Chapter 7 Cassie Makes Plans #2
“While I enjoy a walk now and then, I do not roam for hours at a time as Lizzy is apt to do. I much prefer domestic pursuits like music, drawing, and embroidery. Although I learnt to ride as a child, I never developed a fondness for the activity. In my opinion, horses are not as pleasant as dogs or cats.” Miss Barton curled her forefinger around a blonde tress at her nape.
“And riding a horse strikes me as intrinsically masculine. I cannot understand why so many ladies choose to sit atop a filthy beast when they could walk or ride in a carriage instead.”
“My sister loves to ride horses, as did my late mother before her.”
“Well, riding on horseback can be an elegant pastime for women who proceed in a ladylike manner.” Miss Barton released a short giggle.
“My cousin Lizzy, though, is still a bit of a tomboy. She spends many hours with the horses. She has been known to brush them and clean muck out of their hooves, even though we have plenty of grooms.” Her nose crinkled.
“She has gone so far as to embrace the creatures. As a result, she has come home covered with horsehair and bearing the horses’ odour. ”
My lower jaw jutted forwards. Did she hope to tarnish my opinion of her cousin?
Instead, that last statement had inspired a most inappropriate imagining involving myself, Miss Bennet, and a large bathing tub.
I tugged at my cravat, willing the reverie to dispel, and met Miss Barton’s steadfast gaze.
“What you describe is a natural consequence of riding horses, and there is an easy remedy.”
“Still, my cousin is singular, for most ladies take great care to avoid becoming soiled, no matter their activity or circumstances.”
Rather than dignify the remark with an acknowledgement, I gestured towards her hand. “You need to discard.”
“Oh yes, of course.” She examined her cards and set down two of them. “I should not want you to mistake me, though. Despite our differing interests, Lizzy is dear to me. She is almost like a sister.”
“That is a most opportune circumstance for you both.”
“Indeed, yes.” Miss Barton’s eyebrows drew together, and her upper body inclined nearer to me.
“It is a great shame Lizzy’s father left her penniless.
Her family estate went to a distant cousin, and the one family member left on her mother’s side is a vile man, a tradesman.
” She uttered the last word with undisguised disdain.
For some reason, her choice of phrasing rankled at my peace.
Many in the gentry shared her sentiment; notwithstanding, did she not consider the man’s character faults to be a greater detriment than his class in society?
“I am aware of her situation.” It seemed Miss Barton had wanted to make certain of that.
“In any event, Lizzy is fortunate in that she will always have a home here. Neither my father nor Noah would ever abandon her, so she will never be forced to go into service.”
Miss Bennet go into service? A chill permeated my bones at the mere mention of the possibility.
Several seconds elapsed before I collected myself well enough to respond.
“Your cousin may not always reside here. She may marry and have a home of her own.” My statement brought to mind a beaming Miss Bennet standing arm in arm with an unknown, faceless man, and I almost winced.
“That is true. She may receive an offer from a gentleman of modest means, a second or third son perhaps.” Miss Barton followed my king of diamonds with a five of clubs and took two points for making fifteen.
“Noah, Lizzy, and I shall attend the Salisbury assembly on Friday. We often see the Haywards there. Do you plan to go?”
My friend had mentioned the dance earlier in the week. I could not resist an opportunity to dance with Miss Bennet; for that privilege, I should endure a set with Miss Barton and a handful of other local ladies with whom I had insubstantial acquaintances. “Yes, the Haywards and I shall attend.”
Miss Barton perched higher in her chair, beaming at me. “That is excellent news.”
Once I had played my last card, we counted our points and moved our pegs. I handed the deck to Miss Barton. “It is your turn to deal.”
My sight wandered to Miss Bennet, who uttered a comment that elicited a giggle from my sister. Then Mr. Noah Barton’s triumphant interjection as he set down his cards drew my attention. Once again, the concept niggled at me that he might harbour a romantic tendre for Miss Bennet.
I picked up the cards distributed by Miss Barton and arranged them. “Your brother and Miss Bennet seem to have a close association as well. Is there any possibility of a match between them?” My respiration suspended.
“Lizzy and Noah?” Her features constricted. “No, that would never happen. They view each other as sister and brother.”
Thank goodness. Although I did not doubt Mrs. Hayward’s admirable intellect and powers of perception, Miss Barton must have a superior understanding of her brother and Miss Bennet’s connexion.
