Chapter 12 #2
I harrumphed, though silently.
“I must submit to your knowledge of the degradation of people in trade since your connections to trade are far more extensive than the Bennets. I assume that gives you some expertise, and I would be a fool not to take advantage of it.”
She gasped, but I had endured just about enough of her insolence and said what politeness had prevented me from stating explicitly.
“As for a lady showing false approbation driven entirely by relentless ambition to improve her situation, I should definitely bow to your evaluation, since you are a world-renowned expert on the subject, with years of dedicated study behind you.”
I admit that one was mean-spirited, but since she had been relentlessly abusing the only woman to ever attract me, and my valet had thwarted at least one serious compromise attempt from the woman (that she still believed I was ignorant of), my remorse was muted at best.
“As for manners, I have not been a guest at Longbourn, but I suppose if Mrs Bennet slighted and offended guests in her own house, that would indeed put her on par with us. In that, I must take my own share of the blame for not putting more effort into contradicting that total want of propriety so frequently, so almost uniformly betrayed by yourself, by your elder sister, and occasionally even by me.”
I had noticed Miss Elizabeth studying me like an approaching forest fire at the start of the conversation, so I glanced to see if she would notice my loss of patience.
She was speaking rather emphatically with Miss Bennet, and I imagined they were both watching the fire consume their hopes and dreams.
It was unfortunate, but as much as I admired her, I could see no way I could wed her, which would be the only honourable path given my feelings; nor any way Bingley could take the time to come to a good decision without having his hand forced.
I felt more and more despondent with my situation, while treating my impending melancholy the same way Hurst might.
I would not take it to his level, but I was finding my private stock of brandy from a flask tempting.
I was not entirely certain I could walk away from Miss Elizabeth, but it seemed more and more essential, or at least practical.
Miss Bennet seemed like a lost cause, but aside from giving my opinion, it was Bingley’s decision to make.
I was not even certain I would give my opinion, but I suspected he would beg for it and I would comply.
I was startled out of my wits when someone snuck up on me and spoke from behind. No more brandy for me!
“Keep your eyes forward, sir. I have something of great import to say.”
A sinking feeling overcame me. “Pray, continue, Miss Elizabeth. I am at your disposal.”
“May I assume we both observed the same events of the evening and further speculate on the likely impending departure of your party?”
Our society was so accustomed to speaking with so much circumspection as to make plain speaking rare, that I was startled by her saying it aloud in such a place and time.
Even though we were not facing each other, it would not take a very keen observer to note our proximity.
She knew that as well as I did, so while I was shocked, I bowed to the need for plain and succinct speech.
“I can neither confirm nor deny, Miss Elizabeth, but,” I paused, and finally admitted, “confirmation seems more likely than not.”
“I thank you for your honesty, sir.”
“I wish it were different.”
“It is!”
That startled me, and I imagine I jumped.
“Be at ease, sir. I mean something entirely different than you are imagining. You need not fear compromise.”
“Good to know,” I grumbled.
She looked around carefully and seemed to be working up her nerve.
“Mr Darcy, I believe you are a true gentleman, despite the paucity of evidence supporting that belief. Jane and I need to speak with you confidentially… now! I will give you my word no expectations of any kind will fall on you or Mr Bingley, but a short conversation is essential.”
“How do you propose to do so in a crowded ballroom?”
“Events overtake us, and beggars cannot be choosers. Jane and I will separately and invisibly meet in the library in half an hour. I need you to unobtrusively meet us after making a public excuse for retiring from the ball briefly. We will chaperone each other, and you must bring your valet, a maid, or however many people you need to ensure your reputation is not compromised. Everyone knows men’s reputations are made of stone while ladies’ are paper at best, so Jane and I assume all the risk, and we accept that without qualms. I know you will be sceptical, but I demand your compliance as the most basic duty of a gentleman. ”
“You demand a great deal.”
“I do,” she said, pausing to think before continuing. “I expect a great deal, but I have faith in you. Thirty minutes—do not disappoint me.”
With that, she faded into the crowd like a ghost. I was half-burning with an odd mixture of rage and indignation, but also a rather large dose of curiosity.
She admitted to having faith in me, which was unexpected to say the least. I doubted I had given her very much reason to do so.
Perhaps, just perhaps, she esteemed me just a bit as well, and I did not hate the idea as much as you might think.
While I very much hated the whole idea of meeting two unmarried ladies in private, I had to admit one thing:
She played the gentleman card with aplomb and left me no real choice. It was not within me to fail to live up to her faith.