Page 61 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“As am I, Eliza,” Miss Lucas agreed.
Darcy observed his sister. He was surprised when Miss Mary and Miss Bingley returned to the drawing room. Miss Mary sat next to Georgiana and squeezed her sister’s hand affectionately. Miss Kitty held the other. Indeed, it seemed Miss Kitty and Georgiana had forgotten they did so.
“They discuss retrimming this bonnet and are deciding what will be its adornments, sir. May I?” Elizabeth asked, leaning closer to Miss Bingley when she saw the lady holding a small bottle in her hand.
“It is…” Miss Bingley looked to Miss Mary for further information.
“Oh, Mary, the apple and vanilla are so welcoming. It brings to mind both spring and autumn. Lovely,” Miss Bennet said.
“It is a new blend, so I have just the one bottle, but it quite becomes Miss Bingley, I agree.”
Darcy blinked twice, wondering if his eyes deceived him. Miss Mary gave the most tentative smile to Miss Bingley. And Miss Bingleyreturnedthe same to a lady who held no consequence in Town.
“In our stillroom, Mary makes wonders one cannot find in any shop in London,” Mrs. Bennet said, speaking for the first time since welcoming the visitors to her drawing room.
Miss Mary seemed surprised at receiving the compliment.
The ladies of the house stopped chattering when Mr. Bennet entered the drawing room and sat nearest his wife.
“It has been one of our more interesting sorts of days, my dear,” Mr. Bennet said while surveying all within.
Darcy wondered why he had not expected it when the patriarch looked at him and, with uncommon directness, requested a private discussion, should he bring his sister to call on the morrow.
“If you are amenable, Mrs. Bennet, I hope to have the ladies of Longbourn and Lucas Lodge to luncheon at Netherfield in three days,” Miss Bingley said to the room at large.
“Oh, it would be wonderful to see the gardens,” Miss Elizabeth said. “Might we attend, Mother?”
“Will it keep you from walking out so early in the morning?” Mrs. Bennet asked with a hint of a smile at her lips.
“Not in the least,” Miss Elizabeth said with spirit.
Mrs. Bennet’s chortle filled her drawing room, and she gave her sweeping agreement for all those within to go about their business.
Darcy was further amazed when Georgiana took Miss Mary's hand, and they applied to Miss Bingley to play the Broadwood Grand at Netherfield.
Before leaving, Georgiana asked which direction Miss Elizabeth walked out in the morning. Miss Mary indicated the way to the west, where a forest and a low hill were located. Although not the largest in the area, it looked quite picturesque, set against the rolling countryside of Hertfordshire.
“I tend to walk beyond the gardens. It is but a mile around, unless I wish to walk through the forest. I do that on stormy evenings when I believe I might see trolls and faeries playing in the shadows.” Miss Elizabeth winked at her sister. “On the western side, at that small rise, I can see the sun come up over Longbourn. I find it to be a beautiful start to the day,” She said, walking arm in arm with Georgiana to the carriage.
As she said her goodbyes, his sister was hugged by each of the Bennet sisters. Darcy moved to Miss Elizabeth, who stood near his carriage as everyone else spoke with Georgiana and Miss Bingley.
“Miss Elizabeth, my sister is happier than I have seen her in many years,” Darcy said. He appreciated this woman’s kindness and efforts to offer friendship to Georgiana, and thus, all he had seen that afternoon gave him such joy.
“It was so excellent a day at Longbournbecauseof your sister. You have my undying gratitude for allowing her to visit with us today,” Miss Elizabeth said.
Darcy attempted to argue who was more grateful, but she stopped him with the barest touch of her hand, their fingertips brushing. She whispered, “My family has benefited greatly from coming to know your dear sister.”
Unable to argue that his sister was a dear, Darcy did not know what could have happened to garner such credit. The elation in his sister’s expression was proof that his gratitude must be the greater portion.
“Until tomorrow.” Darcy bowed to Miss Elizabeth, then handed Miss Bingley and his sister into the coach before he climbed in.
“Brother, I am uncertain I can describe what a lovely time I had at Longbourn. It seemed each minute was full of a dozen things!” Georgiana gushed.
Mr. Bennet's laugh echoed before the door closed, declaring, “Miss Darcy, that is the most apt description of a house full of five daughters I have ever heard.”
Chapter 7
Along the Western Border of the Longbourn Estate
