Chapter 16
They returned to the Bingleys in high spirits, despite Georgiana's moping in the carriage. For they had passed a delightful morning with the Bennets, who seemed a bit exuberant but otherwise pleasant as any of their acquaintances. Mr Darcy, for his part, could not prevent the ghost of Elizabeth's warm smile from remaining on his lips. Mr Bingley's elder sister Caroline noticed immediately upon the Darcys' return.
"I am glad to see you again, Mr Darcy," she began in a long drawl. "And it seems you are equally glad to see us."
"Good morning, Miss Bingley," he said tersely, in a tone that did not match the buzzing happiness that his body language exuded. Caroline made her way over to him, and simpered over to his side. He was not so impolite as to take a step back, but he could not help but recoil slightly from the woman. He could not deny that the thought of turning around and returning whence he came did not cross his mind - whether proper or not.
"You must tell us what has passed in Pemberley since we last visited," she pressed. Caroline had, on multiple previous occasions, made no secret of how much she wished to become Mistress of his estate. He resisted the urge to roll his eyes, and was grateful when his sister spoke.
"We have been having a peaceful and pleasant time these past months, Miss Bingley. My brother has of course been back and forth to Town for the season. Did you not see him there?" Georgiana continued so rapidly that the question was received as rhetorical. "Well, you must have not been at the same parties. And then I spent a week by the seaside whilst my brother attended to his business affairs, which was very refreshing. In fact, I made a delightful new acquaintance whilst I was there."
She saw her brother smile from the corner of her eye at the mention of Elizabeth. Miss Bingley returned the smile with a grimace. She was used to her haughty Mr Darcy - a staunch ally at the assembly rooms when she did not wish to share pleasantries with strangers. With the geniality on display in front of her, she was unsure of herself.
"I am glad you have made a new friend, Georgiana. At your age I was in company with fifteen other girls at school, and they supported me into becoming the accomplished lady that stands before you today. Being in company with more females - the youthful sort - rather than your Amberley governess woman, would do you well." This was said with a great deal of condescension, especially considering that Caroline Bingley was only five years' Georgiana's senior.
"Mrs Annesley," Georgiana emphasised, "has proven herself a charming conversationalist and an instructive tutor." She left a prickly silence before continuing with a tone of mock sincerity. "But I should thank you for your well intentioned advice, Miss Bingley." At this she swallowed the mistruth in her throat and looked to her brother.
Mr Darcy conceded that he was also glad for Georgiana that she had formed this new - albeit accidental - friendship in the early summer. He spoke in as dispassionate a tone as he was able, but Georgiana and Mr Bingley noticed the small crease at the corner of his eyes that they had come to associate with his mentioning Elizabeth.
Caroline's discomfort at her Mr Darcy approving of this unknown woman was clear in her stiffness, and her forward question to the gentleman.
"Accidental," she interrupted, "you mentioned the friendship was accidental. Surely you pre-approve her circle of acquaintance, Mr Darcy?"
"Indeed, I do - Georgiana was in the care of her previous companion at the time, who herself had been thoroughly scrutinised for her character." He winced. "I believe that Miss Elizabeth Bennet prevented my sister from being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous shopkeeper whilst she was unaccompanied for a small moment." Georgiana smiled at the remembrance as her brother paused a small moment before continuing, "- but the story is not at all mine to tell."
Georgiana needed no further persuasion. She launched into the story of how she and Elizabeth had come to be friends with gusto, leaving out of course the horrible ordeal with Mr Wickham - only mentioning that she had to leave Ramsgate in a hurry. She added that they had continued with an epistolary friendship until Elizabeth had visited Pemberley the best part of a month ago. The picture painted of this rapid but all-consuming friendship greatly entertained the entire group of Bingleys, Hursts and Darcys - except Miss Bingley, who found herself somewhat jealous of this 'Miss Elizabeth Bennet'. Miss Bingley herself had only ever been invited as an addition to her brother's party, rather than on her own merit, and every attempt to ingratiate herself with her dear Mr Darcy seemed to have the opposite effect to that which she desired.
