Page 45 of Elizabeth in Scotland (Elizabeth and Darcy Abroad #2)

Sitting with her sisters in the drawing room of Longbourn, Elizabeth suppressed a dull sigh.

She had been trying to read the same page of her book for the better part of an hour, but she could not seem to focus.

Her younger sisters sat near the hearth, discussing the ribbons they should each wear to the next assembly.

Mary was curled in the corner, reading a book of philosophy and remarking on its wisdom from time to time.

Jane sat on the settee near Mr Collins, pretending to embroider.

Oddly, she seemed carefully posed to display herself, even though Mr Collins was the only man in the room to admire her.

Elizabeth did not think she had applied one stitch to the embroidery hoop since they had come into the drawing room after breakfast.

Pain stabbed at her heart, for since the Netherfield Ball, matters between Jane and herself had gone from bad to worse.

Indeed, Jane had scarcely spoken to her over the passing days, and when she did, it was always in spite and derision.

Elizabeth’s heart was broken over the tattered relationship.

She and Jane had been so close only a few short months before, and yet…

The change in Jane had made Elizabeth wonder if she had ever truly known her sister at all.

Local gossip had brought Elizabeth one comfort: the knowledge that Georgiana had arrived in Hertfordshire.

It was unfortunate she had missed the Netherfield Ball, but with any luck, Mr Bingley might be persuaded to hold another party — perhaps a smaller affair — where Georgiana could meet their neighbours.

And then there were the public assemblies, which Georgiana would surely find diverting.

The question of how long they might have to wait before seeing each other was driving Elizabeth to distraction. She was eager to see her dear friend.

Biting her lip, Elizabeth admitted to herself that it was not only Georgiana she longed to see.

Much as she missed her friend, she could not deny that Georgiana’s older brother also featured in her thoughts.

Unsurprisingly, the gentlemen of Netherfield had not visited Longbourn since Jane’s horrid display at the party.

No doubt Mr Bingley had lost interest in Jane after what had happened and did not care to visit.

It was wise of him to stay away, for if he appeared at Longbourn, he would only get their mother’s hopes up again.

And Mr Darcy was such a loyal friend, likely he had stayed away in solidarity with Mr Bingley.

Yet Elizabeth could not be entirely easy. Was it not possible, even likely, that Jane’s outburst could have damaged the rapport between her and Mr Darcy? If he judged both sisters to be tarred with the same brush, she could hardly blame him.

Elizabeth sighed, fighting the temptation to fidget.

During Lady Lucas’ visit the previous day, she had informed them that Mr Darcy’s carriage had been seen arriving at Netherfield Park, and that a very fine young lady had alighted from the vehicle.

Georgiana would likely start making calls in a few days, after she had rested from her journey.

Everyone in Meryton was abuzz with the news, since Lady Lucas was the village busybody, and her mother’s favourite gossip from whom to extract news.

Lydia was propped at the window, looking out in a state of boredom since one could only talk for so long about ribbons, when she suddenly perked up.

She straightened, then looked over her shoulder at the rest of them.

“There is a carriage coming up the lane! It looks very fine.” She moved closer to the windowpanes, nearly pressing her nose against the glass.

“It is Mr Darcy’s carriage!” she exclaimed.

“And I daresay Miss Darcy has come to visit us already.”

“I assure you, it cannot be so,” Mr Collins said, standing up to more effectively loom over the Bennet sisters and assert his masculine authority.

Ignoring him, they quickly put the room to rights so they could all be seated again before their guests arrived.

“It must be the brother who comes to tell us she has arrived safely. Miss Darcy is a high-born lady — the niece of my esteemed patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. She would never vouchsafe us such an honour as to visit the very day after her arrival. No, ladies, it is certainly impossible, even if she learned of my presence here and wished to do honour to one her noble aunt had chosen to patronise.”

Elizabeth raised her hand to her mouth, covering a smile. She very much suspected that Georgiana had indeed come, being as eager for the reunion as Elizabeth was herself. But if Mr Collins chose to believe that he was the object of her visit, she would not disabuse him of the notion.

The parlour became a hubbub of activity as sewing projects, ribbons, and books were put away, and they all arranged themselves presentably on the chairs and settee.

