Love Unfeigned (Timeless Love: Darcy and Lizzy variations)

13. Chapter 13

Chapter thirteen

February 1812 Darcy House Darcy

T he bell rang, alerting Darcy to Bingley's arrival. He was late—a good half hour, if the clock's time was true. It was very unlike him. His friend was more apt to arrive early than make others wait upon his arrival.

The door to the parlor opened. Georgiana sat at the pianoforte. She had been invited to dine with the gentlemen. Her companion, Mrs. Annesley, was to join them, making the entire thing very proper. Her playing stopped suddenly, and Darcy turned away from her to the doorway. In swept Caroline Bingley, followed by the Hursts and Mr. Bingley.

His friend looked utterly distraught. He shrugged his shoulders and mouthed, "I will explain later," before turning to greet Georgiana. His sister had come out from behind the pianoforte, and her face was contorted oddly, as if she was trying to keep an unpleasant expression off her face.

"Mr. Darcy!" Miss Bingley cried, swooping in and curtseying prettily. "I am so pleased to be here tonight! When Charles told me you had invited us to dinner, I said, 'How very fortunate we are to have Mr. and Miss Darcy as friends.' Did I not say that, Louisa?"

"Indeed you did!" Mrs. Hurst came forward, tipping her head in agreement. "Thank you very much, sir, for having us." Hurst had wandered off to the side table that held the decanter and had poured himself a glass of port. He did no more than a grunt in greeting before plopping down on the settee and taking a deep drink from his glass.

"Dinner is served." Thankful for the announcement, Darcy reluctantly extended his arm to Mrs. Hurst, the highest ranking lady in the room besides Georgiana. Miss Bingley stared daggers at her sister but latched onto his other arm, leaving Bingley to escort Georgiana and Mr. Hurst to escort Mrs. Annesley.

His unwanted guests chattered in his ear as he escorted them to their seats. His staff, ever efficient, had placed three extra settings at the table. Darcy deposited the sisters at the far end before moving to his spot at the head of the table. Miss Bingley looked irritated but said nothing. Georgiana sat on Darcy's right, in her usual spot, when they dined together. Hurst, Mrs. Annesley, and Bingley filled the other chairs. The table was terribly mismatched, but he found he did not care.

Darcy had looked forward to being able to converse freely with Bingley. He intended to tell his friend that he hoped they would one day be brothers by marriage. Despite the letter from Elizabeth which had arrived earlier that day, he still had hope for the future. Her words had cut him to the core, but it spoke well of her intelligence and character that she could admit she had been in error, and detect Wickham's lies without being explicitly informed of his poor behavior.

The letter sat on his desk. He had not responded to it, though he already knew he would offer Elizabeth his whole-hearted forgiveness. He would have plenty of time to brood now—conversation was always thin on the ground when the Bingley sisters were present.

"How is your playing, dear Georgiana?" Miss Bingley simpered. "It has been some time since I had the pleasure of hearing you play. Will you perform for us tonight? And how very fortunate you are in your brother! Attending a formal dinner at such a tender age—he must have great faith in you."

It was hardly a formal dinner at all. There was no proper seating, and there were only three courses planned. Miss Bingley's attempts to ingratiate herself with Georgiana were destined to fail. His sister edged away, responding only in monosyllables. Gone was the impertinent miss who had been present these past weeks, and in her place was a sullen, silent young lady.

The ladies departed immediately following the third course. Bingley let out a whoosh of breath and immediately began apologizing. "They were in the carriage before I knew what was happening!" he cried. "I went upstairs to dress for dinner, and Caroline asked where I was going, and like an idiot, I told her. Darcy, I am very sorry! I should have thrown them out when they got in."

"What is that?" spluttered Hurst. "We were not invited?" He looked at Darcy through blurry eyes. "Louisa never tells me about our dinner arrangements in advance—I had no cause to doubt her!" Turning to Darcy, he, too, expressed his apologies and begged forgiveness. "Deplorably rude," he muttered. "I shall have a talk with her as soon as we get home."

"Yes," agreed Bingley. "We will both confront them when we return to the house."

Darcy waved at them dismissively. "It is over and done," he said. "We must rescue Georgiana before they become too unbearable." He did not seem to be able to control his words—insulting the ladies to their relations! Yet, Bingley and Hurst laughed, standing to accompany him to the parlor where the ladies waited.

"Mr. Darcy!" Miss Bingley called, waving from her seat on the settee. "Come join me, sir!"

Darcy had no intention of putting himself in her grasp. He went instead and poured himself a glass of port. His attempt at avoiding her was short-lived, for she came to his side immediately.

"Charles has been out every day the past week," she hissed. "I do not know where he is going. Could he have learned of Miss Bennet's presence in town?"

"Your brother's business is his own. If he has and has decided to pursue her, then it is out of our hands." He took a swallow from his glass and moved a little further away.

"How can you speak so indifferently?" she whispered frantically. "Marriage to a country nobody will ruin him!" She ran a hand up his coat sleeve. "It will certainly prevent other more desirable events from occurring."

He turned and looked at her, hoping his gaze was as flat and cold as he intended. "I do not know what you mean," he said curtly.

Her hand climbed higher and rested on his chest. She was practically in his arms. Shifting away again so there was space between them, he cleared his throat.

"Do not be coy, sir," she purred. "It would be a perfect match—your sister and my brother…and then, when you are ready, perhaps you and I…" she trailed off, looking up at him expectantly. "Brothers at last—exactly what you and Charles have always wanted."

The irony was not lost on him. He and Bingley would be brothers, but not in the way Miss Bingley expected. "Let me be rightly understood," he said evenly, keeping his voice soft so as not to call attention to their conversation. "These matches to which you aspire will never take place."

She looked surprised. "Why not?" she asked. She sounded completely surprised. "My brother is practically a gentleman—she is a gentleman's daughter."

"An accident of birth has nothing to do with it." He stepped further away. "I will not encourage Georgiana to marry where there is no affection and I plan to set the example myself when I take a wife."

"But then all is well!" she cried, her voice pitching up a little. She sounded frantic. "I love you—I do! And I know you love me. We are of one accord in every decision. It is as if we were designed for each other!"

"Madam, you are utterly incorrect regarding my opinions." Bowing curtly, Darcy moved away, seating himself between Georgiana and Mrs. Annesley for the rest of the evening. It came as no surprise when Miss Bingley claimed a headache a short time later. The entire party left. Bingley promised to call the next day, and Darcy bid him farewell.

At sixes and sevens about his ruined evening, he sat down to compose his reply to Elizabeth's letter. Words came easier now, and the occupation soothed his mind. When he finished, he sanded and sealed it before retiring. It had been a long day.