by APRIL FLOYD
True to her nature, his aunt corrected her daughter. “Anne, we have yet to know whether Mr. Bingley prefers one young lady over another. You may still catch his eye. Perhaps if you smiled a bit more, but not as much as Georgie for she smiles too much. ”
Georgiana Darcy ignored her aunt’s judgment and turned to her brother as Hill, their housekeeper, came to attend them. “I wish you had danced with Miss Bennet.”
Mrs. de Bourgh overheard and agreed. “Mrs. Long said Miss Bennet has thirty-thousand pounds as her dowry. Your brother had best dance with her as often as he might while she is in the neighborhood. Can you imagine the improvements that could be made to this home for such a sum?”
Mr. Darcy had heard the same gossip, but he was not drawn to the young lady from Derbyshire for her money. Certainly she was the most beautiful lady he had ever seen, but the insult she had spoken against him made her less appealing. He might not be as wealthy as her father, but he was a man worthy of one dance.
And the mention of improvements to Longbourn were nothing new. His aunt had expensive tastes her own pitiful budget could never have afforded at her home in Kent.
She had changed the curtains upstairs and down since coming to Longbourn with the use of the household allowance he gave her and they had been exceedingly expensive in his opinion. He had not chastised her because the simple act had lifted her spirits while in mourning.
His aunt continued her pronouncements on the suitability of her daughter for Mr. Bingley and Mr. Darcy found he longed to be alone with his thoughts. The hour was late and so he left the women in the parlor to their gossip and retired for the evening.
He would invite Mr. Bingley and his sister, and Miss Bennet, to dine with them at the earliest opportunity.
He was less than thrilled with the idea of the proud young lady at his table. He recalled her insult and chuckled at her display of pride. I could easily forgive hers had she not mortified mine, he thought as he climbed the stairs.
A fortnight after the Assembly, Elizabeth stood with Caroline Bingley surveying a room filled with country society yet again. Bingley had accepted an invitation for a party at Lucas Lodge in the hopes of seeing Miss Darcy again.
Caroline nudged her friend and pointed toward a terrace door. “Let us make our escape, Eliza. I can only imagine your torture is equal to mine.”
Elizabeth was not tortured, not in the way her friend meant. “Your conjecture is entirely wrong. My mind was more agreeably engaged. I have been meditating on the very great pleasure which a pair of strong shoulders on a handsome man can bestow.”
Caroline snorted laughter in a very unladylike manner. She demanded her friend tell her which gentleman had inspired such reflection. “Oh dear, I do hope it is not one of the officers with Colonel Forster.”
“Caro, surely you do not think so little of my character. It is Mr. Darcy of course,” Elizabeth said, not bothering to look at her friend.
“Eliza! I am all astonishment! Just the other evening you said he was not a suitable match for any of our party. When am I to wish you joy?” Her friend whispered in her ear.
“Admiring a man's physique does not require an engagement, Caro.” Elizabeth quipped and left her friend, whose mouth hung open at the change in her opinion of Mr. Darcy.
Elizabeth promptly collided with Sir William. He was gathering the young ladies and soldiers to dance. Miss de Bourgh sat at the pianoforte and chose a lively tune for the group.
"Miss Bennet, do you like to dance?" Sir William asked as he gently steadied her to keep her from tripping on the rich, green carpet of his large parlor.
Elizabeth nodded. “I do upon occasion, sir, but only when I cannot escape such a fate.”
Sir William did not know whether the lady was serious but as he was about to form a reply, Mr. Darcy appeared.
Unable to politely excuse herself, Elizabeth was soon face to face with the man whose shoulders she had secretly admired only moments earlier.
She made an attempt to hide her anticipation as Sir William fancied himself a matchmaker. “Mr. Darcy, you must dance with Miss Bennet. See her friend Mr. Bingley there with your sister? It would make the perfect picture for you to join them.”
Mr. Darcy agreed and offered an arm. “I would be most honored if you would dance with me, Miss Bennet.”
Elizabeth, alarmed by this development, looked at his arm and then at his face. “I did not come this way to seek a dance partner, I assure you.”