As Georgiana continued to play fiddle to her rapt audience, she wondered how transparent she should be about their time in Pemberley with Lizzy and the Gardiners. On the one hand, she rather uncharitably wanted to watch Miss Bingley's reaction when she heard the news of her brother's new attachment, but on the other hand she knew it wasn't her news to tell. The Darcy siblings had not discussed whether Fitzwilliam and Elizabeth's engagement would be spoken of amongst their close friends, but Georgiana knew her brother's general preference for privacy, and decided to remain silent on the topic of both siblings' affection for their Hertfordshire connection. She wondered whether he had told Charles, for his knowing smile gave her leave to imagine he would be laughing heartily at the whole situation if he were not in mixed company.
"Perhaps we should invite Elizabeth here, Fitzwilliam?" She turned to their host and continued, "I should think you would like her very well indeed Mr Bingley." Her brother frowned almost imperceptibly. "She is a lively and witty woman, with an effusive joy in her manner - much like yourself. Yes, I think she would make a happy addition to this party."
"Georgie," her brother cautioned. "You cannot very well invite your friend to my friend's home. And in front of all of his company no less."
"Not to worry, Darce," Mr Bingley interjected. He was faintly buzzing with unsated curiosity at the picture that had so far been painted of Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And any woman who had managed to pique the interest of his reserved friend was a true enigma he longed to uncover. "If you should wish to invite your friend to join us, Miss Georgiana, please do not let me stand in your way. In fact, perhaps you could extend the invite to one of her sisters - if I remember correctly she has many - and have them both join us tomorrow for some tea and some parlour games."
This plan was readily agreed to, and even Caroline was feeling a cautious anticipation for meeting the much-discussed Miss Bennets.
~.~
The two eldest Miss Bennets arrived the following afternoon to the rapt attention of the Bingley-Darcy party. The Darcys had become accustomed to the general hubbub that surrounded Elizabeth's arrival whenever such an occasion arose, so they were not surprised by the lively chatter emanating from the carriage when it pulled to a halt where they were waiting to greet their guests. The sisters quieted as they saw their audience, and Elizabeth gave a reassuring squeeze to her sister's hand.
Elizabeth saw her beloved's face as soon as she turned from her sister to take in the view outside the carriage. Seeing him waiting there patiently, a great relief settled upon her. She allowed herself to linger deliciously over his handsome features before becoming momentarily distracted by the grand facade of Netherfield Park in her peripheral view. However, it was neither the large columns or imposing square frontage which captured her attention. Rather, just behind her handsome fiancé's face, she saw that Netherfield, as well as Pemberley, had a large set of stone steps from the carriage disembarkment place to the gentleman's entrance. And as such, she was transported back to a quiet moment under an indoor set of stairs which bore a remarkable similarity to these, where she had realised for the first time how affected she was by him. Her resulting smile, when she focused back on his face, was breathtaking.
Mr Darcy, oblivious to the reason behind her glowing smile, was nevertheless somewhat over-eager to help Elizabeth down from the carriage, for he insisted on attending the two sisters even when Charles stepped forward to do so in his place as host. He made a quick excuse regarding their prior acquaintance, and his friend chuckled to see Mr Darcy so altered from the spring. Elizabeth's touch was maddening to him - such infrequent yet tantalising tasters had him longing for the time that he could touch her as frequently as they both should wish. For today, he knew the gentle press of her hand would have to sustain him.
After she had gained solid ground, and his excuse for holding her was over, he squeezed her palm tightly and smiled in a welcoming fashion to her sister. Elizabeth moved to greet Georgiana with a warm hug, before extending her arm to her sister. Mr Darcy turned to face the party when he had helped Miss Jane Bennet down from the carriage and handed her to her sister. Smiling at the group, he made the necessary introductions between the unacquainted parties. His duty fulfilled, his gaze lingered on his intended as she smiled openly at his friend. Distracted as he was, he heard rather than saw the smile in his friend's voice as Charles welcomed the two ladies to Netherfield Park.
"I am delighted to make your acquaintance, and wish that you would feel most welcome in my home." He looked at Elizabeth and shared a conspiratorial grin before saying, with enthusiasm, "I feel as if we are already acquainted, for Miss Georgiana has regaled us with such engaging tales of your travels this summer. So please do feel as if you are amongst friends whilst you are with us - I should like it very much if you would make yourself at home here."
