Her Indomitable Resolve Page 15

  “Of course, you have. Then you have also experienced times when you must refrain from saying what you wish because you know it will provoke an argument. I am intimately acquainted with that necessity.”

  Chuckling, Elizabeth nodded and replied: “Yes, I have the same experience. As I am a guest in your brother’s home, it is prudent that I refrain from arguing with your sister. Thus, I hold my tongue.”

  “That is for the best.” Again, Mrs. Hurst paused, and then she said, in a voice most hesitant. “The worst is Caroline’s expectations of Mr. Darcy. Charles has attempted to tell her many times that Mr. Darcy will not offer for her, but Caroline is convinced she will be his wife. Nothing anyone says can do anything to temper her expectations. It is most annoying, for everyone else can see it. But Caroline will not listen.”

  “One would think,” said Elizabeth, “that had Mr. Darcy wished to propose to her, he would have done so already.”

  “That is correct!” cried Mrs. Hurst. “And yet Caroline continues to hope. It would be exasperating if it were not so pathetic.”

  Elizabeth nodded and their conversation ended when the door opened, admitting Miss Bingley. The woman spied her sister together with Elizabeth, frowned a little, and approached them.

  “Come, Louisa,” said she. “I have prepared. We may be off.”

  Mrs. Hurst nodded and rose, but when Miss Bingley turned away, she found Elizabeth’s eyes and looked heavenward, as if to say: “See what I must endure?”

  It was, Elizabeth thought, an interesting discussion, for it had changed her perception of Mrs. Hurst. Elizabeth did not think their conversation would make them excellent and lifelong friends. However, it did make her think better of Mrs. Hurst. Perhaps they could be friendly acquaintances—if only the woman’s sister would allow it.

  Chapter XII

  Before much time had passed, Miss Bingley came to regret the time she spent with her sister; or at least that was how it seemed to Elizabeth. The day after the dinner with the Hursts, Elizabeth and Jane visited Miss Darcy, and the following day, Miss Darcy again returned their visit to the Bingley townhouse. When Miss Bingley heard this, she was not at all pleased with them.

  “You visited Georgiana,” said she, fixing them with a hard stare.

  “Of course, we visited her,” said Elizabeth, taking the responsibility for their reply. “Miss Darcy was good enough to visit us. Good manners dictate that we return the favor, which we did.”

  “Perhaps you do not understand the subtleties of those of higher society, Eliza, but the courtesy Miss Darcy extended to you did not invite a response. Visiting her was the height of presumptuousness.”

  “Then how do you explain Miss Darcy returning our visit today?” asked Elizabeth.

  Miss Bingley could not quite explain that away, though the thought of Miss Darcy favoring Elizabeth as a friend, or even an indifferent acquaintance, was alien to her. Or perhaps it was more abhorrent than incomprehensible. Whatever the case may be, before she could forward her opinion any further, her brother interjected.

  “Oh, leave off, Caroline. Darcy has told me himself how he approves of Jane and Elizabeth. What is it to you if his sister visits them, and they return the favor? There is nothing unusual about that.”

  That Miss Bingley wished to respond to refute her brother’s words Elizabeth well understood. The woman did not speak further on the subject, though her scrutiny of the sisters—Elizabeth, in particular—did not abate for some time after.

  One unfortunate result of the conversation was how Miss Bingley remained at the Bingley townhouse and refused to leave it, though her sister asked her more than once to attend her. Miss Bingley had missed the Darcys’ visit twice—there would not be a third instance if she could avoid it. She pushed for a visit to the Darcy townhouse the next day, arguing that as Miss Darcy had paid the last call that it was their turn. But Mr. Bingley dashed that argument.

  “Darcy is busy with his banker today, and he informed me his sister is engaged with her cousins. It will need to wait until tomorrow.”

  It shall be left to the reader’s imagination to determine Miss Bingley’s response to her brother’s words. It so happened the Darcys visited the day after, even as Miss Bingley was again pushing for the Bingleys to go there.

  “Dear Georgiana!” exclaimed Miss Bingley when they entered the room. “How I have longed to see you again!”

