Charles Bingley was a man with two sisters and much tenderness to bestow. As a child, the girls had used his affectionate nature to manipulate and bully him, and by the time he had grown up he had abandoned any notion of loving them. When he met little Georgiana Darcy for the first time, she had been delightful. After a few shy hours she had ventured an impish joke which made Bingley realise how much fun sisterscouldbe. All of his brotherly playfulness was hers to enjoy. Goodness knows it had nowhereelseto go.
So, he did not smile at her when she met his eyes. He pulled a face.
“I know you don’t like going to balls, Puddles, but isn’t this an extreme way to escape dancing with me?”
“Bingley…” Darcy growled warningly. With the nerve of a salmon leaping upstream past a hungry bear, Bingley ignored him.
“You still owe me a duet too, you lazy girl. I bet you haven’t even practiced your scales this morning. Miss Channel would be ashamed!”
“Shecan’t…!”Elizabeth protested, rising to her feet. Jane grabbed her elbow, stopping her, and raised her eyebrows towards Georgiana.
There was a broad smile on the young woman’s face. Even better, her chest hitched and she let out a snort that sounded remarkably close to laughter.
“My goodness.” Elizabeth breathed and sat back down with a bump.
She looked wonderingly up at her husband. His face was a mixture of delight and exasperation. After months of fighting forthe smallest smile, he had been bested by Mr. Charles ‘Spaniel’ Bingley and a stupid joke.
They spent the afternoon in excellent spirits. Jane had immediately warmed to Georgiana and seemed to understand her with uncanny ease. Before the others could work out why Georgiana’s smile was fading, Jane was already tucking a warm shawl around her shoulders or holding a drink to her lips. When the servants brought up some food she declined Mrs. Reynolds’ offer of assistance and helped Georgiana to eat as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Darcy watched this tableaux with rising frustration. He still could not look at Jane without thinking about Mr. Collins. He knew that the rector had seen this tender, sweet side of the young lady. How could he miss it? Love seemed to infuse every part of Jane’s slender body. It should have been nurtured, cherished for the treasure it was. But Mr. Collins only wanted toownit. Jane would be his possession, and all of her miraculous light would be dimmed forever.
And Mrs. Bennet was determined to let him do it.
Darcy turned away before Jane could see his rising disgust, but he was not quick enough to hide his expression from Elizabeth. She frowned at him and crossed the room at once.
“What is wrong?” she asked, “Would you prefer it if Jane was less familiar with Georgiana? I know you cherish your sister’s privacy, but Jane does not mean any harm by it…”
“No… I am not upset, Elizabeth. I am grateful. I have never seen anyone form an attachment so quickly before, but I think your sister is genuine. She seems to love Georgiana already.”
“Jane thinks the best of everyone! She gives her heart long before common sense can intrude.” Elizabeth said fondly, “Do you think Georgiana will likeher?”
“I suspect that she already does! Georgie forms her own opinions just as quickly. They are much alike.”
“Then why did you look so disapproving, sir?”
“I was thinking of your mother. I imagine that she would not approve of her daughter spending her time in this manner. To be caring… to be generous… must be quite inconceivable notions for a woman such as her. Forgive me for thinking it, Elizabeth.”
Lizzie chewed her lip, looking down at the floor. Her voice came out thinly, and to her amazement she heard it defending her mother. “She was not always so selfish, but when my father had his first attack… when he fell ill…”
“Mr. Darcy?” Jane interrupted them, “May I please call on Miss Darcy tomorrow, as well? Or does she need to rest? I think she wants me to return - indeed, look how she smiles! But I would not like to risk her health for my sake. No, Georgiana, do not look so annoyed, we mustask!”
“As long as you two do not go riding or run foot races together, Miss Bennet, I cannot see you taxing my sister overmuch.” Darcy’s voice was wry, but his smile was genuine, “Come as often as you please.”
“Lizzie, could we have some more chairs in here, and perhaps a card table? It would be nice to make this little space feel like a parlour, don’t you agree?”
“Of course. I am ashamed I did not think of it myself.” Elizabeth agreed at once and then teased: “Soon there will be no need for us to go downstairs at all!”
“Only until Georgiana is strong enough to join us.” Jane said innocently, then frowned at the sudden tension in the air. “What is wrong?”
“Caroline is here.” Bingley said in a low voice.
“What does that signify?”
“Recall her behaviour towards you in London, Miss Bennet. You were faultless in all respects! Still, she found ample cause to criticise you.”
“She did?” Elizabeth looked sharply at her sister, “You did not tell me that!”
“I am not without fault.” Jane replied mulishly, “Caroline had good reasons to challenge my manners and customs, as they were rather lacking! She was trying to help me.”