Elizabeth looked at her friend and laughed affectionately at Georgiana's embarrassed giggle. She sensed, rather than knew, that Mr Bingley was in earnest and that this was not a horrible trick to throw her off balance at their first meeting. She was, however, concerned at her sister's quiet distress at the familiarity of the group who she had no prior connection to. So she gently squeezed her sister's arm and chose her next words with care.
"Thank you, Mr Bingley, on behalf of myself and my sister. You have a truly beautiful home." Her voice was full of sincerity. For whilst it was not quite so elegant or grand as her Mr Darcy's home in Derbyshire, the grand facade with its Doric columns was striking to say the least. "I look forward to exploring it, and becoming acquainted with you and your party over the course of the coming few weeks. For I believe that is how long my dear friend Georgiana is scheduled to stay?"
It was Mr Darcy who responded, somewhat ruefully, to say, "Regretfully, I do have to steal away back to Pemberley to attend to some business ten nights from now."
Of course, Elizabeth was already privy to this information. She knew she would not be able to accompany him, for they would still be unmarried. She tried not to linger in the pang of sadness that held her to remember that they were to be parted. Instead, she held her sister's arm and replied.
"And we shall all be sombre on that day, Mr Darcy. But let us not permit the promise of future sadness to interrupt the joy of the present," she said, in a voice full of emotion. She grinned her marvellous, wide, joyful grin at him, so full of energy he felt he might drown in it. He felt much more than he was able to say, and in fact remained silent lest he say too much.
"But Mr Bingley," she continued, oblivious to his affectionate contentment, "it seems frightfully unfair that you have heard so much of my character when I know so little about yours."
"Indeed, Miss Bennet. How rude of me," he replied with a flourish. Mr Bingley was such an engaging man, it was hard to resist a smile at his geniality. "Perhaps we should join my sisters inside and you may ask me any question you wish." He looked toward the quieter of the two Bennet sisters, smiled, and said, "I must extend you the same invitation Miss Bennet, although I should hope it will be reciprocal for I fear I do not have the prior advantage of knowledge about you."
Jane blushed, and her courage rose to the occasion. "Yes, well, it would be rather strange for us to all sit in your lovely drawing room playing parlour games whilst remaining complete strangers. And we are to be neighbours, so I should like very much for us to be on friendly terms with each other."
"Of course," Mr Bingley replied. "I would like to know the families whose estates abut my own."
"It is settled, then," Elizabeth replied rather impishly. "Mr Bingley has declared that we will all be friends, so we must do our best to paint a perfect picture dear Jane." She continued in a faux whisper to her sister and Georgiana, who were one on each of her arms as they entered through the large front door. "Let us hope Mr Bingley does not hear talk of ridiculous Aunt Phillips, or slimy Cousin Collins, or indeed my improper exploits in the spring." The last was said in a more real whisper. "We must be the picture of propriety for our new friend."
"We all have relations of whom we are less than proud, Lizzy. Why, if you should ever have reason to visit my aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, I rather think you would find her to be all that is ridiculous." She blushed upon realising that very soon Elizabeth would likely have all the reason in the world to become acquainted with her pompous aunt. "And, well, you have already met one of my brother's oldest friends. So we Darcys are not without our black sheep either."
Elizabeth thought she heard Mr Bingley mutter something uncharitable towards another member of his family, but she did not hear the name, and bit her tongue against her curiosity.
"Mr Bingley, do you have family of whom you are very proud? I was in jest when I spoke earlier, but I would very much like to hear of any pleasant visitors we can expect near to Longbourn in the coming months." She asked, trying not to react to an errant thought that reminded her that, whilst Bingley's family and friends may visit Netherfield, she would hopefully not be in the area for too many more months. She chanced a look at Fitzwilliam, and she could divine that he was thinking the same thing. They smiled softly at each other, and she almost felt as though he had kissed her with the warmth that she suddenly felt.
