A Rare Ability: A Darcy and Elizabeth Pride and Prejudice Variation (A Pemberley Romance Book 10)

by Harriet Knowles

  And she revered their parents, never having seen any unkindness from them. He couldn’t tell her what it had been like for him. He sat there for long minutes.

  Suddenly, he jerked up straight. He couldn’t tell Georgiana, but perhaps there was someone, someone whom he could confide in, someone who could understand.

  In all his searching in the balls and marriage marts of London, the assemblies and dinners in the countryside, he’d never thought to look for someone whom he could talk to, someone who could understand, perhaps ease his difficulty in social settings, who wouldn’t expect more of him than he was able to give.

  His mind turned to Miss Elizabeth Bennet. She had seemed to understand. So there must be more like her, someone from a suitable family, perhaps. He wondered who had written these notes. Her writing was educated and ladylike; she might be from a better family.

  He turned back to the letter. She had wanted to know how to help her friend more. Darcy wondered if he could explain what he needed, whether it might help her understand.

  He sat for a long time before unscrewing the top from the bottle of ink and beginning to write, slowly and deliberately, as was his habit.

  * * *

  Dinner that night with the officers was not as difficult as some occasions, being a gentleman-only affair. Darcy was mostly silent, but listened to their conversation, trying to find the reason for their undoubted enjoyment. Bingley joined in, seemingly able to tailor his conversation to the company. The talk all seemed rather coarse and unpleasant to Darcy, but he had experienced it before when attending dinners with military men, so he retreated to his usual aloof manner and let much of it wash over him.

  London. He could get Bingley to London tomorrow. He felt strangely encouraged at the thought of looking for a lady who might be able to understand the difficulty he had with social situations. Would he find someone who could assist him, who was also suitable to become his wife?

  He spoke to Bingley as they sat in the coach returning to Netherfield. Hurst snored in the corner.

  “Bingley. I have business to return to in London.” Darcy spoke directly, as was his habit. “I would welcome your assistance.”

  Bingley’s expression was shadowed and unreadable, but his face turned to Darcy. “Of course, if I might be able to help. But I do not wish to be away for long, Darcy. After all, I have only recently settled here.”

  Darcy had no answer to that, and he sat in silence. Of course, once he had Bingley in London, then it would be easy to keep him there, especially if his sisters moved back, too.

  But as they ascended the steps up to the front door and it swung open, he sensed that something was wrong.

  Bingley bounded in ahead of him. “Good evening, Caroline! Thank you for waiting up to see us. How did your dinner with Miss Bennet go?”

  Behind him, Darcy saw Miss Bingley and Mrs. Hurst exchange significant glances.

  “Oh, Charles,” Miss Bingley’s drawl was as affected as ever. “Miss Bennet is very unwell. She was taken ill at dinner. But she arrived here on horseback! In the pouring rain! That dreadful family, why did they not send her in a proper conveyance?” She sniggered. “Perhaps they could not afford it.”

  Chapter 10

  “But I am determined, Mama.” Elizabeth set her jaw and turned to persuade her mother to approve her suggestion. “I think Jane’s note means that she is asking someone to go over to see if she is all right, and, of course, I must go.”

  “I do not see that!” her mother objected.

  “But think, Mama!” Elizabeth took her hand. “If you go, Mr. Bingley will think you are going to protect your daughter from him, that you do not approve of his pursuit.” She smiled conspiratorially at her. “We do not want that, do we?”

  Her mother nodded vigorously, her cap bobbing. “Oh, no, dear. Of course you must go. I’m sure Mr. Bingley is very worried about her, and you will be able to make them both understand that we think they are exceedingly well-matched!”

  Elizabeth set out for Netherfield Park, accompanied for the first mile by Kitty and Lydia, who entreated her to join them at Captain Carter’s home for a while first.

  “For Mrs. Carter is very amiable, Lizzy. You can always go on to Jane later.” Lydia clutched at her sister’s arm. “She likes you, even though she is not sure when you are teasing and when serious.”

  Elizabeth laughed. “I’m sure you have told her I am always teasing, Lydia.”

