Page 32 of To Love And To Cherish
“Jane, dearest,” she said gently, “your supper is here.”
Jane turned her face into the pillow. “Leave it, Lizzy. My head aches dreadfully, and I cannot taste anything. Perhaps later, when I feel stronger. I would, however, like another cup of willow bark tea. Tepid, if you please. I can drink it more quickly that way, and the bitterness offends me less.”
Elizabeth prepared the draught and helped her sister sip it down. Once Jane was settled back beneath the covers, Elizabeth straightened the linens, hesitated briefly, and then made her reluctant way to the drawing room. She had sought every excuse to remain upstairs, but duty and civility would not allow her to avoid the evening entirely.
Mr. Bingley greeted her with immediate concern. “Miss Elizabeth, how is your sister? I have been anxious since the maid informed us she would not be joining us this evening.”
“She is quite ill, Mr. Bingley. Her fever remains high, and her head pains her exceedingly. I thank you for your hospitality and your kindness. We are both grateful for it.”
Georgiana appeared at Elizabeth’s side, her voice low and warm. “Will you sit next to me, Miss Elizabeth? I should like that very much.”
Elizabeth smiled and nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”
But before they could move toward the dining table, Miss Bingley interposed herself, her tone syrupy but edged. “Georgiana, darling, you must sit beside me. I dare say I have far more to teach you than Miss Eliza. She comes from such a small, rustic circle; one can hardly expect her experience to extend beyond local dances and country gossip.”
The air chilled. Mr. Bingley looked up sharply, and Mr. Darcy’s brows drew together in a frown. Miss Bingley, perceiving no laughter at her jest, flushed faintly and directed a tight smile at her brother. She could not comprehend how Elizabeth had so swiftly turned the men’s favor against her, but she blamed her nonetheless and determined to reassert her superiority.
Dinner passed in relative quiet, though Elizabeth was keenly aware of Miss Bingley’s simmering malice. The gentlemen lingered in the dining room over their port, while Miss Bingley led the ladies into the drawing room and at once commenced her campaign against Elizabeth.
She cast a pointed glance at Elizabeth’s curls and gave a slight sniff. “I do not care what Mr. Darcy says; coarse curls are never becoming. He is always attempting to defend you, Miss Eliza, but truly, one must see things clearly. Refinement is not so easily feigned.”
Elizabeth offered a conciliatory smile to Georgiana, whose cheeks had turned pink.
Miss Bingley continued, her gaze drifting down Elizabeth’s form. “Your figure may be light as Mr. Darcy once noted, but it’s not pleasing. I think most gentlemen prefer a more shapely silhouette. Your sister Jane, now,sheis truly formed to please.”
Elizabeth remained composed. “Every gentleman has his preference, and Mr. Darcy is as entitled to his opinion as you are to yours, Miss Bingley.”
“Oh, but youreyes,” Miss Bingley said with exaggerated innocence. “He once claimed they were ‘fine.’ Yet I find them rather dark and ordinary. Your sister’s sapphire eyes are the only ones in your family truly worth admiring.”
Elizabeth smiled, though her eyes flashed. “Indeed? Well, beauty, like taste, is a matter of opinion. But I can see that my presence is unwelcome. If you will excuse me.”
“I shall accompany you,” Georgiana said quickly, rising from her chair. “It’s been a long day, and I need to rest.”
In the dark hallway, away from Miss Bingley’s prying eyes, Elizabeth placed a gentle hand on the younger girl’s arm. “Let me look in on Jane first. Then I will join you in the library. Did you ever find the first volume ofUdolpho?”
“No,” Georgiana whispered. “I was afraid to look for it.”
“I know just where it is,” Elizabeth said with a mischievous smile.
Georgiana waited outside Jane’s bedchamber as Elizabeth slipped inside. A few moments later, she returned. “She is still asleep. Come.”
Together, they stole down the corridor to the library, where Elizabeth located the book with ease. They fed the fire, curled up on a settee with their feet propped upon a low tea table, and began to read aloud, sharing laughter and warmth.
Not long after, the gentlemen re-entered the drawing room.
“Where are Miss Bennet and Georgiana?” Mr. Bingley asked.
“They retired early,” Miss Bingley said, her tone crisp. “Miss Eliza seemed rather out of sorts.”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes narrowed. “Georgiana is not unwell, I trust?”
“I daresay she is merely tired,” Miss Bingley said, waving a dismissive hand.
Darcy excused himself and made his way through the dim corridors, drawn by the sound of feminine laughter. When he stepped into the library, he paused, startled. There they were, tucked under a shawl, Georgiana on one side of the settee, Elizabeth on the other, their slippers discarded, their stockinged feet resting on the table as Georgiana read aloud.
“Georgiana,” he said sharply.
Both young women sprang upright, hastily straightening their skirts.
