Page 61 of What Change Entails

“I think officers improve every assembly,” Lydia continued. “Do you not?”

She wrinkled her nose in disdain. “I seldom attend assemblies for military decoration.”

“No?” Lydia leaned forward. “Then how do you choose whom to dance with?”

Mrs. Hurst hid a laugh in her teacup.

Miss Bingley’s smile narrowed a degree. “By discernment, naturally.”

“How exhausting.”

Georgiana ducked her head quickly beside Lydia, one hand pressing against her mouth.

Darcy’s attention shifted to his sister. The expression on his face nearly made Lydia laugh herself.

Miss Bingley recovered smoothly. “Discernment becomes easier with experience in superior society.”

Lydia smoothed her gown with pretended nonchalance. “Then I fear I shall remain ignorant forever.”

Elizabeth gave her a warning look. Lydia ignored it thoroughly.

Dinner proved worse. Or better, depending upon one’s affection for disorder.

Miss Bingley positioned herself beside Darcy with the confidence of long habit and began discussing acquaintances from London whom nobody else present had met. Georgiana spoke very little. Every time she attempted to enter conversation, Miss Bingley either answered for her or redirected the topic.

Lydia began counting. By the soup course she had reached seven interruptions. By the fish course she abandoned counting because it became irritating.

“Georgiana plays astonishingly well now,” Miss Bingley informed the table. “Though she remains painfully shy of displaying her accomplishments.”

“I am not shy exactly,” Georgiana said. “I simply dislike performing before strangers.”

Miss Bingley spoke condescendingly. “My dear, you always say that.”

Lydia set down her fork. “You do not dislike performing for me,” she said. Every eye at the table settled upon her.

Georgiana stared.

“Well,” Lydia continued, perfectly willing to continue making matters worse, “you played yesterday and did not expire afterward.”

A twitch appeared near Mr. Darcy’s mouth.

Miss Bingley addressed Lydia with polished patience. “Miss Lydia, intimacy among ladies of long acquaintance differs greatly from public display.”

“But we are intimate already,” Lydia replied. “Are we not, Georgiana?”

Georgiana hesitated for but a moment. Then amusement touched her features. Just as quickly, she attempted to suppress it and appeared faintly appalled by her own amusement.

“I believe we are becoming so,” she answered.

“Precisely.” Lydia reached for bread. “Therefore, she ought to play what she likes and ignore everyone else.”

Miss Bingley addressed Mr. Darcy. “Miss Darcy’s young friend possesses very original opinions.”

Mr. Darcy sliced his meat with precision. “Miss Lydia rarely lacks opinions.”

“I consider silence unhealthy,” Lydia informed the table. I believe I shall call him Darcy from now on, just to irritate Miss Bingley.

Mr. Hurst shifted his focus from his wine for the first time in several minutes. “Depends entirely upon the company.”