Chapter 1 #2
I need not seek the next mistress of Pemberley here.
I only promised Georgiana I would make every effort to ascertain who might make her a friend, Darcy reminded himself.
The thought eliminated all pressure beyond the intent to observe those who might become acquaintances of his sister.
And it was true that this evening was little different than others filled with daughters on the marriage mart and mothers hoping to marry them off.
Searching the room for a suitable dance partner from a shadowed alcove, Darcy cursed to himself when Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst neared. He suppressed a gagging sensation brought on by Miss Bingley’s cloying petunia scent. He had not found a way to escape before the two began to speak.
“I think that went rather well. Do you not agree, Louisa?” Miss Bingley said, holding her fan in a way that concealed her moving lips.
A glance about told Darcy none in the room were watching the pair with any interest. That interested him, for he had thought they would want to gaze upon two women so fashionably attired. Or, at least, two ladies expected to have gowns made in the latest styles of London.
“That will only be true if Mr. Darcy dances with none but you,” Mrs. Hurst said, also speaking behind her fan.
Ah, the lack of interest must be the perception of her claims on me, Darcy surmised. That will change once I request a set from one of the local ladies.
“My Mr. Darcy despises when his wealth is discussed. These country simpletons now speak of little else. Of course, he will dance with me and no other. How can you question my success, Sister?”
My Mr. Darcy? The very thought revolted him.
“Has he asked you to dance this evening?” Mrs. Hurst asked wearily.
“Touché. I simply informed the noisiest person in the room of his wealth. There is always a Mrs. Bennet who acts with such self-importance and will speak of such things at every opportunity. Mark my words, that woman’s exclamations shall drive him to my side and show these unpolished rustics that I am the only one here worthy of him. ”
Bingley stepped beside him, but, before he spoke, Darcy gestured for silence. Having been friends and business partners for years, Bingley understood the meaning.
“I am aware of this and the many other stratagems you use to bring him near when we are attending the same functions. I wonder how this strategy has worked for you in the past? How many times has he petitioned you for a set? Given the variance between the number of events and the number of times he has asked you to stand up with him, you may need to change your efforts to secure his attention.”
“In this, we agree. I intend to act soon. A notification of our engagement will follow in the papers. We will then have these weeks to plan our wedding. I am certain he will wish me by his side when he informs Lord and Lady Matlock of our engagement. I will invite you to tea at Darcy House once we return from our wedding trip.” Then the women tittered.
Does she think she can orchestrate my life the same way she does with her brother? Never. Darcy’s shoulders stiffened with resolve.
“Do not attempt to entrap him, Caroline. Anything but that. He may be unforgiving.”
“We have waited these five years. I intend only to end his suffering. It must torture him, a man so fastidious, to be uncertain of his lady’s regard. I, therefore, do not intend to attempt. I intend to succeed.”
Listening to the conversation between his sisters, Bingley’s face flushed with anger. His sister’s efforts to manipulate Darcy exploited his friend’s natural reticence.
“Come, Caroline. You must show yourself to your quarry. In such company as this, it will be to your greatest advantage,” Mrs. Hurst said. They joined Hurst, who was next to the punch and cake.
“You know I will not marry her,” Darcy said quietly to his friend. “No matter the lengths she goes to, no matter how she attempts to compromise me?”
“I would never forgive you if you did. We will exchange your room tonight. Allow me to manage this, though you are to be inconvenienced for a short time.”
“You are a good friend.” Darcy shook Bingley’s hand.
The same shrill matron announced, “I am certain Mr. Bingley favors my Jane.”
Darcy flinched.
“Mama, please lower your voice.”
Darcy knew better than to interrupt Mrs. Bennet’s blathering with a remark of his own, still Bingley stayed any comment with a hand on his shoulder. “I, too, have learnt to listen. That is Miss Elizabeth, her second daughter and Miss Bennet’s sister, speaking to their mother.”
Miss Elizabeth pleaded in a voice barely above the music: “Mr. Bingley should be able to come to an estate he has leased without giving rise to expectations. Certainly not the very night he is introduced. Jane deserves to know his character. And he should know of hers beyond your extolling of her beauty, which upsets her. Pray, allow them time to become acquainted. Only the two of them can determine if they suit.”
