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The Bennet ladies were finding themselves enjoying a congenial gathering in the Netherfield morning room.

Once Mr. Darcy had departed, almost all the ladies had gathered to talk and do minor projects.

The gregarious companionship thrilled Georgiana.

She had just returned from helping to teach the class with Mary, and William had insisted they use his carriage and a footman, which enabled them to pick up Kitty and Lydia on their way back.

It had been a splendid morning full of new insights and giggle fits.

She had never had sisters, and she yearned to have these sisters as her own.

Across from where she sat with Mary and Kitty, Lydia sat chatting with Mrs. Ansley and Mrs. Hurst, working on a project and seeming to have a good time.

Lizzie and Jane sat with their mother by the fire speaking of something that had embarrassed Lizzie because her cheeks had turned a decided shade of pink.

“What do you think they are talking about over there that has Lizzie so pink?” Leaning over to whisper to Mary and Kitty to not be overheard, Georgiana’s eyes danced with glee.

“I have a feeling that Mama realized Lizzie is rather fond of your brother, or possibly that he is fond of her. I suspect we may hear some kind of announcement about them soon.” Mary grinned.

“I have suspected that my brother was fond of Lizzie for some time, but when did you realize Lizzie was just as smitten?” Georgiana asked.

“Elizabeth was walking in the garden with Mr. Darcy the other day. Mama and Jane were there, along with Mr. Bingley. Jane said that Lizzie and Mr. Darcy had been walking and talking when Lizzie said something so funny that he burst out laughing. Jane said she was so taken by his laugh and previously unknown dimples that she tripped and fell over her feet,” Mary admitted with a straight face, though after a moment, her eyes were dancing with humor.

Kitty, sitting beside her, covered her mouth with her hands but could not prevent her giggle from escaping.

Georgiana gave in to her mirth and joined her.

It was to this hilarity that Caroline Bingley entered the room.

She had spent the last forty-eight hours confined to her room, not by force but by her choosing.

Her indignant attitude grew with every minute.

Who was her brother to say that her behavior was unacceptable?

He had not clawed his way up the social ladder the way she had.

He did not understand the way you had to fight to get what she had.

She had screamed. Then she had raged. She had broken things and yet he had not come to apologize.

She came down this morning and sat in the parlor, determined to restore her authority in her family. Only she was alone. No one joined her to apologize for how they had not supported her. It was the peals of laughter that alerted her they had gathered elsewhere.

When she entered the room, she saw the three merry groups chatting.

The younger girls were laughing so hard they were wiping tears out of their eyes.

Mrs. Bennet and Mrs. Ansley looked on with indulgent smiles.

Why did no one look at her like that? They punished her the last time she had laughed at finishing school.

She had not laughed since. A lady never raised her voice and never laughed in public.

Why did everyone flout the rules that she had learned?

Caroline grimaced, looking around the room with disdain.

Why would anyone want to stay in such an unfashionable room?

“Georgiana, dear, though commoners and peasants express emotions in unseemly manners, people of a higher class do not. I would have thought that your companion would have explained that to you.”

The silence in the room was complete and abrupt. Expressions ranged from hurt to vexation. Around the room, eyes met, and they held silent conversations between one blink and the next.

A slight frown graced Mrs. Ansley’s face.

“Indeed, it is not correct to laugh excessively in formal settings. A contained giggle is acceptable in even the most formal of places, such as Almack’s.

Beyond that, in a private home among friends and equals, laughing is both acceptable and healthy.

” She spoke up to clarify what sounded like a horrible teaching at a finishing school.

She did not want her charge to get the wrong impression or become overly reserved.

Mrs. Ansley felt that the Bennet girls were a wonderful influence and most likely would soon be sisters to Georgiana.

Caroline stared, mouth agape. “Do you consider yourself our equal? You are a companion. What do you think you are doing to correct me?” She stared the older woman down, though she was not bad looking.

Her clothes were very plain, with practically no lace at all.

