Page 3 of A Sisterly Bond

“Do not fret, Lizzy. I have resigned myself to never seeing any of them again,” said Jane. Her sister’s quiet voice, burdened by sadness, sharpened Elizabeth’s anger even further towards Mr Darcy and the entire Bingley family.

If she were to meet any of them again, she would certainly give them a piece of her mind. Mr Darcy was arrogant and thoughtless of the feelings of others. Miss Bingley and Mrs Hurst were deceitful and two-faced, while Mr Bingley was certainly a fool. He would never meet another woman as beautiful, kind-hearted, sweet, and generous as Jane. He simply did not deserve her, and Elizabeth could not refrain from praying he would be miserable and regretful for abandoning her.

***

In the morning, the two patients were attended to according to Doctor Green’s orders. Sir William appeared to be worse than Maria, but he was mostly preoccupied with the reply expected from Mr Collins.

After breakfast, Mr Gardiner attended to his business, while the children played in their room under their nursemaid’s supervision.

“What would you say to taking a carriage ride and doing some shopping?” Mrs Gardiner asked her nieces.

“That would be lovely,” Elizabeth immediately answered. “I was about to suggest it myself — not so much for shopping, but I imagine Hyde Park must be lovely in spring.”

“To you, any park is lovely at any time, Lizzy.” Mrs Gardiner laughed. “Very well. Let me settle things with the children, and then we shall go.”

Chapter 2

The morning proved every bit as fine as Elizabeth had hoped. A soft March sun filtered through thin clouds, and the air, though it still carried a hint of winter’s lingering chill, held the first true promise of spring. The carriage rolled on at a gentle pace along the broad avenues of Hyde Park, and for a time the three ladies contented themselves with observing the early riders, the occasional fashionable equipage, and the delicate green beginning to appear upon the trees.

Mrs Gardiner, ever practical, pointed out a particularly elegant pair of matched greys drawing a barouche, while Jane remarked upon the graceful figure of a young woman walking with her maid. Elizabeth, however, found her attention continually drawn to the wider prospect — the sweep of the Serpentine and the quiet dignity of the park itself. After nearly half an hour of such pleasant observation, she turned to her companions with a bright smile.

“Might we stop a moment?” she asked. “I should so like to walk a little. The day is too fine to remain entirely confined to the carriage.”

Mrs Gardiner agreed with only a little reluctance, and the coachman was directed to draw up near a quieter stretch of the path. Elizabeth stepped down with alacrity, adjusting her bonnet against a playful breeze while her companions elected to remain within the carriage for the present, content to watch her progress.

Elizabeth walked along with light steps, her eyes lifted to the delicate branches overhead. The ground beneath was still damp in places from recent showers, yet the path itself was firm enough, and she took quiet pleasure in the simple freedom of movement. A group of riders approached at a measured trot — gentlemen in dark coats, their horses well-bred and lively. As they drew near, one of the animals tossed its head and shifted suddenly towards the grass. Elizabeth was startled and turned more abruptly than was wise.

Her foot slipped upon a patch of soft earth. For an instant she tried to recover her balance, but the attempt proved unsuccessful. With a soft cry of surprise, she found herself upon the ground, her skirts spread in an undignified fashion about her.

Almost at once a carriage that had been approaching from the opposite direction drew up sharply. The door opened, and a young woman sprang down with remarkable swiftness.

“Are you hurt?” she asked, her voice soft yet clear. “Pray, do not attempt to rise too quickly. Let me help you,” she continued, while Elizabeth looked at her, dumbfounded. The young woman was fair, with a gentle expression and an air of shy concern.

Already gathering her scattered composure, Elizabeth managed a smile at her own expense.

“I am not injured, thank you, apart from my pride,” she replied. “I fear I have made a spectacle of myself most unnecessarily.”

She rose with the young lady’s assistance. The damage, she discovered, was confined to a considerable quantity of mud upon the petticoat and side of her gown, and a slight tremor in her hands that she attributed more to surprise than to any real injury. An older woman, of composed and respectable appearance, had by now descended from the carriage as well. At the same moment, Mrs Gardiner and Jane, having observed the mishap, hurried forwards from their own equipage.

Elizabeth turned to the young stranger with genuine gratitude.

“You are very kind. I am much obliged to you for your prompt assistance. Might I know the name of the lady to whom I owe such gratitude?”

The girl coloured prettily yet answered with quiet dignity.

“There is no need for gratitude, I assure you. I am Georgiana Darcy. This is my companion, Mrs Annesley.”

Elizabeth’s eyes widened. For a moment she could only stare, blinking several times in her incredulity. Was such a coincidence possible?

“Miss Darcy? Can it be…forgive my boldness. Could you be the sister of Mr Darcy of Pemberley?”

Miss Darcy looked faintly surprised. She glanced at her companion before she finally responded. “I am. Do you know my brother, ma’am?”

Elizabeth recovered herself sufficiently enough to offer a proper curtsey, then an introduction.

“My name is Elizabeth Bennet. I made your brother’s acquaintance last autumn, when he visited his friend Mr Bingley at Netherfield Park. My father’s estate is only three miles away.”

The girl frowned for a moment, then brightened with interest.