Chapter Thirteen #2
“I was unaware you kept such illustrious company. If I had known, I would have warned you off this taciturn gentleman. Hurst and I often wondered if he would ever make friends beyond his tight circle acquaintances.”
“I cannot speak to Mr. Darcy’s past, other than from this past October when our family made his first acquaintance,” Lady Jane said, giving Darcy a look that reminded him of Elizabeth.
“At first, he was very unsociable, but over time, he has softened enough that I am told my sister now considers him a very close friend.”
“Indeed?” Morgan’s brows raised ever so fractionally.
“Yes, indeed,” Lady Jane said, hiding a smile behind her teacup before taking a small sip.
“Before you bring out the rack and begin your inquisition, I shall tell you that Lady Elizabeth has given me permission to call on her.”
A slow blink, followed by a wide smile was Morgan’s only response. He settled back into his chair and shook his head, chuckling softly.
“Have you nothing to say?” Darcy asked.
“Not really, other than to congratulate you on choosing a lovely woman on which to bestow your attention.”
“Bestow my attention?”
“It is the best I can muster at this time.” Morgan said, his eyes twinkling. “Does Hurst know?”
“Not yet, but when Lady Elizabeth arrives, I plan on having a dinner party, where the Hursts will be invited.” Darcy angled his body to face Mrs. Gardiner. “After her arrival, I will send a note, asking what date works best for your family.”
“If you plan to call upon Lizzy, I am certain you can ask in person. No need to stand on ceremony.”
Darcy beckoned to Hurst across the crowded drawing room at White’s, where cigar smoke hung in lazy blue clouds beneath the gilded ceiling. His friend navigated through the sea of gentlemen, exchanging brief pleasantries with several before reaching Darcy’s side.
“So, you have returned from Lady Catherine’s clutches unscathed,” Hurst remarked with a wry smile, settling into the leather armchair opposite Darcy.
“The visit proved unexpectedly agreeable this time.”
“Indeed,” Hurst said, reaching for his brandy. “I expected you to be seeking solace in the bottom of a decanter, lamenting your aunt’s persistent attempts to make you marry your cousin.”
“That familiar scene did unfold,” Darcy admitted, mindlessly twisting his heavy signet ring. “But circumstances have... shifted.” He lifted his palm when Hurst opened his mouth. “I must keep you in suspense until summer. All shall become clear by July.”
“How intriguing,” Hurst studied Darcy’s face. “I wonder what else happened while you were in the wilds of Kent. You look almost… content.”
“I had the opportunity to speak with Miss Elizabeth Bennet.”
His shoulders tensed imperceptibly as Hurst’s words brought to mind the letter in which Elizabeth had disclosed her family’s astonishing reversal of fortune.
Mr. Thomas Bennet, once merely a gentleman of Longbourn with its modest two thousand per annum, now bore the title, Earl Rumley.
If the speculative whispers exchanged behind silk fans in London’s finest drawing rooms were to be believed, he commanded an annual income that surpassed sixty thousand pounds, an income that would make the wealthiest of peers take note.
Though he trusted Hurst implicitly, Darcy was bound to keep Elizabeth’s confidence. Such news was hers alone to divulge.
“At your aunt’s estate?” Hurst leaned forward. “What business did Miss Elizabeth have in Kent?”
“Do you recall the strange little man abandoned at Bingley’s ball when the Bennets departed?” Darcy asked.
Hurst’s gaze drifted momentarily towards the rain-spattered window as he searched his memory.
“Ah, yes. An obsequious fellow with that peculiar bow, bent nearly double like a pocket knife. Caroline detested him thoroughly. Almost reason enough to befriend him.” A wry smile twisted his lips.
“What of him? Beyond forcing Miss Elizabeth to endure his company for the opening set of dances at Bingley’s ball. ”
“The gentleman is Mr. Collins and, not only is he a cousin to the Bennet family, but also Lady Catherine’s parson.
” Hurst laughed softly, murmuring something about a contest of insufferability between aunt and parson.
Darcy paid his comment no mind and continued.
“He married Miss Charlotte Lucas, Miss Elizabeth’s intimate friend, whom she was visiting the same time Fitzwilliam and I were in Kent. ”
“And did you seize the chance to make amends for your conduct last Autumn?” Hurst’s eyes narrowed shrewdly.
