Bingley had ordered dinner to be served shortly after he arrived back at the house, and the parlor was filled anticipation of the event. Elizabeth had excused herself to repair the damage a day of walking had done to her appearance, as well as to send a note to her family explaining her long absence, and Darcy and his cousin were left to the tender mercies of their hostess and her sister.
"Dear Georgiana," cried Miss Bingley, "Whatever could have kept you on the road for so very long? We expected you to arrive only moments after we did. You kept us in terrible suspense for ever so many hours." Georgiana apologized softly.
"I have so little idea of what Mrs. Darcy might like that I had very much difficulty in choosing a bridal gift for her."
"Dear girl," Mrs. Hurst remarked. "You are so thoughtful."
"But you needn't have spent so much time on it," her sister reprimanded lightly. "You know she cannot be used to much, and so should appreciate anything really."
Georgiana could only murmur, ashamed and confused by Caroline's thinly veiled hostility.
Elizabeth re-entered the room only a few moments before dinner was announced, and the party seated themselves.
"Georgiana, do you intend to stay until Miss Bennet and Bingley are married? That happy event is still near a month away," Caroline asked archly. Georgiana looked up from her soup to Elizabeth.
"It does not seem so very long, as I am looking forward to making the acquaintance of my sister-in-law."
Elizabeth smiled warmly at her, and Darcy felt a powerful emotion within him as he beheld their dawning friendship.
Caroline turned from the subject with some distaste and began speaking of the pleasures of London with her sister. They had removed to Netherfield to avoid the expense of maintaining themselves in town, but the disobliging manners they were unhappy to receive made Miss Bingley begin to agitate for an early return. And now that Darcy was no longer eligible, there was nothing in the country to keep her. Mrs. Hurst, who had no such draw to town, was happier to remain for the sake of expenses, but disliked seeing her sister so painfully wishing to be gone.
With these pressing thoughts, Caroline seized on an old bone.
"Bingley, can you see how much Miss Darcy has grown since last we met? I daresay she is a woman grown now. Lady Catherine must be eager to see you married, and married very well. Has she picked a suitable husband for you yet? You must take some trips back to London, if you will insist on being here for a month entire. The scene is so lively that I wonder you can pull yourself away. Bingley, you will take her and Mrs. Annesley to town when you go next? I'm sure Miss Darcy cannot bear the thought of being from town so long."
Bingley admitted that business for the swiftly approaching wedding would soon take him to town. Caroline pounced on the opportunity.
"Then we must go with you. I can help dear Miss Georgiana shop for wedding gifts, and you and I can hear her excellent playing on a proper instrument once again."
Elizabeth cast a worried look at Bingley, who had wilted into acquiescence under the barrage of his sister's demands. He returned her gaze with an apologetic and haunted look.
"Would Mrs. Darcy care to accompany us as well?" But Caroline leapt once again.
"Oh no, I'm sure she needs to stay here with her husband, and to help her sister with her wedding. You know how important it will be for Jane to have the help of her whole family. I can't imagine how she could have spared you for so much of today, Eliza. Your mother must be working her fingers to the bone without you."
Elizabeth rose. "Miss Bingley, how good of you to remind me of my sister's need. Mr. Darcy, would you be so kind as to escort me home? Miss Darcy, may I have the pleasure of seeing you tomorrow at Longbourn for tea? I would be very pleased to introduce you to my family."
"Oh yes, Mrs. Darcy, I will be most pleased to meet all of them."
Fitzwilliam promised to bring his cousin to Longbourn the next day, and the party broke up amicably, though not without some tension.