The two gentlemen followed the women into the house. Once the introductions were made, they were left to amuse themselves and took seats tucked away in the corner of the sitting room.
"Bingley."
"Michaels. Is this not an astounding twist of fate?" They had met on numerous occasions since David and Louisa's marriage.
"It is, most astonishing. Though, I am afraid I only know the most basic of facts of the situation. Tess was so excited we rushed here. I do not even know how you come to be in the area."
"Ah, I am leasing a neighboring estate, Netherfield Park. Hurst and Louisa are my guests and Caroline is keeping my house. We became acquainted with the Bennets and have been in company quite often these last few months."
"And David recognized Zibby."
"Not initially, but once he did, it was proven quite conclusively." He glanced over at Elizabeth. "It is so difficult to think of Elizabeth by the name Zibby. Her family, the Bennets, I mean, call her Lizzy. Did you know of her disappearance? David never told me."
"I learned of it during our engagement. The Hursts do not bandy it about much. Also, there is a painting at Raber Hill with all three Hurst children. Have you not seen it?"
"I have never been one to explore portrait galleries, as charming as they may be," Bingley grinned. "Ancestors from long ago are of no interest to me, even my own. Look to the future, I say." His gaze rested on the eldest Miss Bennet.
"May I presume our new sister is not the only thing that draws you to Longbourn?" Michaels could clearly see where Bingley's interest lay. At Bingley's answering nod, he studied Miss Bennet more closely, moving on to each of the other ladies in turn. "Where is Miss Bingley? I thought you said she is at your estate with you. I would have expected to see her here."
"Somebody asking after Caroline. That is a novelty." Bingley's tone had sharp edges to it that did not go unnoticed by Michaels. "Caroline is at Netherfield with me and that is where she remains today. She did not take news of Elizabeth's discovery well."
"Why does it matter to her? It can have no impact on her. She already cannot abide the Hursts. And they positively loathe her. Is there something objectionable about the Bennets?"
"Only in that they do not meet with her standards of what is fashionable and well-connected. Obviously, Mr. Bennet is gentry. His estate is prosperous but small, so the income is not what she deems noteworthy. He has no connections among the higher circles and dislikes London. Elizabeth's addition to your family will not elevate her in any way."
"If Elizabeth had been found living with the family of an earl it would change nothing. Miss Bingley's situation would alter not a whit. She is barely acknowledged by Tessa's family as it is. She would not be allowed to capitalize on any connection, no matter how high it might prove to be.
"I suppose that is true. But if it were simply a lady of similar standing to Elizabeth, I do not think she would feel so strongly." Bingley started.
Michaels was skeptical. "Well, she was rather disappointed to learn I was only a second son. That the Hursts allowed their daughter to wed a mere barrister was yet another cause for her disdain. Her reaction when I inherited was quite callous."
Bingley sighed, everyday he had evidence of how horribly his sister behaved. The fact that he was welcomed by anybody of sense continued to surprise him. He would have to take his sister in hand. It was already long past since he should have acted.
"I do think there are myriad factors compounding her absurdity, but it centers on the Bennets. She objects to my attentions to Miss Bennet. I suspect Caroline knows I plan to ask for a courtship soon. As I have mentioned, her status will not be elevated by connection to the Bennets.
"Also, Miss Bennet and Elizabeth are very close. I do not see that bond being broken, regardless the circumstances. A match between me and Miss Bennet will only strengthen it and guarantee Miss Elizabeth's presence in our family circle. And that puts Elizabeth in greater contact with Darcy. She sees her as competition."
"Mr. Darcy? Of Pemberley? I had forgotten you were friends. She could not have set her sights so high.
"She has, indeed. Darcy has never expressed any interest in her but that does not stop her."
"Is Mr. Darcy interested in Elizabeth then? I imagine so if the very idea of it inspires Miss Bingley to anger."
"I have never seen Darcy's attentions so engaged. He acted stupidly when we first arrived, but he apologized and he seems to have grown on Elizabeth since then. He thought he had hidden his interest but as disguise of every sort is his abhorrence, he is not very good at it. No practice at it, you see".
"I have only met him a few times. I thought he had the reputation of being aloof and reserved."
"This is different. I do not even think he was aware of his behavior at first, but Caroline certainly noticed. Though she will never admit it, Elizabeth is everything Caroline is not in the things that matter. She is knowledgeable on a variety of topics, she is kind and compassionate, she is well thought of among her friends and acquaintances, she is without artifice. And she challenges Darcy like nobody ever has. He respects her greatly. That does not sit well with my sister."
"Can you imagine disliking a nice, caring, decent person because of your own jealousies and inadequacies."
