Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

D arcy could not say why he failed to spare himself the degradation of revealing what had happened in today’s catastrophic attempt at reunion. Perhaps it was the sincerity of interest in his sister’s tone, or perhaps he was so tired of talking to his reflection that he availed himself of the first pair of listening ears.

At least she did not begin a rant on the subject of the inferiority of Elizabeth’s family, as his cousin would have. He was the only one who had a right to those opinions.

“How will you discover her uncle’s name and direction?”

He shrugged. “My solicitors will do that part. I do not imagine that it will be overly difficult for them.”

“No, but it will take some time. Do the Bingleys know it, do you think?”

He opened his mouth to deny the possibility, but could he be sure ?

“I am uncertain,” he admitted. “Mrs Hurst first mentioned them, or I would not know anything—she said he lives ‘somewhere near Cheapside’.” He hesitated. “I divulged nothing of the advent of my wedding to them—Elizabeth has an elder sister, whom Bingley was very taken with. I thought it best to remove him without implying that our connexion would soon be furthered.”

“You did not like her sister?”

“I did. She is a sweet girl who conducts herself well. Bingley is very young, however. He is forever falling in love, and then out again.”

“One of these times, he must fall in love and stay there. Why not when he has met a young lady of whose comportment you approve?”

“I did not think she was especially taken with him. The Bennets…their financial circumstance is limited, their estate entailed upon Mr Collins. He claims he wishes to marry Miss Elizabeth, and certainly he would have her parents’ blessing.”

“Mr Collins…Lady Catherine’s vicar?”

Darcy’s lip curled in contempt. “The very same. Miss Jane Bennet is obligated by those considerations to show an interest in any eligible male. I would see Bingley more happily settled than that.”

“She only wants his money, then?”

“She—” he began, and then paused. “That is the harshest way of putting it. Due to a chance fever, she stayed several days at Netherfield, and I had ample opportunity to observe her. Her look and manners were open, cheerful, and engaging, but without any symptom of particular regard, and though she received his attentions with pleasure, she did not invite them by any participation of sentiment.”

“And due to financial considerations, Miss Bennet must answer all marriage proposals, no matter who from, with a resounding ‘yes’.”

“I do not say she is as mercenary as you imply, but she would be under tremendous pressure to comply with any good offer.”

“Miss Elizabeth is not bound by those same considerations? How do you know whether her sentiments ‘participate’ with yours?”

“I am not stupid. I can tell when a woman is truly in love.”

“But Mr Bingley is stupid? He cannot tell?”

“He is young,” Darcy snapped, wishing she would go away now.

“How old is Miss Elizabeth?”

“Just turned twenty.”

“So, younger than Mr Bingley. But still you are certain she is not stupid?”

“Your sarcasm is most unappreciated.”

Georgiana sighed. “I do not mean to be sarcastic. It just seems as though you have made quite a lot of assumptions. However, I am the one, certainly, who has been proved well and truly stupid, and have little right to comment upon the intelligence of any other. Perhaps Mrs Annesley and I shall call upon Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst tomorrow, and discover what they do or do not know?”

Darcy gave his sister a long look. It was very soon to trust her again, and Fitzwilliam would not like her leaving the house without him, but the idea of going himself to pay a morning call upon the Bingleys, of enduring Miss Bingley’s attentions, was an awful one. Besides, the colonel was not here to help as a chaperon, was he? And there was Mr Collins, Elizabeth’s family’s choice, waiting in the wings and hoping, obviously, for an opening, a chance to purloin his bride.

“Perhaps you shall,” was all he replied.

Georgiana had always liked Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst; they showed her a great deal of affection. She enjoyed the fawning, she could admit, even if it was excessive at times. But the best part of their acquaintance had always been that she was not required to make much polite chatter—never a talent of hers—for they assumed the bulk of the task.

It was no advantage this time. They rattled on, quite willing to both ask and answer their questions, giving her no openings for a topic of her own.

How was it that I never noticed this? They assume I am a child, with not a thought of my own to converse about. It is my fault they think it.

Mrs Annesley nodded encouragingly at her. Georgiana had hated the woman barely a month ago, thinking her strict and rigid and old-fashioned, and then had shamelessly lied to her in order to elope. When she was first returned to Pemberley, she had assumed that the subtle punishments of belittling insult once inflicted by Mrs Younge would begin. They never did. Mrs Annesley was a gentle soul wrapped in a refined exterior, who had managed to convey her disappointment without rancour, administering kindness instead of the deserved fury. Georgiana had begun, tentatively, to confide in her, finding her advice sensible.

