Chapter 5
THE TROUBLE OF LIKING THEM
Darcy stared out the window and into the emptiness that preceded dawn’s awakening. The sound of his friend stirring in bed beckoned his attention. He whispered a silent prayer in thanks and proceeded to Lord Holland’s bedside. He pulled up a chair. “You gave us quite a scare today, my friend.”
His lordship glanced over and peered at the darkness outside. “What time is it?” He reached his hand to his head and felt the bandage. “What happened?”
“Do you not recall? You were making a spectacle of yourself for the young ladies, and your horse took a tumble.”
Lord Holland attempted to sit up, but Darcy silently urged him to remain settled. “Pegasus took a tumble? Is … is he—?”
“Fear not. Your darling Pegasus met with no harm. However, according to your physician, you suffered a severe blow to the head. You have been unconscious for hours.”
“Miss Bennet—what must she be thinking?”
As grateful as Darcy was to have his friend awake, hearing Elizabeth’s name amongst the first words the viscount uttered unsettled him.
How strange that he would worry over Miss Elizabeth’s reaction when Miss Lancaster was also present when the accident occurred.
He has known her for years. By all indications, she is quite taken with him, whereas he only made Miss Elizabeth’s acquaintance days prior.
“Both Miss Bennet and Miss Lancaster were finally persuaded to return to their own homes after waiting here for hours. I shall make certain they receive word of your recovery at morning’s first light.
I fear it is too early to disturb them now, but I will summon the physician and let him know you are awake. ”
Lord Holland stirred once again. “I will not have anyone make a fuss over me.”
Darcy held out his hand to still his friend. “If you had been privy to the spectacle of it all, I daresay you would not speak this way. Do you suppose I would be here as opposed to the comforts of my own bed were your situation not tenuous?”
“Have you been here the entire time?”
“For the most part, I was here, as well as your mother and Lady Barrett.”
“I suppose the flowers are my mother’s doing?”
“On the contrary, the flowers were cut fresh and arranged by another.”
“Who other than my mother would even think to bring me flowers? Is this Lucy’s doing?”
“Actually, it was Miss Bennet.”
Lord Holland smiled, and then he winced in pain. “That was quite considerate of her.”
“Indeed. Miss Bennet was beside herself with worry, having suffered a painfully similar situation herself.”
“I shall look forward to seeing her and thank her properly.”
“Seeing you up and about will be the best way to accomplish that. Now do as you are told. Lie here and wait while I summon the physician.”
It took nearly a fortnight, but the bandages were finally removed for the last time, signalling the viscount’s recovery from his fall. His recuperation was well timed, for he was to welcome additional house guests at Avondale—the Bingleys.
His smile wavering, the younger gentleman said, “You must forgive me. I know your invitation was meant solely for me, but my sister Caroline insisted. You know I cannot deny her anything. Believe me, I have tried.”
Lord Holland understood his friend Charles Bingley’s easy-going temperament and his friend’s sister’s fierce determination well enough to comprehend completely the younger man.
“Do not concern yourself. It is no imposition. We have ample room, and I am certain my mother will not mind one bit. You know how much she loves to entertain.” And I shall be entertained as well, watching Darcy fend off Miss Bingley’s impassioned pursuit.
“I knew you would understand. I pray Darcy will be as amiable.”
Darcy sauntered into the room in time to catch Bingley’s last words. “When have you ever known me to be less than amiable, Charles?”
Bingley’s face lit up at the sight of his closest friend and mentor. “Heavens, Darcy, I do not know a more awful object than you at your own house especially, and of a Sunday evening when you have nothing to do.”
Silently acknowledging Bingley’s point was well taken, the two men shook hands. “It is nice to see you, old friend.”
“Yes, but as I was just saying, you may not be equally delighted when you discover who else has joined us.”
Darcy’s face contorted into a tight grimace. Charles shrugged. “I am sorry, old fellow, but she insisted.” He shook his head. “You know how she is when her mind is fixed upon a matter. There is simply no saying ‘no’ to her.”
Later that evening, when she and Lady Vanessa arrived at Avondale, Elizabeth was met with a most unwelcome surprise. While she knew it was to be a large gathering where she was likely to form new acquaintances, she hardly expected this.
What on earth is she doing here? Elizabeth could well imagine the object of her silent inquiry asking herself the same question.
