Chapter Ten #4
“Mary has written more often since becoming engaged to the local curate. My two youngest sisters do not write themselves, but my stepsister Margaret, who is a few years their junior, has discovered the efficacy of subduing their high spirits by asking them to dictate to her, so I hear of them through Margaret’s whimsical lens. ”
“Stepsister?” A dark look passed over Mr. Darcy’s countenance.
“I have three, and an infant half-brother. We are quite a brood, though my stepmother is not too old yet—they may yet round the number out to ten.”
“I confess I envy you. I should have liked to have more siblings—perhaps a younger brother, or an older sister for Georgie. Of course, Richard is like a brother to me.”
“He seems an excellent one. I would have liked to grow up with a brother. Four sisters often felt like too many, when it came to the purchasing of clothes or the sharing of sweets and trinkets. And the noise! Margaret is fourteen and very spirited; she has adapted well to her new life, but her older sisters are closer to my age and are not often at Longbourn.”
“Are they married, or do they reside with relations in town?”
“The oldest, Elinor, is married and settled in Devonshire. Marianne resided with them for a time; at present she is staying in London with a family friend called Mrs. Jennings. Now that is a name I should not be surprised if you recognize, for I understand the old widow is supremely well-connected.”
Mr. Darcy considered. “I believe I may have heard my aunt mention such a name—but generally when she speaks of acquaintances, it is not to praise them.”
Elizabeth chortled. “I confess I am hoping to find the lady an interesting character, whether good or bad, for amongst my letters was a communication from Marianne that Mrs. Jennings is bringing her to Sanditon next week. She is near Georgiana’s age, and I daresay they shall get along very well.”
“What is she like?”
“If it was as much of an accomplishment as playing pianoforte, Marianne Dashwood could appear on the stage and be lauded as one of the foremost actresses of our time. She has a delightful flare for the melodramatic, though not at all by design; she believes herself to be the only rational person on this earth, and the rest of us devoid of every proper feeling. I am prodigiously fond of her. She is also accomplished in the more general sense of the word and plays the pianoforte exquisitely.”
“I have seen such dramatic tendencies in my sister, at times. Your influence has softened her recent brashness into bright humor, for which I must thank you most tenderly, Lizzy.” His hand crept toward hers on the table, until their fingers brushed. Across the table, Miss de Bourgh rolled her eyes.
“Thank you,” she breathed, not quite brazen enough to use his given name.
“I have every hope of Marianne being as taken with Georgiana as I have been. And there shall be another welcome addition—I mentioned hearing from my friend Miss Tilney. Her family is also traveling to Sanditon soon, for the sake of her father’s health. ”
Mr. Darcy arched an eyebrow at her. “You shall be very well sought-after, it seems; I shall have to continue regular deliveries of flowers and novels to remain in your good graces—and on your busy schedule.”
“I am glad we are of one mind on the matter.” Elizabeth grinned at him and leaned a little closer. “In truth, you need not bribe me with anything beyond such a delightful willingness to converse. I fear I have rather dominated our conversation at present.”
“I told you I would be happy to listen. You have more to say that I might wish to hear, than the reverse.”
“Oh.” Elizabeth frowned, not sure what to say next. “I am sorry you do not think I should be interested in hearing you.”
Mr. Darcy spoke at the same moment. “I was sorry to hear of your stepmother—that is, I presume that means…. I am sorry for your loss, which must be fairly recent, for I believe I remember your mother. We were introduced at the Meryton assembly, with all your sisters.”
Elizabeth smiled with the same aching bemusement that always accompanied the remembrance of her mother. “I am sure she made quite an impression. At least, I hope she did, for the feeling was mutual.”
“Oh?”
“She could not wait to rush home and tell Papa about that comment I overheard, which we have agreed to never mention again, as it is a scandalous falsehood.”
Mr. Darcy’s eyes widened. “Your father knows of it? I am relieved he did not call me out!”
“He is not as prone to action as Mamma was. She had her justice by informing all of Meryton about it. I suppose I ought not complain—it is not the worst thing a girl could be notorious for in her village.”
“They must despise me for my insolence—I wonder they did not stone me in the streets when last I visited Bingley at Netherfield. I understand his wife’s family—your family—are beloved in the neighborhood.”
Elizabeth nodded. “They are, but it is a peaceful enough place that I believe you may walk the streets safely, sir, when next you return there. Of course, if I were in the neighborhood as well, the tide may very well turn against you.”
“If you would not come to my aid as I have lately done for you, I suppose I should have to win them over by lavishing you with all the commendation my acquaintance with you has brought to my notice.”
“Oh, if you did that, I am sure I would come to your aid, as you have done for me. I would scoop you up as if you weighed nothing at all and carry you off to safety.” Elizabeth blushed at the heady recollection of him carrying her to Trafalgar House.
“Tempting though such a scenario may be, I hope I shall make a better impression here in Sanditon, as I intend to remain in the neighborhood longer than I have done when visiting Netherfield.”
Her heart quickened. “How long do you mean to stay?”
“As long as you will allow me to rent Sandpiper Cottage. It is vastly superior to the cottage where Georgiana and I have lived since the fire at Pemberley in March.”
“Georgiana told me about that awful tragedy. I cannot say how sorry I am! My aunt Gardiner grew up in Lambton, and she told me about the grandeur of Pemberley.”
“It will be years yet before it is restored to what it once was, and much that was lost cannot be replaced. But I spent some time overseeing renovations at Richard’s estate in Scotland, as Georgie also told you of.
I enjoyed the work and look forward to more of the same at Rosings, when Anne and I wed.
” This last Mr. Darcy said in a slow, soft whisper that tore at Elizabeth’s heart as she imagined the sulking creature across the table as the companion of Mr. Darcy’s future life.
“And that would make you happy?”
“Indeed—and I shall have you to thank.”
Elizabeth refused to be moved by the smile on his face as he spoke of the future she was to help him secure. She only smiled back, forcing a little laugh as she reminded herself that this time it was all to be just a brief, amusing little lark; nothing more.