"In the same way as my old friend Mr Darcy here, my sisters and I lost our parents not too long ago." Jane sighed sympathetically and offered a sincere apology. "Thank you, Miss Bennet. Sufficient time has passed that I am able to appreciate the family that I do have. You will soon meet my sisters, who are the closest family I have at this time. They mean well, and are both very accomplished." The last was said with a small amount of chagrin, and Elizabeth's shoulders braced at the challenge she sensed there.
"Elizabeth and I have three other sisters, Mr Bingley. Knowing I speak for my sister, I must say they too mean well, even when the practical application of their intention is not so flawlessly executed as the vision they dreamt of."
"You have grasped my meaning exactly, Miss Bennet. I must both commend and thank you." The pair seemingly gravitated towards each other, Jane squeezing her sister's arm before falling into step directly next to their host. He turned his gaze to Elizabeth to reply to her original question. "Miss Elizabeth, I believe you asked if there were family members to be proud of, and I endeavour as ever not to disappoint. My parents were in trade - as am I now - so we have many aunts, uncles and cousins who all make for excellent company, but none whom I believe you will be acquainted with. But family occasions such as Christmases and summer seasons were never dull in our household."
"You are in excellent company with our Aunt and Uncle Gardiner then," Jane replied, excitement lacing her tone to have found something in common with the fizzing character next to her. "They have a warehouse on -street, and work in the fabric trade."
Mr Darcy gave a knowing, yet almost imperceptible, nod of his head to the gentleman.
"Yes, in fact I have heard Darcy mention their name before. We do not frequent the same circles - for I am more involved in the trading of building materials - but I understand the word 'excellent' to be the correct one."
They had reached the parlour, which seemed an excessive distance away from the front door. In so reaching, the conversation came to a natural ebb and there was a synchronised inhale from the Bennet sisters as the Bingley sisters came into view.
~.~
"My sisters, Miss Caroline Bingley and Miss Louisa Hurst, and Mr Edward Hurst," Bingley made the appropriate introductions to his siblings and the Longbourn women. The small party that greeted the Bennets was sitting rather rigidly at around a varnished oak coffee table, and nodded at the introduction.
They moved to sit down with the Bingley sisters and Caroline made a show over calling for some coffee, and some hot chocolate - which Georgiana had once mentioned that she was partial to, and now received every time she accompanied her brother to the Bingleys', whether she truly desired the hot beverage or not.
"Oh I do adore hot chocolate," Elizabeth exclaimed, "thank you Miss Bingley."
"Well, it is one of Miss Georgiana's favourites. I am glad you like it too."
"Of that fact I am joyfully aware - almost as soon as I knew Miss Georgie, she revealed her preference to me." Georgiana's eyes twinkled at the rememberance of a summer day in Ramsgate where the two had bonded at an ice cream parlour over their shared love of the sweet nectar, as Georgiana had called it. The pair smiled at each other, and Mr Darcy found himself rather jealous of the head start that Georgiana had in getting to know Elizabeth.
Mr Bingley saved them from the momentary lull in conversation, addressing the relative stranger in the room. "Miss Bennet, do you have a preference?"
"I do indeed have a slight preference for sweet things," she smiled, a nonverbal appreciation for his including her in the conversation.
From there, the group naturally converged into two smaller groups. Miss Bingley, intent on uncovering the character of Miss Georgiana's new, mysterious friend, engaged Elizabeth in a conversation with an opening question about her recent travels. Georgiana migrated to the same settee as Elizabeth and Caroline, and Louisa and Mr Hurst were quickly included in the conversation between Jane and Mr Bingley. Mr Darcy managed to remain pleasantly disengaged from both conversations, which meant he could sneak surreptitious glances towards Elizabeth, and overhear her witty remarks.
Elizabeth found Caroline Bingley to be an interesting conversationalist. She gave an air of an opera singer, with a shrill voice that carried through the whole room, and a prima donna nature which rendered her at the centre of her every comment and conversation. Frequently, she looked over to Mr Darcy, rearranged her neckline, fluffed her hair, and looked back to the group. Elizabeth had to restrain the small jealousy that arose within her, trying to contain her physical reaction to a slight tensing of her shoulders, a quirk in her brow and a small, lopsided frown. Mr Darcy, to Caroline's dismay, paid Elizabeth's consternation much more attention than her obvious flirting. He had seldom seen the physical evidence of Elizabeth's affection in company, and it brought him pride to know that she viewed him as 'hers.' He was gladly so.
