Chapter 6
Having spent the better part of the day secluded in the safety of the billiard room with Charles and Hurst, Darcy dreaded the evening ahead.
Not only must he pass himself off as Bingley and submit himself to Henderson’s fastidious attentions, but he must also endure supper with the horrid Bingley sisters.
His one consolation was that Miss Elizabeth would dine with the family.
At least he would have the benefit of her company for the supper hour.
The valet promptly answered his summons and prattled on about the lateness of the hour and the chill in the night air. Darcy steadfastly ignored him as he changed into a fresh shirt and breeches. However, when Henderson attempted to tie his cravat, Darcy forestalled him.
“Thank you, Mr Henderson. I’ll see to it myself.” Although stunned, the valet handed over the neck cloth, and watched as Darcy formed a simple knot.
Henderson sighed in resignation. “Yes, well, I suppose a square knot shall do quite nicely. A serviceable adornment, indeed.”
Darcy paid no heed to this commentary. For the sake of expedience, he had allowed the valet to arrange his cravat that morning, but under no circumstances would he succumb to the dandified frills and furbelows that Charles favoured.
Henderson handed him Charles’s watch, which had a golden charm dangling from the fob, followed by another fob with a gold seal, instantly crushing Darcy’s resolve.
Despite his reluctance, he attached them both and stowed the watch in his pocket.
Although these embellishments were the current mode, Darcy had never acquired a taste for them.
In his opinion, they were far too flashy, but being without them wouldn’t go unnoticed, so he accepted them without complaint.
Next, Henderson held up a blue floral waistcoat.
Darcy scowled. “Not that one. I need something darker.” He absolutely refused to wear that confection.
Henderson’s mouth fell agape, but he quickly recovered. “Of course,” he said, then retrieved a red striped waistcoat.
“God, no. Find something else.”
The valet finally offered green.
“I suppose that will do.”
Henderson assisted him into the garment. “I suspect you are in a dark mood today, Mr Bingley.”
Darcy bit back a stinging retort, knowing Charles would never rebuke his amiable valet. “I can’t precisely be cheerful with a sick guest in the house.”
Henderson released a weary sigh. “No, indeed. From what I’ve heard, Miss Bennet is quite unwell. Cook is worried that she hasn’t eaten enough to keep up her strength. Broth and tea are all she can manage.”
This gave Darcy pause. Although he abhorred kitchen gossip, it seemed that Miss Bennet’s health was quite poor indeed. Miss Elizabeth had spent the entire day in the sickroom and must also be worried about her sister’s condition. He hoped to have a better report at supper.
***
After playing billiards in the billiard room and winning back ten shillings from Henry, Charles withdrew to Darcy’s guest chamber to dress for supper.
Eager to hear any news of Miss Bennet’s condition, he hurried through the process with Mr Hobbs, who remained resolutely silent, speaking only when necessary.
Once again, he asked the valet to tie his cravat, but if he were being honest, he ought to be able to manage such a simplistic design on his own. Hobbs would be sure to notice if he insisted on a drastic change to Darcy’s routine. Perhaps he ought to practice before he retired for the night.
After donning a blue plaid waistcoat, he reluctantly agreed to match it with a drab navy coat.
Adding to his discontent, other than his plain watch fob, Darcy wore no other adornments, like seals, ribbons or chains.
It was dashed dull, in Charles’s opinion, but he had no other choice.
He must not risk discovery by altering Darcy’s appearance.
Unfortunately, by the time he had dressed, he had yet to hear of Miss Bennet’s condition. Mr Hobbs was an excellent valet, but annoyingly reserved in his manners and never spoke of anything unrelated to his grooming or attire. How did Darcy abide the man?
Once fully dressed, he met Darcy in the sitting parlour to wait for Henry and the ladies to join them for supper. “What have you heard about Miss Bennet?” he inquired, knowing Henderson would have shared that information.
“According to your valet, she’s still quite unwell.”
Grieved by this news, he sank into a chair. “I shall not be easy until I hear of her improvement.”
“I’ll discuss it further with Miss Elizabeth at supper.”
Charles studied his twin’s expression. “Do you admire Miss Elizabeth?”
His friend started at this. “What do you mean?”
“You nearly drooled when she arrived this morning.”
Darcy’s eyes flared with indignation. “I did no such thing,” he said stiffly, but then relaxed his shoulders. “She did look quite irresistible.”
Charles laughed at his friend’s sudden reversal. “I told you she was uncommonly pretty on the night of the assembly.”
“Perhaps, but I was in no mood to meet anyone at that event.”
