Chapter 9 #2
"As for your question, no, I know nothing of Miss Bennet's family, as I have only just had the honour of making her acquaintance.
I cannot imagine it proper for anyone to discuss a lady's private family affairs within minutes of being introduced to her.
It seems even less appropriate to speak so freely of another person's family before complete strangers.
That, madam, is called gossip, and I have never cared to be a gossipmonger. "
Then, turning towards Jane with a courteous smile, he added, "That being said, I am pleased to learn that I share my profession with Miss Bennet's uncle."
Caroline's cheeks flushed with indignation. Before she could utter something she might later regret, Louisa hastily intervened.
"Caroline," Louisa said quickly, slipping her arm through her sister's, "I believe Mr Hurst has been looking for us."
"He can wait," Caroline muttered through clenched teeth, still glaring at Mr Andrews de la Garza.
"I do not think he can," Louisa replied with a forced smile. "Pray excuse us, Lady Campbell. Mr Andrews. Miss Bennet."
Without waiting for a reply, she gently but firmly guided her sister away.
When they reached the refreshment table, Mr Hurst looked up from his plate.
"There you are," he said calmly. "I was beginning to think you had forgotten there was food."
The conversation among the remaining guests quickly resumed, everyone eager to forget the uncomfortable scene Caroline had created.
As she walked away, however, Matthew distinctly heard Caroline mutter, “Insolent man. That is what happens when people of such low birth are invited where they do not belong.”
He smiled to himself.
"Si supieras, engreída."
**If you only knew, you conceited thing.
Jane was deeply touched that Matthew had so naturally defended her, refusing to let Caroline belittle her family. She looked up and found him watching her once again. It was as though an invisible force drew them together; neither of them seemed capable of looking away.
Elizabeth could not help noticing the silent exchange between her sister and Mr Andrews de la Garza. She was favourably impressed by the young gentleman and had begun to suspect that something rather interesting might be unfolding between them.
Their unspoken conversation, however, was interrupted by Mr Bingley. He spoke almost without pause, entirely unaware that Jane scarcely heard a word he was saying.
When dinner was announced, Mr Bingley immediately offered Jane his arm and scarcely left her side throughout the evening.
Meanwhile, Matthew escorted Elizabeth into the dining room and found himself seated beside her, with Kitty, Mary, the Gardiners, and his father nearby.
Mr James Andrews proved to be an exceptionally entertaining conversationalist. He kept the entire table engaged, and even Mary and Kitty listened with genuine interest, asking him several questions.
Elizabeth, however, continued to notice the occasional glances exchanged between Jane and Matthew across the table. Curious to know more about the gentleman, she decided to engage him in conversation.
"So, Mr Andrews de la Garza, how many languages do you speak?"
"I speak English and Spanish fluently, and I can manage French and Italian as well. Though I must confess that there are times when I feel as though I do not speak any language properly," Matthew replied with a laugh.
"That happens to me quite often as well, and I only speak English," Elizabeth answered with a smile. "So I do not believe you have anything to worry about."
The conversation soon turned lively. They talked, laughed, and exchanged playful remarks for several minutes.
At one point, Elizabeth mentioned the plans she and her sisters had for the coming days.
"We have plans for the day after tomorrow," Elizabeth said as the conversation turned to lighter subjects.
"Aunt Eleanor has promised to take us to the new botanical exhibition.
Jane has always been passionately fond of flowers and gardening, so she has been looking forward to it ever since she heard about it. "
"I have heard it is well worth seeing," Matthew replied with interest. "Would there be room for one more in your party?"
Elizabeth smiled, glancing briefly at Jane.
"I am sure Aunt Eleanor would be delighted to have you join us, Mr Andrews de la Garza."
Elizabeth was delighted by his enthusiasm. She had a strong suspicion that something was developing between him and Jane, and this seemed the perfect opportunity to find out.
At another part of the table, Caroline and Louisa were delighted to find Lady Westcliff seated beside them.
The lady was greatly troubled by the sudden appearance of Lady Campbell's newly discovered nieces.
She had always believed that Eleanor had no family and had quietly assumed that her own children might one day inherit her considerable fortune.
Determined to learn more, she turned to the two ladies beside her, who appeared to know the Bennet sisters.
"So, you are acquainted with Lady Campbell's nieces?" Lady Westcliff asked.
"They are merely acquaintances," Caroline replied. Then, hoping to learn something herself, she added, "I had no idea they were Lady Campbell's nieces."
"They are not," Lady Westcliff said with conviction.
"Eleanor has no family in England. I imagine they are the daughters of some distant relation—a cousin settled in Hertfordshire, or some such connection.
Lady Campbell has always been a kind-hearted woman.
I daresay she has simply taken pity on those poor girls and decided to help them. "
Lillian suspected that Caroline would eagerly repeat that version throughout society, ensuring that no one would ever imagine one of the Bennet sisters might someday become Lady Campbell's heiress.
"I knew there had to be some explanation for Lady Campbell's interest in them," Caroline replied with satisfaction. "A family as vulgar as the Bennets could never be related to a lady like her."
Lady Campbell was delighted to convince herself that the Bennet sisters were nothing more than a group of unrefined country girls with no important family connections.
Matthew had no opportunity to speak privately with Jane again that evening. Even so, he thoroughly enjoyed his conversations with Elizabeth, Lady Campbell, and Lord Westcliff.
The evening proved an unquestionable success.