Page 57 of Attempted Compromises
“I quite like the idea of giving the staff a surprise,” Bingley said, grinning at Jane.
Jane returned his smile with one of her own, the flush in her cheeks unmistakable. Elizabeth couldn’t help but giggle slightly at her sister’s obvious happiness, though her expression turned wary when Caroline Bingley appeared behind her brother, her lips stretched into a tight, overly bright smile.
“Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, how delightful to see you,” Caroline said, her tone laced with false sweetness. “We have prepared a most splendid tea for the occasion. I daresay it will be quite unlike anything you have encountered in Meryton.”
Elizabeth inclined her head politely, though her instincts told her that something was amiss. Caroline’s smile was entirely too… genuine. Her suspicions only deepened when Caroline led them into the drawing room, where the Netherfield party was already assembled. Mr. Hurst lounged carelessly on a small sofa, and Mrs. Hurst greeted them with her usual languid indifference.
Darcy stood by the window, his tall frame silhouetted against the pale light as he gazed out with his usual quiet intensity. He turned towards the door when the Bennet sisters entered, bowing in greeting. Georgiana sat primly on a chair near thefireplace, her delicate features lit with a mixture of shyness and curiosity as she greeted the newcomers with a tentative smile.
“Miss Darcy,” Elizabeth said warmly, stepping forward to address the young woman as Bingley guided Jane to a sofa near the fire. “How wonderful to see you again. I trust you have been well?”
Georgiana nodded, her cheeks pink. “Yes, thank you, Miss Elizabeth. It is a pleasure to see you too.”
Elizabeth returned her smile, then allowed Caroline to guide her to a settee near the center of the room. Jane and Bingley had already taken their places side by side, their quiet conversation punctuated by the occasional laugh.
“I must tell you all,” Caroline announced with a dramatic flourish, “that I have procured the finest tea blend from London. It is a rare and exotic variety, said to be the pinnacle of refinement. I simply could not resist sharing it with such esteemed company.”
Bingley raised an eyebrow. “I was under the impression you were rather attached to your usual tea, Caroline. Something about its unassailable refinement?”
Caroline flushed slightly but recovered with a tinkling laugh. “Oh, Charles, you do love to tease. Surely even I can appreciate novelty when it is of sufficient quality.”
Elizabeth’s lips twitched in amusement at the forced enthusiasm in Caroline’s voice, and she caught Darcy’s faint smirk as he continued to stare out the window. His apparent disinterest inthe proceedings only heightened Elizabeth’s foreboding about the evening, though she quickly brushed the thought aside.
With a flourish, Caroline rang the bell, and moments later, a maid entered with a silver tea tray. The arrangement was impeccable—delicate china cups, a porcelain teapot, and a plate of small, intricately decorated biscuits. Elizabeth’s brow furrowed at the fact that not all members of the staff were enjoying a respite.
With great ceremony, Caroline began pouring the tea herself. She gave the first cup to Darcy, completely ignoring protocol to serve her guests first. When the last cup was placed in her hands, Elizabeth took a tentative sip, only to wince at the bitter taste that lingered on her tongue despite the generous amount of sugar and honey.
At first, Elizabeth thought it was a cruel prank Miss Bingley had played on her to show her superiority. A quick glance around the room confirmed that she was not alone in her reaction; the others were doing their best to mask their expressions of distaste. Caroline, however, sipped her tea with exaggerated delight, her smile strained as she urged her guests to drink more.
“Come now, drink up,” she trilled as a slight sheen of sweat began to appear on her brow. “This really is a most exquisite blend. I went to great lengths to procure it, so I shall be quite offended if you do not partake fully. It has been designed to invigorate the senses and soothe the soul, and is quite all the rage in London.”
“It’s… unique,” Elizabeth ventured, choosing her words carefully. She took another sip, hoping the taste might improve. It did not.
Miss Bingley, clearly unwilling to admit defeat, lifted her own cup with a strained smile. “Oh, I quite adore it. Such a complex flavor, wouldn’t you agree?” She took a delicate sip, her expression tightening ever so slightly as she swallowed.
Elizabeth exchanged a wry look with Jane, who had managed only a small sip of her tea. Darcy, too, seemed hesitant, taking a single sip before placing his cup on the table. Bingley, ever the polite host, managed two gulps before coughing softly into his hand. Mrs. Hurst looked dubious, though she drained her cup quickly, likely to avoid Caroline’s scrutiny, and encouraged her husband to do the same.
“Come now, do finish,” Caroline urged, her voice higher than usual. “I went to such trouble to acquire this treat for us all to enjoy.” She herself grimaced as she took a large swallow, then forced a pained smile as if to provide evidence of her enjoyment.
Despite their reservations, they all dutifully drained their cups, the awkward silence in the room broken only by the occasional clink of porcelain and the rustle of clothing as they shifted uncomfortably in their seats.
Elizabeth reached for her biscuit, eager to cleanse her palate, but as she chewed, she noticed an odd sensation creeping over her. It was faint—a lightheadedness, as though the room had grown just a touch warmer. She shook her head slightly, attributing the feeling to her earlier walk in the brisk air.
It was then that Elizabeth noticed Darcy glancing in her direction, his gaze lingering for a moment before returning to the window. The intensity of his expression made her heart flutter, and she found herself wondering what thoughts occupied his mind. The memory of their recent conversations—the unexpected warmth and understanding that had passed between them—came rushing back, and she quickly looked away, focusing instead on the intricacies of the teacup in her hands.
As she looked around the room in an attempt to distract herself, Elizabeth absentmindedly tapped her fingers on the armrest of her chair, playing a simple melody she knew by heart.
“Fur Elise?” Georgiana’s question was soft and weak. Elizabeth frowned as she looked at the girl’s pale face.
“Miss Darcy?” Elizabeth leaned forward, her voice tinged with concern. “Are you feeling unwell?”
Before Georgiana could respond, she was interrupted by a small shout from across the room. “Miss Bennet!”
Elizabeth looked up to see Bingley’s horrified face staring down at Jane in surprise. To Elizabeth’s astonishment, her sister lay unmoving across Bingley’s lap. His arms were around the elder Bennet girl, whose head lolled to one side.
“Jane!” she cried, rushing to her sister’s side. She felt a strong, steady arm grasp her elbow, steadying her as she swayed. Turning, she saw Darcy looking down at her, his expression sharp with concern.
“Are you well, Miss Bennet?” he asked, his voice firm despite the slight slur creeping into his words.
