“That is another thing!” exclaimed Georgiana. “That Anne would talk to her mother in such a way is beyond my experience of her.”
“It is,” agreed Darcy. “It has taken many years, but Anne has finally exerted her independence. Lady Catherine did not like it, but she had no choice but to retreat.”
“That is a relief. You never wished to marry Anne.”
“And she did not wish to marry me. I habitually keep my distance from her for obvious reasons, but we have spoken enough to tell me that much.”
“Then what do you suppose will happen?”
“Lady Catherine will grouse and protest, but I believe she understands she was too protective of Anne. For the moment, I cannot imagine Anne has any interest in taking up the management of Rosings and will allow her mother to do so in her stead. Anne also wishes to stay in Hertfordshire, and Bingley has no objection to hosting her.”
Georgiana was smiling at him, amused and knowing all at once. “It seems to me, Brother, that you like Miss Elizabeth. This business is greater evidence than even when Cousin Anthony revealed your secret last week. Can you deny it?”
“I have no wish to deny it,” replied Darcy, deciding she deserved to know. “There were times early in our acquaintance that we disagreed and misunderstood each other, but we have resolved our differences.”
“Do you mean to propose to her?”
It was far blunter a question than Darcy had thought her capable of asking. Again, there was no reason to dissemble, andDarcy did not attempt it.
“If she will have me, I am eager to provoke her good opinion and have her as my wife.”
Georgiana clapped her hands with glee. “I shall have a sister!”
“Of course,” drawled Darcy, “thatisthe important part.”
“That you will have a wife and maybe an heir before long I understand,” sniffed Georgiana. “But to me, having a sister is far more important than the succession of Pemberley.”
“Yes, I suppose it is,” replied Darcy.
“Miss Bingley will be fit to be tied,” giggled Georgiana.
Darcy shook his head, recalling his confrontation with that lady and the rebuke he offered her. His sister must have seen something of it, for she regarded him, her expression demanding.
“Now that I think on it, did Mr. Bingley not say he sent his family to the north?”
“He did, but they did not go,” replied Darcy. “Miss Bingley does not wish her brother to marry Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s sister, and she came to stop it. As she is aware of my interest in Miss Elizabeth, that must be an equally important consideration.”
“Far more important!” said Georgiana. “Then I must endure Miss Bingley at Netherfield, and so must you.”
“Matters have... changed to a certain extent on that score, though I left too soon to witness the consequences.”
“Oh?” asked Georgiana.
Sighing, and knowing it had not been his finest moment, Darcy related the confrontation with Miss Bingley, not stinting in explaining exactly what he had said to her. Georgiana, knowing his distaste for her behavior, nodded in satisfaction, but was no less than surprised he had been so open as to say such things to her.
“I might not have expected it, Brother. You endured her forthree years now and never offered a word of complaint.”
“That is not quite accurate,” was Darcy’s wry reply. “I often complained, but I said nothing to her.”
“Then she must have truly offended you.”
“My annoyance has been growing, especially since last autumn.” Darcy paused, wondering if he should reveal the reason for it, then decided to trust her. “If I am honest, I think I can date it from the time that I made Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance and felt some attraction for her.”
Georgiana regarded him for some moments before she nodded. “Yes, I can see how that would change your perspective. To withstand her when you had no intentions toward any woman would not be difficult. Doing the same when you found a woman you admire would be onerous.”
“Especially since Miss Bingley knew of my attraction, and through my admission, no less! At a party we attended in the autumn, I spoke of it in a moment of inattention. Thereafter, Miss Bingley’s treatment of Miss Elizabeth deteriorated, nor did she scruple to avoid trying to sink Miss Elizabeth’s character in my estimation.”
“That could not have been comfortable,” said Georgiana.
