Page 54 of When Elizabeth Said Yes

Miss Bingley did not look happy at the turn of events, but then Elizabeth doubted she would be about anything tonight. After all, had she not wanted to secure Darcy for herself? It had certainly seemed that way when they had last met.

The giggling of Jane at the far end of the table caught Elizabeth’s attention, and she turned her head, as did her dining companions, to see her sister absolutely glowing in conversation with Mr Bingley.

Elizabeth could not help but smile. So Mr Darcy had spoken to him, clearly. And there was another situation that Miss Caroline Bingley would not be pleased about.

But she, Elizabeth, was very pleased about it indeed.

◆◆◆

After dinner, they retired to the drawing room, the gentlemen only briefly lingering over port, as both Darcy and Bingley were keen to return to the party. And Hurst, whilst not particularly bothered, did not want to be left alone.

All of the ladies were sitting down conversing. Elizabeth, Jane, Georgiana and Miss Bingley had their hands folded in their laps and were making what looked like strained conversation, whereas Lydia and Kitty were waving their fans around and chattering excitedly.

Darcy’s eyes found Elizabeth and hers met his, and she smiled at him at the same moment he smiled at her.

Then his eyes flickered over to Georgiana, and he noticed she looked uncomfortable.

He frowned. She had seemed so happy at dinner.

"Good evening, ladies," Bingley said. "You must enlighten us as to the topic of your conversation, so we may join in. We could not bear to be apart from you for too long."

Caroline smiled and nodded her head. "I was inquiring after the regiment that had been stationed at Meryton when we were last here," she said. "There was an officer you were rather fond of, was there not, Miss Bennet?"

She said it looking at Elizabeth, whose eyes widened and cheeks flushed red.

Darcy felt anger and jealousy thrumming through his veins at such a thought, but he hoped it did not show on his countenance. After all, she was going to be his wife. A previous interest hardly signified.

"We were all very fond of the officers," Mrs Bennet interrupted.

For once, it seemed like she was trying to smooth things over. Darcy was grateful.

"And indeed, very sad when they announced their intention to depart in the spring. Mr Wickham insisted they will return next winter, but alas, we have no such date."

Wickham.

The word sent ice through Darcy’s veins, and he immediately looked at his sister.

Had the reprobate’s name been mentioned before he had entered the room? That would explain why she looked uncomfortable.

"Ah, yes, Mr Wickham," Caroline repeated, clearly delighting in the conversation. "I believe everyone thought he would offer for you, Miss Eliza. But," she said with a cold chuckle, "clearly it is better that he did not – for you anyhow."

Chapter Thirty-One

Miss Bingley really was dreadfully unpleasant, Elizabeth thought to herself, feeling her cheeks flaming, even though she had done nothing wrong.

There had been a brief flirtation between herself and Wickham, yes, she supposed there had. But nothing had come of it. The man flirted with everyone. She had no reason to expect their flirtation would mean something more.

Elizabeth noticed that beside her, Miss Darcy seemed very uncomfortable with the conversation. Elizabeth could not imagine why, but she was quite happy to continue to move the conversation on, both for her own benefit and for that of Miss Darcy.

"Shall we play a duet, Miss Darcy?" Elizabeth asked, smiling at the young girl. "I am sure I am not as talented as you are, but hopefully I can hold my own enough that I won’t bring down your playing."

Georgiana smiled at her. "I am sure you play beautifully," she said, and she got up and followed her to the pianoforte.

Kitty and Lydia were still wittering on about the soldiers and how sad it was that they would soon be leaving Meryton, but Elizabeth thought it was probably a good thing, for they caused too much excitement. Too many chances for the younger Bennet sisters to make names for themselves as flighty and flirtatious, neither of which would help them or their sisters find suitable husbands.

Why, it would not do for them to have bad reputations from such a young age, simply because they could not help but be silly, would it?

Jane joined them at the piano in order to turn the pages of the music, and together they played the piece prettily enough. Elizabeth thought she fumbled a few times, but she thought it was not too noticeable, especially thanks to Miss Darcy’s excellent playing, which was, as everyone had said, quite remarkable.