  “Well, of course you are!” Lydia bounced up and down. “After all, you can’t be serious when you say you find no favour for a man wearing regimentals.”

  “How could anybody really mean that?” echoed Kitty, shaking her head.

  “Why, you will feel the way I do when you are quite grown-up,” Elizabeth softened her words with a smile. Of course, when she’d been their age, she was still pretending to be deeply grieving for John Lucas.

  “Lizzy! You are silly. We’re both going to marry officers. Aren’t we, Kitty?” Lydia looked at Elizabeth as if she were the most foolish person she’d ever met.

  “Of course we are!” Kitty shook her head. “Lizzy, those red jackets are so becoming. Even the older men look so distinguished!”

  Elizabeth smiled ruefully and left them to their pleasure. Crossing the fields towards Netherfield, she covered the next two miles swiftly, eager to see Jane and assure herself that she was not dreadfully unwell.

  The surprise with which she was greeted by the inhabitants of Netherfield, and the disdain of the ladies, displeased her rather, but Mr. Bingley was most amiable and sent at once for the housekeeper to take Elizabeth to her sister’s chamber, as the rest of the party was still at breakfast.

  She climbed the stairs behind Mrs. Nicholls, unable to prevent a small smile. Mr. Darcy had said nothing, but he had watched her closely — something she was sure Miss Bingley had noticed, as much as she was sure that Mr. Darcy himself was unaware of his scrutiny.

  “Oh, Lizzy!” Jane was so pleased to see her, and Elizabeth crossed the room to embrace her, forgetting all about those downstairs.

  “Oh, Jane! You poor thing. You must feel terrible.”

  “I will be much better now you are here, dearest Lizzy.” Jane sank back against her pillows, exhausted with the effort of greeting her.

  Elizabeth smiled and drew up a chair. She sat beside her sister, holding her hand, as she watched her sister fall into a feverish doze.

  But the peace was soon shattered, as Miss Bingley arrived with her sister, to visit their unwelcome guest. Elizabeth was quite sidelined, and moved over to the chair by the window, picking up her book. She listened quietly, angry that Jane was disturbed as she struggled to be sociable.

  Elizabeth smiled slightly as she listened.

  “The gentlemen have gone to shoot, dear Jane,” Miss Bingley purred. “So we are all alone this morning.”

  So that’s why they are so attentive. Elizabeth wanted to laugh. If she hadn’t been so attuned to Miss Bingley’s insincerity, she might have felt them to be quite genuine as she listened to their protestations of concern.

  She frowned, and tried to concentrate on the page she was attempting to read. But it proved harder than she had anticipated.

  “Of course, Mr. Darcy was hoping to go to London today, with Charles, as he has some urgent business,” Miss Bingley was looking at Jane. “I am sure his real intention is to take Charles to visit his sister.” She patted Jane’s hand. “But of course it will have to wait until you are quite well, dear Jane. So do not be concerned.”

  “Perhaps Mr. Darcy will go to London alone,” yawned Mrs. Hurst.

  She, at least, could not see what was obvious to Elizabeth. If Mr. Darcy was to go to London, then that’s where Miss Bingley wanted to be, too. Her lips twitched. Mr. Darcy needed to keep his wits about him to avoid being snared by his friend’s sister. Elizabeth wondered if he knew that.

  One thing she was certain of, if he married Miss Bingley, he would not be understood. But why was she so concerned? She’
d assured her father that she only wanted Mr. Darcy not to be unhappy through not understanding what came so naturally to her.

  A tightness around her heart made her wonder if that was the only reason. The conversation at the bedside faded out as she concentrated on her own feelings.

  She must not allow her affections to be stirred. He was much too far above her in social standing for him even to consider her. And that he quite obviously disapproved of his friend paying attention to Jane made it perfectly clear that he would not permit himself to consider Jane’s sister for himself.

  Elizabeth did not want to be hurt. She must protect her heart. And with that thought, she forced herself back to listen to the sisters talking to Jane.

  Perhaps she was too late. She could not abide the thought that Miss Bingley might marry Mr. Darcy — and not just because she did not care for the lady. She didn’t want him to be unhappy — it was important to her. And Miss Bingley could never make him happy.

