“She would appear a fright in them, going to dine,” Mary said.
Elizabeth thought it rather practical herself and said so, to Kitty’s pleasure, but Jane agreed with Mary, saying that a footman would hold an umbrella long enough to get her from the carriage to the house.
Jane rose. “I shall go upstairs to change.”
“Is the invitation for tonight, then?” Elizabeth asked with some surprise. They had not given Jane much time to prepare.
“It is. Cook has dinner well in hand, though. I shall send word that I will dine out.”
Mary tipped her head to one side. “Did they not invite Lizzy, too?”
Jane’s excitement deflated as she reread the missive. “No, I am afraid they did not.” She glanced at Elizabeth. “Perhaps I ought not to go?”
Elizabeth almost laughed, but she could see Jane was troubled. “Of course you should accept, if you wish. We cannot blame Miss Bingley and her sister for wishing to know you better, Jane. Only take care to review the Bennet family tree before you depart. They will most certainly inquire.”
“I do not believe they will interrogate me, Lizzy,” Jane said with a smile.
Elizabeth disagreed. “Oh, they will, Jane.”
Mary frowned. “Why?”
“Because they wish to point out that their connections are superior to ours.”
“But they are not,” Mary replied, confused. “Their brother leases an estate, but he does not own one.”
“However, by pointing out what they perceive as inadequacies in others, they believe their own shall remain well hidden.”
Jane’s gentle “Ahem” kept Elizabeth from expounding. “Even were they to ask such questions, I am well able to deflect any inappropriate inquiries.” Jane glanced over at her, and Elizabeth saw her sister’s hopeful visage in all its perfect beauty. “Once Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst understand that we will not judge them, perhaps they will feel more secure. It would be pleasant to have new friends to visit.”
How much of Jane’s pleasure was in the prospect of new friends and how much the hope that she might meet Mr. Bingley before the evening was out, Elizabeth could not say, but she would not mar Jane’s happiness at either prospect. “Of course.”
Jane rose. “I shall send my acceptance.”
“Shall I call for the carriage whilst you dress?” Elizabeth asked. “It is fortunate Papa and the gentlemen rode to their engagement.”
“It is. Thank you, Lizzy.”
“Jane,” Elizabeth said, standing, “just . . . do guard your heart.”
“Do not be silly, Lizzy,” Jane said calmly. “There will be no need.”
The room was crowded with officers, all of them wishing to speak with the men from Longbourn. The cigar smoke, the spirits, the boisterous conversations—this was a scene familiar to Darcy. He had not appreciated such gatherings much when he was an officer himself, but at least then the rooms were filled with men he trusted and could admire—whose actions under fire had proven their mettle. Here he knew no one, and most were not of the sort whose actions were anything of note.
He had become very fond of the excellent meals, good conversation, and quiet, companionable evenings at Longbourn. He was rather sorry to have given one up for a party such as this. The cigars and port were inferior to Bennet’s, and the talk was more bravado than sense. A few of the officers even had to be corrected as to where Portugal and Spain were located.
“Mr. Darcy!” cried a young captain.
Darcy recalled that the man’s name was Carter. A lieutenant whose features were extraordinarily handsome, and whose uniform was extraordinarily new, accompanied him.
“Mr. Wickham has joined us very recently, Mr. Darcy,” Carter said as the two men approached, “and you will not have met him.”
“Mr. Darcy?” asked Mr. Wickham, his countenance brightening. “Are you at all connected with the Darcys of Pemberley?”
Darcy was suspicious when several of the lieutenant’s comrades wandered over to listen.
Bingley chose that moment to appear at his side and clap him on the arm. “Darcy istheDarcy of Pemberley.”
“Thank you, Bingley,” Darcy said stiffly. He noted that Mr. Hurst was still sitting by the fire, well into his cups.