Page 52 of Elizabeth and Caroline
Here, Caroline could echo her. “Oh, yes, very lovely indeed.”
“We heard,” said one of the countesses in a nasty voice, “you grew up wild with four sisters, no governess, and that none of you even speak French.”
“True,” said Elizabeth, giggling. “Also, do not sit me down at a piano-forte, unless you want me to quitemurderthe instrument.”
The women drew back, looking her up and down.
“I’m not very good at the piano either,” offered the first countess with a little shrug. “I prefer to sing, really.”
“And why should we not see to things we enjoy instead of being forced to do things we dislike?” said Elizabeth. “After all, are we not likely to excel where we find pleasure?”
“Perhaps,” said Caroline, “but then no one would play an instrument, because it is much easier to sing than it is to learn piano.”
Elizabeth considered. “Possibly true, yes.” A pause. “Of course, there are certain people who really enjoy a challenge. A thing is worth so much more if it requires effort.”
“That is quite true, Mrs. Darcy,” said the baronetess, cocking her head to one side, taking her in. “You’re a very interesting person, you realize that?”
Elizabeth only laughed. “The interesting one, I must say, is my friend Miss Bingley. I have been so happy in matrimony, you see, I would see her settled as well. Please, if you know of any one who is in want of a wife, do recommend him to us.”
Silence.
“Well, think about it,” said Elizabeth. “And I would so love to have callers, of course. I daresay you all know where my house is in town. If you think of someone to recommend, do drop by.”
“All right,” said one of the countesses.
“We are off to see positively everything,” said Elizabeth. “Excuse us, if you will.” She pulled Caroline away and they moved across the room.
Caroline was reeling.
What had just happened? Had she just watched Elizabeth walk into a situation in which everyone disliked her andsomehow get them to agree that they would call upon her?
“How did you do that?” she murmured.
“Do what?” said Elizabeth, her voice also quiet.
“It was some kind of witchcraft, I think,” said Caroline. “You made them like you.”
“Oh, no,” said Elizabeth. “They don’t like me yet. But they are intrigued by me. I told you, the strategy is to be what they suspect me to be, but to make it look fun and desirable.”
Caroline furrowed her brow. Such a simple idea, really, and yet so effective. “How do you think of these things?”
“I don’t know,” said Elizabeth. “And anyway, I need you to help me pick the next group better. I was too nervous and I chose a group at random. We need to speak to people who are very well connected. Find us some duchesses, if you please.”
Caroline was gratified to have some use in this enterprise. She pointed out a group of women, older women, most of them dowager duchesses. A few of their daughters were there as well.
This time, Caroline did not lose her voice, and smoothly cut in to the conversation. “May I present to you my closest friend, Mrs. Darcy? She was ever so looking forward to meeting you all, and I said I could provide an introduction.”
The duchesses were all horrified, but concealing it well.
One of them, likely in her eighties, looked at Caroline in confusion and disguised disgust. “Oh, yes, thank you, er…”
“Miss Bingley,” Caroline supplied. “You remember that we met at the charity dinner last summer at Brakeness.”
“Ah,” said the duchess, no recognition in her eyes. “Ah, yes, of course.”
Caroline went about the group, giving Elizabeth each of their names. They all simply gazed at Elizabeth coolly.
“But Mrs. Darcy, we have heard about you,” said one of the younger women, not a duchess, but an honorable miss.
