Jane did look up at her then, wrinkling her nose in annoyance. “What are you implying that I am implying, Lizzy?”
“Do not be coy with me, sister. I know you better than anyone, I think. And though you are disposed to think well of everyone, I do not think that Mrs Younge is your cup of tea? Am I correct?”
“Perhaps she is only careful with her charge. That is to be commended, is it not?”
“No, it is not. Not the way she is careful, at any rate. You will not speak ill of anyone, but I do not like her condescending tone. Besides, I feel she has something to hide and that it may have to do with Miss Darcy. I mislike it.”
“You are ever too distrusting, Lizzy. I will only say that Mrs Younge does not seem the kind of woman that wants to be friendly. Perhaps we caught her on a bad day. Our next visit may be far more pleasant.” Jane stood, looking over her work in the sunlight streaming through the window. “There. One more, and there will be a new handkerchief for each of us.”
“Should not Mama be helping with that?” Elizabeth asked, nodding to the basket.
“I do not mind,” Jane replied. “Now, let us write this invitation to the Darcys.”
∞∞∞
“It is a charming place, really,” Georgiana said as they walked down the cobblestone street. To do so took some attention, for the road was rather worn and would have benefitted from repairs.
Darcy did not mind that, so much as the contemptuous looks that people cast toward his sister. Thankfully, Mrs Younge kept her so busy by pointing out different shops and commenting on the various things to be seen in their windows that Georgiana did not seem to notice. Or if she did, she did not allow it to wipe the smile off her face. She linked her arm through Darcy’s as they walked, and he was glad of the kinship they shared. It was odd indeed that the townspeople seemed to dislike her so. There was certainly no legitimate cause for dislike in Georgiana. It would have been hard to imagine a kinder or gentler young woman. She was only rather shy.
When they walked into the milliner’s shop, the older woman greeted them with a smile, until she saw his sister. Her face fell as soon as Georgiana and Mrs Younge entered. “Oh, hello.” She waved her hand around the shop, then quickly went back to her work. “Let me know if you need assistance with anything.”
Darcy stood aside as the women looked around. Two other women came in a few minutes after them and began whispering behind their hands almost immediately.
The rest of the stroll around the village did little to alleviate his anger. No one seemed pleased to see Georgiana, no matter where they went. By the time they returned to the rented lodgings, Darcy was fit to be tied. He gave his gloves and hat to his valet and followed the ladies into the formal parlour.
“Has anyone come to call while we’ve been about town?” Georgiana asked the maid expectantly.
“No, Miss. Not a soul,” the maid reported.
Georgiana’s face fell, but she quickly recovered. “Well, no matter.”
“But there was a letter delivered for you and Mr Darcy from Longbourn,” the maid went on. She went to the silver tray and retrieved a single letter. “It arrived an hour ago.”
“Very good. Thank you, Sally.”
The maid curtsied and went out, closing the door behind her. Mrs Younge joined them in the sitting area and sat down in the chair across from him. Georgiana joined him on the settee and opened the letter. She scanned its contents, her smile growing wider with each line. “Oh! It is an invitation from Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She asks us to join them for supper. And herfather has added a postscript. How very civil.” She handed the letter to him to read.
∞∞∞
Dear Miss Darcy,
I hope this letter finds you and your brother well. Please send our fond regards to Mrs Younge, as well. We should like to invite you to join us for supper at Longbourn on Friday evening. I hope you will send me your acceptance straightaway — I should be delighted to enjoy your company and, after all you have told me of him, to meet your brother.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Bennet
∞∞∞
The postscript from Mr Bennet was simple enough, merely repeating the invitation and expressing his intention to call on Darcy. There was nothing entirely objectionable in the letter, Darcy admitted to himself, but it irked him that this Elizabeth Bennet so obviously expected them to accept.
“It is a good letter, is it not?” Georgiana asked. He hated to crush her spirit, but after what Mrs Younge had told him on the day past, he was unsure how wise it would be to encourage the acquaintance.
“It is certainly to the point,” Darcy replied, handing the letter back to her.
Her face fell. She scanned the letter again, her shoulders slumping. “Do you think it is too informal for such a brief acquaintance?”
Darcy hated to see the insecurity seeping back into her eyes. He had hoped she would make a goodly amount of friends in Meryton. It had pained him to see her so cloistered inside Pemberley, with nary a soul to talk to except her companion and the servants, especially when he was away on business. However, was it worth it to keep her here, where people had already rejected her? What kind of town was this that they should turn their backs on a girl who would never even hurt a fly?
