Chapter 37 #2
Mr. Bingley approached Elizabeth and asked whether she would be comfortable playing a song, but she declined as politely as she could.
She hoped Mr. Darcy would not ask her, for it would be more difficult to disoblige the host. He was standing with her uncle, slightly removed, and Elizabeth thought he would be more likely to stay away if she appeared to be in a discussion with Mr. Bingley.
Not that he ever approached her when they had seen each other the past year, until last month.
She did not know how he would act anymore, so she began a conversation with her cousin’s betrothed.
“How have your sisters been since I saw them last month? I hope they are in health?”
“In perfect health, yes. They are anxious for more of their friends to return to town, but meanwhile Caro and the Hursts are traveling tomorrow to visit friends in Berkshire.”
“I am glad they have found a way to fill the dreary winter. They must be tired of London indeed to go to the country again so soon after their time in Hertfordshire.”
“Yes, well. I hope they will be very happy. They intend to stay at the estate of one of Hurst’s friends for a month or two.”
“So long? I understand Jane will arrive on the first of April. Do you anticipate your sisters returning by then?”
“They were unsure of their plans. In truth, it is to be a large house party. I know Louisa and Hurst are hoping Caro will find a suitor this month. We all know her first choice is completely uninterested.”
Bingley glanced at Mr. Darcy, a motion that was unfortunately caught by their host. He and Uncle Gardiner approached, both appearing satisfied by their conversation.
Darcy’s smile slipped as he saw the apprehension on Elizabeth’s countenance.
Had Bingley upset her, or was it himself who caused her unease?
She had been lively when her uncle spoke of the diamond trade, but before and after that, she was withdrawn.
He was hoping she could feel comfortable in his presence, in his home, without imposing himself on her too much.
Perhaps, though, a simple conversation with her would go farther than merely increased time side by side.
Mr. Gardiner was already asking Bingley about his plans for where to live after he and Miss Bennet wed, which drew Mrs. Gardiner’s interest, as well. Darcy took the opportunity to speak to Elizabeth in hushed tones at the edge of the small group.
“Your uncle and I were discussing the theater, Miss Elizabeth.” He was grateful when she turned toward him more fully and raised her brows in question.
“I invited him and your aunt and you to attend in my box with me the day after tomorrow.”
“Indeed? And did he accept?”
“He was interested. The play is apparently a favorite of your aunt’s. Do you also admire The Comedy of Errors? Would you like to come?”
“I do like it. If my aunt and uncle accept your invitation, I will join them.”
She looked down. Was she embarrassed or only uncomfortable? Either way, it was a victory. She would be beside him again on Saturday.
His other three guests had drifted a few feet away, and he knew Elizabeth would follow them if he did not hold her attention.
He needed to regain her friendship. He had not been sleeping well since seeing her with Wickham.
Even though he believed that threat dispatched, he could not bear to see her looking at him with such disdain again.
Tonight had been better, but she was far from trusting him.
If anything, she seemed afraid of him, unwilling to meet his gaze for more than a moment at a time.
He would have to consider later why that could be.
For now, he must think of something to say.
“Will Miss Bennet come to London again this spring?” Bingley had told him she would, but he had not remembered the details.
“She will be here almost the whole of April.” Her smile was small but real. He felt a surge of joy that Elizabeth seemed to have a friendship with her older cousin. He hoped she was not as lonely as she had seemed when they had first met.
April. That gave him six weeks without the distraction of her cousin or hopefully Bingley’s sisters. They may not stay away that long, but he could dream. Would all of this be easier once Miss Bennet arrived, though? Perhaps, but he would have no respite from Miss Bingley once Miss Bennet was here.
“What of your other cousin, the one your age? Has she ever visited you here or come for a Season?”
“Mary has never wished to come to London. At one time I had hoped she would come to see me, but she was happy at home. And now that she is engaged—”
“Oh, yes. Mr. Bingley mentioned Miss Mary is engaged though she is not yet nineteen. I had heard…Forgive me.” Until Bingley’s information about Miss Mary, he had heard her uncle did not allow marriages until the age of one-and-twenty.
