“Indeed, it is difficult to, for nobody who saw you together at Netherfield could have suspected an affection would arise between you. But I understand you are beginning to move in the same circles. I imagine you wish to make a good impression. I should be happy to introduce you to my dressmaker, if you would like.”
“Thank you, but I have no immediate need of anything new. Jane was thinking of ordering a new gown. Perhaps you could introduce her?”
Miss Bingley spared Jane only a fleeting glance. “Yes, of course, but…Miss Eliza, perhaps you do not understand the significance of your good fortune. Your connexion to Mr Darcy will put you in company with?—”
“My sister is not engaged to Mr Darcy,” Jane interrupted.
It was almost funny to see the relief at war with the uncertainty on Miss Bingley’s face.
“Just so long as you know the offer is there,” she said at length, “for, if youwereto begin to spend more time with Mr Darcy, then we should undoubtedly see much more of each other also, for he is, as you know, exceedingly good friends with my brother.”
“Mr Darcy told me he has not seen your brother since he left Netherfield,” Elizabeth replied coldly. “I do not think we should anticipate any notable increase in our engagements on account of that connexion.”
Miss Bingley pursed her lips primly. “Yes, well, Charles has been very busy of late. But Jane…you and I are good friends, arewe not? We must not allow our friendship to falter because my brother is not ready to be settled.”
“No, of course not,” Jane replied unenthusiastically.
Elizabeth was trying desperately to think of a way to curtail the visit when Hannah appeared to announce the arrival of another caller. Elizabeth looked at the card and smiled broadly, considerably cheered.
“Please show her up.”
“Who is it, Lizzy?” Jane asked.
“The Countess of Rothersea.”
Elizabeth’s first impression of her ladyship had been added to the lengthening list of poor judgments she had made of late, along with that of Mr Bingley, Mr Darcy, Mr Wickham, and her own mother. In contrast to the cold and overbearing noblewoman Elizabeth had mistaken her for, Lady Rothersea was fast becoming a delightful friend—as was exemplified by the affectionate way she greeted both her and Jane. Elizabeth poured her a cup of tea, rather meanly enjoying every moment that passed in which she did not ask for Miss Bingley to be introduced to her. At length, the request was made, however, and Jane performed the duty.
“It is an honour to make your acquaintance,” Miss Bingley said with practiced grace—which she then ruined by adding, “It is so nice to see Miss Eliza beginning to make more friends. When we first met in Hertfordshire her circle was much smaller, but her horizons have expanded greatly since my family visited the area. Indeed, it was under my roof that she became so well acquainted with Mr Darcy.”
Her ladyship raised her eyebrows. “Was it? That was excessively careless, madam. May I recommend you are more attentive next time you have such an eligible houseguest? Miss Elizabeth, is there somewhere we might talk privately?”
Elizabeth made no attempt to hide her smile as she led Lady Rothersea into her aunt’s sitting room at the back of the house.
“I do apologise if I gave any offence to your friend,” her ladyship said as she sat at Mrs Gardiner’s worktable.
“Miss Bingley is no friend of ours,” Elizabeth replied, joining her at the table. “I ought not to have left my sister alone with her, really, but I am glad of the excuse—she was treading on my last nerve.”
“I confess, that was not the reason I wished for privacy. There is something I would discuss with you—something of a delicate nature.”
“Should I be worried?”
Lady Rothersea sighed and put her hand over Elizabeth’s where it lay on the table, indicating that the answer was ‘Yes’. Mindful of the last time somebody had told her they had something of a delicate nature to tell her, Elizabeth steeled herself for bad news.
“I like you a great deal,” her ladyship began. “I hope, therefore, that you will take me at my word that what I am about to tell you is intended to save you pain, not cause it.” She waited for Elizabeth to nod, then continued, “Last night, after the ladies withdrew, Lord Rothersea overhead a troubling conversation. It seems Mr Darcy has been making enquiries about a woman who…there really is no way to couch this gently, my dear. He was asking about another gentleman’s mistress. He wished to know where the woman lived. His cousin insisted it was for his benefit, but my husband tells me it was not a convincing defence, clearly invented in the moment.” She squeezed Elizabeth’s hand. “I detest being the bearer of bad tidings, but I fear greatly that you have kept Mr Darcy dangling for too long, and he has gone in search of comfort elsewhere.”
Elizabeth did not wish to ruin a promising new friendship before it had begun, but there was nothing she could do towithhold her laughter. She wrapped both her hands around Lady Rothersea’s in a conciliatory gesture.
“Forgive me. It has been a long and rather anxious few months, and this is the best piece of bad news I have had in a long time. You are right, Mr Darcy was not asking for his cousin. He was asking for me. Mrs Randall is my mother’s friend. I have been trying to locate her.”
“Oh, thank heavens! You must think me a silly fool!”
“Not at all! Under different circumstances I should have been very grateful for the information. But as it is, we can exonerate Mr Darcy.”
“ItoldRothersea it was unlikely! I said to you, did I not, that Mr Darcy was not the sort. He has an unblemished reputation. That was why his asking the question was so shocking. But pray, why the subterfuge?”
Elizabeth thought it wisest not to admit that she was searching for her adulterous mother and instead hedged, “I did not wish the rest of my family to know I was searching for Mrs Randall. As you just mentioned, her circumstances are not wholly respectable.”
“Upon my word, nobody cares about that!”
