“Then perhaps that is all we need to say about him,” replied Elizabeth. “I have often said that I only think of the past as it has power to bring me pleasure; as no thought of Mr. Wickham brings pleasure, the only recourse is to not think about him at all.”
“I agree,” replied Georgiana.
They set to it with a will; by the end of the visit, they had dispensed with formality and agreed to refer to each other with their Christian names. As eager to form friendships as Georgiana was, she appreciated Miss Elizabeth’s open demeanor and willingness to speak to a girl who was several years younger.
“Well, Miss Darcy,” said Mr. Bingley when they were in the carriage on the way back to Netherfield Park, “did you enjoy your first exposure to my neighbors?”
“The Bennets were very interesting,” replied Georgiana. “I especially enjoyed Elizabeth’s company, though I share some interests with Miss Mary.”
“I see you have already eschewed formality with Miss Elizabeth,” said Mrs. Hurst.
Had it been her sister, Georgiana would have expected ill-concealed displeasure mixed with her usual brand of insolentadvicespoken in that condescending tone she often employed. Mrs. Hurst only looked on with curiosity. Mrs. Hurst’s demeanor had changed, it seemed, though Georgiana supposed she had always been more silent than insistent like her sister.
“I enjoyed Miss Elizabeth’s company,” said Georgiana, reverting to formality.
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth is quite engaging,” agreed Mrs. Hurst.
“If you wish,” said Georgiana, feeling rather diffident, “I am also pleased to dispense with formality between us.”
“That would be acceptable,” said Mrs. Hurst, squeezing her hand.
Georgiana was pleased. Miss Bingley had often assumed informality between them, though Georgiana had never agreed. Mrs. Hurst appeared genuine, as if she understood Georgiana’s reticence and meant to draw her out. Mrs. Hurst was not like Elizabeth, who exuded familiarity. But Georgiana thought she could like this new Mrs. Hurst tolerably well.
When they returned to Netherfield, Georgiana caught her brother, intending to ask him a particular question. William appeared to be expecting it, for he agreed to her request for a private conversation without comment.
“Tell me, Brother,” said Georgiana, deciding that directness would serve, “have I just met my future sister?”
Though she had not expected a reprimand or an instruction to mind her own concerns, she had also not expected his soft smile, one that was quietly distant. “It is yet much too early for such considerations, my dear. However, Iwillconfess that I like Miss Elizabeth well, indeed.”
Georgiana considered this then nodded. “That is well then, for I also like her.”
After a pause in which she considered the wisdom of saying what had entered her mind, Georgiana ventured: “Though it seems silly now, at one time, I had wondered if you were considering...anotherfor the role.”
William was no less than knowing. “By sayinganother, can I suppose you mean the sister of this estate’s master?”
“From my perspective, I will assert that it should not be surprising. While I will acknowledge you never spoke in such a way, you also did not disabuse her obvious intentions toward you.”
“No, I did not, but that was only because of my respect for Bingley. Miss Bingley hasneverbeen a consideration—not when I made her acquaintance, and certainly not now. There is no plausible scenario in which I could ever justify offering for her.”
“Then I shall express my gratitude and remain silent otherwise.”
By now, William sported a wide grin. “You are not cast down at the notion of losing such a sister? Why, Miss Bingley is the most logical choice to become the mistress of my estate. She owns it herself!”
Georgiana laughed with her brother. “Then I am pleased that logic will not dictate your actions, for Miss Bingley would make a most disagreeable sister.”
“That, my dear Georgiana, pales compared to how disagreeable awifeshe would make.”
Chapter VIII
Perhaps it was not laudable, but Louisa Hurst found herself satisfied with her efforts and eager to see what the next days would bring. Had she planned it out in advance, she did not suppose she could have managed it better.
Charles, of course, was in Miss Bennet’s company every chance he got, his interest even surpassing what he had shown the previous autumn. A casual observer would brand Charles inconstant, possessing a wandering eye, a charge that Caroline had made more than once in Louisa’s hearing. Louisa knew, however, that Charles was not so fickle. Though he had been eager to admire pretty ladies in the past, his interest never engaged beyond relaxed conversation and mild flirting. With Miss Bennet, Charles showed far more mature interest than she had ever seen before.
The greater triumph, and one she had not expected in advance, was Mr. Darcy and Miss Elizabeth’s increasing closeness. Oh, Louisa had noticed it when they had been in residence before—Caroline’s diatribes on the subject had made it impossible to miss. Yet Louisa had not expected their comfort in each other’s company to improve with so little provocation. Perhaps there was something more to Caroline’s fears than Louisa had given credit.
The problem was, of course, how Caroline would react when she learned of it, and Louisa could not help but feel a frisson of unease at the likely scene. As there was no way to call anything back, Louisa refrained from worrying. Whatever happened would happen—they would manage it when the time came. Nothing else signified.
Though Louisa did not like to think of it often, she could not help but feel a sense of vindication. Caroline had longconsidered herself the power behind the family, one which, though Louisa thought of this ruefully, was not so much untrue as unchallenged. Charles was not the sort of man to enforce his authority, and Louisa had allowed Caroline to have her way, knowing she would provoke an argument if she did not. Caroline could be insufferable when she felt herself thwarted—it was always easier to give in.
