The remark took Georgiana aback, having never before seen or heard of Elizabeth suffering any uneasiness. “Are you very anxious?” she enquired softly.
Elizabeth wrinkled her nose. “Daunted, certainly, but I think there are few who would not be. I am endeavouring not to think about it overmuch.”
“Will your mother come?”
“I am trying very hard to make sure she does not! I need my wits about me at the best of times when dealing with her, and I do not anticipate that being the case in the throes of my confinement. I shall not be alone, though, for my Aunt Gardiner has agreed to come at the end of March.” After a pause, she quietly added, “I always thought I would have Jane with me.”
Only since Mr Bingley arrived at Pemberley had Elizabeth divulged what transpired between Jane and her at Netherfield. Georgiana could not have been more shocked or more indignant, though she had not expounded upon the latter sentiment to Elizabeth. “I am sorry for you, Lizzy. I know not what to say to ease your mind.”
“It is the most painful thing in the world, but there is nothing to be said or done. But enough melancholy,” she said, drawing herself up and leaning to pour them both more tea. “Are we agreed that you will visit Miss Castleton in two weeks?”
Georgiana grinned. “Aye, very well. Would that you could accompany me. You dance so beautifully.”
“Not these days, I assure you. I am all clumsiness and inelegance.”
“You are too severe upon yourself. You are still remarkably graceful. If you will pardon my frankness, I have seen ladies far more unhappily altered by their increase than you. Your condition becomes you very well.”
“She speaks true, Lizzy. It most certainly does.”
Georgiana jumped. She had not heard Mr Bingley come in.
“Our sanctuary is compromised, Georgiana!” Elizabeth cried, one hand held to her breast in feigned dismay. “The men have discovered us!”
“I come alone,” Mr Bingley protested, holding his hands up in surrender. “And I swear Darcy will not learn of your hiding place from me.”
“My brother knows we are here. He had business in Kympton, or he would have joined us.”
“Kympton, this day, is it? I declare I have never known a man with more business than Darcy. He is scarcely ever at home.”
Georgiana rather thought that, if Mr Bingley troubled himself to rise earlier in the day, he would see more of his friend. Elizabeth was kinder in her response, gesturing for him to join them as she agreed that Darcy had many demands on his time.
“You are singularly forbearing not to demand more of it for yourself,” he replied, choosing the chair nearest to Elizabeth.
“Come, you of all people know he would never neglect his responsibilities on my account.”
“No, I do not suppose he would.”
“Besides, he is not absent as often as that implies or so very far away. It is not as though he is gone off to another country, never to return.”
Mr Bingley paled. “Darcy told you?”
“He did,” Elizabeth replied.
“Shall I call for another cup?” Georgiana said hastily, eager to remove herself from what suddenly promised to be a most awkward conversation. Her escape notwithstanding, the orangery was not so large that the distance to the door took her out of earshot.
“Are you angry?” she heard Mr Bingley enquire.
“No, I am not angry,” Elizabeth replied. “I am sad. I wish you did not feel you had to go.”
“Forgive me. The last thing I would wish is that my leaving should cause you any distress, yet I know not how much longer I can live in this ghastly suspension.”
“It distresses me to see you make a decision so evidently contrary to your happiness.”
“It will be inconceivably hard to leave, I grant you.”
“Then why do you not stay? At least until you are more certain of your feelings?” Elizabeth said gently.
Georgiana reached the door, but waited, curious what he would answer.