“Besides, Noah is certain to wed an eminent lady of the ton. After all, he must consider what is best for his future children.”
Just as I must do. The food I had consumed earlier churned inside me.
She must believe that Miss Bennet fell below the notice of a man of her brother’s standing.
A firm desire arose within me to argue the point.
Although I had entertained similar thoughts, I could not abide Miss Barton’s austere characterisation of Miss Bennet’s future.
Mr. Noah Barton would be privileged to have her as a wife!
The mechanics of the game interrupted my musings.
I declared my scores and advanced my peg.
For all the disadvantages inherent in Miss Bennet’s situation, she was a gentleman’s daughter.
And despite what others may expect of me, I did not need to wed for either money or connexions.
Given this, why could I not marry for love?
My eyes sought her radiant person. She beamed at Georgiana and leaned near her to share an aside.
Whatever she said inspired a responding grin from my sister.
Could I already be in love? That must be so, for nothing else explained the unshakable hold Miss Bennet—Elizabeth—had upon me.
Since the first day I had encountered her at the stables, not one of my waking hours had passed without her entering my thoughts.
And more often than not, she had appeared in my dreams.
If I married her, one or two of my relations would object to my choice, but no one could dictate how I lived my life.
A few people of my acquaintance might shun her for her lamentable background, but I should not tolerate any mistreatment of her, and the Darcy name would sway most to accept, if not welcome, her.
I fidgeted in my seat. Perhaps I ought to ask for an audience with Elizabeth tonight. For a moment, I indulged in a day-dream of her displaying surprise and delight upon my declaration. Perhaps she would take my hand or even consent to a kiss.
But my next thought threw a damper upon my suppositions.
In my eagerness to make Elizabeth my betrothed, I had overlooked a significant and precarious element: her tradesman uncle.
What jeopardy might he pose? The prudent path would be to determine what entanglements this man could cause us before I entered into the engagement.
Tonight, I should send an express to Mr. Notley and offer him an assignment for which he could name his fee: a thorough investigation of Mr. Edward Gardiner—in particular any criminal or dangerous activity or hints of scandal—to be completed as soon as may be.
If possible, I should obtain the investigator’s report during my stay in town.
In addition, I should write to Bingley, who had met many tradesmen through his father, and query my friend as to whether he had any knowledge of Mr. Gardiner. I should ask Winston as well, for my valet had a wide and varied acquaintance.
My gaze fell upon Mr. Barton, and my earlier letter to Mr. Notley came to mind wherein I had provided his and Mr. Rowe’s names as possible suspects.
Neither man had revealed the merest indication that he could be capable of murder, yet I could not regret having acted in good faith to assist the investigator.
Had Mr. Notley come any closer to identifying Mrs. Cooper’s killer?
There had been no further reports in the newspapers of any arrests made for the crime, and the investigator had not provided a response to my earlier note.
When we next met, I should enquire as to his progress in that investigation.
Knight's Manor
Elizabeth
Upon our return, we retreated upstairs, and Cassie followed me into my chamber. “Lizzy, may I have a word with you?”
“Yes, of course.”
She took my hand and led me to the bed, where we sat together. “When Mr. Darcy said good-night to you, I thought I heard him say he would see you tomorrow. Why would that be?”
Gracious Heavens, I ought to have predicted Cassie would find out about our morning rides. “Yes, he has been accompanying me when I ride Lily.” I used a matter-of-fact cadence. “Now, though, Miss Darcy comes, and the bulk of my conversation is with her.”
Her mouth fell open. “This is extraordinary! Why did you never mention this fact before?”
I shrugged. “It did not occur to me to tell you.” The falsehood left a lingering bitterness upon my tongue. “He has ridden with me as a means of introducing Lily to him in a gradual way.”
“Has he ever spoken about me?”
“No, not that I can recall.”
Cassie pouted, her shoulders rounding.
“But then he is not a gregarious person.”
“Well, that is true enough.” After a moment, she straightened her posture and grinned. “Oh, but he is such a handsome man! Do you not think so?”
I stiffened. “Yes, he is…attractive.” Cassie, when will you come to your senses and reconcile with Mr. Ware?
“He confirmed that he will attend the assembly on Friday.” She released a sigh. “I am in great anticipation of dancing with him, for he is certain to ask me for at least one set. We shall be the most attractive couple there.”
