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Elizabeth dressed and waited for dinner in her room, as Jane’s room was too warm because of the stoked fire at the recommendation of Mr Jones. An earlier conversation with Miss Bingley had been terse, and she felt the lady did not want her here. Of course, the woman was sweet as treacle when her brother was around. In visiting Jane, she had all but ignored her even though Elizabeth had tried to make conversation.

Dinner at Netherfield was not as chaotic as at Longbourn, which Elizabeth found a welcome change even with the occasional glare she received from her hostess. Mr Darcy, for the most part, was lost in thought. At the same time, Miss Bingley threw questions at him about such and such a person or a particular party he might have attended last season. His answers were brief and often monosyllabic. Mrs Hurst had the habit of fleshing out his answers if she knew other details. The two ladies all but ignored Elizabeth, which was fine with her. They had already shown her their true colors.

She did not hold it against Mr Darcy that he did not say a word to her, as the poor man could not get a moment’s peace between the two harpies. Jane would be shocked if she knew that is what she thought of her friends. Unlike her sister, she had a realistic view of people.

Next to her, Mr Hurst was more concerned with drinking and eating than conversation. He had plenty going into his mouth, but the only thing coming out were small grunts and other noises that she took denoted his enjoyment of the food. When he wanted a refill of his drink, he would waggle a finger at his glass to the footman. And only spoke to her once when she was picking at her second course.

“Do you not like ragout?” He exclaimed when he noticed her scraping the spice off her potatoes and beef as best she could. Elizabeth was startled at the unexpected question but took it in stride, as she knew he spent most of his time in town where such dishes were the current fashion.

“I do not find it objectionable, but admit I prefer my potatoes with a little salt and pepper, the meat as well. I never understood the desire to mask their natural taste.”

Mr Hurst looked at her in horror as if she had committed blasphemy. He went on to say a few times how preposterous her thoughts were before. With a sniff of disdain, he returned to his meal and ignored the culinary heathen next to him.

Mr Bingley, on the other hand, was attentive to her. He inquired about Jane’s health and comfort. Once he was satisfied that all was well, he went on to other topics. His questions always came back to Jane and what she might think about what they had just discussed.

As soon as the doors closed behind Elizabeth, the two women began to list all the deficiencies they had found with her. They alternated in laying them out before the men. Bad manners. No conversation. No taste. No style.

Miss Bingley looked at Darcy when she added a final one. No beauty. She was disappointed when she did not receive a reaction from him. They then turned their attention to their brother, who had been avoiding them since he decided that Elizabeth should stay.

“I do not know why she needed to be here nor why you wanted her to stay, Charles,” Caroline said after glaring at her brother to make him uncomfortable. “Mr Darcy has enough to worry about without another stranger bothering him. It’s not like she can do anything to help her sister get better.”

Bingley looked at his friend, hoping he might shed some light on the subject. Darcy remained quiet as they had agreed and would not come to his aid. Bingley thought for a moment before looking directly at his sister.

“Not one hour ago, you told us all how you hated to be sick and that your sister’s company helped alleviate the boredom of staying in bed. Both of you! You would deny the same for them?”

“You know what I mean, Charles?” Caroline whined.

“No, I do not. It shows sisterly affection, which I find admirable. Why must you two constantly put others down? It does not make me happy, and I should have said something long ago about it. I’m sorry I did not, but things shall change around here, or I shall stop providing for you, and you can bloody well live off your own money.”

Both sisters looked at each other in astonishment at their brother’s outburst.

“Charles,” Caroline said silkily.

“Do not push me, Caro. I’m not in the mood.”

Darcy looked at his friend in astonishment. While he would never have called him weak willed, he had always been malleable to suggestions, and his sisters had always exerted more control over him than they should.

“Charles,” Mrs Hurst cried.

“Mrs Hurst, this is between Charles and Caroline.” Mr Hurst interrupted boldly, having understood the meaning of his brother-in-law’s words. Everyone at the table looked at him in astonishment at his unexpected outburst. He continued to set his gaze on his wife with a fierce expression.

Bingley cleared his throat. “I shall let you know that Miss Elizabeth was willing to walk here to see her sister if needed. Would you have walked that far or even half to care for Louisa?”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Charles. Louisa is right here. There would be no need to walk all that way.”

“You bloody well know what I meant,” he snapped to the gasps of his sisters.

“Charles, we think Jane is a sweet girl, but look at their family and connections. It matters. Caroline tells me their uncle is an attorney in Meryton. An attorney, Charles.” Louisa said, informing him of a fact he already knew from the conversation with Mr Bennet the previous night.

“They also have an uncle in trade that lives in Cheapside,” Caroline added. “That does not bode well for them making meaningful connections in society. Tell him, Mr Darcy.”

“It does not help,” Darcy admitted.

“I do not care if they had family that took up the entirety of Cheapside. I shan’t hear another ill word about any of them.”

Caroline took a few moments to compose herself after the drastic change in the air in the room and her brother’s uncharacteristic behavior.

“Dear brother,” she said as innocently as possible. “I have nothing but admiration for Miss Jane. She is a sweet girl, as Louisa said, but with her father and mother, as well as other family connections, you must admit, she has little hope of making a good match.”

“What are you on about? They have been landed for generations.” Bingley stated.

“Oh, so you do not know of the entailment? As they have no brother, they will lose the land,” she said, smiling slyly. “It is entailed to a cousin, and they will lose it as surely as the sun rises tomorrow.”

Darcy looked at Miss Bingley, wondering where she had come about this information. At the same time, Bingley fidgeted as he thought of a reply.

“Land, land, land! Everyone is always talking about land. Our father did not have it. Nor did his father’s father all the way back to Adam.”

“Land is important, Bingley,” Mr Darcy intoned. “Connections as well.”

“Yes, yes, so I have been told.”

“Perhaps we could retire to the drawing room and a game of cards,” Mr Hurst said, wanting to diffuse the situation so everyone would be on good terms for the game. The two women readily agreed, praying that whatever ailed their brother would quickly pass.