“Between you and Jane? Surely not! Jane is the sweetest, kindest, most unassuming person I know.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I thought so, too. But after yesterday, I am consumed with doubts. Has she seemed different at all while we’ve been away?”
Charlotte thought for a moment. “No, I cannot think of any instance where she has not been her quiet, proper self.” Charlotte linked arms with her again and pulled her down the road. “Perhaps you are mistaken about her reactions. I am sure she was only a little hurt that your father showed such preference for you.”
“I suppose so, Charlotte. But if she wanted to go to Scotland so badly, why did she not say so? We have never been ones to hide anything from each other.” Elizabeth could not hold back the tears any longer. Thankfully, she knew Charlotte would hold everything in confidence. “Oh, Charlotte, I feel as if the whole world is crumbling. I have never seen Jane like this. It is as if I do not know her anymore.”
Charlotte rubbed her back as they walked slowly down the little hill. “I am sure all will be well in time. Give her some space, and I am sure she will come back to you and apologise. She will see the error of her ways. Jane has always been one to think of others before herself.”
Elizabeth said nothing more, but her heart was not at peace. She would have agreed with Charlotte only a few short weeks ago. After Jane’s angry display in the garden, Elizabeth was no longer sure her sister wished to mend the breach between them.
Chapter 20
“Scotland seems to have agreed with you, my friend. But I am glad that you are here now, I must say.” Bingley raised his teacup as they sat together at the breakfast table. Darcy was also glad to be back in England, and even more glad now that he was so close to Elizabeth. His anticipation had grown the nearer he had travelled to Longbourn, until it was all but unbearable. When he and Bingley had ridden out early that morning, Bingley had pointed out the place as they looked on it from the peak of the hill. He had spoken of Miss Jane Bennet is such glowing colours that Darcy nearly told him everything about Elizabeth. Discretion kept him silent, but he suspected he could not refrain from baring his heart to his good friend much longer.
“And how did your sister enjoy the Highlands?” Bingley asked after some time. “It must have been difficult, bearing all the inconveniences of travelling, and meeting so many new people. Is she as shy as ever?”
“No, actually. The Highlands were good to her. And she met a young lady, the daughter of the other heir I was telling you about, who helped her come out of her shell very nicely. I think you will be quite surprised by the changes wrought in Georgiana.”
“And she will be here in a few days?”
“Yes, with her new companion, Mrs Annesley. Georgiana was much exhausted by the journey. And as our aunt was all eagerness to have Georgiana stay with her, it seemed an ideal solution. Particularly as I greatly wished for my aunt’s opinion on the new companion. I must have only the kindest and wisest of ladies to guide Georgiana.”
Darcy was relieved to have had several replies to his advertisement applying for a companion for Georgiana awaiting him once he returned to London. Mrs Annesley was an upstanding woman and would continue where Elizabeth had left off in Georgiana’s social development. The excellence of her recommendations had left him in no doubt that she would be a far cry from the disastrous Mrs Younge, Georgiana’s previous companion. That woman had played the role of the wise and caring companion to perfection in her interview, but it had all been a sham — part of Wickham’s attempt to steal away Georgiana’s dowry and her heart.
“Ah, did I not hear you speak of dear Georgiana?” Miss Bingley said as she entered the breakfast room. “How I long to see her!”
Darcy did his best not to roll his eyes, but it was difficult. Miss Bingley had been loudly exclaiming such platitudes since Darcy had arrived a few days prior, but it was all too obvious that she had no real affection for his sister. Her protestations were intended only to recommend herself to him.
If only Miss Bingley knew how very futile her efforts were. It had taken all the self-discipline he could muster not to go straight over to Longbourn and call on Elizabeth. Thankfully, it would not be necessary now, since Bingley had invited the Bennets to come to tea that afternoon.
When teatime arrived, Darcy was nearly bursting out of his skin with anticipation. Yet he could hardly have imagined a more awkward way to see Elizabeth again than with the Bingleys all in attendance and Miss Bingley displaying herself for his approval at every opportunity. Mr Bingley’s eldest sister and brother-in-law, Mr and Mrs Hurst, had arrived from London the day after Darcy had arrived in anticipation of the grand Netherfield Ball that was to be held the following week. And then there were all the Bennet daughters and their parents. He would have little chance of speaking to Elizabeth in confidence with so many people about.
The Bennets arrived with polite punctuality. Mr Bennet gave Darcy a warm smile and shook his hand. “It is good to see you again, sir. Elizabeth has been eagerly awaiting your arrival.” He stepped aside and nudged his second eldest toward him. Darcy’s throat went dry as she came near.
Elizabeth stepped forward and bowed, raising her eyes to his with the clear, honest gaze he loved so well. “How do you do, Mr Darcy? It is so good to see you again.” She frowned and looked around the assembled company. “Did Georgiana decide to return to Pemberley instead of coming here?” She looked utterly disappointed. Darcy knew he ought to have felt only distress at disappointing her, but he could not help a private bolt of elation.
Unlike Miss Bingley, her affection for Georgiana is sincere. I cannot say whether she cares for me as I do for her, but this much I know for certain: she is not merely playing a role to catch the master of Pemberley.
Perhaps his happiness was forgivable, since Elizabeth’s distress would be short-lived. “No, she would not have missed the opportunity to see you again. She will arrive shortly. She isin London, visiting our aunt and doing some shopping with her new companion.”
Elizabeth exclaimed her delight. She looked well, dressed in a soft pink shade that made her look nothing short of delectable. Her sister, the eldest Miss Bennet, gave him a sharp, assessing look as they spoke, then went to find a seat beside Miss Bingley.
Mr Bennet stepped forward to make the introductions for the rest of his family, then retired to a corner with alacrity as soon as all the pleasantries were out of the way. He seemed much more reserved when in larger crowds, which Darcy could well understand.
In any case, nothing else mattered now that Elizabeth was here and they were finally in the same room together. The last few weeks of travel and business had been torture. The pain of missing Elizabeth had left him no doubt of how utterly he had lost his heart in Scotland.
Darcy could no longer resist his own desires. If any efforts of his could make Elizabeth his wife, then she would relinquish the name of Bennet before many months had passed. But that left the question of whether he could win her heart. In the next few weeks of his visit to Netherfield, he would learn the answer.
Does Elizabeth love me as I love her?
As they were all settled in the various sitting areas, Darcy positioned himself close to Elizabeth. Her youngest sisters joined them and began chattering excitedly.
“Are you not excited for the Netherfield Ball, Mr Darcy?” Miss Lydia asked.
“Yes, surely you must be!” Miss Kitty chimed in. “It is going to be such a splendid affair. Mr Bingley promised he would hold a ball when we first made his acquaintance. We think he did it for Jane’s sake, but we all get to reap the benefits, don’t we?”
Elizabeth looked mortified at her sisters’ forwardness, but said nothing. He admired her restraint, for any rebuke could only have increased the awkwardness.
