Chapter 16. Miss Darcy’s Displeasure
The first course at the Darcy dining table was shortened but the second and third courses were full length and even Mr Hurst was satisfied with the foods served at the table.
At the end of the meal, Darcy prompted Miss Darcy to rise and lead the ladies into the parlour while the gentlemen retired to the game room for drinks and cigars.
The conversation in the parlour was stilted because Georgiana was uncomfortable leading the conversation. When Mrs Gardiner excused herself for a few moments, Elizabeth attempted to continue the conversation by asking Miss Bingley about the latest fashions.
“Why are you interested in fashion, Miss Bennet?” the lady asked. “You certainly do not have the funds to participate in current fashion.”
Georgiana and Mrs Hurst attempted to join the conversation, but Miss Bingley ignored them, adding, “Louisa, see what comes of a silly country girl meeting people of quality. She comes to dinner in a reworked gown from last year, wears her aunt’s pearls and thinks she can capture a great man’s attention. ”
Elizabeth blushed with embarrassment at Miss Bingley’s characterization of her gown.
She touched the strand of pearls–her aunt’s thoughtfulness in loaning the precious gift to her for the evening would not be degraded in this manner.
But before Elizabeth could respond, Georgiana turned in her seat and addressed the sister of her brother’s friend calmly but with a very clear voice.
“Miss Bingley, I remind you that you are a guest in my home and Miss Bennet is my friend.”
“Your friend, Miss Darcy?” asked Caroline with an exaggerated air of drama. “How can you be friends with such a girl?”
Now Elizabeth joined the fray as she asked, “Which is it, Miss Bingley? When first we met you thought I was as old as yourself at four and twenty, but tonight you characterize me as a ‘girl’. You have such a varied opinion of me I am at sixes and sevens to understand your meaning.”
“Then allow me to be rightly understood ‘Miss Barnacle’–you are a piece of fluff from the country come to town to work for your relations in trade. Do not think I do not know of your sister!”
Elizabeth grew pale wondering how Miss Bingley could have heard of Lydia’s disgrace, but she had no further time for consideration for the verbal attack continued.
“And you put yourself forward, letting Miss Darcy think you are quality folk–everyone knows your sister will marry the parson who serves Mr Darcy’s aunt.
You are nothing but a penniless shop girl playing dress up. ”
“Caroline, lower your voice,” Louisa pleaded but Caroline brushed off her sister’s hand.
“Mr Darcy will take care of this matter when he joins us!” Caroline Bingley insisted as she sneered at Elizabeth. “He must order her from the house like the worthless maid-of-all-work that she is.”
Louisa Hurst sighed after she glanced at Georgiana Darcy’s face.
She had seen that same angry look on Mr Darcy’s face last summer and Caroline had been the cause of the Darcy anger that time as well.
Now, all their efforts over the last four months to return to Mr Darcy’s good graces were wasted.
Georgiana whispered to Elizabeth for a moment and then moved toward the parlour door as Mrs Gardiner returned to the room.
“Excuse me for a moment, Mrs Gardiner,” the young hostess said as she stepped into the hallway and spoke firmly to the two footmen attending the door. The men glanced at the master’s young sister, bowed and then hurried in opposite directions in the hallway.
Immediately upon noticing the high colour in the cheeks of the three ladies in the room, Mrs Gardiner stepped to her niece’s side to take her hand and ask calmly, “Are you well my dear.”
“Only tolerably, Aunt,” replied Elizabeth. Mrs Gardiner turned around to view the other ladies–Miss Bingley’s colour remained high, but Mrs Hurst appeared in distress.
“Mrs Gardiner, have you...” Mrs Hurst attempted once to diffuse the situation with new conversation, but no one paid her any attention, and she fell silent as Georgiana returned into the parlour and moved to stand in front of Miss Bingley.
Once there she announced, “Miss Bingley, I am sorry that you have developed a severe headache and cannot remain for the entertainment portion of our evening. I have summoned your carriage and sent for Mr Bingley and Mr Hurst. Jones waits with your wrap at the door. Good night.”
Then Georgiana curtseyed, turned her back on Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst, and drew Elizabeth and Mrs Gardiner away to a sofa some distance.
“Miss Darcy! You cannot dismiss me! I am your brother’s special guest!” protested Caroline as Mrs Hurst pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and began to cry. Caroline rose from her seat and moved across the room toward Georgiana who kept her back to her dismissed guest.
“I am speaking to you Miss Darcy!” Caroline insisted as she drew close, but Mrs Gardiner caught Caroline’s eye and halted her progress with the look. The door of the parlour opened again as Colonel Fitzwilliam, Mr Hurst, and Mr Bingley returned.
“Caroline, what is this about a headache?” Charles Bingley asked approaching his sister. He halted his progress when he realized that all the ladies were agitated and then he sighed, recognizing that his sister had created a scene again.
“Charles, you must speak with Mr Darcy immediately.” Caroline pointed at Elizabeth and continued her diatribe. “This girl is attempting to ingratiate herself into the Darcy household.”
Georgiana turned around now and addressed her brother’s friend gently but firmly, “Mr Bingley, I fear that Miss Bingley suffers from a severe headache and wishes to return to your home. I have summoned your coach, and Mr Jones will have your wraps...” Now Georgiana looked once again at Miss Bingley and added, “And I have already said ‘good night’ to Miss Bingley.”
When Darcy stepped into the room with Mr Gardiner, he found Colonel Fitzwilliam standing with Georgiana, Mrs Gardiner and Miss Bennet. Charles argued with his younger sister as Mr Hurst comforted his wife and drew her from the sofa.
Seeing the host appear at the door, Caroline turned from Charles and approached the man. “Mr Darcy! You must hear me! That girl is teaching Miss Darcy to be rude to guests in your house! She has dismissed me! You cannot allow such behaviour in your house!”
“Caroline, be silent!” Charles commanded but his sister sneered and turned back to Mr Darcy.
Glancing toward Georgiana, Darcy saw his cousin take his sister’s arm and smile at her, letting him know all was well with his sister.
“Come Miss Bingley, let me escort you to your carriage,” Darcy said to move the woman from the presence of his other guests.
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When the door closed behind the Bingleys and Mr Darcy, Mr Gardiner hurried to his wife’s side and spoke to his niece.
Colonel Fitzwilliam asked Georgiana to explain the events that lead to her dismissing Miss Bingley.
Richard was pleased to see the fierce Darcy determination in her face as Georgiana explained first Miss Bingley’s cruel words to her friend, then her own polite admonition and finally the second insult.
“I had no other choice, Richard. I offered Miss Bingley the polite fiction of a headache to explain her early departure, but she refused to remove herself gracefully.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam bowed to Elizabeth and said, “I no longer doubt your concerns regarding my family’s contentious acquaintances Miss Bennet.”
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