Chapter 23 #2
As they left Elizabeth’s room, they found Jane and Mary waiting in the corridor. Both were dressed for dinner, though neither appeared particularly eager.
Elizabeth shook her head. “Not you two as well.”
Jane glanced toward the stairs. “Lady Catherine sounded most displeased.”
“Come along,” Elizabeth said lightly. “And look as though you have seen far worse.”
Jane gasped. “You cannot be serious.”
Elizabeth placed her hands on her hips. “Jane Bennet, I had thought you possessed more fortitude than that.”
Jane smiled faintly, though she still looked uncertain.
Elizabeth’s expression softened. “You need only appear calm, no matter what you feel, and, more importantly, no matter what she says.”
She paused, then added quietly, “Trust me.”
Elizabeth led the way downstairs, Georgiana beside her, with Jane and Mary following close behind.
They entered the drawing room, where Lady Catherine and Anne were already seated.
Elizabeth felt the moment sharpen, and met it with a ready smile. “Anne, that gown is most becoming. Lady Catherine, you are looking very well this evening.”
Lady Catherine’s gaze moved over Elizabeth and the others, and she frowned slightly when she found nothing in their appearance to fault.
“I make it a point to be properly dressed,” she said. “I am gratified to see that you have done the same.”
Darcy entered the room. “Your parents and younger sisters have arrived. They have requested trays to be sent to their rooms this evening.”
Jane murmured under her breath, “I wish it had occurred to me.”
Darcy’s lips curved faintly before he turned to his aunt. “I am surprised you chose to stay here,” he said evenly, “particularly without informing me, instead of at Matlock House.”
Lady Catherine rose. “Do not be absurd. You require proper chaperonage.”
Darcy inclined his head. “And you believed Mr. and Mrs. Bennet insufficient?”
She lifted her chin. “Not insufficient, but certainly capable of improvement.”
Darcy turned back to the others. “Shall we go?”
***
Though the distance was short, a carriage was ordered, and within minutes Elizabeth found herself on her way to Matlock House.
Darcy assisted the ladies from the carriage, and they walked up to the door. He had not yet knocked when it was opened, and they were immediately invited inside. The butler escorted them to the drawing room. The doors opened, and his voice carried clearly across the room as he announced them.
Elizabeth felt Georgiana draw a little closer to her side. Jane straightened, while Mary remained composed. Elizabeth steadied herself.
Elizabeth saw Darcy’s expression soften as he smiled. “My aunt, Lady Matlock. My uncle, the Earl of Matlock. May I present Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet.”
The ladies curtseyed.
Lady Matlock inclined her head. “Pray be seated. Anne, my dear, you look very well. Catherine, you are here as well.”
At that moment, a gentleman entered the room and paused as he surveyed the company.
Darcy rose. “Richard, I did not realize you were back in London.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam smiled and shook his hand. “I arrived recently, and my mother suggested I come to dinner. I can see she gave excellent advice.” He glanced around the room, then turned. “Anne, is that you? You look very pretty.”
Anne blushed. “It is good to see you, Richard.”
He smiled. “And how are you, Georgiana?”
Georgiana returned his smile, though with a touch of shyness.
Colonel Fitzwilliam turned back to Darcy. “Will you introduce me to your friends?”
“Of course. Miss Bennet, Miss Elizabeth Bennet, and Miss Mary Bennet, this is my cousin, Colonel Fitzwilliam.”
“I can see why you spent so much time in Hertfordshire,” he said with an easy smile. “You did not mention how beautiful all the ladies were.”
At that moment, the butler appeared once more and looked to Lady Matlock.
She rose at once. “Dinner is served. Shall we go in?”
The Earl rose and approached Lady Catherine, offering his arm. Lady Matlock followed, taking Darcy’s arm. Colonel Fitzwilliam offered his arm to Anne, who accepted with a quiet smile. The Bennet ladies followed together, Georgiana quietly taking her place beside Elizabeth.
