“Oh,” Elizabeth said, torn. She did not wish to send Jane off on her own, but she had promised Mary.
“Mary says she will take Kitty with her. It is time she took up her duties to the estate as well,” Jane said with a knowing look.
“Is this your sweet way of suggesting I allow Mary to lead from time to time?” Elizabeth inquired as she gave her sister a glare undercut with a rueful expression.
“Not at all, dearest,” Jane replied smoothly. “Only that you and I will not be at Longbourn forever, and perhaps it would be good for her.”
“I should take offence at your assessment of my overbearing character,” Elizabeth teased, “but as you are correct, I shall instead accept your gracious offer to provide entertainment this morning.”
Jane laughed softly. “They are not so bad, Elizabeth. They are simply . . .”
“Proud without justification?”
“Perhaps they feel it too much, but they are both well educated,” Jane admonished her.
“I would not know,” Elizabeth replied, “for they have never engaged me in any conversation of substance.”
“You will see today that you are wrong,” Jane insisted. “They may not be perfect, Lizzy, but who among us is?”
Elizabeth placed both hands over her heart in a dramatic gesture. “You have struck me dead with the truth, Jane.” She laughed when her very proper sister rolled her eyes. “I promise to be polite, if only for your sake.”
“Thank you, Lizzy,” Jane said, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Will you meet me downstairs in a half an hour? I will request the carriage.”
“Very well,” Elizabeth agreed, taking in a fortifying breath. She gestured at her walking dress and boots. “I shall change my clothes.”
As she sat in the Netherfield drawing room an hour later, Elizabeth thought a suit of armour might have been a more appropriate choice of attire for such a visit. Even Jane could not pretend that her friends’ conversation was anything other than a series of pointed barbs punctuated with offers of tea and cake. She could almost hear arrows bouncing off the metal with every falsely polite sentiment.
“I am pleased to see you so well recovered, Miss Bennet,” Miss Bingley said. “I was quite concerned for you.”
So concerned that she had never offered apologies for sending Jane home rather than inviting her to remain overnight. Elizabeth took a sip of tea to prevent issuing a rejoinder. Jane would not appreciate it.
“We know you were instrumental in your sister’s recovery, Miss Elizabeth,” Mrs. Hurst added.
“She was truly heroic,” Jane agreed, offering Elizabeth a smile. “I do not know what I would have done without her.”
“Quite,” Miss Bingley replied tartly. She sipped her tea and then lowered the cup. “Your life before Longbourn must have prepared you well for such a thing. I would never have even had the thought to throw myself into the mud when there were so many men about.” Miss Bingley’s tone was everything approving, but the sly glance at her sister that followed unfortunately ruined the effect.
“Indeed. Because I love my sister, I always wish for her to have the best,” Elizabeth said with a genuine smile.
Jane’s lips pressed together, as they always did when Elizabeth attempted to coax her into laughter whilst in company.
“I am afraid I do not understand,” Mrs. Hurst said, glancing at Miss Bingley.
Miss Bingley clearly did understand, for the look she gave her sister was one of exasperation. “Miss Elizabeth means, dear, that she was the best person available to do that dirty job.”
Elizabeth nodded. In for a penny, in for a pound. She turned to Miss Bingley’s sister. “The ground was not stable,” she said as innocently as she was able. “They required someone very light so as not to make the situation worse. And I am certainly capable of running a rope up and down a slope, Mrs. Hurst.”
“Of course you are capable,” Miss Bingley assured them. “But was it truly necessary, Miss Elizabeth? Not all of them are the size of Mr. Darcy. Couldnoneof the men have done the job?”
“Well, your brother was not yet there,” Elizabeth replied. “So I am afraid the answer is no.” Elizabeth then addressed Mrs. Hurst directly. “I am sure you understand. Would you not risk a little mud on your hem to save Miss Bingley’s life? Truly, would the mud even cross your mind?”
Itwouldcross her mind if the grimace on Mrs. Hurst’s face was any hint as to her feelings. Elizabeth felt a pang of sadness in her heart. She was so fortunate to have a sister like Jane that sometimes she forgot not everyone was as lucky.
“I am thankful that my brother is so careful with us,” Miss Bingley replied, rallying. “I doubt our brother would ever place us in a position where such behaviour was necessary.”
That look on Mrs. Hurst’s face had stolen all the fun from their conversation. Elizabeth could only say whole-heartedly, “I do hope that continues to be the case, Miss Bingley.”
“I imagine you gained your hardy constitution from your mother,” Mrs. Hurst added, as she plucked a second cake from the tray and placed it on her plate. The sneering emphasis of her words made it clear she did not mean to praise.