Page 60 of See, Hear, Speak No Evil, Mr. Darcy
“Will you play later, Miss Darcy? After the sewing is seen to and we have had tea,” Mrs. Bennet asked.
Georgiana hoped she hid her relief that Mrs. Bennet no longer seemed as excited as she had earlier been.
“If you like, ma’am. I hope to practice a duet with Miss Mary, if she is amenable.”
Miss Mary, too overcome to speak, squeezed her hand. The newness of such intimacy had not subsided. She had been hugged three times that day by the Bennets. Georgiana thought on these last years since her father’s death, aware she had not known such affection excepting on those days her cousin, who was also her guardian, was at Darcy House or Pemberley.
“Your friendship has blessed our sister in multiple ways,” Miss Bennet said, dabbing at her eyes with a bit of lace.
“Come, we must sew,” Miss Elizabeth said, leading the way to the drawing room. “Whilst Mary played, our friends joined us. Miss Darcy, this is our dear friend Miss Charlotte Lucas and her younger sister, Maria.”
While everyone took their chairs, Georgiana was fascinated to hear her brother being so well thought of. Each instance Miss Lucas, Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth, and Miss Mary spoke of reinforced the very great effort he had made to know Mr. Bingley’s neighbors at the assembly. That which he had promised, he had done.
Luncheon was sandwiches, fruit, nuts, tea, and lemonade. Commenting that the lemonade tasted like none she’d had before, Georgiana was told that Miss Mary brewed it herself. That led to a discussion of Miss Mary’s scented waters, including the one worked on that morning while she had blended a tea.And that led to a discussion about a young lady wearing a masculine scent at the assembly and needing to try a new one.
After hearing the wholeon dit, Georgiana nearly choked on her tea. While no one confirmed or denied, Georgiana guessed Miss Bingley was the lady they spoke of. She asked if Miss Mary might recommend a scent for herself. Miss Mary’s eyes lit up, and Miss Elizabeth said, “Later, Mary. Today, we are sewing.”
“It is already made. I would like to gift it to her in appreciation for the gift she gave me.”
“Before our new friend leaves, then.”
Georgiana felt embarrassed as she caught Miss Kitty and Miss Maria mimicking her movements. They had only begun their efforts when Miss Lydia entered the room.
“Come sew, Lydia. The poor box will benefit from the gift of your time and skills, even if they do not know it was done by your hand. None of us can trim sleeves better than you,” Miss Bennet said.
Looking away, Georgiana hoped her jealousy did not show. She envied how well they understood one another, their affection for each other even in difficult moments.
“I suppose you will all be pleased that Mama and I have to account for everything I have borrowed. I am to go through my closet and return everything.” Miss Lydia hiccupped. “Papa made me read the definition of selfishness. Even though I borrowed the items, yourlistsaffirmed to Papa that you believed I took them forever.”
“We can attend to that later. It is now time to sew. Come, tell us of your favorite dance partner at the assembly,” Miss Mary said pragmatically.
It was not long before Georgiana noticed that Miss Lydia, too, began to imitate her mannerisms and follow the advice of her sisters, perhaps advice previously eschewed.
Spending time sewing collars and shirt cuffs, her two favorite tasks, Georgiana did not know why, but was surprised to learn that others enjoyed sewing sleeves, a less time-consuming task, and sewing straight hems. By pooling their skills, they were able to work on more items in a single day than one of them might accomplish in a month.
While they tidied up, Miss Mary and Miss Kitty packed the completed items into a basket to be laundered. Those just begun were stored for the next week’s efforts.
Georgiana took the seat closest to Miss Elizabeth, “I have never known a day equal to this. Thank you for your kind invitation.”
“I was frank in saying your company would be a blessing for us. And it has been thus in so many ways. Thank you for agreeing to the scheme and spending the day with us,” Miss Elizabeth said, taking the hand Miss Mary had held for some minutes.
Miss Bingley and the Hursts arrived with her brother and Mr. Bingley for tea. When Miss Bingley requested a private word with Miss Mary, Georgiana was further surprised to hear that the lady asked to visit their stillroom. When the two departed, Georgiana did not dare look about. She suspected Miss Bingley had somehow heard of Miss Mary’s talent and sought a new scent. Remembering her brother’s warning to not be equally unkind, she schooled her expression.
Afternoon Tea at Longbourn
Seeing his sister so contented, nay, jubilant, amongst the ladies, caused Darcy to wonder at the subdued nature in the youngest Miss Bennet.
Mrs. Hurst and her husband sat with Miss Bennet and Bingley. Darcy chose the chair between Miss Elizabeth and Miss Lucas. Georgiana sat across the room with the younger girls who held ribbons and a bonnet between them.
“Miss Elizabeth, I confess I do not know if I am up to carrying on so lively a discussion as ribbons, lace, bonnets, and hems. Might we discuss mundane things like the ballots before the House of Lords or women’s rights to attend schooling in the sciences?”
“Women have always been healers, and men are foolish not to allow it to continue. That settles what should be a common expectation. Hems present a far more interesting topic. Our maid will tell you I quite vex her by often returning home with mine having been dragged six inches deep in mud,” Miss Elizabeth said. “I blush to confess she is relieved when it is only six. I once fell into a puddle trying to rescue a bird.”
“So you suggest the secrets hems conceal for a lady are more interesting than the scuffs a man collects on his boots?” Darcy asked with all the seriousness he could muster.
“Undoubtedly. She did, indeed, try to rescue the bird, and had almost done when she fell into a puddle and it flew away,” Jane said in the whisper of conspiracy. “That is our Lizzy, always aiding those souls she believes to be in distress, no matter which sort of God’s creature it might be.”
“I am less enthusiastic about anything that slithers,” Miss Elizabeth said, leaning toward him.
