“I am glad that you came,” Elizabeth said honestly, knowing it would hurt dreadfully if Mrs Sullivan became attached to Darcy. “I am not as much at liberty as you, so you must forgive me if I cannot call in your side of town as soon as I would like.”
Mrs Sullivan waved a hand. “Send me a note, and I will drive my phaeton here myself. Friends cannot stand on ceremony, and I would like to pass some time together before you leave town next month.”
Her aunt and Bingley and Jane were in the room, so the conversation stayed on general topics and included everyone. While they talked about public places and amusements in town, Elizabeth wondered what Mrs Sullivan had wanted to tell her at the ball before Darcy asked her to dance. She seemed enthusiastic about something, but in case she did not want it to be publicly known, Elizabeth held her tongue on the subject and asked her instead about her phaeton.
“Perhaps when you return to town in May and the weather is fair, we could drive to Hampstead,” Mrs Sullivan added after she had described it. “You do not ride, correct?” Elizabeth shook her head, and Mrs Sullivan looked disappointed. Her being an avid horsewoman was something Mrs Sullivan would have in common with Darcy. “That is all very well, because I can drive us or we can hire a coach. It is only four miles, and a pleasant retreat in the summer months.”
“I would have no trouble walking the distance.”
Mrs Sullivan laughed. “Well, you are younger and fitter than I am. I might make it to Hampstead, but you would have to carry me back!”
Elizabeth smiled, and in the pause Bingley asked her what her plans were for the evening. Mrs Sullivan said, “Nothing of note tonight, dinner with friends, but tomorrow I am attending the Surrey Institution lecture with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Mr Darcy.”
Bingley laughed. “Darcy must have convinced you both to go. He is always asking me since he is a subscriber and can bring a guest, but I have no interest.”
Elizabeth felt the disappointment hit her heart that Mrs Sullivan was seeing Darcy so soon.
“I have no interest either.” Mrs Sullivan laughed. “I could not even tell you who the lecturer is or what is his topic. But Colonel Fitzwilliam invited me, and I had no reason to decline.”
Darcy had not invited Mrs Sullivan as his guest. Perhaps he had not definitely decided that Mrs Sullivan could supplant L in his heart. Elizabeth wondered if there was any chance that she could still earn Darcy’s affections. With no understanding between Mrs Sullivan and Darcy, she could befriend one while she tried to show the other all the affection she was capable of without betraying her conscience.
“I would like to attend one of the Surrey Institution lectures,” she announced.
As she hoped, Mrs Sullivan smiled. “We could bring you tomorrow if you like. Each subscriber can bring a guest, and I cannot imagine Mr Darcy would mind bringing you if he knew you wanted to attend.”
“He would enjoy having someone there who actually cares,” Bingley added with a laugh.
“I would not want to impose,” Elizabeth said, although she very much did.
“I will see Colonel Fitzwilliam at dinner this evening and will tell him to ask his cousin.” Elizabeth thought she was rather confident in Colonel Fitzwilliam’s ability to be persuaded, but it would be to her benefit if it meant she could see Darcy tomorrow.
“Thank you very much,” she said. “You are generous to include me.”
“Would you entrust Miss Elizabeth to the three of us, ma’am?” Mrs Sullivan asked Mrs Gardiner. “It is off Blackfriars Road on the other side of the Thames, you know, and we will collect her and return her to you in good time.”
“Are there many ladies in attendance? I would not want Lizzy to feel out of place in an audience full of gentlemen.”
“I have only been once, but I would say half the audience was ladies. I do not scruple to add, however, that I am always glad to have a female friend with me.”
Elizabeth lowered her head as her aunt agreed she could go. Regardless of what happened with Darcy, if he became attached to Mrs Sullivan or not, she must safeguard her growing friendship with Mrs Sullivan.
Mrs Sullivan rose and said to Mrs Gardiner, “Thank you for receiving me so late. I wanted to show Miss Elizabeth my determination to befriend her, and the day got away from me.” She then turned to Elizabeth as she put on her gloves and said in a quieter tone with a smile, “I will tell you all about my day another time when we are alone.”
She wondered what this meant, and her stomach sank to think that it had anything to do with an attachment to Darcy. “I look forward to seeing you tomorrow evening,” she said. As Mrs Sullivan turned to leave, Elizabeth felt guilty for arranging a meeting through Mrs Sullivan’s kindness and eagerness for friendship. She followed her to the door and added, “I am pleased that you came today, and I promise we will be good friends.”
Mrs Sullivan looked a little surprised, but she grinned and held out her hand, and Elizabeth grasped it. “As am I,” she said warmly. “I shall see you tomorrow evening at seven.”
When she was gone, Mrs Gardiner asked Bingley to stay to dinner, and Jane and Elizabeth went to dress. Jane followed her to her room and sat on her bed. Elizabeth felt her attention as she selected a gown. After a few moments of silence while she put it on, she asked, “What is it?”
“Why were you eager to attend the lecture? I have never once heard you mention it.”
“Because it is not absolutely certain that Darcy and Mrs Sullivan love one another. What if I can still show Darcy how much I like him? I have to try.”
“But why force yourself onto his notice tomorrow?” Jane asked, throwing up her hands in confusion. “Your paths will cross often now that Bingley and I are to marry.”
“I retreated too early last evening, Jane. Mrs Sullivan might not have fixed upon Darcy as her object, and he might not have decided on her. I have a chance to earn his affections after all. I need to try a little harder.”
“Most respectable men would find a woman’s interest unseemly.”
