“Father, I do hope all goes well.”
“Have no fear, Elizabeth. If this husband of yours is as excellent as you think he is, he will have done everything required of him.”
Elizabeth closed her eyes as she wondered what her father’s opinion of Fitzwilliam truly was and whether he thought him excellent enough for her.
“Father, you will treat him kindly, even if he was not able to accomplish all you expected him to, will you not?”
He looked at his daughter and smiled. “Fear not, Lizzy. By the time we return to Longbourn, I am quite sure he and I shall be the best of friends.”
With that, he climbed into the carriage, and it pulled away. Elizabeth enjoyed her father’s wit and was usually quite capable of discerning whether he was being serious, mocking, or sarcastic, but now, when his words spoke of someone she loved, she found it difficult to know his true feelings.
Later that morning, Elizabeth was delighted to receive an invitation from Miss Darcy to join her at Netherfield in the afternoon. Elizabeth looked forward to removing herself from the house and her mother’s continued emotional outbursts.
When the carriage arrived from Netherfield, Elizabeth and Jane enjoyed the ride over together. They both were grateful for the quiet and solitude of the short journey.
“Oh, Jane! Will Mother ever see reason? Can she not see the folly in her wishes that Lydia marry Wickham?”
“She has been taken in by him as much as Lydia was, Elizabeth. A man in a red coat, unfortunately, holds more credibility to her than a respectable man such as Mr. Darcy.”
“That ought to change soon enough when he and I inform her we are married. Only then, I believe, will his wealth sway her opinion of him for the better.”
“When will you tell her, Lizzy?”
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and clasped her hands tightly together. “Most likely when he and Papa have both returned from London.” She looked down, but lifted one eyebrow as she looked up at Jane. “But, most assuredly, not when William is present. I can only imagine how she will behave once she finds out, and I do not wish to be mortified in his presence by her actions.” Elizabeth tilted her head and smiled at her sister, reaching out and taking her hand. “Remember when she found out about you and Mr. Bingley?”
The two sisters laughed, and the carriage pulled up at Netherfield.
As they stepped out of the carriage, Elizabeth’s heart beat a little nervously. The first time she met Miss Darcy, it was quite unexpected, and she was enamoured of the sweet young girl. Now they would be meeting as sisters and she only desired to make it a rewarding occasion for each of them.
They were ushered into the sitting room where Mr. Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Miss Darcy were having afternoon tea.
Miss Bingley did not notice Elizabeth at first, as she was diligently leaning in to Miss Darcy, engaging her in what appeared to Elizabeth to be a one-sided conversation. All eyes turned to the two sisters as they were announced, followed by a most exasperated glare by Miss Bingley.
Miss Darcy stood up. “Miss Bennet… I am so pleased you could come. It is good to see you again.”
Miss Bingley looked from Elizabeth to Miss Darcy and back again to Elizabeth. The expression on her face was one of great astonishment. Elizabeth could only imagine her desperation in attempting to determine why Mr. Darcy’s young sister had sent for her and how they had already come to be acquainted.
Miss Bingley, in an attempt to recover from her surprise, quickly stood and offered—as hostess of Netherfield—a greeting. “Good day, Miss Bennet, Miss Eliza.” She promptly informed them, “Miss Darcy and I were having such a pleasant conversation. She and I have had a long, close acquaintance.”
“I hope I did not disturb you,” Elizabeth said apologetically and walked up to the young girl.
“No… no,” stammered Georgiana and tentatively reached out for one of Elizabeth’s hands. “We were merely having afternoon tea.”
As Miss Bingley witnessed the interchange between Elizabeth and Miss Darcy, she felt another long-held hope within her fade. The friendship that she was trying to nurture between herself and the young Miss Darcy was being snatched out of her hands by none other than Miss Elizabeth Bennet. It did not escape her notice how the girl’s face lit up when she saw Elizabeth walk in.
She no longer felt hospitable, no longer wished to entertain Jane and her brother, and only wished to leave this insufferable room, these insupportable people, and this intolerably unpleasant neighbourhood!
Miss Bingley was grateful to be relieved of her duties as hostess and any further hospitable pretence when Georgiana asked Elizabeth if she would accompany her for a walk of the grounds.
Elizabeth cheerfully agreed.
As Elizabeth walked out with Georgiana, she felt the young girl’s arm tighten around hers. Elizabeth looked at her and noticed the tense look upon her face. “I hope I did not arrive at an inopportune time.”
“Oh no. In fact, your arrival was most timely. I do not think I could bear another minute of Miss Bingley’s gruelling conversation.”
Elizabeth smiled and patted her hand. “I understand completely, Miss Darcy.”
Georgiana turned to Elizabeth. “Please call me Georgiana.”
“And you must call me Elizabeth.”
As the two walked, Elizabeth noticed Georgiana glance toward her several times, as if about to speak, but saying nothing. Elizabeth remained silent, giving her an occasional encouraging smile, hoping to hearten the young, shy girl to speak.
Finally, Georgiana spoke the words she had been longing to say. “May I say, Elizabeth… that I have always longed to have a sister. I am especially delighted that you and Fitzwilliam are married. I could not ask for a finer sister.”
Elizabeth smiled warmly at her. “I am most pleased to have you as my sister, as well.”
Georgiana looked down nervously. “But then you already have four sisters.” Georgiana said this almost apologetically.
“Oh, Georgiana. But none are like you. You shall be a special sister to me, indeed!” Elizabeth wrapped one arm around Georgiana’s shoulder and gave it a tender squeeze.
Georgiana smiled. She had so much she wanted to say to Elizabeth and wondered if she could put into words her thoughts and feelings.
They walked in silence for a while and Elizabeth recognized that their steps were taking them down the same path she had walked with William when she was at Netherfield. When they came to the pond, they both stopped and looked out over it. Elizabeth sensed something was weighing heavily on Georgiana and let time and silence be her ally.
At length, Georgiana spoke. “My brother informed me of the reason for his leaving so abruptly for London.”
This time it was Elizabeth’s turn to look down as she recoiled at the thought of Lydia’s unspeakable behaviour. “He told you, then, of my youngest sister’s actions?”
Georgiana nodded, “Yes.”
Elizabeth pursed her lips together. “Unfortunately, Lydia seems to have made a very reckless decision.”
When she glanced at Georgiana, she noticed her draw back and look down. Elizabeth could not miss the scarlet that spread over her features.
“Georgiana?” Elizabeth leaned in to her. “What is it?”
Georgiana’s eyebrows pinched together, and Elizabeth, still holding her arm, felt her shiver. The younger girl looked away and then emboldened herself to look back at the lady who was now her sister.
“Elizabeth, there is something my brother did not tell you. He thought it would be best if I tell you rather than himself.”
“What is it, dearest sister?”
Georgiana looked up and feebly smiled at the endearing words. “I am guilty, as Lydia is, of running off with the intention to elope earlier this year.”