Would Elizabeth be allowed to marry sooner?
The idea both excited and alarmed him. He had counted on having plenty of time to sway her, without the threat of another man formalizing an engagement.
Of course, her uncle’s rule would be no barrier against other men courting her or her own heart being touched.
He prayed Mr. Gardiner was correct that Elizabeth did not love Wickham.
“Mary’s betrothed is a childhood friend whom her father likes and trusts. He will inherit a small estate near her home. We suspect my uncle will allow her to marry at the same time as Jane and Mr. Bingley.”
“And do you also like and trust your cousins’ suitors?” Darcy was curious to see what she would say about Bingley.
“Mr. Lucas was always one of the kindest boys in the neighborhood.” She smiled, perhaps recalling a specific courtesy, and Darcy sighed softly to finally see her eyes brighter. Unfortunately, the joy flickered. “When the other children teased, he was the only one who could convince them to stop.”
Before he could ask more, to confirm whether it was Elizabeth the children had teased, she quickly changed the subject.
“Is Miss Darcy in school right now?”
“She is, although this will be her final term. She has asked to set up her own establishment in London once she finishes school in a month.”
He still was unsure whether it was right to allow it. His sister was so young. Lady Matlock and Richard had supported Georgiana, though, and his aunt knew far more about raising young girls than he did. He saw the look of concern on Elizabeth’s face. Perhaps she felt as he did.
“Would you have liked to live with only a companion or governess when you were fifteen, Miss Elizabeth?”
She slowly shook her head. “I felt so alone as it was. But perhaps Miss Darcy has many friends in the city to call on. Will she come out this Season?”
“No. That I would not be persuaded to. She did not request it, but my aunt would have allowed it. She is so young. I have agreed to give her more freedom, to allow her to make more of her own decisions. Richard—my cousin who shares guardianship over Georgiana—has said it will help her to be ready for society in a few years. I am attempting to not be overbearing in the matter, and so I have been overruled.”
“But she will be well-protected, surely? You have found a companion with good references?”
“Impeccable, my aunt says. I am still receiving applications from a variety of sources—an agency mostly and my aunt’s friends—but my aunt likes a Mrs. Minny Younge, who applied last week in response to some lines in the newspaper.
She is a widow who had the charge of a young woman several years ago who made a favorable marriage after only one year.
And then a family with three girls in Bath.
Mrs. Younge guided them for five or six years, but the youngest married recently, as well. ”
“Her goal will not be to see Miss Darcy married soon, I am sure, or she would lose another position.”
“Exactly. Apparently, she is glad of this new posting to London, and she expects to be in my employ for several years. She is still in Bath, so I have not met her yet, but she will arrive in time to ensure the townhouse will be ready for my sister as soon as her term ends.”
“You have already taken a house, then?”
“Yes. It is on Seymour Street, off Portman Square.”
“Near where the Bingleys lived that first summer I met them.”
“Yes, I had forgotten. Georgie will be a few blocks south, closer to the square. I wanted her near me but not in the middle of everything. Perhaps I should have taken a house for her closer to Berkeley Square. I am second-guessing every decision.” He chuckled, but he truly had been concerned about these momentous decisions. He still was.
“That is only natural. These are major steps. Will Miss Darcy have a footman? I find great comfort in having a familiar face always watching out for me. He has protected me more than once.” She appeared surprised at her admission, and his curiosity flared, but she clearly had no wish to discuss it as she hurriedly continued.
“But I suppose that will be Mrs. Younge’s purpose.
I understand your discomfort, but I am sure you are doing all you can to both secure your sister’s safety and happiness.
She did tell me you were an excellent brother. ”
Darcy did not realize at first that he was smiling, but he felt it grow as Elizabeth looked into his eyes and returned the gesture. He did not know how long they were in that attitude before she suddenly looked away and cleared her throat.
“Excuse me. I should return to my aunt.” She ducked her head and scurried away. His heart warmed, though, with a new hope. They had shared not only a civil conversation but an important one. An intimate one. He could not tell what she felt, but his anticipation for Saturday grew.