Chapter 15 #2
“Five years ago,” Miss Elizabeth continued with a nod.
“She was Lady Clara Whitman back then, daughter of the Marquis of Stoken, but her grandfather, the Duke of Salford, is very interested in astronomy, and Mr. Herschel was not available at the time, so he visited my father at Emerald Island to peer through the telescope, and I was there when they arrived. Clara and I are close in age and struck up a friendship, which has largely been carried out by correspondence.”
“Mr. Herschel?” Darcy asked, and Caroline was pleased because she did not know who that was either, but was not inclined to admit it.
“He is a very famous astronomer,” Miss Elizabeth said, and took a sip of wine before continuing, “He found Uranus in the night sky in 1781.”
“His sister, Caroline Herschel, is also a gifted astronomer,” Jane volunteered. “She has found a number of … comets, I believe?”
“Comets, yes,” Miss Elizabeth said briskly.
“Nevil Maskelyne, the Astronomer Royal, who died earlier this year, thought a great deal of both brother and sister, as they are each brilliant in their own ways. Mr. Herschel has displayed his astronomical prowess for members of the Royal Family, as our king is fascinated with such things.”
Caroline could not help but draw a sibilant breath. She had no idea that a passion for something so esoteric as astronomy could bring one into the sphere of the King himself!
“You sound as if you know a great deal about astronomy, Miss Elizabeth,” Darcy said, and Caroline shot a suspicious glance in his direction.
She had been startled when Mr. Darcy had danced a set with Miss Elizabeth before dinner, and if she did not mistake herself, his tone was now admiring. That was not good.
“I know more than most people, certainly,” the lady replied with a grin, “but I know almost nothing compared to my father and my sister Mary. They are the genius astronomers of the family.”
“Are they as gifted as the Herschel siblings?” Darcy asked.
“No,” Miss Elizabeth replied. “I think the main difference between Father and William Herschel is that Father has no ability to make his own telescopes, and he has actually purchased some of his instruments from Mr. Herschel himself. The Herschel siblings are incredibly gifted at pouring mirrors using molten metal, and polishing glass lenses and the like. They have produced the best telescopes in the world in spite of their moderately humble beginnings. But Father and Mary are both patient, and have excellent eyesight, and are genius mathematicians.”
“Maths have never been my favorite subject,” the lieutenant said with a grimace.
“Elizabeth is exceptional with maths,” Miss Bennet remarked with a fond look at her sister, “but not quite at the level as my father and Mary.”
“I am not close to being as gifted as they are,” her sister said with a chuckle.
“Indeed, I tried to read and understand William Emerson’s Trigonometry and found myself falling asleep over its pages more than once, and as for Astronomy Explained on Sir Isaac Newton’s Principles, by Ferguson, well, I realized within the first chapter that it was entirely beyond me. ”
“Have either your father or sister discovered any comets?” Darcy inquired curiously.
“Yes, Sir Thomas has found two, and Mary has found one.”
“That is very impressive,” Darcy declared, and yes, his tone was definitely an admiring one.
“It is,” Elizabeth said cheerfully, “but it means that family life can be a trifle odd on occasion. We adore Sir Thomas and Mary, but the former, in particular, is often in his own little world and when he is, seems incapable of discussing normal things.”
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” Caroline said, quite tired of this discussion of the Bennets’ genius relations, “am I correct that Longbourn is entailed away from the female line?”
“Yes,” the eldest Bennet daughter agreed.
“What a pity,” she continued, trying to make her voice as sympathetic as possible. “I hope and pray that your father will live a long and healthy life, then.”
“We do as well,” Miss Bennet said warmly. “For all that he is eccentric, we love him dearly, certainly. Thankfully, our family owns Emerald Island, so when we lose the estate we can move there.”
“Your father owns an island?” Charles demanded in wonder.
Miss Bennet glanced quickly at her younger sister and said, “The family owns it, but yes, we own the island. It is not a huge island, of course, but there is a decent house there.”
“Is there a bridge between the island and the mainland?” Darcy asked.
“No,” Elizabeth Bennet said. “There is an isthmus between island and mainland which is uncovered during low tide for some hours a day, and it is possible to drive a carriage back and forth during that time. One can also use a boat to go back and forth, but we usually just wait for the road to be uncovered.”
“It sounds fascinating,” Darcy said, and Miss Elizabeth replied, “It is, rather. But I believe it is time for the dancing to begin again, and I promised Captain Denny my hand. Miss Bingley, thank you for your hard work in arranging such a marvelous ball.”
“Thank you,” Caroline replied, and she watched as Miss Elizabeth rose to her feet and strode off on light and energetic feet.
Mr. Darcy watched her go, and Caroline did not appreciate the expression on his face. He appeared admiring, and interested, and possibly even fascinated. Certainly the master of Pemberley had never looked at his hostess in such a way.
This was not to be borne. Mr. Darcy belonged to her.