She placed a hand on my arm. “Do you know what the best part of the evening will be?”
“No, I cannot imagine.”
“When Mr. Ware sees me dancing with Mr. Darcy.”
I bit the inside of my mouth. It would do no good to tell her yet again that she and Mr. Ware belonged together. She refused to listen. “Well, it is late, so we ought to get changed.”
Cassie stood. “Yes, quite right. It would not do for me to have dark circles under my eyes tomorrow. Good-night, Lizzy.”
“Good-night, Cassie.”
When the door closed behind her, I collapsed upon my bed. It had been difficult enough to watch Cassie flirting with Mr. Darcy all evening. I could not bear to witness them dance together at the assembly. I should make an excuse and remain at home on Friday.
Friday, 4 October
Knight's Manor
Elizabeth
Soft knocks penetrated my chamber door. “Lizzy, are you still awake?”
“Yes, Cassie. Come in.” I sat up and arranged my pillow behind me.
My cousin rushed towards me, looking gorgeous in her azure silk gown. She sat facing me on the bed.
I rested against the pillow. “Well, I presume from your grin that you enjoyed the evening.”
“Oh, Lizzy, I had a wonderful time. I wish you had been there.” She peered at me. “Are you feeling better now?”
“Yes, I am. Thank you.” Earlier, I had feigned having dyspepsia.
Now, though, a knot formed in my belly. Had I erred in remaining at home tonight?
If Cassie managed to wed Mr. Darcy, I should need to become inured to seeing them together.
Besides, if I had gone to the ball, I might have danced a set with Mr. Darcy myself.
“Mr. Darcy was so dapper and handsome tonight! He wore a striking blue coat, so we looked very well together. He spent more time with me than with any other single lady, and I caught many others in the room staring at us.” A glimmer danced in her eyes.
I bit back a smirk. Nothing pleased Cassie more than impressing other people.
“Dame Hayward remarked that Mr. Darcy and Mr. Hayward will be away most of next week. They are to spend a few days in town.” Her lips twisted.
This information did not come as a surprise; Mr. Darcy had mentioned his forthcoming trip this morning. At his enquiry, I had assured him that I should continue to ride with Miss Darcy during his absence.
“So, I shall not bother to call at Springvale until they return.”
“In any case, I shall invite Dame Hayward, Miss Darcy, and Mrs. Annesley to tea on Monday.”
“Very well.” She leaned to the side, resting her weight upon her forearm, and expelled a heavy breath.
“I only wish Mr. Ware had been there tonight. We spoke to Mrs. Ware, who said he left just yesterday. He will stay with a friend in Luton for a time before returning to Cambridge. The timing is inauspicious. He would have been so jealous to see me with Mr. Darcy, and I should have loved to see the expression on his face.”
Oh dear. “Cassie…” How should I phrase this? I must take care, for she would not be pleased to hear what I had to say and may become angry with me. Nevertheless, I should not sit by in silence and allow her to make such a vital blunder.
“What is it?” Her brows drew together.
“It is obvious that you are still in love with Mr. Ware.”
She bolted upright and scowled at me. “Oh no, not that again! You are wrong.”
“If you truly cared for Mr. Darcy, it would not matter to you whether or not Mr. Ware saw you with him.”
Cassie shook her head. “I do not believe this! You have never been in love.” She thrust her index finger at me. “You have never so much as been courted by a gentleman. Yet you presume to tell me how I feel?”
Heat overspread my face. “I may not be experienced in romance or love, but I know you very well. I love you and want you to be happy. I should hate to see you make a terrible error because of stubbornness or a wounded pride.”
She stood and folded her arms. “Well, allow me to reassure you. Your concern for me is misplaced, for I am happier now than I have ever been before. After tonight, I am more certain than ever that I shall receive a marriage proposal soon. Good-night.” She spun and hied from the room.
“Good-night, Cassie.” I flinched as she slammed my door shut, smothering my reply.
Could I be mistaken about her? She ought to know her heart better than I ever could.
And while she and Mr. Darcy did not appear to have interests in common, maybe that would not matter.
Perhaps Cassie’s beauty and overtly feminine demeanour would eclipse all other considerations in Mr. Darcy’s view, and the two of them would make a felicitous match.
If so, I should find a way to be happy for them.