‘Probably not deliberately, but yes we believe that he does.’ Her lips quirked in a brief one-sided smile. ‘I suppose that the only reason he thinks he is still in love with me after all these weeks is becauseIhave not the slightest interest inhim.’
Jane could not resist a final comment on the subject. ‘You may relieve Miss Bingley’s mind and inform her of this fact.’
~T~
Even though Jane did not mention it, she and her sisters had started to wonder about potential consequences of Mr Bingley’s behaviour in London.
They hoped that he had not been as obvious in his attentions as he had been to her in Meryton, since she knew how cruel society could be towards abandoned ladies. At a time when such a lady had her hopes dashed and perhaps even her heart broken by an inconstant man, society put the blame for his desertion squarely on her shoulders. It was most unfair that a lady’s reputation could be ruined because a man suddenly became enamoured with a different pretty face… or perhaps a larger dowry.
After her conversation with Mr Darcy, Jane felt somewhat reassured. After all, he was a gentleman and would not condone his friend endangering the reputation of innocent young ladies.
~T~
18Consequences
When the meal was finished, Lady Matlock led the ladies to the drawing room, where tea and coffee was served.
Once all the ladies were seated with the beverage of their choice, Georgiana turned to Lady Matlock. ‘Aunt, I have been patient long enough this evening. It was obvious to me that you all knew what my brother was about when he apologised to Miss Elizabeth, but no one saw fit to inform me about what is going on. I may not be out yet, but I am no longer a child, and you know perfectly well that withholding information can have serious consequences.’
The lady smiled and gave her niece’s hand a gentle squeeze. ‘You are quite correct Georgie. I suppose that none of us wanted to distress you since you worship your brother.’
The countess hesitated a moment before she explained. ‘There was an article in the gossip column of today’s paper telling the world that your brother was part of a party which also included Miss Bingley who was evicted from Meryton because they behaved in a rude manner.’
‘I gathered from what he said that on some occasion he expressed himself badly, but surely – ’
‘My dear Miss Darcy, you are certainly a master of understatement,’ Jane interjected with a sad smile.
‘Will somebody please just tell me what he said that was supposedly so very bad,’ Georgiana tried very hard not to whine but was only partly successful.
‘If you must know, he said, and I quoteShe is tolerable I suppose but not handsome enough to tempt me, and I am in no mood to give consequence to ladies who have been slighted by other men,’ Elizabeth stated blandly.
Georgiana gasped. ‘He could not have. My brother would never say such a horrible thing about any lady. Surely the story must have become garbled,’ cried Georgiana, looking around from one lady to the next, quite bewildered. Suddenly she blinked and looked at Elizabeth. ‘He apologised to you. Does that mean he actually said that about you?’
‘I am afraid so… immediately after he was looking at me.’
Suddenly Georgiana’s face crumpled, and she burst into tears. ‘Oh no, that is my fault. If I had not been so stupid this summer, he would not have been in such a bad mood.’
‘Surely, you could not have done anything which would have made your brother as arrogant and rude as he appeared in Meryton.’
Georgiana glanced at her aunt who tilted her head and gave a minute shrug as if to sayit is your choice.
Making that choice, the girl took a deep breath and explained, ‘Last summer an old family friend made me believe that he loved me and that I was in love with him. He even convinced me to elope with him. When my brother arrived the day before we were to leave for Gretna Green, I told him of my plans. That was when I found out that the friend had long stopped being a friend and all he was interested in was my dowry.’
Georgiana grimaced and sighed. ‘William was disappointed and angry and has been in a foul mood ever since.’
‘Surely your brother does not blame you for trusting an old friend. How were you to know that he was untrustworthy,’ cried Jane.
‘That is why you insisted on learning the truth. You cannot make good decisions if you do not have the proper information,’ Mary exclaimed in understanding.
‘You truly think so?’
‘Well, it was foolish and highly improper of you to agree to an elopement, but since you confessed your plans to your brother as soon as you had a chance, that mitigates your culpability. And in my opinion, the greatest share of the blame lies with the man who took advantage of the trusting nature of a young and naïve girl.’
Georgiana continued to look pensive while she thought about Mary’s statement. Eventually she raised her eyes and gave a tentative smile. ‘I thank you. You have made me feel better.’ Her lips quirked. ‘Ironically because you do not absolve me of all the guilt. I have learnt a lesson.’
Lady Matlock sat back and watched the interaction between the young women. She had tried to tell her niece the same things, but Georgiana had refused to believe her, claiming that Lady Matlock only said this out of family duty.
As this part of the past was cleared up, Georgiana recalled the other issue they had been addressing. ‘Miss Elizabeth, I am sorry that you had to witness my cousin displaying such violence.’