Mr. Darcy merely smiled and moved closer. “Nor did I, but it is only a dance.”
Elizabeth glanced at the dancers enjoying the music. She did not wish to appear unreasonable, and he was so very handsome with his broad shoulders and so she took Mr. Darcy's arm. "I suppose if I must, then let it be with a gentleman and not a soldier."
Mr. Darcy was caught off guard by yet another of her barbs. It stung but he remained amiable and civil. Odious woman! He smiled though he wished to shame her. “I am certainly glad I am not a soldier, then.”
To his surprise, she agreed. “That makes two of us.”
Mr. Darcy could not decide if he liked or hated this impertinent woman! But when his cousin began to play another tune, he bowed and took his place in the line across from Miss Bennet.
Elizabeth watched Mr. Darcy as they moved through the dance steps. He smiled at her whenever their eyes met. Her heart skipped a beat. She felt her face grow hot. Elizabeth did not know why she had become so infatuated with a man her mother would never accept.
He was taller than Bingley, but where his sister was fair, Mr. Darcy was not. His dark hair curled at the edges of his cravat and the cut of his suit revealed he was no man of leisure.
None of the gentlemen who sought her hand in Town were as striking as the gentleman farmer who made her heart leap into her throat with just a look.
She knew Caroline would never miss the chance to tease about her earlier commentary regarding Mr. Darcy's shoulders, but she did not care. She would only be in Hertfordshire a short time and there was no harm in admiring the man or dancing with him.
When the music ended, Elizabeth felt regret. Mr. Darcy gave a small bow and thanked her for the dance. Before she might reply, he left to speak with their host.
“Take care, Eliza. A man like Mr. Darcy could never make your mother happy.” Caroline had appeared at her side with surprising speed.
Elizabeth ignored her friend’s words but in her heart she thought Mr. Darcy could make her quite happy, though it was foolish to consider more than a few dances with the man.
Chapter 3
Bingley talked all through breakfast the next morning about his intention of courting Miss Darcy. “I believe she must feel the same attraction and in time, she will become my wife.”
Elizabeth had watched the quiet young lady at the Lucas party. “Charles, I do not think she returns your feelings. Not once did I see her behave as though she preferred you over any other gentleman in attendance.”
Bingley appeared hurt by Elizabeth's estimation of Miss Darcy’s attachment or the lack thereof. “She is merely a reserved young lady, quite different from the set you prefer in Town.”
Elizabeth bit her tongue. She had not wanted to hurt her friend but his plan to seek Miss Darcy's hand left her little choice in the matter.
“Charles, you fall in love at least four times a year, as the seasons change,” Caroline teased before Elizabeth might speak on the matter again.
Bingley placed his napkin on the table. “I know the two of you want the best for me, but I will be the judge of that. I will meet Sir William in an hour's time at Lucas Lodge to dine with Colonel Forster and his senior officers.”
Caroline stood. “Eliza and I will have tea with Miss Darcy today. Did you forget?”
Bingley appeared crestfallen. “I suppose I did. Perhaps she might be persuaded to stay until I have returned?”
Caroline did not bother arguing. She knew her brother would not be turned away from yet another romantic pursuit. He
loved falling in love. “Eliza and I will do our best.”
The rain fell harder than it had in the morning and Georgiana Darcy began to fret. “Aunt Catherine, I must have the carriage, but William has taken it today. How will I get to Netherfield in this rain?”
Mrs. de Bourgh dismissed her niece's worries. “Do you not see, child? 'Tis perfect luck that you shall go in the rain. Take the horses. If I am right, the rain will only become heavier this afternoon. You girls will have to stay the night at Netherfield, you see.”
Anne did not see the sense of remaining overnight as a guest of the Bingleys. She hardly knew them. “But Mother, I would not like to impose upon their hospitality so soon after making their acquaintance. The invitation was for Georgiana, not me.”
Her mother sneered. “Nonsense child! Miss Bingley simply forgot to add your name. If you are ever to marry, you must do as I say.”
Anne knew better than to challenge her mother’s schemes. The woman always managed to get her way, but she knew her mother only wanted the best for her.
