The Companion Page 33

  “We are all different in essentials,” was Mr. Darcy’s reasonable response. “You possess some strengths that your sister does not, and the reverse is true. Do we not all feel inadequate at times, especially when confronted by the weaknesses in our characters?”

  “Perhaps we do, Mr. Darcy,” replied Elizabeth. “But Jane is so far beyond me—”

  Mr. Darcy rose from the bench, the surprise of his sudden action stopping Elizabeth in her pacing. She looked at him, wondering at the tenderness in his expression, the way he stepped forward and captured her hands in his own. Elizabeth did not think she could have pulled away from him if she had tried. She was captivated by his eyes, blue and deep as an ocean, which seemed to dive deeply into her own, seeing into the depths of her soul.

  “It seems to me, Miss Bennet, that you have often placed little value on your own contributions to your relationship with your sister. But anyone who sees Miss Bennet in your company must also see the importance she places on you. You may consider your sister to be all that is good, but she is no more perfect than anyone else. Can you not accept that you are just as good as she?”

  “I have never lacked confidence, Mr. Darcy.” Elizabeth paused and laughed. “I am sure you know this about me. It is not the thought that I lack worth that has unsettled me so. It is that Jane has claimed that she is in my shadow.”

  Mr. Darcy was silent for a moment, considering his next words. When he did speak, Elizabeth was forced to listen. “When Georgiana was almost imposed upon by Wickham, I felt as if I had failed her. I, who was duty bound to protect her, had almost lost her to a life of misery with a man I openly disdain. But this experience taught me that I was as dependent on her as she is on me. She has struggled with herself, trying to understand she has worth as a person, worth as a sister to a brother who is, after all, much older than she is. And she has said that she often feels like she cannot measure up to me, her elder brother.

  “I know our situations are not at all the same, Miss Bennet, but I am trying to say that we should never think our contributions less than they are. My sister provides me much of my joy in life, including a visible reminder of a mother I adored. She is the innocence in a world filled with much sorrow and hardship, and she is the one person who can often pull me from my sometimes black moods. You have much worth, Miss Bennet, not only to Jane and to Anne, but increasingly to Georgiana. You have worth to me. Do not dwell on this. Accept it as your due from a sister who obviously loves you and esteems you beyond price. The fact that such a good woman as your sister esteems you so much is evidence of your estimable nature. The reverse is also true. This is not something that needs to weigh you down. Let it go.”

  “I will try, Mr. Darcy,” Elizabeth found herself saying.

  “That is all anyone can ask.” He smiled at her. “Now, I know for a fact that Georgiana and Anne will soon wonder where you are. Shall we not return to the house?”

  Elizabeth agreed, and they soon found the entrance to Mr. Darcy’s house and made their way down the hall. Inside, Elizabeth found a sort of . . . peace—a calmness had come over her. She had not truly been distressed by her ruminations. She had been more shocked to learn of Jane’s feelings. But as Mr. Darcy had said, there was no reason to dwell on it or think of it in any way other than to be grateful that she had a wonderful sister who esteemed her so much. That, she decided, was something she would express to Jane when she was once again in her company.

  The sound of a voice with which she was not familiar alerted Elizabeth to the presence of at least one visitor in the house. She looked up at Mr. Darcy, wondering if he had known and had been sent to retrieve her—she was not certain any visitor would be so important that her presence would be required.

  It appeared Mr. Darcy took her look for the question it was, for he responded: “I was not aware of a caller, Miss Bennet, but it sounds like my aunt. I am certain she wishes to make your acquaintance.”

  His first words prompted Elizabeth to wonder if Lady Catherine had finally made an appearance in London, but then she realized he had another aunt. Although she had never met this one, Elizabeth wondered if she would not prove to be the more formidable.

  She was given no time to think on the subject, for they entered the room, and Elizabeth soon saw he was correct by the presence of an older woman, who was sitting and speaking in an animated fashion with Georgiana and Anne. She was a tall woman in the manner of Lady Catherine, dark hair greying throughout, but with kindly eyes, wearing an obviously expensive dress. Her eyes, when Elizabeth entered the room, fixed on Elizabeth, seeming to measure her, weigh her, as if trying to determine if Elizabeth was good enough to know her two nieces. Apparently, what she saw was acceptable, for she smiled at them both and gestured them forward while rising to meet them.