He perfectly recalled Darcy’s surly behaviour that evening. “You claimed then that she wasn’t handsome enough to tempt you, but now, admit it; you admire her.” In their entire acquaintance, he had never witnessed Darcy show a decided preference for any woman.
“I can hardly be blamed for admiring a lady’s beauty, but even if I wanted to do anything so ill-advised as pursuing her, I couldn’t do so under these circumstances.”
Charles sadly shook his head in resignation.
“No, indeed. I’ve shown my preference for Miss Bennet since the night we met, but to do so now would suggest that we both favour her.
” Being seen as competing for her affections would be disastrous to both men’s reputations, to say nothing of Miss Bennet’s.
If he were to pass himself off as Darcy, he must remain perfectly indifferent to both Bennet sisters. That prospect gave him no pleasure whatsoever.
***
Once again, Darcy assumed the role of master by sitting at the head of the table. Unfortunately for Charles, Caroline insisted on forcing herself on his notice by asking him all manner of useless questions. Henry Hurst, of course, was content to eat his meal in silence.
This evening, however, Darcy had the good fortune of sitting beside Miss Elizabeth.
Her hair had been restored to order, and she’d changed into a green muslin gown.
Although she didn’t adorn herself in the first stare of fashion, he acknowledged that no one dressed formally in the country.
Netherfield was far removed from the most notable drawing rooms in London, so he couldn’t fault her for her country attire.
Despite her plain dress, she was lovely indeed.
However, her quiet demeanour and troubled brow gave him pause. “How does your sister fare?” he inquired.
She released a soft sigh. “I’m worried about her. Jane has never been so unwell. She begs your pardon for being such a burden.”
“No, indeed, our friends can never be a burden.”
She briefly glanced across the table at Charles. “Mr Darcy may have a poor opinion of me, but no one can find fault with Jane, who’s the sweetest, most unassuming woman I know.”
Dear Lord! Darcy cringed at her assumption of his opinion, based on his hasty comment at the assembly.
“I apologise on behalf of my friend. He was in a foul temper on the night of the assembly and ought not to have spoken out of turn. I’m certain he holds you in the highest regard,” he said, hoping this would improve her opinion of him.
She regarded him with sceptical eyes. “Your friend could learn a great deal from you, Mr Bingley.”
Darcy knew not how to respond to this comment. Was she suggesting that he should adopt Charles’s carefree, impulsive demeanour? Did she also admire Charles?
He reverted to the previous subject. “Mr Jones has promised to return in the morning, and I’ve instructed Mrs Nicolls to provide everything you and your sister require.”
She heartily thanked him. “I’m a poor nursemaid and must rely on Mr Jones’s judgement.”
“Should I summon my physician from town?”
She offered a sad smile. “Thank you for your kind offer, but Mr Jones has always cared for us when we were ill, and I’m certain his draught will help Jane to sleep. Mrs Nicholls has brought a steady supply of bone broth, which is exactly what our housekeeper would do were Jane at home.”
“Housekeepers always seem to have their own secret elixir for whatever ails us,” he said, thinking of his longtime housekeeper, Mrs Reynolds.
“True.”
“You must advise me if you or your sister need anything, and I’ll see to it immediately,” he said, determined to do everything in his power to ease her burden. In all honesty, he would do nothing less in his own home.
“Thank you, Mr Bingley,” she said, then lowered her voice. “I hope you’ll pardon me for barging in on your hospitality. I arrived without a proper invitation from you or your sisters.”
“I believe you’re a devoted sister and couldn’t bear to think of Miss Bennet being ill while away from home.”
“It’s no less than what Jane would have done for me. You must feel the same about your sisters,” she said, gazing at Mrs Hurst and Miss Bingley, who chattered relentlessly with their unfortunate brother.
“I would never let any harm come to mine,” he said, thinking of his dear Georgiana.
As the meal continued, he became lost in a brown study. What would become of his sister if he never resumed his true form? Would he ever see her again? How would he explain his absence? Would Charles dance with her at her coming out party? Would he escort her down the aisle on her wedding day?
“You must forgive me for being a poor supper companion, Mr Bingley. I’m terribly worried about Jane.”
“You need not apologise, Miss Elizabeth. I also worry about my sister.” He caught his mistake a moment later, but she seemed not to have noticed.
“Are they frequently ill?” she inquired, glancing over to Caroline and Louisa.
“A loved one need not be ill to worry about them.”
She fixed doleful eyes on him. “I agree completely.”
Without question, Miss Elizabeth Bennet was unlike any woman of Darcy’s acquaintance.
Not once had she drawn attention to herself.
Her only concern had been for the state of her sister’s health.
He doubted that either of Bingley’s sisters were capable of showing such compassionate regard for each other, or for that matter, anyone else.