Sir Lucas cleared his throat and made an awkward, hesitant bow. “Miss Darcy. May I present Miss Elizabeth Bennet?” He spoke rather abruptly, as the ladies were mid-sentence, and seemed to be discussing something of great import in hushed tones. They both turned and gave Sir Lucas a haughty look. Or at least, what could have been construed as haughty in Mrs Younge’s case. Miss Darcy had more the look of a frightened doe about her.
“Miss Elizabeth Bennet,” she said in a breathy tone, almost overcome with relief, Elizabeth would guess. “I am pleased to meet you.”
Miss Darcy curtsied low, while Mrs Younge scarcely bowed her head. “Charmed, I’m sure.” She made a point of looking Elizabeth up and down. The expression on her face was surely a smirk, rather than a smile.
Elizabeth turned to Miss Darcy as Sir Lucas bowed, turned on his heel, and walked away. Though she could not help but feel a little abandoned at being left alone with the unsettling strangers, Elizabeth resolutely turned to Miss Darcy. She was not averse to making new friends. Having been given the gift of being able to converse easily with strangers, Elizabeth thought she ought to use it. She took a steadying breath and turned her attention to Miss Darcy. “How are you enjoying your time inMeryton so far, Miss Darcy? I understand you’ve come to visit from Derbyshire?”
“Yes, the nearest town to my family estate is called Lambton. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?” Miss Darcy asked, her voice surprisingly quiet for a girl reputed to be so haughty. Her eyes had lit up at the question. Perhaps Miss Darcy was not as proud as everyone thought. Perhaps she was only shy.
“I have not had the pleasure. However, my aunt and uncle have visited Derbyshire every year for as long as I can remember. My aunt grew up there, and is most fond of the Peaks District. They have told stories of their travels, but I have not been fortunate enough to see it for myself.”
The rest of the conversation centred around Miss Darcy’s description of Derbyshire and her home, Pemberley. As she got comfortable with Elizabeth, she opened up all the more, and Elizabeth found her to be a genuinely warm person. Before a quarter of an hour had passed, Elizabeth was convinced that Miss Darcy was not proud at all, but only unused to talking with strangers.
“My brother bought me a pianoforte last autumn, which he should not have done. But I cannot complain, since it is the most beautiful instrument I have ever been privileged enough to play. Do you play, Miss Bennet?”
Elizabeth gave a short laugh. “Only when forced.”
Miss Darcy’s eyes lit up. “Well, then, I shall have to find an occasion on which you cannot refuse.” After talking a few minutes more, they parted as friends.
The rest of the assembly seemed to pass in a blur. In the carriage on the ride home, Elizabeth was pleased to tell her parents how well the conversation had gone, but her mother wasdisinclined to believe that Miss Darcy was only shy. Her father was indifferent to the whole matter and went immediately to his study to read before bed. Her sisters followed her up the stairs, Jane at her side.
“I do not believe Miss Darcy has any intention of making friends at all. She will not last long here and will soon be gone, back to Derbyshire or wherever she hails from,” Lydia said, waving her hand dismissively.
“Her companion is a nasty piece of work, too,” Kitty agreed.
Elizabeth could not argue with that point, though she might have wished it less coarsely expressed. Mrs Younge had hardly said a civil word or given her a tolerably friendly look since she had started her conversation with Miss Darcy. But then, it was not Mrs Younge she had gone to befriend, but Miss Darcy. “You are all being too hasty. Had you been able to converse with her as I did, you would have seen that she has a sweet, unassuming spirit. She only needs to get used to a body before she opens up.”
“I agree with you, Lizzy. While I did not have the opportunity to speak with her, she seemed a genteel young woman. I shall be happy to get to know her while she is visiting us here in Hertfordshire,” Jane said.
Elizabeth was grateful for Jane’s aid, for none of her other sisters seemed inclined to give poor Miss Darcy another chance. Mary had formed no opinion of her, but she was not usually inclined to trust people, even on a good day. Even with the approbation of the two eldest sisters, Miss Darcy would have a difficult time turning the poor opinion people had formed of her that night. It was unfortunate, for if Elizabeth’s first impressionwas correct, Miss Darcy would prove to be a wonderful new friend.
Chapter 5
“Well, I believe that was one of the most successful assemblies I have ever attended.” Mrs Younge said as she and Georgiana entered the lodgings that Mr Darcy had rented for them.
Georgiana gave a dejected sigh. “Successful in what way?” To show that she was utterly incompetent in society? That she was an outcast? Georgiana had taken Mrs Younge’s advice, but beside Miss Elizabeth Bennet, no one had tried to speak to her, not after she had refused the very charming Mr Lucas. Guilt washed over her anew as she remembered the handsome young man’s face. She had forgotten to give a sufficient excuse for refusing him, but by the time she had realised her grave mistake, Mr Lucas had already stalked away. And he had been none too pleased, to judge by the look on this face as he had talked with his family.
Word must have spread of the incident, for no other gentlemen approached her for the rest of the evening. Ashamed, she had suggested to Mrs Younge that they make an early and very speedy exit from the festivities, and her companion had thankfully agreed. “It will only add to your air of mystery, Iassure you. Believe me, men will be lined up at your door to call on you.”
Mrs Younge’s words had not calmed her nerves or allayed her fears. Georgiana did not believe in the slightest that any man would want to call on her after the travesty that had been that evening’s first outing.
“You were a glowing success, my dear!” Mrs Younge said as she took off her wrap and handed it to Georgiana’s maid. Their wraps were hung near the door on the rack, and the gloves were taken away to be laundered. Mrs Younge walked up the steps of the lavishly appointed apartments, Georgiana following behind in dejected silence.
“I do not see how you can say that, Mrs Younge. No one would even speak to me after I refused Mr Lucas. Other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet, that is.”
“Well, it worked to your advantage, my dear. You must be careful with the acquaintances you allow.” Mrs Yonge halted on the steps, just two shy of the landing, and looked down at her with a seriousness that engendered even more insecurity in Georgiana’s breast. She hated to disappoint her closest friend, but she sometimes wondered if her advice was sound.
“Heed my word, Georgiana,” Mrs Younge went on. “You are better than them. You must be on your guard against those who would use your position and prospects for their own gain.”
Georgiana could not bring herself to disagree with her companion’s greater experience, though she did not entirely care for the advice. Would it not be sinful pride to consider herself better than others? And in any case, it certainly was not true. She raked her teeth over her lower lip. “I should visit Miss Elizabeth Bennet tomorrow, in thanks for her kindness to me.”
Mrs Younge’s brows drew together. “I think that would be unwise, Georgiana. I am uncertain that she is the kind of company you should be keeping. Allow me to make some inquiries about the families in the neighbourhood, to see if there is a more suitable set for you to become acquainted with.”
“No,” Georgiana said quickly. Difficult as it was to insist on having her own way, she felt she could not bear to leave such kindness unacknowledged. “Please, Mrs Younge, I really feel that I must. It is the right thing to do.”
Mrs Younge turned, waving her off as if the idea were of little consequence. “Have I ever steered you wrong, my dear young friend?”
Georgiana frowned, pouting as she followed her up the last few steps and they entered Georgiana’s apartment of rooms. Her brother had had it specially decorated to fit her tastes. Soft shades of pink, ivory, and gold, all done in the gilded French style, made her feel at peace. And at the moment, she needed some peace.
