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“Nor mine,” Miss Bingley added.
Lady Cecilia replied with a mysterious smile, then turned towards Elizabeth.
“What do you think, Miss Bennet? I noticed you followed our argument and were entertained by it.”
“I confess I did, your ladyship. However, I do not know Mr Bingley, Miss Bingley, or Mr Darcy well enough to express an opinion.”
“Oh, nonsense!” The lady laughed. “You do have an opinion, I am sure, and I would like to hear it.”
Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst exchanged grimaces of frustration, but Mr Darcy gazed at her with a curious expression on his face.
Eventually, she said in a light tone, “I believe all of us are biased when we try to convince others to act against their own conviction to please ours. From our brief acquaintance, I fancy Miss Bingley and Mr Darcy are more proficient in offering advice than in accepting it.”
“I believe you are perfectly correct,” Lady Cecilia said with an elegant laugh. Mr Darcy looked uneasy, and Miss Bingley’s countenance expressed her growing irritation, both of which Elizabeth observed with satisfaction.
“From our brief acquaintance, I believe the same might apply to Miss Bennet too,” Mr Darcy replied.
“I shall not even attempt to deny that,” Elizabeth said with a laugh.
“Well, how lovely that we all seem to be in agreement,” Lord Dunnroy concluded. “By the way, your brandy is excellent, Bingley.”
“I purchased it from Darcy’s supplier — he advised me on it,” Mr Bingley said, and everyone laughed.
“There are several subjects upon which Darcy’s advice is worth following,” the viscount agreed. “Just do not listen to him when it comes to balls and parties.”
“That is advice I shall certainly follow too,” Mr Bingley replied with a large smile.
Elizabeth could sense that Mr Darcy was not pleased to be at the centre of the conversation, yet he bore it with reasonable politeness. Lady Cecilia took pity on him and changed the subject.
“Miss Bennet, we intend to visit Meryton while we are staying at Netherfield. It might be a few days before our carriage is mended. We also plan to call on your family tomorrow or the day after, if that is acceptable to you.”
The statement stunned Elizabeth. “My parents would be honoured and delighted to make your acquaintance, your ladyship, I am sure.”
“Good.”
“I shall accompany you,” Mr Bingley declared enthusiastically, causing his sisters to grimace again.
“We depend upon it. And you, Darcy?” Lord Dunnroy asked.
“You may depend upon me, too,” he replied with more restraint.
“You should not set your expectations too high,” Miss Bingley declared. “Meryton is an insignificant place with simple people. It might appear charming on a brief visit, but not so much when one must spend a long time there.”
“Caroline, you are absolutely impossible tonight, with all your criticism,” Mr Bingley replied. “If you are so displeased with Hertfordshire, you may leave at any time. Just please do not attempt to lower everyone else’s opinions to match your own.”
At such a direct rebuke, Miss Bingley almost lost her composure. She excused herself abruptly and retreated to her chamber for the night, followed by her sister.
“Well, well, they both have a talent for ruining everyone’s disposition,” Mr Hurst declared, his first full sentence of the entire evening; then he poured himself another drink.
The rest of the party retired soon afterwards, and Elizabeth was content to find Jane sleeping soundly, with no apparent fever or pain.
Still reflecting upon that evening’s conversation, Elizabeth changed for the night. Lord Dunnroy and his wife were an interesting couple. They appeared similar in nature and complemented each other quite well; their marriage had likely been founded on their fortunes and connections, but there seemed to also be affection and understanding between them. A good match, indeed.
Despite being born and raised in the highest circles, neither of them displayed excessive pride or arrogance, in complete opposition to the Bingley sisters, whose airs of superiority were even more ridiculous by comparison.
As for Mr Darcy, Elizabeth was confused. His actions were a mix of arrogance and politeness that puzzled her. He appeared to disapprove of Mr Bingley’s admiration for her sister, yet he showed genuine concern for Jane’s health. He seemed annoyed by Miss Bingley’s constant attention, and he did not hesitate to scold her — politely and discreetly — when the opportunity arose.
In such reflections, time passed; it was close to midnight, and Elizabeth could still not sleep. She did feel tired after many long nights taking care of Jane, but her mind remained alert and her body restless.