“Hmph. I daresay, you are too insolent to keep any man’s notice, Miss Lizzy. You are not clever enough to know when to keep silent. What do you know of it? For all your reading and ledgers, no gentleman wants a wife who sits all day reviewing estate books, then all night reading I know not what.”
“You should worry more about whether Mr. Bingley is good enough for her. Jane is so gentle and good-tempered. She deserves the kindest of men.”
Darcy felt an affront on Bingley’s behalf. Whether Bingley is good enough? What woman could deserve the kindest man I know?
“You think to advise me on what it takes to catch a husband? In this, you know nothing,” said Mrs. Bennet.
“Mama, you know Jane and I intend to marry for love. If not love, at least regard and respect. It may not matter to you if my husband were cruel to me, but you cannot want such for Jane,” Miss Elizabeth said, the plea evidence of her love for her sister.
“With five of you yet to marry, I would be happy if anyone took one of you off my hands. Love? Love has nothing to do with it.”
“Please, do let them determine if they are compatible before you begin your matchmaking campaign.”
“I suppose you have a point. If not Mr. Bingley, perhaps his friend would do. The man is worth ten thousand, and though he is rude, he is acceptable. I was being thoughtful in choosing for Jane the kinder of the two,” Mrs. Bennet said with great exasperation.
“I am certain you were. I know you fear the entail, Mother. But few men who seek a match the very night they meet a lady have good intentions.”
“You read too many novels, Lizzy.” Mrs. Bennet exhaled a long-suffering sigh. “Now, where is Lydia? She is lively enough to lighten the dark countenance of that Mr. Darcy. With him diverted, his friend can attend Jane.”
“Mother, she is fifteen. At his level of society, she is far too young to be considered out. It would bring shame on us if you push a child at him. This I promise you. Aunt Maddie lives in London and has reminded you often that young ladies do not come out until they are eighteen, better, nineteen.”
“I am certain my Lydia would be a sensation in Town. If only your father would take us, I would see you all wed in one season.”
“Aunt Maddie says Lydia’s behavior would see us all removed from any ballroom, yet you continue to encourage her. And you demand Kitty accompany her to give Lydia the pretext of respectability.”
Bingley whispered to Darcy, “A young woman of sense. That is the ‘Lizzy’ Edward Gardiner speaks of. You must admit, she lives up to his praise.”
“And you came expecting Miss Bennet to be the beauty he claimed.” Darcy returned.
“It was easy to pick her out. Indeed, it is difficult to look elsewhere.”
“Yet Miss Elizabeth watches that girl flouncing about.”
“I fear that is the lively Miss Lydia, and the mortified one behind her, Miss Kitty,” murmured Bingley.
“Who would tie themselves to Miss Lydia’s family?”
“To gain Miss Bennet’s hand, I well might,” Bingley said drolly.
“You are too hasty. But Miss Bennet and Miss Elizabeth do have my pity,” said Darcy.
“And will you be her champion? Aid Gardiner’s niece in supporting her meaning to her mother?”
“No, for it would—”
“Frustrate Caroline.”
“The merit of your suggestion becomes clearer,” Darcy said with amusement. “Still, we have only just been introduced.”
“But we have known of her longer. Gardiner says she is the brightest of his nieces. Go to it, man. I shall divert the gossips with Miss Bennet.”
“You are a white knight.” Darcy rolled his eyes.
“As are you for the rather pretty Miss Elizabeth. Do not forget they are Gardiner’s nieces. He will be gratified to know we had a care for their concerns and found them enjoyable company.”
Bingley clapped Darcy on the shoulder, then crossed the room to Miss Bennet.
Darcy returned to studying the mother and daughter. Yes, Gardiner would like to know that we danced with his nieces. And it will remind Miss Bingley that she has no say over my future. That is reason enough. Not even Mrs. Bennet can drive me away. If only she were not so…
“You have gone to Town many times since you were out, and still not one man has asked for you. You know nothing of—”
Mrs. Bennet continued to harangue Miss Elizabeth, but the matron’s eyes widened when Bingley came to Miss Bennet’s side. Bracing himself, Darcy left his alcove to stand before Mrs. Bennet and Miss Elizabeth.
“Miss Elizabeth is correct. That child,” Darcy said as the youngest Bennet girl laughed and pranced around a young man, “with such propensity to make a show of herself, should not be out of the nursery. Miss Elizabeth, I apologize, I did not recognize your name when we were introduced earlier. I believe we almost met in the spring.”