  “Darcy,” said she, regarding him with fond affection, “I see you have brought the young miss of whom I have heard so much. We were about to send a servant to fetch you.”

  “Aunt Susan,” said Darcy, his tone filled with a similar level of affection. “When did you arrive in London?”

  “Only last night, Darcy. Hugh has sent me letters, informing me of Anne’s situation and her friendship with, I assume, this young lady on your arm. I determined to come immediately, so that I could be introduced, if you would be so kind as to do the honors.”

  Without hesitation, Mr. Darcy agreed and performed the introductions, and Elizabeth soon found herself seated near the countess’s side. “As I have stated, I have heard much of you, Miss Bennet, and it appears the praise has not been overstated.”

  “I would not be so certain, Lady Susan,” replied Elizabeth, feeling unaccountably brave in the presence of this formidable woman. “I believe I have taken the measure of your husband and your younger son, and I can quite confidently state that they are both of mischievous dispositions. They may have told you falsehoods for the simple enjoyment of seeing you shocked by my impertinence.”

  Though Georgiana’s eyes widened at the playful way in which Elizabeth spoke to her aunt, Anne and Lady Susan both laughed. “Now, there is the impertinence I have been told to expect. And it quite as delightful as I suspected it would be!”

  “She is a treasure, is she not, Aunt?” asked Anne.

  “I can imagine how she livened your life, Anne,” replied Lady Susan with evident affection. Then she became serious again. “And I would like to second my husband’s apology to you, Anne, for not recognizing the situation and rescuing you. It appears we have much for which to atone.”

  “Nonsense, Aunt,” replied Anne, and the level look Lady Susan gave her suggested that she had never heard Anne speak in such a tone before. “I will tell you what I told my uncle—there is nothing to forgive. I did not even know that I wished to be rescued until Elizabeth showed me how to live.”

  “Still, it was unconscionable of us.” Lady Susan’s voice brooked no opposition. “In any case, I believe it is in our power to begin to make amends for our oversight and, indeed, to repay Miss Bennet in some small way.”

  Before the lady could continue, the door to the sitting-room opened and the housekeeper entered with Jane following behind. She entered and saw Lady Susan, and her face immediately assumed a rosy hue, suggesting embarrassment.

  “Jane!” cried Elizabeth, rising and going to her sister, catching her hands. “I am so happy to see you!”

  There must have been something in her tone which was different, for Jane cast her a questioning glance, eyes searching Elizabeth’s for some explanation. She soon remembered her manners, for she turned to Anne, who had also risen and approached.

  “I apologize, Anne—I did not know you were to have visitors today, or I would not have come.”

  Anne greeted Jane warmly. “Of course, you did not, and you would not have been admitted today, were you not welcome. Come in, Jane, for I should like to introduce you to my aunt.”

  Jane seemed to understand Anne’s meaning, for she paled at the mention of an a
unt, though she allowed herself to be led forward. Anne again provided the introductions, and Lady Susan declared herself delighted to make Jane’s acquaintance.

  “I believe I have heard of you as well, my dear,” said Lady Susan, “though my intelligence has only been gained today from Anne and Georgiana. But I am happy to make your acquaintance, as I understand you have become a friend of my nieces.”

  “And I am happy to make yours,” said Jane, speaking quietly as was her wont. “But I think it is Lizzy who has been of great service, to Anne, in particular.”

  “You are correct.” Rather than continue in that vein, Lady Susan seemed to understand the need to change the subject, which she did. “If you will forgive my saying so, though, there is something in the shape of your jaws which suggests familiarity, I might never have thought you sisters. You do not look at all alike.”

  “Aunt!” protested Anne, but Elizabeth and Jane only shared a smile.