The shades may have complemented her coloring, but they were not at all popular this season.

“As you have never asked, you do not know that I am the daughter of a baron. By birth, I am far above you, so no, we are not on equal standing socially. As a companion to Georgiana, part of my job is to inform her of socially acceptable behaviors for her to navigate her entry into society. I was merely correcting an untruth that you had exposed her to. For what it is worth, I question both the method and the lessons they taught you at that school of yours.” Mrs. Ansley pitied the poor girl who stood in front of her.

The life she had chosen would be very cold and lonely.

Though there was still hope that she would see the light.

Caroline marched over to her sister and glared at the youngest Bennet chit. Lydia was in the spot that she would normally be in. How dare she be so presumptuous? Caroline turned her glare on her sister and all but shouted at her. “Louisa, sister, why are you not speaking up for me?”

“I have long allowed you to say and do what you wish. When Mother and Father died along with Nathan, I was so afraid. I felt the need to make sure all the family I had left were happy, so I supported you in what you asked. Only I am waking up to the fact that my actions have made no one happy. I have not been happy. My husband has been decidedly unhappy at my insistence to give in to you. Charles has not been happy and you, the sister whom I love, are not happy. I will no longer bow to your wishes because I feel in the long run, you will benefit from learning some hard truths. One of those truths is that I will absolutely not support you in being snide and cruel. I like all the people in this room, and I will not let you act as you have in the past. If you would like, you can sit here with Lydia and me. We have been having a very pleasant conversation.” Louisa was nearly overwhelmed with relief once she had finished her speech.

She had felt this way for some time, but had not felt up to the challenge.

Caroline stood in shock, unable to process this revelation.

How had she never known that her sister held her views in such derision?

Indecision rendered her immobile. If she proceeded as she always did, she would respond with some cutting remark and leave.

But would that mean losing her relationship with her sister?

She just could not understand it all. Why had everything changed when they came here?

“I am suffering from a headache. I will return to my room.” Turning, she left to contemplate how her world was shifting. She needed to understand and find a way to proceed.

Mrs. Ansley felt pity for the obviously confused girl.

Her work as a companion allowed her the experience to recognize just how miserable she was.

Girls that unhappy often lashed out. “She seems very unsettled. I am hoping she will eventually recognize the value of kindness. It makes for a much more gratifying life.” She knew it would be a hard road to travel.

Darcy entered a more subdued morning room not that much later.

For as baffled as he felt from his interaction with Mr. Bennet, he was still remarkably glad to see the smile light up Elizabeth’s face when he entered the room.

He decided right then to save his thoughts about her father’s problem for another time.

For now, he was going to enjoy his time with a most remarkable woman.

“How does my lovely lady do in my absence?” Darcy queried, reaching out and taking her hand to kiss it with a flourish.

“Oh dear, I did not know purple and green were considered lovely or I would have tried a new beauty regimen long ago.” Elizabeth’s eyes danced, her pert smile in full use.

Georgiana giggled. She loved seeing her brother’s dimples on full display, and to finally see him smiling after so long was a wonderful thing. “I see how it is between you two. Do you have something to tell us, brother?”

“Yes, but I think luncheon is ready. Maybe we can discuss it over our meal?” Darcy delayed the inevitable.

He had no issue revealing the relationship but was uncertain how to keep from telling everyone about Mr. Bennet’s awful behavior.

Squeezing Elizabeth’s hand, he raised his eyebrows, questioning her desire to explain things here or after a soothing meal.

“I would be delighted to have you escort me to my meal. I find myself quite famished.” Standing, she wrapped her good arm around his and leaned her head on his shoulder.

Though unaccustomed to having such positive male attention, she was finding it something she enjoyed.

It would hurt nothing to leave everyone in suspense.

It would surprise Elizabeth if they could not figure things out on their own with the way she and Mr. Darcy were acting.

“It would be my pleasure, my sweet. You never know. You may very well find yourself in need of my services once again,” Darcy commented, enjoying the memory of the time they spent at breakfast.