Chapter 5 #2
Elizabeth was at a loss for words at such a statement, and as happened on their first meetings, she could not be certain whether Miss Darcy was serious or not. She noticed some looks exchanged between her aunt and Lady Selina, but this was neither the moment nor the place to inquire further.
∞∞∞
The party had begun half an hour before, and Caroline Bingley was still uncertain whether it had been wise for her to attend Lady Brightmore’s dinner with Louisa and her husband.
She knew Lady Brightmore to be a difficult widow with extravagant tastes and weird notions and habits.
Once her ladyship came to dislike someone, that person would never be on her guest list again, so Caroline wisely chose to remain silent and watch the others, hoping to see a friendly face.
There were a few young gentlemen with whom she would like to become better acquainted—if only someone might introduce her into their animated conversations.
On such occasions, Charles had always been helpful.
However, she would rather not talk to anyone the entire evening than risk having Charles in London and meeting some… undesirable persons.
She was slightly impatient, and she knew she did not look her best since she did not feel her best. The worst thing was that she was in town, Georgiana Darcy was in town, Mr Darcy himself was in town, and instead of enjoying time in their company, she must find a way to avoid them!
What in God’s name came over Mr Darcy that he would inquire so insistently about Charles’s location?
Could he not see the danger? And Georgiana—she could not forget Georgiana’s unusual chitchat about the time she had spent with Mrs Gardiner and the Miss Bennets.
Had they all lost their reason? How had the Bennets become the most popular family in Town?
As if all her prayers had been heard, with unconcealed pleasure Caroline Bingley saw Mr Darcy and his sister enter the room.
Only a few moments passed before Lady Brightmore hurried to them.
Caroline had always wondered why the Darcys treated Lady Brightmore with such apparent warmth when they were not even real family.
Finally, the Darcys approached her. “Miss Bingley…such a nice surprise to meet you here.”
“Likewise, sir… I have—”
“Miss Bingley! What a pleasure to see you. I did not know you were on my mother’s guest list of. Are you alone?”
“Lady Selina…Lord Brightmore…” By that point, Caroline Bingley turned from frustration to anger. She was certain Lady Selina was purposely trying to interrupt the lovely conversation she started with the Darcys. “I came with my sister and my brother Mr Hurst.”
“Oh, I see… I know Lady Brightmore is closely acquainted with Mr Hurst’s mother. I hope Mrs Hurst is in good health—the elder Mrs Hurst, I mean.”
Caroline was vexed and at a loss for words. How on earth would she know if Mr Hurst’s mother was in good health? She had barely seen the old lady in the last five years.
“I hope Charles will be here tonight. He has been missed at the club. Where is he?” Lord Brightmore intervened, and a glance at Mr Darcy told Caroline that he was about to ask the same question.
She breathed deeply and was about to reply when she was stopped by Louisa’s desperate gaze and improper waving.
When she turned towards the main door, the entire room became dark and began to spin.
It was Caroline’s worst nightmare: in the middle, closely attached to the arms of Colonel Fitzwilliam and the viscount, were Jane and Eliza Bennet!
She hoped and prayed her eyes were deceiving her, and she staggered a few steps to the nearest chair.
She sat, shocked to see her companions abandon her for the newly arrived guests.
She was too distracted to notice Louisa’s approach.
“I do not really know, sir. My brother left town a month ago, and all I know is that he is visiting friends; he will likely remain at their estate for the next few months,” she answered, but Lord Brightmore was too far away to hear.
“What on earth are the Bennets doing here? And with Lord Matlock and his sons? How could the earl allow country nobodies to enter on the arms of his sons? Does he not know what rumours will arise? And why is their aunt from Cheapside on the earl’s arm?”
“Caroline, mind your temper! This is not the time to make a scene! And stop looking at Eliza Bennet that way,” Mrs Hurst scolded her furious sister.
Caroline Bingley heard no more than a couple of words; her complete attention was engaged in following the Bennet sisters around the room.
She saw Eliza Bennet sitting with Lady Brightmore on one side and Georgiana Darcy on the other.
She hesitated a few minutes and then began to move, closely followed by her sister, and did not stop until she was a few steps from the object of her despair.
