Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
The next weeks became a flurry of visits. Caroline and Elizabeth were together most days at one of their homes, and Louisa often joined them. Elizabeth met their father a few more times, and she thought he was nearly as kind as his son had been the one night she had met him.
Elizabeth was amazed at the changed atmosphere from Gracechurch Street to George Street.
In truth, the journey was one of her favorite parts of calling on her friends.
She and a maid traveled in the carriage west through Cornhill and then Cheapside, which was slow but vibrant with its crowds of laborers and shoppers, past St. Paul’s Cathedral with its massive dome, on to Oxford Street and ending up two blocks north of Portman Square.
She was excited to catch glimpses of parks and trees along the route.
Given the warming weather, she persuaded her friends to walk through Portman Square most days.
The people here wore fashionable dress and were not in such a hurry to get somewhere else.
She felt guilty using her uncle’s carriage so often, but her aunt really did wish to stay at home more lately and told her not to worry.
On days her aunt needed the carriage, Caroline would visit Gracechurch Street or, more often, the friends would not meet.
Not for the first time, Elizabeth thought of the benefits of having a horse in London; she missed riding and travel would have been easier, but it was likely impractical, as well, so she did not mention it.
Slowly, after the success of their walks, Elizabeth attempted to introduce more of her interests to the Bingley sisters, as she could speak of gowns and parties and beaux for only so long.
When she found herself growing restless in their company, she asked about their favorite areas of study.
That led to the girls speaking only in French for half a day, which in turn led to many misunderstandings, as neither Bingley sister had a firm grasp on the language.
Elizabeth spoke more slowly and chose simpler words, but the experiment would endure only one afternoon.
After many attempts to discover Caroline’s academic interests, Elizabeth was excited to learn that she liked art.
Caroline drew a little and had been considering requesting a painting master but thought it would be dull without Louisa.
They decided to take painting lessons together, and the Bingley’s largest drawing room—one of the rooms that would host Louisa’s wedding ball—would be the perfect location for their studio.
After a week, Caroline began to say they should have hired a dancing instructor instead.
Elizabeth agreed to the plan but wanted to continue her painting and wondered how they could dance without more people.
They decided to wait until her brother returned from school the following month.
In the meantime, Elizabeth learned all she could from the painting master—who had more experience both painting and teaching than her previous teacher at Longbourn—and spoke to Caroline of history and philosophy.
Caroline had learned the basics in her seminary but had little interest in any scholarly subject.
“You are far too bookish, Eliza.” Caroline let out an unladylike groan. “Men want to look at pretty things and listen to uncomplicated conversation and music.”
Her beliefs and priorities were evident in the accomplishments she prized most. Caroline preferred the pianoforte and elocution, as well as adorning her gowns and bonnets with ribbons and lace.
She and Elizabeth played duets together or supported each other in their solos.
Caroline’s playing was more advanced than Elizabeth’s, having had top instructors at her seminary, so the older girl helped her with difficult pieces she was determined to learn.
Many times, they diverged in their interests but maintained their burgeoning friendship.
While Caroline and Louisa netted purses, painted screens, or practiced quilling or japanning, Elizabeth sketched their handicrafts or drew them engaged in their activities.
Other times, she read or embroidered nearby.
Caroline said her final year at her seminary would fully prepare her to manage her husband’s home.
Elizabeth was thus reminded that Mary and Jane had prepared in a similar way, so she asked Aunt Gardiner again for lessons.
This time, her aunt agreed. She continued to write to Uncle Bennet about his progress in finding tutors for her, but she was earnest in furthering her education in other important ways while she waited.
“Girls, I would like to introduce you to someone,” Mr. Bingley said one afternoon while his daughters were decorating small wooden boxes with rolled paper and Elizabeth was reading.
They all stood as Mr. Bingley stepped aside to reveal a timid girl who looked to be about her cousin Lydia’s age or a little older.
“Louisa, Caroline, Miss Elizabeth, this is Miss Darcy, the sister of one of your brother’s friends,” Mr. Bingley said. “Miss Darcy, my daughters Miss Bingley and Miss Caroline, and their friend Miss Elizabeth.”
The girls all curtsied and stared awkwardly at each other.
“Please make Miss Darcy feel welcome, girls. I must…I will be in my study if I am needed.”
Caroline and Louisa resumed their seats and took up their paper craft again before the younger sister asked disinterestedly, “Miss Darcy, have you ever tried quilling?”
“No,” was the faint reply.
