Page 51 of Wickham Likes 'Em Young
Elizabeth felt truly confused. The three women staring at her were, she was certain, completely serious. They had no reason to concoct an elaborate hoax, and Georgiana, at least, seemed too shy to be an amazing actor. She realised that they truly thought her beautiful, so much so that they were amazed that she did not know it.
“Fitzwilliam has said it to me,” she said in a low voice. “I always feel so lucky that he loves me, and we all know that love is blind.”
The countess made a sound that could not be a snort—because she was a countess!—and she almost looked on Elizabeth with anger. “Are you attempting to tell me that he is the only one?—”
Elizabeth said, “Pardon me, madam. I do not wish to upset anyone, nor to interrupt you, but I have an idea of what could be the problem. You see, my elder sister Jane is widely acknowledged as the most beautiful lady in all of Hertfordshire,if not all of England. I have heard about her beauty since I could understand words. Perhaps I might be almost as pretty as she, and I just never knew it—perhaps I was like the moon, and she the sun, and with her by my side, nobody could even bother to look at me.”
“Oh, my!” Althea said. “I should like to meether, then.”
“I as well,” the countess said. “I suppose we will meet her at the wedding, if not before?”
“Oh, actually, no. She is lately married and on her wedding tour. She will not be able to attend my wedding.”
“Well, Georgiana, have you seen Elizabeth’s sister? Is she truly the sun to Elizabeth’s moon?”
“Miss Bennet—oh!, I mean Mrs Goulding, my apologies—she is very lovely. Truly. But I think that Elizabeth is even more beautiful.”
Elizabeth smiled at Georgiana and kissed her on the cheek. “You are so sweet, but you can tell your aunt the truth. I want you to tell the truth.”
“I am telling the truth, Elizabeth! And it is not just me and my brother! I sat there during the Netherfield ball, remember? All the men looked at you much more often, and for much longer periods, than at any other woman, including Jane. If I am honest, I have seen even Mr Bingley and Mr Goulding looking at you as if they saw a work of art in a museum—you know, knowing that they would never own that amazing masterpiece, but still wishing to look at it while they may.”
Elizabeth shook her head a bit. She wanted to continue to deny everything being said, but she knew that would be impolite. She attempted to change the subject, asking Althea, “So, given the fact that the weather and the roads were well covered by the time I approached you, what topic would have been agreeable? I would appreciate any help you three could give me, since I should not like Mr Darcy to be embarrassed by his wife.”
The countess laughed a little and said, “I have the feeling that Darcy would never feel embarrassed by anything you say. I am not worried about him, but I should love it if the pleasant ladies of thetonwere to become your friends and the snakes and the social climbers at least would not be referring to you as a bluestocking!”
Althea said, “As to what topic would be welcome, I have to admit that I do not love conversations on sleeve lengths and bonnet styles, and I truly regret the times when I was younger, when I did as so many have done and spread gossip, because I hurt two innocent young women. I never wish to face that sort of guilt again. So…I believe I would most appreciate a question about music, if it is not too intellectual, that is, and perhaps about the attractions in London.”
Elizabeth smiled widely and said, “I love many composers, but one who I seem to enjoy more than most people is Bach. There is something very…complex in his simplicity. Do you enjoy Bach at all?”
Althea considered and said, “I cannot even remember a piece by him, so obviously he is not one of my favourites. I prefer Mozart and Haydn.”
“I enjoy many pieces by those composers, as well,” Elizabeth responded. “But allow me to ask all of you ladies something: when I spoke of Bach, just now, I almost said that there is something very mathematical in his music. And then I thought maybe that would be deemed bluestocking adjacent? What say you?”
Georgiana said, “Of course, all music is mathematical, but Bach’s is especially mathematical. He uses patterns and symmetry, transposition and inversion. I think that is a very interesting thing to say!”
Althea said, “If you had said that to me, I would not have labeled you a bluestocking, but I would have felt intimidated.I would have either said something in agreement, like ‘indeed,’ but said nothing more during the rest of the conversation, or I would have left when polite.”
“Well, I am so glad that I did not say it!”
The countess sighed and said, “Elizabeth, none of us wishes to change you, and you see that Georgiana delighted in your comment. Darcy will be livid if he thinks I am encouraging you to be like other ladies. I just thought it would be a good idea to discuss this briefly, and so we have. Let us rejoin the men.”
“Lead on, Aunt Helen,” Elizabeth said with a merry smile. “But I do thank you all for giving me something to think about!”
They had indeed given her much to think on. But Elizabeth did not put much thought into topics to befriend women. She would think about that later, she decided. For now, she had to contemplate the entrancing-men portion of the conversation.
The women seemed to believe it. But Elizabeth could not.
Darcy strode to her side the moment the ladies reappeared. “Are you well?” he asked. He did not seem overly concerned—he just wished to check in with her. She felt affection for him bubble up into a breathy chuckle, and she said, “I suppose that I am, thank you for your concern.”
And darn it if every single man in the room did not turn towards her as she laughed. Elizabeth felt a surge of unease at the idea that those glances might be…admiring?
The colonel—well, Richard—headed over to Elizabeth, and his eyes did seem blatantly admiring, but Elizabeth was certain that he had mastered the art of displaying more appreciation than he felt as a tool of flirtation. His words surprised her, though: “Well, well. Darcy tells me that you are the little spitfire we saw in London a decade ago. The fierce girl who was willing to take on Wickham.”
Elizabeth laughed and said, “I have been heartbroken that you did not recognise me, sir. How quickly people forgetsomeone who is—how did you phrase it? Oh, yes—a complete unknown.”
Richard laughed again, and Elizabeth was positive that he was genuine about few things, but that he really did enjoy her teases.
Hours later, Darcy escorted Elizabeth home. Under the gaze of his aunt, he had a housemaid accompany them. While they travelled the three miles, he whispered, “What did my aunt do to make you seem less confident and comfortable? I would undo it if I could.”