  “We have often heard others say the same thing, Lady Susan,” replied Elizabeth. “My youngest and eldest siblings resemble each other closely, while we middle three are quite unlike them, though we look like each other.”

  Lady Susan turned a knowing smile on Mr. Darcy. “That is like your mother and Lady Catherine. Those who were introduced to them could hardly believe that they were related, let alone sisters.”

  “My mother was slight and blonde,” said Mr. Darcy to Jane and Elizabeth. “Georgiana resembles her closely. Lady Catherine is both much larger of stature, dark of hair, and her face does not resemble my mother’s at all.”

  The conversation continued for some moments, and Elizabeth looked on with interest. It seemed like Lady Susan was much more open than Lady Catherine could claim, though Elizabeth suspected that she could be as imperious as Anne’s mother. She was friendly and kind, though, two attributes which could not be ascribed to Lady Catherine.

  “Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth,” said Lady Susan at length, “the purpose for my call today was to meet you, though of course I had no notion of meeting you here, Miss Bennet. One of my closest friends, a Lady Harriet, is to host a ball. I am certain Darcy has already received an invitation, and I would like you all to attend, though I suspect he was thinking of declining it.”

  Mr. Darcy smiled at her words, which were accompanied by a raised eyebrow. “It is likely among the invitations my butler sets out for me, though I have not yet seen it.”

  “Then you must accept it, Darcy, for everyone in your house, as well as Miss Bennet.” Lady Susan turned back to the younger ladies. “I understand you have attended some events these past days since you have arrived in London?”

  “I have,” replied Elizabeth, intrigued by the welcome and acceptance she received from this woman. “But Jane has been staying with my uncle, and other than a few occasions in which we have met for outings, I do not think Jane has had much opportunity to attend.”

  “No, I have not,” replied Jane. “Please do not feel obliged to include me in the invitation, Lady Susan. Elizabeth is staying with Mr. Darcy—I am only staying with my aunt.”

  “Oh, I absolutely insist! It is the least I can do.” Lady Susan leaned in toward them, showing them a playful grin. “In fact, though Lady Harriet is everything that is lovely, I find most of those who consider themselves to be of high society to be absolute bores. I am sure your presence will make it much more interesting.

  “Now,” continued the lady, “it is apparent to me that you both dress well, according to your station and situation, and my nieces inform me that you have attended at least one ball, and certain other events. This, however, will be a formal ball, and as such, you will require formal wear of a type you likely have not seen before in your home society. We shall need to shop before the night of the ball, and as it is merely two weeks away we shall be required to do it quickly.”

  “I am not sure—”

  “It will do you no good to try to gainsay me, Miss Elizabeth,” replied Lady Susan, and though her voice was firm, the wink she directed at Elizabeth suggested that at least some of her firmness was nothing more than jesting. But Elizabeth did not think they would be able to wriggle out of it either. “We shall go to my modiste to have some appropriate gowns made up for you.”

  “Elizabeth has already met Madam Fournier, Aunt!” said Georgiana, as she bounced with excitement.

  “She has?” asked Lady Susan, turning her gaze on Elizabeth with some interest.

  “We had some new gowns made up when we first came to London,” replied Anne. “Elizabeth had a few made, but I had little appropriate for society in London.”

  “I am shocked,” murmured Lady Susan in a dry tone. The other ladies laughed.

  “Then it is well that she already knows you, Miss Elizabeth,” continued Lady Susan.

  “She also knows Elizabeth’s uncle!”

  “Oh?” asked, Lady Susan, turning back to Georgiana, her eyes demanding the story. Georgiana was only too happy to oblige.

  “That is quite interesting, indeed,” said Lady Susan. She turned back to Elizabeth and Jane. “Do you think your uncle would mind if we visited his warehouses again?” Lady Susan chuckled. “If we could dress you in something spectacular, I am certain it would cause great jealousy in the ladies present. It would turn their thoughts from questions of your origins to your dresses.” The lady smiled kindly. “I am certain you are already aware that many look down on those who do not normally attend the season in London. If we can distract them, it would be to your benefit.”

  “I did not receive any negative attention when I attended the last ball with Mr. Darcy,” protested Elizabeth.

