Chapter Ten
Darcy watched Miss Bingley enter the breakfast room, her accursed cat padding along beside her. He and Bingley stood. Georgiana looked over her shoulder, producing a smile.
“Good morning, Miss Bingley,” Darcy said.
She gave him a brilliant smile, and then bestowed one upon Georgiana. “Good morning.” Then her smile disappeared as she gazed down at the card she held in her hand. “This is an invitation for us all to attend a comet-viewing dinner party.”
“The comet can be viewed right after sunset,” Darcy observed, moving to hold out her chair for her. She did not appear to notice his gallantry. “Will we have clear skies, I wonder?”
“Our hosts will be Lord and Lady Wulfrun.” Miss Bingley looked at the table again and seemed to see her brother for the first time. “Oh, you are here, Charles?”
He chuckled. “As you see.”
Crossing the room, she held out the card to him. “Do you know Lord and Lady Wulfrun?”
“I do not,” her brother said, taking the card and examining it. He passed the card to Darcy. “You?”
Darcy took the card, still standing next to Miss Bingley’s chair. He read the card. “Ah, as I thought, Lord Wulfrun is the noted amateur astronomer.” Darcy handed the card back to his friend, who gave it to his sister. “He built Fool’s Rise, near Childwickbury. And, he has his own telescope.”
“By Jove,” Bingley exclaimed. “I have seen the comet—as I suppose everyone must have as it has been in the sky for so many months—but I have not seen it magnified. We must accept, Caroline.”
“I suppose we must,” his sister said, placing the card on the mantel. “We have no other obligations.” Glancing at Darcy, she said, “Thank you, Mr. Darcy, but do sit down.”
Darcy sat once more. Miss Bingley glided toward the sideboard and picked up a plate.
“When is the night?” Georgiana asked.
“This Monday—the fourteenth,” Darcy supplied.
Miss Bingley turned and looked at Darcy and Georgiana. “When I reply, shall I accept for all of us? Including the colonel?” She frowned. “Where is Colonel Fitzwilliam? Has he already eaten?”
“He has gone riding,” Darcy explained. “He said he would eat something when he returned.” He looked across at his sister. “Would you like to attend the comet party?’
She frowned. “I think it would be interesting to see the comet through a telescope. But, do you think I will be the only young person?”
Darcy shrugged. “I do not know.”
“I will accept for all of us,” Miss Bingley said. “It is easier to remove a place at dinner than to add one.”
Georgiana nodded, appearing relieved to have the decision made.
“So, you were saying you are going to the market in Meryton today?” Bingley asked.
“We are,” Georgiana said, nodding eagerly. “Will you be coming?”
“I am escorting Miss Bennet there,” he informed them.
Darcy’s spirit leapt and then relaxed. I will see Miss Elizabeth this afternoon. Do not be so anxious to see her that you make a fool of yourself by thinking yourself unhappy if she is not by your side at every moment.
“Do you mean to go to market today, Miss Bingley?” Darcy asked.
His cousin walked into the breakfast room. “She is coming with me,” Douglas informed them.
“Am I?” Miss Bingley asked, appearing surprised.
Basile left her side and approached Douglas. The cat crouched, ready to spring at him. Douglas caught his movement and stepped out of the way.
“You mentioned the market yesterday,” he reminded her, joining her at the sideboard and looking back at Basile.
“So, I did. Nice ride?’ she asked.
“Excellent. It is a beautiful day. Another surprisingly warm one. You know, I do not think your cat likes me.”
“Nonsense,” Miss Bingley said, looking lovingly at Basile. The cat sat on the floor, his tail swishing angrily. Turning her attention back to Douglas, she said, “I hope the weather lasts. We have been invited to a comet-viewing dinner party on Monday night.”
“Excellent,” Douglas said, grinning. “Now, shall we get some food in us so we do not miss the market?”
“The market continues the entire day,” she assured him. Basile meowed in an angry sort of way. Miss Bingley looked down at her cat. “I have some lovely herring here for you, my darling. Come along.”
Darcy exchanged an amused glance with his sister. He pushed his plate away. “Are you finished, my dear?”
Georgiana nodded. “Shall we go?”
“I expect we will see you there,” Miss Bingley said, sitting. “Are you off, too, Charles?”
He wiped his mouth on his napkin and stood. “I am. Miss Bennet wished to make an early start to the day.”
Darcy bowed to Miss Bingley, slapped his cousin on the back, and led his sister out of the breakfast room. Bingley followed behind. To Darcy’s surprise, Douglas rushed after them, catching them up in the front entrance hall.
“Hold there,” he said.
“Yes?” Darcy asked, pausing with Georgiana and Bingley.