  Though Georgiana’s slight grimace was visible to Elizabeth’s watching eyes, it seemed Miss Bingley was blind to it, for she captured Georgiana’s attention and would not release it for some time. It was to Elizabeth’s vast amusement that Mr. Darcy watched her with some asperity, even as Miss Bingley cast frequent glances at Mr. Darcy, attempting to see if he was watching the attention she was paying to his sister. It took no greatness of mind to determine she saw what he saw, that to her, his exasperation was approval. Soon it became apparent that the only thing which could draw her from Miss Darcy’s side was the sight of Elizabeth speaking with Mr. Darcy.

  “How do you find London, Miss Bennet?” asked Mr. Darcy after a moment. Elizabeth noted he was still watching Miss Bingley with his sister.

  “Very interesting,” replied Elizabeth. “There is, of course, a much greater variety of people to meet here than in the country. I have found that I actually like some of them.”

  This caught Mr. Darcy by surprise, but he caught on to her ironic tone, sensed she was jesting and responded in kind: “I might think you a misanthrope for speaking in such a way, Miss Bennet. I might think you are like me.”

  “Perhaps our turn of mind is similar, Mr. Darcy. Only time shall tell with respect to London society, for I have only been here a matter of weeks.”

  In this sportive way, they continued to speak for some time, until Miss Bingley inserted herself between them. “Oh, Mr. Darcy,” said she, directing a warning look at Elizabeth, “what a wonderful sister you have raised, for she is delightful! I cannot wait until she comes out, for we shall have so much enjoyment in society together!”

  It was a patently absurd statement, not only because Miss Darcy was not at all fond of Miss Bingley, but because of her general reticence in company. Mr. Darcy, Elizabeth noted, did not agree with Miss Bingley on that subject, but he answered her nonetheless.

  “Thank you, Miss Bingley. I am proud of her too.”

  As Miss Bingley began to dominate more of the conversation, Elizabeth excused herself, grinning at the gentleman and raising an eyebrow in Miss Bingley’s direction. The woman was too engrossed in her flattery to pay any heed to his grimace in response. Seating herself beside Jane, who sat with Miss Darcy, Elizabeth joined their conversation, though it was only a few moments before Jane excused herself to speak with her husband, who was watching his sister, his exasperation matching his friend’s.

  “Well, Miss Darcy,” said Elizabeth as her sister moved away. “It seems we have not had much of a chance for more than the briefest of greetings since you arrived.”

  “Miss Bingley is determined,” said Georgiana diplomatically. Her eyes found Miss Bingley again and she said: “It is often thus—her attention is on me until she feels she has lavished enough of it, then she can spare no attention for anyone other than William.”

  “Yes, well, you should expect more of it in the coming days, for having missed our meetings these past days, I do not think she will budge from this house until she has seen you or visited you.”

  Georgiana shook her head, the light of mischief lighting her eyes, she turned to Elizabeth. “Then shall we meet out of her sight? I love to walk in Hyde Park—perhaps we could do so together?”

  “Then, my dear Miss Darcy,” said Elizabeth in a mischievous tone, “we must do so in the correct way, for Miss Bingley has informed me of the need to be fashionable at all times. We must not walk where there is no one to see us, for the point of walking is to ensure others see us, is it not?”

  When Elizabeth reached the end of her speech, Georgiana was in stitches from the affecte
d tone she adopted to approximate Miss Bingley. “Loathe though I am to contradict our dear Miss Bingley,” said Georgiana, “I have no care at all for what society considers proper. If we walk during the fashionable hour, we shall be stopped so many times by acquaintances, we shall never obtain our exercise.”

  “And we will not come to know each other better as is our design,” replied Elizabeth, agreeing with her new friend. “Then when shall we meet?”

  A few moments of discussion later they set the time for the following morning, well before the fashionable hour. That decided, they settled into a pleasant visit. Though their conversation was often interrupted by the efforts of Miss Bingley, and Elizabeth noted the longing glances from the gentleman, Georgiana appeared more than willing to allow her brother to endure the woman’s officiousness.

