Responding to Cook’s question, she answered, “It was very nice. We met the new leaseholder of Netherfield Park, and Jane and I got to become reacquainted with Miss Darcy’s brother.”
“Oh, how nice. But…Miss Darcy herself was not there?”
“No, she is not out yet, so she would not attend an assembly, but she is not even residing in the area. She remains at Pemberley.”
“’Tis too bad, miss. ‘Twould have been nice to see your friend again.”
Elizabeth nodded thoughtfully, thanked the servant, and strode outside into the pale light and long shadows of early morning.
She was quite struck by the fact that she had not felt even a moment of regret that Georgiana was not in Hertfordshire. She had been so filled up with wonder about the coincidence that had brought Mr Darcy back into her life, and so many thoughts about him had raced through her mind, she had little thought of his sister.
When she had met Georgiana, the girl had been only ten years old and terribly shy. She was able to express herself more easily by letter than in person, but Elizabeth had never felt as if the girl was one of her best friends. Perhaps it was that they had only known each other a few days, many years ago, or maybe it was merely the difference in their ages.
Elizabeth reached the goal of that morning’s walk: the top of Oakham Mount. From that highest spot in the area, she could see all of Longbourn, Lucas Lodge and its garden, most of Meryton, and the parts of the estate of Netherfield Park that touched the furthest reaches of Longbourn.
As she considered Cook’s question about Georgiana Darcy once more, Elizabeth realised that she still thought of Georgiana as a little girl—and she knew that she needed to readjust her mental picture of her. After all, Georgiana was now fifteen, the age Elizabeth had been when she met the Darcys. Five years ago, Elizabeth had felt like a young lady, not a child. Even if she had not been of marriageable age—not really—a fifteen year old wished to be treated like a woman grown rather than a child.
Another, more startling, realisation was that Mr Darcy must have known that she and Jane might be attending the assembly, because Georgiana had been addressing every single letter for all these years to:
Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth Bennet
Longbourn, near Meryton
Hertfordshire
Elizabeth wroteseveral letters after her walk: to her Aunt Maddie Gardiner, to two of the former leaseholders of Netherfield Park, with whom she kept in touch, and to Georgiana. In each letter, she mentioned something about Netherfield Park and Mr Darcy. The letters to her former teachers concentrated on the new leaseholder, Mr Bingley, but she mentioned Mr Darcy because she wished to reiterate her jest about the men having to teach all the ladies in theneighbourhood. Her letter to Aunt Maddie emphasised the coincidence of meeting Mr Darcy again—and she took the time to remind her aunt of the particulars of their first meeting.
With Georgiana, she focused most on the girl’s brother and the very great coincidence that had enabled them to meet again. “I do so wish you had travelled with your brother,” Elizabeth wrote. “But I know such a long journey must be arduous. I felt for Mr Darcy, because he had apparently suffered all day and all evening with a headache, which he said he managed to acquire on the road.”
She reminded herself that Georgiana must surely be feeling very grown up these days, and she re-read the letter again. Feeling it suited the purpose, she decided to add a bit about literature, telling Georgiana what she was currently reading and asking her about her current book.
While she waited for the ink to dry, Elizabeth looked around the parlour. Mary was reading, Kitty and Lydia were making over bonnets with fresh ribbons, and Jane and Mama were doing needlework.
Elizabeth wondered when the Lucas ladies would arrive. Their closest neighbours visited after every assembly or large event so that her mother could exchange gossip with Lady Lucas. While they spoke, Elizabeth and Jane would discuss their experiences with Charlotte Lucas, and Lydia and Kitty would giggle with Maria Lucas. The youngest girls would notjustgiggle: they would giggle as they critiqued the clothing people wore, and they would giggle as they discussed who danced with whom, and finally they would giggle as they daydreamt about the near future, when militia officers soon to be quartered in Meryton might attend gatherings. Elizabeth left Mary out of the account of the usual post-assembly visits because Mary did not join in with any of the discussions; she preferred reading to what she disparagingly called “tittle tattle.”
As Elizabeth sealed the fourth letter, she dimly heard a knock on the front door. She carefully put away the writing implements and the sealing wax before turning towards the door, the four letters in her hand, smiling already as she looked forward to discussing the Netherfield residents with Charlotte.
Mrs Hill entered the room and announced, “Mr Bingley and Mr Darcy.”
A jolt of pleasure, even more than surprise, shot through Elizabeth. She swiftly handed the letters to Mrs Hill and then joined the other Bennet ladies as they curtseyed to the men’s bows. Everyone exchanged the usual pleasantries.
Mr Bingley soon began paying notable attention to Jane. He had taken a seat near her, and the two began speaking with low voices. In contrast, Mr Darcy engaged in conversation with everyone. He cordially asked Mary what she was reading.
“I am reading Mr J. C. Kellner’s treatiseThe Basics of Thoroughbass.” Elizabeth felt a bit sorry that her sister’s tone was smug; she seemed proud to be reading an improving book rather than a fashion magazine or novel.
Mr Darcy took Mary’s unusual reading choice in stride and nodded thoughtfully. “Are you very interested in musical theory?”
Mary looked very pleased. “I am,” she said. “Since I play the pianoforte, I feel that I should understand the technical rules of harmony.”
“That is admirable,” Mr Darcy responded. “My sister plays, as well, and she has even written several original pieces, such as a sonatina, but as yet she has never studied music academically, such as theory and composition.”
“She is three years younger than Mary,” Elizabeth said. “Georgiana may apply herself to a scientific study of music at some later point.”
“Indeed,” Mr Darcy said. He turned to Lydia, who had been ignoring the conversation as she whispered and giggled with Kitty, but who was now sketching an idea for the bonnet she worked on. “You sketch well, Miss Lydia,” he said. “Did you participate in the sketching lessons at Netherfield Park that Miss Elizabeth mentioned to me last night?
Lydia preened at the compliment and said, “Yes, Kitty and I both took classes.”
“And did you learn languages from your neighbours, too?” he asked. He sounded sincerely interested, and Elizabeth marvelled at his capacity for caring about people so decidedly lower in status than his exalted position.