"Caroline is seldom rational." There was little more to say after that, so their conversation turned to other topics.
~~IOAF~~
While the men were gossiping in the corner, the ladies were becoming acquainted.
"I had no idea my impulsiveness would lead me to five new sisters today. I only expected to find one. What a lovely surprise." Now that she was here, Tessa was suddenly nervous. "Thank you for receiving me. Mr. Bennet told us you would determine how our reunions progressed. I am sorry I took that away from you. I would be furious with me if I were you." Her expression was quite contrite. "I can get carried away."
Mrs. Bennet answered for Elizabeth, allowing that they would never find the perfect circumstances under which to meet. They would simply move forward as best they could. "Do not trouble yourself about it. And since you will be staying at Netherfield, we will have ample opportunity to get to know you." Tessa understood an invitation to stay at Longbourn would not be forthcoming. She appreciated the delicacy with which Mrs. Bennet handled the situation and she would respect it.
Conversation among eight ladies is often challenging. There were a number of times where someone started to speak only to stop quickly when they realized they were speaking over another. This happened enough times to break the tension.
Finally, Jane managed to ask a question about which she was curious. "Lizzy, why did you call Mrs. Michaels a brat?"
"I do not know, Jane. The word was out of my mouth before I realized I said it. Tessa, you said you would explain later. Is it something you are comfortable explaining in the presence of my family?" Elizabeth was quite curious herself, she had to admit.
"It would be my pleasure." Tessa laughed in delight. Her laughter trailed off as she noticed the strange looks from the Bennet ladies. "Oh, I am getting carried away again, am I not?"
"No, no, not at all." Kitty rushed to reassure her. "It is just you laugh like Lizzy. It is a sound we know well for Lizzy is always laughing."
This pleased Tessa to no end. As much as the similarity warmed her, the fact that her sister had so much opportunity for joy and laughter affected her more than she could say. "I look forward to sharing in that laughter. Tell me, Miss Kitty, is Lizzy still ticklish?"
Before Kitty could answer, Elizabeth interrupted. It would not do to open a conversation on that topic as speech usually led to action. "I believe you were going to tell us the story behind my impertinence."
"At last, an answer to one of our most pressing questions." Mary smiled innocently when Lizzy feigned annoyance with her.
Having mercy on her little sister Tessa offered her explanation with a smile. "David and I are closer to each other in age. Only five years separate us. As you can imagine a boy does not always want his little sister trailing after him. We had our share of quarrels. He could be quite wretched, I tell you. But as you and Miss Mary just did, sometimes we would, shall we say, affectionately squabble and nag at one another. David started ending these incidents by calling me a brat. He went unanswered for some time before I sought the advice of our grandfather Lee. He persuaded me suitable retaliation would be to call David bully. It became a call and response. It is has come to be second nature.
"Years later, our baby sister was not to be left out, even if she did not understand it. You demanded a name too. It was obvious to us that you were baby. But, oh no, you would not have it. When David called you baby the first few times your response was "No baby, big girl"* and you would stick your lip out in a most impressive pout. David told you that you and I both were his baby sisters but since you were the youngest you were his most precious baby sister and when you were older, he had no doubt that you would be a brat just like me. That seemed to appease you and it became second nature for you, too. Though, you did have a tendency to calls us brat and bully at other times. Our pastor was quite worried and even had a talk with Papa because he heard you call David a bully so often."
"So I remembered. That is amazing. I wonder if I will remember anything more." Though she knew it not likely, Elizabeth tried to remember additional details about her life with the Hursts. She knew forcing would not yield any results. Had she not tried for years?
Until dinner was announced, Tessa told more stories of the Zibby she remembered. Lydia was an especially receptive audience. She greatly enjoyed hearing of her sometimes-scolding older sister being the indulged baby of the family. Pulling Tessa to the side she whispered, "Lizzy is still very ticklish, in fact you do not even need to tickle her to get a reaction. All you need to do is come toward her doing this," Lydia held up her hands in front of her, palms forward, and wiggled her fingers like she was going to tickle someone. "She will run away squealing."
"Oh, I do like you Bennets." Tessa said as she linked her arm through Lydia's as they went into the dining room.
Elizabeth smiled as she lingered behind them. This easy companionship among her sisters and the glimpses of her Hursts siblings through Tessa's stories helped chip away at Elizabeth's reserve. And she had a grandfather that would aid in their childish plots! The little things - the nicknames, the laughter, the banter - spoke of love and belonging. Be it Bennet or Hurst, these things were at the interior of a family.
~~IOAF~~
A/N: *H/T to Shelby66 for Elizabeth's 'no baby, big girl' response