Chapter 6 #2
On the return journey, Darcy contemplated the morning call. In his reception at Cliff House, there had been much friendliness from Miss Baker and her niece, and he and his sister had parted from them with a strong inclination for continuing the acquaintance.
And, oh, Miss Elizabeth Bennet! For him, there had been everything most bewitching in her glorious presence.
He wished they could have lingered at Cliff House, and he wished her fingers had lingered where they had touched him.
The evening of the following day was, for him, an object of fond expectation.
The company and the refreshments had been pleasant, and the information gleaned from Miss Baker about the cove’s terrain enabled him to take a much better track back to Strandsmere. Although bumpy and of longer duration, it skirted nicely round the dreaded expanse of boggy ground.
Soon, his stone villa was spotted in the distance, and Darcy realised he had forgotten about his guests.
However, he was secure in the knowledge that his housekeeper would ensure all the Wrights would be well looked after in his absence.
Earlier that morning, he had walked to Willow Bourn with Mr Wright and had pointed out those shaded sections where brown trout might be loitering.
The gentleman had been invited to fish there as often as he wished while continuing in the cove.
Mr Ansel, the land steward, would supply him with tackle.
However, Mr Wright seemed indifferent to the offer.
As for the three Miss Wrights, despite his admonishment, Miss Althea was most likely in the library, nose buried in one of the novels he had purchased. The elder two sisters had indicated a desire to go riding. Ye gods! I hope they have not ventured into the bog.
“Brother, did you not hear me? I said that Miss Bennet is rather lovely. But do you know what I like most about her?”
Her fine eyes? High cheekbones? Her wit? Her pretty smile? Her touch?
“I like that she makes you happy. Your entire face changed while in her company. She even made you laugh.” Georgiana fiddled with her gloves. “You sometimes smile in Miss Wright’s presence, but I have never before seen you so buoyant as you were with Miss Bennet.”
Buoyant, indeed. For a while there, I felt as though I was floating. “Yes, but to laugh aloud so heartily while in company as I did is considered vulgar.”
“Pshaw. I wish both of us might laugh more often. But since Ramsgate—”
Darcy dropped his whip to gently squeeze her fingers. “Perhaps we both should spend more time in Miss Bennet’s company.”
“Oh yes.” Georgiana grinned at him. “I would like that very much.”
She was quiet then for such a duration that he took his eyes off the track to glance over. The difference between her countenance then and what it had been was strikingly great. “What is on your mind, little hen?” He hoped to cheer her with the sobriquet.
“Miss Althea and I have made a wager. Oh, do not look so terribly alarmed, Brother. ’Twas merely a guinea. She wagers that you, meaning you and her eldest sister, will be married by summer’s end.”
Removing his hand from hers, he took up the whip again.
He knew he should not be surprised that such expectations had been raised.
In his attempt to forget Elizabeth Bennet, he had given Hannah Wright far too much attention and had felt compelled to invite her entire family to spend the summer with him.
Darcy looked at his sister and tried to not sound annoyed.
“Have you and your friend anything else to speculate on about my domestic felicity?”
“No, not at the moment.” A subtle smirk played about Georgiana’s lips. “But give me time.”
Immediately upon entering the villa, the Darcys encountered Hannah Wright pacing in the vestibule.
“There you are!” she cried, raising her arms. “I was worried sick that the horrid ground out there had swallowed the two of you. When Meg and I started out on our ride, your land steward warned us to steer clear of the morass to the south of the house. If you had not left in such a hurry, Mr Ansel could have informed you of the danger.”
Darcy handed his gloves and coat to a footman. “I believe that Mr Ansel was at Willow Bourn at that time, ensuring the waterway is well stocked for when, and if, your father ever decides to go fishing there.”
Miss Wright, having calmed herself, smiled at Darcy and wound her arm round his, though he had not offered it to her.
“You take such superlative care of us, sir. But I still do not understand why you had to depart in such a rush. Much can be said of your benevolence, of course, and I have heard that the Bakers may be of some consequence. However, the young ladies staying with them can be of little significance.” She looked up at him with big blue eyes. “Is that not so?”
Competing for a patch of sunshine on the vestibule floor, both Heiress Tottle and Hector got in the lady’s way.
The large dog would not be moved, but Miss Wright pushed the white cat aside with her foot while awaiting Darcy’s reply.
Upon receiving none, she added in a sharply critical tone, “I hardly think it worthwhile continuing such an acquaintance. Do you?”
He opened his mouth to respond, but Georgiana spoke first.
“I, for one, hope to continue the acquaintance with Miss Baker, Miss Hughes, and Miss Bennet. Already I approve of them all. Really, Miss Wright, is it any wonder that a person might want to call upon a house where a young lady that one admires is residing? I eagerly anticipate dining at Cliff House on the morrow.”
With astonishment and no little admiration, Darcy glanced down at the young lady who had spoken with such candour, all innocence, and honesty. Who are you, madam? And what have you done with my bashful little sister?