Page 29 of Grief and Grievances
“Miss Bennet,” greeted Jeremiah warmly, standing from his seat as she entered. “I trust you are well this evening?”
“Indeed, I am, Mr. de Bourgh,” replied Elizabeth, her eyes flitting back to Georgiana, who was smiling shyly up at Jeremiah. “And yourself?”
“Quite well, thank you.” He glanced towards Georgiana before continuing, “We were just discussing our shared appreciation for the works of Shakespeare.”
Elizabeth could not help but notice the spark in Georgiana’s eyes as she nodded in agreement, adding, “Particularly ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ It has such a delightful blend of humour, romance, and enchantment.”
“Ah, an excellent choice,” concurred Elizabeth, feeling genuine admiration for the young man whose cultured tastes seemed to align so perfectly with Georgiana’s own refined sensibilities.
“Mr. de Bourgh was just regaling me with the most amusing tale of a theatrical performance he once attended,” Georgiana explained, a note of admiration in her voice that did not escape Elizabeth’s notice.
“Indeed?” she prompted, curious to hear more.
“Indeed,” confirmed Jeremiah, a mischievous gleam in his eye. “The actor portraying Bottom was so immersed in his character that he failed to notice a very real bee had become entangled in his false donkey ears. The audience roared with laughter as he attempted to maintain his composure while swatting away the buzzing intruder.”
Georgiana giggled, and Elizabeth joined her, appreciating the humour in Jeremiah’s anecdote. Yet as the laughter subsided, Elizabeth found herself observing the pair before her with a mixture of emotions. It was clear that Georgiana held Jeremiah in high esteem and seemed genuinely at ease in his company. And while Elizabeth could not deny that he was a most agreeable gentleman, Georgiana’s youth concerned her, and she wondered what Mr. Darcy would say should the two of them form an attachment.
“Miss Bennet,” said Jeremiah, drawing her attention back to the conversation. “I understand you are quite the accomplished musician. Perhaps you would favour us with a performance this evening?”
“Somebody has been talking out of turn,” replied Elizabeth with a smile, “and certainly inflating the degree of my talents. Miss Darcy far surpasses me as a musician.”
“Oh, no,” Georgiana cried, reaching to take her hand. “You give yourself too little credit. My brother was quite right when he told me how much he admired your playing and singing.”
“I think Mr. Darcy admires a great deal about Miss Elizabeth,” Jeremiah said mischievously, making Georgiana giggle and Elizabeth blush and turn away, unsure of how to respond. She was relieved from the necessity of having to formulate a response as the Earl of Matlock entered the room with Lady Catherine.
Lady Catherine asked Elizabeth to sit by her at dinner and Elizabeth prepared to be barraged by questions about Anne, but Lady Catherine seemed to have quite different topics on her mind, quizzing Elizabeth instead about her life and education.
“And have you any knowledge of the modern languages?” Lady Catherine demanded.
Elizabeth smiled, glancing across the table at Mr. Darcy. “Some, though probably not enough to be considered truly accomplished,” she said. “The governess my mother engaged for Jane and I taught us some French, and my father taught me German, so that I was able to read more of the books in his library. My opportunities to practice either language conversationally have been few and far between, however.”
“Hm,” Lady Catherine said, but she did not sound disapproving. “France is out of the question, of course, but I have always thought that I should rather like to see Germany.”
“Damned lot of foreigners,” the Earl of Matlock muttered.
“That is rather the point of foreign countries, brother,” Lady Catherine noted, before looking back at Elizabeth. “And you have never been out of England, Elizabeth?”
“No, Lady Catherine. Only in my imagination, as I adventure within the pages of books.” Elizabeth fully expected to be reprimanded for such whimsy, but Lady Catherine only nodded thoughtfully before turning to address a question to Jeremiah, who turned obediently from Georgiana to respond to his aunt.
As she returned to Anne’s sickroom later that evening, having changed out of her evening gown back into her serviceable day dress and apron, Elizabeth found Lucinda and Georgiana deep in whispered conversation.
“Miss Bennet,” Lucinda greeted her warmly, “good evening. I do hope you enjoyed dinner.”
“It was delightful, thank you, Miss de Bourgh,” Elizabeth replied. “Though I do feel as though I was occupying your place at the table—it is your family, after all.”
“Anne is my family too, and I was glad to take dinner in her company. And that of Jane, of course; what a delight your sister is!”
Elizabeth smiled. Any compliment to Jane was sweet to her ear. Lucinda seemed genuine, too, not all false friendship like Caroline Bingley. This, Elizabeth thought, was a true society lady. Lucinda might have been that truly accomplished lady Darcy had once described, Elizabeth realised with a sudden pang. Beautiful, clever, accomplished, aristocratic to her bones. Even a keen reader. She had brought several new books with her and enjoyed reading them aloud to Anne.
As Elizabeth sat down, her curiosity was piqued as Lucinda and Georgiana resumed their conversation.
“The de Bourgh family and the Darcy and Fitzwilliam families have always been close,” Lucinda was saying to Georgiana. “It would be a most eligible match.”
Georgiana’s cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she cast her eyes downward. “Indeed, I believe it would be most welcome to all.”
Elizabeth’s heart clenched at these words, interpreting them as evidence of Lucinda’s interest in Darcy. She could not help but feel a pang of jealousy, though she chastised herself inwardly for such ungenerous sentiments. Lucinda was, after all, a charming and accomplished young woman who would be a suitable partner for any gentleman, even one as exacting as Mr. Darcy.
“Indeed,” Elizabeth said, forcing lightness into her voice, “it is always a delight to see true affection and compatibility between two people.”