"Caroline, are you uncomfortable sitting in one attitude for a time?" Georgiana asked upon the lady's fifth attempted flirtation, not twenty minutes into talking about their various travels in the past year. Caroline blushed for having been caught.
"Indeed, perhaps we should take a turn about the room, Miss Darcy. It is indeed refreshing after sitting so long in one place. Miss Elizabeth, you too. Mr Darcy, would you like to join us?"
"You can only have two motives for such an activity. Either you are in each other's confidence and have secret affairs to discuss, or you are conscious that your figures appear to the greatest advantage by walking. If the first, I should get in your way. If the second, I can admire you much better from here." The last was said with a smile to Caroline, and a lingering gaze at Elizabeth. Mr Bingley had overheard, and gave a loud chuckle.
"Darcy, such unprecedented rakery! Who are you and what have you done with my friend?"
"I have a great propensity for truth-telling, Charles."
Elizabeth was glad for his truth telling, and his playful flirting. She adored his more youthful and at times silly side. It arose in her a great feeling of trust and contentment. And she dearly loved to laugh.
Mr Darcy managed to remain uncommitted to the conversation with the others until the women had met the halfway point of the room, when he turned to answer a question from Charles, and was henceforth engaged when Elizabeth returned.
When the three ladies gained the settee after their short walk around the room, Miss Bingley demanded that her two companions elaborate upon Georgiana's earlier description of their meeting in Ramsgate. She was particularly curious about how Elizabeth had ingratiated herself into the Darcy family, and why the trip had come to an end so suddenly. There had appeared more to the story than Georgiana would say yesterday.
"We were both very fortunate that I happened to be souvenir shopping at the same time as Georgie was pen shopping," Elizabeth began, "for between the two of us we were able to avoid an intended swindling."
"I wonder at the two of you shopping, unaccompanied," came the rather unfriendly reply. "For all a woman has is her reputation."
It was a very true statement, as Georgiana had been made painfully aware of during her time in Ramsgate.
"Indeed, you make an excellent point Miss Bingley," came Elizabeth's civil response. "All we are is our peers' assessments of our characters. But my Aunt, whom I was visiting Ramsgate with, was nearby shopping with my cousins whilst I frequented some shops that her children were not interested in. Georgiana, I believe, was in a similar situation with her companion, crying a few moments of solitude to select her purchase. So we were not so entirely alone, and it was just as well for it forced a meeting which I doubt ever so much would have not otherwise occurred, and from which a great deal of happiness was bourne."
Georgiana nodded her agreement at her friend's perfect response.
"Well, let us be thankful that you were both yourselves, and not a nefarious gentleman intent on besmirching your reputations, then. I would never take a chance such as that, but no harm appears to have come from your momentary lapse of judgment."
Elizabeth laughed mutedly at Caroline's tone of superiority. She guessed they were of an age, but Caroline was speaking as though she were much older and more worldly.
Georgiana cringed slightly at the mention of nefarious gentlemen, for it felt a little close to home.
Redirecting the conversation upon noticing her friend's discomfort, Elizabeth asked Caroline if she had been on any travels over the summer. Caroline was all aflutter about her brother's move to Hertfordshire, which had torn her from her high society friends in London. She spoke uninterrupted for a full four minutes about her love of all things fancy. Elizabeth, who did not share many of the same interests, at least found amusement in hearing Caroline disparage the theatre in one sentence, then celebrate the time they visited the Darcy Box in the next, when Georgiana had raised a brow. For her monologuing, Caroline was full of contradictions and varieties, which made her an interesting storyteller.
"Do you travel much to town?" Caroline asked Elizabeth. "I know Georgiana accompanies her brother to the Darcy residence in - on a regular basis. It is a very quaint townhouse, much less elaborate than my tastes, but charming nonetheless."
