Chapter 7
As they returned to the house, Darcy excused himself to prepare for their upcoming departure.
Elizabeth, seeing Miss Darcy walking towards the sitting room, decided to follow her.
She promptly issued the invitation to Miss Darcy for staying at Longbourn while her brother resided in Netherfield.
Elizabeth could clearly see the relief in the young girl’s eyes as she accepted it.
It was clear to her that she preferred to be in her brother’s company whenever possible.
“Miss Elizabeth, I am most obliged for your invitation. When Fitzwilliam travelled to Hertfordshire last October, I had stayed in town with my Uncle Judge Darcy and his wife only a few hours away, but I cannot abide London during the summer and staying in Derbyshire while my brother is so far away makes me nervous,” Georgiana responded gratefully.
“I understood from Mr. Darcy that you were to stay with your cousin Lady Rebecca. Though I know nothing about her, I have met her brother Colonel Fitzwilliam and he seemed a very affable person.” Elizabeth enquired.
“Richard is always fun to be around and both he and my brother are most solicitous of my needs, but my other two Fitzwilliam cousins are so whimsical I find them difficult to understand.”
Elizabeth was filled with compassion for this dear girl on the cusp of womanhood, lacking the gentle guidance of a mother.
“I did meet your Aunt Catherine when I visited Kent and I am sure she would be a fearsome creature to be around.” Elizabeth responded with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.
“Aunt Catherine scares me the most but my other aunt, Lady Matlock, is not that severe. I do enjoy spending time with her. My uncle, the Earl, is always worried about his politics and keeps talking about both his sons and Fitzwilliam making advantageous marriages. I do not have the strength to voice my disagreement with his opinion.”
Georgiana, who knew of her brother’s admiration for Elizabeth, was convinced that she would be her sister in the future and so had no compunction in sharing family matters with her.
“You do not wish for your cousins and brother to be advantageously married, Miss Darcy?” Elizabeth exclaimed with mock severity, inducing the young girl to laugh merrily.
“I am not that close to the Viscount and do not care much as long as he is happy, and Richard has always done what he has wanted without any influence from his parents. It is just for my brother that I worry, for he tends to care about duty more than his happiness. I want him married to a lady who would appreciate his many fine qualities and not just his position in society.”
“I am sure your brother would not let others influence his choice of wife. He does not strike me as someone who would be bothered by family disapproval.”
“I will admit to you that I am also a little selfish; I wish for him to marry a kind woman and not a formidable one for I have longed to have a sister with whom I can be mischievous with.” Miss Darcy replied with a hint of mirth.
“Take it from someone quite adept at the matter of sisters,” Elizabeth said in the same mirthful tone.
“They are never kind. I have four of them and I can say with authority that even the kindest of creatures may turn out to be the most uncooperative of sisters.
You are to travel to Longbourn, and you will witness it yourself.
We steal bonnets and ribbons and betray one another's secrets. There is never any peace to be had.” Elizabeth replied with an amused expression.
“I cannot wait to experience it.” Georgiana responded with a wistful smile, thinking that once Elizabeth became her sister, she would be gaining four others and silently said a prayer for Miss Lydia’s quick recovery.
It was at this point that Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst entered the sitting room and, ignoring Elizabeth, went straight to Georgiana.
“Miss Darcy, I am most upset with my brother. I tried to convince him that we should remain with you as planned even if he must travel. It is most unfair for you to give up the company of your brother and your friends so soon when we were to spend the whole summer together.”
“Miss Bingley, I assure you that there is nothing to worry about on my account. Miss Elizabeth just invited me to stay with her at Longbourn while my brother and Mr. Bingley are staying in the neighbourhood. I regret that your visit has been curtailed but I am sure you understand the necessity of the situation, for the Bennets are your friends too.” Georgiana responded in her usual sedate tone.
“You are to travel to Hertfordshire, that is surprising. I am sure the local company will not be anything like what you are accustomed to.”
Seeing Miss Darcy’s uncomfortable expression, Elizabeth responded.
“Miss Bingley, the local company would matter very little, since Miss Darcy is not yet out. Also, with Lydia’s situation so uncertain and with both my parents in Brighton we will not be entertaining much.”
Miss Bingley looked at Elizabeth as if she had just noticed her presence.
“Miss Bennet, I did not mean to disparage your neighbours. I am just worried about my friend. Miss Darcy is a sheltered young lady and is not accustomed to the ways of Meryton. What may appear innocuous to you with your country upbringing may appear alarming to a young girl.”
“I am sure since my brother has approved the invitation all will be well. He has always been the most conscientious of guardians and will be there to protect me from any uncomfortable situation.” Georgiana responded, her voice firmer than any Miss Bingley had ever experienced.
She then excused herself to make arrangements for her upcoming travel, the effort to stand up to Miss Bingley had physically tired her.
“Miss Eliza, I do not understand why you would impose yourself in such a manner on my brother and Mr. Darcy. I am not sure I understand why anybody else will be required in Hertfordshire when your sister remains in Brighton. You already have your friends in Meryton society.” Miss Bingley said the moment they were alone.
“I have hardly spoken two words to your brother since yesterday, so I doubt I am any imposition to him. As far as Mr. Darcy is concerned, the gentleman seemed most eager to do all in his power to help me and my family. Why should I deny such solicitous concern?” So saying, Elizabeth got up and left the room.
She had neither the energy nor the desire to argue with Miss Bingley and feared that any conversation with the lady would lead both of them to lose any semblance of politeness.
Miss Bingley was left with just her sister for company and a sinking feeling that all her efforts were going to be for naught.
Miss Darcy had also seemed a little too sure of herself instead of the shy girl she had always considered pliable.
Her brother had made it clear that he meant to pursue Jane Bennet and was aware of their deception in hiding her presence in town from him.
She had immediately blamed Eliza Bennet and her aunt for that.
The sharp remark from that impertinent lady when she had commented about hardly speaking to her brother had made her consider that Mr. Darcy himself may have been the one to disclose everything to her brother.
A sense of helplessness crept into her for she could not afford to offend Mr. Darcy.
He was her only link to high society. But Elizabeth's influence had made her irrational from jealousy.