Her anticipation vanished the moment Hill crossed the room and stopped beside Jane.
"A note from Netherfield, Miss Bennet."
Jane accepted it and broke the seal.
Whilst Elizabeth attempted to understand what had become of Mr. Darcy's prediction, Jane read in silence, her expression passing through surprise, pleasure, and something she made only a partial effort to conceal.
"It is from Miss Bingley," she said at last. "The gentlemen have been invited to dine with Colonel Forster, and she asks me to spend the day at Netherfield." She paused, smiling slightly. "She adds that Elizabeth will be very welcome if she is at liberty. Miss Darcy requested particularly that she be invited."
Elizabeth felt a curious disappointment ease almost as soon as it arose.
After all, it was perfectly sensible. One invitation addressed to Longbourn was far more practical than two separate notes saying much the same thing.
Yet she could not help wondering whether Georgiana had mentioned her intention of writing her to Miss Bingley, as she had apparently done to Mr. Darcy, and had then been forestalled by the lady herself. The circumstance was not difficult to imagine. Miss Darcy was only a guest at Netherfield, whilst Miss Bingley seemed inclined to regard herself as its mistress and might therefore consider the issuing of invitations her particular province.
Whatever the truth of it, the invitation made one thing abundantly clear.
It was Georgiana who wished for her company. Certainly not Miss Bingley.
From their few encounters, Elizabeth had seen little to persuade her that Miss Bingley liked her at all. Indeed, she was not entirely convinced the lady liked Jane either, beyond the civility required by her brother's attachment.
Elizabeth had scarcely reached that conclusion when Mrs. Bennet sprang to her feet.
"Jane, you must go. You must both go. Hill, the carriage—"
"Mama," Elizabeth interrupted, "we have not yet decided."
"What is there to decide?" Mrs. Bennet threw out her hands. "Mr. Bingley is at Netherfield. His sisters have invited Jane. You are invited. What possible objection can there be?"
Elizabeth had no objection whatsoever.
She looked across the table at Jane.
Jane looked back with an expression of quiet satisfaction, as though the arrival of Miss Bingley's note had entirely displaced Mr. Collins and his alarming intentions from consideration.
"We shall go," Elizabeth said.
"Of course you shall." Mrs. Bennet was already halfway to the door. "Hill! Tell Sarah to bring up the good dresses!"
Elizabeth picked up her tea.
Across the table, Mr. Bennet had returned to Mr. Collins's letter and appeared to be deriving fresh amusement from every line.
"Friday," he remarked to no one in particular. "I find I am almost looking forward to it."
EIGHT
5thNovember 1811
Netherfield.
Elizabeth
Miss Darcy,Georgianaas she had insisted upon almost immediately, was the most accomplished young lady of sixteen Elizabeth had ever known.
That was the conclusion to which she had arrived.
Their first substantial conversation at Lucas Lodge had been largely one-sided, Georgiana asking questions and Elizabeth answering them, whilst the girl listened with an attention so earnest and intent that Elizabeth had found it both charming and faintly disconcerting.
