16. Chapter Sixteen #4
She began with Mrs. Gardiner’s kindness and Mr. Gardiner’s intelligence. She praised Bingley’s generosity, Elizabeth’s wit, and Darcy’s constancy.
At that, Darcy shifted slightly in his chair.
Then Georgiana gestured to Lydia. A faint color entered her cheeks. “Miss Lydia’s courage.”
The room fell unexpectedly still. Lydia blinked, startled. Courage was not a word generally applied to her. Of all the things Georgiana might have chosen, that had not been among them.
“Courage?” she repeated.
“Yes.”
Georgiana folded the paper carefully. “You say what you think. You do what you believe is right, even when others disapprove. I admire it very much.”
Lydia found herself unable to answer for several seconds.
Fortunately, Bingley ruined the moment. “My favorite quality in Miss Lydia is that she makes every day considerably more interesting than it would otherwise be.”
“There,” Lydia declared, relieved that the awkwardness had been dispelled. “A gentleman of discernment.”
Miss Bingley’s smile fell flat. Lydia wondered if Georgiana’s failure to mention something about her had been intentional.
The game continued. As the hour grew later, their enemy’s composure began to fray around the edges.
Lydia observed it first in small ways. The fan opening more sharply. Replies arriving a little too quickly. The occasional interruption when Elizabeth spoke. Then came the question that ruined everything.
A folded paper was drawn. Elizabeth opened it. The moment she read it, her expression changed slightly.
Lydia recognized it anyway.
“What is it?” Bingley asked.
Elizabeth hesitated.
“You need not answer if it is unpleasant,” Darcy said.
Miss Bingley leaned forward. “Oh, now I am curious.”
Elizabeth lowered the paper. “It asks which acquaintance I most regret having lost.”
The room became very still. Lydia knew in an instant who had written the question. It was pure fate Elizabeth had pulled it from the pile.
Miss Bingley smiled and not kindly. “Surely the answer is obvious.”
Mrs. Gardiner looked up from her embroidery.
“Caroline,” Louisa said warningly.
“What?” Miss Bingley spread her hands. “Mr. Wickham was once a particular favorite at Longbourn, was he not?”
Georgiana went pale. There it was. Miss Bingley clearly did not know when to stop pressing. And she had no idea she had now gone too far. Georgiana’s mishap last summer was surely not something the harpy knew of.
Lydia rose before anyone else could speak. “Indeed,” she said brightly. “And my aunt once owned a goose that bit everyone in Meryton. We do not discuss that creature much either.”
Miss Bingley stared. “What?”
“The goose. A dreadful fellow. Very handsome plumage. Absolutely no character.” Not what she meant, but it pleased her to discompose Miss Bingley further.
Bingley choked. Mr. Gardiner appeared suspiciously close to laughter. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy met one another’s eyes.
Miss Bingley’s eyes narrowed. “I fail to see the connection.”
“Do you?” Lydia asked. “That is unfortunate. It was very clear to me.”
“Miss Lydia—”
“No, pray continue.” Lydia folded her arms. “Since we are discussing people whose presence is no longer desired. Shall we also review every thief, liar, fortune hunter, and unpleasant relation known to the room?”
Darcy remained silent. That silence was far more dangerous than any interruption.
Caroline attempted to placate him. “Surely I meant nothing.”
“No,” Lydia said. “You merely brought up a subject that causes conflict for your own amusement.”
Georgiana was shaking lightly but kept her lips firmly pressed together.
Darcy set his jaw.
Miss Bingley’s color rose. “You are being ridiculous.”
“Frequently,” Lydia agreed. “But not presently.”
For one long moment nobody spoke. Then Mrs. Gardiner set aside her embroidery. “Perhaps we might choose another question.” The suggestion was gracious, far more gracious than Miss Bingley deserved.
Miss Bingley’s gaze swept around the room. No one had come to her defense. Not her sister or brother, and certainly not Mr. Darcy. She seemed to comprehend it all at once.
Lydia watched it happen. A tactical error indeed.
Miss Bingley rose. “I believe I have developed a headache.”
No one moved. Not a soul protested or begged her to remain.
Mr. Hurst continued sleeping. Bingley appeared vaguely uncomfortable but said nothing. Louisa lowered her eyes. Darcy’s attention had already shifted toward Georgiana. Elizabeth acted fascinated by the carpet.
The silence stretched just long enough to become unmistakable.
Miss Bingley’s face flushed. “I shall retire.”
“Very good,” said Darcy. Nothing more. There was no offer of escort, no undue concern… no invitation to return.
Miss Bingley stood another second, perhaps waiting for someone to object. No one did. At last, she swept from the room. The door closed behind her.
Several heartbeats passed.
Then Bingley exhaled. “Well.”
“Indeed,” said Mr. Gardiner.
Georgiana sought Lydia’s reassurance. She gave a tiny shrug. The game never truly recovered afterward. She considered that an acceptable sacrifice.