  The following morning, Elizabeth informed her sister of her plans and departed the house with the footman in tow, her determined, quick stride taking her to the park. When she arrived, Elizabeth only waited a moment before Georgiana joined her, the footman accompanying her trailing behind. With a fond greeting, the two turned and began their constitutional, conversation flowing between them with little effort.

  “Do you have a set path you like to walk?” asked Elizabeth as they turned to make their way deeper into the park.

  “No, I meander,” replied Georgiana. She held up a small sack and added: “I have brought a little bread today and thought we could walk along the Serpentine.”

  Elizabeth laughed and agreed, noting: “The ducks will, I suspect, find our attendance agreeable.”

  The two girls made their way along the path, soon coming to the waterway, and proving Elizabeth’s suspicion, the ducks were eager to see them, appreciating the bounty they imparted. There were, Elizabeth noted, a few denizens who were more gluttonous than the others, who attempted to snap up every morsel the two ladies offered, which became a game, as they did their best to distribute what they had in an equitable fashion. None were happy when their supply of tasty tidbits was exhausted, but the girls took no notice and moved on, their conversation continuing apace.

  That conversation consisted of much information of a personal, family nature, for Elizabeth spoke of her family, her relations with her mother and sisters, and a little of her extended family, while Georgiana reciprocated and informed Elizabeth of her brother, her home, and her near relations. Of much interest to Georgiana was the relationship Elizabeth had with her mother, not having a frame of reference in her own life.

  “You do not get on with your mother?” asked she at one point, seeming uncomprehending of such a situation.

  “It is not that I do not get on with her,” replied Elizabeth. “It is only that Mama and I are very different. We do not have many traits in common, which means our opinions often clash and we have separate priorities. I believe Mama has always found me rather incomprehensible.”

  “That is strange, for I cannot imagine I would be anything other than the best of friends had I ever known my mother.”

  Elizabeth fixed her younger companion with a smile. “I imagine you would have been, Georgiana. But you must also remember that everyone is different and we do not agree always. Because you have never known your mother, you have an idealized image of her, but no one can be in complete agreement with another at all times. It is not possible.”

  It was clear to Elizabeth that Georgiana understood her assertions on an intellectual level but could not imagine the woman she idolized could be anything other than infallible. Elizabeth laughed and said: “Think of your closest female relation. Do you always get on with her?”

  “Aunt Susan is wonderful,” said Georgiana, “but you are correct—sometimes she vexes me.”

  “And your mother would be the same, no matter how much you love and respect each other.”

  “What is it like having sisters?” asked Georgiana, her tone a little wistful.

  “Sometimes it is great fun,” replied Elizabeth. “Jane is the dearest sister in the world, and she is the closest to me, both in age and affection. My relationships with my other sisters are not so close, though I esteem each in distinct ways.

  “In some ways, however, having sisters can also be vexing, for the same reason as any other relationship. It can be a trial, especially for the youngest. My second-eldest sister, Lydia, was particularly difficult, for she is older than everyone other than Mary, and never allowed her younger sisters to forget it. In truth, I am much more interested in what it is like to have an elder brother, for I always wished to have one.”

  “Oh, William is the best brother a woman could ask for,” said Georgiana. “My relationship with William may differ from most, for William is so much older than I and has had the responsibility of being my guardian since my father passed away.”

  “Having a devoted elder brother to see to my interests after Papa passed would have been welcome,” said Elizabeth, with some regret. “Instead, I had Mr. Collins, who should not be entrusted with the care of anyone.”

  Georgiana made a face. “I have never met Mr. Collins, but I have heard William speak of him. Fortunately, William is nothing like he is.” Georgiana paused and turned back to Elizabeth. “But surely your sister would not leave you to fend for yourself.”

  “No, Mary’s sense of duty is strong. However, remember I have never been close to Mary, though I will own our relationship became a little stronger in those months after Jane married. It is still not the same as having an elder brother.

  “Now, what of your parents?”

