Chapter XII #2
Darcy chuckled at the thought of Elizabeth, of all people, failing in society. “When you meet her, you will understand. Elizabeth’s manners are perhaps not the fashionable kind that every debutante displays, but she is no timid miss, nor is she deficient. I have never met a woman so capable.”
“Then that is well,” said the earl with a curt nod. “Susan and I will support you, of course. But you must know that she will face challenges in society, and even in the family.”
“And she will meet them all with the same determination,” replied Darcy. “Charity will love her, as will Rachel, though I know her approval will take longer.”
The earl nodded his understanding of his daughters. “Rachel and Charity are not my concern.”
“If you refer to Lady Catherine,” replied Darcy, “her opinion is of no concern to me.”
A bark of laughter was his uncle’s response. “As I have daily proof. I did not think there was so much paper in all of England as to support the mountain of letters my sister has sent me.
“With Susan’s assistance,” mused Uncle Jacob, “I have no doubt she will do well, if what you say is correct. James may not accept her, but he knows we cannot have a schism in the family.”
“If you will pardon me,” said Darcy, “your heir could use a little humbling—Elizabeth is precisely the woman to administer it.”
Fitzwilliam chuckled. “Aye, that is the truth. Trust me, Father—I shall vouch for Elizabeth’s abilities. Even James may come to appreciate her.”
With a nod, the earl’s attention turned back to his son. “What of your Miss Bennet? Is she the same sort of woman as her sister?”
“Not at all,” replied Fitzwilliam. “Miss Bennet is beautiful, calm, poised, and unaccustomed to sharing her opinion. But she does not lack the strength of character her sister displays—it is just quieter.”
“Miss Bennet has hidden depths,” inserted Darcy.
“Can you afford her?” was the earl’s blunt question.
“We will do well enough,” said Fitzwilliam. “With my pay—yes, I know it will be half pay—combined with the prizes I have accumulated in battle, the inheritance you have settled on me, and certain investments I possess, we shall do well enough.”
“Will she be content with that? You are an earl’s son—she may expect more.”
“Miss Bennet is not covetous. She will be content so long as I give her a good home and we are together.”
The earl studied them both for several moments and then nodded. “Very well. Susan and I would like to meet both of your ladies. I shall allow her to make the arrangements.”
DARCY EYED THE MAN sitting across from him, curiosity warring with apathy.
Gerald Hurst was not a bad sort, but he had never considered him a friend, though he knew well that Hurst did.
How much of that supposed friendship was Hurst’s appreciation for the delights of his dinner table and collection of fine brandy and how much was a genuine appreciation for Darcy himself was a matter of conjecture.
It had not been Darcy’s intention to meet with Hurst, but their paths had crossed at the club, Hurst sitting down at the table Darcy occupied with nary a by your leave. It both amused and exasperated him.
“Caroline was not best pleased to learn that your friendship with her brother had cooled.”
Darcy leaned back in his chair. “I beg your pardon, Hurst, but I care little for your sister’s opinion.”
Hurst’s response was a derisive snort. “No, I do not suppose you do. But her behavior will amuse you all the same.”
“Then what did she say?”
“I shall not sport with your intelligence by repeating it,” said Hurst with a feral grin. “What I shall say is her displeasure was nothing compared with the utter horror she displayed when she pulled your engagement from Bingley’s unwilling lips.”
That provoked Darcy’s grin. “That bad, was it?”
“I am still shocked the house did not collapse on her from all the shrieking.”
Darcy shook his head with disgust. “Her disappointment is her own doing. I never gave her any sign that I was considering her as a prospective bride.”
“No, you did not,” replied Hurst, sipping from his glass. “Caroline has long been adept at seeing what she wished—what she wished to see in this instance was a man who was only waiting for the best time to fulfill all her wishes in a husband.”
“All her wishes for advancement and wealth,” retorted Darcy.
Hurst nodded, not denying it at all. “Now, she has no more choice but to accept that she will not have you for a husband, and that her brother will not have your sister. It will do her good—if ever she accepts it. Caroline is not devoid of charms, and several other men have expressed interest in her.”
“Then I wish her the best,” said Darcy, magnanimous despite his distaste for Miss Bingley.
Though he fell silent for a moment, Hurst soon spoke again. “I dare say this business will also do Bingley good.”
Curious, Darcy asked: “What do you mean?”
