Author's note: My appologies for the long delay in updates. I have not had time to write lately. The reward for your wait is that this chapter is considerably longer than the previous three.
Adversity and Felicity Chapter 4- Polite Hostility
At last the day of Miss Bingley's anticipated arrival came. Georgiana, like a little child on Christmas morning, awoke before everyone else. She read books in the library until the servants were up, then immediately went to double check that Caroline's guest room was ready. When Mr. and Mrs. Darcy finally appeared, she pestered her brother to tell her exactly what time he thought their guest would arrive. Georgiana continued to ramble on about all the fun activities she was planning for them to do until, finally, Mr. Darcy suggested she practice the harp piece she had been wanting to play for Caroline. She thought this was a splendid idea and at last left Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam in peace.
Since Georgiana was too excited to eat, they decided to have breakfast sent just for the two of them in the eastern side drawing room, where the morning sun could shine in on them. As they sat and nibbled on eggs benedict and fruit, the subject turned to the upcoming ball at their neighbors' home.
"I am excited to finally meet some of your other aquaintances here in Derbyshire, Fitz." Elizabeth offered. "The Kingston's ball will be a great opportunity to make new friends, and it's not often we get chances to go dancing either. You know how I love to dance!"
"Yes, much to my dissmay, you are rather fond of the silly pastime," her husband teased.
"Oh, come now, Mr. Darcy, you must promise to dance with me at least a few times during the evening. You cannot leave your new bride to dance with strangers all night!" She playfully replied.
"In that case, my dear, I shall ensure that you dance with no-one but myself."
"And prevent me from conversing with our neighbors? Why that would defeat the purpose of going at all."
"Oh, good, then we can skip the event altogether and spend a nice quiet evening at home instead." His look told her that he was all jest, and that they would indeed be making an appearance to satisfy his curious friends. Elizabeth changed the subject.
"What are Mr. and Mrs. Kingston like?"
"Mr. Gregory Kingston is an elderly man, often grouchy and cantankerous, but a good man nonetheless. He is well respected in this neighborhood. Mrs. Helen Kingston, however, is a very silly woman. She spends countless hours planning balls and shopping for new bonnets, and is a notorious gossip. You may find that you like her though."
"Oh, and why is that?" Elizabeth scoffed.
"She is very much like your mother!" They both laughed.
Miss Bingley was not due until late that afternoon, so Elizabeth and Fitzwilliam decided to take a walk through the woods together. While they were out, they got caught in a sudden shower that came up. Soaking wet and covered in tree leaves, they tramped through the mud back to the estate.
"Goodness, I'm a mess! I must look like some sort of forest swamp monster!" Elizabeth complained.
"But, a very pretty forest swamp monster!" Her husband laughed.
"Ha! Well, I shall certainly have to change before our guest arrives." Darcy opened the door to allow his 'swamp monster' lady to enter first. Elizabeth stopped short as they entered the parlor. There, sitting on the settee next to Georgiana, was none other than Miss Bingley. Upon seeing Elizabeth, she abruptly set down the teacup she was drinking from.
"Good heavens, Lizzy. What on earth have you been doing? Surely you haven't been playing in the mud like a common pig!" She laughed with a tinny high tone that was civil, yet held an air of disdain. "You too, Mr. Darcy!" She sniggered as he walked in after Elizabeth. "I'm surprised to be greeted in such a fashion. I'd give you a hug, Darcy, but I don't want to ruin my outfit. Perhaps you'd like to take a few minutes to freshen up before joining us for tea?"
"Of course, Miss Bingley. If you'll excuse us." He gently ushered his wife, who was still speechless, upstairs. Once alone, she finally found her voice.
"What is she doing here? She was not expected until around 4:00!"
"I know, I know, but she's here now and we can't do anything about it."
"Already I'm beginning to regret having her here. Did you see the look she gave me when she saw my dress?"
"Weren't you the one who said we should try to make amends with her?"
Elizabeth sighed. "Yes. You're right. I'm sure she was just amused by how silly we look." She turned and looked in the mirror before bursting out laughing. "Why, we do look quite a sight, don't we!"
"Yes, indeed." Her husband replied with a grin.
Once properly attired, the couple returned to the parlor. Georgiana was chatting animatedly with Caroline, who seemed amused, but slightly disinterested. The latter stood when she saw Mr. Darcy enter.
"Oh, that's much better, now that you're not covered in filth!" She exclaimed, throwing her arms around Darcy. Elizabeth was a bit put out by Miss Bingley's lavish show of affection towards her husband. Darcy did not seem to mind.
"Tell me, friend, how have you been lately? It's been far to long since we last saw each other."
"Yes, it has".
"You look so thin! Elizabeth, haven't you been feeding this poor man?"
"I assure you, are tables are hardly scant. My husband and I just have a habit of getting out for exercise frequently, as was the case this afternoon when we were caught in the rain that so ruined our attire."
"I do wish I had more motivation to exercise," Miss Bingley lamented. "I always seem to get caught up in so many other things that I never find the time. Besides, I find walking to be such a bore, and I'm certainly no athlete!"
Georgiana, who had been quite for most of the conversation, piped in. "Oh, I love sports and outdoor activities! If I were a boy, I would spend every day horseback riding and playing cricket."