  She listened to Miss Bingley extolling the accomplishments of Miss Darcy to Jane, and saw her sister’s listless acknowledgement. Elizabeth tried to keep her expression untroubled, but she wished the visit over. Jane would need much encouragement after this to lift her spirits, and to help her recover.

  Most of all, Elizabeth wanted to take her sister home, wrap her in tenderness and love, and assure her of Mr. Bingley’s affections.

  Chapter 11

  Darcy wasn’t sure whether he had been glad to get back to the house, or not. Listening to Bingley talk endlessly of the elder Miss Bennet had made him irritable. It wasn’t only because he was still determined to separate his friend from such an unsuitable lady, but also because every mention of her name brought to his mind the direct gaze of her younger sister.

  He remembered her inquisitive gaze at the assembly where he had first seen her, her kind objective look when they had danced together, and her seeming understanding when she had not looked at him too directly for too long. How did she know that he found that so uncomfortable?

  But he didn’t want to think of her. He wanted to discover another like her, from a suitable family. Suddenly the thought of marriage was not so intolerable after all — if he could find someone who could assist him to navigate the dangerous waters of society.

  He smiled slightly, watching Mr. Maunder laying out his dinner clothes.

  But Miss Bennet’s illness had put his whole objective on hold. And Miss Elizabeth was here, in this house. Suddenly he wished the shooting party had necessitated travel to another estate to stay overnight. Too much time in the company of Miss Elizabeth Bennet — the thought made him realise he might be in some danger.

  At half past six, he reluctantly left Bingley’s library with his host. Miss Bingley at once engaged him in conversation, and he was able to answer her with perfect indifference, while keeping his gaze away from her disconcerting stare at his own eyes. No, she was one of the most uncomfortable people to be around that he had ever known.

  He nodded at her, and walked to the mantel. Staring into the flames, he wondered how difficult it was going to be to find another like Miss Bennet. In all his life, he had never met anyone with such an awareness of how to make him feel comfortable.

  But there must be others — the lady who was writing little notes to herself in the meadow, was one such. And at that thought, he shook his head. How could he have imagined she would be from a suitable family? This rural area of Hertfordshire was not a place where any of the best estates were — at least, not that he had heard of.

  Perhaps, after dinner, he could consult Who’s Who. Bingley might have an indifferent library, but he was bound to have a copy.

  He straightened up as they were called through to the dining room. Bingley took Miss Elizabeth Bennet’s arm, and Darcy reluctantly extended his to Miss Bingley.

  He had been placed opposite Miss Bennet, and he kept his eyes on his food, and said little.

  From the foot of the table, Miss Bingley held court, mostly with her sister. Bingley answered his sister when he had to, but his kindness to Miss Elizabeth was obvious, as was his concern for her elder sister upstairs. Darcy scowled into his soup, before realising what he was doing, and forcing his expression back to indifference.

  He was acutely conscious of the attention of Miss Elizabeth and forced himself not to look at her. He listened to Hurst expressing surprise when she did not wish to taste the ragout, and knew he smiled slightly. She certainly knew her own preferences and was quite confident in company to state them, whether unpopular or not. He was impressed with her, and his anger at his feelings increased.

  Immediately after the meal was finished, she begged to be excused, and at once disappeared upstairs to her sister.

  “Well, what a dreadful evening, to be sure!” Miss Bingley began at once to complain how much the presence of Miss Elizabeth Bennet had spoiled the evening. “She has such coarse manners, and no taste at all.” She turned an injured look at Darcy. “And her impertinent air! She has no good conversation at all.”

  “Yes! And to walk such a distance! Alone! And through all that mud!” Louisa Hurst joined her sister in abusing their guest. “All it tells me is that she is an excellent walker.” She turned to her brother. “Her petticoats! Knee-deep in mud!”

  Bingley shook his head. “I did not notice it at all, Louisa,” he said cheerfully. “I thought Miss Elizabeth looked remarkably well when she arrived this morning, and it shows a very great regard for her sister.”