“My dearest Jane, how happy I am to see you here! And Mrs Gardiner! Miss Eliza! I could not hope for a lovelier surprise.”
“Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst…” Mrs Gardiner replied with polite composure. Jane was slightly embarrassed by the friendly approach but greeted the ladies with her usual kindness.
Elizabeth forced a smile. “Miss Caroline Bingley… I confess I had lost any hope of meeting you again after we waited in vain for you to return my sister’s call. It seems fate wished for us to renew our acquaintance. And Mrs Hurst…so nice to see you.”
Caroline was lost for words in the face of such impertinence, and she failed to notice Lady Selina’s chuckle. How could she respond to Eliza’s preposterous suggestion that she should have called on them in Cheapside?
“Well, I confess I was surprised myself to see Miss Bingley here tonight,” Lady Brightmore intervened. “I would not have guessed that you know each other, my dear Mrs Gardiner.”
“We had the pleasure of meeting Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst in Hertfordshire; Mr Bingley leased an estate near our father’s property,” explained Elizabeth, smiling at her ladyship while Caroline Bingley struggled to appear indifferent in the face of Lady Brightmore’s veiled offence.
The old lady seemed to find great enjoyment in suggesting—again—that she had not invited Caroline personally. What a horrible person!
“Oh, by the way, where is that dear boy Charles, Miss Bingley?”
“My brother is not in town, Lady Brightmore. He left with a party of friends, and it is likely that he will spend some time with them.” She could not help but look with satisfaction at her sister when she noticed Jane Bennet’s sudden pallor. This was a battle Caroline surely would not lose!
“Such a pity. I have rarely liked anyone from the first moment as I liked Charles. Although, he might have some companions in that competition, as I just met Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth, and I liked them instantly. Now, if you will excuse us, Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, I want to introduce my new guests to the others.”
They had little choice but to return to their previous place near Mr Hurst, who had already enjoyed a few glasses of brandy, while on each arm, Lady Brightmore bore a Bennet sister to their introductions.
∞∞∞
“I am sorry if I was rude, dear girls, but Caroline and Louisa always bring me to the edge of my patience. It is a shame; their father was a worthy man, and so is Charles.”
“You must not apologise, your ladyship. I can well understand your feelings.” Elizabeth laughed. “You met Mr Bingley’s late father?”
“Yes, I did. He took care of some of my business for a few years. He was a great help to me and my son. After he passed away, I was a little lost until I had the good fortune to meet Mr Gardiner. Such an extraordinary gentleman… What a loss for us all. I am so happy to see Madeleine here tonight after such a long time. But who could blame her? Losing such a husband as Edward so early in her life… My dear husband, God rest his soul, could have learned a thing or two from Edward Gardiner if they had ever met. Oh well, we should not allow the Bingley sisters to ruin our appetite. I trust you will enjoy my dinner. Oh, and girls—do any of you play or sing? I would love some music. I have three musicians to play in case anyone might want to dance. My dearest Selina is so fond of dancing, but still, I would love to hear you.”
Half an hour later, Elizabeth and Jane had been introduced to the other guests—all of them relatives of her ladyship or Lord Matlock—and a few old family friends. There were many illustrious names, and Elizabeth could remember only a few.
What remained vivid in her mind, though, were the reactions to their introduction as most of the guests were not as friendly or as pleased to meet them as Lady Brightmore was. The ladies in attendance especially received them with restraint and prudence, barely addressing a few words to them.
“I absolutely need to rest a little,” said Lady Brightmore, and Elizabeth and Jane took her to the settee where Mrs Gardiner was waiting.
“Mother, you should not make so much effort, you know that,” said Lord Brightmore reproachfully while Lady Selina offered her mother-in-law a cup of tea.
“Oh, nonsense… Selina dearest, please give me a glass of wine. I am tired of tea.”
“Mother! Selina, no wine for her!”
“Matthew, mind your own business, son. You may have tea if you want! Selina sweetie, please indulge your mother…or must I ask a servant?”
With obvious disapproval and a meaningful shake of her head, Selina obeyed. Lady Brightmore enjoyed her wine and looked around with a contented smile.
“Such a joy to have so many young people around! So much youth, so much liveliness… You have the liveliest eyes I have seen in a long time, Miss Elizabeth?”