Mission to Meryton by Kendig Laraba

Author:Kendig, Laraba
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-05-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

“Well, Miss Elizabeth,” Miss Bingley said brightly, “I understand that you and your sisters had a great many visitors yesterday!”

Elizabeth sighed inwardly and nodded. “We did indeed. It was a pleasant day for December, and it seems that many officers and friends wished to pay their respects.”

“That must have been very exciting for you! I daresay you rarely garner so much attention from the gentlemen!”

“That is true enough, and I can only be grateful for the opportunity. When my sisters and I depart for London in February, we will be introduced to a great many new acquaintances and experiences. We are all benefiting from spending time in company with new friends.”

“Oh, Miss Elizabeth, I do hope you will not find yourself disappointed! Many a young woman on the fringes of society has found it quite difficult to obtain invitations to private balls, routs, and assemblies, and that is, of course, where the true gentlemen can be found!”

Elizabeth took a sip of her tea and smiled seraphically. “I do thank you for your warning, Miss Bingley, but I am not concerned. My sisters and I are the daughters of a gentleman, after all, not a tradesman. I have no doubt that we will manage quite nicely in London.”

Miss Bingley choked at this obvious dig at her own antecedents, and Mr. Darcy, who was sitting on a chair nearby, suppressed a huff of laughter.

Elizabeth took her hostess’s brief silence as an opportunity to turn her attention on Mr. Darcy. “Mr. Darcy, do you enjoy London?”

Darcy glanced briefly at Georgiana and was relieved to see that she was still in happy conversation with Miss Lydia Bennet; based on his sister’s expression and hand gestures, they were discussing acting. Mr. Bingley and Miss Bennet were in a corner, talking animatedly, and the other Bennet ladies were clustered around Mrs. Hurst, apparently discussing flowers.

“I enjoy some aspects of it, Miss Elizabeth,” he said in his deep voice. “The libraries and the museums and the theater all have their attractions, certainly.”

“They most definitely do!” Miss Bingley declared, hurrying into speech. “Indeed, I am quite sure that London is the most fabulous place on earth! Do you not agree, Miss Elizabeth?”

“I do like London, but I also enjoy walking extensively and that is difficult in Town.”

“Hyde Park is both substantial and charming,” Darcy offered.

“Yes, it is quite marvelous,” Miss Bingley squealed. “During the hour of the promenade, the roads are entirely full of society gentlemen riding their finest horses, and ladies in their barouches! It is quite a divine experience!”

Darcy compressed his lips in irritation, only to feel his spirit lightening at the sight of Miss Elizabeth, whose eyes were brimming with amusement.

“It sounds delightful,” Miss Elizabeth said gravely. “I will plan to make a trip there when we move to London.”

The butler suddenly appeared at Darcy’s side and handed him a sealed letter. “Sir, I was ordered to give this to you, most urgently.”

Darcy quickly broke the seal and flattened it, reading the words there in a few quick seconds.

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