I arrived close enough to Elizabeth to speak to her without being overheard by anyone but Miss Bennet, and said, “Elizabeth… Jane… Courage. This is but one trial, and we will get through it.”
Such a sentiment was so presumptuous that the use of their Christian names was the very least offensive part, but I needed them to know of my unwavering support.
She glanced at me, and while I read her expressions better than before, it was impossible to tell if I was seeing fear, rage, or annoyance; nor could I tell if my statement comforted or distressed her.
I also noticed several ladies had separated themselves from the crowd, but I had no idea why.
I was as startled as anybody when all conversation halted with a bellow worthy of an angry blacksmith.
“WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?”
The room fell silent at once, and everyone stared at Miss Mary standing breathing heavily. She looked frightened but resolute, and I had to admire her for it. Miss Lucas was standing next to her, along with one of the Long nieces, and both of the Golding daughters. Miss Lucas took Miss Mary’s hand, and the latter continued relentlessly.
“I ask again, what is wrong with you? Most of you have known Elizabeth and Jane all your lives, and yet you are willing to accept the entirely unfounded slander of a jumped-up-social-climbing-parvenu. Find meanyonewho is pushing these rumours other than Miss Bingley and I shall eat my bonnet… nay, even worse,I shall eat Lydia’s ugliest!”
Much to my surprise, most of the group laughed, and even Miss Lydia laughed and snorted.
She stared around, and said, “If you wish to call Lydia a badly-behaved hoyden, or Kitty an empty-headed flirt, or me a moralizing prude, or mother a mercenary, or my father indolent—then I should have no qualms in allowing your opinion.But Elizabeth and Jane? Seriously?”
The tide turned slightly, and I commended Miss Mary. She was doing yeoman’s work, which would be rewarded in due time.
Miss Lucas took up the sword. “Let us review. Miss Bingley has been overheard referring to the Long nieces, the Goulding sisters, and even myself and Maria as‘insipid-unfashionable-mushrooms.’How many of you have seen her sneering down at the daughters of gentlemen as if she were somehow superior. She thinks her gowns reflect the latest fashion whilst anyone of sense would say they reflect colour-blindness at best.Is this who you wish to believe?”
Miss Goulding added, “After the spectacle at supper, can you fault Miss Elizabeth for taking a few extra minutes repairing her sister’s gown? I am ashamed to know some of you.”
I was impressed, and noticed Fletcher’s riveted attention to who was moving into which group, what was being said, and what was being signalled by those too timid to speak but showing support. I trusted him to keep score for me and just concentrated on Elizabeth. She looked ready to cry in appreciation of all the support, but angry enough to start tearing into those who opposed her.
The tide had turned in her favour, and all would have been forgotten, save for Mrs Bennet, who was about to feel my wrath, but once again, I had underestimated my opponent.
“Elizabeth Bennet!You will be the death of me yet. Sneaking off with an officer is one thing, but I demand you either produce him forthwith, or accept Mr Collins’ attentions. He has not been subtle,” then she turned her attention on Mr Collins. “Yourattentions have been far toomarkedto be mistaken, sir. You must marry!”
Mr Collins looked ready to swoon right on the floor, and his thoughts of my aunt’s disapprobation were written plainly on his face. He was not a very clever man, and I was certain Mrs Bennet would bludgeon him into proposing if I did not intervene. It would not matter, as Elizabeth would reject him, but it would make our courtshipverydifficult, particularly when my aunt came barrelling into town to stick her nose in where it did not belong.
I had no doubt of my ability to rescue her reputation if it came to it, but I was loathe to impose myself on her. Any rescue that depended on me would necessarily oblige us together, and I was still trying to work out a way to reduce the furore.
Mr Bennet seemed as indolent ever. There was to be no help there. Miss Mary and Miss Lucas were busily speaking to individuals to try to turn the tide, but it was not looking good. Mrs Bennet was simply too big of an obstacle if her husband would not rein her in.
I was startled once again by a bellow.
“ENOUGH!”
Elizabeth’s cry of frustration was even louder than Miss Mary’s.
The room was once again silent, and she looked to each of her detractors with a disconcerting stare. I had moved as close as I dared but could not say anything in the silence of the room.
She timed her next reply to just before the crowd might have started buzzing again.
“As Mary said, I am ashamed of many of you in this room. All she said was quite true, you know—except for calling herself a moralizing prude. She is an admirable sister, and I am sorry you might think otherwise, Mary.”
Miss Mary looked near the end of her rope, but she smiled and moved slightly closer to Elizabeth in time to hear her continue.
“As Mary correctly pointed out, and since Miss Bingley is so free with her malicious gossip, allow me to ask a question.”
She stared at Miss Bingley; they resembled two rams ready to butt heads.
“Youclaimfirst-hand knowledge that I disappeared withsome man, but you have not named him. I ask you to do so now. How hard can it be?”
Called out on her lies for perhaps the first time, Miss Bingley dug her hole deeper. “I am not as familiar with the officers as your family,” she replied with a sneer worthy of a duchess. “They all look the same to me, but a red coat is not that hard to distinguish from a gentleman’s jacket.”
