Page 33 of Attempted Compromises
The rest of the household settled into their usual places. Georgiana took a seat near her brother, her embroidery in her lap, while Caroline Bingley and Mrs. Hurst occupied the best spots near the fire, their poses carefully arranged to exude elegance. Mrs. Annesley, who had joined the gathering at Darcy’s invitation, sat on the periphery, her calm demeanor contrasting with the sisters’ languid air.
“Miss Bingley,” Mrs. Annesley began, her tone pleasant and inviting, “I must say, the decor of this room is quite tasteful. Is it the work of a local craftsman, or do you bring such finery from London?”
Caroline barely glanced in her direction, her smile thin and perfunctory. “Oh, I couldn’t say,” she replied airily. “The house was already well-furnished when Charles leased it.”
Mrs. Annesley nodded, undeterred. “It’s quite fortunate, then, to find such refinement in a country estate. I imagine it’s a pleasure to entertain in such surroundings.”
Mrs. Hurst, sipping her tea, raised a brow but said nothing, her silence a clear dismissal. Caroline gave a noncommittal hum, turning her attention back to her embroidery as if the older woman had ceased to exist.
Mrs. Annesley, ever courteous, attempted once more to engage the Bingley sisters in conversation. “Miss Bingley,” she saidwarmly, “your gown this evening is quite elegant. The detailing is exquisite. Is it French lace?”
Caroline glanced up from her embroidery hoop with a faint smile that barely reached her eyes. “It is,” she replied curtly, then turned to her sister. “Louisa, did you not say that the latest shipment from Paris will arrive next week?”
Mrs. Hurst nodded, barely acknowledging Mrs. Annesley as she replied to Caroline, leaving the older woman politely sidelined.
Elizabeth, seated on a comfortable a short distance away, observed the exchange with increasing irritation. Mrs. Annesley, for all her quiet dignity, had been clearly rebuffed— most likely due to her status as a companion, even though Elizabeth’s prior interactions with the woman had demonstrated her to be sharp-witted, well-read, and exceedingly kind.
I must do something. Their pretentious behavior is completely unacceptable.
Rising gracefully, Elizabeth crossed the room and settled beside the older woman. “Mrs. Annesley,” she said with a warm smile, “I could not help but notice you were speaking earlier of lace. Are you fond of embroidery yourself, or do you prefer other pursuits?”
Mrs. Annesley turned to Elizabeth, her expression softening with gratitude. “I do dabble in embroidery now and then, Miss Elizabeth,” she replied, “but I also play the harp, and I greatly enjoy reading.”
“Oh, yes, that’s right! I must thank you for your conversation this afternoon about Robinson Crusoe. I had always thought of it as an adventure story, but your perspective gave me much to consider as I sat with Jane.”
Mrs. Annesley’s face lit with gratitude. “You are too kind, Miss Elizabeth. It is a book that reveals its depths only with reflection, I think.”
Elizabeth nodded. “Indeed. I’ve been mulling over its themes of isolation and resilience. Crusoe’s ingenuity in the face of adversity is admirable, but I find myself questioning some of his choices. For instance, his relationship with Friday—do you see it as one of mutual respect or something more… hierarchical?”
The older woman’s eyes sparkled with interest. “An excellent question. I suspect Defoe intended it as a reflection of contemporary attitudes, though we as readers are free to interpret it as we will. What is your view?”
“I find his journey fascinating, particularly how necessity drives him to confront his own nature,” Elizabeth replied. “It is remarkable how adversity reveals the depths of a person’s character.”
Mrs. Annesley smiled. “Yes, I agree. I have wondered if Crusoe would have valued human connection as much without his prolonged solitude. Do you think he might represent the resilience of the human spirit, or is he more a cautionary tale about the perils of self-reliance?”
As their conversation deepened, Elizabeth became increasingly animated, her thoughtful remarks and quick wit drawing Mrs.Annesley into a lively exchange. The warmth between them was evident, a sharp contrast to the earlier coolness of the Bingley sisters.
∞∞∞
From across the room, Darcy watched the exchange with hidden admiration. Elizabeth’s face was animated as she effortlessly engaged Mrs. Annesley in conversation, and the contrast between her lively intellect and the haughty indifference of Caroline and Mrs. Hurst was stark. He found himself silently commending her for behaving as a lady instead of a social-climbing harpy.
She is remarkable. Her kindness, her wit…
His thoughts were interrupted by a soft voice at his side. “It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
Darcy turned startled eyes to Georgiana, briefly worrying that he had spoken his thoughts aloud. Instead of looking at Elizabeth and Mrs. Annesley, however, Georgiana’s gaze was fixed on Bingley and Jane. Her lips curved in a gentle smile, her shyness momentarily overshadowed by her earnest observation.
“What do you mean?” he asked her.
“Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet,” Georgiana said softly. “It’s sweet to see two people so clearly enamored with one another.”
Darcy frowned slightly, watching the scene unfold. While it was obvious that Bingley’s admiration was sincere, Jane’s serene smile seemed unchanged from any other moment he had seen her.
“Bingley is certainly smitten,” Darcy murmured, “but Miss Bennet… her demeanor is always so composed. I see no indication that her feelings match his.”
Georgiana tilted her head, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “Do you think she would be so gentle and attentive if she didn’t care for him?”
“She smiles at everyone,” Darcy replied. “I fear she is simply… pleasant by nature.”