She hurried upstairs with her cousin to dress carefully to impress their new friends. Georgiana mumbled about catching a cold in the rain but Anne reassured her. “It would be a small price to pay if you win Mr. Bingley's affections. I wish he had a brother instead of a sister. I do so admire Miss Bingley and her friend Miss Bennet. They are wonderfully fashionable. Do you not agree?”
Georgiana wrinkled her nose. “Miss Bingley is aloof and her friend is no better. Money does not compensate for a lack of civility.”
Anne appeared to ponder her response. “I think Miss Bennet is merely a quiet lady. The gossip over her dowry was as whispered over as Mr. Bingley's fortune at the Assembly. It cannot be comfortable having people discuss your worth in such a manner. As for Miss Bingley, she has likely seen many young ladies attracted to her brother for the wrong reason.”
Georgiana went to stand before her cousin. “Help me with these tiny buttons please. You are just like Mr. Bingley; determined to like everyone.”
Miss Darcy and Miss de Bourgh sat with Caroline and Elizabeth in the drawing-room of Netherfield Park and enjoyed a tea that was most decadent when compared to the practical country offerings of their neighbors.
Caroline questioned Miss Darcy about her home and brother before deciding to include Miss de Bourgh in the conversation. Elizabeth watched as the shy young lady seemed to struggle. Caroline was most unkind to her. “We overheard that Mr. Darcy saved you from the hedgerows.”
But Miss de Bourgh was not too shy to admit the truth. “Mother and I came to Hertfordshire after Father died in a fire. There was very little money when his will was read, only enough for my dowry. My cousin was most kind to take us in.”
Caroline glanced at her friend. Elizabeth gave her a warning look and sipped her tea to disguise the sound of disapproval that rose in her throat.
“Mr. Darcy has done well by you, I declare. Your mother must find it difficult to be in such a pitiable state.” Caroline’s voice was laced with concern and Miss de Bourgh was eager to accept the commiseration.
“Mother wishes for our old home and for Father. I admit I am homesick as well.” No sooner had the words left the girl than she fainted.
Elizabeth and Caroline jumped from their seats in dismay. Caroline tiptoed around the poor girl, but Elizabeth went to her side with Miss Darcy. “Caro, she is burning up with fever. Send for a footman to fetch the local doctor.”
In an hour's time, Miss de Bourgh was resting in a bedroom of Netherfield Park and Caroline was complaining in the drawing room. “It is a pity she has fallen ill, but how bothersome to have a guest when none was expected.”
Elizabeth sighed deeply, her irritation plain. “Surely you might have more consideration for the poor dear, Caro. It is not as if she came here seeking to fall ill and become a burden.”
Caroline snorted and pointed a finger at Elizabeth. “She came on horseback in the rain, Eliza. What kind of woman sends her frail daughter and niece out in such weather without the use of a carriage? I'll tell you! The kind obsessed with my brother and his fortune.”
Elizabeth went to stand by the row of windows that looked out over the gardens. “Charles will be thrilled, you know. At least someone in this house will be pleased.”
No sooner were the words spoken than the butler entered the drawing room with Mr. Darcy on his heels. Elizabeth noticed how the raindrops trapped in his dark curls caught the candlelight.
Caroline glanced at Elizabeth as she welcomed Mr. Darcy. “We have seen to your cousin's well-being, sir. Mr. Jones, your apothecary, has said she must remain abed for a few days and cannot return home in this terrible weather.”
Elizabeth held her tongue. She felt terribly ill-mannered to behave in such a way, but Mr. Darcy’s attention remained on her friend.
“I would not wish to inconvenience your household, Miss Bingley. Surely I might take her home in my carriage?”
Bingley entered the parlor and shook Mr. Darcy's hand. “It is no trouble for your cousin to recover here with us, Mr. Darcy. In fact, Miss Darcy may stay if she wishes. To see to your cousin's comfort, of course.”
Caroline’s smile was strained as she went to stand beside her brother. Elizabeth turned away. She did not wish to laugh at her friend, but the woman was often ridiculous and unkind.