  “But that was given by my friend’s wife, and those who were invited were well known to him,” interjected Mr. Darcy. “Lady Susan is quite right. Though your comportment is exemplary, you can hardly hope to avoid impertinent questions, especially from some of those who will attend a ball that Lady Harriet Greenwood hosts, for there will be a much greater variety of people there.”

  “I am certain my uncle will oblige us,” said Jane.

  “Excellent. Now, Miss Bennet, if you will speak to your uncle and send a note to your sister to confirm, I would be much obliged. We can then make our plans for our outing. We should not leave it too long, as we must allow time for Madam Fournier to finish our dresses, but a few days should do no harm.”

  Thus, it was settled. For her part, Elizabeth decided there was no need to continue her protestations, for it appeared like Lady Susan was as accustomed to having her own way as Lady Catherine was.

  When her aunt left Darcy house that day, Anne was left with a little bemusement at the expression on the Bennet sisters’ faces. Jane, it was clear, had never met someone so forceful as the countess and was taken aback. For Elizabeth’s part, Anne thought she was bursting at the seams to make some witty comment. She did not disappoint.

  “Your aunt is as much of a force of nature as your mother, is she not?”

  “Lizzy!” gasped Jane, turning a censorious look on her sister. Anne, however, just laughed.

  “Indeed, she is. But Aunt Susan is much more diplomatic and much less forceful about it than my mother.” Anne paused and attempted to give the impression of deep thought—Jane watched her, seeming almost fearful of what she would say, while Elizabeth was not fooled in the slightest. Instead, she watched Anne with amused anticipation.

  “In fact, one might almost suggest the difference between them to be Aunt Susan’s conviction that she is assisting and doing her best to make others happy—my mother possesses the same conviction, but in her meddling, it does not concern her if those she is ‘helping’ are made happy in the process.”

  “Oh, Anne,” said Mr. Darcy, shaking his head. His tone might have suggested displeasure, but Anne was certain he was feeling more than a little enjoyment in their banter.

  It was clear that Jane did not quite know how to respond, and though Georgiana knew both women intimately, Anne thought it was beyond
her to direct any criticism at either. Elizabeth, though was diverted by the hint of sardonic amusement in Anne’s observations. And well she should be—Elizabeth was responsible for it, to a certain extent.

  “You must not listen to us, Miss Bennet,” said Anne. “I am still fond of my mother, though considering her behavior, I am not certain she deserves it. My characterization of her is not far off the mark.”

  “I hope you are reconciled with her someday,” replied Jane.

  “Thank you,” replied Anne. She attempted to give every indication of sanguinity, but inside she was feeling a hint of gloom—she hoped very much her mother would eventually bend her stiff neck, for Anne had no desire to be estranged from her forever.

  It was not long before Jane took her leave, and Anne expressed her pleasure at the prospect of seeing her again for dinner only a few days later. At the same time, Georgiana was called away by Mrs. Annesley to spend the rest of the morning in her studies.

  “You have invited the Gardiners to dinner again?” asked Darcy, turning his gaze on Anne with mild interest.

  “Yes, we have,” replied Anne, keeping her voice as nonchalant as she could. “I enjoy their company, and Elizabeth has not had much chance to see her relations. I know you and Fitzwilliam enjoy Mr. Gardiner’s company as well.”

  “We do, indeed,” replied Darcy. “I shall be happy to continue my acquaintance with them.”

  This last he said with a smile at Elizabeth, which was returned in full—one of the first true, warm smiles Anne had ever seen Elizabeth direct at him, though she had been warming to him of late. It was time, Anne decided, to test Darcy’s newfound complacency.

  “In fact, since we have so many good friends nearby,” said Anne, “I took the liberty of inviting Mr. Bingley and his family to dine with us as well. I am quite certain we will be a merry party, indeed.”

  Anne was quite impressed with her cousin. Darcy did not bat an eyelash, did not so much as blink when she informed him of her plans. What he was thinking, she was not certain, but she thought there was a measure of trepidation in the depths of his eyes.