When the two had met in Hertfordshire under a year ago, they had not been the best of friends despite their being neighbours.
Miss Caroline Bingley and her sister, Mrs. Louisa Hurst, had suffered their time at Netherfield Park, their brother’s newly acquired estate, as though it were a sentencing of the direst kind.
Elizabeth bit her lip to hide her amusement in recollecting her neighbours’ antics.
Although always impeccably dressed in the latest fashions, Caroline’s penchant for burnt-orange gowns and flouncy feathers made her stand out in that evening’s gathering of high-society people just as she did amidst the rather limited society of Hertfordshire.
Elizabeth quickly glanced about the room.
I wonder why Mrs. Hurst is not hovering nearby.
The two superior sisters were inseparable—inseparable, haughty, and particularly condescending—when Elizabeth first made their acquaintance.
One would never know their family’s fortune was earned in trade—a fact that must surely have escaped their own knowing judging by the deplorable manner in which they disdain anyone whom they deemed beneath them.
Elizabeth resisted a smirk. I wonder what my aunt will think of those two.
The reservations Elizabeth suffered over the prospect of spending an entire evening with the Bingley sisters were erased when she espied the amiable Charles Bingley standing off to the side of the room.
Upon seeing her, he made his way to Elizabeth’s side, and with a gregarious and handsome smile, he reminded Elizabeth why she had always found it a pleasure being in his company.
What a stir his coming to the neighbourhood and letting Netherfield Park had incited amongst all the mamas with unwed daughters, proclaiming a single man with a good fortune must be in want of a wife.
With the task of marrying so many daughters resting squarely on her shoulders, Mrs. Bennet was especially eager to see one of them as the mistress of the fine estate.
As much as she liked Mr. Bingley, Elizabeth could never engender anything beyond sisterly affection towards him.
She rather supposed her sentiments had more to do with her sister Jane than anything.
He is just the sort of gentleman Jane would have adored.
Elizabeth’s younger sisters could not be prevailed upon to pay attention to Mr. Bingley either, what with Mary’s wont of citing Fordyce’s sermons and other moral platitudes when it came to such matters, and Kitty and Lydia’s ceaseless regard for any man in a uniform.
But her dearest Jane—a match between Jane and Bingley might have been perfect.
Elizabeth could imagine her sister proclaiming him everything a gentleman ought to be.
For Jane, there was no greater commendation.
Elizabeth quietly sighed. She was finally reaching a point where her memories of her beloved sister no longer rekindled the throbbing ache in her heart. For that she was exceedingly grateful. Jane would want me to be at peace.
Mr. Bingley cleared his throat. “Miss Bennet, it is such a delight seeing you here. How are you?”
Elizabeth curtsied and assured him that all was well.
He conversed in a friendly, though general way, and looked and spoke with the same good-humoured ease that he had ever done. “How is your family? Your sisters? Did any of them travel with you?”
“All of my sisters remain in Hertfordshire. I am staying with my aunt, Lady Vanessa Barrett.”
“Then I shall be delighted to make her acquaintance.”
“And your sisters—did both of them travel with you?”
“My eldest sister remains in London.”
At least having to bother with only one of them was a cause for celebration. Unfortunately, it is the worst one of them.
Miss Caroline Bingley approached them, but by the put-off expression on her face, Elizabeth surmised it was the last thing she wanted to do. Charles said, “Caroline, look who it is—our neighbour from Hertfordshire.”
A pinched expression marred Caroline’s face. “Miss Eliza Bennet, what a surprise this is.”
“Miss Bingley, I would have to say the same.”
Bingley bestowed a good-hearted smile. “Not an unwelcome surprise, I assure you. I could not be more pleased.” He turned to his sister. “Miss Bennet is in Bosley visiting her relation, a Lady Vanessa Barrett. I was just saying that I look forward to making her acquaintance during our brief stay.”
“Lady Vanessa Barrett?” Caroline’s countenance smacked of shock and genuine horror.
“Yes, she is my father’s sister.”
“Why, I rather supposed all your relatives were on your mother’s side of the family.”
“I do not comprehend why you would have supposed such a thing. Surely you recall making the acquaintance of my cousin Mr. Collins.”
Caroline scowled. “But of course.” The bored expression on her face quickly went from disaffected disgust to enraptured anticipation. Elizabeth followed the path of Caroline’s eyes to ascertain what had brought about such a change.