Page 6

Miss Bingley’s fork hit her plate with a clatter that echoed around the room. Elizabeth’s smile broadened; the viscount and Mr Bingley laughed. Mr Darcy forced a somewhat embarrassed smile.

“That is not what I meant… I am sure your ladyship understood my meaning,” Miss Bingley answered in a low voice.

“I did since there is nothing surprising in Darcy’s manners,” the lady said. “He is not a man to be easily entertained, and there are few people — regardless of their situation in life — whose company he enjoys. But people also tend to feel uneasy around him. Am I correct, Darcy?”

“You are,” the gentleman admitted.

“Of course this does not apply to young women and their mothers, who are only too happy to be in his company if he shows them even the smallest attention,” the viscount said with a laugh.

Mr Darcy frowned at his cousin.

“That is not the sort of joke to be shared at dinner in the presence of young ladies,” Mr Darcy replied sternly. “Not to mention it is as untrue as it is impolite.”

The viscount glanced about, then cleared his throat and sipped from his wine glass.

“You are right, of course. I apologise, ladies.”

Elizabeth found nothing offensive in the joke, but it did seem to offend Mr Darcy, and it caused an awkward pause around the table.

Eventually, Lady Cecilia resumed the conversation.

“Miss Bennet, I understand you have three more sisters?”

“Yes…”

“And one of your uncles lives in Meryton and the other in London?”

“Yes,” Jane explained hesitantly. “My uncle Phillips is an attorney in Meryton. He is married to my mother’s sister. Uncle Gardiner is my mother’s brother. He has a very successful business in London. He, our aunt, and their four children are very close to us, even though we do not see them often.”

The Bingley sisters exchanged glances, and Elizabeth’s patience was close to betraying her.

“Well, travelling from Longbourn to London can be expensive when money is scarce,” Mrs Hurst said.

“My uncle owns a comfortable carriage. As Jane said, his business is very successful,” Elizabeth interjected, tempted to say much more but not daring to ruin the meal.

She was shocked when she heard Mr Darcy reply, “Your father was a successful tradesman, too, Bingley, was he not? I am sure Mr Gardiner can afford a carriage and as many trips to Longbourn as he wishes. However, in order to be successful, a man must dedicate much of his time and effort to his work, not to journeying around the country for pleasure.”

That statement, as well as the gentleman’s grave countenance, silenced the Bingley sisters, who both flushed with apparent indignation.

“I do not believe they can be compared,” Mrs Hurst said in a low voice.

“Why not?” Bingley asked lightly. “I find the comparison perfectly put. I have to say I look forward to meeting Mr Gardiner…one day, if the opportunity arises,” he added, tempering his enthusiasm, while Jane looked up at him with a shy smile.

“Mr Gardiner is your mother’s brother? I am sure they must resemble each other,” Miss Bingley said, her tone revealing the offensive meaning of her words.

This time, the barb stung, and Elizabeth’s anger overcame her manners. She gently touched Jane’s arm for comfort, then replied, “In fact, my uncle does not resemble my mother at all. Just as Mr Bingley does not resemble his sisters, neither in appearance nor in nature.”

From the glares cast at her, Elizabeth was certain both Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley understood her reply and loathed it just as much as she loathed their impudence.

Shortly afterwards, Jane excused herself, declaring she was tired and wished to rest. Nobody argued, but Lady Cecilia asked Elizabeth to return, if she wished, and join them in the drawing room. Elizabeth was tempted to politely decline, but the conversation had taken a few interesting turns that evening, and her curiosity won out.

“I would be delighted to spend more time with you after I have helped Jane retire for the night.”

“Excellent. We shall eagerly wait for you,” Lady Cecilia said with a sincerity that appeared to be shared by her husband and Mr Bingley. Miss Bingley’s and Mrs Hurst’s faces revealed that their feelings were quite the opposite, while Elizabeth could read nothing particular on Mr Hurst’s or Mr Darcy’s countenances.

Three

Once Jane was comfortably settled in her bed, Elizabeth bade her goodnight, mindful of her promise of rejoining the rest of the party and ready to bear Miss Bingley’s and Mrs Hurst’s rudeness with more patience.