Page 85

“The pleasure is all mine, I am sure.” Elizabeth gazed about the room.

Bingley said, “Pardon me, Miss Elizabeth, are you looking for someone? Your sister, Miss Bennet, is resting upstairs.”

Of course, her first concern was her sister’s well-being. It was, after all, the sole purpose of her even being there. She had not expected to see Jane sitting at the breakfast table. However, she had expected someone else. Mr. Darcy. Where is he?

Bingley cleared his throat. “Miss Elizabeth?”

“Pardon me, Mr. Bingley. How is my sister?”

Miss Bingley said, “I am afraid Miss Bennet slept poorly. She is very feverish and not well enough to leave her room.” She stood from the table. “I shall show you to her.”

Elizabeth was glad to be taken to her sister immediately. Seeing Jane settled and well attended was a source of considerable calm for Elizabeth, causing her to suspect the Bingley sisters were not half as bad as Charlotte had said. Elizabeth was also glad for having missed seeing Mr. Darcy. She reckoned he was an early riser, just as she was. Perhaps he was enjoying an invigorating morning ride before breakfast.

It is just as well, for I am hardly attired to make Mr. Darcy’s acquaintance just now. Elizabeth huffed. On the other hand, if he is half as proud as my mother proclaims, I might make a horrible impression even if I wore my finest gown.

Although Elizabeth was hesitant to impinge upon the Bingley’s hospitality beyond three o’clock, Jane’s anguish over her leave-taking, combined with Miss Bingley’s reluctant insistence for her to remain at Netherfield, compelled Elizabeth to stay. A servant was dispatched to Longbourn to bring back a fresh supply of clothes.

Elizabeth inspected the gown that had been sent over. Her mother obviously had a hand in picking her things. The cut of the décolletage displayed that aspect of Elizabeth’s person no red-blooded man would fail to appreciate. Rarely had she given much attention to such matters before. After quickly dressing, Elizabeth looked in the mirror and gave the gown a futile tug. She arched her brow. Deciding that there was nothing to be done, she made her way downstairs.

Elizabeth entered the room where the Netherfield party was gathered in time to hear Caroline’s commiseration.

“It is such a shame that Mr. Darcy was called away.”

Elizabeth tried to hide her dismay. You mean to say he is not here! She did not know whether to be exceedingly pleased that she would not be meeting him after all, especially under the given circumstances or extremely disappointed that she would likely have no other opportunity to do so. She remained quiet.

Mrs. Hurst nodded. “Mr. Darcy’s presence was the perfect addition to our country party. Whatever shall we do in his absence?”

“I fear unless we are able to persuade him to return and in the absence of an invitation to Pemberley at Christmas, it will be months before we are all in company again.” Miss Bingley turned to her brother. “Charles, you must write to Mr. Darcy to ascertain his plans. I should enjoy nothing more than to spend Christmastime at Pemberley.”

The silence in the room encouraged her to continue. “Indeed, it is most divine.” She looked at Elizabeth. “Should you ever have an opportunity to visit Derbyshire, Miss Eliza, you must go to Pemberley and petition the housekeeper for a tour. I dare say you have never seen anything like it.”

“Actually, Miss Bingley, I have visited Pemberley. I agree. The house is beautiful, and the grounds are the most spectacular I have ever seen.”

Miss Bingley’s mouth fell open. “Of course, having a tour of Pemberley hardly compares with residing there as a guest. I do not mind boasting of what intimate friends the Darcys and I have become. How I long to see Miss Darcy again! I never met with anybody who delighted me so much. Such a countenance, such manners! And so incredibly accomplished! Her performance on the pianoforte is exquisite.”

Elizabeth had never heard Georgiana play what with their limited time together in Derbyshire, but from her friend’s many accounts of spending long hours practising, Elizabeth suffered no doubt over the veracity of Miss Bingley’s proclamations. “I confess not to have met all the Darcys, however⁠—”

“Surely you do not claim an acquaintance with Mr. Darcy himself! Why, he said nothing of having Hertfordshire acquaintances. Surely were that the case, he would have said something.”

“No—I have never met Mr. Darcy.” Staring at his likeness in his own home; still more, dreaming of what it must be like to meet him someday does not count. “I can, however, boast of a connection with Miss Darcy. She and I regularly correspond.”

“You and Miss Darcy correspond regularly? I scarcely believe it.”

“It is not my intention to persuade you one way or the other; however, I would have no reason to lie.”

The ensuing conversation did not bode well for the future of Elizabeth and Miss Bingley’s friendship, and just when Elizabeth had begun to suspect she had been too harsh in her initial assessments of the Bingley sisters. Why they would appear jealous of her connection with the Darcys, such that it was, disconcerted her. How happy Elizabeth was when dinner was over, and she returned directly to Jane. There, Elizabeth passed most of the night attending her sister.

Settled in her own room hours later, one thing was perfectly clear to Elizabeth: the chief part of her evening in Miss Bingley’s company had taught her the young lady had designs on the elusive Mr. Darcy. By all accounts and even her own eyes, he was handsome. He was also rich. Given the professed intimacy of their acquaintance, why would Miss Bingley not be fascinated with the gentleman? She is every bit as pretentious as he is purported to be. The question in Elizabeth’s mind was how he regarded Miss Bingley. Did he return her affection? Had she passed the bulk of the evening in the presence of the future mistress of Pemberley—a place she longed to see once more?

Elizabeth squeezed her eyes tight. Sleep was determined not to come easily. She sat up in the canopied bed and fluffed her pillow. What does it matter to me how Mr. Darcy feels? I have never even met him!

Soon after breakfast the following morning, the Netherfield party was surrounded by an army of Bennet women. Having found her daughter Jane in no actual danger and receiving repeated assurances from the Bingleys that all that could be done on Jane’s behalf would be done, Mrs. Bennet was at liberty to admire the size of the rooms and the elegant furnishings. She remarked on what good taste was evident throughout the hall leading to the drawing room. She was even curious enough to enquire on the well-being of the rest of the Netherfield party.

“Where is your friend, Mr. Darcy? I half-expected to see him this morning.”

“I am afraid Darcy has returned to town, Mrs. Bennet.”

Mrs. Bennet’s face attested to her delight. “Indeed. I pray all is well with his family.”