The stark difference in the Bingleys still puzzled her after all this time though she loved them both. When they were younger, Caroline’s snide comments had amused Elizabeth but more and more, she found them irritating when she noticed the subjects of Caroline’s meanness did not deserve it.
Mr. Darcy's voice caused Elizabeth to turn and face the trio once again. “I am grateful for your kindness, Miss Bingley. Mr. Bingley, I would very much like to repay your generosity when my cousin is well. You must all come for dinner at your convenience.”
Elizabeth saw how Bingley stood taller and glowed at the idea of becoming better acquainted with the Darcy family. She also thought perhaps Caroline might be correct in her accusation against Mrs. de Bourgh. Only time would tell.
Georgiana brushed aside the damp hair from her cousin's heated brow. “My dear Anne, why must you be the one to fall ill? Aunt Catherine will be most displeased.”
Anne lay still and silent but the girl's eyes flitted underneath their pale lids. A knock upon the door startled Georgiana from her observations.
Miss Bingley entered and called to her. The woman would not come near Anne's bedside. “Mr. Darcy has come. He wishes to speak with you and to see Miss de Bourgh.”
Georgiana stood and followed Miss Bingley from the room. Their hostess left her in the hallway with her brother and an admonition. “Please do send for me if her condition worsens.”
Mr. Darcy took his sister's hands. “The Bingleys say you must stay with Anne if you wish. I will have Hill send a footman with a small trunk of clothes for you. How is she?”
Georgiana led her brother into the room where Anne rested. “How kind of them! I wish I were ill instead of poor Anne. We tried to convince Aunt Catherine the weather was too terrible for us to come on horseback, but she hoped we might be stranded for the night.”
Mr. Darcy was irritated by his aunt's machinations but he would not speak of them to his sister. “I shall deal with her directly. Let me see our Anne. She is so often unwell. It is a pity.”
In the hallway from her position by the door where she stood eavesdropping, Miss Bingley covered her mouth before she might call out in anger. She had rightly judged Mrs. de Bourgh.
In the drawing room, Caroline paced and fussed at her brother. “I know what I heard, Charles. The woman has thrown those girls before you without a care for the inconvenience to our household nor the danger to their health.”
Bingley sat leisurely before the fire, the grin he wore winding his sister tighter in her objections. “I care not, Caro. I expect she wishes for her daughter to win me, but Miss Darcy has already claimed my heart.”
Elizabeth s
norted from her seat across the room by the window. “Today it is Miss Darcy. When we return to town, it shall be Miss Cole. Do not make yourself ill, Caro. Your brother will do as he pleases no matter how many lovely shades of purple your face displays.”
Caroline could not reply as Mr. Darcy entered the parlor with a footman who stood dripping water on the polished floor. The poor servant shivered but held tightly to a small trunk as though it were a prized treasure.
“My footman has brought clothing for my sister and cousin. He says the roads are impassable and that I would not make it the three miles home with my carriage. My driver has taken the conveyance and horses to your stables.”
Elizabeth was breathless awaiting Bingley’s reply. It seemed Netherfield would soon host the entire Darcy family for the night. She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from smiling like a silly girl.
Bingley had stood when Mr. Darcy entered and he went to clap the man on the back. “Of course you must stay with us, sir. Come, join me in the library for port and cigars. Your footman may find dry clothing downstairs with our servants.”
Mr. Darcy gave a small bow to Caroline and Elizabeth moved to her side as the mistress of Netherfield was, for once, beyond words.
She glanced at Mr. Darcy as he waited by the door. Bingley called for one of his own footmen to take the trunk upstairs while sending Mr. Darcy’s footman downstairs.
As if he felt her eyes upon him, Mr. Darcy turned and caught Elizabeth in her examination of his person. He nodded at her with a smile that deepened the dimple in his left cheek. Elizabeth's countenance grew from rosy pink to crimson but she would not look away.
She lifted her chin and smiled back. Caroline moved to block her friend's view of the man. She hissed her censure under her breath. “Eliza, what is wrong with you? Your mother would be most angry to know you flirt with such a man!”