Page 32 of A Most Unwelcome Acquaintance

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And you are better placed here than in a rented house among strangers. Netherfield may be respectable, but it cannot offer you the advantages of Rosings.”

“No.”

Lady Catherine examined her. “What does he say of the place?”

“That the roads were tolerable.”

“I did not ask about the roads.”

“He finds the stables inferior to Pemberley’s.”

“That was certain before he left.”

“And Mr. Bingley loves the neighborhood.”

“Mr. Bingley loves anything that does not insult him.”

Georgiana lowered her eyes before Lady Catherine could see her amusement.

“Has he made the acquaintance of the principal families?”

“He has met several of them.”

“He must be careful. A man in his position draws attention wherever he goes, and country families value the smallest bit of it. An invitation to dinner becomes intimacy, a dance becomes preference, and a second dance becomes an understanding.”

Georgiana thought of Bingley and Miss Bennet. “Mr. Bingley has formed a preference.”

Lady Catherine lifted her spectacles but stopped halfway to her face. “For whom?”

“The eldest Miss Bennet.”

“Bennet.” Lady Catherine repeated the name without recognition. “What is her family?”

“They live at Longbourn.”

“That tells me where they live, not who they are.”

“Her father owns the estate.”

“How large?”

“I do not know.”

“Darcy did not provide the most useful information.”

“He was writing to me, ma’am.”

Lady Catherine put on her spectacles and looked toward the drawer. “Does your brother approve of Mr. Bingley’s choice?”

“He did not say.”

“He says, whether he intends to or not.”

Georgiana could not dispute this without lying. “He believes Miss Bennet returns Mr. Bingley’s regard.”

“That is not approval, it is observation.”