"You would sacrifice your music studies to go galivanting about playing games?" Caroline raised her eyebrows.
"Oh no, I'm not suggesting any such thing!" Georgiana blushed. "I simply meant that I sometimes wish I could get outside more in addition to my hours of practicing."
"Then we shall see that you accompany us on more of our walks," her brother interjected. Changing the subject, he continued, "Speaking of your music, why don't you play that piece you've been working on for the harp." Georgiana responded enthusiastically to this request, and entertained her audience with a beautiful expression of Pescetti's Sonata in C Minor, followed by an encore of Bach's Prelude in C. When she finished, Caroline spoke.
"I'm so glad to hear how much you've improved on the harp. I am simply in raptures over your exquisite talent! I shall have to write my sister and tell her of your progress, for I am sure she will want to know, and will be eager to hear you play the next time she visits." Turning to Elizabeth, she said, "Did I not hear that you play the pianoforte, Miss Elizabeth?- I mean, Mrs.Darcy."
"Well, I don't play very well…" Elizabeth began
"Oh, please play something for us!" Georgiana pleaded. "You sound so lovely, and I don't think Caroline has gotten to hear you yet!"
"It's true, Elizabeth. I haven't heard you perform since we've met, even though we've been together on numerous occasions where there was a pianoforte available."
Elizabeth was uncomfortable with the thought of playing before an audience. "Really, I don't sound that good, and I haven't practiced in ages…"
"Then now is your chance to get some practicing in!" Caroline pressured.
"…All right then." She conceded reluctantly. Tremulously, she settled herself onto the piano stool and sighed. What is she after? Elizabeth thought. Does she seek to humiliate me by hoping I'll perform badly? She began softly playing a familiar piece. Despite her nervousness, the notes seemed to flow freely from her fingers. The longer she played, the more relaxed she became as the music soothed her. When the song ended, she was rewarded with a hand of applause.
"That was wonderful, Elizabeth!" Georgiana commended. "You have so much more talent than you give yourself credit for."
"You certainly cannot match our dear Georgiana's talent here," Caroline supplied stiffly, "But, I agree that your music skills are better than you have led us to believe. You must play for us more often," she insisted with a slight smirk.
Dinner later that evening was also embarrassing for Elizabeth. Caroline opened up a conversation asking to hear of Elizabeth's plans for improving the estate, now that she was mistress of it. The new lady of the house had scarcely had a chance to think of such things, and was caught off guard. She stammered a few of her ideas, which were, of course, debated by Caroline in an almost scorning tone. Nothing was said that was uncivil, but Elizabeth felt like she was being put on trial. Her husband and sister in-law did not seem to notice her discomfort; in fact, they readily participated in the conversation with questions and comments of their own.
Elizabeth had one triumph before the evening was over though. After dinner, Miss Bingley suggested they play quadrille, a card game she claimed she was fond of and very good at. They played in teams- Miss Bingley and Mr. Darcy against Georgiana and Elizabeth. Four games were played, and Elizabeth and Georgiana won every time. Caroline was frowning by the end, but she put on a fake smile and said, "Oh well, I suppose it just wasn't in the cards for me tonight. You two must have beginner's luck." She gave another of her high simpering laughs.
"Actually, I've been playing quadrille for years." Elizabeth pointed out. "Jane and I used to go to my aunt and uncle's house in Meryton quite often and play it with them."
"Well, I'm very glad to have such an experienced partner, for I barely know the rules of the game!" Said Georgiana. "Do you know any other good card games, Lizzy?"
"Yes, I'm also very familiar with whist. Perhaps we can play that another night, though. It's getting late." They bid each other good night before retiring to their respective rooms.
As she readied for bed, Elizabeth spoke. "Well, I've managed to get through one day." She grimaced wryly.
"I thought everything went quite well, actually." Her husband remarked.
"Oh? Well, you weren't the one being put on trial all evening!" She replied indignantly.
"You're overreacting. Nobody was putting you on trial."
"Didn't you hear the questions Miss Bingley was asking during dinner?" She put on a mocking tone, " 'What improvements are you planning to make to this dining room, Lizzy?' 'Don't you think it would be nice to put a crown molding around the ceiling?' 'Have you planned to replace the tile in the front entryway?' ".
"I think you are mistaken. Those were all simple inquiries aimed at making pleasant conversation."
"Well, you certainly seemed to repair your friendship with Miss Bingley quickly!"
"Yes, and I have you to thank for it! May I remind you that it was you who suggested that we needed to try and make amends wherever possible." Caroline behaved tonight the same way that she has always behaved. Her mannerisms are still the same, and I did not see any bad behavior from her at all. Tell me, can you honestly point out even one thing that she has done today which was rude or mean spirited?" Fitzwilliam said angrily.
"It was more her manner of speaking towards me."
"And you think that it was harsh? She commended your piano playing, tried to give helpful suggestions for interior decorating, and was a good loser at cards. What part of that did you consider hostile?"
Elizabeth was forced to concede. "I suppose you're right. I'm just feeling a little threatened by the memories of how she's treated me before." She wrapped her arms around Fitzwilliam's waist. "I don't want to argue anymore tonight."
"Nor do I." Her husband replied before bringing her more fully into his embrace with a warm kiss. He reached over and shut out the light, grateful that their argument was resolved at least for the time being.