Chapter Thirteen #3
He immediately pulled her from the others. “Actually, I must tell you something that I overheard in my club yesterday. Viscount Harwood has quitted Britain for an extended trip to visit his properties in the West Indies.”
“Oh.” A hitherto unrecognized weight lifted from Elizabeth’s shoulders. “Oh, that is good news.”
“I hoped that might ease your spirits.”
“Yes. I—”
A footman arrived and murmured in William’s ear. His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “I apologize,” he said to Elizabeth, “I must go and greet—”
“Of course.”
Elizabeth rejoined the others, but her eyes followed William as he hastened from the room.
He reappeared a few seconds later with Lady Julia on one arm and Miss Bingley on the other.
The former was oblivious to Elizabeth’s presence, but the latter aimed a triumphant smile in her direction.
I wonder how she connived to arrive in Lady Julia’s carriage.
She is always eager to make the “right” kind of connections.
Elizabeth was shaken. Not only had William invited Lady Julia to the musicale, but he escorted her into his house.
As the lady laughed at something he said, Elizabeth could not deny the woman’s elegance. Her pale green gown reflected both her exquisite taste and her father’s fortune. Miss Bingley’s gown, in contrast, had more gilding than a baroque church.
Was William signaling the transfer of his affections from Elizabeth to Lady Julia? Perhaps he expected to propose to her after Elizabeth broke off their engagement. Maybe he sought to hasten the end of their engagement.
Preferring not to watch them, Elizabeth returned her attention to the others. Mr. Bingley had just asked Miss Darcy if their relatives would attend the musicale. She bit her lip and shook her head, averting her eyes from Elizabeth.
Elizabeth whispered, “Is the family cutting William because of our engagement?”
Miss Darcy stared at her feet and gave a tiny nod.
Jane gasped. Elizabeth felt sick at the knowledge of what their false betrothal had cost Darcy.
And, naturally, he had not mentioned it to her.
This must be another sign of how unsuitable a genuine relationship would be.
He could not possibly want to be shunned by his family forever.
Miss Darcy moved closer to Elizabeth. “But I am so very pleased to welcome you to the family.” Her glowing sincerity warmed Elizabeth immensely. “My brother has written me many wonderful things about you.”
Elizabeth almost asked the girl to repeat herself. Why would he bother to praise his false fiancée to his sister? “I am sure he exaggerates my charms.”
Her eyes widened. “Oh no! He always speaks the absolute truth! I can see how much he cares for you.”
Elizabeth stifled the urge to direct Miss Darcy’s attention to the sight of William enjoying Lady Julia’s flirtation. No sense in making her confused as well.
The girl continued to speak in a soft voice. “He has praised your beauty and wit and liveliness. It is obvious that he is deeply in love with you.” The force of her earnestness was rather overwhelming.
Elizabeth laughed self-consciously. “Well, your brother meets many beautiful women.”
“I am sure he does,” Miss Darcy said. “But he has never described any of the others to me. Only you.”
This gave Elizabeth pause. Did Mr. Darcy actually have affection for her? She had assumed otherwise. He was always so cautious and controlled. Except for those kisses.
His sentiments do not matter, she reminded herself. He may find me attractive, but he still perceives me as an inappropriate match.
Lady Julia and Miss Bingley strolled past Elizabeth toward the music room. Miss Bingley took an opportunity to sneer at Jane, apparently demonstrating her unhappiness with her brother’s engagement. But, ever oblivious, Jane and Mr. Bingley followed in the women’s wake.
Now disengaged, William joined their conversation. “Elizabeth, have you been telling my sister dreadful tales about me?” he asked with a smile.
“On the contrary, I informed her that you are never wrong,” Elizabeth said pertly.
“I trust that is well known,” he said with mock solemnity. He turned to his sister who was watching the exchange with an amazed expression. “Elizabeth herself is never in error, so if she says I am never wrong, it must be so.”
Elizabeth laughed. “Yes, neither of us is ever wrong. We are quite the pair.” Miss Darcy ventured an uncertain smile.
The footman opened the front door again to receive guests. William’s eyes widened. “I did not believe she would come.”
Lady Catherine stood in the entrance, the wind whipping her cloak dramatically around her like a gothic (but elderly) heroine. Mr. Collins lurked beside her, a dark shadow with an insipid smile.
“You invited her?” Elizabeth asked.
“I invited all my family,” William said. “I am not shunning them. But I did not expect them to attend.”
Lady Catherine regarded Elizabeth with a sour expression.
“She does not look like someone eagerly anticipating a night of enchanting music,” Elizabeth observed.
“No.” William’s mouth was set in a grim line as he strode toward the entrance to greet his aunt.