“Perhaps you would like Eliza’s company, then. She is closer to your age and will find some way to entertain you.”
Elizabeth had by this time noticed a redness about Miss Darcy’s eyes, but Caroline’s dismissal appeared to have relaxed the girl rather than caused her additional pain. She approached the girl slowly and spoke gently.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Darcy. Would you like to come sit with me by the window?”
Miss Darcy nodded shyly and followed. Once they were settled on the small settee near the window, Elizabeth spoke softly so as to avoid frightening the girl. Caroline and Louisa continued their own discussion across the room.
“I think you must be about my cousin’s age. She will be eleven next week.”
“I am eleven,” Miss Darcy breathed. “My birthday is in two months.”
Tears silently streamed down the girl’s face, so Elizabeth offered her a handkerchief and then put her arm around her.
“Are you frightened to be amid strangers?” she asked.
Miss Darcy began to nod but then shook her head.
“Will you tell me what distresses you, so I may help?”
“Nothing will help. My father has d-died.” The girl turned fully to Elizabeth and soaked her bodice with her tears.
“I am sorry for your loss, Miss Darcy. My parents died when I was but a babe, so although I often miss them, I never knew them to truly mourn.” Elizabeth stroked the girl’s long blonde hair and let her cry.
After some minutes, Miss Darcy regained her composure and apologized.
“Never fear. You may cry on my shoulder all you like. Would you care to remove to a place with a bit more privacy, though?” Elizabeth had noted the Bingley sisters cast more than one disgusted look their way.
At Miss Darcy’s nod, she led her down the hall to the music practice room, where she settled them onto the settee in a dim corner.
“Why have you come here if your father has died? Is your mother coming to retrieve you?”
“My mother died many years ago. The schoolmistress informed me of my father’s death yes-yesterday.
” She hiccupped. “He was in London for some business and had come to see me a few days ago, but none of my other family is in town. This morning, I received a letter at school from my brother. He is on his way but arranged for me to stay with his friend’s family until he can arrive from Pemberley tonight.
He thought I would be more comfortable here.
He said he has never met his friend’s sisters but that they would welcome me. You are Mr. Bingley’s sister?”
Elizabeth smiled. “No. His sisters are in the room we left behind. I am their friend, Elizabeth Bennet.”
“Thank you for being kind to me, Miss Bennet,” she said, her eyes wide and wet.
“You are welcome. And you must call me Lizzy.” Elizabeth was cheered to see Miss Darcy return her smile with a tentative one of her own.
“I met Mr. Bingley once a few weeks ago. That was the evening I met his father and sisters, as well. I have spent so much time with his sisters this month it seems we have known each other far longer, but I cannot say I truly know them well.”
Elizabeth was considering how to make excuses for their rudeness earlier when she saw Miss Darcy’s eyes catch on the pianoforte.
“Do you play, Miss Darcy?”
She nodded.
“Come, you are welcome to use the instrument.”
Elizabeth and Georgiana, as she asked her to call her, played together for the next hour.
The girl had several more outbursts of tears but was comforted by Elizabeth’s embraces and stories of her cousins.
Elizabeth was concerned that her time to return home would come too soon, and she asked Georgiana if she would like to get to know the Bingley sisters or request a room in which to rest. With obvious relief, she asked Elizabeth to accompany her to a guest chamber.
Elizabeth arranged for a room and ensured Georgiana was comfortable.
“Would you like to rest in privacy, or shall I stay with you for a while?”
“Please stay.” Georgiana held her hand tightly.
“Of course. I have to return to my aunt and uncle’s home in a couple of hours, but I am happy to remain with you until then.”
Georgiana thanked her and told her she was glad her brother was coming. Apparently, he was much older than her but exceedingly admired.
“He is the best of brothers,” she said. “He talks to me as you do, as though I matter.”
When Georgiana began to cry again, Elizabeth asked whether she might read to her.
She saw no books in this room, but she had brought with her the history she had been reading earlier.
She was surprised by how engrossed Georgiana became in the book, one of Elizabeth’s favorites, but finally, she fell asleep.
Half an hour later, Elizabeth slipped out to write a note for Georgiana, which she left with her book under the sleeping girl’s arm. She prayed the book could continue to comfort her as she mourned. When her time was up, Elizabeth softly kissed Georgiana’s forehead and whispered her goodbyes.
“Lizzy!”
“Sleep now, my friend. I must depart, but I left you a note, and your brother will arrive soon.”
“Mmm.” Georgiana’s eyes fluttered shut again, and she was asleep.