“Miss Bingley is truly admirable, Darcy,” said she, the edge of hilarity in her tone. “She complained of their uncouthness, manners, unfashionable dress, and anything else she could imagine until we arrived in Meryton. Then my mother took her to task, reminding her that the Bennets are gentlefolk.”
“I am certain the truth of Miss Bingley’s descent was no small part of her reprimand,” said Darcy, exasperated with the unpleasant woman all over again.
“It was, though it was no insinuation. For the rest of the journey, Miss Bingley was almost tolerable, only because she was silent. I thought Mr. Hurst would swallow his tongue with his attempts to appear unmoved.”
Darcy nodded but did not reply, for they had reached the family. There, standing with her sisters stood Miss Elizabeth, looking as lovely as ever. With such a woman at hand, Darcy had no time to spare for Miss Bingley.
Elizabeth was pleased to see the visitors arrive at Longbourn so quickly after their return from London, and before she had time to consider the precise reason for it, they were before her. Anne entered with Mr. Darcy, while Mr. Bingley escorted a young lady of about Lydia or Kitty’s age, tall and graceful, appearing interested in everything she saw. Combined with this interest was a hint of bashful unease hovering about her, clearly theshyness of which Mr. Darcy had spoken in his sister.
“Mrs. Bennet,” said Anne, taking the lead for her family, “I should like to introduce my cousin and Darcy’s sister to your acquaintance.”
Anne performed the office, those newly acquainted spoke of their pleasure, and they soon sat down to visit. It was plain within moments that Miss Darcy’s shyness kept her from responding; had Elizabeth still believed Mr. Wickham was anything other than a rogue, this evidence would have informed her that regarding Miss Darcy, he had related falsehood. With the girl’s shyness and her sisters’ uncertainty, it was Elizabeth’s task to make her comfortable.
“How fortunate it is to make your acquaintance, Miss Darcy,” said Elizabeth, offering her a warm smile. “Your brother and his friends have told us so much of you.”
“Yes, itisfortunate that Mr. Darcy has deigned to introduce his precious sister to you,” said Miss Bingley, that haughtiness of which Elizabeth had known her capable on full display. “For Mr. Darcy is most discriminating about who he allows to make her acquaintance.”
“Is he?” asked Elizabeth, quirking an eyebrow at Miss Darcy. “That he has brought you to Longbourn within hours of your arrival must suggest that he considers the Bennet family acceptable.”
“Without a doubt, Miss Elizabeth,” said Mr. Darcy.
Miss Darcy stifled a giggle with her hand, and Mr. Darcy offered her a mysterious smile she thought Miss Bingley could not see from her position a little further along. Miss Bingley appeared annoyed Elizabeth had defeated her gambit so easily.
“That remains to be seen, Miss Eliza. When your sisters giggle and carry on, Mr. Darcy will rethink this mad design.”
Such comments were beyond what Elizabeth would have expected in polite company, even from a woman as conceited asMiss Bingley. To reply with Miss Bingley’s level of disdain would be to provoke an argument, so Elizabeth turned her attention back to Miss Darcy, pointedly ignoring the bitter woman.
“Have you stayed in London long, Miss Darcy?”
“Since the season began,” replied the girl. “I am not yet out, but I always accompany my brother to London, for there is greater access to masters there.”
“Mr. Darcy has told us that you play,” said Mary eagerly.
“I do,” said Miss Darcy, again proving her diffidence by adding: “It is one of my favorite activities, though I would not wish to excite your anticipation, for I am still learning.”
“Nonsense!” exclaimed Miss Bingley. “Why, your performance is most exquisite, the execution far beyond your years.”
Miss Bingley looked down her nose at Mary and said: “There are few performers as talented as Georgiana, for even those of greater years are pedantic and unpracticed next to her.”
It was an insulting speech, and one calculated to provoke offense—given the identity of the woman who had delivered it, Elizabeth was certain it had. At that moment, however, Mr. Bingley stepped into the breach, collecting his sister and leading her to Jane with the pretense of wishing to foster good relations between them. It missed no one’s attention, however, that he appeared animated as they moved, his tone not at all genial.
“It appears Miss Bingley has received the wages for her attacks,” said Anne to no one in particular.
“I care little about what she says of me,” said Mary, offering a credible pretense of being unaffected. Mary was sensitive about her playing; Elizabeth suspected her of being offended, but the next words between the company defused the tension.
“It is not Christian to express dislike,” said Georgiana, “but I never much cared for Miss Bingley. She has always made me uncomfortable in her company.”
“Do not concern yourself, dear,” said Anne. “Miss Bingley makes us all uncomfortable.”
The group laughed, the sound of their mirth drawing attention from all parts of the room, including the woman in question. That Mrs. Bennet was pleased to see their intimacy was plain, as was Miss Bingley’s offense. As no one cared for her opinion, they ignored her annoyance and returned to their conversation. Soon, Georgiana was speaking happily to Mary about music, and when Kitty and Lydia joined them, Mary contributed less but was still a part of their group as they laughed and chatted.
“It does my heart good to see my sister accepted into their midst with so little effort,” said Mr. Darcy.
“My sisters need no encouragement to become friendly with other young ladies,” said Elizabeth. “Mary is far more reserved, but Lydia and Kitty will chat happily with anyone willing to listen to them.”
“Should we worry for Georgiana’s sensibilities?” teased Anne.
“Perhaps you should,” rejoined Elizabeth. “The girls still speak of the officers incessantly; the subject will almost certainly arise before long.”
