Page 38 of The Briar Bargain
Mrs. Hurst paused, assessing them both. "You must not mistake concern for interference."
"Perish the thought," Elizabeth said, inclining her head. "I am sure your concern springs from only the purest of intentions."
Miss Bingley smoothed a hand over her skirts. "Charles may be susceptible to admiration, but he is not inconstant. He takes his associations seriously."
"I am glad to hear it," Jane said quietly.
Mrs. Hurst turned her attention to the rain-spotted windowpanes. "Such a pity the roads have not had enough time to dry."
Jane smiled but kept her gaze on her stitching. "It is not the season for gallivanting, to be sure. But it is rather cosy to be indoors, is it not?"
Miss Bingley gave a small, languid sigh. "Cosy, yes. But I confess I do long for the company of Town—so many friends, so many engagements. Do you recall Lady Bessborough’s musical evening last spring, Louisa?"
Mrs. Hurst’s eyes lit at the memory. "Oh yes. A crush in every room. Dreadful acoustics. And yet it was utterly divine."
"I daresay London is quite changed by now," said Miss Bingley. "Every season there are a new set of young ladies coming out. And so many of them are so very eligible."
Elizabeth gave no outward sign of noting the shift in tone. But she leaned back in her seat with deliberate care.
Jane stitched on.
"Oh, certainly," Mrs. Hurst said with a titter. "But that is what makes London society so invigorating, do you not think? One is never short of new acquaintances. And Charles," she said with an affectionate sigh, "is always in demand."
"Indeed," said Miss Bingley with exaggerated cheer, "there is no end to the admiration he attracts. A great favourite with the daughters of the ton. Was it not Lady Frances who once declared him the most amiable gentleman in the room?"
Elizabeth glanced at Jane. Her sister’s serene expression had not altered in the least.
"I do not know Lady Frances," Jane said, gently, “but she must be a very discerning woman."
Miss Bingley stilled. "You are generous, Miss Bennet."
"Not at all. I merely believe that kindness deserves recognition wherever it is found."
Mrs. Hurst looked amused. "And Charles is rather lavish with his kindness, is he not?"
Jane’s smile was beatific. "He has been very considerate to us, yes. But I cannot claim any distinction in that. He is so with everyone."
Miss Bingley gave a light laugh, though her eyes were flinty. "You are remarkably humble. One might think you had never had a compliment in your life."
"Oh, I am often complimented," said Jane sweetly. "But I do not find it wise to believe them all."
Elizabeth turned quickly to hide her smile. She doubted Miss Bingley had been bested so neatly in some time.
"But of course," said Miss Bingley after a moment, recovering, "one must be cautious. Theappearanceof favour can lead to unfortunate misapprehensions."
Jane’s response was mild. "Certainly. But do you not find that misapprehensions tend to reveal more about the one presuming than the one presumed upon?"
Mrs. Hurst cleared her throat. "What a sweet notion,” she said, her tone no longer so confident. “But hardly fashionable.”
"Then it is fortunate," Elizabeth replied, "that we are not in London. Observation of character is enough for us."
Mrs. Hurst made a soft sound of amusement. "You must be very observant indeed."
"I strive to be," Elizabeth said, her tone bright. "Particularly when the company is so revealing."
The needle in Jane’s hand hesitated, then resumed without a word.
Miss Bingley exhaled slowly. "Your wit must be such a treasure to your neighbours, Miss Eliza."