"I look forward to the day when I am so fortunate as to visit the Darcys there, and see for myself this decor which has so captured you, Miss Bingley." She shared a conspiratorial smile with Georgiana at the foregone conclusion of her visiting. She smiled because she knew that when such a day came, she would visit as a Darcy rather than to see a Darcy. "As for your question, I do not travel much to London. I am sure my sisters and my mother would all find great merriment in the joys of the season, but my father hates town."
"What a shame," Caroline murmured.
"He has been a country gentleman his whole life, and much prefers the comforts of a good book and a cosy fire than the hustle and bustle of a big town."
"A singular man, indeed," Caroline ruminated.
"I think there are many who share his views, but it sounds as though you are not one of them. In any case, I hope that you shall be happy in the Hertfordshire countryside, Miss Bingley," Elizabeth said charitably.
"Thank you," she replied, before changing the topic. "Forgive my abrupt change of pace, but there is an aspect of Georgiana's story of your time together over summer that intrigued me when she spoke of it yesterday."
Elizabeth bade her to continue, with a cautious nod.
"She mentioned your abrupt departure, but not the reason behind it. I hope nothing untoward occurred?"
Elizabeth tried to restrain her anger at this woman, so relatively unknown to her, appeared to revel in putting her in an uncomfortable situation. She struggled with how to diplomatically answer the question.
"We met an old friend of my brother's, and so he rushed to Ramsgate when I wrote to him of our chance meeting." Georgiana told a revised version of the truth. "Upon arrival, my brother's distaste of my new friendship with Elizabeth, a person so wholly unknown to the family, overshadowed his desire to renew the acquaintance of his friend." She smiled apologetically at her friend, who knew this to be an exaggeration of the truth, and knew that he had long since changed his opinion of her. "So he accompanied me back to London rather speedily. Lizzy and I continued our friendship through our letters, and I believe she improved my brother's opinion of her greatly in so doing." She turned to Lizzy with a smile. "We spent many an evening chuckling over your delightfully written missives."
"Oh," came Caroline's vocalisation of her disappointment. "We both are lucky then, to have such protective brothers."
"In that I must admit a smidgeon of jealousy, Miss Bingley. My sister Jane is frightfully protective, but I am from a family of five girls, with no brothers to account for."
"Five sisters?" Miss Bingley exclaimed incredulously. "I should imagine your house was quite the centre for chaos. Your governess must have been extraordinarily put out."
"We never had a governess," Elizabeth stated simply.
"Your mother must have been a slave to your education, then." Caroline said, rather harshly.
"Fortunately for her, we all enjoyed reading a great deal, and my father is a very accomplished mathematician, so we were never bored, and all aspects of our education were accounted for in some manner or the other. My youngest sisters are still under instruction from my parents and our staff."
"From the manner in which you write, Lizzy, one would think you went to town for the masters on an regular basis," Georgiana quipped.
"She so eloquently stated that she has not spent time in town, Georgiana," said Caroline, at the same time as Elizabeth thanked her friend. Georgiana had no trouble deciding which comment to reply to.
"There is no hint of jest in my comment, Lizzy. You are a very accomplished woman."
"If I am such an accomplished writer as you say, perhaps I shall shock the world and write a novel," Elizabeth teased. She did not notice in her peripheral view, but Mr Darcy had heard one of Caroline's favourite words in 'accomplished woman" and had found a break in his conversation to attend to their conversation. His eyes gained a certain sparkle at Elizabeth's mirth. He was not physically close enough to their group to politely re-enter their discussion, much to his dismay, but he smiled as she continued.
"Perhaps I shall need a pseudonym first. But I will brave the world of us poor females in a manner no man has yet put to pen, and write such lively women that they would never dare to capture. It will be most scandalous. Poor Mr Darcy, with such a heathen-" she caught herself before she said too much. "With such a heathen associated with his sister." A quick glance to see if he had noticed her misstep and she saw him listening with rapt attention. She smiled conspiratorially, and understood from his gentle smile that he would support her in her ambitions, literary or otherwise.
"How very wild and ambitious," came Miss Bingley's reproachful response. Mr Darcy smirked to hear it. He supposed he did have a penchant for the wild and ambitious.