“Pray excuse my sister. She did not mean that as it sounded. What she ought to have said is how very pleasant it must be, Miss Georgiana, to have so lively a companion for your excursions.”
She smiled warmly.
“Caroline and I have each other, so we are never at a loss for company, but you must depend upon a brother who, I daresay, would much rather be found at Jackson’s or Tattersall’s than amongst ribbons and lace.”
Georgiana and Elizabeth both laughed at the jest.
“Yes, Mrs. Hurst,” Georgiana said, “my brother does not care for shopping for women’s clothing, or fripperies, as he calls them.”
Miss Bingley’s lips tightened. “Would you join us for tea at Twinings, on the Strand?”
Georgiana hesitated, then answered politely.
“I thank you, Miss Bingley, but we have only just arrived. This is the first shop we have entered, and I do not wish for tea. We have only just breakfasted.”
She turned to Elizabeth. “Unless you would like it, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “No indeed. I have a list of errands to complete, and if I do not apply myself at once, I shall be forced to make a second trip to the shops.”
She offered a restrained smile. “Thank you, but you must excuse me from the treat, Miss Bingley.”
Caroline looked decidedly put out.
“Well, I never…” she began, but once again, Louisa was quick to intervene.
“I understand completely. We have already been shopping for two hours, so we shall excuse ourselves. Good day, ladies.”
They curtsied, and then the two sisters were gone.
Georgiana drew nearer to Elizabeth and placed a hand upon her arm.
“Lizzy, I feared we should spend the entire day in Miss Bingley’s company. She has a way of attaching herself to one, and if you do not know how to release yourself, you must bear her company for hours on end.”
She paused, then added thoughtfully, “However, since she now knows that Fitzwilliam is not in town for some weeks, she probably has no real interest in my company. I am merely her entry to Darcy House, and to my estimable brother.”
Elizabeth covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. “Yes, he is the honey that draws the bees. I imagine you are often obliged tofend off would-be friends who are anxious to attach themselves to your very eligible and attractive brother.”
Georgiana laughed. “I have never thought it amusing, but it is. You should see their faces when I explain that my brother is away at a house party, or in Derbyshire attending to estate business.”
“I imagine their expressions fall at once, and their attentions wane.”
“They do,” Georgiana said, “which is just as well for me, for most of the ladies who are attracted to my poor brother are not very amiable, Lizzy. I wonder why that is.”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I could not say. Perhaps young ladies in this day and age are generally malcontents. Or perhaps they are the product of the select seminaries they attend.”
She reached toward a display. “Look at this one, Georgiana. Is it not exquisite?”
Georgiana examined the lace on the handkerchief Elizabeth held, then began sorting through the piles on the shelf.
After four hours, the two ladies were still in the first haberdashery they had entered. Much of their time in the shop was spent in conversation as they moved from one display to another, examining the wares.
When they at last left the shop, Elizabeth’s eyes wandered to the footmen carrying a variety of neatly wrapped parcels. Georgiana followed her gaze and giggled.
“I have spent a fair portion of my brother’s funds today, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth lifted her three parcels. “I have never spent so much upon myself. All my money is usually given to books.”
Both young ladies laughed, as though it were a jest.
