Chapter 1.3 #5
“Well, they are my sisters, and I love them, so I am by no means objective. But I dare say they are all pretty and pleasant in their own ways.”
“I can hardly imagine how that must be—with so many sisters of different ages around you.”
“For me, it is truly wonderful, although I have to confess it is a little tiresome at times.”
“I can well imagine. Do all your sisters play the pianoforte as well as you?”
“My other sisters do not play at all, except for one. Mary, the sister next to me in age, also plays and sings.”
“Well, I have to confess I do not play either. I never had the patience to learn. Mrs Ashburton, my governess, suffered greatly because of this; she had always considered it her personal failure. But, of course, the fault was entirely mine.” She laughed, and Mr Darcy asked about Mrs Ashburton’s health.
Lady Cassandra answered that she was well before returning her attention to Elizabeth.
“How many governesses did you have, Miss Bennet? Surely, one would not be enough for all of you.”
“We never had governesses.” Elizabeth almost laughed aloud at the similarity of these questions to the ones Lady Catherine had asked her the first time they met.
“What, five daughters and no governess?” was Lady Cassandra’s surprised reaction, and Elizabeth could contain her laughter no longer. Embarrassed by her outburst, she covered her mouth with her hand and then started to apologise.
Lady Cassandra’s brow rose in wonder at her. “Did something happen, Miss Bennet? Did I say something amusing?”
“No, your ladyship, please forgive me. It is just that—
“Oh come now, it is very rude to laugh like that without sharing the reason with us.”
“Lady Cassandra, I dare say that insisting any further to discover what Miss Bennet does not want to share with us would be equally as rude,” Darcy intervened soundly.
His interference, though in her favour, did not make Elizabeth any easier.
In fact, it had quite the opposite effect.
Lady Cassandra appeared offended, but her expression changed in a moment.
As the tension was caused by her bizarre reaction, Elizabeth decided to put an end to it as soon as possible, even if it meant the risk of giving more offence to her hosts.
“I beg you will forgive me. My behaviour has been rude indeed. I was amused by the fact that your ladyship’s questions were similar to those of Lady Catherine last March.”
The effect of her words was exactly as she feared.
Mr and Miss Darcy frowned, and Lady Cassandra remained speechless for a few moments before shaking her head and exclaiming, “Heaven forbid! Is that true? Oh dear, you absolutely must forget this instant that I ever asked you for such details. The same questions as Lady Catherine? That is not to be borne; it is the worst thing I have ever done!” The expression of distress on her face seemed so earnest that Georgiana began to laugh, quickly joined by the lady herself.
Shortly after this exchange, Elizabeth declared her intention of leaving. Her call had lasted more than two hours, which was considerably longer than propriety dictated. Mr Darcy rose to ask for the carriage, but Lady Cassandra stopped him.
“Miss Bennet, if you can bear my company a little longer, I would be delighted to take you in my carriage.”
Elizabeth looked at her in utter shock, noting that the Darcys were as surprised as she was.
“I thank you, your ladyship, but I would not want to trouble you. My uncle lives in Gracechurch Street and—
“Oh, I know where Gracechurch Street is, Miss Bennet, and I feel quite in the mood for a longer ride before returning home.”
Elizabeth cast a short glance toward the Darcys, and she noticed Mr Darcy’s eyes searching her face closely; she likely looked disconcerted, and he had noticed.
She could refuse, and he would surely offer her his carriage, but why all these ridiculous hesitations?
Surely, Lady Cassandra presented no danger to her.
She struggled to change her expression, careful not to cause another awkward moment.
“Thank you, Lady Cassandra. Of course I accept your kind offer.”
“Excellent! Let us go then, and during the ride, we may talk about the ball. What colour gown will you wear?”
They went toward the carriage, closely accompanied by the Darcys. Lady Cassandra entered first, helped by the gentleman. She reminded them she was expecting them later for dinner.
Georgiana took a warm leave of Elizabeth, embracing her, while Mr Darcy bowed politely and took her hand to help her into the carriage, again holding it longer than necessary.
She blushed, as she knew the other two ladies must have noticed his gesture, but she found the courage to smile tentatively as she thanked him.
“I hope to see you again soon, Miss Bennet,” he said as he closed the carriage door.
Elizabeth continued to look through the window until the house and the Darcys were out of sight; only then did her eyes turn to her companion.
One glance was enough for her to understand that Lady Cassandra had no intention whatsoever of talking about the ball.