Chapter 6 #2
While they tidied up, Miss Mary and Miss Kitty packed the completed items into a basket to be laundered. Those just begun were stored for the next week’s efforts.
Georgiana took the seat closest to Miss Elizabeth, “I have never known a day equal to this. Thank you for your kind invitation.”
“I was frank in saying your company would be a blessing for us. And it has been thus in so many ways. Thank you for agreeing to the scheme and spending the day with us,” Miss Elizabeth said, taking the hand Miss Mary had held for some minutes.
Miss Bingley and the Hursts arrived with her brother and Mr. Bingley for tea.
When Miss Bingley requested a private word with Miss Mary, Georgiana was further surprised to hear that the lady asked to visit their stillroom.
When the two departed, Georgiana did not dare look about.
She suspected Miss Bingley had somehow heard of Miss Mary’s talent and sought a new scent.
Remembering her brother’s warning to not be equally unkind, she schooled her expression.
Afternoon Tea at Longbourn
Seeing his sister so contented, nay, jubilant, amongst the ladies, caused Darcy to wonder at the subdued nature in the youngest Miss Bennet.
Mrs. Hurst and her husband sat with Miss Bennet and Bingley. Darcy chose the chair between Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas. Georgiana sat across the room with the younger girls who held ribbons and a bonnet between them.
“Miss Elizabeth, I confess I do not know if I am up to carrying on so lively a discussion as ribbons, lace, bonnets, and hems. Might we discuss mundane things like the ballots before the House of Lords or women’s rights to attend schooling in the sciences?”
“Women have always been healers, and men are foolish not to allow it to continue. That settles what should be a common expectation. Hems present a far more interesting topic. Our maid will tell you I quite vex her by often returning home with mine having been dragged six inches deep in mud,” Miss Elizabeth said.
“I blush to confess she is relieved when it is only six. I once fell into a puddle trying to rescue a bird.”
“So you suggest the secrets hems conceal for a lady are more interesting than the scuffs a man collects on his boots?” Darcy asked with all the seriousness he could muster.
“Undoubtedly. She did, indeed, try to rescue the bird, and had almost done when she fell into a puddle and it flew away,” Jane said in the whisper of conspiracy. “That is our Lizzy, always aiding those souls she believes to be in distress, no matter which sort of God’s creature it might be.”
“I am less enthusiastic about anything that slithers,” Miss Elizabeth said, leaning toward him.
“As am I, Eliza,” Miss Lucas agreed.
Darcy observed his sister. He was surprised when Miss Mary and Miss Bingley returned to the drawing room. Miss Mary sat next to Georgiana and squeezed her sister’s hand affectionately. Miss Kitty held the other. Indeed, it seemed Miss Kitty and Georgiana had forgotten they did so.
“They discuss retrimming this bonnet and are deciding what will be its adornments, sir. May I?” Elizabeth asked, leaning closer to Miss Bingley when she saw the lady holding a small bottle in her hand.
“It is…” Miss Bingley looked to Miss Mary for further information.
“Oh, Mary, the apple and vanilla are so welcoming. It brings to mind both spring and autumn. Lovely,” Miss Bennet said.
“It is a new blend, so I have just the one bottle, but it quite becomes Miss Bingley, I agree.”
Darcy blinked twice, wondering if his eyes deceived him. Miss Mary gave the most tentative smile to Miss Bingley. And Miss Bingley returned the same to a lady who held no consequence in Town.
“In our stillroom, Mary makes wonders one cannot find in any shop in London,” Mrs. Bennet said, speaking for the first time since welcoming the visitors to her drawing room.
Miss Mary seemed surprised at receiving the compliment.
The ladies of the house stopped chattering when Mr. Bennet entered the drawing room and sat nearest his wife.
“It has been one of our more interesting sorts of days, my dear,” Mr. Bennet said while surveying all within.
Darcy wondered why he had not expected it when the patriarch looked at him and, with uncommon directness, requested a private discussion, should he bring his sister to call on the morrow.
“If you are amenable, Mrs. Bennet, I hope to have the ladies of Longbourn and Lucas Lodge to luncheon at Netherfield in three days,” Miss Bingley said to the room at large.
“Oh, it would be wonderful to see the gardens,” Miss Elizabeth said. “Might we attend, Mother?”
“Will it keep you from walking out so early in the morning?” Mrs. Bennet asked with a hint of a smile at her lips.
“Not in the least,” Miss Elizabeth said with spirit.
Mrs. Bennet’s chortle filled her drawing room, and she gave her sweeping agreement for all those within to go about their business.
Darcy was further amazed when Georgiana took Miss Mary's hand, and they applied to Miss Bingley to play the Broadwood Grand at Netherfield.
Before leaving, Georgiana asked which direction Miss Elizabeth walked out in the morning. Miss Mary indicated the way to the west, where a forest and a low hill were located. Although not the largest in the area, it looked quite picturesque, set against the rolling countryside of Hertfordshire.
“I tend to walk beyond the gardens. It is but a mile around, unless I wish to walk through the forest. I do that on stormy evenings when I believe I might see trolls and faeries playing in the shadows.” Miss Elizabeth winked at her sister.
“On the western side, at that small rise, I can see the sun come up over Longbourn. I find it to be a beautiful start to the day,” She said, walking arm in arm with Georgiana to the carriage.
As she said her goodbyes, his sister was hugged by each of the Bennet sisters. Darcy moved to Miss Elizabeth, who stood near his carriage as everyone else spoke with Georgiana and Miss Bingley.
“Miss Elizabeth, my sister is happier than I have seen her in many years,” Darcy said. He appreciated this woman’s kindness and efforts to offer friendship to Georgiana, and thus, all he had seen that afternoon gave him such joy.
“It was so excellent a day at Longbourn because of your sister. You have my undying gratitude for allowing her to visit with us today,” Miss Elizabeth said.
Darcy attempted to argue who was more grateful, but she stopped him with the barest touch of her hand, their fingertips brushing. She whispered, “My family has benefited greatly from coming to know your dear sister.”
Unable to argue that his sister was a dear, Darcy did not know what could have happened to garner such credit. The elation in his sister’s expression was proof that his gratitude must be the greater portion.
“Until tomorrow.” Darcy bowed to Miss Elizabeth, then handed Miss Bingley and his sister into the coach before he climbed in.
“Brother, I am uncertain I can describe what a lovely time I had at Longbourn. It seemed each minute was full of a dozen things!” Georgiana gushed.
Mr. Bennet's laugh echoed before the door closed, declaring, “Miss Darcy, that is the most apt description of a house full of five daughters I have ever heard.”