the men joined them as she would not risk her brother hearing her.
Miss Bingley stood and led the three ladies out of the dining parlour while Bingley stood and seated himself where his younger sister had been, placing him close to Darcy and Hurst.
The butler delivered a silver tray with port, wine, and brandy decanters and the requisite glasses. All three men selected brandy. As was his wont, Hurst poured himself well over two fingers’ worth, while the other two poured barely one finger each.
“You owe me,” Darcy told Bingley. There was no worry about Hurst paying attention to them as long as he had his brandy and the decanter in front of him to replenish his glass as needed.
“Of that I am well aware,” Bingley responded as he raised his glass in a salute of his friend.
“I know not how much longer I can continue to be pleasant to your younger sister,” Darcy stated after he took a small sip of his brandy. He was not one to over imbibe. He hated losing control. “One of these days, I will forget my manners and tell Miss Bingley the truth of how I feel about her and her pretensions.”
