Chapter 24 #2
“That was my meaning exactly,” Caroline Bingley said, advancing upon Mr. Darcy and smiling up at him. “Horses are so marvelous, are they not? Indeed, I know you intend to purchase a new pair of horses at Tattersall’s soon, Charles, and I do hope you will ask Mr. Darcy’s advice before you do so!”
“Oh, Bingley is entirely capable of picking out his own horses,” Darcy said absently.
His own eyes were fixed on Miss Elizabeth Bennet, who had backed away from the group, picked up a book from a small wooden table, and after bestowing a saucy smile on him, retreated out of the room.
He suppressed a groan. He wished to spend time with her, of course, but given Caroline Bingley’s hovering, he would have to wait.
He turned back toward Bingley and his relations, and winced at the sight of Caroline’s jealous expression.
Was his interest in Miss Bennet obvious, and if so, would Miss Bingley be even more exasperating than usual?
Bingley, oblivious to his friend’s concerns, said, “Thank you, Darcy. Speaking of that, one of my best mares birthed a colt a few days ago, and I hope you will give me your opinion on him.”
“I would be honored,” Darcy answered and then added eagerly, “Perhaps we might have time now to go to the stables? I would enjoy a walk after our time in the carriage.”
“Of course! Caroline, Hurst, I hope you will excuse us?”
“I must see how Louisa is feeling,” Hurst said, setting down his tumbler.
“And I will check with the cook to discuss dinner,” Caroline declared crisply. “I would not wish for you to find Netherfield’s kitchens wanting in any way, Mr. Darcy!”
“I believe that Jane already spoke to Laurent on the subject,” Bingley said with a frown.
“Oh, of course!” his sister responded hastily. “I meant no disrespect toward Jane. It is merely that she is resting, and if Laurent has any questions, I would be happy to assist.”
She waited with bated breath as Bingley peered at her intently.
Weeks had passed since Charles had taken her to task regarding her treatment of Jane and Elizabeth, and he had still not relaxed his irritating oversight.
She had not lost any part of her allowance in a full eight days, but that was only because she had been very careful about what she said.
As for her thoughts – well, thankfully, her brother could not listen to her very mind.
“Thank you, Caroline,” Bingley finally said. “Shall we, Darcy?”
/
“Do you like Kent?” Elizabeth asked.
Georgiana, who was striding briskly toward the poultry house arm in arm with her friend, cogitated for a moment before saying, “I prefer the more hilly landscapes of Pemberley, but from an agricultural point of view, the flat fields are advantageous.”
“That is true enough,” Elizabeth agreed. A moment passed and then she continued, “Georgiana?”
“Yes, Elizabeth?”
“My family will be coming to Netherfield for dinner tonight. I know you appreciate when I speak plainly, so I will say that I doubt you will enjoy spending time with my mother and youngest sister.”
Georgiana tightened her grip on Elizabeth’s arm and asked, “Why not?”
Elizabeth patted her friend’s hand reassuringly as the two girls turned a corner to walk along the back of the stables. “My mother and Lydia are both garrulous, and my mother is regrettably often vulgar.”
“Unrefined and lacking sophistication and good taste?” Georgiana recited.
“Precisely,” her friend said ruefully.
“Is Mrs. Bennet like me?”
“Like you? No, not at all! Why do you ask?”
Georgiana’s face drooped sadly, and she said, “I know that I am sometimes vulgar as well, because I do not understand the rules of society.”
“Oh, my dear!” Elizabeth exclaimed. “No, no, you are not like my mother at all. Now mind you, I love her very much, but my mother was born the daughter of a solicitor and was not educated for her role as mistress of a gentleman’s estate.
She speaks of money and the beauty of her daughters in a very forward way.
It puts new acquaintances off, though that is not her intention. ”
“In that case, perhaps I will like her well enough,” Georgiana declared. “I too say things with good intentions, only to insult people inadvertently.”
Elizabeth opened her mouth, and then shut it again. She did not think that her mother or sisters were quite the same as Georgiana; the latter had a singular personality, whereas Mrs. Bennet and Lydia were poorly trained and, sadly, rather selfish. Nonetheless…
“You are correct!” she said in wonder. “I mean, you may not like her, but it is true that my mother genuinely does not know better and given that she was never taught properly, it is not her fault. I fear I have grown rather impatient with her and my two youngest sisters these last years, which is unkind of me. In any case, I wished to say that if you find them overly talkative, you can wink at me, and I will know that you would appreciate my assistance in escaping them.”
“Very well,” Georgiana said after a long moment of consideration. “Thank you. What about your next younger sister?”
“Mary? She plays the pianoforte, though not as well as you do. You are remarkable. All the same, she is far more diligent about practicing than I am. She is…”
Elizabeth trailed off and said carefully, “My mother was a great beauty in her youth, and all of us but Mary inherited that beauty. It has been a hard thing for my dear sister. Her physical form has often been compared to the rest of us and found wanting.”
“That is sad,” Georgiana stated. “I know I am not as beautiful as you are, but my brother has never said such a thing about me.”
Elizabeth glanced over uneasily and said, “You are lovely, Georgiana.”
“I am pretty, not lovely,” Georgiana answered precisely. “I do not worry about my face and figure, Elizabeth – I did nothing to earn my looks, nor did you. My brother and friends love me the way I am, so why should I long to be as beautiful as you and Mrs. Bingley?”
Not for the first time, Elizabeth was struck with wonder. Miss Darcy’s remarkable view of the world enabled the young woman to see a reality that was often lost in the confusion of societal expectations.
“You are right, of course,” Elizabeth agreed, stopping near the poultry yard. “You are absolutely right.”