“I have had a letter from the widow of a former officer friend who is interested in a position as a lady’s companion,” his cousin explained.
“Oh? Is this the Mrs. Inwood you mentioned two weeks ago?” Darcy asked.
“Yes. She is out of mourning now, and hopes to occupy herself productively. They did not have children, you see.” To Georgiana, he said, “She is only in her mid-thirties, and is the youngest daughter of a baronet. I thought of her because she has a lively mind, a good character, and an excellent temperament.”
Georgiana exchanged glances with her brother, before saying, “I wish to become more independent. Will she be able to guide me in learning some common methods of self-sufficiency?”
“Such as?” Douglas asked, his eyebrows high.
“How to cook a simple meal, how to dress myself, how to manage a bit of gardening, and so forth.”
“I am confident she can do those things, or find someone to instruct you,” Douglas assured her. “Would you care to meet her? She currently resides in Hemel Hempstead with one of her sisters.”
“So close?” Darcy asked rhetorically. “That is convenient. Is she willing to move to Derbyshire if I hire her?”
“I am certain that will not be a problem.”
“Very well. Will you arrange for her to visit us here? I will pay her fare.”
“Perhaps Miss Bingley and I could take your carriage and bring her?” Douglas suggested. “We will have Miss Bingley’s maid with us, of course.”
“An admirable scheme,” Darcy said. “If this plan is agreeable to Miss Bingley, then your suggestion is an excellent alternative to Mrs. Inwood having to make her own arrangements. I will make do with my gig.”
“Shall we tentatively plan for this coming Wednesday?” Douglas asked.
“If that suits Miss Bingley,” Darcy replied.
*
Jeffry consumed his first meal of the day in blissful near-silence. The only sound in the orangery came from Lizzy, who stealthily gave everyone their portion. Then the birds ruffled their feathers and descended upon their feeding platform, jostling each other and eating loudly.
“Mmm…lettuce leaves,” Jack muttered as he chomped on his breakfast.
“Carrot peelings, too,” Jill added, sounding satisfied. “And beet greens.”
Jeffry’s peace disappeared as each animal became aware of their food.
He sighed and continued to eat, contemplating his next move.
Things seemed to be coming along well. Lizzy and Darcy’s ride later in the day would give them ample opportunity to get to know each other better.
Yes, I am well satisfied with my endeavor. Aunty will be pleased.
A presence loomed over him. Jeffry looked up at Lizzy, who had crouched beside his enclosure.
“Good morning, Jeffry,” she said, smiling kindly at him. “I see Peter has been in to clean the enclosures and pens. I hope you appreciate him.”
I do. I do.
“Good. Also, I know where there is a puppy for Georgiana. This afternoon, I will persuade Mr. Darcy to look in on the family who have the extra puppies. If he likes them, he can return with Georgiana and see which one is the right one for her.”
Excellent, Jeffry thought.
“You approve? Thank you,” she said, reaching out to stroke his back.
Jeffry did not usually like being touched while he ate, but he forbore to complain since the gesture had been kindly meant. In fact, he found himself purring in reaction.
“Jane is going to market this morning,” Lizzy told him. “With Mr. Bingley.”
Of course she is going with Bingley. Why is that couple so easy to steer toward each other while we must interfere with Lizzy and Darcy every time?
“I wish Miss Bingley had a nicer personality,” she said, resting her chin on her hand. “If Jane should marry him, she must endure her new sister-in-law’s company.” Sighing first, she added, “But, then, Jane is the most easygoing creature.”
Darcy is charming…Jeffry mentally prompted.
“It would be nice for Mr. Darcy if he were more charming,” Lizzy mused. “He has a rather forthright disposition. I imagine it causes him some trouble making friends.”
Humph!
“I like that in him,” she confessed. “Even though charming people make friends more easily, and often get their own way, I do not suppose that is always healthy for them.”
Jeffry wheeked in an encouraging way. I suppose he does not need to be charming.
“Lizzy?” Mary called from behind her. “Are you talking to that guinea pig again?”
Lizzy swiveled and looked up at her as she moved along the path between enclosures and pens. “I am. Are you going to market this morning?”
“I am. I wish to see if there are some different periodicals on offer so I can purchase them to read to the patients at the infirmary on tomorrow.”
“I am also going. Are you walking there?” Lizzy asked, rising and facing her.
“Indeed. Do you wish to go together?” Mary asked, sounding almost challenging, as though expecting Lizzy to say no.
“I will come with you.” Lizzy approached and took her arm, squeezing it in a companionable way. “I am delighted to have your company. Are we ready to eat?”
“We are,” Mary said, turning with her toward the orangery basin. She glanced around. “Have you already been out with Harry?”