If Only In His Dreams by Melanie Schertz Page B

entered the drawing room just before dinner was announced.  Walking directly to where Lady Anne was seated, Caroline seated herself nearby and began a conversation with the woman she hoped to one day call her mother-in-law.
     
    “It is such a pleasure to have you and Miss Darcy here with us.  The society here leaves a great deal to be desire d , as the residents in this neighborhood are very rustic and uncultured.  I have longed to have another woman of taste and style to be here, as I have only had my sister to converse with.”
     
    “I would have thought you would have enjoyed your neighbors, the Bennet sisters.  They seem to be quite genteel and well brought up.  And I understand that your brother is quite taken with the eldest Miss Bennet.”  Anne Darcy knew that Caroline Bingley was one of the fortune hunting vultures who always attempted to capture her son’s attention in hopes of snaring him for a husband.
     
    “Well, yes, they are genteel for this neighborhood.  Compared to all of the other ladies, they would be considered the cream of the crop, but then again, that is not saying much.”  Caroline laughed at her little joke.
     
    Lady Anne smiled politely.  “Well, I found both young ladies to be of the utmost perfection and I am thrilled with knowing that Lizzy will be my daughter-in-law.  Such an incredible wit and well versed in many subjects.  And she is quite lovely, with those lovely brown eyes and her curls; my goodness, I can name many of the women from the Ton who would dearly love Lizzy’s curls.”
     
    Hearing Lady Anne referring to Miss Elizabeth in such a familiar manner, Caroline Bingley knew that it would be difficult to change her mind against the country chit.  But Caroline Bingley was determined that she would make Lady Anne see that Miss Elizabeth Bennet was far from appropriate to be the next Mrs Darcy.
     
    “I was reading the latest issues of the ladies magazines and they all claim that to have straight hair that can be styled easier is all the rage on the continent now.  And it also spoke of men preferring their ladies to be a little less…buxom… than the likes of Miss Elizabeth.  She has far too much curvature to her figure.”
     
    “If I held to the gossips in those magazines I would never have married Gerald Darcy.  For I am here to tell you, most men prefer a woman with curves and a healthy helping of décolletage.  I believe that the writers of such rubbish are ladies who have no attributes to attract men, so they attempt to make all the other single ladies appear like them.  No, Lizzy has the sort of figure that pleases my son, and with the obvious attraction I have seen, I would not be surprised to have a grandchild coming within the first year of their marriage.”
     
    “Oh, I had not heard that they had set a date for a wedding.  Is it for certain that they will be wed?”
     
    “Yes, though Lizzy would like to have some time to court first, to allow them both to know the other bet ter.  Such a smart young lady; it makes me respect her even more.  And I believe she will be a wonderful role model for Georgiana as well.  Georgie already adores Lizzy, after only one visit.  Our family will be quite joyous with Lizzy joining us.”
     
    Fortunately for Caroline, dinner was announced.  As the ladies made their way down the hall, Darcy and Bingley were coming down the stairs.  “Mother, forgive me for being late in returning from Longbourn.”
     
    This caught Caroline’s attention.  “I thought you had already visited Longbourn for the day.  Are you attempting to convince Miss Eliza to run away with you to Greta Green?”
     
    “No, Miss Bingley, as Lizzy is a proper young lady and I respect her far too much to behave in such a manner.” Darcy stated.  He did not realize the slip of the tongue in using Elizabeth’s nickname.
     
    “Lizzy, is it?  My, how soon will we be wishing you joy?” Caroline’s venom was dripping from her