Chapter 6 #3
When she finally entered, the housekeeper, Mrs Burton, informed her that Mrs Gardiner, her children, and Jane were visiting Lady Selina; they were not expected for an hour or two.
Surprisingly, Elizabeth found herself relieved by the news as she wanted nothing more than to change her gown, enjoy a cup of hot tea—and think of that day’s events.
Her plan, however, had only partial success when the servant announced that a Miss Bingley and a Mrs Hurst were there to see Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet.
For a moment, Elizabeth considered there must be some great misunderstanding, because it was difficult to believe that these ladies would take the trouble of such a long ride to Cheapside, let alone in such terrible weather.
Then she thought something tragic must have happened to cause them to make such an effort, but Miss Bingley’s well-known voice, complaining about the snow and the stairs, proved she had no reason to worry.
Still, she had to face them—alone—and that was tragedy enough.
Just before the visitors entered, Elizabeth considered how pleasant it would have been to accept Miss Darcy’s invitation for tea.
“Miss Bingley, Mrs Hurst, what a surprise!”
“Miss Eliza!We happened to be in the neighbourhood, visiting a friend, and we took the opportunity to call on dear Jane. Is she home, I hope?”
“Unfortunately not; she and my aunt are visiting a friend. Oh, but you must know her—Lady Selina?”
“Lady Selina?” Mrs Hurst seemed shocked. “Jane is visiting Lady Selina?”
“Well, to be more accurate, my aunt took her children to play with Lady Selina’s boys. I understand they are all good friends.”
Miss Bingley seemed suddenly to need air, so she sat on the nearest chair, joined by her sister.
Elizabeth offered them some tea while she watched them with a sense of power, which—she knew—did not give her much credit.
She felt she was being malicious, but remembering Jane’s suffering, her guilt dissipated.
She was ungenerous but not more than both visitors deserved.
“Jane should return soon. She cannot afford to delay much as we are busy preparing for the ball tomorrow night. Will you be there? At Lady Selina’s ball, I mean?”
Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley turned white while the latter tried to formulate an answer.
“My sister and I have other fixed engagements for tomorrow night, so we will not be able to attend. But I can understand your excitement; it is certainly different from the balls to which you are accustomed.”
“I am sure it is, and I truly look forward to it,” Elizabeth replied sweetly.
“Perhaps now you will understand more clearly why we were all so eager to return to Town,” Mrs Hurst intervened. “One who has had the pleasure of enjoying parties in Town cannot be content with small country gatherings.”
“True, true…” Elizabeth replied, the same smile on her face. “And speaking of returning to Town, do you have any news of Mr Bingley? He is well, I hope.”
“Oh, he is very well indeed. He sent me word that he is enjoying his time exceedingly and most likely will return to town no sooner than two months from now. He is in a large party of ladies and gentlemen and…I dare say he has special reasons to prolong his stay.”
“Special reasons, Miss Bingley? I cannot imagine what you mean.”
“It is not difficult to imagine what special reasons might keep a young gentleman away from his family.”
“Surely you cannot mean Mr Bingley has romantic interests in that group. Not after you were so kind to inform Jane about his close attachment to Miss Darcy and your hopes regarding a certain union in that direction?”
Both visitors stared at her, and she could not help smiling and enjoying her tea.
“Well… I love my brother, but he has always been open to romantic interests. One would be unwise to take him too seriously,” Mrs Hurst intervened, and Elizabeth took the offence with humour.
“You must be correct, Mrs Hurst. So it is fair to presume that, if he has some romantic interests in that group, they will pass soon enough. Besides, we are eager to see him again soon, so please send him our kind regards when you next write to him. Or, perhaps I should ask Mr Darcy to do so, as I will meet him tomorrow night, and it is likely we will have plenty of time to talk.”
Miss Bingley choked on her tea and almost dropped the cup. Her face turned white and then red while her sister tried to help her regain some composure but with little success.
They took their leave a few moments later. Elizabeth expressed her wish that they would all meet again and remained in the doorway until their carriage departed.
Still in the doorway, peering through the dense snow, Elizabeth had the impression she recognised a familiar gentleman’s silhouette across the street.
She even waved slightly, but the gentleman walked away.
She closed the door, preoccupied with all that happened that day.
She was hopeful for what would come on the morrow—rather the next evening as the morning would be occupied with ball preparations.
She smiled to herself, wondering what had made her be so well humoured and eager for the event.
She stopped in the middle of the room, suddenly recollecting a fact that had completely escaped her mind: the next morning she was supposed to meet Mr Wickham.
She remained still for a few moments, considering the situation, and as she climbed the stairs to her room, she wondered whether it was proper for the earl to extend her such an invitation without informing Mrs Gardiner.