“I am curious, Georgiana,” said he. “Are Bingley’s amorous adventures of interest to you?”
“I am happy for Mr. Bingley, of course,” replied Georgiana, showing no sign of disappointment. “It was just something that Miss Bingley said the last time she visited that makes sense now.”
All trace of the ebullient Bingley vanished, replaced by displeasure more suited to Darcy’s character than his friend’s. “What did my sister say, Miss Darcy?”
“I do not recall everything,” replied Georgiana. “When she spoke of being settled in London, I asked if you were to return to Hertfordshire. Miss Bingley did not hide her distaste and told me the location was most unsuitable.”
Bingley understood at once. “Then she was speaking not only of Netherfield and the neighborhood, but of Miss Bennet.”
“I beg your pardon, Mr. Bingley,” whispered Georgiana. “I did not intend to disparage your sister.”
“Not at all,” replied Bingley, still considering his sister’s excesses, unpleasant thoughts, given his expression. “Caroline asserted as much to me on several occasions, including how ‘unsuitable’ Netherfield, Hertfordshire, and Miss Bennet herself were.”
“Miss Bennet is a gentlewoman, is she not?” ventured Georgiana.
“She is, but she is the daughter of a country squire and possesses no connections of note. In my sister’s myopic viewpoint, that makes her unsuitable.”
It was perhaps blunter than Bingley should have been, but Darcy understood his feelings. Hurst did not hide his mirth, andeven Georgiana appeared to understand and did not comment further on the subject, instead preferring to return to their discussion of the Bennets.
“Then I shall make their acquaintance tomorrow?” Georgiana arched an eyebrow. “To own the truth, I have never thought I would meet them, though I have been curious since you wrote about them in the autumn.”
“Darcy wrote about the Bennets?” asked Hurst, his assessing gaze fixed on Darcy.
“Only to relate some amusing anecdotes,” replied Darcy, unruffled by Hurst’s sudden scrutiny. “Do you recall the evening Miss Bingley praised my even lines?”
Bingley sat up straight, his eyes wide as saucers. “You were writing to your sister about Miss Elizabeth while my sister hovered over you?”
“Yes, Miss Elizabeth,” interjected Georgiana, her eyes falling on Darcy. “That name was prominent in my brother’s letter.”
“Miss Bennet was here convalescing at the time,” said Darcy, providing his sister context. “When Miss Elizabeth learned of her sister’s illness, she visited, and Miss Bingley invited her to stay until her sister recovered.”
Bingley’s mirth again returned. “That was perhaps my sister’s greatest mistake. Not only did Miss Elizabeth tie her in knots several times while she stayed here, but had she known Darcy would become enamored of her, she never would have invited her to remain, regardless of Miss Bennet’s illness.”
This time, it was Georgiana’s turn to gaze at Darcy with stupefaction. “You are courting Miss Elizabeth?”
“Not at all, Georgiana,” replied Darcy, unbothered. “I will own that she interests me, but anything more than that is premature.”
“Miss Elizabeth does not think highly of Darcy,” supplied Hurst, unhelpfully in Darcy’s opinion.
The light in Georgiana’s eyes dimmed. “Miss Elizabeth does not like my brother?”
Bingley laughed at Georgiana’s tone, and Hurst grinned. Unable to bear the notion that her brother was anything less than perfect, Georgiana now appeared to look upon a young woman she had never met with a jaded eye. Darcy could own to more than a little diversion himself.
“Do not concern yourself, my dear,” said Darcy. “Miss Elizabeth and I are on good terms now. Remember that Iaminterested in her. When we first came to Hertfordshire, my behavior was not the best—I am uncomfortable when in company with new acquaintances, if you recall.”
Mollified, Georgiana nodded. “Then I shall wait until our introduction to make my judgment of her.”
“That is for the best,” agreed Darcy. “Trust me, Georgiana—once you come to know Miss Elizabeth, you will not be disappointed.”
UPROAR AT LONGBOURNwas no singular occurrence—Kitty and Lydia often returned with gossip that sent their mother into a flutter, and Mrs. Bennet was not incapable of creating a ruckus herself. Another source of disturbance was Mrs. Philips, Mrs. Bennet’s elder sister, who visited at least once a week, and held a position as one of Meryton’s most determined gossips. On the day in question, the same day that Georgiana Darcy had arrived from London, the tumult was muted, and not only because the news Mrs. Philips brought was not exactly a surprise, though the last tidbitwas.
“Oh, we already knew of Mr. Wickham’s worthlessness,” said Mrs. Bennet, waving away her sister’s news. “Even if Mr. Wickham had not proved it by his actions, Mr. Darcy told us all about him.”
“Mr. Darcy?” gasped Mrs. Philips, a note of incredulous surprise in her voice. “Did he not deny Mr. Wickham his due?”
“Not at all,” replied Mrs. Bennet. “Mr. Darcy was blameless in the matter.”
“This is strange, Maggie,” said Mrs. Philips after sitting silent for longer than Elizabeth had ever seen the woman go without speaking. “The last I knew, the Bennets were not friendly with Mr. Darcy.” Mrs. Philips fixed her eyes upon Elizabeth. “Something about Lizzy being not handsome enough, as I recall.”
