Chapter Nine #2
“I should hardly class Miss Bennet with the other young ladies we have seen here—nor would I consider it a punishment to choose her over a dowry.”
“Yes, exactly.” Richard looked as if he would say more, but they were interrupted by a footman who had come from the hotel with a message. Georgiana meant to remain at the Gardiner loft for dinner that evening, and the gentlemen at the cottage had been invited to join them at seven o’clock.
Richard said no more of Miss Bennet that afternoon, leaving Darcy to his book, but it was impossible that the lady should be far from Darcy’s thoughts in the hours that seemed to drag, until finally it was time to attend their engagement.
At the appointed hour, Darcy was vexed to see Richard so finely attired; he resolved to watch his cousin closely throughout the meal.
It was an intimate dinner, and though the Gardiner apartment was elegantly appointed and the cuisine was exceptional, the conversation was informal.
To Darcy’s relief, Richard’s air was not overly flirtatious.
Initially, Miss Bennet did a great deal of speaking, and soon managed to soften her uncle’s sober demeanor, coaxing him into sharing anecdotes about the hotel which were rendered more amusing by her own witty contribution to the conversation.
Richard and Darcy listened with equal attention when Mr. Gardiner spoke of his late wife’s fondness for Sanditon, which rivaled the affection she held for her childhood home, the small village of Lambton situated not five miles from Pemberley.
Darcy passed a happy hour listening to the lively banter of his companions, and even speaking a little more than was usually his wont.
He slowly forgot his intention to determine whether Richard was seriously interested in courting Miss Bennet, or if he meant only to badger Darcy into doing so, either in earnest or as a ruse to woo Anne.
Richard paid Miss Bennet no particular attention, and neither did Darcy, though both gentlemen reveled in Georgiana’s evident pleasure at having found such an easy and open friendship.
By the end of the meal, when Darcy was certain that Richard had merely concocted a red herring scheme out of sheer boredom, he found he was not ready for the ladies to withdraw.
Richard wished to hear more of Mr. Gardiner’s other ventures in Sanditon, and seemed adamant that Darcy should listen with the same enthusiasm, but this proved impossible when the sounds of laughter and intermittent tinkling of piano keys drifted down the corridor.
Eventually Darcy excused himself to join the ladies, but he got no further than the doorway for a full quarter of an hour.
He leaned against the door jam, silently observing his sister play a duet with her new friend; it was the first time he had ever seen her do such a thing.
Miss Bennet played well, though she was not as fine a performer as Georgiana.
She was bolder where his sister was timid, and seemed more inclined to make mistakes simply so that she could laugh at them.
The pair whispered between themselves, giggling over private jokes and switching between complex arias and what sounded like jaunty tavern ballads, completely unaware of Darcy’s presence in the corridor.
He would have been content to remain there much longer, until Richard very smugly discovered him in such a posture, with an expression that promised to tease him thoroughly at the first opportunity.
Mrs. Bevan’s reading reception was held at Sanditon House the following afternoon, and Georgiana asked if she could join Miss Bennet in one of the phaetons the hotel had on hand for let.
Darcy was inclined to suggest they all ride together in his barouche, but Richard gave permission with alacrity. “Excellent idea, Georgie!”
Darcy looked askance at his daft cousin. “I cannot agree that it is. I fear the ground may be too soft after yesterday’s rain.”
“But the sun is out, and I am an excellent driver!” Georgiana bounced up on her toes and moved closer to Richard, her hands pressed together as she waited for her brother to capitulate.
Richard rested a hand on Georgiana’s shoulder in support. “Surely we could go on horseback, Darcy, and ride alongside them?”
“And arrive so filthy with mud that we are not fit to be seen?”
“Pah, perhaps it is a foolish notion.” Richard gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “After hearing of Anne’s sudden equestrian fascination, I thought… well, forget it.”
Darcy was not too foolish to see through the manipulation, but Georgiana’s enthusiasm was sincere enough, and he had never been able to deny her anything she desired.
He glanced out the window, studying the sunlit countryside.
“You must keep close to us for safety, and do not allow yourself to become distracted, no matter how amusing your passenger is.”
Darcy winced at his sister’s squeal of glee and allowed her to throw her arms around him. “Thank you, brother! A brief ride in the sunshine will be just the thing for all of us.”
