Mrs. Hill entered and announced their guests. “Mr. Bingley, Mr. Darcy, and Miss Darcy.”
Elizabeth’s heart stuttered at the sight of him. Before she could master her composure, Georgiana darted from behind her brother and flew into Elizabeth’s arms.
Elizabeth laughed as she staggered back a step, striving to keep her balance. When Georgiana released her, she held the young girl at arm’s length and studied her with laughter in her eyes. “My dear, you have grown at least two inches since we were last together. You have quite surpassed me.”
Georgiana’s eyes shone. “Indeed, I have grown three full inches, Lizzy.” She looked her friend over with affectionate concern. “I am so glad to see you well. Miss Bingley said you were quite stricken down from the care you provided to your father.”
Elizabeth covered her mouth to suppress a smile. “I am perfectly well, I assure you. I am sorry you were made anxious. You know what they say about country girls. Town girls fade, but country girls flourish.”
Georgiana giggled. “That is a clever saying. I am a country girl at heart. When I am in the country, I ride Daisy every day, and I would not exchange it for any assembly room in London. And when I paint, I place my easel outdoors, for they say fresh air is good for the soul and the constitution.”
Elizabeth guided Georgiana toward the small sofa she had lately occupied. “Come, sit here beside me.”
Jane and Mr. Bingley were already engaged in earnest conversation, while Mr. Darcy had taken a chair positioned near Elizabeth’s own. Presently, Mrs. Hill entered with the tea tray, and Elizabeth set to pouring and serving their guests.
When she handed Mr. Darcy his cup, he regarded her with a teasing grin. “How do you know how I take my tea?”
“I have been in company with you in London, sir. I was careful to observe.”
His grin softened into a genuine smile. “I am gratified to learn that my preferences signify so much to you, Miss Elizabeth.”
Her complexion heightened, and she wondered whether she had betrayed too much. What a simpleton she was. She had confessed to observing his habits with particular care and could only hope she did not appear eager in his eyes.
Unbidden, her thoughts returned to Miss Bingley at her brother’s table in London, where each dish had been proclaimed a favorite of Mr. Darcy’s, and the lady had not scrupled to declare the pains she had taken to ensure his satisfaction. Elizabeth resolved she would never so parade her attentions, then, suppressing a private smile, she wondered if she was now following in Miss Bingley’s path.
He had evidently marked her expression. “What do you find so amusing, Miss Elizabeth?”
She placed a cup in Mr. Bingley’s hand before turning her attention to the preparation of Georgiana’s tea, hoping the momentary occupation would lend her composure.
“Nothing in particular, sir,” Elizabeth replied lightly. “I am only glad of company. Since our loss, we have received very little. When we meet acquaintances in Meryton, they offer a subdued greeting, yet no one has ventured to Longbourn. I suspect the crape upon the pillar and our black gowns discourage them.”
Georgiana accepted her tea and a small plate bearing two slices of lemon cake. “I am sorry to hear it, Lizzy. I do not find your dress discouraging in the least.” She touched the sleeve and bent nearer in curiosity. “Though it is exceedingly black. How canfabric be made to look so solemn? It is quite firm and cool to the touch.”
Mr. Darcy supplied the answer. “It is a blend of silk and worsted wool, my dear. The combination produces that dull finish which lends it such a grave and restrained appearance.”
Georgiana turned to Elizabeth. “There you have it, Lizzy. Some ingenious man contrived a method of darkening our lives during our seasons of sorrow. By weaving two perfectly serviceable threads of silk and wool, in a particular fashion, he produced a fabric of relentless blackness. These gowns would be far less oppressive if the material were soft and flowing, instead of so shockingly somber. It puts me in mind of ashes. Will you be obliged to wear black to Mr. Bingley’s ball?”
“No. My father has granted us leave to appear in white. Lavender and gray were also permitted, yet I have no wish for gray. I shall not wear it unless I am one day compelled to hire myself out as a governess.”
Mr. Darcy choked on his tea.
Georgiana started and looked at her brother in alarm. “Are you unwell?”
He coughed again and cleared his throat with difficulty. “Perfectly well,” he managed hoarsely. “I swallowed amiss.”
Georgiana’s attention returned to Elizabeth, her brow faintly furrowed. “But why should you ever be obliged to hire yourself out, Lizzy?”
“My dear girl, you must know that a woman is thought to be quite on the shelf once she reaches three and twenty. And heaven forbid that I should attain thirty unmarried. I would be styled an ape leader. If my married sisters cannot secure mea husband by three and twenty, I shall hire myself out as a governess rather than remain at home and be whispered of as the village ape leader.”
Georgiana pressed her fingers to her lips. “Lizzy, whatever can you mean by such a term? It sounds…”
“Cutting?” Elizabeth supplied. “It is exceedingly so, and most unjust. A gentleman may be forty or even fifty and still be pronounced youthful and eligible, yet a woman is deemed faded before she has properly lived.”
“But what is an ape leader?” Georgiana asked, her brow knit in concern.
“It arises from an old superstition,” Elizabeth replied with mock solemnity. “An unmarried woman, it is said, is condemned in the next world to lead apes in hell.”
She regarded the wide-eyed girl beside her and softened her tone. “How anyone professes knowledge of such particulars I cannot conceive, for the only reference to apes in the Good Book is found inKings, in connection with King Solomon’s exotic imports and the display of his great wealth. Of an ape leader, there is most assuredly no mention. I suspect the whole notion was invented merely to frighten young ladies into matrimony.” She ran her hand along the folds of her gown to smooth out the wrinkles.
