Chapter Four #2
“Yes, I recall you merely hoped to find some agreeable gentlemen here – and have you?” Elizabeth studied her sister, who seemed to be in an odd humor, as if she wished to dissemble.
“I will not press you, if you do not wish it, but you must tell me at least that I did not imagine all your stares of admiration for Captain. Wentworth yesterday, Jane. Or have you now begun to prefer the brooding Captain Benwick, instead?”
“He is not brooding, Lizzy. I think he is a little uncomfortable around so many young ladies, after the loss of his intended, but I should not call him brooding, for he is making an effort to be agreeable.” Jane looked apologetically at Elizabeth and sighed.
“You are kind to be so solicitous of me. I shall admit I think all the gentlemen here are handsome, in their own ways – perhaps Captain Wentworth is the most superior in appearance – but beyond that I have not yet formed any opinions. I cannot be so hasty and free with my feelings, not after….”
Elizabeth laid a hand atop Jane’s. “Of course. I think you are perfectly right, and anyhow, it has always been my office to voice hasty opinions about new acquaintance. Shall I tell you what I think?”
“You may have to do it quickly,” Jane said with a gentle laugh, tipping her head slightly to indicate that they were soon to be interrupted.
Their tête-à-tête had caught the interest of Lady Blanche, who sauntered toward them with a bright smile.
Elizabeth found she was glad of the interruption; perhaps it was not the right moment to hint to her sister that Captain Wentworth had some previous dealings with Anne; perhaps it was not her place to say so at all.
They had been at Richmond Cove for scarcely twenty-four hours, and already she had meddled with Anne and Colonel Brandon.
Relieved to be saved from her own inclinations, Elizabeth made room for Lady Blanche to sit with her and Jane. “If you have come to hear us praise your lovely home, you shall only find us talking about the fine-looking people in it, Lady Blanche.”
“Better and better,” the older woman cried with a saucy laugh. “I always look forward to our annual party, when I am not the only handsome creature in the house!”
Nearby, Lady Rosamund glanced at her sister with affectionate outrage at this comment, eliciting a laugh from the three ladies on the sofa.
Lady Blanche grinned wolfishly at her two younger companions.
“Well, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, I hope you both saw something you liked on your tours of the manor! There are more guests due to arrive tomorrow, of course, but I shall wager you each have cause to smile already.”
“I should be all smiles, Lady Blanche, if you indulged us with some hint about the guests you expect tomorrow.” Elizabeth spoke without thinking, and for a moment she feared she had betrayed her own private apprehensions as well as Jane’s, but Lady Blanche seemed only to see a jest in her words.
“I daresay that would spoil the amusement – for myself, at least – and is there not some allure in the mystery of it? I suppose everybody is wondering, and I am resolved to leave you all in suspense. Now, if there was anybody in particular you hoped to meet with, Miss Elizabeth – well, I should be happy to hear your secrets!”
Lady Blanche was bold and irreverent, and Elizabeth liked her for it.
Jane looked merry, if mildly scandalized, and though Elizabeth knew she ought to be wary, given the reputation these parties had, she could not resist sharing in their hostess’s humor.
“If there were any person I especially wished to encounter, I should unreservedly say so, Lady Blanche; it is only those I do not wish to encounter whom I would hesitate to mention.” Elizabeth gave the woman an arch look, and was met with a sparkling smile that nearly confirmed her fears.
“Perhaps it will not matter to you, Miss Elizabeth, whoever arrives tomorrow. My sister Rosamund told me you had much to say to the colonel during your tour of the manor.”
Jane looked over with surprise and no little interest, but Elizabeth screwed up her face. “I gave him a great deal of encouragement to pay his addresses to another lady.”
“How altruistic you are, Miss Elizabeth. Will you be so noble, Miss Bennet? You need not be, my dear. You are such a beauty that you have every right to admire whomever you wish.”
“Every right,” Elizabeth agreed, grinning at her blushing sister. She turned to Lady Blanche, who was still a striking woman, though she was twice Elizabeth’s age. “But the same might be said of handsome gentlemen – and perhaps, Lady Blanche, they may like you best of all.”
Lady Blanche looked very gratified, though she schooled her countenance as she swatted gently at Elizabeth.
“My goodness! You are a sweet child, but you shall not flatter me into revealing anything best saved for tomorrow. I will leave you girls to your gossip, if you will not share your secrets with me. I am sure I shall guess them ere long, anyhow.”
Jane blushed again, but Elizabeth only laughed as their charmingly brash hostess moved away to speak with other guests.
The Goulding ladies certainly knew what they were about, for the unspoken mystery of who would arrive next still hung over Jane and Elizabeth, despite their determination to speak of anything else.