Elizabeth noted Darcy’s place beside Lady Matlock, with herself seated on his other side and Georgiana beyond.
After the first course had been served, Lady Matlock spoke quietly. “Miss Elizabeth, I was sorry to hear of the fire at your home. I trust no one was seriously injured.”
Elizabeth inclined her head. “Thank you. We were very fortunate. Everyone was able to leave the house safely. There were some minor injuries from those who assisted in putting out the fire, but nothing of consequence.”
Lady Matlock nodded. “That is indeed fortunate. Will the house be repaired?”
Elizabeth smiled. “Yes. Plans are already being made, and we hope to include several improvements.”
Elizabeth overheard as Colonel Fitzwilliam leaned toward Georgiana. “Georgiana, you must tell me about the Bennets.”
She smiled. “I have only just met them, but they are all very kind. Especially Miss Elizabeth.”
“Oh? And why do you say that?”
Georgiana lowered her voice slightly. “Richard, she is very brave. She is not at all intimidated by Lady Catherine. She told me that I might be brave as well. I am not certain that it is true, but I should like it to be.”
He regarded her thoughtfully. “That is interesting.” After a brief pause, he added with a hint of amusement, “Which of them has caught Darcy’s attention?”
Georgiana stifled a small laugh. “I am not sure I ought to tell you, if you are not clever enough to discover it yourself.”
Elizabeth smiled faintly and took a sip from her glass.
He raised his brows. “I begin to think the Bennet ladies are having an influence on you.”
When the meal concluded, Lady Matlock rose, and the ladies withdrew to the drawing room.
***
The servants placed the port before the gentlemen, and Darcy had only just settled himself when his uncle turned to him. "Tell me, why are they staying at your house?”
Darcy had expected the question. He met his uncle’s gaze calmly. “Because I invited them.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam laughed lightly. “It is because of that lively one.”
Darcy felt Fitzwilliam’s gaze sharpen with interest. He turned toward him. “What leads you to that conclusion?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam shrugged. “You have never been drawn to the quiet ones, though I will say the eldest Miss Bennet is quite beautiful.”
“Bingley is very much interested in Miss Bennet,” Darcy replied evenly. “I doubt he would welcome your interference.”
The Earl took a measured sip of his wine. “That does not answer my question.”
Darcy exhaled quietly. “There was a fire at their home. They had been staying at Netherfield, but Miss Bingley made her displeasure known. They intended to go to their relations in London, though it would have been a crowded arrangement.”
The Earl gave a slight shrug. “Miss Bingley may have had a point. It was an imposition.”
Darcy shook his head. “Bingley did not consider it so, even before they forgave the remaining rent owed.”
His uncle looked at him more closely. “Forgave the rent?”
“It was their property. Bingley was leasing Netherfield, though he was not aware of the owners. So no, he did not feel them an imposition.”
Colonel Fitzwilliam added, “Miss Elizabeth mentioned that the house is to be repaired.”
Darcy nodded. “Yes, though it will take several months.”
Fitzwilliam frowned slightly. “How did it come about?”
Darcy's composure tightened as he answered. “Their cousin, who is also Lady Catherine’s clergyman, was visiting. He was searching Mr. Bennet’s book room and accidentally started the fire. He then left the house without waking anyone.”
Fitzwilliam stared at him. “You cannot be serious.”
“He confessed it some days after.”
Fitzwilliam rose. “Well, let us join the ladies.”
When the gentlemen rejoined them, Darcy’s attention moved at once to Elizabeth. She was seated at the pianoforte, playing, while Georgiana turned the pages for her.
Fitzwilliam took a seat near Anne and began speaking quietly with her.
Darcy moved to the pianoforte and stood beside it, listening as Elizabeth played.
When the piece concluded, she glanced up at him.
“You approve, then?” she asked lightly.
“Very much,” he replied. “Though I suspect I should have done so regardless.”
After a few more songs, the evening drew to a close.