After dressing themselves for the occasion, the trio walked along the cliffs to the hotel and met Miss Bennet by the fountain in the courtyard.
“I have just sent Larkins to bring the phaeton round for us,” she told them cheerfully.
“There may be a short wait, as I believe a few other carriages have been sent for with the same destination as our own, and I insist on always being last, after the guests of the hotel.”
She sat down on the stone bench that encircled the large fountain, and gestured for her companions to do likewise. Georgiana perched on one side of Miss Bennet and Richard took the other side, asking, “Are you often using the phaetons the hotel has on offer?”
Miss Bennet gave a rueful shake of her head.
“It is seldom that I do not walk to my destination, for there is no place in Sanditon that is further from the hotel than I should like to ramble, anyhow. If weather is any impediment, or speed a consideration, my uncle has a very fine barouche that is always at my disposal. I daresay he wishes we used it more, but I am very fond of walking.”
Darcy had not seated himself with the others, but stood at some remove, as was his wont. “Do you ride, Miss Bennet?”
The lady seemed to grow a little paler as she answered him.
“No, not at all. In truth, I am rather frightened of horses. I can tolerate the phaeton well enough, and I am sure I shall even learn to like such open equipages, for I shall have little choice in that matter. Sir Thomas has just gifted Charlotte—Lady Parker—a very fine gig as a gift upon the birth of their daughter. He thinks her a remarkable genius for so prudently delivering their child in April, so that she shall be recovered in time to enjoy all the festivities of summer.”
Georgiana perked up at the mention of one of her favorite topics, and Darcy was pleased to see her so expansive.
“The more you tell me of Sanditon, the more I am certain I shall never wish to leave! Nearly three months of picnics and sea-bathing, natural exploration and dinner parties! Oh, and the assemblies—and surely there must be a private ball or two! You will practice all the steps with me, will you not, Lizzy?”
“Have I any choice?”
Georgiana laughed, a sound still miraculous to Darcy even though it had become a common thing since coming to Sanditon. “No indeed!”
Richard feigned indignation. “Now Georgie, you must be fair—you shall have one perfectly willing partner at the cottage.”
Miss Bennet arched an eyebrow as she peered up at Darcy. “Only one? My, my. I know two things about Mr. Darcy with absolute certainty—he is a devoted brother, and a most reluctant dancer. And now these two notions are at a variance. I wonder, sir, how you shall act.”
Richard guffawed. “Ha! She has certainly taken your likeness, Darcy! But you know, Miss Bennet, you have never seen Darcy when he is wooing a lady. Come to think of it, neither have I! Ha!”
“Oh, I had not considered that—surely it must be a very tempting inducement.” Miss Bennet gave him a perfectly innocent smile, all the wickedness of her mischief sparkling in her eyes.
Darcy gave a little chuckle, stalling for a moment as he attempted to conjure some clever reply.
“I imagine that the assemblies here are lively affairs, which do not often see the ladies slighted by any of the gentlemen, and so you need not fear on my account. Indeed, any lady in want of a partner had better prepare herself for my gallantry—I tell you this now, Miss Bennet, so that you will not faint away from astonishment on Thursday next, and thus miss out on that activity you are so fond of.”
Richard smirked. “I expect to see you dancing every dance, cousin.”
Nearly at the same moment, Georgiana said, “But Lizzy has been slighted already! Next week is the very first assembly of the summer, and nobody has yet claimed her first dance. I shall hardly enjoy standing up with Mr. Marsh if she is sitting out.”
Darcy frowned. “Mr. Marsh has already asked for your opening set?”
“Not yet, but Lizzy is certain he shall. I intend to think of it very hard when we are speaking together this afternoon.”
Miss Bennet glanced up at Darcy again, this time a look of bemusement in her eye, as if she half expected him to disapprove of the expectations she had raised in his sister. Taking leave entirely of his senses, Darcy only winked at her.
Richard had thankfully not observed this, but encouraged Georgiana with a gentle pat on the shoulder. “I am sure he shall ask you, even if the bookworm may need a little nudge.” He looked at Darcy expectantly.
As if still in some trance of sociable silkiness, Darcy gave a little bow. “I shall allay any anxiety you may feel, Georgie, by asking Miss Bennet for her opening set directly.”