Chapter 37
“Mr Charles Bingley, ma’am.”
It is not even proper calling hours, for heaven’s sake.“Show him in, please,” replied Mrs Gardiner.
A young man entered into the room, full of good cheer. “Mrs Gardiner, I presume?”
She blinked at his forward manner. “I am she, Mr Bingley. How may I assist you?”
“I beg your pardon, madam. I was hoping to see Mr Gardiner on a business matter before he departed for the day.”
The sound of footsteps on the stairs drew their attention.
“Aunt Gardiner, when should we expect to...” Jane stopped speaking. Her eyes darted from her aunt to their visitor and back.
Mr Bingley stood immobile as he stared at Jane. His mouth hung open under wide eyes.
Mrs Gardiner was relieved when her husband appeared in the doorway and stepped between Jane and their visitor. He gave Jane a commanding look. “Please prepare the children while I see to our unexpected caller.”
At Jane’s departure, Gardiner turned to Mr Bingley, who was stammering. “Who...who was...?”
“Mr Bingley, I am not accepting calls this morning. You may leave your direction at the door,” he stated.
A rational man would have understood his tone, thought Mrs Gardiner.
“Was... was that your governess?”
“My dear, I shall see our visitor out.” Gardiner gestured to the vestibule. Mrs Gardiner followed, wishing to ensure the young man departed.
“She has the visage of an angel!”
“Mr Bingley, I must insist you leave,” demanded Gardiner. He waved to Stokes.
“I must have her name, I beg you,” he pleaded.
“See Mr Bingley out.”
“Wait. A name, please,” he begged as Stokes pulled him by his arm.
Gardiner closed the door in his face. “He is as foolish in manners as he is in business.”
“Poor Jane,” cried Mrs Gardiner, “importuned even in the safety of her own home!”
Lady Catherine stared at Lady Matlock, her jaw nearly in her lap. She shook her head. “How had that never occurred to me? I shall never forgive myself.”
Lady Matlock laughed, “You are too close. Had you thought Jane, rather than Elizabeth, I would have missed the obvious as well.”
“Darcy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth and Darcy. How utterly divine!”
“I agree. We could not seek a more favourable alliance.”
Lady Catherine ticked off the connexions on her fingers. “Bennet. Gardiner. Edgecombe. Lambrook, when he comes to the point with Jane.”
“As well as our side. Darcy. Matlock. Sutton.”
“Elizabeth is staying as Georgiana’s guest. With the correct direction, we could have them betrothed by Epiphany.”
“That would require one of us to join them at Darcy House, and I am occupied with Jane’s Season,” replied Lady Matlock with an eyebrow lift.
“Well, I see my record of success speaks for itself,” replied Lady Catherine. “First Henry, now Darcy. I would boast of my talents, but such vulgarity is unacceptable.”
Lady Matlock slapped her arm. “Such nonsense you spout.” The two conspirators worked through a timetable and plans to secure the success of the desired match.
Elizabeth’s first dinner at Darcy House was in the family’s smaller dining room. It was a pleasant space decorated in an understated elegant manner. All the colours—creams, greens, and blues—were soft and warm. The place settings were simple but sophisticated; the handle of each silver utensil was embossed with a plain ‘D.’
What extraordinary lengths the family takes to see that I am warmly welcomed.
Mr George Darcy had escorted her and Lady Catherine; Georgiana had been on Mr Darcy’s arm. Elizabeth was seated between both men.
The elder man, a silver-haired version of his son, spoke warmly to her. “It is a pleasure to have you at Darcy House, Miss Elizabeth. Lady Catherine has told of your skills in languages, mathematics, singing, and playing.”
“Thank you. My father speaks highly of your years of friendship,” she paused and lifted an eyebrow, “and told me stories of your rivalry.”
Mr George Darcy chuckled. “Yes, Bennet is the last of my close friends from university. It was always a battle to see which of us would have bragging rights—fencing in particular—into the following year.”
“Papa, please. More ancient history?” Georgiana shook her head.
“Never you mind, Georgiana. I am only surprised Elizabeth is privy to the men’s sporting entertainments.” Lady Catherine directed a pointed look to her protégée.
“Lady Catherine, when you asked about my accomplishments, you had me confirm or deny those you listed,” replied Elizabeth.
“Are you saying I am knowledgeable of only what you have chosen for me to know, young lady?”
Elizabeth shrugged her shoulders and smiled. The table erupted in laughter.
“Miss Elizabeth, if I may?” asked Mr Darcy.
“You may, sir.”
“What other accomplishments are we unaware of?”
“My father ensured I rode to the hounds. Our stillroom supplies the shire’s apothecaries and midwives with herbal tisanes and draughts.”
“Oh, my word.” Georgiana laid her hand upon Elizabeth’s forearm.
“I sense our guest is holding back at least one more unexpected talent,” said the elder Mr Darcy.
Lady Catherine chuckled. “Elizabeth, here I thought we had no secrets between us.”
“We do not. A secret does not exist if I am not inclined to hide the fact.”
“Rhetoric. Well done.” The younger Mr Darcy smiled, showing himself to be even handsomer than a few minutes earlier.
Elizabeth blinked and turned to Mr George Darcy. “I am my father’s daughter, sir.”
His eyes lit up. His smile stretched across his face. “It is a shame then you cannot join us at Angelo’s, Miss Elizabeth.”
“You fence, Lizzy?” asked a shocked Georgiana.
“Your father teases. I play the Game of Kings.” She turned to Mr Darcy. “Do you play, sir?”
“I do,” he replied.
“I sense a match in the future,” said Lady Catherine, dabbing her lips with a serviette.
Elizabeth’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at Lady Catherine, whose eyes were lit with glee. Did I imagine Lady Catherine’s double-entendre?
“Do you prefer to play White or Black?” asked Mr Darcy. He seemed non-plussed.
She took a slow breath to calm herself and glanced at him. “When two players are equally matched, the player who opens has the statistical advantage.”
“I believe the lady avoids the question,” Mr George Darcy replied.
“Is that your determination as well, sir?” she asked, turning to Mr Darcy.