Chapter 10

Dinner passed tolerably well. Elizabeth was diverted with the insincere lamentations of Miss Bingley over how awful it was to have a cold, before turning her attention to Mr Darcy. She was warmed by the sincere anxiety from both Mr Bingley and Mr Chetham. She though she was likely displaying her own partiality when she decided that Mr Bingley seemed more sincere in his attentions.

She was seated between Mr Hurst and Mr Hervey and felt all the misfortune of such an arrangement. She knew that Miss Bingley likely chose her dinner partners on purpose. Mr Hurst thought only of his food and drink. She was probably being ungenerous to Mr Hervey. He was, mostly, attentive. She did notice his attention on her décolletage on more than one occasion and shifted uncomfortably.

When dinner was over she returned directly to Jane and Miss Bingley was abusing her as soon as she was out of the room. Her manners were a mixture of pride and impertinence.

"Why when she declared she would have walked to look after Jane had she not already been here, I hardly kept my countenance, she would have been positively wild. How can someone think to walk all that way alone." Caroline declared to any who would listen.

"I am sure she merely meant she would do almost anything for her sister, which shows a pleasing degree of devotion I am sure" Mr Bingley came to her defence.

"You must agree with me Mr Darcy, you would hardly wish your sister to consider such a scheme"

"Certainly not"

Miss Bingley smiled in satisfaction and turned back to Louisa and Charles

"I am fond of Jane, it would be lovely to see her settled. But with such connections I am afraid there is little chance of it."

Miss Howson had stopped after collecting her cup of tea and was upset to hear such a speech. Being one of the youngest of the gathering she felt her place was one of observation and tended to keep to herself. She was by no means unobservant and saw a great deal. She loved her cousin immensely but staying with him always came with the heavy cost of his older sisters. She was about to turn away when Louisa and Caroline laughed at the idea of calling on Miss Bennet's aunt in London. Instead she piped up.

"We all have relations who make us blush, would you not agree Mr Bingley?"

Mr Bingley stammered out an agreement and she smiled at him before turning away to offer tea to her mother. Caroline and Louisa looked positively furious but their manners got the better of them and they turned away.

Elizabeth did not return until quite late, as she had waited for Jane to fall in to a restful sleep before she felt she could come away. When she returned to the drawing room. She learned that Miss Howson and Miss Lucy had moved to the music room to practice the harp and the piano and Mr Chetham, Mr Hervey and Mr Howson were at billiards. The rest were playing at loo. She was invited to join but she always felt that loo was better played with less players so she declined and took up a book.

A short discussion about librarys ensued and Elizabeth smiled over Miss Bingley worshiping Mr Darcys library even though she had yet to see her touch a book herself.

"Lucy is doing well on the harp Mr Bingley. Has she had a master over the summer?" Mrs Howson changed the subject

"She has indeed aunt" Mr Bingley beamed "she seems to enjoy it very much"

"The harp is a lovely instrument when played well. Your sister plays delightfully does she not, Mr Darcy" Caroline steered the conversation back to Mr Darcy.

"She practices very diligently"

"Have you ever heard her play?" This from Lady Anna Maria . Elizabeth hid her smile, she found she was so diverted by the conversation at the table that she was hardly reading a word.

"She is so accomplished on the pianoforte too" Caroline chose to ignore Lady Anna Maria's comment.

"So many women are deemed accomplished these days. I hardly hear tell of a young lady without her being described as such. I think it marvellous" Mr Bingley came to Mr Darcy's rescue

"The word is applied too liberally I agree. But I cannot agree that would necessarily mean that many women are accomplished. I do not believe I know more than half a dozen that deserve the word" Mr Darcy did not know why he spoke up

"Oh to be sure" Caroline needed no further encouragement "Mr Darcy is correct"

Elizabeth could not help it "you must comprehend a great deal in your idea of an accomplished lady then"

Caroline proceeded to list a great deal of skills that would take study and time and Elizabeth's eyebrows rose, she was about to retort when Darcy interjected.

"And she must of course expand her mind with extensive reading"

Elizabeth closed her book with a snap and stood up "I am no longer surprised at you knowing only six such women, I rather wonder at you knowing any."

Miss Bingley cried out at the injustice of Elizabeth's severity on her sex declaring she knew many such ladies in town and Lady Anna Maria joined with

"My dear Miss Bingley, you have just contradicted yourself, maybe you should just concentrate on the game"

Mr Hurst complained about the lack of attention and the next round of betting began. Elizabeth soon after left to check on Jane and only returned to say she was worse and she would retire.

"Miss Bennet is one of those who seek to recommend themselves to others by undervaluing their own sex. It is a mean art"

"And yet one commonly found amongst the ton" Mrs Howson joined in.

"There is meanness in all arts which ladies sometimes condescend to employ." Mr Darcy added

Caroline found that there were too many people willing to defend her unwanted house guests and so wisely decided to stay quiet.

Elizabeth passed the chief of her night in her sisters room and in the morning was relieved to be able to send tolerable answers to the enquiries that came in, the earliest of which came from Mr Chetham.

Mrs Bennet and her middle daughter attended Jane not long after a note was dispatched. Lydia had thrown quite the tantrum when she was denied attendance but Mrs Bennet was firm that she only wanted one of her daughters to accompany her. Kitty had happily allowed Mary to attend saying she had no stomach for a sick room.

She was happy to find her daughter in no apparent danger and was delighted to visit with the hostess and her brother and was very loud in her approval of the house and their care of her daughter. Elizabeth blushed at some of the utterances and regretted suggesting she come.

The apothecary assured her that Miss Bennet should not be moved and Mrs Bennet was happy to declare that it should not be attempted. A short conversation ensued about the pleasantness of town and country, unfortunately the length of the conversation did not prevent the embarrassment for poor Elizabeth. She cringed again and again and watched Mr Darcy move to stand by the window.

The visit was over and Elizabeth fled to her room, cheeks burning. She did not understand her mother and could not see why she was so affected. Mrs Bennet had almost openly insulted Mr Darcy and she had lept to his defence!

She told herself it was just because it was her mother but part of her wondered. She could not approve of Mr Darcy, his manners were not pleasing and she could not like his disapprobation of the neighbourhood. Somehow though she found herself more attuned to him than any other.