“I had already written to Mr. Bennet that night following our conversation.”
“You did?” Hurst’s brows lifted slightly. “I confess I am surprised. I expected months of brooding before any action.”
“Your lack of faith wounds me.” Darcy’s voice carried the faintest hint of amusement. “I strive always towards what is right. Honour demands it.”
“Fair enough, you are very honourable — occasionally to your disadvantage.” Hurst’s tone was light, but his eyes were serious.
“I was raised with good principles,” Darcy replied, gazing about the room, not focusing on any one thing in particular, “though I confess my reserve often conceals their practice.”
“You are a good man, Darcy. I cannot take that away from you.” Hurst straightened in his chair. “Tell me of your encounters with the spirited Miss Elizabeth. Did she receive you with cold civility, or pierce you with that remarkable wit?”
“Neither. We walked together in my aunt’s gardens most mornings.” A smile touched Darcy's lips. “Her father had shown her my letter, which made our discourse... unexpectedly agreeable.”
“Agreeable?” Hurst echoed with a smirk. “From you, that borders on effusive praise.”
“Preferable to mutual resentment, I assure you.”
“True, true.”
Darcy hesitated before adding, “She has permitted me to call upon her when she returns to London.”
Hurst’s brandy glass froze halfway to his lips.
“What! Call on her! Have you taken leave of your senses? Your acquaintance is barely established.”
“I know her character sufficiently to recognise that I must not let such a woman slip away.” Darcy’s voice softened. “She inspires me to better myself.”
“Not initially,” Hurst reminded him.
“The fault was entirely mine. She deserves my respect and admiration, and the fact that I find her beautiful is merely a fortunate addition.”
“Those ‘fine eyes’ are not her only charms, then?”
“Definitely more than fine eyes, and I will thank you to maintain propriety in your observations.”
“My devotion to Louisa remains absolute,” Hurst said, his expression growing tender.
“Since we have distanced ourselves from Bingley and Caroline, we are more than content. In fact,” he lowered his voice, “I suspect my wife is with child. She is completely unaware, but I recognise the signs from my mother’s confinement. ”
“Then, may I offer cautious congratulations?”
“You may. I speak of it guardedly, knowing how quickly joy can turn to sorrow in such matters.”
Darcy fell silent as he recalled the infants lost between his and Georgiana’s births, and his parent’s quiet grief that followed each time. The creation of life remained perilously uncertain.
“What news of your brother and sister?”
“My brother David does quite well, thank you,” Hurst teased.
Darcy gave him a look of long-suffering.
“You know I do not ask of the Hurst family, but of the Bingleys.”
“I have it on good authority that Charles and Caroline pursued Miss Eldridge to Bath, despite the lady’s evident displeasure.
At Lady Dalrymple’s musical soiree, she quite pointedly turned away from him.
Can you blame her, after his shameful display at the Theatre Royal?
” Darcy inclined his head in agreement. “My informant in Bath keeps a watchful eye on their activities. Following Miss Eldridge’s rejection, Charles spends his days haunting the Pump Room and Assembly Rooms like a man possessed, bowing over every gloved hand attached to a substantial dowry.
Caroline, as you might expect, undermines his every effort.
She surpassed even my expectations of incivility.
She made a disparaging remark about a woman’s bosom, and hinted broadly that she was a gentleman’s mistress within earshot of the young lady’s mother, who I understand is married to a Baron of considerable means. ”
“Miss Bingley has decided opinions and is not afraid to voice them.”
“It is one thing to have opinions; it is another to have correct opinions. Caroline only sees that which suits the crazy world in which she lives within her mind. There are times I think she is a candidate for Bedlam. Louisa has gleaned from her sister’s letters that their funds are running low, and they plan to retreat to Scarborough and the family seat to stretch their remaining assets.
Personally, I think Bath has become uncomfortable and they know their welcome is non-existent. ”
“That might be for the best. The society in Scarborough might also be more forgiving of their blunt nature.”
Hurst emitted a heavy sigh.
“They are both so objectionable, I do not think any society will accept them. There are times when I think Bingley should quit England and make his way to the New World. Start afresh.”
“Miss Bingley will not accept that as a solution to their monetary problems.”
“I care not. She can rot either in Scarborough or across the ocean. It makes no difference to me; I just want her gone from our lives. Louisa deserves some peace after all the years she has suffered with that termagant.”