  “I’m sure you noticed it, Mr. Darcy,” Miss Bingley turned to him. “I expect you would be shocked if your sister did such a thing.”

  “I saw it.” Darcy’s voice was clipped. He could not imagine Georgiana would do such a thing. He frowned; he’d not thought she’d agree to an elopement with Wickham, either.

  But Miss Bingley was leaning forward. “I am afraid, Mr. Darcy,'' she observed in a half whisper, “that this adventure has rather affected your admiration of her fine eyes.”

  He wanted to leap to his feet and stalk across the room. Why had he ever said that to her; given her this ammunition to embarrass him? “Not at all,” he replied in a cold fury. “They were brightened by the exercise.”

  Fortunately, she was silenced by his rejoinder, and dinner was over. The ladies withdrew, and he heaved a sigh of relief.

  Bingley rolled his eyes at him, and he smiled reluctantly.

  How long would the elder Miss Bennet be ill, and unable to return home? He must get to London, and contrive to take Bingley, too. He longed to be back in his own home, without these interminable times having to be sociable to Miss Bingley, in particular.

  He thought of the dining room at Darcy House, those comfortable times with just Georgiana and Richard talking to each other, neither expecting him to join in unless he wished to. But he was startled to see in his mind a fourth person sitting opposite him where the mistress of the house would sit.

  He shook his head. He was most discomposed that it was Miss Elizabeth Bennet sitting there. Covered in confusion, he realised that Bingley was holding out the port to him, and he nodded hastily and seized the decanter.

  He must return to London.

  Chapter 12

  Elizabeth sank back into the coach cushions with a sigh of unutterable relief. Her beloved sister was better, and they were finally away from Netherfield. She had been too long in close proximity to Mr. Darcy and she knew very well that she could no longer answer her father in the same way as she had the previous week.

  She had observed Mr. Darcy when he was besieged by Miss Bingley and watched his expression shut down, leading her to hope very much that he was aware of the plans of that lady.

  But there was nothing she could say to him to warn him. Once he had walked over to her as she sat reading while Miss Bingley was at the pianoforte. She’d been surprised, but answered him lightly, noticing that the music faltered as Miss Bingley tried to hear what they were talking about.

  Elizabeth had laughed softly. “Mr. Darcy, pleasan
t as our conversation is, I think you are causing Miss Bingley to be quite discomposed as to the subject of our conversation.”

  His expression had lightened and he had almost laughed before his habitual impassiveness returned. But she hugged that moment to her, when there had almost been amusement and acceptance in his gaze.

  But yesterday, the day before their departure, he had studiedly adhered to his book, refusing to be swayed from it, even with all the wiles Miss Bingley could bring to bear on him.

  Elizabeth tried not to be hurt. She was nothing to him, after all. And she was even more sure that he abhorred the growing affections of his friend to her sister.

  “Oh, Jane,” she sighed. “I’m sorry to take you from your Mr. Bingley; but I can’t deny that I will be so glad to get home at last — and with you so much better, too.”

  “Lizzy!” Jane berated her. “He is not my Mr. Bingley,” but she flushed pink with pleasure.

  Elizabeth felt some disquiet, and hoped very much that Mr. Bingley would prove stalwart in refusing to be dissuaded from calling on Jane at Longbourn as he had done before.

  Mama was disappointed to see them return, but Papa showed his pleasure in their return and joined in the conversation over the dinner table that evening.

  * * *

  Jane knocked on the door of Elizabeth’s room just before she was about to go to bed. “Oh, Lizzy, I just wanted to thank you for coming to Netherfield to be with me. I know how mortifying you find the company of Miss Bingley and her sister — and I think, too, you found the attentions of Mr. Darcy somewhat troubling.” She gave her a sly smile.

  “Indeed I did,” Elizabeth said equably. “But you must not allow your thinking to go any further, Jane.” She faced her sister. “Mr. Darcy has always thought us beneath him and his friend. I still believe he will do everything he can to prevent Mr. Bingley from making you an offer.” She reached for her sister’s hand. “And I will prevent that if it is at all within my power.”