With a shrug, Hurst lifted his glass to his lips again. “Bingley needs to make the right match to establish his place in society. While a marriage to your wife’s sister might have been enough, a direct connection to an established family is better.”
“I was not aware that you considered such things, Hurst,” said Darcy, studying the man before him.
Hurst again appeared uncaring. “In truth, I do not, though I understand the benefits of connections. You did not know Bingley’s father, Darcy, but I was acquainted with him as he did business with my father—that was how Louisa came to my attention.
The elder Bingley was not so foolish as to suppose that his children could ascend to the heights of society, unlike Caroline.
Yet he wanted them to strive to rise as far as they could. ”
“Do you not suppose that Bingley requires affection in his wife?”
“Yes, I understand his character,” replied Hurst. “If he chooses correctly, he can have both. Had he married Miss Bennet, his sister would have forever ruled them—a wife who knows her worth and will not bow to Caroline’s excesses is much better for him.”
“Elizabeth made that point herself,” said Darcy, thoughtful.
Hurst grunted. “I always saw her intelligence. She’s a fine woman, Darcy—I commend you for seeing it.”
Darcy again eyed him. “I was not aware you approved of her.”
“To say so openly would have been to provoke Caroline.” Hurst grinned. “I care for my hearing far too much to make the same mistake you made. Though I am well aware Miss Elizabeth and I don’t suit, if I had been single, I might have tried my hand.”
Darcy did not want to think about that at all.
Hurst was correct—he and Elizabeth did not suit at all, and she would not even have given him a second glance.
Now that he had her commitment, coupled with a firm understanding of how miserable he would have been had he made a society marriage, any reminder of the possibility of not having her was not palatable.
“Well, this has been a most amusing conversation, Darcy,” said Hurst, rising to his feet. “I know Bingley was your friend, but I hope you will continue to associate with me—I enjoy your company.”
“I do not object,” said Darcy, surprising himself.
With a nod, Hurst walked away, Darcy watching him go.
The business with Miss Bingley was about as far from a surprise as it could be, but he had not known about Bingley’s father and his wishes.
Though Bingley was angry about what had happened and would not see it now, perhaps it was for the best that he had not courted Miss Bennet.
That his future sister was happy with his cousin was an additional benefit, tying them to the Bennets forever.
“WELL, ELIZABETH,” SAID William, seated beside her in the countess’s sitting-room. “Now that the interrogation is over, what do you think of Fitzwilliam’s mother?”
Elizabeth grinned, that saucy expression she knew he enjoyed. “I will only say that I am pleased that Jane must deal with her as a daughter. My greater distance will allow me to retain my impertinence and allow her sweetness to recommend her to your aunt.”
“My hearing must be faulty,” jested William. “Are you telling me that you doubt your ability to withstand my aunt?”
“Not at all,” said Elizabeth. “Yet I am grateful that responsibility falls to Jane—she may just be her sweet self, and your aunt will accept her. I am not so complying.”
“I believe you underestimate yourself, Elizabeth.”
“No, William, I do not. Yet I am honest enough to know when another is more suited to the role.”
William chuckled and raised her hand to his lips. “Yet you still must endure her. My aunt is determined that you will find acceptance in society.”
“She does not wish to hurt your family’s standing.”
“More than that,” said William, “she is grateful that her son has found a woman to love.” He grinned. “Worry for my situation is also part of her thinking. Now that we are both to marry, she feels the need to ensure your acceptance.”
Elizabeth nodded. “For that, I am grateful, especially when I consider the reaction of your other aunt.”
The grimace was not unexpected. “You should enjoy Lady Catherine’s anger while it lasts, Elizabeth. Eventually, her meddling nature will reassert itself, and she will insist on inspecting you to ensure you are upholding the noble lineage of the family.”
“Heaven help us!”
“Darcy,” said Lady Susan, taking notice of them, “can I assume you are speaking of Catherine?”
Exchanging a look, they burst into quiet chuckles. “That is curious, Lady Susan,” said Elizabeth, “for I thought we were speaking quietly enough that you could not overhear us.”
“No, I did not overhear you,” replied Lady Susan. “I am familiar enough with others’ opinions of my sister to know when they are speaking of her.”
Elizabeth directed an arched brow at William, then turned her attention back to Lady Susan. “My future husband asserts that Lady Catherine will take an interest in us. What is your opinion?”