Finally—albeit awkwardly—she managed a casual question to the sisters regarding the Bennets’ stay in their home during her brother’s visit to Netherfield. It was akin to dumping a bucket of cold water upon her hostesses. Mrs Hurst recovered quickly with a frown, but Miss Bingley sputtered with discomposure, “Why do you ask after that—that?—?”

Georgiana saw at once, by those words and their sour expressions, Miss Bingley’s hatred and Mrs Hurst’s disapproval. She was also quick to understand that she would get further in seeking information if she appeared to share the sisters’ opinions.

“My brother mentioned a Miss Elizabeth Bennet once, briefly, and there was something I did not understand in it, which sparked my curiosity. Distaste, perhaps? Was she vulgar, I wonder?”

It was certainly shades on the truth, but Georgiana did not hesitate to speak them. There are advantages to being not so virtuous as my brother.

“She is nothing but a country upstart,” Miss Bingley spat, though she subsided when Mrs Hurst gave her a pointed look.

“My sister exaggerates. While we were not, perhaps, much impressed by Miss Elizabeth, we likely did not see her at her best. She was quite worried over her elder sister at the time.”

Ah, she is cautious. She saw something in Fitzwilliam’s behaviour that revealed his feelings, whether he knew it or not. They do not like her, undeniably. Jealousy ?

“I understand from my brother that they are in town. Do you know where they reside?”

“Somewhere near Cheapside. It is not a good address,” Mrs Hurst answered quickly.

“I told you they would not know it,” Mrs Annesley chided Georgiana unexpectedly. She turned to the Bingley sisters. “Miss Darcy and I had a discussion about this. I have lived in town for several years—with Lady Matlock’s niece, you know. There are many fine addresses near Cheapside. Not so close, you understand, to the world of trade, although I suppose that, as the crow flies, it must seem near to those less familiar with town. I am certain the Bennets’ relations must live in one of those superior addresses, and not in sight of warehouses .” She pronounced the final word with a distinct disapproval.

“I have Miss Bennet’s card,” Miss Bingley eagerly rejoined. “She wrote her uncle’s address on it in her own writing. Believe me when I say their address is in the thick of commerce.”

Mrs Annesley stared with a doubtful expression that was, evidently, too much for Miss Bingley to resist. Abruptly she stood and flounced from the room, returning presently with a small card, which she handed over.

Mrs Annesley glanced at the card with an appropriate air of polite disinterest before returning it to their hostess. “Hmm. It seems I was incorrect, Miss Darcy. This address is very much in the heart of industry.”

Miss Bingley appeared pleased, but Mrs Hurst had grown quiet. Mrs Annesley expertly turned the subject to their opinions upon the fashions illustrated in the latest issue of La Belle Assemblée , displayed prominently on a side table. Both sisters entered with gusto into the discussions upon sleeves, and the visit ended very cordially.

Once safely ensconced in the Darcy carriage, Mrs Annesley sighed. “It was rather ham-handed of me, I think, to gain Miss Bennet’s direction so clumsily. I could not see any other means of learning it. Had you asked for it outright, I believe they would have demurred.”

“It was brilliant,” Georgiana replied. “I do not care if Mrs Hurst suspects we had purposes other than passing judgment upon the neighbourhoods of London. The important thing is that now we know where to discover the Bennet sisters! Do we not?” She glanced across at her companion.

“That we do.” Mrs Annesley smiled gently, and Georgiana felt a wave of gratitude towards the older woman, who had been so unexpectedly useful. The feelings were unfamiliar, but then, no longer was Davis whispering words of annoyance and suspicion regarding the companion. She had practically taught Georgiana to hate and distrust her.

Why did I listen to her? Why could I not make decisions about whom to depend upon for myself? Ruefully she recalled how Davis had known exactly what to say, how to intrigue her regarding men and their mysteries, and how wise and clever she had seemed—until after they had left for Scotland.

Had she not been so sympathetic, I never would have listened so easily. I was betrayed by those who I believed were my friends.

Her conscience would not remain in silent agreement with this conclusion, however.

Instead, it brought to her recollection how often George acted cruelly and hatefully. A niggling voice reminded her that every animal at Pemberley was better cared for than how he had treated her. You not only allowed it, you encouraged it, by remaining loyal to him, by ignoring his every bad behaviour, by doing exactly as he instructed you, every step of the way.