“I am sure it will be a delightful event. I only wish my sister Georgiana could join us for the occasion.” He tried to be gracious to the girls. “I believe she is right around your age. Unfortunately, she will not arrive until shortly after the ball.”
“It will be nice to have another young lady of good breeding around. And the militia will be vastly glad of it, too,” Miss Lydia said, wiggling her brows as though to suggest an indelicate meaning. For Elizabeth’s sake, Darcy did his best to keep his dismay to himself. “Since they came to make their winter quarters here, there has been no scarcity of public functions and interesting people to meet.”
Mrs Bennet shifted in her seat and chimed in with equal vigour. “There will be several fine gentlemen there for you to dance with, girls. Indeed, I do not think we shall have any shortage of gentlemen for the ladies. Usually, there are only three gentlemen for every five ladies at the public assemblies. I believe Mr Bingley has tried to see that an equal number of couples are invited for the event, at least as much as can be done.” She giggled like a young girl. “Mr Bingley is vastly accommodating, is he not? Indeed, he is,” she went on without pausing to let anyone answer or agree with the sentiment. “He has even made allowances for my husband’s cousin, who will arrive tomorrow from Kent. Mr Collins is the rector of a small parish in that county.”
Darcy glanced over at Bingley, who only had eyes for Miss Bennet. She seemed to be all blushes and smiles but engaged more with Bingley’s sisters. Was she truly interested in Charles as a man, or only in the connection and rise in status marrying him would afford her? Charles seemed to be doing all the talking, while she gave brief answers, then turned to Caroline Bingley to speak of other things.
He was uncertain about her. Perhaps she was only trying to build connections with Bingley’s sisters as well, in an attempt to get to know his family. He knew Elizabeth respected and loved her elder sister, but there was something about her that seemed false, particularly in comparison with Elizabeth. He could not be easy in entrusting Bingley’s heart to the woman. At least, not until he knew her character and intentions better.
Getting along so easily with Caroline Bingley was hardly a recommendation. It would be a shame if Miss Bingley’s snobbishness and penchant for snide remarks rubbed off on Jane Bennet.
“And how did you find the Highlands, Miss Elizabeth?” Miss Bingley was saying. “I hear you and Miss Darcy went on a little adventure down to Loch Ness?”
“Yes,” Miss Jane Bennet said with a brightly tinkling laugh that seemed intended to embarrass her sister. “She says they saw the fabled Loch Ness Monster.”
Miss Bingley and Miss Bennet both laughed, but their laughter did not seem to speak of true amusement. It had a harsh, mocking ring, unpleasant to hear.
“We thought we saw something in the water, though whether it was truly Nessie, I suppose we shall never know,” Elizabeth replied mildly.
“Come now, Miss Elizabeth. Surely you cannot believe in such children’s fairytales?” Caroline said.
Darcy watched with concern. Miss Bennet seemed bent on tearing her sister down rather than protecting her. It did not match up with the descriptions Elizabeth had given of Miss Bennet when they had been back in Scotland. He had been under the impression that they were very close, but he saw no evidence of any closeness now. To witness such behaviour was alarming to the greatest degree.
“People who believe there is nothing left to discover, no mystery or adventure left in the world, are apt to miss out on a great deal of joy,” Elizabeth said, aiming the comment not only at Miss Bingley, but at her sister. Both of the older ladies scowled at Elizabeth. However, they had no chance to say anything more, as Elizabeth rose elegantly from her seat and went over to the window with her teacup. With an effort, he waited a few moments before following her. It would not do to have his action seem too pointed a rebuke.
She smiled up at him. “Oh, Mr Darcy. You did not have to leave the others. I just needed a moment,” she explained. But he knew exactly why she had felt the need to come to the window. She took a steadying breath. “How is Georgiana? I have missed her terribly over the last few weeks.”
“She has missed you, too. I am sorry I did not think of it until after you and your father had left, but we should have tried to travel together, so the two of you could have passed the trip together, either in your father’s carriage, or mine.”
“That would have been lovely,” Elizabeth smiled. “If ever we have occasion to travel to Scotland at the same time again, I shall suggest the plan to my father. Of course, I believe he means to take Mary along with him next time.”
“Yes, I recall your benevolent intention of Mr Campbell and Miss Mary beginning an acquaintance. I am glad Mr Bennet means to take her,” Darcy said. He longed to ask her how she was, and if he could be of any service in protecting her from Miss Bingley. At the very least, he could mention something to Charles to stop her sniping. With a grimace, he dismissed the idea. It was laughable to imagine that Miss Bingley would stop making unkind comments simply because her brother told her to.
“I am glad to hear that Georgiana has found a companion,” Elizabeth remarked, neatly turning the subject. “I hope they are getting along well?”
“They are. It will be vital for her to have some company when we return to Pemberley. It is a secluded place, and it can get very lonely. I am not always at home, since I have matters of business to which I must attend. Mrs Annesley will be here with Georgiana before much longer. You can tell me what you think of her when she arrives.”
“I am sure she is splendid, if you chose her and if Georgiana is happy with her,” Elizabeth said.
“I — thank you,” Darcy said, a little taken aback.How can a simple compliment from her mean so much?
She took a sip of her tea and then screwed up her nose, setting the cup on the little side table near them. “I must confess, I am having trouble getting used to the weak tea here in England. I long for a good cup of that malted tea from Scotland.”
“I agree,” he said. “It seems we make our tea much too mild here, now that I am used to the way it was served in the Highlands.”
“Perhaps another jaunt to Strathalt House is in order?” she laughed. “No — much as I love tea, that is simply too much. If I am fortunate, Mr Campbell may be willing to write down the instructions for me, and send the necessary supplies.”
“I am sure he would.”
Darcy felt that tea was over far too quickly. It had been so wonderful to be near Elizabeth for the remainder of the Bennets’ visit that the time had flown by. When the Bennets were gone, Caroline Bingley stood and began parading about the room, giving a derisive sneer.
“Well, what did you think of them?” Bingley asked. “You seemed quite pleased to resume your acquaintance with Mr Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.”
“Indeed, I was. We found out that they lived quite close to Netherfield when we were in Scotland. As you know, Mr Bennet is the heir to the Strathalt Estate. If I could not inherit myself, I am pleased that he will be the next master of Strathalt House instead,” Darcy said.
“Oh, Mr Darcy, you are far too generous and forbearing!” Miss Bingley exclaimed. “Surely even you cannot be so charitable. I think the Bennets are a vulgar lot. Except for Miss Jane Bennet, of course. The younger daughters are out of control, and Mrs Bennet did not cease to speak in her high-pitched tone from the moment they stepped through the door.” Miss Bingley sank into a chair and huffed. “Are you sure we must have all of them to the ball? Could we not just have Miss Bennet?”
Bingley frowned at his sister. “You jest, surely. We could not invite only one sister from the family, and in any case, the invitations have already been sent out. Besides, I think them acharming family. They do not stand on pretence or insist on unnecessary formality.”