Elizabeth’s heart pounded as she heard the housekeeper, Mrs Hill, answer the door.

The telltale sound of footsteps was heard coming down the corridor.

“Please, ladies, act with decorum,” Mr Collins said in a tone more carrying than perhaps he realised. “You must take great care not to embarrass your poor cousin before the niece of the noble Lady Catherine de Bourgh.”

Mrs Hill opened the door for their guests, and everyone rose.

“Mr Darcy and Miss Darcy, and Mr Bingley and Miss Bingley, ma’am,” Mrs Hill announced.

She curtsied quickly and stepped out of the way while their guests filed into the parlour.

Elizabeth blinked in surprise upon seeing Miss Bingley’s attire, for though it was only a morning visit, her gown was as grand as though she were to attend a ball.

She intended to humble the Bennet sisters with her wealth, perhaps, or to make a display of it for Mr Darcy — but if the latter, Elizabeth suspected she would be sadly disappointed.

Mr Darcy valued good sense and judgement above almost all else, and certainly above false show.

Jane seemed frozen with uncertainty, looking between Mr Bingley and Miss Bingley as though hardly knowing to whom she ought to speak first. Elizabeth waited for her sister with growing unease, for with Mrs Bennet absent, her older sister took precedence, and ought to be the one to welcome their guests.

At last, as the silence lengthened uncomfortably, Elizabeth stepped forward to act as hostess.

“How good of you to come and see us,” she said to Mr Bingley.

She then turned to Georgiana, who stepped forward eagerly and took her hands.

“It is so good to see you again, my dear friend. And you look as beautiful as ever!” she exclaimed.

Indeed, she seemed to have grown up even more in the weeks they had been parted.

“But where are my manners? Allow me to make the introductions.”

Elizabeth turned and welcomed their guests into the room.

“Mr Bingley, Miss Bingley, and Mr Darcy, you have already met everyone assembled, I believe. Miss Darcy, these are my sisters, Miss Jane Bennet, Miss Mary, Miss Kitty, and Miss Lydia.” Each lady bowed as she was introduced, with Georgiana gracefully returning the gesture.

“And this is my cousin, Mr Collins. He is a rector in Kent, and we are told that you have a connection through your aunt, Lady Catherine de Bourgh. I believe your parish is on the edge of Rosings Park, is it not, Mr Collins?” Elizabeth asked.

“It is indeed,” Mr Collins said and bowed low. “You honour us greatly with your visit so soon after your arrival, Miss Darcy,” he said obsequiously.

Elizabeth moved on quickly to make introductions between her parents, who had entered from the other door on the opposite side of the room. “Miss Darcy, this is my mother, Mrs Bennet, and you already know my father.”

“Yes, Mr Bennet. How good to see you after so many weeks.” Georgiana said. “I hope you have had the chance to add all the new species of insects you found in Scotland to your collection?”

“I have, Miss Darcy. It is good of you to remember.” He nodded to the rest of their guests, but Elizabeth knew he would not stay. Her father detested crowds and would much rather speak with Georgiana when the parlour was not so full. “I will show them to you if you like, perhaps on another visit?”

“I should like that very much, sir. Thank you,” she said, and pressed his hand before he excused himself and went back to the comfort of his library.

After the initial introductions, Mrs Bennet called for tea and refreshments.

Elizabeth sat down on the settee next to Georgiana and looked at the others curiously, wondering where they might place themselves.

Some, like Mr Darcy and Mary, simply chose the seat nearest where they stood, but others could not be so uncalculating.

Miss Bingley was quick to claim a seat in Mr Darcy’s line of sight, where she might most conveniently display herself.

Elizabeth would have thought her the most shameless in the room, had she not seen Jane eyeing Mr Bingley.

She took a seat near him, where an empty chair would have allowed him to sit nearest her, and looked a silent invitation at him.

Avoiding her gaze, Mr Bingley walked away with determined casualness to the far side of the room, where he took the place nearest Georgiana.

He did not avoid her gaze, but looked at her with so warm a smile that Elizabeth blinked in surprise.

Perhaps it was merely the smile a man would give to the younger sister of his dearest friend, but she did not think so.

It looked rather more like the smile of a man most warmly interested in the subject of his gaze.