  Of her mother, Georgiana had little to say. “As I never knew her, I have no knowledge of her which I did not obtain through someone else’s perception. By all accounts, my mother was an excellent woman. Mama had several miscarriages between William and me, which might have accounted for her untimely death. Papa used to tell me she wished to have a large family. For whatever reason, she had difficulty carrying children.

  “As for Papa, he was an excellent man, though even more reticent than William—he was diligent, an excellent protector, yet he found it difficult to speak of his feelings.”

  “And your aunt and uncle?” asked Elizabeth, not thinking how Georgiana might construe her question until after she asked it.

  Georgiana did not bat an eyelash, though Elizabeth knew she had many asking after her titled relations for ulterior motives. “Aunt and Uncle are excellent people, and William and I are very fond of them. My aunt and my mother were the best of friends, even before their marriages. Aunt Susan has always looked after us since my father’s death. I owe her much.”

  Their conversation continued in this vein for some time, until the period of their outing had been exhausted. When they parted, Georgiana expressed her eagerness to welcome Elizabeth to her home two days hence. Then they parted with all the affection of new and eager acquaintances.

  Her thoughts full of the time she had spent with Miss Darcy, Elizabeth walked back to Mr. Bingley’s townhouse more slowly than her usual wont, the faithful footman trailing behind. When she arrived, she dismissed him and took herself in through the front door. It was there Elizabeth met Mr. Bingley’s sister and the woman further intruded on her peace.

  “Well, Eliza, I see you persist in this insistence to walk in the morning, of all times.” Miss Bingley paused and sneered. “And without an escort this time? My brother will be displeased with you.”

  “As I informed you before, Miss Bingley,” said Elizabeth, the patience she clung to in the face of this woman absent, “I do not care to walk during the fashionable hour. As for the footman, he went in through the servant’s entrance.”

  “And where did you go?”

  “Are you the inquisition?” asked Elizabeth, becoming annoyed with Miss Bingley’s persistent questions. “I apologize, Miss Bingley, for I do not believe I must account for my doings to you. However, in the interest of satisfying your raging curiosity, I will tell you that I walked in Hyde Park, as I often do.

  “Now, if you will excuse me, I
believe I should like to return to my room for a time.”

  It was fortunate Miss Bingley said nothing further, for the urge to snap at her was strong. When Elizabeth reached the comfort of her room, she submitted to Lucy’s ministrations while she set Elizabeth’s hair to rights, tucking in the few strands which had slipped from her coiffeur with an expertise which spoke of long practice. Then Elizabeth dismissed her with a smile and lay down on her bed for a time.

  Why Miss Bingley had affected her so at that moment, Elizabeth could not say, for she had always parried her attacks with humor rather than annoyance. Elizabeth wondered at the woman, for she had not questioned Elizabeth to that extent since their first conversation about Elizabeth’s propensity to walk. Elizabeth did not think she could know of Elizabeth’s outing with Georgiana, not that it would give her a moment’s concern if she did.

  Whatever the case may be, perhaps Elizabeth’s outburst would convince Miss Bingley it was best if she refrained from speaking to her. If at least she ceased her paltry attacks, Elizabeth would count it a victory.

  Lady Susan Fitzwilliam considered herself to be an observant woman, which was why her niece’s behavior intrigued her.

  “Miss Elizabeth Bennet, you say?” asked she when Georgiana dropped the name with far more enthusiasm than Lady Susan had seen from her in months.

  “Oh, yes, Aunt,” said Georgiana, her excitement spilling out in her words. “Miss Bennet is wonderful, the best friend I have ever had, and this after only knowing her for a week!”

  As Georgiana continued to speak, extolling this young lady to the heavens, Susan listened, amused to hear the girl’s delight and wondering at the effect of a young lady’s acquaintance, such as to render her reticent niece verbose. Susan had been Lady Anne Darcy’s closest friend, even before she had married Anne’s brother. As close as sisters—and closer than Anne’s true sister—they had married, borne children, lived their lives in each other’s company, sharing the highs and the lows, laughing, crying, loving, and sorrowing in each other’s lives.